The Journey of Natural Wine with Fabio Bartolomei

04/09/17 • 46 min

Fabio Bartolomei is the winemaker behind Vinos Ambiz in the Gredos region of Spain, just outside of Madrid. I’m super excited for this episode because it was my first in-person interview. Fabio and I met up while I was in Madrid last weekend and he took me to the only natural wine shop in the city called Wine Attack, then the next day we drove out to his winery about an hour northwest of Madrid in a small town called El Tiemblo.

Learn more about Fabio with the show notes here.

He took me around two of his vineyards, which are both planted with 40-year-old Garnacha bush vines. Then we went to the winery in the center of the town, which is an old co-op winery that he and another winemaker, Daniel Ramos, took over about four years ago. Fabio let me taste a bunch of his wines, both in bottle and out of the barrel, tank, and amphorae. It was a wonderful experience and I encourage you to go visit Fabio at his winery the next time you are in Madrid.

In this episode, Fabio and I talk about his story, how we started making wine, and the journey of how he got to where he is now. We also talk about the development of natural wine, not only the winemaking aspects of it, but also the culture around it, how consumers perceive it, and if there will ever be a clear definition and the affects that could have on producers like himself.

Before we get into the show, have you subscribed to the podcast yet and left us a review? If not, please do so. It helps other passionate wine lovers like you find it! It’s also super simple to do. Just go on to your podcasting app on your phone, find the podcast and click subscribe. There will be another button to leave a review as well. Thanks for doing that! I really appreciate it!

Learn more about Fabio with the show notes here.

Previous Episode

Facing the Challenges of Growing a Wine Company with Jordane Andrieu

Jordane Andrieu (@heritagefinewines) is the owner of Heritage Fine Wines wine store and bar located in Beverley Hills & proprietor of Domain Clos du Moulins aux Moins in Burgundy.

Subscribe to our newsletter, Cru Mail, here to learn more about Jordane.

In this episode, Jordane and I dig into his story, how he went from working for an engineering company in Paris to running an estate in Burgundy while studying viticulture & oenology and converting the vineyard to organic. He shares with us the trials and tribulations that goes into making world class wine in Burgundy and how Pablo Picasso’s godson designed wine labels for him.

We then get into the story behind him moving from Burgundy to Los Angeles without speaking any English. Then on top of that figuring out how to start Heritage, his wine shop and bar in Beverley Hills, jumping through all of the regulatory hoops, and probably the greatest challenge of educating consumers on the wines, how he markets the business, and overcoming the cultural differences of business in general.

Jordane has an incredible story and one that continues to evolve each day. He has big plans for the next few years which he tells us about as well.

Before we get into the show, have you subscribed to the podcast yet and left us a review? If not, please do so. It helps other passionate wine lovers like yourself find it! It’s also super simple to do. Just go on to your podcasting app on your phone, find the podcast and click subscribe. There will be another button to leave a review as well. Thanks for doing that! I really appreciate it!

In this episode we mention...

Clos du Moulins aux Moins Heritage Fine Wines Auxey-Duresses Meursault Cote de Beaune Baltasar Dürrbach, Pablo Picasso’s godson Jordane’s Pinot Noir Vin Nature Wine Label Languedoc-Roussillon Cotes Catalanes Tom Lubbe, Domaine Matassa Real Wine Fair Domaine Olivier Pithon Dominique of Domaine Hauvette

Follow Jordane & Heritage on...

Heritage Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Clos du Moulin Website

Next Episode

How to Challenge the Norm of Wine Retail with Dustin Wilson MS

Dustin Wilson (@dustinwilsonms) is a partner and owner the wine shop in Tribeca, New York City called Verve Wine. Dustin came on the podcast when the show first started and he was working at Eleven Madison Park, but in this episode he tells us about how he transitioned from being a somm on the floor of restaurants for so many years to starting and being on the floor of a retail store and what the challenges of starting a new wine shop in New York City has been like.

We then dig into the story behind Verve, why Dustin wanted to start something new, and how Verve is challenging the norm of wine retail by integrating an amazing website that helps people find and learn about wine in an easier, more natural way and utilizing social media to do the same with things like visual tasting notes.

Full show notes & and transcript of the interview at https://crupodcast.com/show/dustinwilson37

Dustin then shares with us one of his favorite wines he’s been excited about lately called 4 Monos, a Garnacha made just outside of Madrid, and you can get it at Verve for only $20. To top it all off, Dustin and the team at Verve are giving you as a Cru Podcast listener, 10% off all discountable wines when you check out with the code CRUPOD10. It only applies to those of you who can receive shipments in the USA. So, go get some wine from some great people who want to share more wine with the world.

But before we get into the show, many of you know that I had the opportunity of traveling to Madrid a couple weeks ago and meet a great winemaker by the name of Fabio Bartolomei (his podcast episode here), and experience the only natural wine shop in Madrid, called Wine Attack.

So, I knew that I was going to be buying a ton of wine, and my last experience with bringing a case of wine back in my regular suitcase was not only sketchy caused it looked like I was smuggling wine bottles out of Germany all wrapped up in t-shirts, but I didn’t know if all of my bottles were going to break. You know how TSA can be with our bags. So, I had to find a solution to my wine bottle traveling debacle. I found this company called Lazenne.

Essentially, they make suitcases for your wine bottles. It was perfect! I got one and they even offered to ship it to my hotel in Madrid so that when I got there, all I had to do was fill it with a case of amazing wines. I didn’t have to worry about making sure that I got it in time to fly out and then check a bag going out. I just gave them my address and it was sitting on my bed when I walked into my hotel room. It only cost me €35 to check the bag on the way back and it got to my destination in perfect condition!

Guys, I’m telling you. If you ever travel with more than a couple wine bottles on the plan, or even just driving long distances, you need to get one of Lazenne’s bags. Go to Lazenne.com and check out which bag is best for you. I got the 12-Bottle Wine Check Luggage, but maybe something a bit sturdier would be best for you, like the Vingardevalise Hardshell Wine Suitcase. Either way, take a look and protect your wine with a Lazenne bag.