Another Bottle Down

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off the holiday season and head out to the Texas Hill Country to check out an over-performing winery, Elisa Christopher. They sit down with the owner/ winemaker, Elisa Jones, who is quickly making a name for herself in the Texas industry as a leader for quality sparkling wine both under her own label as well as a custom disgorging facility for other wineries. They chat about Elisa's previous career in intelligence with the Department of Defense as well as all the challenges of setting up a dedicated in-house disgorging facility and growing Texas grapes for sparkling wine production. Mark and Jessica are excited to continue to follow the evolution of Elisa Christopher wines and the overall sparkling segment of Texas wines. Check out Elisa Christopher Website Here Check out the Another Bottle Down Episode on the Texas Vintners Cup here.

On today's show, Mark and Jessica have a meandering conversation based on some more abstract concepts that Mark has be exploring. While it was originally intended to be a conversation about learning wine and wine education, Mark takes a different course and explores the relationship between wine and art. "Do we find beauty in wine" and "can imperfect wines be attractive," are some of the larger topics Mark and Jessica tackle. Cited: What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory, by Brian Eno

On today's show, Mark and Jessica celebrate October as Texas Wine Month with a recap of the 5th annual Texas Vintner's Cup. Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture's Uncork Texas Wines program, Jessica along with Master Sommeliers Jack Mason and Steven McDonald have judged hundreds of Texas wines to come up with a full case of the top 12 wines from this year. Plus, there are an additional 30 wines that received honorable mention. Listen in as Mark and Jessica dive into the trends, surprises, and the fun from behind the scenes of this year's judging. Also, Mark and Jessica kick off this episode by talking about Jessica's forthcoming book Italianality, due to hit shelves in March of next year. Useful links: Preorder Italianality by Jessica Dupuy and Andrea Lonardi Full article on the Texas Vintners Cup at Texas Monthly Online article on the Texas Vintners Cup Sevenfifty Daily: Jessica's article on Volatile Acidity

On today's episode, Jessica is joined by the Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, the current owner and managing director of Tenuta San Leonardo in Trentino. Over 1,000 years ago, San Leonardo was founded as a monastery, but it has served as the residence of the Marchese Guerrieri Gonzaga family for over three centuries. Anselmo elaborates on the winemaking traditions of the estate, starting with his father the Marchese Carlo being drawn to Bordeaux and eventually working with the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta at San Guido (before Sassicaia was made). Anselmo is such an advocate for Trentino and the Bordeaux varieties in Northern Italy vs the coastal Bolgheri. Additionally, he breaks down the fascinating history of Carmenere in the region and his uncompromising attitude to creating an honest and drinkable style of wine. So many great stories in this episode, please enjoy! Fact checking: The weather is actually cooling off in Austin; we're currently experience a delightful Texas fall. Bordeaux and Coonawarra Australia are both Region II on the Winkler scale of 'Growing Degree Days' with Trentino being Region III on the valley floors and Region II on the higher elevation vineyards. Links: San Leonardo Website

On today's show, Jessica interviews Yannick Benjamin, a wine industry veteran who is outspoken about the injustices and inequities of the wine and restaurant industries. Yannick's thoughtful approach to hospitality and inclusion is an inspiration to so many people who work in beverage and beyond. Born into a family of French restauranteurs, Yannick has worked at The University Club, Le Cirque, Oceana, Jean Georges, Atlas, Felidia, and Atelier at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2021, he opened Contento, a barrier-free restaurant accessible to all. Today, he is owner of Beaupierre Wine and Spirits in NYC and runs the non-profit Wine on Wheels, which strives to enhance the quality of life for people living with disabilities. The annual Grand Tasting and Silent Auction brings together Yannick's passion for hospitality and awareness for people with disabilities. At this event, hundreds of esteemed sommeliers come together to pour over 200 wines from around the world for the charity. Discover more about Yannick Benjamin: Yannick's non-profit Wine on Wheels This year's Wine on Wheels Grand Tasting and Silent Auction- September 28, 2025 Yannick's wine shop: Beaupierre Wines Yannick on Instagram

On today's show, Jessica and Mark host a special episode with Mandi Nelson, president and founder of ATX Somms, on the upcoming event, Grapes for Good, benefitting the Kerrville Floods relief effort. On August 10th 2025, that's this upcoming Sunday, the Texas sommelier industry will get together at Wanderlust East Austin to show off some seriously amazing wine and celebrate community, and YOU are invited! The biggest impact will be to buy tickets; 100% of the admission proceeds will go to relief efforts. There will also be a silent auction and retail purchases with proceeds also going to Kerrville relief. This is a great way for the Texas wine loving community to use what we love and have it go to a good cause. Buy tickets and more information at ATX Somms.com Benefitting organization: Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country The Wine and Food Foundation is matching up to $7,500 in Ticket Sales

On today's show, Jessica interviews Roberto Bruno, CEO and Commercial Director of Fontanafredda in the commune Serralunga d'Alba in Barolo. Roberto has worked at this historic estate for 34 years and has even lived for a time in the eponymous village. Roberto and Jessica get into the origins of Fontanafredda which is really tied to the origins of Barolo as a whole. In 1858, King Vittorio Emmanuele II purchases a renowned hunting lodge and grounds as a gift to his mistress Rosina. Shortly thereafter, the king also purchases vineyards and is the first to use the word Barolo on bottles. Roberto also leads us through various other notable and historical moments in the region, such as the Barolo boys, promoting Seralunga as a communes, the organic movement and so much more. For more information: History of Fontanafredda Fontanafredda's US Importer: Palm Bay Roberto Bruno on Instagram

Mathieu Billecart, 7th generation owner and President of Champagne Billecart Salmon, comes on the show to talk about partnering in a new non-Alc project called Jukes. Mathieu has been frustrated by a lack of options in the non-alc space. For him, wine lovers who choose to abstain for a temporary or permanent time period deserve a beverage that provides an elevated tasting experience, similar to that of wine, but dealcoholizing wine is not the best option. During a recent lunch with Matthew Jukes, a friend and British wine expert, he learned what Jukes was working on: an apple cider vinegar based product with various blended fruit and vegetable juices. Mathieu was intrigued and a partnership formed. The second half of the show is dedicated to learning about the Billecart Salmon Prestige releases of Cuvee Nicolas Francois 2012 (Blanc), Elizabeth Salmon 2012 (Rose), and Louis Salmon 2012 (Blanc de Blancs). Jukes Website Champagne Billecart Salmon- Prestige Cuvees Mathieu Billecart's first appearance on Another Bottle Down

On today's show, Jessica interviews Marcus Notaro, head of wine production at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars shocked the world by winning the famed Judgement of Paris which put Napa Valley Cabernets up again the famous Bordeaux estates. It was the 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet produced by Warren Winiarski that took home the price, and it was also the very fist vintage at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Jessica and Marcus dig into all things Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, from climate of the Stag's Leap AVA to soils of the particular single vineyards. Marcus brings so much perspective having worked in Washington State at Col Solare, then moving down to Napa in 2013. Make sure to catch some of the stories towards the end of the episode that Marcus tells about his friendship with Warren Winiarski, the founder and original winemaker of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars website Stags Leap Winegrowers Association More info on Warren Winiarski

On today's episode, Mark chats with Matt Crafton, head winemaker at the historic Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Matt is the fifth winemaker at Montelena and has been at the helm since 2014 overseeing all aspects of winemaking, vineyard management, communication, and strategy. Matt and Mark delve into the history of this historic estate as well as the vineyards that go into the core Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The conversation weaves in elements of the Napa Valley terroir, creativity in winemaking, and various challenges that face the industry in today's wine-loving world. Pertinent links: Matt Crafton's Bio Chateau Montelena's Website Napa Valley Vintners The Restaurant in San Miguel that Mark referenced: Naakary San Miguel de Allende