Best Direct Cellars Podcasts (2024)

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169: Avery Heelan - Larkmead Vineyards 56:27

4d ago56:27

56:27

In this episode, Avery Heelan, the talented winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards, shares her personal voyage from the pharmaceutical industry to the heart of Napa Valley's viticulture scene. Listen in as she recounts the challenges and growth she experienced while transitioning to a career that aligns with her passion. Our conversation takes a worldly t…

1
61. Chasing Dreams w/Global Goal Music 2:04:44

5d ago2:04:44

2:04:44

Join host Will Bryant as he dives deep into the world of music, multimedia, and global impact with his guests Ciisco and Alex, the dynamic duo behind Global Goal Music. As founders of Global Goal Music, Ciisco, and Alex wear many hats, from DJing to music production to sound engineers and beyond. But their mission extends far beyond the beats they …

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Costco Kirkland Signature 2019 Rioja Reserva Challenge! (A punch-you-in-the-face wine, perfect base for Sangria, for Cab Sauv lovers) 43:22

5d ago43:22

43:22

Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen…

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60. Global Goal Music w/Ciisco & ALX 1:57:30

13d ago1:57:30

1:57:30

Alex (ALX) is a veteran in all aspects of the music industry with experience as a rapper, DJ, and producer who even owns his very own music and recording studio. Ciisco is a young DJ, producer and audio engineer that has already made his presence known in the NYC electronic music scene. Together they run Global Goal Music, an International Record L…

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Spain’s Hidden Gem: Priorat! (One of the great wines of Spain, Grenache-based red wine) 38:16

12d ago38:16

38:16

When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more …

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168: Viticulture Q&A with Fritz Westover 1:02:06

18d ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Join me as I bring back viticulturist Fritz Westover to unpack questions from our dedicated Inside Winemaking community. Listen in as we discuss the intricacies of vineyard management, sustaining vineyard health and productivity over time, and the crucial steps involved in preparing a vineyard for replanting, with a particular focus on the nuances …

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59. Silly Directions w/Liam Struminger 1:59:38

20d ago1:59:38

1:59:38

Liam Struminger is an aspiring director and recent graduate of Tulane University. He's fresh to New York and has found a new home in Bushwick, which happens to be where Will Bryant lives and records. The two discuss the number of short comedy sketches that Liam has already directed and what went into the development and filming for different ideas.…

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High QPR Pinot Noir #4! (How the American wine palate has been programmed by big wine, Pinot is a polarizing wine) 43:30

19d ago43:30

43:30

Pinot Noir can be a polarizing wine - some people love it, and some people just don’t get it. We think that happens for a few reasons. First, most wine drinkers have been trained to think that wines are supposed to taste like Cabernet Sauvignon - big, fruit forward, high in alcohol, and very tannic. Which is just not what a great Pinot tastes like.…

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58. Freestylin' w/Isaac Knox 1:51:19

27d ago1:51:19

1:51:19

Isaac Knox is a battle rapper, improvisational freestyler and stand up comedian from Orlando, Florida. He visits Will Bryant this week to talk about falling in love with Hip-Hop, and how the scene differs in Orlando compared to New York. Listen as Will learns about Isaac's own freestyle company and how he got them gigs with both Disneyland and Univ…

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Wallet-Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck and More! (Reviewing wines under $5, cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, some pleasant and unpleasant surprises) 43:35

26d ago43:35

43:35

Believe it or not, 73% of the wine purchased in the United States is sold for less than $8. So, there are a LOT of people drinking those wines! But they don’t often get reviews, and so we thought we would take some time to taste and review some value wines to see just how different they are from slightly more expensive wines. The results: one of th…

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167: Josh Phelps - Grounded Wine Co 47:25

1M ago47:25

47:25

Join us as we explore the life of Josh Phelps, a seasoned player in the wine industry, from his roots in restaurant work to the strategic cultivation of his winemaking empire. Listen in as Josh recounts his time at Kimberly Jones Selections where he honed his skills in sales and faced the tough skin-building challenge of rejection, and shares how h…

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57. Express Yourself w/Hava 2:08:12

1M ago2:08:12

2:08:12

This week Will welcomes Hava to the show, a person that on the surface level seems like the complete opposite of our host... but throughout the episode it becomes apparent that the two actually have much more in common than they thought. Hava creates a plethora of longer form media and content that allows her outlets for genuine self expression. He…

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Bordeaux Bargains #1! (Haut-Médoc and Graves, Left Bank, why Bordeaux wines are so tricky to understand) 48:30

1M ago48:30

48:30

Bordeaux is home to some of the most famous - and most expensive - wines in the world. But can you find a great wine at a great price?!? You can!!! There is no reason to spend more than $20 a bottle to find highly rated and very enjoyable wines from this classic region. In this episode, we focus on Left Bank wines, and we bring that up because Bord…

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56. Tequila Tasting w/James Lee 2:27:15

1M ago2:27:15

2:27:15

If you've ever heard Will say "Thank You James" after taking a shot of tequila on air, then you're already somewhat familiar with this week's guest. James Lee is one of Will's best friends, and not just for always supplying him with excellent tequilas. Will & James taste test 5 different tequilas as they talk about what it's like to own a liquor st…

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WTF is Muscadet? (Melon de Bourgogne, the Sur Lie method, batonnage, the ultimate fish wine, the best French white wine under $20?) 41:50

1M ago41:50

41:50

If you’re like us, French wines can feel so confusing - and that’s exactly why we do these WTF episodes! This week, we dive into a great French white wine called Muscadet, which is not to be confused with Muscat or Moscato (which are, by the way, the same thing). Muscadet is a wine made in the Loire Valley from the grape Melon de Bourgogne - and th…

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166: Shawn Johnson - Amulet Estate 56:28

2M ago56:28

56:28

I recently sat down with Shawn Johnson of Amulet Estate, who shared the revolution in winemaking processes brought by innovative software and fermentation techniques. His story intertwines with mine as I recall my years learning the winemaking craft from mentors like Mark Harold and the brilliant minds at Nicholson Ranch. Come with us behind the sc…

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55. Creating a One Person Show w/Josh Wagner 1:55:49

2M ago1:55:49

1:55:49

Josh Wagner is back this week to continue his Scotch fueled conversation with Will. This week the two discuss the "Airbag: A Metaphor, Or Is It?" The one person show that Josh is creating, producing, & starring in set to premiere in New York in the near future. This takes them down an unexpected path where Josh is gracious and open enough with Will…

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Italian Wine Adventure #11: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo! (An underrated and underappreciated Italian beauty, the ultimate cookout wine) 43:04

2M ago43:04

43:04

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an easy wine to overlook. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and does not have the cachet that a Chianti or Barolo or Amarone has. But we are here to tell you that you should take a second look at this underappreciated and underrated Italian wine! In this episode, we tasted and reviewed three easy to find and reasonably pri…

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54. Acting & Scotch Making w/Josh Wagner 1:59:38

2M ago1:59:38

1:59:38

This week Will reconnects with an old friend he hasn't seen in 9 years, Josh Wagner. Josh discusses his start in radio broadcasting and how he transitioned into acting. We learn how acting took him to Edinburgh, Scotland, and how these events serendipitously led him and his family to invest in a couple of barrels of scotch at the renowned Bruichlad…

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How Good Are Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Wines? (TJ’s is a great, inexpensive place to expand your wine horizons, is high-end cheap worth the price?) 48:29

2M ago48:29

48:29

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve wines are meant to compare with wines twice their price, and are said to be top wines from top winemakers in some of the most prestigious wine-growing regions, but just how good are they really? We seek to answer that question to save you time and money. In this episode, we try three different Platinum Reserve wines fr…

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165: Dan Limoges - Limoges Cellars 1:04:38

2M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

Listen in as I sit down with Dan Limoges, a winemaker and grape grower from North Georgia who has truly immersed himself in the craft. Dan shares the narrative of his transition from Iowa to the wine-laden landscapes of Georgia, where he and his wife have established Limoges Cellars. His passion for the vine-to-bottle process is evident as we talk …

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53. I Performed at The Comedy Cellar 1:29:17

2M ago1:29:17

1:29:17

Will has finally done it! His comedy debut took place on February 3rd, a year after the start of this very podcast. After announcing his goal of getting on stage, Will gives a personal account of everything that went into his greatest accomplishment to date. Tune in to hear what lead up to the big performance, and all the details of the actual day.…

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WTF is Pinotage? (And WTF is Coffee Pinotage? South Africa’s signature wine) 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

Ok, let’s be honest. Pinotage is a TRIP. It is like no other wine we have ever had before, and is flat out an experience that you have to try. You may not love it, or even like it, but you have to try it. Especially the Coffee Pinotage which in and of itself is an adventure (and is really a thing)! Pinotage is a wine that was invented in South Afri…

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52. Been Around the World w/Martin Baez 1:25:56

2M ago1:25:56

1:25:56

Will's good friend, Martin Baez, is back again this week. This time the two discuss the simpler things in life like sports, TV & film. We also learn from Martin first hand what it's like working in the airline industry as we discuss all the perks as well as difficulties that come with the job. Follow @imWillBryant on all platforms! Instagram: @imWi…

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Costco Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir Challenge! (The pros and cons of Costco’s wine selection, why few experts review Costco wines, Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir review) 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

Costco sells a TON of wine, but finding expert reviews of their Kirkland Signature wines can be very tricky. We are happy to help fill that void! Find out why few wine reviewers bother to review Costco Kirkland Signature wines, and where you can find some pretty reliable reviews for those wines. But, most importantly, find out what we think of the …

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164: Fritz Westover - Westover Vineyard Advising and Virtual Viticulture Academy 1:00:59

2M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Join the conversation with viticulturist Fritz Westover and discover the alchemy of grape growing in climates that challenge even the most seasoned growers. From the humble Pennsylvania plant lover to an acclaimed viticulturist, Fritz unpacks his storied journey and the problems faced by vineyards far from Napa Valley. Learn how Fritz helps vineyar…

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51. Friendship & Betrayal w/Martin Baez 1:43:29

3M ago1:43:29

1:43:29

This week Will welcomes one of his best friends to the show, Martin Baez. Martin is one of the newer members of Will's close circle of friends and the two discuss their newfound bromance... and eventually discuss the moment Martin betrayed that friendship and stabbed Will in the back! Follow @imWillBryant on all platforms! Instagram: @imWillBryant …

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Josh Wines Are . . . Meh. (The truth behind the hype. BTW, we did not give this episode a title until after we tasted the wines in our recording!) 45:59

3M ago45:59

45:59

Josh Cellars wine has been all over social media recently, but the real question is - is it worthy of the hype?!? We gave Josh Cellars an honest-to-goodness opportunity to impress us. We tasted and reviewed three different Josh Cellar wines just to make sure that we were getting a proper sense of the breadth of their products, and the results were …

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50. Round 2 w/Rocco Giambrone 1:43:24

3M ago1:43:24

1:43:24

Rocco is back for another round against Will this week. In part two of their conversation they discuss what life is like for a professional mixed martial artist. Rocco gets brutally honest about the highs of victory and the lows of defeat in the fight game, and how he responds to both. Along the way, the former teammates crack each other up with si…

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Sweet Dessert Wines for Your Sweetheart! (Wines for Valentine’s Day, Savoring a meal and time with family and friends, WTF is fortified wine) 49:51

3M ago49:51

49:51

If you think you are not a fan of dessert wines, we believe we can change your mind - because we changed our own minds in this episode! Dessert wines are perfect for romantic evenings, but also a great excuse to slow down and extend a meal with family, friends, and loved ones. If you are looking for something special to do this Valentine’s Day, ser…

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163: Pavle Milic – Los Milics Vineyard and Winery 1:10:51

3M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

In this episode, Pavle Milic takes us through a journey of his life, passions, and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with his roots in Colombia and transition to the hospitality scene in New York, Milic has carved out a unique niche in the culinary and wine world in Arizona. The discussion navigates through the landscapes of Colombia and the burgeon…

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Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #7: Drew Perry! (They make wine in Michigan! Head Winemaker for Simpson Family Estates: Good Harbor Vineyards and Aurora Cellars) 47:18

3M ago47:18

47:18

Did you know they make wine in Michigan. Yes, yes it’s true! And not only that, they make REALLY GOOD wine in Michigan. Don’t believe us? Then you need to listen to our interview with Drew Perry from Simpson Family Estates, home of Good Harbor Vineyards and Aurora Cellars and we’ll set you straight! We had the great honor of interviewing Drew who, …

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49. Football & Fighting w/Rocco Giambrone 2:04:46

3M ago2:04:46

2:04:46

This week Will reconnects with the captain of his high school football team, Rocco Giambrone. Rocco played football for 10+ years of his life before transitioning into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Together, Will & Rocco discuss the highs and lows of football back in the early 2000s while reminiscing about the good ol' days. In part 1 of this sp…

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They Make Wine in Michigan?!? (The Riesling Belt, Leelanau Peninsula, and a bunch of other stuff we bet you didn’t know!) 48:16

3M ago48:16

48:16

Look, we were skeptical too, but it’s true. Not only do they make wine in Michigan, they are making great wine! If you are like us, you didn’t realize that there is a burgeoning wine industry in Michigan, and that some highly rated wines are coming out of their 5 AVAs. And, in this episode we’ll taste some of these well rated wines and tell you wha…

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48. Producing a Play w/Gia Bonello 2:55:06

3M ago2:55:06

2:55:06

This week Will sits down with Gia Bonello to have an in-depth discussion about all things theater. Gia let's us in on life growing up in Brooklyn to attending the very competitive and demanding NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and how it all led to producing her very first play. Will & Gia get into the nitty gritty of what goes into producing a play f…

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47. I Worked at a Drag Queen Restaurant 1:24:23

3M ago1:24:23

1:24:23

This week Will dives into his first real job ever and how he ended up working at a drag queen restaurant in NYC. Learn how he got the job, and how working at Lips helped mold him for the rest of his life. Follow @imWillBryant on all platforms! Instagram: @imWillBryant https://www.instagram.com/imwillbryant/ YouTube: @imWillBryant https://www.youtub…

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Italian Wine Adventure #10: Fiano! (A nearly extinct ancient grape makes a comeback, bigger bodied white wine, famous foods from the Campania area of Italy, Chardonnay alternative) 50:34

3M ago50:34

50:34

The Campania region of Italy, famous for the city of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Mount Vesuvius, is also home to many of the most beloved Italian foods - like pizza! - but did you know it is also home to many of the best Italian wines?!? In this Italian wine adventure, we introduce you to a white wine called Fiano that you probably have not heard…

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46. I Represent Queens 1:24:24

4M ago1:24:24

1:24:24

Will's back for the first episode of the year wearing his favorite sweater, and it takes him down the rabbit hole of what life was like growing up in Queens, New York. Join Will as he talks about being born & raised in Queens and how it shaped his life forever. It leads to the story of his earliest memory of his step-father, or as he calls him in t…

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Minisode #11: Does the Shape of a Wine Bottle Matter? 12:26

4M ago12:26

12:26

In the last minisode we settled the question of whether or not size matters, and so in this minisode we are tackling the other big question - does shape matter when it comes to the wine bottle? The answer may surprise you! Wine bottles come in many different shapes, although there is one shape that sort of dominates them all, and the most common sh…

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Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #6: Duncan Shouler! (Giesen Wines Chief Winemaker, how to make great zero-alcohol wine, what is the Spinning Cone method for de alcholizing wine?) 43:02

4M ago43:02

43:02

What do you do if dry January - or some other dry month - is on your list, but you don’t want to give up wine? First, you need to listen to this podcast! We had the great pleasure of interviewing Duncan Shouler from Giesen Wines, and spoke to him in-depth about their zero-alcohol wines. Like many of the winemakers we talk to, Duncan did not start o…

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45. Best of 2023 1:12:20

4M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Will returns from his December break for the final episode of the year. He uses the time to remember some of the most important moments of his past year, both in real life and in his podcast life. Find out what he considers his top 3 life moments, top 5 podcast episodes, and all of the letdowns it took to get there. Cheers to 2023, and here's to ev…

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The Best and Worst Rated Wines of 2023! (Over 115 wines rated this year, why you should trust our ratings) 40:05

4M ago40:05

40:05

Welcome to our end of the year retrospective, review, and wrap for The Wine Pair Podcast! In this episode we review our highest and lowest rated wines of the year. Believe it or not, in 2023 we tasted and reviewed about 120 wines, and out of all of those wines, just a handful got ratings of 9 or 10, or got ratings of 4 or under. If you are looking …

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162: Collin Cranor and Craig Ploof - Grape Culture 1:31:25

4M ago1:31:25

1:31:25

Collin Cranor and Craig Ploof - Grape Culture In this episode, Colin and Craig discuss their journey from Livermore Valley to establishing their own winery in Napa Valley. They explain their focus on single-vineyard wines and the importance of site-driven winemaking. Our discussion included the role of data and technology in their winemaking proces…

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