The Grape Nation

Amanda Smeltz worked wine at April Bloomfield's John Dory and the Breslin, spent over 4 years building the wine program at Roberta's Pizza in Bushwick, and is now the Head Sommelier at Bar Boulud and Boulud Sud. We talk to Amanda about restaurant wine lists, under appreciated wine regions and styles, and what to drink now.

Jasmine Hirsch is the General Manager of Hirsch Vineyards, Sonoma, California. Hirsch Vineyard is a Sonoma Coast Pinot pioneer. We sit down with Jasmine to discuss farming, winemaking, Pinot Noir and In Pursuit of Balance.

Grand Cru Selections is a NYC based wine importer and distributor of fine wines from around the world, representing some of the most passionate winemakers and sought after wineries. We talk global wines and how wine gets from the vineyard to your table with Ned Benedict and Bryan Garcia.

A look inside one of the most intimate winegrowing regions in the world, Napa Valley, as we follow several of the most prominent winemakers on their journey to master their craft. We talk to Napa winemakers Heidi Peterson Barrett, Steve Reynolds, and Anthony Bell about the new documentary film "Decanted", their individual wineries and projects, and the state of wine in Napa Valley.

We'll talk all things wine with Wine and Spirits Publisher/Editor, Josh Greene. Josh and the staff at W&S magazine tastes over 15,000 wines annually. We'll talk best wines of the year and wine trends.

Jon Bonne is one of today's most prolific wine writers. Jon served as the wine editor and chief wine critic of the San Francisco Chronicle. He is now Senior Contributing Editor of online magazine, Punch. Author of The New California Wine and currently working on The New French Wine He is James Beard Award winning journalist bringing a critical eye and and a well trained palate to the world of wine and food.

Gary Vaynerchuk, Wine expert, entrepreneur, CEO of social media agency VaynerMedia, angel investor, venture capitalist, NY Times best selling author, and all around hustler, talks wine, social media, and how advertising and marketing have changed in a digital world. Gary also tells us his hottest wine trend, Barolo.

David White is the creator of popular wine blog The Terroirist and just wrote an approachable, comprehensive book about Champagne, "But First, Champagne: A Modern Guide to the World's Favorite Wine". We'll talk blogs and bubbles with David White.

Wanna get a job in wine? Hillary Zio has been in the wine industry for over 10 years with experience in fine dining, retail, distribution, events and as an educator and consultant. She's a certified sommelier and holds an advanced certificate with the WSET. With no luck in finding a career guide, she wrote her own "The Unfiltered Guide to Working in Wine".

This week on The Grape Nation, Top Sommelier of the Year and Wine Enthusiast's "40 Under 40" Michael Madrigale talks wines that taste more expensive than they really are, BYO's to bring them to, and direct to consumer wine sales.

Wine legend Kevin Zraly has been at it over 40 years. He founded the Windows on the World Wine Course and best selling companion books, and continued the classes after 9/11, when the facility was destroyed. He is a true wine influencer, launching generations of today's sommeliers; an educator teaching over 20,000 students; a prolific author; a recipient of the 2011 James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award; and still going at it!

Today on The Grape Nation, we're joined by wine consultant Justin Chearno, who plies his trade in Williamsburg wine bar The Four Horsemen. We are also joined by Raw Wine Fair founder, Isabelle Legeron. And – in a first for the program – the bottle we crack open for the Weekly Wine Sip is a white wine.

Alice Paillard is the manager of her family-owned, independent Champagne house, Champagne Bruno Paillard. We will pop the cork and get into all things Champagne!

What is the role of a sommelier? Kimberly Prokoshyn, Head Sommelier of Rebelle, NYC curates one of the most interesting and extensive wine lists in NYC and will discuss wines and sommeliers.

What wines do you drink with one of the most beloved foods: pizza! our in-studio guest, Hugh Crickmore, wine director of Blanca and Roberta's Pizza will guide you through the best choices.

Today on The Grape Nation, it's inauguration day! For episode 1 of our new program about wine and how it's made, host Sam Benrubi hosts Laura Catena, who along with her father Nicholas Catena produce high quality wines at their storied vineyard. Bodega Catena Zapata is the world leader in Malbec and other varietals and has pioneered the Malbec and wine business in South America.