VinePair Podcast

Adam, Joanna, and Zach puzzle over New York City's recently launched "Buzzkill" campaign, ostensibly to inform the public about the health risks of alcohol. Why is this a priority for any city, especially one that relies so heavily on the food and beverage industry as a source of revenue and jobs? Doesn't this cut against at least a sizeable swath of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political constituency? Does this open him, and his administration, up to mockery? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: The 30 Best Cabernet Sauvignons for 2026Joanna is reading: 5 of the Most Shockingly Bad Guinness Pours We’ve Seen OnlineAdam is reading: Bartenders Can’t Outrun the Spicy MargaritaInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

On this special episode of The VinePair Podcast, Adam is joined by Dave Phinney, the founder of Orin Swift, to discuss his storied career in the wine industry, why he's so committed to traveling to sell and support his wines, what reaching new consumers means in this day and age, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

In light of the news that workers at the iconic New York City bar Attaboy have unionized, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what might have led this unionization effort to succeed where previous ones have failed, whether this will spur similar efforts at other well-known bars and restaurants, and why the hospitality industry has largely not been union-friendly, particularly in smaller restaurants and companies. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Nightingale Martini 2.0 at NightingaleJoanna is drinking: "The Localist" New York State Cream Ale at Grimm Artisan AlesAdam is drinking: Domaine Barge "Les Côtes" Côte-Rôtie Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether wine drinkers still need every red wine to be deep and inky in color, or can brands and producers that have typically relied on Mega Purple and other additives instead get away from that practice? What made such wines so desirable in the first place, and have tastes changed enough to allow brands to phase out this approach to winemaking? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: Stone Brewing Flew Too Close to the Sun. It Still Hasn’t Hit Rock BottomJoanna is reading: The Best MLB Drinks Souvenirs to Take Home This SeasonAdam is reading: Is Mole Pechuga Mezcal About to Have Its Moment?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

On this special episode of The VinePair Podcast, Adam is joined by Nicole Hitchcock, the estate director of J Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma, California about her background in wine, what's so exciting about California sparkling wine, and the current state of Sonoma. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to discuss his recently-published list of the Best Tequilas of 2026, including a growing number of bottlings proclaiming the use of tahona in the crushing process, a surprisingly strong set of reposados, and even a tequila that isn't technically a tequila. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Sacred Shore AlbariñoJoanna is drinking: Dry Stout from Forever BrewingAaron is drinking: House Martini at La Tête d'Or by DanielInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Joanna and Zach discuss the recent news that Sazerac has taken a minority stake in Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila. Despite persistent questions about whether celebrity tequila has peaked, as well as the controversy that surrounded the brand's launch, it has been performing well of late, perhaps making it a smart pickup for the New Orleans-based company. Does the price-conscious, youth-oriented brand have the potential for broader reach, and can it stay relevant with the younger cohort it clearly clamors for? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: Pittsburgh Is Aggressively Courting Cocktail Enthusiasts. Will Other Secondary Markets Follow?Joanna is reading: Canada Dumped U.S. Alcohol Amid Tariff Turmoil. Here’s What Canadians Are Drinking Now Instead.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam and Joanna discuss the recently opened 550 Madison and how restaurateurs like Simon Kim are making such a bold and obvious play for the ultra-wealthy, or at least those who want to pretend to be so for the night. While this kind of restaurant has always existed, in the past they've been a bit more quiet and restrained, not heavily promoted and covered. Is New York becoming Las Vegas East? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Joanna is drinking: Fines Herbes Gibson from A Pop-Up Called PancakesAdam is drinking: 1971 Ridge Vineyards Monte BelloInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the curious case of spirits brands and even prestige publications turning to sommeliers in lieu of bartenders for site visits, trips, and expert commentary. Is there actually some logic in looking beyond the traditional framework of "top bartenders at top bars" when you're either looking to make inroads in the on-premise or just get some good, audience-friendly commentary? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: The Wines That Changed How America Drinks, Decade by DecadeJoanna is reading: The 12 Most Important IPAs of the 21st Century So FarAdam is reading: White Claw’s Parent Co. Bought Finnish Long Drink Because Flavor Is KingInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair