Description

Hi, everyone! The holidays may be behind us, but we’re diving headfirst into 2025. Can you believe it? Happy New Year! I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible 2024 it was, and wow—what a ride!

Let’s start with travels: I’ve been all over the map! St. Martin’s Grand Case? Check. Medellín, Colombia? Absolutely—coffee tastings and Michelin-starred meals galore. New Orleans for the Beard Conference? You bet, and I ate everywhere. If you want the full scoop on my adventures (and what I ate), head to my Insta highlights.

Closer to home, the DMV food and drink scene kept thriving with major openings:

• Kwame’s Dogon
• Mikey Friedman’s Aventino
• Mike Rafidi’s La Shukran
• Kevin Tien’s reimagined Moon Rabbit
• Keith McNally’s swanky Minetta Tavern
• Stephen Starr’s Pastis and Mozza
• Plus new hot spots like Bar Cana, Press Club, and Binge—a low-ABV/no-alcohol haven.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! So much happening in food, drink, and what I like to call wellness. (Don’t @ me.)

Now for today’s show: I’m back in Marshall, VA, exploring all things Fauquier Fabulous thanks to Laura Torpy of Fauquier County Tourism. Last time, I was at The Whole Ox. Today, I’m at the Field & Main Restaurant.

Let’s talk about Virginia wine—an industry that’s exploded in the last 50 years. From just a handful of wineries to over 300 statewide (30+ in Fauquier alone!), the growth is extraordinary. Joining me today to chat all things wine:

• Kiernan Slater Patusky of Slater Run Vineyard
• Neal Wavra, proprietor of Field & Main and CEO of Red Truck Bakery
• Leah Papadopoulos Constable, Vineyard & Cellar Manager at Molon Lave Vineyards

Oh, and mark your calendars: the Fauquier County Wine Showcase is coming up on February 8th. Stay tuned for more details.

Featured Guest:

Kiernan Slater Patusky
Instagram: Instagram (@slaterrunvineyards)
Facebook: Slater Run Vineyards | Upperville VA
Website: Home | Slater Run Vineyards
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/slater-run-vineyards

Neal Wavra​
Business Instagram:Instagram (@fieldandmain)
Personal Instagram: Instagram (@nealwavra)
Facebook: Field & Main Restaurant | Marshall VA
Website: Wine Dinners - Holiday Fine Dining - Special Events

Leah Papadopoulos Constable
Business Instagram: Instagram (@molonlave_vineyards)
Facebook:Molon Lave Vineyards | Warrenton VA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-papadopoulos-constable
Website:molonlavevineyards.com

Featuring Nycci Nellis
https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/The List Are You On It |  Home

Takeaways

• Vineyard Development and Management Philosophy
• Wine Evolution and Learning Points
• Amanda Lachowiak and Molonabe Winery
• Wine Tasting Techniques and Analogies
• Discussion on Vineyards
• Challenges and Opportunities in Virginia Winemaking

Quotes

"As you seek to understand, remember that growth comes from exploration." - Neal Wavra​

"The beauty of varieties lies in their ability to evoke strong preferences." - Leah Papadopoulos Constable

"True potential is revealed as we remove the layers that hold us back." - Kiernan Slater Patusky

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
07:26 - Virginia Wine: Over 300 Wineries Recognized
12:06 - Harmonious Blend of Fields and Main Street
19:11 - Farming Innovation for Financial Sustainability
25:02 - Exploring Wines Through Thoughtful Vine Selection
27:16 - The Magic of Tasting Wine Evolution
32:22 - Greek-style, Fruit-Centric Winemaking Focus
42:29 - Vineyard Management Challenges and Timing
45:50 - Winemaking Relies on Vineyard Health and Experimentation
50:33 - Educating on Different Wine Styles
01:03:43 - Fauquier Wine Showcase
01:05:01 - Outro

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