In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons reconnects with Kit Pepper, a wine editor, educator, and founder of Cheers Croatia Magazine. Kit, who lives on the island that’s a 50-minute ferry ride from the Dalmatian city of Split, returns to dive even deeper into Croatia’s long, complex relationship with wine. From the […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with wine educator Elaine Peters to explore the vibrant world of Ontario wine through the lens of personal experience, cultural connection, and joyful discovery. Elaine shares how she transitioned from corporate life to the tasting room, from Bell to the LCBO and now […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sat down with Yvonne Irvine, a long-time winemaker in Niagara and the co-founder of Maenad Wine Co. Yvonne shares her journey from studying biotechnology and business to launching a brand that’s all about creative freedom, fun, and celebrating women unapologetically. Her wines are low-intervention, playful, […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis, also known as The Wine Psychologist, to explore how celebrity culture and subtle psychological triggers shape our wine choices, whether we realize it or not. From wine-tasting experiments with Olympic athletes to the endowment effect (a real thing!) and […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with David Aferiat, founder of Avid Vines, to explore the sparkling world of Champagne and why it’s so much more than just a drink for special occasions. David shares his passion for sourcing organic, artisanal Champagnes and how Avid Vines came to life. […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with Nick Elliott a Certified Sommelier, classically trained chef, and founder of The Wine Guy. With over 30 years of experience, Nick brings a joyful, unpretentious approach to wine education. From culinary school to leading immersive wine trips around the world, he shares […]

In this special episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, I’m coming to you from the Ontario Craft Wine Conference in Niagara Falls, where I asked several passionate winemakers, winery owners, and wine lovers to share their favourite wine and food pairings, and the answers were deliciously unexpected. After all, why not ask the very people […]

In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, I sit down with Juliette Han, a fellow wine lover who isn’t afraid to ask the honest questions about choosing wine, especially in high-pressure moments like business dinners or group settings.  From decoding wine lists to working with sommeliers, we explore how to approach wine with more […]

In this episode, Laurel Simmons interviews Doug Whitty, owner of 13th Street Winery, about the history of the winery, the challenges and rewards of the wine industry in the Niagara region, and the unique elements that make 13th Street Winery a destination.  Doug shares insights into the winery’s evolution, the importance of embracing change, and […]

What happens when climate change meets centuries-old winemaking practices? In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, I catch up with Konstantina Goula, who’s now co-managing her family’s organic winery in northern Greece. Since her last appearance, the vineyard has faced extreme weather, a 50% crop loss, and major change. From automated watering systems to unforgettable […]

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome Sue-Ann Staff as my guest, where she’ll be revealing the secrets of winemaking and running a winery. As a seventh-generation farmer and fifth-generation grape grower in the Niagara Peninsula, Sue-Ann has a deep passion for crafting Icewine and other exceptional wines, and she’s eager to share some truly […]

Today, we journey across the world with Stephanie Cuadra, a woman whose path to wine is as bold and layered as the wines she now produces. Once a political journalist covering Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Stephanie found herself unexpectedly in the world of Chianti, managing communications for a top winery. Now, she’s a wine importer […]