The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

• The Wine Makers – Lyndsay Hoopes, Hoopes Vineyard

  Lyndsay Hoopes has a lot on her plate—and it’s not just wine. Napa County has hit Hoopes Vineyard with a public nuisance complaint over everything from tastings and visitation to a small animal sanctuary on the property. Now, they’re demanding nearly $8.7 million, a figure the family simply doesn’t have. In this conversation, Lyndsay breaks down the murky regulations at the heart of the dispute and shares her frustration over what feels like selective enforcement. “There is no definition of visitor. There is no definition of retail,” she points out, raising fair questions about how anyone is supposed to play by the rules when the rules aren’t clearly written. Meanwhile, the wines—crafted from prime Oakville fruit by winemaker Aaron Pott—are stellar. But behind every glass, there’s a story of one woman fighting for her business, her land, and some straight answers. [EP 377] Hoopesvineyard.com @hoopesvineyard

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• The Wine Makers – Lost Draw. Andrew Sides, Brad Buckelew

  At a relaxed get-together of Rhône producers in Sonoma, a couple of unfamiliar faces caught my attention. They turned out to be Andrew Sides and Brad Buckelew from Lost Draw, winemakers out of Texas who were in town for the Rhone Rangers event at Cline Cellars. One conversation led to another, and soon we were setting up a proper sit-down to get their story on the record. They brought more than just stories. The wines were strong, with a clear sense of place and purpose. We covered a lot of ground, from the geological quirks of the Texas High Plains to the hurdles of farming and distribution in a state still trying to earn its wine credentials. One thing was clear: these guys are not playing catch-up. They are building something real. Perception is still catching up to the quality, but that gap is closing. Lost Draw is proving that Texas can deliver serious wine with character and identity. If you have not tasted what's coming out of that region lately, it is time to fix that. [EP 376] Lostdraw.com @lostdrawwines

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• The Wine Makers – Danielle Langlois, Jambe Des Bois

  Danielle Langlois joins the guys to talk about her new solo venture, Jambe Des Bois—a deeply personal label focused on small-lot, handcrafted wines. After years as the winemaker at Lasseter Family Winery, Danielle stepped away to pursue her own vision, working with fruit farmed by legendary grower Phil Coturri and a bit of Syrah from a Carneros vineyard her husband Dan tends himself. The conversation covers everything from Danielle’s winemaking philosophy to the unique challenges and freedoms that come with striking out on your own. It’s a great listen for anyone who loves Sonoma wines, respects vineyard-driven production, or just wants to support the folks doing it the hard way—by hand, in small batches, and with real intention. [EP 375] Follow along at @jambedesbois and, if you can find a bottle, grab one. These wines don’t stick around long. jambedeboiswines.com

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• The Wine Makers – Carlton McCoy

  Carlton McCoy’s journey from a DC kitchen to the pinnacle of the wine world is anything but ordinary. Bart and Sam sit down with the Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates to unpack the milestones and mindset that got him there. Carlton opens up about the moment wine first lit a fire in him, what it took to pass the notoriously grueling MS exam at just 28, and how that early obsession evolved into something far bigger. At The Little Nell in Aspen, he found himself at the helm of one of the world’s most elite wine programs—and it was there that fate introduced him to Gaylon Lawrence. What followed was a dramatic leap into Napa Valley’s legacy scene, where Carlton now oversees iconic estates like Heitz, Burgess, and Stony Hill. He shares how he’s walking the tightrope between preserving history and staying culturally relevant in a rapidly changing industry. The conversation also dives into his work with The Roots Fund, how he sees his role in breaking down barriers, and why his lens on wine always includes people, place, and purpose. And yes, there’s a juicy update on Season 2 of Nomad. Grab a glass and listen in—this is one you don’t want to miss. Follow Carlton: @carltonmccoy @lawrencewineestates @rootsfund And don’t forget: even though Bart’s Chefs Cycle ride just ended, there’s still time to donate and ease the pain he’s feeling… everywhere: https://p2p.onecause.com/chefscycle25/bart-hansen Also: Keep your eyes peeled for big news from our friends at the DTC Wine Symposium, returning to Monterey, CA on January 20-22, 2026. Got to www.DTCWineSymposium.com for more info.

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• The Wine Makers – Amie Fields & Lyndon Smith, Botanist and Barrel

  A chance meeting led to a very cool show that turned us into total cider freaks. Amie and Lyndon happened to come in for a tasting at Winery Sixteen 600 on their way to a site visit at the local Sonoma Cider Shop, Pomme. They are based in Cedar Grove and Asheville North Carolina and make cider, pet-nat, piquette and wines from local sources. Their energy, enthusiasm and creativity were truly inspiring and everything we tried was amazing. The winery supports local farmers using only sustainably and organically sourced fruits, including blueberries, heirloom apples, and unusual ingredients like hibiscus. The ciders and wines are raw, wild, unrefined, unfiltered, and unpasteurized, allowing customers to feel good about what they’re drinking. Ask for them at your local cider shop, or if you live in the south, go check them out, they are constantly doing fun events and pop-ups. [EP 373] Botanistandbarrel.com @botanistandbarrel

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