Episode 331 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently. It features Greg Harrington of Gramercy Cellars in Washington State.
This may in fact be the longest episode of I’ll Drink to That! ever, as it clocks in at a full two hours. That might seem like a lot of time, but if you come to number 331 with an interest in wine and restaurants, the moments fly by in discussing a career that has been very successful more than once. Greg’s many years as a sommelier serve as a background to many colorful restaurant stories, from dinner with Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans, to pouring wine with Wolfgang Puck in Vegas, to under-pressure business meetings with Steve Hanson of BR Guest in New York. Steve Wynn makes an appearance, as do some other powerful Las Vegas personalities. And it was clearly quite a ride. But as Greg transitions into the second half of his life with wine, as a winemaker, the interview takes on a second wind. The latter half of the episode gets deep into an understanding of the Washington State wine scene on the production side, and there are plenty of moments where Greg compares the Old World wine models that he learned about as a sommelier with the New World application that he has been tinkering with over the last decade as a winemaker. If you are curious about Syrah, in particular, this is an interview to make sure you hit up. You will come away with a better understanding of the grape. And if you listen to this interview you will come away with a better understanding of how full a life in wine can be. Clearly it has been rewarding for Greg, and you can hear his enthusiasm for the subject in each answer that he gives. This is a rewarding discussion to listen in on.
Listen to the stream above, or check it out in iTunes.
I’ll Drink to That is the world’s most listened-to 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
