Major Crush

Meredith and Lou have this amazing friend named Monica Stevens. She and her husband, David, own 750 Wines -- a totally unique tasting studio located in St. Helena, CA. As you'll discover in this episode, when Monica curates a tasting for her guests, her attention to detail and her authentic desire to pick the perfect wines for her guests creates this extraordinary Wine Country experience very few people know how to orchestrate! As Meredith and Lou interview Monica in this podcast, it becomes apparent right away that the way people come together over a glass of wine brings out the best in all of us, and when we are our best, we often "do our best," too!  As promised in the episode, we've added some specific details to our show notes for you below: Monica's Crush-Worthy Wines (for today, at least!): In the interview, Monica Stevens mentions two grape varietals making a comeback these days: Grenache and Cabernet Franc. But she even goes a step further to mention some specific labels that she's really crushing on

When host, Lou Zant, first moved to the California Wine Country, he came across a book called, Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California. Lou absolutely devoured the book because Frances Dinkelspiel is a marvelous storyteller, but also, this book mixes the history of winemaking in California — and, one of the most outrageous wine crimes ever — with a very personal quest to find out if the loss of a priceless family heirloom can ever be truly reconciled. Then, after Meredith Griffin read the book, it was obvious that these two were going to need to talk about it with their listeners! And when Frances accepted our invitation to be on the Major Crush Podcast, it felt like one of the most incredible "gets" we've had so far!  If you're looking for a book to immerse yourself in, or, if you are in a book club and searching for a story that will pair well with friends and the perfect glass of wine, Tangled Vines (https://francesdinkelspiel.com/) IS the book for you! W

To join or not to join...?? That is the question of the day when people come out to the Wine Country! The whole "wine club culture" is actually pretty awesome, and the benefits to the winemaker and the wine drinker are mutually important. But since nearly every winemaker interview Meredith and Lou have done in Season 1 and Season 2 features a brand of wine you can't find on a shelf in a local wine shop or supermarket outside of Napa or Sonoma, we've been getting a lot of questions about the concept of joining a club to access these wines. So Meredith and Lou decided it would be good to take a time out to discuss this topic for their listeners. So we hope this episode is useful to you as you start to dive deeper into the world of artisan and boutique wines.  By the way: Keep your questions coming because we're listening! We love hearing from our listeners and learning more about the topics, thoughts, and questions you have about wine. So ping us any time! You're such a huge part of the reason we do this podcas

You gotta love a winery that leads with love and devotion, right? Well... Let's just say that's how things worked out for Meredith and Lou when they sat down to interview Bruce Lawton, owner of Pech Merle Winery. The attention to detail when it comes to how winemaker, John Pepe, approaches every wine he makes for Pech Merle starts in the vineyard and ends up in your glass.  Like most of the winemakers and wineries featured in the Major Crush podcast, you can't get these wines in your local stores, and for the most part, you have to be a part of the club to access the very best vintages. But after you listen to this interview, be sure to check out the Pech Merle website (https://www.pechmerlewinery.com/) for more information, and, if you find yourself in Sonoma County California, it's absolutely worth the trip to Geyserville to spend a little time with "Jenna" and Bruce at the totally hip and unique Pech Merle Tasting Lounge! CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listen

The real world of wine is full of some truly incredible people, but two of the very best are Ryan and Crystal Waugh of Waugh Family Wines. Meredith has a very personal connection to this couple and their famous wine club, and so it was really important to her and to Lou to introduce all of our Major Crush podcast listeners to this very unique winery. Waugh wines are only distributed Direct to Consumer, so you will definitely want to check out their website to learn more about their VERY unique wine club, and to find out how you can partake in one of their super inclusive wine events scheduled for some time this coming November. But there is so much to love about Crystal and Ryan -- and we can't wait for you to become friends of the Waughs! (For more information, visit www.waughfamilywines.com) CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to re

As you may have already noticed in the feature interview with Ryan and Crystal Waugh, this winemaking family is all about connecting to others -- and that even means helping others in need. In this special bonus episode, Ryan and Crystal tell Meredith and Lou about their incredibly beautiful charity wine program called Relief Wines. The way the Waugh's set up this charity ensures that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Relief Wine labels go directly to the charities they have designated. You won't want to miss this extra time with Crystal and Ryan. To find out how to order from this collection of award-winning wines, be sure to visit their website (www.reliefwines.com). CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! In this episode of Major Crush, Lou and Meredith talk about wine and love. There's just something about the way a bottle of wine connects people -- no matter how you'll be spending time together on this special day! As promised in the episode, we've added a couple of varietal picks to help you zero in on some "sure things" to share with someone special this year!  Lou's Picks: If you're spending a cozy evening in, and you really want a red wine that pairs well with just about every yummy food you can think of, Lou's top pick is a Zinfandel. They call Zinfandel "the winemaker's wine" because it is so food-friendly, and it expresses so many things to so many people in every sip. If you're up for trying a Zin, you don't have to spend a lot to get a good one. Right now, 2013 and 2014 California Zinfandels are drinking pretty darn well, so if you're dining out this year, keep an eye out for Zinfandels of those vintages. And one more tip: One of Lou's all-time favorite Zin

It's the first winemaker interview of the new season, and boy this one is good! In this episode, Meredith and Lou interview Joe Foppoli, one of the owners of this family-run winery in the Russian River AVA of Sonoma County. Joe's Italian heritage and passion for family and wine make this one of the most personal interviews Meredith and Lou have ever done.  Most of the wines that Meredith and Lou tasted in this episode are pretty exclusive, and all of the wines offered by Christopher Creek are sold directly to their wine club members. But if you happen to be in the California Wine Country, you really need to stop in to meet Joe and his family - you'll have an unforgettable experience! Be sure to check out their website: www.christophercreek.com CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmai

We had to create a couple of bonus podcasts to go along with the Christopher Creek Winey episode of Major Crush because Meredith and Lou couldn't stop talking about the wines they tasted!  There's just something about a well-made wine that pulls you in deeper, and when it comes to wines Joe Foppoli shared with us, Meredith and Lou still had more to say!  Be sure to check out the winery website to discover their collection of wines. // www.christophercreek.com //  CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts! Episodes of Season Two drop every Thursday.

One of the many things that make Christopher Creek Winery such a standout in the world of wine is their commitment to charity and giving back. In this bonus episode, Meredith, Lou, and Christopher Creek's owner, Joe Foppoli, talk about how wine and philanthropy go hand-in-hand while sipping on a beautiful Malbec under the winery's Benevolo label. Be sure to visit www.christophercreek.com to learn all about their wines and their truly amazing family! CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts! Episodes of Season Two drop every Thursday.

Sometimes people overcomplicate the world of wine, and along with these overcomplications come some very useless myths. For Meredith and Lou, wine should always be fun, but getting hung up on the details often keeps people from freely enjoying and experiencing everything a great wine has to offer. So in this episode, these two wine geeks debunk some of the most common misconceptions. CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts! Episodes of Season Two drop every Thursday.

There's a pretty common saying in the California Wine Country called "ABC" -- Anything But Chard. People got a little burned out on the buttery Chardonnays that started to come out of Napa in particular, and wine drinkers seem to have long memories! But things have changed a lot over the years, and so in this episode, Meredith and Lou want to explore Chardonnays with listeners in a different way, and, they also want to help wine drinkers who think Cab is the only "C" word in the wine alphabet that's worth tasting!  NOTES: If you want to explore Chard's but you're sure the buttery ones aren't working for you, Meredith and Lou suggested that you explore the newer trends in the CA Wine Country where winemakers are fermenting in steel, concrete, and 50/50 or Zero malolactic fermentation! It's amazing how this winemaking techniques are reintroducing wine drinkers to the best qualities in such a classic varietal like Chardonnay. Also, it might be fun for you to enjoy exploring Chards from other countries - like New

It's time for another season of Major Crush, and we're excited to be back! This season we're letting the experiences take us where we need to go, so we hope you'll join us! CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts! Episodes of Season Two drop every Thursday.

So you're coming to the Wine Country and you're excited, but you also have some questions. That's normal. Everyone does the first time they visit! So Meredith and Lou wanted to do their part to help elevate the wine tasting experience for all of their listeners! In this episode of Major Crush, Meredith and Lou talk about the most basic questions they get asked all the time -- such as, What should I wear? How do I taste wine? How many wineries should I visit each day? These are all great questions, and they all have more than one good answer! So listen in as Meredith and Lou unpack their own answers to these very common questions -- because once you get some of these out of the way, you'll have no problem discovering your own MAJOR CRUSH in the Wine Country! //  NOTE: If you want to book a custom tour with Lou Zant, you can reach out to him by email at louzant@gmail.com or call 707-348-2307 and leave him a detailed message with your dates and the number of people in your group.  // Rememberer: there'

It's always interesting to learn how other wine enthusiasts add the wine experience to their healthy lifestyles. Of all the people Meredith and Lou have interviewed so far for Major Crush, Claire Lurton of Acaibo Winery has one of the most storied perspectives on wine and wine culture. As a member of a multi-generational French "winemaking family," Claire's point of view was truly appreciated and quite unique. So listen in as Meredith briefly explores this topic with a new friend of Major Crush! // For more information on Meredith's passion for pairing wine with a healthy lifestyle, be sure to check out her websites: www.decantU.com // CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of

In this episode of Major Crush, Meredith and Lou sit down with Claire Lurton of Aciabo. It was an incredible “get” to spend time with Claire at her winery on Chalk Hill in Sonoma County. She and her husband, Gonzague, have a deeply fascinating history as a part of two of the most storied wine families in all of Bordeaux, France, which added so many new layers to the conversations Meredith and Lou started in three previous episodes of Major Crush where they discuss the various wine-growing regions in France. The personal details and perspectives Claire offers up in this episode are beyond interesting, and the way she approaches winemaking in California is truly unique. // If you’d like to taste the Aciabo wines — or any of the wines Claire and Gonzague import from one of their family chateaus in France, you can visit them at their tasting room located at 422 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA — to make a reservation, please call: 707-791-0943 or email pascal@acaibo.com // You can also check out all of the wines

It might not be the tradition to start a podcast with an episode that recaps the entire season, but that's the thing about Major Crush -- it's all about discovering new things in the wine world, and that includes being new to the world of podcasting, too! In this introduction episode, Meredith and Lou look back on Season 1 of Major Crush to help whet your appetite for the stories they will uncover when you journey with them throughout the nine full episodes -- plus some bonus content, too!  CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts!

In this episode, Meredith and Lou explore the French wine regions of Burgundy -- which is more accurately named, Bourguignon. Meredith and Lou unpack this influential French region that is exclusively all about Chardonnay and Pinot.  CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you’re listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts!

This is a very special bonus episode of Major Crush. It doesn’t get much better than spending an afternoon with good friends and a good bottle of wine at a picnic table in the heart of the Sonoma Square!  SPECIAL THANKS: We want to thank our friend, Ethan Glago for picking out an amazing aged Chardonnay for us to taste — the 2009 Auteur Chardonnay // Auteur Wines is located just off the Sonoma Square in the beautiful Wine Country city of Sonoma, but you can find them at www.auteurwines.com CONTACT US: If you have questions or comments for Meredith and Lou, and you're listening on the Anchor App, you can send them to us directly. If you're listening to this podcast on any other platform, and you want to reach out, you can email us at majorcrushpodcast@gmail.com  // Follow us on Instagram: @majorcrushwinecast. // Be sure to check out the entire first season of Major Crush on Spotify, or wherever you access your favorite podcasts!

In this episode, Meredith and Lou visit the gorgeous town of Yountville located in the Napa Valley to sit down with Philip O'Connor of Handwritten Wines. Everything about a tasting at Handwritten is an experience -- and that's what makes this one of the most crush-worthy wineries you can find in the Napa Valley. The attention to detail and the way they wrap their story inside of every bottle is fascinating and truly special. //Rob Lloyd is the amazing winemaker behind the Handwritten label, and he is truly an artisan winemaker in every sense of the word. You can read all about the winery and the winemaker at www.handwrittenwines.com/our-story To find out more about Handwritten Wines, and to make an appointment on your next visit out to the Napa Valley, go to www.handwrittenwines.com and be sure to tell them you have a MAJOR CRUSH on Handwritten Wines! // All Handwritten Wines are sold direct-to-consumer, which means you won't find these wines in your local store or wine shop -- so be sure to check out their c