Episode 296 of I’ll Drink to That has been released, and it features Carenn Jackson, who until very recently was working for Glazer’s Distributors in Austin, Texas. A few days ago she accepted a job with Copain winery, but before that happened she was with Glazer’s and she gave this interview.

There has been a lot written in the last few years about the emerging restaurant scene in Austin. Young urban professionals are moving to Austin in significant numbers to take advantage of a lower cost of living and a vibrant local culture; chefs who are turned off by the high cost of entry in New York and San Francisco are opening up adventurous spots; while the university and music scenes make the area young and fun. But what about the wine culture in Austin? Well, it turns out that a lot of the factors that have propelled restaurants there in general are also broadening the wine horizons in Austin. When you speak with Texas wine professionals, it is almost taken as a given that Austin’s wine offerings are the most adventurous in the state. And the wine scene there is populated by young people. For example, in this interview when Carenn Jackson is asked how many Austin sommeliers are over 40, none come to mind. So what is selling and in Austin and what is not? What barriers are Austin area sommeliers facing, and what is the community there like? Carenn has a lot of perspective on these questions, as she has worked with many of the top accounts in Austin. What is next for Austin in light of what has already been impressive change? Carenn shares her thoughts in this interview, which continues I’ll Drink to That’s Texas talks on wine.

Listen to the stream above, or check it out in iTunes.

I’ll Drink to That is the world’s leading wine podcast, hosted by Levi Dalton. Levi has had a long career working as a sommelier in some of the most distinguished and acclaimed dining rooms in America. He has served wine to guests of Restaurant Daniel, Masa, and Alto, all in Manhattan. Levi has also contributed articles on wine themes to publications such as The Art of Eating, Wine & Spirits magazine, Bon Appetit online, and Eater NY. Check out his pictures on Instagram and follow him on Twitter: @levi_opens_wine