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Episode 98 of Grapes & Debates is a powerful, reflective, and deeply human conversation at the intersection of wine, storytelling, and lifelong passion. SoNapa Grille founder Adam Barringer is joined by business partner Chris Botting as they welcome legendary wine journalist Thomas Matthews and acclaimed wine photographer Sara Matthews for an unforgettable episode rooted in friendship, creativity, and the enduring culture of wine.

The episode opens with a tasting of Amici Sauvignon Blanc—a fitting starting point, as Amici means “friends” in Italian, and friendship sits at the heart of this conversation. From there, Thomas shares his remarkable journey: from leaving a graduate program at Yale, to picking grapes in Bordeaux, to becoming a foundational voice at Wine Spectator, where he spent 33 years shaping modern wine journalism and ultimately serving as Executive Editor.

Thomas reflects on the “long, strange trip” that defined his career—borrowing a phrase from the Grateful Dead, whose music mirrors the twists, detours, and serendipity that led him to wine. He speaks candidly about leadership, trust, blind tasting integrity, wine criticism, and how Wine Spectator helped build wine culture in America by connecting wines to the people and places behind them.

Sara Matthews brings an equally compelling perspective, sharing her decades-long career documenting vineyards, wineries, and wine communities across the globe. From Bordeaux to Argentina, Napa to Italy, Sara’s photography helped define the visual identity of the modern wine industry. She discusses her transition from film to digital, drone videography, horticultural studies, and her evolution into retirement after more than 30 years of creative work alongside Thomas.

Together, Adam, Chris, Thomas, and Sara explore themes of leadership, curiosity, reinvention, optimism, and gratitude—while celebrating wine as a lifelong teacher and connector of people across cultures.

This episode is a must-listen for wine lovers, hospitality professionals, creatives, journalists, and anyone who believes that success is rarely linear—but always meaningful.

Perfect for listeners interested in:

• Wine journalism and wine criticism

• Wine Spectator history and leadership

• Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and global wine culture

• Wine photography and visual storytelling

• Career reinvention and creative journeys

• Hospitality, publishing, and wine education

Grapes & Debates continues to explore wine beyond the glass—through stories, people, and the moments that define a life well lived.