What happens when two Russian entrepreneurs decide to start a winery in Tuscany? You get a story as bold as the wine they’re producing!

In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K chats with Luca Vitiello, marketing and sales director of Bertinga Winery, a revolutionary winery in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region.

Founded in 2015 by two Russian wine enthusiasts, Bertinga Winery is breaking tradition by focusing on single-vineyard Merlot–a rarity in the Sangiovese-dominated region.

With deep roots in the wine import business, the founders have applied their expertise to create a truly bold, innovative, and terroir-driven wine experience.

Tune in now to discover why Bertinga is quickly becoming a rising star in the global market!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The origin of Bertinga Winery and its Russian roots (02:18)

Focus on Merlot in Chianti Classico (08:30)

Creating IGT wines vs. traditional Chianti Classico DOCG (10:35)

Challenges of growing Merlot in Tuscany’s climate (14:19)

Chianti Classico’s subzones and their roles (18:13)

It takes a vision to be making wines (28:32)

Bertinga’s sustainability and organic farming practices (33:21)

Importance of terroir and minimal intervention winemaking (40:52)

Recognition of Bertinga’s Merlot in international tastings (42:48)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Connect with Luca Vitiello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-vitiello-b5288b67/?originalSubdomain=it

👉Learn more about Bertinga Winery here: https://www.bertinga.it/en/home.html

Watch or listen to these episodes:

🔸What Makes Château Cheval Blanc a PREMIER Winemaker with Pierre-Olivier Clouet: https://youtu.be/ANZISp-XFvc

🔸"The Audacity To Hire A Woman”—Says Veronique Sanders of Cht. Haut Bailly: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/the-audacity-to-hire-a-woman-says-veronique-sanders-of-cht-haut-bailly/

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

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Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

Follow Wine Talks with Paul K on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

How does a country with no native wine culture become a new destination for wine lovers? Panama is showing us exactly how.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by wine writer and historian Charlie Leary to discuss how Panama is quickly emerging as a wine destination despite its non-traditional wine-producing background. With a growing middle class and a thriving digital culture, the country’s wine scene is booming—driven by imports from Spain and South America.

Today, Leary takes us through Central America’s evolving wine market, shares his experience managing vineyards in Spain, and discusses how wine education is transforming places like Panama.

We also explore the balance between producing premium wines while catering to entry-level consumers, as well as the challenges posed by climate change.

Curious how wine markets evolve globally?

Let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Charlie Leary’s wine journey in Panama (01:20)

Panama's booming wine culture (04:12)

Managing vineyards in Spain’s Andalusia region (08:13)

How Charlie Leary got into the wine business (13:05)

The premiumization trend in wine and market trends (17:32)

Leary’s insights on wine innovation and trade (23:12)

Bordeaux wine history and its modern impact (28:10)

Entry-level vs. premium Bordeaux wines (38:17)

Emerging wine regions to watch out for (41:47)

Leary’s book on global wine education and scholarships (47:45)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Visit Charlie Leary’s website for more information: https://www.charlieleary.com/

👉Grab a copy of his book, Leary’s Global Wineology: https://www.charlieleary.com/globalwineology.html

Watch or listen to this episode:

🔸What Makes Château Cheval Blanc a PREMIER Winemaker with Pierre-Olivier Clouet: https://youtu.be/ANZISp-XFvc

🔸"The Audacity To Hire A Woman”—Says Veronique Sanders of Cht. Haut Bailly: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/the-audacity-to-hire-a-woman-says-veronique-sanders-of-cht-haut-bailly/

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

–

Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

Follow Wine Talks with Paul K on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Have you ever dreamed of starting something big–like planting a vineyard–in a place where it seemed impossible? Then this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Stephanie Franklin, founder of Franklin Vines, who is building her first ever vineyard in the historic yet lesser-known town of Shankleville, Texas.

Stephanie shares her inspiring journey of honoring her family’s legacy by creating a vineyard on her grandfather’s land, despite the harsh Texas climate and the rarity of vineyards in the area.

Tune in now to hear about her bold vision for Franklin Vines, the unique varietals she’s cultivating, and how she’s honoring Shankleville’s rich history. Plus, discover how she’s breaking barriers as an African-American woman in the wine industry, and more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The rich history of Shankleville, Texas (00:55)

Why Stephanie Franklin planted a vineyard in Shankleville (04:23)

Agricultural challenges and choosing the right varietals (11:08)

Inclusivity in the wine industry (20:58)

Defining wine innovation (24:02)

From first Texas wine sip to winemaker (25:34)

Navigating Texas legalities to launch a winery (27:18)

What it’s like planting a vineyard in a historical place (30:04)

Achieving an organic vineyard in a Texas climate (32:48)

Progress updates on vineyard and winemaking process (39:38)

Episode wrap-up (46:43)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Connect with Stephanie Franklin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-vines-wine-maker/

👉Learn more about Franklin Wines here: https://franklinvineshtx.com/

Watch or listen to these episodes:

🔸White House Wine Authority Reveals the UNTOLD Presidential Wine Secrets | Frederick Ryan: https://youtu.be/4M09rYbob6I

🔸How One BAD Wine Led to a Thriving Wine Business with a TWIST | Stephanie Franklin: https://youtu.be/mmyguoWhsPY

🔸Regenerative Farming Is Revolutionizing the Wine Industry | Angelica Mabray: https://youtu.be/f14_Ib14Z-U

🔸May-Éliane de Lencquesaing Forever Changed BORDEAUX’S Wine History: https://youtu.be/vsMXAUtpNns

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

–

Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

Follow Wine Talks with Paul K on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!