The Story of Wine Podcast - Discover the People & Stories Behind Every Glass

Billy Galanko is joined by Nicolas and Virginie Joly for a wide-ranging conversation on biodynamics, Chenin Blanc, and the future of authentic wine. From vineyard philosophy to winemaking choices, they share how great wines can convey energy, place, and a true sense of life.
Key topics:
Biodynamics and terroir
Chenin Blanc and Savennières
Vineyard philosophy and winemaking
Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Relaunch Intro
01:06 New Format and Guests
04:39 Meet the Jolys
09:10 Biodynamics vs. Technology
18:46 Biodynamic Farming Principles
36:43 Wine as Living Medicine
39:24 Cellar Placement and Energy
44:09 Old Vines
47:17 Testing Life in the Bottle
57:57 Biodynamics: Real vs. Marketing
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!

A quick update from host Billy Galanko on the future of the podcast.
In this brief episode, Billy shares the news that he now has full ownership of the podcast and its archive, along with an important announcement about what’s coming next. The show will soon be rebranded, with updated artwork and a refreshed direction, as it transitions into its next chapter.
He also previews an upcoming interview recorded before the holidays with biodynamic pioneer Nicolas Joly—an episode he’s been eager to release and one that features extended, uninterrupted insights from Joly himself.
Thanks for sticking with the show through the transition. More to come soon.
Cheers. 🍷
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!

In this special update, host Billy Galanko shares an important announcement about the future of the Vint Wine Podcast. After four years of long-form interviews and Five Questions conversations with leading voices from across the wine world, the show is officially pausing production.
Billy is currently in the process of acquiring the full rights to the podcast catalog, and the YouTube channel, from his former company, Vint. This will be the final episode released under the Vint Wine Podcast name.
Once the acquisition is complete, the show will relaunch in 2026 with a new name, new branding, and its own website, while maintaining the same interview-driven format listeners know and love.
Billy reflects on why the pause is necessary, shares what listeners can expect next year, and thanks the audience for their continued support.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why the Vint Wine Podcast is pausing for the foreseeable future
Details on Billy’s ongoing process to acquire the rights to the podcast and YouTube channel
What this means for the Vint Wine TV channel and its upcoming rebrand
Why continuing under the Vint name no longer makes sense
Exciting plans for the 2026 relaunch—new brand, new site, same format
A heartfelt thank-you to listeners after 4+ years of support
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!

In this special solo edition of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko shares an important update on the future of the Vint Wine Podcast. As longtime listeners know, Billy recently transitioned out of Vint, and is in the process of acquiring full rights to the podcast catalog. Until that process is complete, production of new interviews is temporarily on pause.
In this short episode, Billy answers the five most common questions listeners have been asking, about the pause, the relaunch, the new name, upcoming guests, and even holiday travel plans.
Whether you listen to every full-length interview or you’re a Five Questions loyalist, this episode sets the stage for what’s ahead.
What You’ll Learn
Why the podcast is temporarily paused
When new episodes are expected to return (hint: January—pending final rights transfer)
Details on the new podcast name inspired by Hugh Johnson
How listeners can submit guest ideas during the break
Where Billy is traveling this winter (Taiwan + Vietnam!) and what wine he hopes to find along the way
Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast
00:19 – Welcome to Five Questions
00:50 – Changes and Updates to the Podcast
01:58 – Future Plans and New Beginnings
02:46 – Listener Engagement and Suggestions
03:17 – Holiday Travel Plans
03:51 – Conclusion and Next Steps
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!

Episode Description (Optimized for Apple & Spotify)
Grape geneticist Dr. José Vouillamoz returns to the Vint Wine Podcast with host Billy Galanko for a deep dive into the DNA, history, and origins of iconic French and Swiss grapes. Co-author of Wine Grapes, José has spent decades decoding grape lineages and uncovering where the world’s most important varieties truly come from.
In this episode, we spotlight his new book Les Grands Cépages, exploring 12 major French grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Savagnin and Viognier, while also revisiting Switzerland’s native gems like Chasselas, Cornalin, Arvine, and Räuschling. We also dig into how DNA tools have evolved, why “grape patriotism” often clashes with science, and how nearly-lost vines have shaped modern wine. If you’re curious about grape origins, terroir expression, or the genetic stories behind classic varieties, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What an ampelologist does and how José uses DNA, history, and vineyard archaeology to study grapevines
How grape DNA research evolved from early markers to whole-genome sequencing
The true family trees of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot, and others
Why some regions fiercely claim “ownership” of certain grapes, and when the science disagrees
How Swiss grapes like Chasselas, Cornalin, and Arvine express terroir and age in surprising ways
Why Swiss wines are hard to find but can be outstanding value at the top end
What’s next for José: ungrafted vines, ancient clonal material, and future books on Italy and beyond
Episode Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:23 – Introducing Dr. José Vouillamoz
01:15 – French & Swiss Grapes Overview
03:50 – Inside the World of Grape DNA
08:59 – How DNA Techniques Have Evolved
14:08 – Switzerland’s Native Grapes
16:42 – The “Grand” French Grapes (Les Grands Cépages)
18:31 – Origins, Myths & Grape Stories
24:21 – Merlot’s Surprising Parentage
27:54 – Cabernet Franc’s Journey & Chenin/Sauvignon Origins
32:56 – Standout Swiss Varieties & Terroir
34:21 – Cornalin, Merlot Blanc & Chasselas
47:17 – Swiss Wines on the Global Stage
50:57 – Future Projects & Discoveries
54:12 – Conclusion and Farewell
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!