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In Episode 93 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by his business partners Joe Bates and Chris Botting for an in-depth tasting and timely industry conversation centered on Wagner Family Wines, the iconic family behind the legendary Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon.

As the trio samples and discusses wines from the Wagner portfolio, they explore what has made the Wagner name synonymous with consistency, brand strength, and commercial success in the American wine market. The conversation then shifts to the broader challenges facing today’s wine industry, including changing consumer preferences, generational shifts, market saturation, pricing pressures, and evolving distribution dynamics.

This episode delivers thoughtful insights for wine professionals, restaurant owners, and serious wine enthusiasts who want to better understand where the industry is headed—and what brands like Wagner Family Wines can teach us about longevity, adaptation, and staying relevant in a changing market.

Whether you are passionate about Napa Valley wines, curious about the future of the wine business, or looking for informed discussion from experienced hospitality operators, this episode offers both perspective and practical insight.

Perfect for fans of:
Napa Valley wine, Caymus Cabernet, Wagner Family Wines, wine industry trends, restaurant leadership, hospitality business strategy, and behind-the-scenes wine conversations.

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Episode 94 Podcast Description (SEO-Optimized)

In Episode 94 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partner Joe Bates for an in-depth conversation with internationally renowned winemaker and wine consultant Nick Goldschmidt. Known for his global approach to winemaking and uncompromising philosophy, Nick shares the stories, experiences, and principles that have shaped his remarkable career.

The episode features a guided tasting through Nick Goldschmidt’s acclaimed portfolio, beginning with his elegant Russian River Chardonnay and culminating with the powerful and expressive Ultimatum. Along the way, Nick dives into his winemaking journey, discussing how terroir, balance, and restraint influence his decisions in the vineyard and cellar.

Adam, Joe, and Nick explore what it truly means to make world-class wine across regions, the evolution of modern winemaking, and how philosophy and technique intersect to create wines with identity and purpose. This episode offers rare insight into the mind of a winemaker who has helped shape wine programs around the world while remaining deeply connected to craftsmanship and authenticity.

Perfect for wine enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, sommeliers, and anyone curious about the art and discipline behind exceptional wine, this episode delivers education, inspiration, and thoughtful debate—hallmarks of Grapes & Debates.

Topics covered include:

• Nick Goldschmidt’s global winemaking philosophy

• Russian River Chardonnay and premium red wine expression

• Terroir, balance, and consistency in modern winemaking

• The mindset behind building iconic wine brands

Subscribe to Grapes & Debates for weekly conversations at the intersection of wine, business, and hospitality—presented by SoNapa Grille.

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In Episode 92 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partners Joe Bates and Chris Botting for a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation centered on wine, hospitality, and leadership.

The episode features a guided tasting of three wines currently on the SoNapa Grille menu: Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio, Banshee Red Blend, and Roth Cabernet Sauvignon—each representing a different style, price point, and guest occasion. As the tasting unfolds, the discussion turns reflective, examining the realities of 2025 and the economic, labor, and consumer headwinds facing both the wine and restaurant industries.

Adam, Joe, and Chris share candid insights on what worked, what challenged operators most, and how independent restaurants can stay relevant by focusing on value, consistency, and guest trust heading into 2026. Rather than chasing trends, the conversation emphasizes intentional decision-making, curated wine programs, and delivering experiences that feel worth the guest’s time and money.

This episode is ideal for wine enthusiasts, restaurant owners, hospitality leaders, and anyone interested in how thoughtful wine selection and disciplined operations intersect to create long-term success.

Featured Topics Include:

• Tasting and positioning wines guests already love

• Lessons learned from the 2025 restaurant landscape

• Wine and menu strategy during economic pressure

• Defining and delivering real guest value in 2026

Grapes & Debates is presented by SoNapa Grille and explores Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines alongside real conversations about the restaurant and wine industries—one glass and one debate at a time.

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In Episode 91 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by his business partners Joe Bates and Chris Botting for a milestone conversation that blends wine, reflection, and spirited debate.

The trio samples and discusses three wines selected for the SoNapa Wine Club – January 2026 release, including Priest Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and the iconic Chappellet Mountain Cuvée. These “TS wines” anchor a broader conversation about how wine is experienced, evaluated, and shared with today’s consumers.

As the episode unfolds, Adam, Joe, and Chris look back on an ambitious 2025—52 episodes recorded and 190 wines sampled—and unpack what resonated most with listeners. The most engaging debate of the year? A hard look at whether the traditional wine rating system is outdated and still relevant to modern drinkers.

The conversation then shifts to one of the most polarizing topics in hospitality: BYOB etiquette. What’s acceptable, what’s outdated, and what crosses the line? The discussion culminates with Adam committing to create a new framework for guests and operators alike—“The Chivalrous Set of Rules” for BYOB.

This episode is equal parts wine tasting, industry insight, and candid debate—perfect for wine enthusiasts, restaurant owners, hospitality professionals, and anyone curious about where wine culture is headed next.

Key topics covered:

• SoNapa Wine Club January 2026 wine preview

• Chappellet Mountain Cuvée discussion

• 2025 Grapes & Debates year-in-review

• Are traditional wine ratings still relevant?

• BYOB etiquette and evolving guest expectations

🍷 Subscribe to Grapes & Debates for weekly conversations at the intersection of wine, restaurants, and real-world debate—presented by SoNapa Grille.

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In Episode 90 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partners Joe Bates and Chris Botting, along with Joe’s brother-in-law visiting from Washington State, for a spirited blind wine tasting showdown featuring wines under $20 from California vs the Pacific Northwest.

This episode puts everyday, affordable wines to the test as the group samples bottles sourced locally — including real-world footage of Adam and Joe shopping for the wines at ABC Liquor (and getting politely asked to stop filming). The conversation is honest, unscripted, and exactly how real consumers experience wine buying in the wild.

As the glasses are poured and labels stay hidden, the debate centers on one key question: Just how “solid” are these wines at this price point? The panel breaks down flavor, structure, value, and drinkability while comparing West Coast regions head-to-head — California versus Washington and Pacific Northwest contenders.

This episode is perfect for:

• Wine drinkers looking for great wines under $20

• Fans of blind tastings and honest wine opinions

• Restaurant professionals and retailers curious about value-driven wine programs

• Anyone who loves unscripted debate, real reactions, and a little chaos along the way

If you’ve ever wondered whether affordable wine can truly deliver — and which region does it better — this episode delivers clarity, laughs, and practical takeaways you can use on your next wine run.

🎙 Grapes & Debates is presented by SoNapa Grille, where wine, hospitality, and real conversations collide.

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In Episode 89 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partners Joe Bates and Chris Botting for a no-labels, no-bias blind tasting of three highly rated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons: Double Diamond by Schrader, Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, and Salus by Staglin.

With reputations built on 90+ point scores and cult-level followings, these wines are put to the ultimate test — tasted blind, judged honestly, and debated openly. The conversation quickly moves beyond the glass as the hosts challenge the traditional 100-point wine rating system, questioning whether numerical scores still matter to modern consumers, restaurants, and wine professionals.

Adam, Joe, and Chris break down:

• How point scores influence buying decisions in restaurants and retail

• Whether blind tasting reveals uncomfortable truths about “top-rated” wines

• Why consumers are trusting experience, storytelling, and personal taste over critics

• A newly proposed alternative wine rating system designed to be more relatable, honest, and guest-friendly

This episode is equal parts wine education, industry critique, and spirited debate — perfect for wine lovers, sommeliers, restaurant owners, and anyone curious about how wines should be evaluated today.

If you enjoy Napa Valley Cabernet, blind tastings, insider wine conversations, and bold opinions that challenge the status quo, Episode 89 delivers.

🍷 Wines Featured:

• Double Diamond by Schrader

• Faust Cabernet Sauvignon

• Salus by Staglin

🎙 Grapes & Debates is presented by SoNapa Grille, where Napa and Sonoma wines meet honest conversation and real-world hospitality experience.

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In Episode 88 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by Crystalyn and Doug Hackett, owners and winemakers of Spicy Vines Winery, for an inspiring deep dive into entrepreneurship, winemaking, and terroir.

Crystalyn shares her remarkable journey from a naïve college graduate with a dream to building Spicy Vines into a respected boutique winery. The conversation explores the realities of launching a wine startup, the lessons learned along the path to growth, and what it truly takes to survive and thrive in today’s competitive wine industry.

Adam and Doug then step into a classic wine debate: mountain fruit versus valley floor fruit. They break down the differences in elevation, structure, sun exposure, acidity, and flavor profiles — with Doug ultimately delivering a winemaker’s perspective that both terrains have their rightful place in crafting exceptional wines.

This episode is packed with:

• Boutique winery startup insights

• Winemaker career development

• Mountain fruit vs. valley floor comparisons

• Behind-the-scenes stories from Spicy Vines Winery

• Real-world lessons in wine entrepreneurship

Whether you are a wine professional, aspiring winemaker, restaurant owner, or passionate wine enthusiast, this episode delivers both education and inspiration straight from the vineyard and the business front lines.

🎙 Grapes & Debates is proudly presented by SoNapa Grille — where Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines meet bold conversation and hospitality leadership.

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In Episode 87 of Grapes & Debates, SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partner Chris Botting as they welcome special guest Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting: The Fine Art of Wine & Whine Management. With co-host Joe Bates away for Thanksgiving, this episode shifts into an insightful and entertaining conversation that blends the worlds of wine, parenthood, and publishing.

Although no wine is consumed during this episode, the discussion is rich with perspective as Danielle shares the inspiration behind her book, her journey as an author, and how wine culture intersects with the realities of modern parenting. The hosts and Danielle explore the balance between family life, career, and personal passion, while also touching on her favorite wine and how it fits into her lifestyle.

This episode is perfect for wine lovers, parents, entrepreneurs, and aspiring authors who enjoy thoughtful conversation with a relatable and humorous edge. It is a refreshing departure from the tasting format, offering a more personal and literary perspective within the Grapes & Debates universe.