In this powerful episode, we head to Australia to meet Wayne Quillam and Ben Hansbury, the co-founders of Mt Yengo Wines—a First Nations–owned winery built on reconciliation, cultural expression, and community.

Mount Yengo is more than just a wine label: it's a movement for inclusion and truth-telling through art, ancestral storytelling, and connection to the land. Through this episode we explore how Indigenous knowledge and values are guiding sustainable wine practices, how art and wine intersect as cultural expression, and how community and collaboration drive the brand's ethical vision.

From the symbolism behind each label to their practices with growers across South Australia and New South Wales, every bottle is rooted in purpose and tradition.

Whether you're interested in inclusive winemaking, Indigenous leadership, or simply looking to connect more deeply with the story behind your next glass of wine, this episode will stay with you.

Episode Guide (Chapters) [01:50] – What Mt Yengo stands for: a platform for reconciliation and cultural connection. [02:10] – Wayne shares his artistic journey and the role of ancestral wisdom in their work. [02:36] – Wine as a medium for connection—to land and to each other. [02:56] – How Mt Yengo began as a community-driven Indigenous brand. [06:31] – The stories behind the label artwork and the cultural role of women. [09:27] – Navigating initial bias: why an Indigenous wine brand faced resistance—and how they overcame it. [11:46] – Creating an ethical, inclusive model with growers and winemakers. [13:18] – Songlines, traditional land knowledge, and their integration into winemaking. [15:17] – “Reconciliation in action”: exporting wine and culture globally. [16:16] – The Adelaide Hills flagship range: partnerships, terroir, and excellence.

[17:58] – Mt Yengo Wines is showcased Wine Paris / Vinexposium,

[19:27] – Riverina wines: moving beyond bulk production toward quality. [22:42] – The climate and winemaking challenges in Hunter Valley. [24:38] – Semillon vs. Chardonnay: shifts in Hunter Valley grape trends. [26:32] – Deep symbolism in the Adelaide Hills artwork: land, femininity, and the cosmos. [29:48] – A powerful story of community celebration, culture, and joy. [33:03] – Movement, music, and communal joy: reconnecting through culture. [35:07] – How to respectfully engage with Aboriginal culture—starting with questions and curiosity. [38:24] – Regenerative viticulture: how growers are learning from First Nations traditions. [40:43] – Ben on how Mt Yengo’s influence is shifting mindsets in the wine industry. [42:00] – Final reflections on pride, purpose, and the growing impact of their journey.

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time - cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we head to the mountains of Northern Lebanon to meet Michelle and Claudine, neighbors, best friends, and the visionary founders of Heya Wines, a natural winery rooted in inclusion, heritage, and community.

Heya Wines (meaning “She” in Arabic) is more than just a label, it’s a movement. From championing gender equity and employing Syrian refugee women, working with indigenous grapes and fermenting with apples in response to Lebanon’s energy crisis, every bottle tells a story of purpose and place.

We dive into their hands-on winemaking approach, explore the beauty of high-altitude terroir, and taste their soulful wines, from Nour, a textured white blend of direct press Obeideh & White Grenache to Kanz, a red made with carbonic maceration and aged in amphora. We also hear about the challenges of making wine in a region grappling with instability, and how the power of community, resilience, and female solidarity fuels every step.

This is a story of women rewriting what it means to make wine, not just in Lebanon, but everywhere. Whether you're curious about natural wine, socially conscious farming, or planning a trip to the Levant, this episode will inspire you to pour with intention.

1:23 - Founding Heya Wines: friendship, passion, and a mission for equity 5:15 - Facing gender bias and creating equal pay in Lebanon’s wine industry 7:53 - Hiring and empowering Syrian refugee women 9:57 - The rainy harvest: a community effort that defines Heya’s spirit 11:25 - Traditional Lebanese breakfast: manoushe, za’atar and labneh

13:38 - Heya’s location: high-altitude terroir (1450m) near the Syrian border

14.07 - The region of Dimane, North Lebanon and it’s terroir 17:27 - Creating Farha, a co-ferment of apples and indigenous Merwah grapes

18.03 - What does Merwah taste like? 18:40 - Travel tips: Beirut → Batroun (45min) → Heya Wines (another 45min)

20.46 - What does Obeidah taste like, and how it compares to Merwah? 21:13 - Tasting Nour (white blend of Obeideh & Grenache) — made during the war Gnarly Vines - £30

29:06 - Tasting Kanz (red Grenache-Syrah): carbonic maceration in amphora Gnarly Vines - £28

29:34 - Kanz: “Treasure”: why it’s their most playful and textural wine

30.44 - How ageing in amphora affects the wine 34:49 - Food pairings: platters with white & red meats, yogurt, vegetables 35:45 - Global feedback and building a growing Heya Wines community 39:02 - Labels featuring real harvest women - authentic and unfiltered 41:12 - What’s next: expanding opportunities for women and working moms

42.17 - One message for listeners working in a vineyard, cellar or boardroom who can shape the future of wine

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time - cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we head to Oregon’s Willamette Valley to meet Remy Drabkin — winemaker, civic leader, innovator, and unapologetic champion for LGBTQ+ visibility in wine.

Remy is the force behind Remy Wines and the founder of Queer Wine Fest, and in this conversation, we explore how equity, intention, and creative problem-solving are not just buzzwords, but daily practices in her winery and beyond.

We get into everything from the power of thoughtful hiring and building inclusive spaces (yes, even bathrooms!) to the unexpected intersection of winemaking and carbon-sequestering concrete. You'll hear how Remy uses wine as a platform for change — whether it’s advocating for sustainable water solutions, supporting the ACLU through sparkling wine, or redefining what leadership in wine can look like.

We also dig into the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills, explore her love affair with the Italian grape Lagrein, and learn why she’s aging wine in chestnut barrels — and what all of this has to do with place, purpose, and legacy.

Whether you're here for the terroir or the truth bombs, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a reminder that wine, at its best, is about people, progress, and pouring with purpose.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

2.45 - How intention shapes everything in the winery

5:38 – Creating Inclusive Wine Spaces

7:19 – The simplicity of building a thoughtful restroom and how this impacts the team

8.30 - Being thoughtful where job adverts go out

9.30 - Inventing Carbon Sequestration structural concrete called Solid Carbon

11.00 - Creative solutions to water challenges

13.24 - The importance of team meetings

17.20 - Creating Queer Wine Fest

22.30 - Winning the Governor's Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

26:34 – Why Willamette Valley Matters

26:15 – The Importance of Speaking Out. Finding your voice

28:50 – Locating Remy’s Vineyards in the South Dundee Hills

28:56 – Soil and Terroir in the Red Hills (volcanic Jory soil)

29:49 – Describing the Local Climate and landscape in Willamette Valley

32:49 – Planting Italian variety Lagrein, what it offers, and why it works here

38:09 – Using Chestnut Barrels and extended aging

42.28: Black Heart Méthode Champenoise wine that supports ACLU

47:15 – What’s next

50.00 - What is one action that someone running a small winery can take this year to create a more inclusive business model?

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Welcome back, wine friends!

This episode is all about the rebels — the wild ones — the winemakers who’ve ripped up the rulebook and gone their own way. We’re diving deep into the world of declassified cult wines: the bottles that said "no thanks" to tradition-bound wine laws, and yet, somehow became some of the most expensive, most desired, and most obsessively followed wines on the planet.

But before we get to the juicy stuff, let’s set the scene.

You know those cryptic acronyms on European wine labels — AOC, DOCG, and even Qualitätswein? They’re steeped in history, tradition, and legal frameworks that protect the where, the what, and the how of a wine. They're there to ensure quality, consistency, and authenticity.

And yet, to some, those same laws can feel more like shackles than structure. Want to plant Syrah in Bordeaux? Or fancy making an orange wine in Chianti? You can't under AOC or DOCG rules. Even if your wine is mind-blowingly good, if it doesn’t fit the mould, it gets dumped in the “Vin de France” or “Vino da Tavola” pile.

So in this episode, we raise a glass to the misfits, the rule-breakers, and the game-changers — winemakers who said, “Forget the label, let the wine speak for itself.”

We’ll travel from the storied vineyards of Bordeaux to the wild Loire, up through Tuscany, and back again — featuring the most expensive wine in the world, a Brunello scandal, and some unicorn bottles you’ve probably seen worshipped on Instagram.

Throughout this episode, whilst telling the tales of some of the most iconic and rebellious wines, you’ll also learn more about: vine density plantings in Bordeaux, the impact of phylloxera, the historic grape varieties of Bordeaux, what Bordeaux might have tasted like before the 1855 classification, the scandal of Brunellogate, the difference between Sangiovese in Montalcino vs Chianti, Chianti’s rigid and outdated regulations, and a few legends of the natural wine movement.

Get ready for trailblazing tales, creative freedom in a bottle, and a reminder that some of the best wines in the world never needed permission to be great.

Episode Chapters:

3.30: Introducing Liber Pater – the most expensive wine in the world

10.00: Introducing Louis-Benjamin - Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Asteroide – the holy grail of Sauvignon Blanc

15.30: Introducing Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana Sangiovese – The wine making the most dramatic exit from Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

23.00: Introducing Le Pergole Torte from Montevertine – a 100% Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico region

26.10: Introducing the wines from Domaine des Miroirs in the Jura region – a Japanese winemaker producing ‘unicorn wines’.

32.30: Introducing a declassified super affordable wine for contrast: Gran Cerdo from Gonzalo Grijalba

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we are talking to Harry Crowther, founder of Tiny Wine, to explore how technology, sustainability, and storytelling are reshaping the wine world. In this episode, we unpack how Tiny Wine is using innovative tech from Coravin Vinitas to bring iconic bottles to curious palates in small, perfectly preserved 100ml tubes.

We'll talk Super Tuscans, Bordeaux, and about Harry's time in the Douro, fermenting separately the big five black grape varieties.

So get ready to learn the difference between Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cão, and how each contributes to the blend. You'll also hear some of Harry’s stories working with Jean-Claude Berrouet, the long-time winemaker and technical director at Pétrus.

So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just wine-curious, there’s plenty of name-dropping in this episode—and a few bottles you’ll definitely want to track down.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

6:08 – Launching Tiny Wine in partnership with Coravin and their Vinitas technology.

7:10 – How the Vinatas works: ‘The smallest bottling line in the world’. 7:56 – 100ml wine tubes as samples for the on-trade. 9:44 – How long do these Tiny Wine tubes last? Testing through a triangulated tasting with wine professionals. 16:03 – Harry’s Perspective on Fine Wine 17:50 – The criteria for wines chosen for Tiny Wine’s Tasting Boxes 19:55 – The Prize draw with a Magnum of Petrus 21:01 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Select box: Monte Antico 2020 22:04 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Explorer box: Coste del Vivo Rosso No.1 MV 23:30 – San Polino Brunello di Montalcino 23:55 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Somm box including Sassicaia, Tignanello and Caiarossa Toscana IGT 24:49 – Tignanello: The wine that created Super Tuscan Wine 25:24 – What is a Super Tuscan? (You can listen to dedicated Episode 169: Everything you need to know about Super Tuscans) 27:09 – Merlot planted in Chianti Vs The famous wine made from Merlot: Masseto 29:44 – Discussing Rocca di Frassinello’s amazing wine cellar and their Merlot wine: Baffonero 32:24 – Reflection on Portugal and influences from the Douro. 33:17 – A run down on what each of the 5 main black grapes of Douro offer to the blend 38:10 – Working with legendary winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet at Quinta da Boavista 40:21 – Blending trials in the winery of Ventisquero Wine Estates 43:57 – The rarest bottle in Harry’s Cellar: Familia Silva Branco 500l barrel of Tawny circa mid 1800s 45:31 – Best Value wine: South Africa 46:45 – Upcoming wine region: Attica, Greece 47:14 – What’s coming next for Tiny Wine 48:33 – Most memorable wine experience: A winemaking stint on Waiheke Island, New Zealand 49:33 – Winemaker shoutout: Kardenakhi 7 for their Fortified Rkatsiteli 51:33 – Prize draws for fine wines in large formats

To connect with Harry: Linked In and Tiny Wine Website

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we return to the high Andes of Argentina with winemaker Thibaut Delmotte of Bodega Colomé to uncover the evolution of Malbec at extreme altitudes. Discover how altitude, climate, and vineyard practices shape Colomé’s flagship wines, and learn about Thibaut’s exciting personal project: Familia Delmotte.

We also dive into Bonarda, explore the stylistic transformation of Argentine wine over the past two decades, and learn how Colomé became not only one of the most celebrated wineries in the world (5 times included in The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards), but also one of the most remote.

Plus, find out what it takes to get there and why it’s worth the journey, especially for a visit to the breathtaking James Turrell light museum.

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about South American wine, high-altitude terroir, and off-the-beaten-path wine travel.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

02:25 – The evolution of the Estate Malbec over 23 vintages

04:12 – Differences between low-altitude and high-altitude Malbecs

06:45 – Shifts in winemaking: lighter oak, earlier picking, softer extraction

08:12 – Influence of El Arenal (2,600m) and Altura Máxima (3,111m) terroirs

09.05 - Tasting the Colome Estate Malbec 2022 £24.95 Hay Wines

09:48 – Post-2018 philosophy shift: fresher style and climate adaptation

11:21 – How altitude impacts acidity, tannins, and fruit expression

13:05 – Mendoza vs. Calchaquí Valley vs. Patagonia Malbecs

14:52 – Malbec vs Pinot Noir: a grape of terroir?

16:11 – Why Argentina’s diverse Malbec styles need better communication

17:30 – Natural winemaking, carbonic maceration and stem use with Malbec

18:50 – Thibaut’s side project: Familia Delmotte begins

20:14 – Growing Garnacha, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Marsanne in Salta

21:30 – Sauvignon Blanc + Marsanne: blending freshness with honeyed texture

22:10 – Bonarda in Argentina: styles, history and best expressions

23:47 – Recommended Bonarda wines: Emma (Zuccardi), Altos Las Hormigas ‘Colonia Las Liebres’

26:25 – Meeting Donald Hess and the founding vision of Colomé

28:00 – Building a winery with no electricity or paved roads

29:25 – Blind tasting honesty: the birth of Colomé’s drinkability focus

30:38 – From 4–5 years to 20: Thibaut’s lasting legacy in Salta

31:50 – Being named Top 50 World’s Best Vineyards (x5)

33:10 – Keys to Colomé’s success: team longevity and shared philosophy

34:30 – The James Turrell Museum at Colomé: light, perception, magic

41:00 – How to visit Bodega Colomé: logistics from Salta to Cafayate

42:20 – Planning a wine trip: from paved roads to moonlike landscapes

43:30 – Day visit or boutique hotel stay? Best way to experience Colomé

45:50 – Salta wine travel loop: Cafayate – Colomé – Cachi – Cuesta del Obispo

47:05 – Why wine travel in Salta is an unforgettable sensory journey

48:12 – Final reflections: landscape, altitude, authenticity and people

50:14 – A glass of Torrontés by the pool at Colomé: pure magic

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Welcome back, wine friends! Today we’re heading high into the Andes – literally – to explore one of the most breathtaking wine regions on Earth: the Calchaquí Valley in Salta, Argentina, home to Bodega Colomé, the oldest continuously operating winery in the country, with roots dating back to 1831.

Joining us is Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé, to talk about crafting wines at extreme altitudes – some vineyards reaching over 3,000 meters above sea level! We explore how altitude affects grape growing, the unique challenges and benefits of Salta’s high desert terroir, and how Colomé balances tradition with innovation.

From Malbec and Torrontés to the remarkable Altura Máxima Vineyard at 3,111 meters, this episode is a deep dive into high-altitude winemaking, biodynamic farming, and what it means to make expressive wines in one of the world’s most remote regions.

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about South American wine, sustainable viticulture, and the magic of mountain-grown grapes.

01:02 – Meet Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé

02:48 – Colomé’s founding in 1831 and its early vineyard history

05:34 – Commitment to ancestral and sustainable winemaking practices

06.31 - 170 year old old vines

08:18 – Fighting phylloxera and vineyard management in the region

10:50 – Rootstock decisions and adapting to terroir

13:25 – Harvesting: selecting plants one by one

15:48 – Distinct terroirs: different altitudes and soils

18:16 – Short-cycle varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec

21:01 – Bird protection in Pinot vineyards

23:37 – Achieving balance between ripeness and typicity

26:13 – The role of recording and analysis in the vineyard

28:55 – Challenges of low rainfall in the region

31:32 – The uniqueness of the Calchaquí terroir

32.45 - The Queen grape of Salta: Torrontes

33.13 - Discussing Criolla Varieties, which you can listen to deeper in Ep 210 with Master or wine Amanda Barnes

34:25 – Saline soils of the region and Torrontes’ resistance

36:25 – Sunlight and temperature balance to preserve aromas

39:09 – Torontés characteristics: persistence and great acidity

41:25 – Evolution of acidity in the wines

43:55 – Vineyard block management and planning

41:36 – Tasting the Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés £14.60-£16.50 Vinvm, Hik Wine Merchants

44.32 - Perfect food pairings for this wine

48:12 – The three different varieties of Torrontes

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Hello wine friends, and welcome back! This week we dive into Part Two of my conversation with Ernst Loosen of Dr.Loosen. If Part One was all about Riesling royalty, this one is for the Pinot aficionados. While Ernie is globally known for his Riesling, he’s also been quietly and passionately cultivating a deep connection with Pinot Noir from Germany’s rolling hills of the Pfalz with Villa Wolf, to the expressive soils of Oregon’s Willamette Valley at Appassionata Estate, and now into the sacred vineyards of Burgundy itself with Perron de Mypont.

In this episode, Ernie shares why Pinot Noir captured his heart, the styles he’s chasing, and what makes Pinot from the Pfalz, Oregon, and Burgundy so distinct.

Stick around until the end, Ernie doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing his truth.

If you want to skip ahead:

02.24: Origins of Villa Wolf – Established in 1996 to focus on Pinot varieties in Pfalz

03.30: Pinot varieties have centuries of tradition in the Rhine and Pfalz regions

04.30: Aged Pinot Noir and Riesling share similar aromas – “sous bois” character

05.00: Use of “Pinot Noir” vs. “Spätburgunder” depending on export market

07.00: Tasting and discussing the Villa Wolf Pinot Noir 2022 £12.95 Cheers Wine Merchants

11.30: Comparing German clones with French

14.00: Comparing the terroir Pfalz vs. Mosel

17.00: Why Pfalz is nicknamed “Tuscany of Germany”

20.00: Introducing Loosen's Oregon project: Appassionata Estate

22.00: Appassionata named after Beethoven’s passionate composition

22.30: Wines aged longer before release, unlike typical U.S. practice

24.00: Volcanic soils require longer aging before release

26.30: Longest-aged wines come from basalt-rich plots

28.00: Ernst acquisition of the Vieux Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 2019 and it’s history in Burgundy

30.32: The style of Pinot Noir that Ernst is crafting

32.30: Whole bunch fermentation vs destemming

34.43: Stem use in winemaking: positives and negatives

36.30: Ernst’s oak philosophy with Pinot Noir

39.30: Ernst favors 2019 Burgundy vintage and 2014 in Oregon

41.30: Winemaking focus to avoid high alcohol styles

42.30: Ernst speaks his truth: Low yields in this current climate does not just mean a better wine

46.24: Where is the world Ernst would want to plant next

47.45: Most memorable Pinot: Domaine Armand Rousseau 1969 Chambertin

49.00: Ernst’s advice for the next generation of winemakers

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.