Curious about wine? Interested in emerging wine grape varieties and regions? Wine is about more than just what's on the label. We talk about the diverse world of wine and have conversations with wine industry members to highlight unique things they are doing. Join Anne and Randall as they take wine drinkers on a journey to discover more about wine and uncover some hidden gems.
Ledge Blanc and the Rise of Wisconsin Wine: Defining a New Cool-Climate Identity
What happens when a young wine region decides to define itself on its own terms?
In this episode, we sit down with Emily and Alan of Mixed Meadia Winery in Door County, Wisconsin, to explore the Ledge Blanc project, a collaborative effort to establish a signature wine style for the Wisconsin Ledge AVA. From limestone rich soils along the Niagara Escarpment to the challenges and opportunities of hybrid grapes, this conversation dives into what makes Midwest wine unique and worth paying attention to.
We unpack:
How Wisconsin's cool climate shapes bright, aromatic white wines
Why hybrid grape varieties are key to sustainability and regional identity
The creation of Ledge Blanc, a quality controlled crisp aromatic white that unites wineries across the region
How collaboration instead of competition is helping grow visibility for emerging wine regions
The broader challenge of telling a compelling story outside of traditional wine strongholds like California
You'll also hear how winemakers are pushing back against outdated stereotypes, moving beyond only fruit wine perceptions and proving that places like the Ledge AVA can produce expressive wines rooted in place.
Whether you're a wine professional or just curious about what is happening beyond the coasts, this episode offers a fascinating look at how regional identity, innovation, and community are reshaping the American wine landscape.
9 Apr 2025
We are back!
Anne and Randall are back! In this episode, we dive into our current projects, share our experiences from recent conferences, and discuss the issue of declining vine vigor in our region. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll chat with Russ Funk of Carlos Creek Winery about Frontenac.
Episode Overview
Conference Experiences (0:14)
Recap of various conferences attended.
Insights on generational wine purchasing habits and marketing strategies from the DTC symposium.
Networking opportunities and the impact of weather on conference attendance.
Vineyard Vigor (9:14)
Discussion on declining vine vigor in regional vineyards and potential causes.
Importance of nitrogen levels (YAN) in grape and wine production, and the need for regular testing.
Effectiveness of foliar versus ground-applied nitrogen for maintaining vine health.
Wine Projects (17:22)
Discussion on bourbon barrel-aged wines and their fit in wine competitions.
Anne's collaboration in hard cider production.
Grafted Marquette and Petite Pearl Project (27:06)
Reasons for considering grafting grapevines.
Challenges in sourcing cold-hardy cultivars that are grafted.
Pros and cons of grafting grapevines.
Other Upcoming Projects and Competitions (38:44)
Plans for tissue sampling in vineyards to evaluate nutrient levels and vine performance.
Encouragement for wineries to participate in regional and national competitions for feedback and marketing
21 May 2024
Rosé and Illinois
Many states have selected a state grape to promote, but Illinois has taken a different approach to that. Given the wide north to south geographic range, there isn’t one grape cultivar that is grown throughout the state. Due to this Illinois has focused on a wine style to promote, dry rosé.
In this episode we speak with 3 members of the Illinois wine industry to chat about the Illinois Signature Rosé series of wines.
Lisa Ellis, Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance
Peggy Harmston, Massbach Ridge Winery (https://massbachridge.com/) of Elizabeth, Illinois
Scott Albert, Kite Hill Vineyards (https://kitehillvineyards.com/) and The Holotype Wine Co (https://www.holotypewine.com/), Shawnee Hills AVA, Illinois
Episode Notes
4:05 Illinois rosé in blind tastings with Whispering Angel
10:06 Background of the Illinois rosé project
15:18 Kite Hill Vineyards and The Holotype Wine Co. participation in the Illinois rosé project, making a name for Illinois wine, and friendly competition, varieties being used at rosé
19:53 How white Zinfandel has impacted the perception of rosé
23:00 Coroner elections in Illinois
26:50 How Massbach Ridge Winery began in NW Illinois
29:13 How rosé can be done successfully in variable weather, and it has a diversity of consumers
35:41 More talk about county coroner elections
37:09 Marketing the Illinois Signature Rosé project
2 May 2024
Chambourcin and the Shawnee Hills AVA: Scott Albert
Scott Albert, the winemaker at Kite Hill Vineyards and Holotype Wine Company (https://www.holotypewine.com/) joins the show to talk about Chambourcin and how the Shawnee Hills AVA in southern Illinois is unique.
In this episode we discuss the diversity of wine styles that Chambourcin can be made into, ranging from a rosé to a barrel aged red. While we often associate Illinois with flat fertile row crop fields, but we discuss how the Shawnee Hills AVA sets itself apart from northern Illinois. If you are a winemaker, Anne and Scott get into plenty of winemaking details!
In this episode
Introduction to Scott and the wineries he works at
4:15- The versatility of the Chambourcin grape
8:00- Anne and Scott geek out about pét-nat production
10:40- What makes the Shawnee Hills AVA unique
13:43- Chambourcin as a rosé wine
17:10- Thiols in wine
17:55- Chambourcin as a red wine
22:06- Comparing Chambourcin to Norton
25:15- Weather variability
30:00- Important vineyard production practices to produce quality Chambourcin wine grapes
32:05-Reasons to visit the Shawnee Hills AVA
34:38- Hiking with wine: #hikewithwine
36:00- Information about Kite Hill Vineyards and Holotype Wine Company
23 Apr 2024
Meet the Hosts
Meet the Hosts:
Anne and Randall met up at the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance conference in late February. A few weeks after that we met up to record this episode that gives a background on us. Anne and Randall got into the grape and wine industry in different ways, but also share some common experiences.
In this episode:
Recap of the IGGVA (Illinois) Annual Grape and Wine Education and Conference and what makes these conferences valuable (2:00)
State grapes: what are they, pros and cons, etc. (7:02)
How Anne and Randall got into the grape and wine industry (14:45)
What are we up to now (41:05)
27 Mar 2024
Tom Plocher and Developing New Wine Grapes, Part 2
This is the second part of our discussion with Tom Plocher from Plocher Vines (https://www.plochervines.com/). In this episode we get into some more macro discussion. We discuss how breeding more resilient wine grape cultivars can help handle adverse weather events. Petite Peal was Tom's first release and we get into what traits Tom thinks Petite Pearl will have regardless of where its grown.
This episode is broken into 3 sections:
Section 1 (1:20)
Where Tom’s cultivars are grown
How grape breeding and new wine cultivars fit into sustainability in light of recent weather events in wine production regions
Section 2 (~13:25)
What characteristics of Petite Pearl in the vineyard and winery should be consistent between regions
How having options for grape varieties provides wineries with the ability to adapt to their market and regional weather conditions
How state-centric promotion the wine industry could limit the impact of lesser known wine grape regions and recognition of the wines from those regions
Section 3 (~21:35)
Are the traits of a wine grape directly correlated with its parents?
The current gaps in cold hardy wine grape cultivars
14 Mar 2024
Tom Plocher and Developing New Wine Grapes, Part 1
In this episode we are joined by Tom Plocher of Plocher Vines (https://www.plochervines.com/), who has been breeding wine grapes in Minnesota. So far Tom has released Crimson Pearl, Petite Pearl, and Verona but more cultivars are on their way.
In this episode we discuss the following:
How Tom got into grape breeding
The process of developing grape cultivars
Tom looks for in a wine grape from both the vineyard and winery perspective
Why late budbreak continues to be an important trait
This is part 1 of our conversation with Tom, so look for part 2 soon.
13 Feb 2024
Marquette and the Experiences of Being an Estate Winery in Eastern Michigan: Jessica Youngblood, Youngblood Vineyard
In this episode we talk with Jessica Youngblood who makes wine and raises grapes out of her family business Youngblood Vineyard (https://www.youngbloodvineyard.com/). This estate winery is located on the eastern side of Michigan, near Ray Michigan which just north of the Detroit area.
In the first part of the episode, Jessica discusses her roles in the grape and wine industry and the experiences of starting a winery the opposite side of the state as most wineries in Michigan.
In the second part of the episode (minute 27:15), we explore the red wine grape Marquette. Marquette is Jessica's favorite wine, and they won Best of Show Dry Red at the 2019 Michigan Wine Competition. We discuss the traits of Marquette, and what makes is so appealing.
13 Jan 2024
Traminette and Grandma's Pink Bathroom
In this episode we dive into Traminette, the state grape of Indiana. We talk with Jill Blume, an Indiana-based enologist, and Shane Christ of Acres Away Winery (https://acresawaywinery.com/explore/).
Traminette is an aromatic white wine grape, that is planted in much of the milder East and Midwest wine regions. Some consider Traminette to be analogous to Gewürztraminer.
In this episode we discuss the following:
The characteristics of Traminette wines
How the aroma profile of Traminette changes from the North to South
Characteristics of terpenes in grapes versus wine
Shane shows how he is the master of wine analogies, including one with his grandma’s completely pink bathroom!
Shane and Randall are dog people and Anne loves cats...
18 Dec 2023
Appreciating The Diversity of Wine: Ellen Landis
The global wine market is dominated by a few well-known grape varieties. Join us as we talk with Ellen Landis who is a wine journalist, certified sommelier, and wine educator. Ellen has been exposed to wines made from a wide range of grape cultivars through her diverse experience in wine judging.
She shares her story about how she got into wine, provides insights on how to appreciate these wines, and gives her list of non-traditional wine grape varieties that wine drinkers should give a try.
Ellen Landis’s website is http://www.ellenonwine.com/.
5 Dec 2023
Sparkling Wines from the North: Josie Boyle
Sparkling wine can be produced in many ways: pét-nat, méthode Champenoise, Charmat, and force carbonation, etc. Grapes with more acidity are often used to produce sparkling wine.
We talk with Josie Boyle of Mousse Winery. At her winery in in Jordan, Minnesota Josie focuses on the production of sparkling wines using a wide range of production methods.
In this episode we talk about:
Josie’s meandering journey into the wine world.
Starting a sparkling-focused winery in Minnesota.
How she produces sparkling wine: pét-nat, méthode Champenoise, Charmat, and force carbonation.
Why grapes from Minnesota are well adapted to sparkling wine production.
How she introduces wine drinkers to sparkling wines.
Her enthusiasm to create new and unique wines, using traditional wine making methods.
Mouse Winery can be found at https://www.moussewinery.com/ and on Facebook and Instagram.
4 Dec 2023
Legacy of the Indy Wine Competition: Jill Blume
There are a lot of wine competitions. What value do they have for wine consumers?
The Indy International Wine Competition was one of the first of its kind that allowed wines from the eastern USA to be compared in blind ratings amongst wines from around the world.
In this episode we talk about topics like:
How wine competitions operate.
What way the Indy competition helped promote wines from lessor know regions.
How judging wines of the same grape cultivar, but from different regions, can help us learn about what wine styles fit a grape cultivar.
Ways wine consumers and wineries can use wine competitions as a tool.
Our guest is Jill Blume, an Indiana based enologist and Competition Director of the former Indy Wine Competition. Join Anne and Randall as they have a fun conversation while sharing their experiences with wine competitions.
4 Dec 2023
Introduction to the Unwrapping Wine Podcast
Curious about wine? Interested in emerging wine grape varieties and regions? Wine is about more than just what’s on the label. We talk about the diverse world of wine and have conversations with wine industry members to highlight unique things they are doing. Join Anne and Randall as they take wine drinkers on a journey to discover more about wine and uncover some hidden gems.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
30
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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