The ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is heading back to the Okanagan Valley! My guest is former Sommelier for The National Club and now the Guest Experience Manager for one of the best wineries in all of Canada, Checkmate Artisanal Winery. We discuss the devastating environmental damage the 2024 winter had on the entire region. As someone who has known James from his early days at the Club, I love his story from Toronto to B.C. No better person to be representing some of the best Chardonnay and Merlot made in Canada. *Bonus: Most emotional moment in the history of the pod (168 episodes in!) happens midway of this interview.

A wide-ranging conversation with one of the co-owners of Henry of Pelham Winery, Dan Speck. I sat down with last in late 2018 and since then A LOT has changed. We discuss the impact of COVID, the war in Ukraine and inflation has had on the world of wine. I guarantee you'll learn something new from one of the most interesting people in the Ontario wine biz.

My guest is Steven Campbell, board member for the non-profit organization Grapes for Humanity who just launched their wine auction to help raise money for several important environmental charities. You have until Monday April 22nd to get your bids in! (Link: https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/grapes-for-humanity-canada-fine-wine-auction-2024-apr-22-2024/) We dive into Steven’s rich past that includes owning the famed Toronto restaurant, La Maison, opening one of the first wine bars in Ontario and the dangers climate change is having on wine all over the world. (Also, his dogs make a brief appearance)

On the latest episode of the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I speak with the most important wine journalist covering all things Ontario Wine, Rick VanSickle. We discuss the politics behind wine production, how the LCBO is not doing nearly enough for Ontario winemakers and is there a future in designating specific vineyards with "Grand Cru" status?

On the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast my interview with the winemaker for Niagara winery Westcott Vineyards, Casey Kulczyk. Love his passion about Westcott's overall philosophy about making world class Niagara Wine NOT about making "Burgundian" style wine. Trust me, Casey's passion for all things Niagara winemaking and just how special Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can be in this area is infectious. No way you won't enjoy this conversation. 

They love Merlot, can't stand the film 'Sideways' and in under a decade are making a real name for themselves in the world of Ontario wine. On the 'Matt Talks Wie & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I sit down with the Owners of Kirby Estate, a gorgeous boutique winery specializing in Chardonnay and Bordeaux Blends. Fun conversation about where they are now as a winery and how scary was their first vintage.

From Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Morocco this episode of the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast has range! My guest is Anne Charlotte Melia Bachas.  Anne is the Winemaker and Owner of Chateau Font du Loup in Châteauneuf-du-Pape while her father Charles has founded Domaine du Val d’Argan, a winery in Morocco.  We talk about those early days in 2002 when she took over Chateau Font du Loup, winemaking in Morocco and sticking to making her style of wine. 

If I think about the people who had the biggest influence on me when it comes to wine, Brian Perry, the Beverage Manager and Head Sommelier for The National Club is right at the top of the list. There is so much to admire about Brian. I’ll always appreciate the fact that when I joined the club, I was the youngest member at the time and as a sports media gas bag I was not exactly a captain of industry. Brian treated me the same as anyone else and it wasn’t long before he became an important part of my life. Thrilled after many years I was able to convince him to sit down, talk about the Club, his rise and our collective love for wine.  This episode went long so I have split it up into two parts. This is Part II

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I sit down with one my wine mentors, Brian Perry, the Beverage Manager and Head Sommelier for The National Club. Brian has a remarkable story from bartending with little wine knowledge to running one of the largest wine programs in Canada. This episode went long so I have split it up into two parts. This is Part One.

Really cool origin story with my guest on the wine podcast, Wine Importer Emily Craig, owner of Emily Craig Import Agency. Emily went from graduating with a Science Degree, to working a harvest in Nova Scotia to working for some of the largest Canadian wine importing companies in Canada to starting her own boutique wine important company. Oh, and she started during the pandemic. This is someone with a clear vision for her future, a hell of a work ethic and true passion for wine.