Episode 25 of Straight Talk: Delving Deep into the Delicacies of Kistler Vineyards

The man behind Sonoma’s renowned Kistler Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs talks growing up in wine country, Robert Mondavi’s favorite donuts and farming “softly”

When it comes to California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, few names command as much respect as Sonoma’s Kistler Vineyards. In the newest episode of Wine Spectator‘s Straight Talk podcast, Kistler president and winemaker Jason Kesner tells us about growing up in the Napa wine industry—including a Robert Mondavi donut tradition that he proudly carries on—and how he strives to do a little bit less in the vineyard and winery with each passing vintage.

Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank, who sheds some light on a recent health study that’s made big waves in the mainstream media—for all the wrong reasons.

Now available on Apple, Google, Spotify and more, including at WineSpectator.com/podcast, Straight Talk debuted in October 2022 and has attracted some of the wine industry’s biggest stars for honest, probing, revelatory and sometimes hilarious conversations.

Season 1 guests included winemakers Aubert de Villaine, Tim Mondavi, Tony Soter, Mark Aubert, Helen Keplinger, Thomas Rivers Brown, Greg Brewer and many more, as well as chefs Thomas Keller and Marcus Samuelsson, NBA Hall of Famer and winery investor Tony Parker and film, TV and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc star Sarah Jessica Parker.

“The Straight Talk podcast is a must-listen for anyone in the wine industry, and provides a unique personal connection with our expert staff of tasters that no other format—or podcast—can match,” said Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, who himself was a guest on several episodes of Straight Talk‘s first season.

The Straight Talk podcast by Wine Spectator is accessible for free on all major podcasting platforms and at WineSpectator.com/podcast. Listeners can send their questions and comments to StraightTalk@WineSpectator.com.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!