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The Wine Makers – Todd Bostock & Kent Foulker

·1 hr 37 min·5 clips

John Myers welcomes listeners to Sonoma with a crack of a can and playful confusion over carbonated wine.

This episode features winemakers Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks and Kent Foulker of Foulker Ranch, joining the regular hosts in Sonoma. Host John Myers is accompanied by local experts Sam Couture, Bart Hanson, and Brian Casey for a wide-ranging discussion. The conversation covers the guests' backgrounds, their winemaking philosophies, and current industry challenges. Todd Bostock operates a family winery in Arizona, focusing on Spanish and Italian grape varieties suited to the climate. Kent Foulker manages a multi-generational ranch and vineyard in Sonoma, emphasizing sustainable farming practices. The hosts and guests compare the distinct terroirs and regulatory environments of Arizona and California. They discuss the logistical and marketing hurdles of direct-to-consumer sales, a major topic at a recent conference several hosts attended. Specific challenges include shipping regulations, building brand loyalty, and managing tasting room experiences. The dialogue touches on vineyard management techniques for dealing with variable vintages and weather patterns. Financial pressures from rising land costs and supply chain issues are also acknowledged. A surprising insight is that Arizona has a recognized wine region, the Sonoita AVA, with a winemaking history dating back decades. Todd Bostock argues that certain hot-climate regions can produce balanced wines with natural acidity without resorting to manipulation. Kent Foulker reveals how his ranch integrates cattle grazing with vineyard management to enhance soil health. The group finds humor in the complexities of interstate alcohol shipping laws, which they describe as a persistent headache for small producers. There is shared admiration for winemakers who successfully cultivate lesser-known grape varieties in non-traditional regions. The conversation underscores that quality winemaking is expanding geographically beyond classic West Coast appellations. The tone is casual, conversational, and filled with insider camaraderie among industry peers. The style is educational but relaxed, often digressing into personal anecdotes and lighthearted jokes. Listeners interested in American viticulture beyond Napa and Sonoma, especially in emerging regions, would love this episode. Those seeking a highly structured, technical deep-dive into a single wine topic might find the meandering format less engaging.

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