If Vines Could Talk

Episode 162: Sam Smiertka – Blue Dot

Steve first shares a short collage of voices from a successful Michigan wine dinner at Wildfire in Chicago. Then in this episode, Steve talks with Sam Smiertka of Blue Do

Episode 161: Emmy Sue Neighbors - Building Forsu

Emmy Sue Neighbors joins the podcast to share the story behind Forsu, her Michigan‑born project shaped by organics, community, and personal meaning. She began her wine jo

Episode 160: Mimmo Musumeci – Ca’ Musu

In this episode, I sit down with Mimmo Musumeci of Ca’ Musu, a vineyard‑driven project in Hart, Michigan. Mimmo and Elise run a small, focused winery built on disciplined

Episode 159: Chris Baldyga - 2Lads

Chris Baldyga joins the podcast for a conversation about his path from early exposure at Chateau Grand Traverse to founding and leading 2Lads. He shares how vineyard work

Episode 158: John Braganini - PA232 & St. Julian Update

In this episode, Steve talks with John Braganini about PA 232, the Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act that now serves as the framework for a proposed Michiga

Episode 157: Christine McAfee – Oceana Winery and Vineyard

In this episode, I sit down with Christine McAfee, owner of Oceana Winery and Vineyard. Christine brings twenty years of experience from the Finger Lakes region, covering

Episode 156: Sue Chilton – Shiny Quarter Vineyard

In this episode, I sit down with Sue Chilton of Shiny Quarter Vineyard. We recorded in early June, and Sue walks through her approach to biodynamic light, Chinese medicin

Episode 155: Barry O'Brien - O'Brien Vineyards

Barry O’Brien moved back to Michigan after years in New York and bought his Old Mission land in 1999. He started as an importer, then took over the vineyard himself in 20

Episode 154: Lauren Kniebes – Marketing with Labels

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Kniebes for a lively conversation about marketing, labels, tasting room experiences, glassware, and the creative choices that shap

Episode 153: Sean O’Keefe – Soil to Soul Origins

Sean O’Keefe joins me for the final episode in our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. We explore the origins of vinifera in Northwest Michiga

Episode 152: Leonard Olson – A Michigan Legacy

In this episode I sit with Gunnar Olson, owner of Baroda Founders Winecellar, to reflect on the legacy of his father, Leonard Olson. Leonard helped launch modern Michigan

Episode 151: Maxx Eichberg – Soil and Soul

Episode 151 features Maxx Eichberg in the third installment of our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers. Maxx returns to talk about regenerative farming and the

Episode 150: Tony Peterson – Contessa Winecellars

This episode continues our five-part series on pioneers and trailblazers in Michigan wine. Tony Peterson of Contessa Winecellars shares the story behind his ten-acre vine

Episode 149: Doug Welch, Fenn Valley Vineyards

Episode 149 features Doug Welch, owner and cofounder of Fenn Valley Vineyards and a pioneer of the Lake Michigan Shore. Doug shares the story of building Fenn Valley more

Episode 148: Dan Nitz – Frozen Gold Harvest

Episode 148 closes out our five-part miniseries on Michigan varieties with grower and winemaker Dan Nitz. Dan manages hundreds of acres of vineyards and produces some of

Episode 147: Matt Killman – Cool Climate Excellence

Matt Killman returns for the fourth episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. We explore cool climate grapes that thrive in Michigan, especially those that perform

Episode 146: Maxx Eichberg – Pinot Noir Pure Michigan

Maxx Eichberg returns for the third episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. Today we focus on Pinot Noir, recorded in July 2025, with a detailed look at why this

Episode 145: Andrew Backlin – Sauvignon Blanc Focus

Andrew Backlin returns for the second episode in our miniseries on Michigan varieties. Today we focus on Sauvignon Blanc, recorded in June in the old tasting room with a

Episode 144: Amy Birk – Cabernet Franc Focus

Amy Birk returns as we launch a new five-part miniseries focused on Michigan varieties. In this episode we explore Cabernet Franc. Recorded in June 2025, this conversatio

Episode 143: Tom Knighton – Michigan's Red Wine Story

Episode 143 features Tom Knighton of Blustone Vineyards in the final episode of our three part series on Michigan Red Wine. We recorded this last July and dive into the e