Zinfandel: California’s Comeback Kid featuring Chris Morisoli
Zinfandel has been called California’s grape: it’s a little rebellious, often misunderstood, and always the life of the party. In this episode of Unfiltered, we’re diving deep into Zin’s roots with Chris Morisoli, fifth-generation Napa Valley grapegrower, helicopter pilot, and host of the Nine One Wine podcast. From the old vines of Rutherford to the spicy, fruit-driven bottles from Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, Amanda and Chris unpack what makes Zinfandel so uniquely American—and why it’s poised for a major comeback. Along the way, Chris shares family stories dating back to the 1800s, what it’s really like during harvest season (spoiler: it starts at 3AM), and why the “Old Vine” label isn’t always what it seems.
Wine Featured on This Episode:
2023 Dancing Zinfandel Fresh Take Dry Creek Valley
📦 Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club
4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda
Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year
$120 + tax
Shipping Included
Cancel anytime
10% off all Wine Access purchases
Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter: @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access
🍇 Where to find Chris:
Morisoli Vineyard – https://www.morisolivineyard.com
Nine One Wine Podcast – https://www.nineonewine.com
🌎 Other Producers & References
Ravenswood Winery
Bedrock Wine Co. – Heritage vineyards & old-vine Zinfandel champions from Morgan Twain-Peterson MW
Turley Wine Cellars – Referenced for “Old Vines” benchmark; Larry Turley’s 50-year rule
Robert Biale Vineyards – Morisoli single-vineyard bottling, including the famous Black Chicken Zinfandel.
Sandlands Wines (Tegan Passalacqua) – Celebrated for authentic, small-lot old-vine Zinfandel and lesser-known varietals
Elyse Winery – Producers of Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel from 1987–2018
🥂 Restaurants, Food & Fun Mentions
Buster’s Southern BBQ (Calistoga)
Taco Azteca (Napa Valley)
Cook St. Helena
COTE Korean Steakhouse
Coqodaq - Featured for “fried chicken & Champagne” pairing, as seen on Apple TV’s Chasing Stars
Dry Creek General Store – Amanda’s rec for best sandwiches while exploring Dry Creek Valley
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
54:04
--------
54:04
Closets & Cellars: The Art of Quiet and Loud Luxury in Fashion and Wine
Why do some bottles (and handbags) whisper luxury while others shout it from the rooftops? In this week’s episode, Amanda sits down with fashion creator and style expert Style by Wale to explore what our closets and cellars say about us. From investment pieces to everyday staples, they unpack how luxury in both fashion and wine isn’t just about price—it’s about craftsmanship, intention, and knowing your personal taste. Wale breaks down how to spot quality, find your “fashion palate,” and why letting go of trends can make room for timeless style. Amanda connects these same ideas to the wine world—explaining why a $30 Cru Beaujolais can be every bit as elegant as a $300 Burgundy, and how to shop smarter for wines that feel as good as they taste.
Whether you’re a fan of The Row or just curious about what makes a wine quietly luxurious, this episode will change the way you think about how (and why) you buy.
Wine Featured on This Episode:2023 Château de La Chaize Fleurie Beaujolais
Follow:📸 @stylebywale
📦 Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club
4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda
Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year
$120 + tax
Shipping Included
Cancel anytime
10% off all Wine Access purchases
Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter: @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
51:43
--------
51:43
Back-to-School, Back-to-Sanity: Weeknight Wine Luxuries Made Easy featuring Jessica Dupuy
Fall is here, school’s in full swing, and weeknights are busy as ever—but that doesn’t mean there’s no time for great wine. In this episode, writer and cookbook author Jessica Dupuy joins Amanda to talk about the little luxuries that can make even Tuesday nights feel special. If you’ve ever wondered what to pour with mac and cheese, takeout sushi, or a Five Guys burger, this is a masterclass in balancing flavor with sanity. They also explain why Grenache is like tinted moisturizer and give the ultimate tip on how to shop smarter—so the right bottle is always within reach.
🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode
2023 Weingut Schafer-Frohlich Weisser Burgunder Trocken
📦 Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club
4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda
Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year
$120 + tax
Shipping Included
Cancel anytime
10% off all Wine Access purchases
Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter: @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
53:35
--------
53:35
Wedding Wines 101: What to Serve, What to Skip, and What I’m Pouring at My Own
It’s officially wedding week! And in the spirit of celebration, Amanda is going solo on this special episode of Wine Access Unfiltered to answer the question that’s constantly dropped in her DMs: What wines should I serve at my wedding? With her own Napa Valley nuptials just days away, Amanda shares the exact wines she’s pouring (Krug, Margaux, and a killer Sylvaner), why she’s skipping cocktails, and how she’s creating a wine-bar experience with surprise bottle reveals throughout the night. From budget breakdowns to tips for pairing, planning, and party pacing, this is the ultimate guide for selecting wines for weddings, parties, and any big celebration. You’ll also get recs for high-value sparklers and wines that age well for anniversaries, so listen up and sip smarter when you celebrate!
🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode
NV A by Arras Premium Cuvee Rose Sparkling Tasmania
📦 Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club
4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda
Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year
$120 + tax
Shipping Included
Cancel anytime
10% off all Wine Access purchases
Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter: @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
51:21
--------
51:21
Wine Rules That Were Made to Be Broken feat Tyler Balliet
We all know wine has rules. But who says you have to follow them?
James Beard-nominated author (The Rebel School of Wine) and self-proclaimed “wine rebel” Tyler Balliet is helping us challenge every “thou shalt not” in the wine world. From dunking ice cubes into red wine to sipping rosé in December, this conversation is a delicious middle finger to snobbery and a refreshing celebration of drinking what you like.
From how taste really works (hint: it’s not all in your mouth) to how Champagne became the ultimate rebel wine, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to break a few rules of your own.
🍷 Wine Featured On This Episode
2023 Viola Franconia Trevenezia
📖Learn More about Tyler and buy the book!
📦 Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club
4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda
Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year
$120 + tax
Shipping Included
Cancel anytime
10% off all Wine Access purchases
Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter: @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wine Access Unfiltered—The Official Podcast and Wine Club of Wine Access—goes deep into what we really love about wine: the intimate moments, unforgettable occasions, and hilarious stories that a great bottle brings about. Hosted by former PRESS wine director and Napa Valley insider Amanda McCrossin with appearances from our team of unrivaled experts, we’re popping our favorite bottles and sharing them with you.
The Wine Access Unfiltered Wine Club delivers a completely new wine education experience. Once every two months, you’ll receive four bottles. They will all be featured and discussed on the Wine Access Unfiltered podcast. That way, you can drink along with us as we tell stories, share knowledge, and answer your questions!
Escucha Wine Access Unfiltered, El poder de la mente subconsciente (Joseph Murphy) y muchos más podcasts de todo el mundo con la aplicación de radio.net