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The Taste with Doug Shafer – a Podcast About Wine, Food, and Friends

Doug Shafer
Napa Valley
Wine
Winemaking
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Bordeaux
Hospitality
Patz & Hall
UC Davis
Podcasting
Macdonald Vineyards
Wine Service
Fermentation Science
Antinori Napa Valley
Carneros
Grenache
Matera
Aviatrix
The Prisoner
Community Engagement

A Napa Valley podcast serving up stories of wine, food, and friends.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes92Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessArtsNutritionFood

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Artwork for The Taste

Latest Episodes

In this classic episode, Paula Kornell takes us on an exceptional journey spanning two continents, one war, and more than 60 years of Napa Valley winemaking.

Her father, Hanns Kornell, a third-generation winemaker in Germany, managed to escape a Naz... more

In this classic episode, Robin Lail of Lail Vineyards takes us on an unbelievable family journey.

Her roots in Napa Valley span nearly all of winemaking history here – from her great-grand-uncle, Gustave Niebaum, establishing Inglenook in 1879, thro... more

Markus Bokisch has spent his life savoring the best of two worlds.

As a kid in Los Angeles, he spent his summers in a small village on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, where his family’s roots run deep. Later, after studying winemaking and viticulture a... more

Jeff Smith grew up in Napa Valley where his dad, Ned Smith, sold real estate in the 1960s. In the early '70s, Ned moved into the hotel business building Napa's first luxury hotel, Wine Country Inn, and simultaneously planted six acres of grapes. Like... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Robin Lail
Founder of Lail Vineyards, Dominus co-founder, long-time Napa Valley vintner
Lail Vineyards, Dominus (former partner)
Episode: A Classic Episode with Robin Lail - A Fourth Generation Vintner with a 150-Year Family Legacy
Jeff Smith
Owner of Hourglass Wines, rock guitarist
Hourglass Wines
Episode: Jeff Smith - Growing up in Napa Valley, a Rock-n-Roll Career, and His Winery, Hourglass
Russ Weis
President and COO of Walsh Vineyard Management, with a long career in the Napa Valley wine industry, formerly with Mondavi and Opus One.
Walsh Vineyard Management
Episode: Russ Weis - A Career through Mondavi, Opus One, Silverado Vineyards, and Walsh Vineyard Management
Kim Stare Wallace
Second generation president of Dry Creek Vineyard Winery
Dry Creek Vineyard
Episode: Kim Stare Wallace, Vintner of Celebrated Dry Creek Vineyard
Robert Fiore
Winemaker at Peter Michael Winery
Peter Michael Winery
Episode: Robert Fiore, Winemaker, Peter Michael Winery
John Skupny
Owner of Lang & Reed Winery and friend of Doug Shafer
Lang & Reed
Episode: This Week's Guest is You -- Answering Your Listener Questions
Heidi Barrett
Trailblazing winemaker and consultant in Napa Valley
Episode: A Classic Episode with winemaker Heidi Barrett
Lee Hudson
Renowned grape grower and vintner, known for his exceptional fruit and collaborative spirit.
Hudson Ranch and Vineyards
Episode: Lee Hudson, Legendary Grapegrower and Vintner, Hudson Vineyards
James Hall
Vintner at Patz & Hall Winery
Patz & Hall Winery
Episode: James Hall, Vintner, Patz & Hall

Host

Doug Shafer
Host of The Taste – a podcast about wine, food, and friends; facilitates interviews and storytelling around Napa Valley and beyond.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 319 ratings
  • Great Podcast!

    Wonderful podcast that gives such insight into Napa Valley and other wine regions and people! Doug does a great job interviewing such interesting people in the wine world!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedDevil98#
    United States3 months ago
  • Wonderful Inside Baseball Look at Wine Country

    This is a fantastic podcast with some incredible guests. I really enjoy Doug and Andy’s work, particularly on the business side of the wine business and how it intersects with high-quality wine production.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B Boessenecker
    United States5 months ago
  • I ❤️Napa

    I love to visit Napa and love Napa Valley wines. Unfortunately, I cannot go as often as I would like. I love this podcast as it makes me feel like I’m visiting Napa and love all the insider stories. Thanks Doug for creating this podcast!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bth1010
    United States10 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Refreshing candid stories about a lot of the wines we love to enjoy. Great job Doug. Keep them coming!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chipxh
    United States2 years ago
  • Great pod

    Informative, interesting, entertaining…for those who love wine and the folks involved in the wine industry, this is the podcast for you. Glad you’re back!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @finewinefan
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently provide diverse perspectives, and listening feels like a curated Napa Valley visit.
Listeners appreciate how interviews reveal insider stories and personal histories behind Napa wine and its key players.
The show is informative and entertaining, with a strong focus on the business side of wine and industry dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#108
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#206
Canada/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kim Stare Wallace, Vintner of Celebrated Dry Creek Vineyard
Q: What are your flagship wines that you recommend for first-time drinkers?
I recommend our Fumé Blanc, Heritage Vine Zinfandel, dry Chenin Blanc, and our signature Cabernet.
Kim Stare Wallace, Vintner of Celebrated Dry Creek Vineyard
Q: What unique practices do you employ in vineyard development?
We use variable vine spacing based on soil nutrition, which is tailored to the health of each section of the vineyard.
Kim Stare Wallace, Vintner of Celebrated Dry Creek Vineyard
Q: What was your father's vision for Dry Creek Vineyard when he started?
He wanted to create a winery focused on high-quality wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, which he bravely planted against local advice.
This Week's Guest is You -- Answering Your Listener Questions
Q: Who were your mentors in the wine business?
Randy Mason and Hans Cornell were significant mentors who taught me about winemaking and working in a winery.
This Week's Guest is You -- Answering Your Listener Questions
Q: What would you have done if your family hadn't come to Napa Valley?
I think I would have stayed in education, as I enjoyed teaching and making a difference in students' lives.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Taste

What is The Taste about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Napa Valley-focused series that blends wine industry history, winemaking storytelling, and hospitality ethos with personable, conversation-driven interviews. Episodes frequently center on family legacies, vineyard development, regional terroir, and the business side of wine, often touching on branding, sustainability, and notable Napa personalities. The show stands out for its corridor of intimate anecdotes, strong host interview skills, and access to a wide network of winemakers, restaurateurs, and wine enthusiasts, making it appealing to listeners who crave context on how regions, brands, and people shape the wine world. Potential listeners should expect insightful, easy-to-follow discussions that balance history, craft, and personal st... more

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How many listeners does The Taste get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Taste have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Taste?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Taste:

1. SOMM TV wine & food
2. VinePair Podcast
3. The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits
4. GuildSomm Podcast
5. Wine 101

How many episodes of The Taste are there?

The Taste launched 8 years ago and published 92 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Taste?

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What guests have appeared on The Taste?

Recent guests on The Taste include:

1. Robin Lail
2. Jeff Smith
3. Russ Weis
4. Kim Stare Wallace
5. Robert Fiore
6. John Skupny
7. Heidi Barrett
8. Lee Hudson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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