It’s a busy time if year, but we will always sit down for Barolo. Sometimes called “the wine of kings” or the “king of wines” - Barolo is arguably one of the most popular choices among bottles of red this time of year. Made from 100% Nebbiolo, it’s a bold wine with serious tannins that’s perfect for cold nights and hearty dinners. Kathryn gives a l…

Holiday season is here! Tug and Kathryn are getting ready for a string of parties and they discuss what wine to bring along. Sparkling is always a festive choice. Prosecco isn't the only bubbly in Italy - there are other spumantes from all over the country! Kathryn explains how she chooses the perfect bottle to share. The couple recounts the recent…

Tug and Kathryn are gearing up for Thanksgiving week! The hosts discuss the “Nouveau” style of winemaking that started in Beaujolais. The trend is expanding to other regions - in this case a Carignan and Zinfandel blend from California. Kathryn explains the term “Nouveau” and why it makes for a good Thanksgiving pairing wine. Tug celebrates Devo, K…

Tug and Kathryn are celebrating the end of the SAG strike and drinking Riesling. They sing the praises for this varietal, a sommelier favorite. Kathryn explains why it’s a great choice for Thanksgiving. Tug is thrilled about the end of the strike, and reveals the silver linings of the picket lines and power of community. Kathryn shares another book…

Tug and Kathryn are enjoying the autumn heatwave in Southern California with a bottle of rosé. Made from 100% Grenache (a varietal that Kathryn once despised) the hosts talk about the versatility of this grape. This wine comes from one of the most influential wine professionals in the United States, and his journey into farming is a good sign for t…

Time to start celebrating Halloween with ORANGE wine! Kathryn and Tug open up a skin-contact wine from Australia made from Italian grape varietals. This producer has so much going for them - delicious wine and a very fresh accessible approach to branding and storytelling. Kathryn talks about the main grape-growing regions in South Australia and wha…

Time for another blind tasting! Now it’s Tug’s turn to take a stab at guessing the wine that Kathryn has chosen. Has he learned anything in 120 episodes? Tug uses deductive tasting to figure out what’s in the brown bag. Does he successfully make the call for Grüner Veltliner from Kremstal, Austria? Kathryn the explains the typical characteristics o…

Buzz alert! The hosts are drinking a Gamay Noir from Alice Anderson, a newer California producer, who, by all accounts, is a winemaker to watch! Anderson is employing regenerative farming and natural wine techniques in historic vineyards on the Central Coast. This red is a fantastic wine for October, perfect for a certain upcoming fall holiday. Tug…

How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Well, this week Tug requested a wine from Rome so Kathryn’s opening up “the nun wine.” Yes, this delightful white wine from Lazio is made by sisters of the Cistercian order and has quite a cult following. Kathryn talks about Lazio, the Italian state where this wine is made. The Ryder Cup, the world’s m…

We're talking hybrid grapes and their place in the future of the wine industry. Kathryn explains native vs hybrid grapes, where they grow, and why they require less maintenance and fewer chemicals in the vineyard. The hosts open a bottle of Baco Noir from Sonoma Coast made by hybrid-champion Matt Neiss. The wine industry faces many challenges with …

Kathryn is on the mend this week, so Tug drinks alone and sips on a fantastic bottle of Vinho Verde. This is a perfect weeknight wine! Kathryn shines a light on this wine region in Portugal, and why Vinho Verde is such a good option for value hounds. This particular bottle is special because it's made from a single varietal, which is a rare practic…

10 Years! The hosts celebrate their 10 year anniversary with Burgundy. Kathryn and Tug choose a special bottle from Esters’ cellar - a 2013 Pinot Noir from Simon Bize, a producer they visited in their first year of marriage. Kathryn talks about Savigny-les-Beaune as a village and shines a light on the history of this fantastic domaine. The hosts al…

Kathryn and Tug celebrate the upcoming holiday weekend with a sparkling rosé from Italy. They discuss what makes a good Labor Day wine for outdoor concerts, pool parties or gatherings with friends. A main key: Keep it simple! Kathryn talks about what makes this wine unique (the label is definitely a positive). Tug has gone full private detective, a…

Kathryn and Tug open up white wine from one of Oregon’s most beloved small wineries: Cameron. This wine is a beautiful blend of Italian grape varietals, and the duo discusses the perfect audience for this wine (Chardonnay drinkers? Chenin Blanc drinkers? Both?!) Kathryn gives a brief description of the winery and the Willamette Valley. At home, the…

Kathryn and Tug take a field trip to TOTAL WINE, America’s largest wine retailer. The couple recounts their experience shopping in two locations: Fredericksburg, Virginia and Redondo Beach, California. They go over the history of the company and the business practices Total Wine has developed over the years. The hosts pop open a bottle of Chianti C…

Kathryn and Tug pop open a happy hour rosé at 3pm on a Tuesday. They’ve just landed back in LA after a week-long trip to the east coast with family. Tug gives a run-down of the trip and the flights with their three boys (7, 4, and 2). Kathryn discusses criteria for happy hour wine (hint: yes there are still minimum standards). Tug asks Kathryn a wi…

Kathryn and Tug celebrate Esters turning 8 this week! They pop open an orange wine to celebrate. Kathryn talks about why this particular bottle is the perfect skin-contact wine for summer. Is orange wine currently more in demand than super popular "chillable reds"? The hosts discuss. The couple also praise the versatility and appeal of Sauvignon Bl…

The hottest thing in wine is still a chilled red. Kathryn and Tug discuss this popular trend and open up a bottle from a natural co-op in the Rhône Valley. Wine cooperatives have been common in France, and all of Europe for years. Kathryn explains the advantages and disadvantages of this tradition. This episode’s wine is also featured in Esters win…

Kathryn and Tug enjoy wine from a can! They talk about the advantages of drinking in this format. The hosts discuss the history of canned wine (hint: it’s longer than you might think) and what the future might hold. Lots of winemakers are following this growing trend - Kathryn and Tug discuss what’s unique about this particular can from just up the…

This week is all about Chenin Blanc, one of Kathryn and Tug’s favorite varietals. The hosts discuss the versatility of this grape varietal, where it grows and why it pairs so well with food. Arguably the most classic version of Chenin comes from Savennières, the origin of the wine this week. On a personal note, the hosts have been dealing with a tr…

TLF is gearing up for the 4th of July with a festive, picnic-pairing wine from the good, old U.S.A. They discuss the state of American sparkling wine, and why the category is relatively small. Kathryn explains why this week’s wine comes from the Pacific Northwest but the label says “American Sparkling Wine.” It’s also a RAW wine, and the hosts delv…

The run on white wines for summer continues this week with Riesling. Kathryn explains how to find a dry version of this varietal, and why it’s worth seeking out. Shout out to Germany, the birthplace and top producer of this grape. Kathryn professes her love for the perfect restaurant list to explore the styles of this Riesling. At Esters, Kathryn r…

Tug wakes Kathryn up to talk some perfect white wines for summer. This week we're getting into Albariño and the hosts sing their praises for this zippy varietal. Kathryn describes the character and origin of this unique grape, the coastal region in the Iberian Peninsula. In other news, Tug talks about hanging with his 7yo as they visit the Los Ange…

TLF has visitors! If you’ve been a long time listener, you know that Kathryn draws lots of inspiration from her aunt Amy. Well, Amy and her wife Cindy sit down for a visit! They’ve made a month-long road trip from Bloomington, Indiana to LA. Kathryn explains why she chose this unique bubbly wine from Sicily to share today. It’s Nerello Mascalese ro…

Orange wine is flying off the shelves - at least at Esters. Kathryn and Tug discuss this wine trend and how it’s overtaken rosé in popularity. Orange wine can be the perfect pick for summer parties and BBQs outside. Kathryn also explains some natural wine terms, including the meaning of unfiltered and unfined (hint: science is involved). And the ho…

It's time to give the people what they want! Believe it or not, this is the first time Kathryn and Tug have opened up a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon on the podcast! Kathryn tests Tug's tasting skills on the wine, and the hosts discuss the typical markers of this grape variety. Kathryn talks about the Sonoma Coast and what makes it a unique growing …

Mother’s Day is almost here and Kathryn wants to open rosé Champagne. The hosts discuss the trends in rosé and sparkling rosé. Kathryn explains why she loves this small Champagne producer and what makes this rosé of Pinot Meunier unique (this wine is perfect for all occasions: graduations, engagements, random Wednesdays). The duo examines new ways …

Kathryn and Tug celebrate episode 100 by interviewing Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey, one of America's most respected wine professionals. Bobby talks about his love for Friuli and all things Italy. Bobby recounts his early career days and how he discovered his passion for restaurants and wine. He explains how he and chef/partner Lachlan Mackinnon-P…

The pod goes Southern Hemisphere! Kathryn and Tug discuss a wine from the latest pick for Esters Wine Club: a white-wine blend from Chile. In a liter bottle (bonus wine!). Kathryn talks about the Itata Valley: the old vines, soil composition and rainfall make this a unique region. Kathryn also shared stories of her semester abroad in Chile. The cou…

Kathryn and Tug explore one of the most popular white wines: Sancerre. Kathryn talks about her trip there as well as the history of the region and what makes it special. All white wine from Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc, one of the most popular varietals in the world! The coupe debriefs on their spring break trip to Colorado and ongoing sleep challen…

In honor of Women's History Month, Kathryn and Tug have a conversation surrounding women in the wine industry. Kathryn talks about some of the challenges women face and how that's changing...slowly. A few weeks ago was the 5th edition of Canons: a wine faire just for women in France. French winemaker Isabelle Perraud is a leader in the industry, sp…

Kathryn and Tug sit down with Tron Carter, co-founder of No Laying Up, the incredibly popular golf podcast and content company. Tron discusses his extensive background in the hospitality industry and his passion for food and wine. "TC" talks about his quest for discovering great wine and beverage on his golf travels, and relays which golf courses h…

Part Two of Kathryn and Tug's interview with Matthew Kaner. It's a discussion on the rapidly growing non-alcohol/wine substitute movement. Matthew has been representing Proxies, a wine alternative, for over a year. He explains why he decided to work with the brand, and what he's seeing in the NA market. The recent Dry January tasting at Esters was …

Kathryn and Tug interview the great Matthew Kaner, a man who has had a major impact on the Los Angeles wine scene over the last 15 years. A former Food & Wine Sommelier of the Year, he's also opened two of California's best wine bars, in Bar Covell and Augustine Wine Bar. He's also worked with Somm TV and now runs his own consulting business: Will …

Kathryn and Tug received some exciting news this week and jumped on to record an episode about it! Esters was listed as a Semifinalist for Outstanding Bar by the James Beard Foundation. The couple relays how they learned of the news and the subsequent events that unfolded. To celebrate properly, they open a bottle of Krug, the ulimate luxury Champa…

Chateauneuf du Pape is an iconic wine region. Kathryn and Tug explore the history behind the region and the characteristics that make it unique. The family behind Domaine de la Solitude has been in Chateauneuf du Pape making wine for eight generations and were the first in the region to label their wines. This is a bottle to open and enjoy over sev…

Kathryn and Tug discuss one of their favorite wine regions. While ever-alluring, the wines of Burgundy often come with a hefty price tag and can be fickle. It matters when you open them. Kathryn explains the geography and some basics on the region. She describes Volnay and what makes this village unique. This is also a region where vintage matters.…

It’s the season for red wines. Kathryn and Tug open up a bottle from a tiny producer in a tiny region of France: Savoie. Kathryn talks about the alpine vineyards around Mont Blanc not far from the Swiss border. Mondeuse is a native variety to the region with a rich history. Domaine de Ardoisieres was the first to practice Biodynamics here - Kathryn…

Kathryn and Tug celebrate the start of fall with a bottle of sparkling Cabernet Franc. To Kathryn, Cab Franc symbolizes fall. They break down the differences in sparkling red wines, from Lambrusco and beyond. Kathryn discusses what makes this unique Loire Valley Cab Franc so special - it has a lot of devout fans in the restaurant world. In other ne…

Kathryn and Tug prepare for the Labor Day heat wave by opening up a super refreshing rosé. One doesn’t always think of Nebbiolo as poolside, summer wine - but this is it!! Kathryn explains the saignée method for making rosé. On the home front, the couple talks about plans for their upcoming anniversary. Tug raves about seeing Helado Negro in concer…

Tug returns from New York City, having participated in a convention for the TV show THE OFFICE. He regales Kathryn on the events of "DunderCon" and shares details on his activities in Manhattan. Tug talks about a wine shop that he fell in love with (WINE THERAPY), and the couple discusses the Slovakian wine that he brought home to enjoy. Slovakia! …

Kathryn and Tug are back! They traveled for a few weeks...and they also got COVID! It shook up their life for a month, but they're healthy and here to talk about it. They're also here to open up some wine. Kathryn is always looking for great domestic sparkling wine, and was excited to discover this wine-producing couple. The Willamette Valley is kn…

Orange wine from Texas! Now that’s a headline you don’t see everyday. Kathryn talks about this urban winery in Austin city limits, and explains the basics on the wine industry in Texas. The state doesn’t have a signature wine or grape, but even so, the grape varietals and ripasso technique used to make this skin-contact wine are incredibly unique. …

It's the start of the season for BBQs, pool parties and drinking outside - what could be better than a chilled red wine? The couple discuss this popular category of wines: what kinds of red wine are good for chilling and why they are impossible to keep in stock. They’re drinking a red wine that’s made from red and white grapes. Kathryn explains the…

Kathryn and Tug discuss what wine to drink for a special occasion. Birthday season has begun in the house of our hosts. Kathryn shares her special day with their youngest son and she wants Champagne to celebrate. Kathryn discusses why she gets more excited about the story behind a specific wine than she does for a wine's accolades or price tag. She…

This episode is all about easy, breezy, "gluggable" wines that you want to enjoy on vacation. Or, like Kathryn and Tug, you're trying to survive as your kids are on spring break from school. The couple highlights a rosé from an obscure grape (Grolleau Gris) made by a small, family-run operation in the Loire Valley. The hosts try to answer the quest…

In this episode, Tug and Kathryn enjoy a wine from Switzerland. Historically, there hasn’t been much Swiss wine in the American market - and what is here is expensive. But thanks to a new importer in Los Angeles, that’s changing! The couple pops open a delicious bottle of Chasselas from a region south of Lake Geneva. On the home front, March Madnes…

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Kathryn and Tug enjoy talking with some very special guests this week, John and Linda Coker (Tug’s parents)! The Cokers make their podcast debut here, discussing their history with wine and how their tastes have evolved over the years. From Beringer White Zin to Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa - it's been quite the journey. In hopes of fi…

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