by Laurel Simmons
Do you love and enjoy wine? Are you fascinated by everything about wine? If so, you'll love this show. Every other week, join Laurel Simmons, who is just like you, passionate about wine and who has explored it with much enthusiasm, intention, and travels as you escape into and explore stories about wine -- the places, tastes, smells, sights, and the people who enjoy it. Learn with her, laugh with her, taste, and travel with her as you explore Wine Behind The Scenes together.
Language
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Publishing Since
6/17/2022
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June 24, 2026
<p>This week, we uncork a standout episode from the Wine Behind the Scenes Archives featuring a story of passion, persistence, and building something unexpected in the world of wine.</p> <p><br /> From the vineyards of France and Italy to the vibrant streets of Seattle, today's episode of Wine Behind the Scenes takes you on a remarkable adventure with Marilee Bramhall, the visionary founder of Iola Wines. <br /> <br /> With a mission to champion women-led wineries, Marilee's story is one of resilience and innovation, especially when COVID-19 hit, leaving her with 3,600 bottles of wine and no market to sell to.</p> <p> </p> <p>How did she turn this challenge into a thriving success?</p> <p> </p> <p>Join us as we go into Marilee's passion for organic, sustainable viticulture, her dedication to the art of winemaking, and her commitment to amplifying the voices of women in this traditionally male-dominated industry. <br /> <br /> Plus, don't miss our fun segment with Judith Lewis, where we explore today's quirky wine term that will leave you smiling. Get ready to sip, savour, and explore the fascinating world of wine!<br /> <br /> In this episode you will: </p> <ul> <li value="1">Discover how Marilee Bramhall turned a potential disaster during COVID into a thriving wine import business focused on women-led wineries.</li> <li value="2">Learn about the unique challenges and rewards of running a global wine import company, especially in a male-dominated industry.</li> <li value="3">Explore the significance of organic, biodynamic, and sustainable viticulture, and how women in the wine industry are often at the forefront of these practices.</li> <li value="4">Gain insights into the importance of building relationships with wine producers and the value of experiencing wine firsthand in its country of origin.</li> <li value="5">Understand the current landscape of women in winemaking, including statistics and the ongoing efforts to increase representation.</li> <li value="6">Get tips for aspiring wine importers, including the importance of research, understanding regulations, and starting before you're ready.</li> </ul> <p><br /> Marilee Bramhall is a passionate wine importer based in Seattle, Washington, with a mission to showcase exceptional wines from women-led wineries in France and Italy. <br /> <br /> With a deep-rooted love for wine that began in her childhood, Marilee has dedicated her career to elevating the voices of female winemakers in an industry where they are often underrepresented.</p> <p><br /> Her path into the world of wine was inspired by her father, an enthusiastic wine lover, who introduced her to the joys of wine at a young age. <br /> <br /> This early experience ignited a lifelong passion that has taken her across the globe, exploring the rich histories and traditions of winemaking in Europe. Marilee travels to France and Italy three to four times a year, not only to source wines but also to lead food and wine tours, sharing her knowledge and love for wine with others.</p> <p>In 2017, Marilee founded Iola Wines, named after her grandmother, to focus exclusively on importing wines from women winemakers who practice organic, biodynamic, and sustainable viticulture. <br /> <br /> Her commitment to supporting female-led wineries stems from her observations of the gender disparities in the wine industry, where less than 20% of winemakers worldwide are women.</p> <p><br /> Marilee's expertise and dedication have made her a unique voice in the wine community, and she is on a mission to democratize the world of wine, making it more inclusive and accessible for all. <br /> <br /> When she's not busy curating exceptional wines, Marilee enjoys sharing her experiences and insights through various platforms, including her podcast appearances and social media.</p> <p>Connect with Marilee and discover the incredible wines from women-led wineries at lola Wines!<br /> <br /> <strong>Contact Marilee Bramhall here:</strong></p> <ul> <li value="1">Website: <a class="autolinked" href= "https://www.iolawines.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.iolawines.com/</a></li> <li value="2">Email: <a href="mailto:Marilee@iolawines.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Marilee@iolawines.com</a> </li> <li value="3">Facebook: <a class="autolinked" href= "https://www.facebook.com/iolawines" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.facebook.com/iolawines</a></li> <li value="4">Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/athena_executive_services" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/iola.wines</a></li> <li value="5">LinkedIn:<a class="autolinked" href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/marileebramhall/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.linkedin.com/in/marileebramhall/</a> & <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/iolawines/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/company/iolawines</a></li> </ul>
June 10, 2026
<article id="recording_9934077023" class= "document recordable recording" data-recording-id="9934077023" data-creator-id="43418324" data-url= "/4190153/buckets/26193425/documents/9934077023" data-readable-identifier="Z2lkOi8vYmMzL1JlY29yZGluZy85OTM0MDc3MDIz" data-read=""> <div class="document-style-content"> <section class="formatted_content formatted_content--large"> <p>From the Wine Behind the Scenes Archives, we're bringing back a captivating conversation about wine, sustainability, and the journey of starting over in France.</p> <p>From buying a vineyard in liquidation to transforming it into a sustainable and award-winning estate, Caro Feely's story is extraordinary. <br /> <br /> Join us on this episode of Wine Beyond the Scenes as Caro shares her amazing story of passion, perseverance, and the magic of organic winemaking in the heart of France. <br /> <br /> Stay tuned to discover the hidden gems of their vineyard, the challenges of climate change, and the surprises that led to the creation of a unique wine experience. <br /> <br /> In this episode you will be able to learn about: </p> <ul> <li value="1">Caro Feely's wild and wonderful adventure of moving from South Africa to France to buy a vineyard in Bordeaux</li> <li value="2">The Feely family's journey from liquidation to success in the wine industry</li> <li value="3">Organic and biodynamic farming practices, leading to high-quality wines and commercial success</li> <li value="4">Caro's beautifully written Vineyard Series books that offer insights into their journey and philosophy</li> <li value="5">An exciting new fiction series, Earth Chorus, that is in the works</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Caro Feely, originally from South Africa with Irish roots, set out on an extraordinary adventure to make their dream of wine farming a reality, accompanied by her husband Sean. After moving from South Africa to Ireland and then to France, they purchased a vineyard and winery in Bordeaux, where they have been living for almost 20 years.<br /> <br /> Caro and Sean's commitment to organic farming and natural winemaking has led to the production of high-quality wines, including classic Bordeaux varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon.<br /> <br /> Caro's passion for wine and sustainability is evident in their vineyard practices, which focus on biodiversity and organic farming methods. Alongside managing the vineyard, Caro also offers yoga retreats at their estate and has authored several books, including the Vineyard Series and the upcoming Earth Chorus series.<br /> <br /> Caro and Sean have created a sustainable and thriving vineyard in the heart of Bordeaux through their dedication to environmental practices and producing exceptional wines.<br /> <br /> <strong>Contact Caro Feely here: </strong></p> <ul> <li value="1"><strong>Personal Website: </strong><a class= "autolinked" href="https://carofeely.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://carofeely.com/</a></li> <li value="2"><strong>Youtube:</strong> <a class="autolinked" href="https://www.youtube.com/@carofeely1142" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.youtube.com/@carofeely1142</a></li> <li value="3"><strong>X:</strong> <a class="autolinked" href= "https://x.com/carofeely" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-behavior="truncate">https://x.com/carofeely</a></li> <li value="4"><strong>Work Website:</strong> <a class= "autolinked" href="https://chateaufeely.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://chateaufeely.com/</a></li> <li value="5"><strong>Facebook:</strong> <a class="autolinked" href="https://www.facebook.com/caro.feely.wines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.facebook.com/caro.feely.wines</a></li> <li value="6"><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a class= "autolinked" href="https://www.instagram.com/carofeely/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-behavior= "truncate">https://www.instagram.com/carofeely/</a></li> </ul> </section> <div class="margin-top-24"> </div> </div> </article> <section class="recordable-discussion" data-controller= "toggle-class" data-toggle-class-toggle-class= "recordable-discussion--backlinks-active"> <section class="thread thread--comments"></section> </section>
May 20, 2026
<section class="margin-top-40"> <div class="formatted_content formatted_content--large"> <div>From the Wine Behind the Scenes Archives, we're revisiting a standout episode that makes navigating wine in social settings feel a whole lot easier. In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, I sit down with Juliette Han, a fellow wine lover who isn't afraid to ask the honest questions about choosing wine, especially in high-pressure moments like business dinners or group settings. <br /> <br /> From decoding wine lists to working with sommeliers, we explore how to approach wine with more confidence and less stress.<br /> <br /></div> <div><strong>What You'll Learn in This Episode:</strong></div> <ul> <li>How to confidently order wine in social and professional settings, even if you're not an expert</li> <li>Tips for choosing versatile, crowd-pleasing wines for group dining</li> <li>When (and how) to lean on a sommelier without feeling awkward or overspending</li> <li>The truth about screw caps vs. corks and why one doesn't mean better quality</li> <li>How wine can break the ice and elevate the connection at the table</li> <li>Why wine should be fun, approachable, and never intimidating</li> </ul> <div>Juliette Han is a passionate wine enthusiast with a curious and open-minded approach to wine and dining. Based in New York City, she brings a relatable voice to the wine conversation, asking thoughtful questions that reflect what many of us think but don't always say aloud. <br /> <br /> Her background in business and love for hospitality make her the perfect guest to explore how wine intersects with social dynamics, etiquette, and the occasional awkward menu moment. Our conversation is down-to-earth, informative, and a reminder that enjoying wine should feel good, never intimidating.<br /> <br /></div> <div>If you've ever stressed about ordering wine, this episode is for you!<br /> <br /> Listen now to Wine Behind the Scenes on your favourite podcast app, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review.<br /> <br /> Please share this episode with a friend who's ever said, "You choose the wine, I have no idea!"</div> </div> </section>
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Do you love and enjoy wine? Are you fascinated by everything about wine? If so, you'll love this show.
Every other week, join Laurel Simmons, who is just like you, passionate about wine and who has explored it with much enthusiasm, intention, and travels as you escape into and explore stories about wine -- the places, tastes, smells, sights, and the people who enjoy it.
Learn with her, laugh with her, taste, and travel with her as you explore Wine Behind The Scenes together.
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