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I promise I’ll never tell you what to drink, but I’ll always share what’s in my glass. A Podcast from the owners of Dracaena Wines
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
13 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
Pour yourself a glass of something dark, bold, and deep crimson. Sit back, dim the lights, and lock your doors. Welcome to a special Halloween edition of the podcast.
We all love wine for what it brings to our tables—celebration, romance, community, and the artistry of the earth. But wine has a long, shadowed history. Behind the polished tasting rooms, the romantic candlelit barrels, and the sun-drenched vineyards lie stories of sudden violence, restless spirits, and baffling mysteries that time has failed to erase.
Tonight, we are pulling back the velvet curtain on the dark side of wine country.
Thank you so much for joining me for this dark journey through the shadows of wine country. If you survived this trip through haunted cellars and vineyard true crime, please make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast wherever you are listening. Your reviews help other curious souls find our table—and keep the lights on for our next eerie adventure.
Until next time, keep your glass full, and always check what's lurking in the dark behind the barrels.
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
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Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Oct 19, 2026
Oct 19, 2026
59 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
This week we took a lovely little field trip to Healdsburg that rapidly devolved into a wine country survival expedition. If you’ve ever wanted to know what happens when a tasting room experience involves accidentally becoming an unpaid cave guide, enduring pours that taste like a high school science experiment gone wrong, and staging a desperate, clandestine rescue mission to aisle four at Safeway, this episode is your holy grail. Pour yourself something you actually trust, because we are diving headfirst into our most delightfully disastrous adventure yet!
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Oct 12, 2026
Oct 12, 2026
52 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
In this episode Protecting What Matters on AM 1230 KPRL, host Barry Fisher welcomes local wine expert, podcast host, and Dracaena Wines co-owner Lori Budd. (ME!) Tune in as I share my unique journey from biology into the heart of the Paso Robles winemaking community.
The conversation pours out insights on everything from navigating the shifting wine industry landscape and the joys of wine tourism to demystifying wine education for beginners. Plus, Barry and I taste and review Dracaena’s signature Blanc de Franc—a rare white Cabernet Franc—while offering practical, approachable advice for anyone looking to expand their palate without the intimidation.
Whether you are a seasoned oenophile or just pouring your first glass, this episode is packed with expert knowledge, local treasure highlights, and plenty of laughs!
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Oct 5, 2026
Oct 5, 2026
1 hr 15 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
A Note About the Recording: This episode was recorded live during a Franciacorta wine tasting at Catch in West Hollywood. Because the event took place in a large, lively room, you’ll hear some natural room ambience and background conversation throughout the recording. The sound reflects the atmosphere of being there in person and captures the energy of the afternoon. Wine educators, writers and somms gathered to explore one of Italy’s most celebrated sparkling wine regions. From the vineyards of Lombardy to the glasses being poured in Los Angeles, we dive into what makes Franciacorta unique, how it compares with other traditional-method sparkling wines, and the stories behind the producers and wines featured at this memorable tasting.
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Sep 28, 2026
Sep 28, 2026
1 hr 14 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
Today, we are heading to the heart of Paso Robles to dive into the incredible evolution of Sculpterra Winery. Long before they were crafting estate wines and filling a breathtaking sculpture garden with monumental works of art, the Frankel family started out simply tending the land and selling their grapes to other regional producers. To talk about what it's truly like to grow up among those vines, watch a family business transform from the ground up, and take the helm as winemaker, I sat down with winemaker and vineyard manager Paul Frankel. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass, and let’s explore the story behind Sculpterra.
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Learn more about Sculptera Winery here
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Sep 21, 2026
Sep 21, 2026
1 hr 17 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
In this episode, we are packing our bags for Northern California's wine country—starting in the charming, upscale town of Healdsburg, where three legendary valleys converge. But let's be real: we aren't here for the small-town agricultural heritage. We are here to dodge pool-running children and boogers at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, brave the velvet ropes at Kosta Browne where a single refill might require a second mortgage, and listen to a Napa tour guide pitch a bombing run on the Mayor of New York over at Pine Ridge Vineyards.
Whether you're looking for a Michelin-star dining experience or just an unsolicited drug addiction therapy session from a bartender, grab a glass, because we are diving headfirst into the wildest Disneyland of wine!
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Sep 14, 2026
Sep 14, 2026
1 hr 4 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!
Do you believe it is November already?! 2023 sure has flown by. We just left Merlot Month and tomorrow we wrap up the celebrations with International Merlot Day.
Join me in this light hearted episode with my buddy Nick Berube as we go through the wine dating game. I scoured the internet looking for Merlot wine reviews. I will read the reviews to Nick and he has to pick which one he’s taking home. Will he choose wisely? Please note that although we are poking fun at some wines, we will never wine guilt. Remember to drink what you like and don’t let anyone tell you a wine isn’t good. I’ll never tell you what to drink, but I’ll always share what’s in my glass.
If you listen to a lot of podcasts, you know that many ask for patreon. We do not plan on doing this, but we do ask you to support the podcast by leaving a review. It takes only a few seconds of your time but means so much to the show. The next best way to support Exploring the Wine Glass is to tell your friends. If you enjoy the podcast, your wine loving friends will too. Finally, don’t forget to head to the website, Exploring the Wine Glass.com to read the blog, and sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with all the happenings. Slainte!
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsor
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Sep 7, 2026
Sep 7, 2026
1 hr 36 sec
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.
In this episode, we head to the Adelaida District in Paso Robles to visit Mustard Creek Vineyard. I sit down with co-owner Megan Rickenbach to chat about taking the leap into vineyard ownership, preserving the legacy of 20+ year-old Zinfandel and Petite Sirah vines, and crafting boutique Paso wines.
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about Mustard Creek here
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
1 hr 16 min
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Welcome to Napa Valley, the land of legendary Cabernet, world-class hospitality, and, apparently, runaway sprinklers and free protein in your wine glass! In this episode, we’re taking a hilarious tour through the absurd world of 1-star winery reviews. From servers who pull full disappearing acts after pouring a single glass to front desk staff handing out "funeral home carpet" vibes and fruit fly flights, we dive headfirst into the magnificent customer service meltdowns hidden behind Napa's most prestigious gates. Buckle up, check your credit card statement twice, and join us as we separate top-tier terroir from pure, unadulterated tasting room chaos.
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
Aug 3, 2026
Aug 3, 2026
54 min
TITLE: Lipari Wine Exploration: Napa Valley Unfiltered: From 5-Star Dreams to 1-Star Drama
It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!
Welcome to the El Camino del Albariño masterclass, a special podcast brought to you in conjunction with Ole & Obrigado! Hosted by wine educator Rick Fischer alongside Lara Lopez Cano, this episode takes you on a journey through the rich history, culture, and unique flavors of Albariño wine. Beyond exploring the versatile grape and its roots along the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the hosts highlight Ole & Obrigado’s inspiring charitable mission. Tune in to discover how enjoying this exceptional wine during their annual summer campaign supports incredible causes like Wheels on Wheels and local community charities
Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!
Slainte!
Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here
Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here
Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here
Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video
Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel
SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER
STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY
Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass
Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com.
Please support our sponsors
Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order
GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES