Many of us consider organic farming to be just the starting point in the search for responsibly farmed wines. But what does it take to farm a vineyard organically, and how common are organically certified grapes? Is it easier to be organic in some terroirs than in others? And where did this whole organic movement come from in the first place? Today we'll take a look at organic practices by tracing the history of farming back to its roots. Join us as we take a tour of the 100 year old vines of Domaine Pierre Gonon with the beloved Jean Gonon himself as he illustrates just how much hard work goes into farming the vines that produce his moving wines. While we’re there, we will explore the history of organic farming, and the rise of conventional farming that preceded it. We will break down what it takes to get a certification and how geology determines how difficult it will be to farm fully organically – with additional commentary from lots of our friends and mentors along the way. The episode is sponsored by the wonderful team at Becky Wasserman and Company. Thank you to our guests: Jean Gonon and Paul Wasserman, and for the additional commentary from Michele Chapel, Rodrigo Soto, Abe Schoener, Eduard Vocoret, and Camille Thiriet. We’re so excited to have you along for the ride! Don’t forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. And don't forget to join our special group of Roadside Insiders so you can join along on our next Roadside adventure! Credits: Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez Research and writing support by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Hautes Cotes, Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, Michel Joly, Thibault Bevilacqua, and our Grand Cru Patrons Steven and Amy Lipin. Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW. Santé! References: Books: Elaine Chukan Brown (2025): The Wines of California. Jamie Goode (2023): The New Viticulture. Aaron Ayscough (2022): The World of Natural Wine. Jancis Robinson (2015 [4th Edition]): The Oxford Companion to Wine. Jamie Goode (2014): Wine Science. Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis (2010): Teaming with Microbes. R. Brunet (1910): Le matériel viticole. Frederic T. Bioletti (1907): Oidium or powdery mildew of the vine. Freiherr von Babo (1842): Der Weinbau. Dargestellt in der Reihenfolge der vorkommenden Arbeiten. B. A. Lenoir (1828): Traité de la culture de la vigne et de la vinification. Essays & articles: FiBL (Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau): The World of Organic Agriculture Report 2025. Fabien Knittel (2025): Fertilisers in France in the nineteenth century. Simon Nordestgaard (2022): History and recent developments in under-vine weeding equipment. Kat Eschner (2017): How One Mycologist Saved France’s Wine (Among Other Things) Leonard Gianessi and Ashley Williams (2011): Fungicides Have Protected European Wine Grapes for 150 Years. Paul Brassley (2006): British farming between the wars. Hilary P. M. Winchester (1986): Agricultural Change and Population Movements in France 1892-1929. Websites: Encyclopedia Britannica on herbicides, fungicides and insecticides: https://www.britannica.com IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements): https://www.ifoam.bio USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): https://www.usda.gov EU Commission: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/organic-logo_de
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S3E4: Petit-Roy Case Study
Seiichi Saito of Domaine Petit-Roy isn't organic, and yet he spent several years spraying his vines with with skim milk instead of sulfur. He studied desertification at university, but still tills his soils. Seiichi's farming defies the soundbites and stereotypes that many believe good farming should be, and yet his wisdom and insight couldn't be more obvious. This episode takes you into Seiichi's cellar during harvest of 2022 for an in-depth discussion about all of the fascinating farming details that contribute to making this topic such a complicated one. This is a very special episode for Roadside Terroir as we welcome Roadside team member Paul Knittel for his hosting and production debut. Bravo, Paul! We’re so excited to have you along for the ride! Don’t forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. Episode 4: Petit-Roy Cast Study is sponsored by Becky Wasserman and Company. This episode and hosted and produced by Paul Knittle and co-produced by Brenna Quigley. * Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez Research and writing support by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Clare Shaheen and Esa Eslami. * Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW .
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S3E3: Farming Philosophies - PART 1
Are farming methods practical choices, or philosophical ideals? And which is more important when you're choosing a bottle of wine for your Tuesday night dinner table? In Episode 3: Farming Philosophies - Part 1, we get to the heart of what producers and professionals care about most when it comes to farming-- certifications, or intentions? The episode starts out with a deep philosophical inquiry with Abe Schoener of the Scholium Project and the Los Angeles River Wine Company, before digging into the reality of these concepts with the lovable and brilliant Chiara Pepe of Emidio Pepe--all with the added context and commentary by everybody's favorite exporter, Paul Wasserman of Becky Wasserman and Company. We’re so excited to have you along for the ride! Don’t forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez With special thanks to Paul Knittel, Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly. Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW . Cheers!
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S3E2: Verticals
Season 3 Episode 2: Verticals Join us for an inside look at one of the most celebrated tastings of the year: The Verticals Tasting at La Paulee. In this episode we go behind the scenes to talk to some of the most inspiring Burgundian producers to see how terroir, tradition, and taste evolve over time -- and how this is all expressed in the glass. We'll geek about SO2 and trellising systems while tasting vintages that date back to the 90s with the people who know them best. We’re so excited to have you along for the ride! Don’t forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. Thank you to our guests: Lucie Germain (Domaine Henri Germain), Pierre-Henri Rougeot, David Croix, and Andrew Nielsen, as well as Daniel Jhonnes and La Paulée for giving us access to this wonderful event. CREDITS: Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez with an assist from Nick Canepa With special thanks to Clare Shaheen, Paul Knittel, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly. Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON, this episode, and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW . And remember, 10% of all Insider memberships purchased in the month of August will go towards supporting farmworkers and immigrants in CA. If you want to support them directly check out the California Farmworkers Foundation at californiafarmworkers.org and Napa Valley Together at napavalleytogether.org. Sante!
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S3E1: Why Farming Matters
What does geology have to do with farming? Could historic farming practices be the key to tackling modern climate challenges? How does a place shape the way vines are cared for—and how much does any of this actually matter in the glass? Season 3 of Roadside Terroir: Farming for Terroir is here! We're diving into all these questions (& more) in our brand-new season, exploring what it means to truly farm for terroir. In Episode 1: Why Farming Matters we: * Meet Cyril Courvoisier, a rising star of Cornas, regeneratively farming its steep slopes against all odds * Learn how tradition and climate change collide with the fearless Michelle Smith-Chapel in Beaujolais * And hear from Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain in Sonoma on whether great farming really changes how wine tastes From France to California, we’re driving deep into the dirt with some of the most visionary vignerons we know. Credits: Produced & hosted by Brenna Quigley Sound & music by Jeff Alvarez Research & writing assist by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly. And an extra special thanks to our Grand Cru Patrons Steven and Amy Lipin! More Info and How to Support the Show: We’re so excited to have you along for the ride! Don’t forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel for photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. This season wouldn’t be possible without your support!–Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about this Season, this episode, and how to help support this season by donating, sponsoring, or becoming a Roadside Insider – where you get access to exclusive bonus material, gifts, and more! This August, 10% of all Roadside Insider memberships will go towards supporting farmworkers and immigrants in CA. If you want to support them directly check out the California Farmworkers Foundation at californiafarmworkers.org and Napa Valley Together at napavalleytogether.org. Resources: Health effects of herbicides and its current removal strategies. Bioengineered 2023, Sep 25. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10761135/#s0004 Pesticide Atlas. Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, 2022. https://eu.boell.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/pesticideatlas2022_ii_web_20230331.pdf Chemins de Mémoire. Ministère des armées France. https://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/en/revue/reconstruction The common agricultural policy (CAP) and the Treaty. Fact Sheet. European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/103/the-common-agricultural-policy-cap-and-the-treaty Cheers! Brenna and the Roadside Team
Roadside Terroir is an audio travel guide for wine lovers who want to dig into the subject of terroir. Join geologist Brenna Quigley on a road trip as she explores the unique geologic history of wine regions around the world.
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