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In Episode 132, we taste our way through Rodney Strong’s Sonoma Collection (Red Label), Sonoma County (White Label), Knights Valley (Blue Label), and Alexander Valley (Black Label) Cabernet Sauvignons.

We explore what makes these wines different and how Sonoma County’s growing regions influence the final product.

Then we tackle a question that’s been bothering us: Are professional wine descriptions actually helping people buy wine?

Wine Spectator uses terms like ink, loam, cast iron, brambly, and iris to describe what’s in the glass. But does the average wine drinker know what those words mean? More importantly, do they care?

Are wine critics educating consumers, or simply trying to impress one another?

Join us for four solid Cabernets, some spirited debate, and a reminder that enjoying wine shouldn’t require a vocabulary lesson.

Grapes & Debates — where great wine meets great conversation.

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This one comes with some serious Napa Valley history.

In 1976, Spring Mountain Vineyard’s 1973 Chardonnay was poured at the legendary Judgment of Paris, finishing fourth among the white wines in the blind tasting that forever changed the world’s perception of California wine.

Now, 50 years later, we’re opening Spring Mountain Vineyard again.

Adam, Chris, and Joe sit down for a vertical tasting of the 2014, 2018, and 2019 vintages, exploring how the wines differ from year to year—and using them to tackle a question every wine drinker eventually faces:

How much does vintage really matter when you’re buying everyday wine?

Do you need to know whether 2018 was “better” than 2019? Should vintage charts influence what makes it into your cart? Or are we sometimes giving that little year on the label way too much power?

And Spring Mountain Vineyard has more than wine history behind it. If the property looks like it belongs on television, there’s a reason: it served as a filming location for the 1980s TV series Falcon Crest.

The Judgment of Paris. Falcon Crest. Three vintages spanning five years. And three guys ready to debate whether vintage really matters.

🍷 Pour a glass and join us for Episode 131 of Grapes & Debates.

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Is the wine industry really facing tough times—or is the mainstream media making the story bigger than it is?

On Episode 130 of Grapes & Debates, Adam steps away from his usual crew and sits down with Michael Sherman of 21 Wine & Spirits Distributors and Charlie Plummer, Global Director of Sales for The Vineyard House, the family-owned Napa Valley estate of Jeremy Nickel.

Together, they taste through an extraordinary lineup of wines from The Vineyard House while digging into the realities of today’s wine business. Adam puts the big question to Charlie: What’s actually happening in the industry, and does the doom-and-gloom coverage match what people inside the business are seeing?

And then there’s the wine. One bottle in particular stops Adam in his tracks—the 2013 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon.

Great wine, candid industry conversation, and a Cabernet Adam won’t soon forget. Pour a glass and join the debate.

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Adam & Joe are joined by Nick Antelek, Managing Partner of SoNapa’s The Shores location, for a big-bottle edition of Grapes & Debates.

Their good friend Kim Braddock, Central Florida Market Manager for Foley Family Wines & Spirits, came through with something special—a magnum of Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. After sampling this incredible wine, the conversation turns to a question worth debating: Are the states drinking the most wine also the happiest?

The guys dig into WalletHub’s rankings of the happiest states in America and compare them with the states consuming the most wine. Coincidence? Science? Or just another compelling reason to keep the corks popping?

Then things get a little more serious. With wine sales reportedly down $1.2 billion and grapes being left on the vine, the industry could use a few more heroes.

So consider this your call to action:

Drink good wine. Support the industry. Be a Wine Hero.

🍇 Leave No Grape Behind! 🍷

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Adam and Joe are officially onsite at the newly opened SoNapa Grille in Daytona Beach Shores—and there’s only one appropriate way to celebrate: popping some Domaine Carneros Sparkling and raising a glass to opening night.

From there, they dive into the September Wine Club selections from Stags’ Leap Winery, tasting and talking through the Viognier, Merlot, and Petite Sirah.

Then the debate gets a little bigger. Joe brings up a news clip reporting that wine sales are down $1.2 billion, with some grape growers reportedly leaving as much as 20% of their grapes on the vine. What’s behind the slowdown? Are drinking habits changing? And what does it mean for wineries, growers, restaurants, and the future of wine?

And because it’s opening night, there’s one more guest at the table: Chef Drayke makes a cameo to congratulate Adam and Joe and join them for a celebratory “toast” to a successful first night in Daytona Beach Shores.

New location. Great wines. A wine industry worth debating. And a well-earned toast.

Welcome to Episode 128 of Grapes & Debates.

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Adam & Joe pour a glass of Roth Cabernet from winemaker Henry de Lambert—a fitting choice considering Henry also provided 14 wine barrels that have found a second life as décor in the new restaurant.

From there, the conversation turns to Napa and new revelations surrounding the Pickett Fire, which devastated nearly 7,000 acres in wine country. Adam & Joe unpack what’s coming to light and what it means for a region they know, love, and talk about often.

Then it’s back to Florida and the new SoNapa Shores location, including a look at the restaurant’s “social media” kitchen and the opportunity it gives the chef to get creative. With access to fresh local seafood, daily fresh-catch features can keep the menu interesting—and give guests something new to discover and share.

Wine, wildfire revelations, restaurant design, and fresh catch. Just another round of Grapes & Debates.

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Can you find a great bottle of wine for under $30? Adam, Chris, and Joe put that question to the test with six bottles from Kenny’s Liquors: three Sauvignon Blancs and three Cabernet Sauvignons, all priced under $30.

They taste, compare, debate, and tell you exactly which bottles are worth your money—and which ones they’d leave on the shelf. No wine snobbery. No paid-sounding praise. Just three guys giving you their straight take on what’s in the glass.

Then the conversation moves from wine we can trust to people we’re supposed to trust.

The guys tackle reports surrounding Dr. Anthony Fauci invoking the Fifth Amendment 111 times and debate the bigger questions it raises about transparency, accountability, and trust in public officials.

With wine, Adam, Chris, and Joe have one rule: tell the truth about what’s in the bottle. Maybe that’s not a bad standard for Washington, too.

Six wines. All under $30. One debate that goes well beyond the glass.

Grapes & Debates — where the wine is affordable, the opinions are uncorked, and trust is always up for discussion.

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In this episode of Grapes & Debates, Joe and Adam welcome two key members of the SoNapa leadership team—Nick Antalek and Leslie Hall—for a conversation centered around growth, leadership, and the exciting future of The Shores SoNapa.

The episode kicks off with everyone’s favorite wines before shifting to some spirited debate surrounding the opening of the newest SoNapa location. Nick reflects on his journey from General Manager of SoNapa Ormond Beach to his new role as Managing Partner of The Shores SoNapa, while Leslie shares her perspective as one of the newest additions to the leadership team.

Together, they discuss the opportunities, challenges, and decisions that come with opening a new restaurant, proving that great leadership—like great wine—is best enjoyed through conversation.

In this episode:

• 🍷 The wines everyone is enjoying
• 🎉 Nick’s promotion to Managing Partner of The Shores SoNapa
• 👥 Welcoming Leslie Hall to the leadership team
• 🏗️ Behind-the-scenes discussions on opening a new restaurant
• 🎙️ Friendly debates on leadership, operations, and preparing for launch

Whether you’re passionate about hospitality, leadership, or simply enjoy great conversations over great wine, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to build something special.

Pour a glass and join the debate.

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In this flavorful episode of Grapes & Debates, Adam, Joe, and Chris put their palates to the test with a double blind tasting challenge.

First, the guys sample three California Zinfandels without knowing what’s in the glass:

• Sin Zin by Alexander Valley Vineyards
• Home Base by BACA (the sister winery to Hall Wines)
• Rubicon Estate Edizione Pennino Red Zinfandel

Then they raise the stakes by pairing the wines with blind samples of BBQ from a couple of local restaurants, debating which smoked meats deserve a return visit—and which pair best with bold California Zinfandel.

But the conversation doesn’t stop at food and wine.

As plans move forward for their new restaurant in The Shores, the discussion shifts to one of today’s hottest topics: Artificial Intelligence. Can AI make the construction process faster, smarter, and more efficient? Where should technology help, and where should human experience still lead the way? The hosts dive into the opportunities, concerns, and real-world implications of bringing AI into restaurant development.

From bold reds and smoky barbecue to the future of construction, this episode serves up plenty to taste—and even more to debate.

Pour a glass, grab a plate, and join the conversation.

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What defines an American icon? Is it a legendary winery, a trailblazing brewery, or a game-changing distillery?

In this special episode of The Great American Debate, Adam, Joe, Chris, and guest host Charley Barley pour, taste, and debate three of the country’s most recognizable beverage brands—each representing the pinnacle of American wine, beer, and spirits.

From history and craftsmanship to cultural impact and taste, the panel weighs what truly makes a brand iconic. Along the way, expect spirited conversation, surprising opinions, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few controversial picks.

Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, craft beer fan, whiskey lover, or simply enjoy a great debate, this episode raises a glass to the brands that helped shape America’s drinking culture—and asks the ultimate question: Which one deserves the title of the most iconic American beverage brand?