Episodes

Paso Robles may be famous for wine, but the region’s distilling scene is pouring just as much personality, creativity, and craft into the glass. On this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, Patrick Brooks, co-owner and distiller at Tin City Distillery, and Eric Olson, owner and distiller at Central Coast Distillery, join Adam ahead of Paso Robles Distillery Trail Weekend, happening August 7 through 9, 2026. The conversation starts with cracked Long Drinks and three accidentally coordinated bl...

Paso Robles may be best known for bold reds, but some of the region’s most thoughtful and exciting work is happening with white wine. In this episode of The Pour, Adam Montiel sits down with Natalie Brown of Willow Creek Wine Co., Dave McGee of Monochrome Wines, and Ryan Pease of Paix Sur Terre for a conversation about the White Wine Invitational and the growing movement behind serious white wine production in Paso Robles. Recorded at SLO CAL Studios in San Luis Obispo, the conversation explor...

From Paso to the Danube Years in the Making This one has been a long time coming. After about a year away, The Pour is back. And instead of easing into it, we are diving straight into a story that has been years in the making. A wine experience that starts in Paso Robles and winds its way through Europe on the Danube River. In this episode, Adam sits down with Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch Estate Wines and Neeta Mittal of LXV Wine for a conversation that is not about selling a trip. It is about ...

On this episode of The Pour, Adam welcomes back a true architect of adventure, Mary Ann Erdos, founder of Cork & Cruise. If you think you’ve been on a wine trip before, think again. Mary Ann has created something completely different: immersive, intimate journeys where you don’t just taste the wine, you taste the place, the story, and the people behind the pour. From their first Rhône adventure (where Adam joined as a guest), to this summer’s highly anticipated Bordeaux cruise, and already book...

White wine finally gets top billing in Paso, and we’ve got the guys making it happen. Adam sits down in the LoBro Studios at Timbre with Dave McGee of Monochrome Wines, and Joe Barton & Brad Ely of Barton Family Wines to talk about the second White Wine Invitational. What inspired it? Why now? And how are these winemakers shaking up everything you thought you knew about white wine? Whether you’re a diehard red drinker or already love whites, this is the episode that just might change your palat...

There’s immersive art… and then there’s FOSO — the Fiber Optic Symphonic Orchestra now glowing at Sensorio in Paso Robles. In this episode of The Pour, Adam goes behind the glow with two world-class creators: internationally acclaimed light artist Bruce Munro, and Emmy-winning composer Nainita Desai.  This is the first time Bruce has created a piece where light is fully synchronized to an original orchestral score. And Nainita? She didn’t write this music for film or screen — she composed it ...

The Pour with Adam Montiel is Recorded Live at The Timbre LoBroStudios, thanks to Timbre Winery. On this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, Adam sits down with Debby Baldwin Mann, a true pioneer of Paso Robles wine country. Debby co-founded Justin Winery as well as channeled her innovative spirit into creating two standout destinations: Paso Market Walk and Coast Village Walk in Montecito. Paso Market Walk is a vibrant gathering spot on Spring Street between 19th and 20th, showcasing the v...

On this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel we chat with none other than Chef Rachel Ponce. Known for her inventive, high-energy cooking, Rachel is teaming up with Micah Park, Booker’s hospitality and events guru, to create a one-of-a-kind wine and food experience. For one night only, Booker Vineyard is turning their tasting room into a full-service restaurant, and the talent behind the menu? Happening March 22nd, this isn’t your typical winemaker dinner. No long communal tables, no preset p...

Paso Robles is set to shine a spotlight on one of the most fascinating and underappreciated varietals in the wine world—Cabernet Franc. Cab Franc Masters is a two-day event happening March 16-17, 2024, dedicated entirely to this complex and elegant grape. Joining Adam today are Neeta Mitral of LXV Wines and Damian Grimley of Brecon Estate. We talk about what makes Cab Franc special, why it’s gaining momentum, and what guests can expect from this first-of-its-kind celebration. If you’re a Cab F...

On this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, we’re coming to you straight from the 25th Anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara—where the pours are deep, the wines are rare, and the conversations go where no tasting notes can take you. This one’s stacked: Dan Kosta—a legend in Pinot Noir—joins The Pour for the first time to break down his next chapter. Why launch three new wine brands instead of one? What has he learned since selling Kosta Browne? And how do Admire,...

Adam is giving away tickets to the World of Pinot Noir’s Friday and Saturday Grand Tastings happening February 28 & March 1, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara. Head to AdamMontiel.com to enter for your chance to win! World of Pinot Noir – 25 Years of Pinot Perfection In this special episode of The Pour, Adam dives into one of the most anticipated wine events of the year—the World of Pinot Noir, celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, Februar...

Few films have left an imprint on the wine world like Sideways. Two decades later, its influence still ripples through vineyards and tasting rooms, shaping how we talk about Pinot Noir, Merlot, and the culture of wine itself. But how did a single movie change an entire industry? In this episode, Adam sits down with Mira Advani Honeycutt, a respected wine journalist, and Kirk Honeycutt, a renowned film critic, to discuss their new book Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Film and Wine. Tog...

In this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, Adam welcomes Michael C. Higgins, PhD—award-winning author, photographer, and storyteller who’s charting the lesser-known corners of the wine world. Michael’s latest book, Exploring Wine Regions – México, brings the spotlight to Mexico’s hidden wine gems. From the powerhouse reds of Valle de Guadalupe to the high-altitude treasures of Guanajuato and the sparkling surprises of Querétaro, this conversation showcases a side of Mexico you didn’t see com...

In this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, we dive deep into the world of German wines with Lisa Tupetz, a German-born wine professional and founder of Tupetz Wine Connection. Lisa shares her inspiring journey from the vineyards of Germany to importing exclusive, terroir-driven German wines to California’s shelves. We explore her innovative approach, non-alcoholic wines, her remarkable placements at The French Laundry, and her passion for connecting wine lovers with hidden gems and small pr...

In this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, Adam takes you deep into the heart of the Loire Valley, where he sits down with Alex from Domaine des Huards. This historic estate, founded in 1846, has been lovingly passed down through seven generations of winemakers. Alex shares the vineyard’s incredible journey, their embrace of organic and biodynamic farming since 1998, and the story of the rare Romorantin grape, a varietal with roots tracing back to King François I. Dive into this candid conve...

In this episode of The Pour with Adam Montiel, we explore two fascinating wine stories centered on transparency and creativity. Adam Lee was best known as the founder of Siduri Wines, where he became one of California’s leading voices in Pinot Noir. Since then though, he’s continued to innovate, launching Clarice Wine Company and collaborating with the late Philippe Cambie on Beau Marchais, producing wines that have earned critical acclaim. Adam recently made headlines by openly comparing the su...

Welcome to another episode of ‘The Pour with Adam Montiel. Today, we're honored to be joined by a true icon in the winemaking world, Randall Grahm. Known for his innovative and often unconventional approach to winemaking, Randall is the visionary behind Bonny Doon Vineyard and now his latest venture, The Language of Yes. Randall Grahm's journey in the wine industry is nothing short of legendary. He started his career with the ambitious goal of producing "The Great American Pinot Noir" but found...

The Pour is going to France - and you can join us HERE!  *********** John Munch, a true maverick of the wine world, left an indelible mark on the Paso Robles wine community with his fearless approach and innovative spirit. Arriving in Paso Robles in the late 1970s, John quickly became a pivotal figure in the region's burgeoning wine industry. His winery, Le Cuvier, stands as a testament to his dedication to allowing the grapes to express their natural character through minimal intervention an...

The Pour is going to France - and you can join us HERE! *********** (John Couch Interview begins at the 13:00 min mark)  Today on "The Pour with Adam Montiel," we have the privilege of speaking with a true innovator and visionary whose career has spanned multiple industries, leaving an indelible mark on each. John Couch is perhaps best known for his trailblazing work in technology, where he held the distinguished title of Apple’s first Vice President of Education. During his tenure, John le...

The Pour is going to France - and you can join us HERE! Juan Mercado is a distinguished vintner and founder of both Realm Cellars in Napa Valley and RIISE Wines in Paso Robles. After establishing Realm Cellars in 2002 and gaining acclaim for his powerful, high-end wines, Mercado shifted his focus to Paso Robles, where he founded RIISE in 2019. RIISE Wines specializes in Rhone varietals and Tempranillo-based wines that are celebrated for their balance, texture, and elegance. Mercado works closel...

In this episode of "The Pour," Adam has the pleasure of hosting a roundtable with some really fun and distinguished winemakers from Paso Robles. We are recording from a beautiful downtown loft in Paso thanks to Adam LaZarre of LaZarre Wines, and I want to extend a big thank you to Adam for welcoming us, including Giorgi. Guests: Damien Grindley - Owner and winemaker of Brecon Estate. Damien has over twenty years of experience crafting award-winning wines in the US, Australia, and Europe. Breco...

Madeline Puckette, co-founder of Wine Folly, established the website in October 2011, serves as an edutainment platform, offering a variety of resources such as articles, videos, courses, and infographics, maps, to demystify the world of wine for enthusiasts of all levels. Madeline, along with her cofounder, authored two acclaimed books stemming from the website: "Wine Folly Paperback" and "Wine Folly: Magnum Edition," the latter earning the prestigious James Beard award. Recognized by The Washi...

We Taste It. We Spill It. We Leave it All On the Table. This is ‘The Pour’ with Adam Montiel. In our debut episode we chat all about the World of Pinot Noir. You can taste over 200 wineries over the course of Friday and Saturday March 1-2 at the Ritz Carlton Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara. Today’s guests on The Pour: Owner/winemaker of SLO’s El Lugar Wines, Coby Parker-Garcia Winemaker/Vineyard Manager Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande, Eric Johnson Owner of Solterra Strategies and whose team...