What do we talk about when we talk about wine? If it’s part of the newly launched “Unfined, Unfiltered” Long Island Wine Country podcast, everything under the ripening sun.
“We started the podcast a couple of months ago, says producer and owner of Theo Winery Chris Ariens. “Thomas Spotteck came up with the name.”
“That’s because I’m unfined and unfiltered,” quips Spotteck at a recent studio sit-down. And by studio, we mean the barrel room of Lenz Winery, where Spotteck has been head winemaker of the nearly 50 year old winery since 2019. It’s here that Ariens, Spotteck and the third founder of the podcast, winemaker and owner of Chronicle Wines Robin Epperson McCarthy, interview a different guest each month from the wine industry, talking about hot topics meaningful to the region, the history of Long Island wine country (with, often, some never before heard bits, which are always fun to catch) and what they’re drinking now and how it’s tasting.
It’s an insider look at the people who make the region what it is — but also, just a fun hang with this easy-going trio of wine pros.
“Thomas and Robin started talking with Kristen [Curcie] and the folks at Long Island Wine Country about doing this as a production of Long Island Wine Country,” continues Ariens. “We talk to winemakers, vineyard managers, journalists and others in the field just to learn more about the history of this business that’s grown over the last 50 years ago.”
Recorded in the barrel room at Lenz Winery, “Unfined, Unfiltered” takes a deep dive into the past, present and future of Long Island’s own wine country via interviews with the doers and makers behind the scenes. (Photo credit: Amy Zavatto)
Right now they have logged seven episodes, interviewing Pellegini winemaker (and son of the original Long Island wine pioneers, Louisa and Alex Hargrave), Zander Hargrave, Macari winemaker Byron Elmondorf, legendary vineyard manager Sam McCullough, winemaker Kareem Massoud of Paumanok, and even, well… me, a journalist who’s been writing about wine (and passionate about Long Island’s role in it) for the last few decades.
“We just did Louisa [Hargrave] and one of my favorite parts has been hearing the actual stories from the actual people who created the region. I didn’t realize sauv blanc was one of the first grapes planted because Louisa and Alex wanted chardonnay but couldn’t get any,” says Epperson-McCarthy, who launched her label, Saltbird, with a sauvignon blanc. “These are stories that could easily be forgotten but instead they’re being recorded and shared.”
Ariens, Spotteck and Epperson-McCarthy are doing about two episodes a month right now, but as it is the growing season and we’re heading for harvest, you might need to have a little bit of patience if they miss an episode or two, but so far the trio have been devoted to the cause.
Episodes run every other Tuesday, with a goal of 10 episodes total in the first season.
“I like being able to control the narrative of what we’re actually doing in stead of having other people do it for us,” says Epperson-McCarthy. “I like being able to tell our own story.”
You can listen to “Unfined, Unfiltered” on Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
