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The Reluctant Somm: Wine & Hospitality PodcastAuthor: Christopher Truitt
Tired of the same polished surface? Welcome to The Reluctant Somm, your unconventional podcast navigating the back alleys of hospitality and the real stories behind every bottle of wine. Were not here to romanticize the grind. Host Christopher Truitt, an experienced sommelier with a crucial Front-of-House (FOH) perspective, pulls back the curtain on the messy, chaotic, and exhilarating world of the wine and hospitality industry from the demanding restaurant floor and the depths of the cellar to the unpredictable vineyards. This is your invitation to go beyond the perfectly plated dishes. Were diving deep into the real talk of hospitality: the long nights, the challenging customers, the spilled drinks, the unpredictable harvests, and that never-ending quest for the perfect vintage. Christopher shares candid conversations and untold stories from the sommeliers, chefs, winemakers, and other dedicated food and wine professionals who live it every day. Explore the true wine culture, understand the sommelier life, and get an uncensored look at the wine industry through engaging storytelling and Christophers fifteen years of experience in competitive markets like Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Whether youre a wine novice curious about the real stories, an industry veteran nodding along, or someone aspiring to a career in wine or restaurants, The Reluctant Somm offers a unique blend of insider insights, wine knowledge shared through authentic experiences, and sheer entertainment. Join us as we explore what makes wine so damn good, the people behind the label, and the moments that make you question your sanity, only to remind you why you truly love this industry. If you crave authentic food and wine narratives and a genuine look at behind the scenes wine and restaurant life, youve found your podcast. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Careers, Food Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Rooted in Purpose: Ali Verburg on Family, Humanity, and South African Wine
Episode 38
Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
This week on The Reluctant Somm, we travel to South Africa (figuratively!) to sit down with Ali Verburg, the second generation now at the helm of Luddite Wines and Saboteur Wines. Ali’s life has been intrinsically linked to the vineyard, growing up deeply immersed in her family's winemaking journey in the Bot River region. Ali shares the compelling story of her parents, Niels and Penny, who, after meeting at Elsenburg Agricultural College and gaining international winemaking experience across France, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and Greece, finally found their home on a small farm in South Africa. We delve into Ali's own global harvest experiences, from Michigan to St. Emilion and the Rheinhessen, which have shaped her unique perspective. Beyond the grapes, we explore Luddite’s distinctive philosophy – a commitment to human connection and employment in an increasingly automated world. Ali discusses their experimental grape varieties and how, in an industry often embracing new technologies, Luddite intentionally champions the vital role of people in crafting their wines, offering a thoughtful counterpoint to the march of automation. Tune in for an insightful conversation about family legacy, global winemaking adventures, and the surprisingly human-centric approach behind some of South Africa’s most compelling wines. Want more from The Reluctant Somm? 🍷 Join us at an upcoming event!: https://www.thereluctantsomm.com/events Free Wine Community Resources: https://www.thereluctantsomm.com/community Stay in the loop with our monthly guide & Newsletter: https://www.thereluctantsomm.com Follow us on Instagram: @thereluctantsomm #wine #podcast #interview #southafrica #ludditewines #saboteurwines #aliverburg #botriver #winemaking #familywinery #hospitality #wineindustry #humanity #automation #experimentalgrapes #generationalstory
