Doug Shafer
97 episodes listed below
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A Napa Valley podcast serving up stories of wine, food, and friends.
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Detailed, genial interviews turn Napa wine careers into an accessible record of how vineyards, wineries, and reputations are built.
Doug Schaefer builds each conversation around a wine career, then keeps asking until the vineyard decisions, early mistakes, mentors, and unlikely turns become clear.
A failed orchard, a vineyard, and the wine-country backstory your bottle label skipped.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A family wine story that moves from old Napa history to a warm, lived in present.
The episode follows Robin Lail from a 140-year family line that begins with Gustav Niebaum to her work with Lail Vineyards in Napa Valley. It keeps its focus on family memory, local history, and the wines themselves, so the story feels grounded rather than broad.
A grounded conversation about Spanish grape work and the California winemaking path that led there.
Marcus Bokisch's path from California wine work into Spain gives the episode its shape. Doug Schaefer keeps things easygoing while Marcus talks through Joseph Phelps, the Van de Mistral program, and the practical work behind planting the right grapes in the right place.
A steady Napa business story that shows how vineyard work shapes what comes next.
Russ Weiss reads as someone who has spent a long time in the Napa Valley grape and wine business, and the episode keeps the focus where it belongs, on vineyard management.
A steady winery story where family legacy and vineyard ambition meet in Dry Creek Valley.
Kim Stare Wallace gives this winery story a steady, grounded feel. Dry Creek Vineyard comes into view as a family operation that grew past being simply very good, with Dry Creek Valley, the Lytton Springs District, and the Bordeaux program all getting their due.
A grounded winery conversation about site, Pinot Noir, and the choices that shape both.
Peter Michael Winery comes through as tied to land first and status second. Doug and Andy bring Robert Fiori in to walk through the winery's story, and Robert keeps returning to the same point: Santa Rita Hills fault lines, ocean fog, breezes, and warmer inland sites all shape…
A warm Napa oral history that turns familiar names into lived memory.
The episode reads as a relaxed Napa oral history, with Tim Mondavi's family background and memories shaping the conversation into something lived-in rather than polished.
Listener questions open into a grounded Napa Valley memory tour.
A listener-question episode becomes a measured walk through Napa Valley memory, with Doug Schaefer, Andy, and John Skupny tracing the names and turning points that shaped the region.
A relaxed Napa origin story built from mentors, family, and hard-earned craft.
Heidi Barrett's story comes through as a set of remembered encounters: Richard Peterson, Beau Barrett, Chelsea, Germany, Australia, and Jerry Looper all help assemble the picture.
Bourbon talk, barrel stories, messy good pours.
Bourbon reviews with memory, candor, and community.
Everyday life, thought through together.
Doug Shafer interviews winemaker Bob Foley about his career and a list of UC Davis classmates in the wine industry.
Robin Lail, a fourth-generation Napa Valley vintner, shares her family's 150-year legacy, from Gustav Niebaum's founding of Inglenook to her father's mentorship of Robert Mondavi.
Doug Schaefer interviews winemaker Marcus Bokisch about his journey pioneering Spanish grape varietals in California, from his immigrant childhood and early career at Joseph Phelps to smuggling cuttings from Spain and building Bokisch Vineyards in Lodi.
Jeff Smith of Hourglass Wines shares his family's deep roots in Napa Valley, from his father's WWII service and pioneering real estate ventures to Jeff's own journey from rock guitarist to acclaimed winemaker.
Russ Weis shares his decades-long journey through the Napa Valley wine industry, from childhood dreams inspired by a winery visit to roles at Robert Mondavi, Opus One, and Silverado Vineyards, culminating in his current position leading a major vineyard management company.
Kim Stare Wallace shares the story of Dry Creek Vineyard, from her father's pioneering move to plant Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley to her own journey from fashion design to leading the winery.
Winemaker Robert Fiore shares his journey from a Chevron geophysicist to Peter Michael Winery, detailing his education at UC Davis, time in Burgundy, and insights into terroir and Napa Valley geology.
Tim Mondavi shares the century-long story of his family's wine legacy, from his grandfather's start during Prohibition to his father Robert's innovations and his own journey with Continuum Estate.
Doug Schaefer and Andy host John Skupny for a listener Q&A episode, covering wine storage tips, aging advice, and Napa Valley history.
Doug Schaefer interviews renowned winemaker Heidi Barrett, tracing her career from growing up in a winemaking family to becoming a top consultant.
Actor and winemaker Kyle MacLachlan joins Doug Schaefer to discuss his journey from Yakima to Hollywood and Napa, sharing stories of meeting David Lynch, starting his wine brand Pursued by Bear, and drawing parallels between acting and winemaking.
Doug Shafer interviews Lee Hudson about his vineyard, the upcoming harvest, and the Napa Valley wine community.
Doug Shafer and Andy Dembski introduce a conversation with winemaker James Hall about his decades of experience making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in cool climate regions.
Host Doug Shafer interviews wine critic Jeb Dunnuck about his honest reviews and their shared love of wine.
Doug Shafer interviews Judd Finkelstein of Judd's Hill Winery about his life in the wine business.
Doug Schaefer and guest Spencer Christian answer listener questions about wine and winemaking.
Doug Shafer interviews renowned winemaker Dave Ramey about his career and winemaking philosophy.
Doug Shafer interviews Tim Mondavi about his family's winemaking legacy and shares a story about working at Robert Mondavi Winery.
Doug Schaefer interviews winemaker Tony Biaggi about his career and their shared history in Napa Valley.
Host Doug Shafer interviews winemaker Helen Keplinger about her background and career in the wine industry.