Another Bottle Down
Food
About
Revived from a previous iteration in 2022, Another Bottle Down explores the when, what, why, and how of the wine and spirits world. Join us as we share the ins and outs, the stories, and our honest insights one bottle at at time.
Episodes
- Stephen Arnold and Selling Italian Wine in Napa Valley
On today's show, Jessica heads to the Napa Valley to sit down with Stephen Arnold, the wine director of Bottega Restaurant in Yountville, Napa. Stephen lives and breathes hospitality, and he's driven by a thirst for knowledge with the ulti…
- Italianity by Jessica Dupuy and Andrea Lonardi
On today's show, we take a deep dive into Jessica's forthcoming book, Italianity . Mark and Jessica introduce the book and discuss the writing process. Then, Mark interviews Andrea Lonardi, and they explore the overarching themes that Andr…
- Jeff Cole and the Brilliance of Napa Merlot
This week on Another Bottle Down, we're heading to the Napa Valley for a conversation with Jeff Cole, the winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate. A Napa native who grew up in Yountville, Jeff came to winemaking almost by accident, enrolli…
- Paolo Bava and the Diversity of Piedmont
On today's show we have the second episode that Mark recorded while visiting Piedmont a couple months ago for the fall truffle season. Paolo Bava is in charge of the wine production and vineyards at Cantine Bava, which has vineyard holding…
- Stefano Corino and the Evolving Style of Barolo
On today's show, we have the first of two interviews Mark did while travelling in the Barolo area last fall. Stefano Corino is Renato Corino's son, and they work side by side in the vineyards and cellar to create all the wines under the Re…
- Chris Brundrett and the Hill Country Wine Symposium
On today's show, we have a live recording with Jessica and Chris Brundrett at the Texas Hill Country Wine Symposium. Chris is the owner, founder, and winemaker of William Chris Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country and is an amazing advocate…
- Chris Kajani of Bouchaine Vineyards in Carneros California
On our first episode of 2026, Jessica sits down with Chris Kajani, President and Head Winemaker of Bouchaine Vineyards in Carneros California. They have an in-depth discussion of all things growing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in…
- Madeira for the New Year!
Join Jessica and Mark as they put a close to 2025 and welcome 2026 with an in depth discussion on Madeira, the island and its wines. Mark has been passionate about Madeira for over a decade, partially because it is under-appreciated and is…
- 'Tis the Season: Books, Gifting, and Benvenuto Brunello
On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off by talking about 9 books that Jessica reviewed for her annual wine books of the year for Forbes. They then talk more generally on gift giving for the wine lover with tidbits that will come in hand…
- Building Wine Business with Charles Lazzara
Charles Lazzara is the owner and founder of Volio Imports, an import company focused on but not exclusive to Italian wine. Jessica and Charles chat about the early days of Volio and how it started as a wholesaler of wine in Colorado. Event…
- Journalist Roundtable: State of the Industry in 2025
On today's show, Jessica gets together a group of wine and beverage journalists for a roundtable discussion on the state of the wine industry. Each journalist has an interesting and well-researched perspective on various angles of the indu…
- The Sparkling Wines of Elisa Christopher Winery
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 n…
- A Different Way of Thinking about Wine Appreciation
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 di…
- The Texas Vintners Cup 2025
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…
- San Leonardo and the Magnificence of Trentino
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 a…
- Yannick Benjamin and the Essence of Inclusion and Hospitality
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 insp…
- Special Event Alert: Grapes for Good with Mandi Nelson
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 upcom…
- Barolo through the Ages with Roberto Bruno of Fontanafredda
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 eponym…
- Mathieu Billecart, Jukes Non-Alc, and Prestige Cuvee Champagne
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. F…
- Marcus Notaro Carries the Torch at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
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 th…
- Matt Crafton, Legacy and Creativity at Ch Montelena
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…
- History and Tradition with Capanna of Montalcino
On our second episode of a two part series on Montalcino, Mark interviews Daniele Marcone the Sales Director of Capanna Winery. Capanna is located north of the town of Montalcino in the unofficial sub-region of Montosoli and is one of the…
- Riccardo Fratton from San Polo in Montalcino
On today's show, we have Riccardo Fratton, head winemaker of San Polo in Montalcino, Italy. Riccardo was raised in the Veneto region but didn't really blossom as a winemaker until working in California. He was so impressed by the level of…
- Mark and Jessica Talk Tariffs
On today's show, Mark and Jessica break down the current tariffs and other economic factors that are affecting the wine industry. This episode was recorded on April 30th, 2025, perhaps the situation has changed by the time you listen. More…
- Gus Zhu MW goes Behind the Glass
On today's show, Jessica interviews Gus Zhu, a Master of Wine and author of the recently published book Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting. Gus does an amazing job of breaking down complex topics involved…
- Kelli White and her new book, Wine Confident
On today's episode, Jessica interviews Kelli White, a wine writer and educator, about her new book, Wine Confident. Kelli's book was released in the latter part of 2024 and was part of Jessica's review of top wine books for last year with…
- Barolo and Barbaresco with Evan Davis
Mark and Jessica continue to gear up for the Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) by chatting with Evan Davis about all the considerations in a retail setting of appreciating this iconic region. Evan is Central Texas Wine Educator wi…
- Barolo and Barbaresco with Patrick Olds
On today's show, Mark and Jessica gear up for the big Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening event in Austin by interviewing Patrick Olds. Patrick recently left MML Hospitality and started his own consulting firm, Sidecar Hospitality. He's a…
- Donnafugata: History and Innovation in Sicily
On this week's episode, Jessica visits a very iconic Scilian producer, Donnafugata. She interviews the 5th and 6th generation of the winery, first José Rallo and then her daughter Gabriella Anca Rallo. There's so much to talk about with Do…
- Mark and Jessica Recap 2024
Mark and Jessica take this episode to reflect on 2024 and dig into some trends in the broader industry as well as themes that have come up in their personal circle. Front-and-center topics span non-alcohol wines, AI in wine journalism as w…
- Morgan Twain-Peterson and the Old Vines of California
On today's episode, Mark catches up with Morgan Twain-Peterson, owner, founder and winemaker of Bedrock Wine Company in Sonoma, California. Morgan grew up in a winemaking family as his father Joel Peterson was founder and winemaker of Rave…
- Thanksgiving 2024 with Austin Farina
On this year's Thanksgiving episode, Jessica and Mark have on Austin Farina, wine director of Jeffrey's, Sammie's, and a number of other MML Hospitality restaurants. They kick off the discussion with a commentary of the recent publishing o…
- Simon Kelly from te Pā winery in Marlborough
On today's show, Jessica meets up with Simon Kelly, export manager of te Pā winery in Marlborough, New Zealand. Te Pā means "at home" or "the home" in Māori, and the owner and founder Haysley MacDonald can trace his family history to the e…
- Alessandro Marini and the Power of Merlot and Sangiovese
Alessandro Marini is head winemaker at Tenuta Luce in Montalcino. Originally coming from the Marche, Alessandro spent time working at wineries in California and then Bordeaux, where he also obtained his Enology degree. Tenuta Luce was orig…
- The Wine and Foundation's Rare and Fine Wine Gala
On today's bonus show, Mark and Jessica chat with Denise Silverman, the Executive Director of the Wine and Food Foundation, based in Austin, TX. Mark and Jessica will be on stage providing color commentary on many auction lots during the g…
- Laura Rhys, MS on English Sparkling Wine
On today's show, Jessica catches up with Laura Rhys, MS from Gusbourne Estate in Kent, England. Laura has long been an advocate of promoting traditional method English sparkling wine and now works as Global Brand Ambassador for Gusbourne.…
- Marco Balsimelli, Ornellaia's New Director of Winemaking
On today's show, Jessica visits the icon property of Ornellaia, situated on the Tuscan coast in Bolgheri. She tastes through their beautiful wines with the new Director of Winemaking, Marco Balsimelli. Marco joined the executive team at Or…
- Pietro Russo MW and the Brilliance of Grillo
Pietro Russo is the third Master of Wine in Italy and part of the group of Italian MW's who are now being referred to as the "Three Muscateers" (coined by Stevie Kim of VinItaly). He grew up in the region of Marsala and after travelling th…
- Jeremy Hart and Somm.AI
On today's show, Mark catches up with Jeremy Hart, co-founder of Somm.ai. Jeremy Hart is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in sales, brand management, and strategic market…
- Pierangelo Tommasi and the Contemporary Amarone
On today's show, Jessica catches up with PIerangelo Tommasi who is the Managing Director of Tomassi Family Estates and one of nine family members who make up the 4th generation of the wine company. Pierangelo delves into the family history…
- Erika Abate with Enrico Serafino
Jessica and Mark follow up the last episode on Piedmont with a more in depth discussion of Alta Langa while focusing on one of the pioneers of sparkling wine in Piedmont, Enrico Serafino. Our guest, Erika Abate, is the export manager of Se…
- David Way and the Study of Piedmont
On today's show, Jessica digs into Piedmont with wine writer and educator David Way. David spent the last 4 years traveling to Piedmont and researching the widest array of topics including the famous icons of the Langhe, the more obscure r…
- Matt Dees and Extreme Winemaking in Santa Barbara
Matt Dees is the winemaker for sister properties Jonata and the Hilt. Matt and Jessica catch up about all things Santa Barbara from soils and geography to the more philosophical approach to wine. Useful links referenced in the episode: www…
- Manfred Ing, Winemaker of Querciabella, on the Diversity of Chianti Classico
Manfred has been the winemaker at Querciabella since 2010. He comes to Italia via his home country of South Africa, to New Zealand, California and beyond. Based on his passion, he has clearly found a home in Chianti Classico. Jessica and M…
- Chris Brundrett and Growing Wine in Texas
Chris Brundrett is co-founder and CEO of William Chris Wine Company and William Chris Vineyards. Chris and Jessica catch up on the state of the Texas industry and the origins of William Chris Vineyards. https://www.williamchriswines.com/ T…
- Somm Secrets: Patrick Olds on Blind Tasting, Restaurants, and Enjoying the Journey
On today's show, we have Patrick Olds, wine director of MML Hospitality based in Austin, TX. Patrick digs into the roll of a wine director as mentor and educator, as well as his passion of blind tasting. He feels that blind tasting is not…
- Somm Secrets: Brandon Kerne and the Art of Retail
On today's show, Jessica and Mark take a deep dive into buy and collecting wine with Brandon Kerne MS, chief of operations at the AOC Wine Group. This is a multi-faceted organization that includes the Art of Cellaring (wine storage), AOC S…
- Somm Secrets: Molly Austad on Sicily and What's Hot at Bludorn
Molly Austad is wine director at one of our favorite spots in Houston: Bludorn, Navy Blue, and the upcoming Bar Bludorn. She digs into the process of being a wine director for a multi-location restaurant group and talks about her 'guest-dr…
- Somm Secrets: Steven McDonald MS talks world-class lists, Piedmont, and Madeira
On today's show, we have on Steven McDonald Master Sommelier and Executive Wine Director of Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse in Houston and Dallas. We dig into so many topics from learning wine from a music backround, crafting a wine list and cell…
- Holiday Book Series: Ray Isle's The World in a Wine Glass
We cap off our holiday book series (and what an incredible guest to end on!) with Ray Isle, the long time Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine and Wine and Spirits editor of Travel and Leisure magazine. Ray and Jessica talk about…