In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed wine writer and researcher Elaine Chukan Brown to discuss their new book, The Wines of California is a sweeping and deeply informed look at the Golden State’s wine landscape, past and present.
With rare access, firsthand research, and a unique perspective shaped by years of work across regions and with producers, Elaine shares a compelling narrative tracing the evolution of California wine: from indigenous cultivation and early Spanish mission plantings to Prohibition-era struggles, the rise of Napa and Sonoma, and today’s cutting-edge, climate-driven viticulture.
Elaine shares:
🍇 Insights into how her Alaskan roots and early encounters with Pinot Noir sparked a lifelong passion for wine.
📚 Her journey from academic philosopher to celebrated wine writer contributing to The Oxford Companion to Wine, The World Atlas of Wine, and Decanter.
🌄 A panoramic tour of California’s wine regions—Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Lodi, Monterey, and beyond—highlighting key producers shaping the state today.
🌿 Reflections on the essential, often-overlooked role of farmworkers, indigenous histories, and immigrant labor in building California’s wine identity.
🌍 Perspectives on how climate change, sustainability, and shifting consumer tastes are transforming California’s vineyards and varietal choices for the next generation.
🔍 A behind-the-scenes look at how she selected the influential and innovative producers profiled in her book.
Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the centuries-long journey of California wine and the forces shaping its future.
🎧 Listen now to explore the stories, landscapes, and people behind California’s most iconic and emerging wines.
🛒 Shop California’s top producers now at vintmarketplace.com
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!
