Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2786 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Artem Lebedev IWA is in conversation with Stefania Pepe.

Stefania shares her lifelong connection to wine and her journey from working alongside her father in the vineyards to establishing her own azienda agricola. She discusses her philosophy of biodynamic winemaking, traditional methods and the dedication behind creating authentic, artisanal wines.

These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.

More about today’s host:

Artem Lebedev is an international wine specialist and communicator (DipWSET, DipASI), with over a decade of experience in wine education and events. A VIA Italian Wine Ambassador, he is a judge for top competitions like Mundus Vini and 5StarWines and a speaker at global forums such as Wine2Wine.

As the founder and first president of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association, Artem has been a trailblazer in advancing wine culture in the country. He co-owns IWINE and CAWU educational projects and leads the Wine Department at Alma Wine, a major import and distribution company.

Connect:

Website: https://iwine.kz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headsomm/

More about today’s guest:

Stefania Pepe is an organic and biodynamic winemaker from Abruzzo, and the daughter of legendary natural wine pioneer Emidio Pepe. She grew up pressing grapes with her father at the age of four and started her own estate to focus fully on modern organic and biodynamic methods. In 1989 she helped found Le Donne del Vino, a prominent association for women in the wine industry. Her winery is based in Torano Nuovo on the Teramo hills of Abruzzo.

She manages about 8 hectares of land using strictly natural methods and produces classic local varieties like Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.

Connect:

Website: https://www.montepulcianodabruzzo.it/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniapepe_vini/

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Until next time, Cin Cin!



Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions! Psssst…FYI, this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

Welcome back to TEXSOM 2026 and Episode 2785 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Jessica Dupuy interviews wine journalist, educator and sommelier, Samantha Cole Johnson DipWSET.

In this conversation, Samantha traces her path through the wine trade, from waitress to sommelier at some of the industry's most prestigious wine bars and restaurants, through five harvests, before falling in love with the education and journalism side of the business. She now writes for JancisRobinson.com. Samantha also reflects on TEXSOM itself: she first came as a volunteer, and says that while the masterclasses and lectures are extraordinary, the knowledge held by everyone at the event, including the service staff, might be the best part of all.

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the third year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America.

Join us at TEXSOM 2026 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry.

More about today's guest:

Samantha Cole Johnson, DipWSET is a wine journalist and educator from Oregon. She built her career in the wine trade as a waitress and later a sommelier at leading wine bars and restaurants, worked five harvests, and now writes for JancisRobinson.com, focusing on wine education and journalism.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/author/samantha-cole-johnson

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/samanthacolejohnson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-cole-johnson-b609a827b

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

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If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

What happens when volcanic soils meet the classic wines of Valpolicella?

Welcome to episode 2784 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 261 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by Francesca Marcato to explore Valpolicella through its wines, landscapes, food, and fascinating local stories.

Together, they explore the heart of the region, discovering what makes Valpolicella unique, including the volcanic soils surrounding Francesca’s winery, a distinctive feature that sets this part of the area apart. Francesca also shares the story of the winery and its connections to the neighbouring wine territories of Lessini and Soave.

From the classic wines that have made Valpolicella famous to a more unexpected discovery of sparkling wines made from grapes traditionally associated with the region, this episode reveals a playful and surprising side of Valpolicella.

And, of course, no journey through Italian wine is complete without food. Marc and Francesca explore typical dishes from the area and discover how the region’s wines come alive when paired with its traditional cuisine.

More about the guest:

Francesca Marcato is an agronomist, agricultural entrepreneur and co-founder of Talestri Winery, located in the volcanic hills of Lavagno, in eastern Valpolicella. Coming from a historic winemaking family, she studied agriculture before founding Talestri in 2015 with her father Francesco and sisters Anna and Lisa.

Today, Francesca oversees the winery’s agronomic management and brand promotion, with a focus on sustainable, biodiversity-friendly viticulture and the distinctive character of the area’s volcanic soils. Talestri works with native varieties including Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, producing Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone, as well as Metodo Classico sparkling wines.

Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talestri.winery/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talestri-winery/

Website: https://www.talestri.com/en

More about the host:

Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England.

Connect:

Website:

https://www.quaypress.uk

https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

https://www.vino.co.uk

https://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

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If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!



Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!

Is New Jersey the untapped gold mine for Italian wine?

In episode 2783, Marissa Muoio is joined by Brittney Abell to explore New Jersey’s wine market and the opportunities hiding within its affluent suburban retail and dining scene.

Together, they unpack what makes the New Jersey consumer unique, why the state represents an important opportunity for Italian wine producers, and how brands can communicate more effectively with consumers who may be curious about wine but are often looking for familiar entry points.

From organic and biodynamic practices to the importance of simplifying complex wine terminology, Brittney shares practical insights into how producers and wine professionals can make Italian wine more approachable, while building narratives that resonate with the American consumer.

What makes New Jersey a “Suburban Gold Mine”?

New Jersey’s affluent suburban communities offer a compelling mix of retail, dining, and wine consumers and understanding how to reach them can unlock significant opportunities for Italian wine.

Discover why New Jersey could be one of the most exciting opportunities for Italian wine in the US.

More about the guest:

Brittney Abell of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace in Madison, New Jersey, is a North Jersey native with more than a decade of experience in hospitality and the New Jersey wine industry. She previously served as Wine Director and Buyer at Grape Collective in Montclair and led the wine program for Skopos Hospitality Group. A CMS Level 2 sommelier currently pursuing WSET Level 3, Brittney also holds certifications in Sherry and Sake. She is passionate about discovering distinctive wines, making wine education approachable, and connecting consumers with the stories and people behind each bottle.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beable122/

Website: https://garyswine.com/

More about the host:

Equal parts wine geek and storyteller, Marissa Muoio turns up the volume on the Italian Wine Podcast as a host of the Masterclass US Wine Market series! Marissa’s love affair with Italian wine started with a simple realization: behind every bottle of Nebbiolo, Brunello, or Fiano is a wild story of ancient history, passionate families, and incredible food pairings. But getting those stories onto American tables takes strategy.

On the Masterclass US Wine Market, Marissa bridges the gap between Italian cellars and the American trade. She brings high energy, sharp questions, and plenty of laughs while chatting with top industry insiders, sommeliers, and importers on the East Coast. When she’s not in front of the mic geeking out over volcanic soils and forgotten appellations, you’ll usually find Marissa on the hunt for the perfect plate of pasta, road-testing new wine bars, or swirling something new with friends. Her ultimate motto? No acqua, solo vino.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissamuoio/

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/marissa-muoio/

Website: http://linktr.ee/marissamuoio

More interviews on US Wine Market:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/masterclass-us-wine-market/

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

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If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 13 of Study Smart and Episode 2782 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 13: Germany and Alsace

Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET.

With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way.

This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy, a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training.

The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator Gill Gordon Smith. Gill is a VIA certified Italian Wine Expert, an artisan wine producer, retailer, writer, judge and educator based between Australia's McLaren Vale Region and Verona and Tuscany in Italy.

Look out for new episodes every week wherever you get your podcasts!

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp



If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!