You might have noticed, but it’s rather in vogue these days for a certain type of winemaker to boast about how little they actually do. “Minimal intervention” is a buzzy phrase, to be sure, and with it comes the implication that any winemaker who does much more than throw some grapes in a tank and come back a month later is ruining their wine. Well, Matt Crafton, winemaker at Napa Valley’s iconic Chateau Montelena, disputes that notion.

That’s the topic of this week’s VinePair podcast, as Adam, Zach, and Matt discuss why Napa Valley remains a vital and vibrant wine region as well as some of the specifics of Matt’s approach to winemaking, and what it’s like being in charge of one of America’s most celebrated wineries.

Listen Now:

Stream on iTunes

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