Allie went deep into the Blackthorn Cellar for one of our favorite finds. Crafted by husband and wife winemaking partners Peter Hunken and Amy Christine aren’t afraid to be out of step with fads in the wine business. They made a Pinot Noir that is delicious, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Their wine are proof that craft and care still matter. Cozy up with your favorite Pinot Noir and join us. Cheers! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------...
This is the season of togetherness — of pulling another chair up, of pouring the good stuff even if the meal is humble. It’s about the generosity that comes from opening a bottle you love and saying, “Here, taste this.” For this Fall season, we are sharing a favorite sparkling red with you, Lambrusco. With wild and deep origins in Italy, this wine can be made from light, slightly sweet bubbly to serious, dark, and dry versions. We pair this wine with a culture that has given us an endle...
Let’s be real… sometimes life is less 'rosé all day' and more 'crying in the bathtub with leftover pad thai.' We all spiral. Whether it’s doomscrolling at midnight, rage cleaning your kitchen, or staring into space, wondering if time is even real, chaos happens. And around here, we don’t shy away from the shadowy moods — we pair them. So tonight, we’re talking about wines for when you’re spiraling. Let your mood guide you to the perfect glass and join us. Support the show CONNECT WITH...
Found hundreds of years after it is theorized to have been made, the pieces of the Antikythera Device still baffle the experts. It is greatly debated about when the device was made, who made it, and what it was made to do. Tonight, Allie takes us on a journey through the centuries of both wild and practical theories that have yet to result in an answer. Get cozy and grab a glass of something new and interesting. Cheers! Support the show CONNECT WITH US: You can follow and messa...
October is Libra giving way to Scorpio: balance slipping into intensity, charm into obsession, the mirror into the abyss. It’s the season of mystery, of hidden rooms, of long looks inward. We’re calling it The Shadow Cellar. So what does that mean in the glass? It means wines that feel a little uncanny, a little more textural, more emotional than intellectual. It means wines that feel a little strange in the best way — wines that make you pause, tilt your head, and go, wait, what is this? S...
Many people think the mystical powers of the full moon induce erratic behaviors, psychiatric hospital admissions, suicides, homicides, emergency room calls, traffic accidents, fights at professional hockey games, dog bites, and all manner of strange events. The moon features prominently in Witchcraft, Astrology, Myths and Legends, and Biodynamic winemaking. We wanted to know if there is scientific evidence to support these claims. Can we prove the moon itself has an influence on us?&nbs...
Gamay may not be the grape you run into every day at the wine shop, but it deserves a permanent spot on your radar. It’s versatile, food-friendly, and usually more affordable than its Pinot Noir cousin. And yet, it’s got this undeniable charm—that little “extra button unbuttoned” energy that makes you want to lean in closer. Sommeliers call it their “secret weapon,” partly because it plays so well with food, and partly because it brings joy without demanding all the attention in the room. Ton...
Wine education doesn’t have to feel like cramming for an exam. In this week’s episode of Renegade: A Blackthorn Podcast, we’re throwing out the textbook, ditching the pop quizzes, and starting fresh. September’s theme, Back to Blackthorn, channels all the best parts of back-to-school energy — sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, that feeling of new beginnings — but applies them to your wine life. This isn’t about memorizing grape varietals or reciting pairing charts. It’s about reclaiming wine...
On this week's Nightcap, Blackthorn by the Glass pours something rare and radiant — the 2023 Bourgueil Rosé from Domaine Audebert et Fils in France’s Loire Valley. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc (the grape locals call “Breton”), this saignée-style rosé is bright with strawberry, blood orange, and a whisper of spice. We’ll wander through Bourgueil’s thousand-year wine history, explore why Cabernet Franc thrives here, and share why this fuller-bodied rosé isn’t just for sunny afternoons — it’...
Volcanic wines are wild, earthy, grounded, and intuitive. Allie found the perfect wine that embodies all of these characteristics. Our interest was piqued by this 'Woman in Flight', Sul Volcano, deeply rooted in the volcanic soils of Sicily. We then explore the characteristics of Volcanic soils and how they affect the depth and character of wine. These rich soils aren't just on islands, but are around the world, from places like Oregon to Hungary. Allie shares a story of a m...
Tonight, we sip on a cool red wine made in a unique way that unlocks flavors that are different from standard winemaking. Carbonic red wines are different. They are fermented in a way that excites the palate, and can be paired with many foods. This is wine living on the edge that is so drinkable and fun, and it never takes itself too seriously. Light a candle, get comfy, and cool down the summer heat with a chillable red. Cheers! Support the show CONNECT WITH US: You can follow...
Welcome back for our latest episode of Blackthorn After Dark. Please take this opportunity to sit and sip with us as we recount tales and weave stories. Tonight, Julie talks about a name known throughout history, Nostradamus. He was a real man from history who has become a legend. He studied everything from alchemy to astrology and everything in between. His predictions are analyzed and studied by his followers to predict future events and applied to past events. Grab a glass and ...
When the world is heating up, there is no reason to leave red wine out of the equation. Renegade provides you with a premium example of an ancient grape steeped in Italian culture and quiet rebellion. One woman in particular returned to her home in Sicily and reinvigorated not only Frappato but other noteworthy varieties. Where others saw Frappato as a blending grape, she was one of the first people to recognize it can stand on its own and has gained a slight cult following. Beat ...
Welcome to the first-ever episode of Blackthorn After Dark—our late-night corner of the podcast where the wine is flowing, the lights are low, and the stories are anything but ordinary. So this is going to be a bit different than our normal content, let us know what you think of it. This isn't a wine lesson. It's what happens when the day's work is done, the bottle’s open, and you're just sitting around with friends, trading the kind of tales you can't help but be obsessed with. Sometimes wei...
Every once in a while we all find ourselves in need of a nightcap. Every month we will bring you some tasty sound bites to quench your thirst. Tonight, from the underground studio at Blackthorn, Allie tells us all about skin contact wine. Not all of these wines can be pushed into one flavor category, in fact, their diversity is what makes them shine. These are ines that surprise your and make you raise your eyebrow an inventation to a new wine adventure with each one you taste.&nb...
This is the June episode, and the theme is Through the Fire — because June is a crucible. The heat is rising, the days are stretching, and the Summer Solstice is coming — the longest day of the year, when the sun sets fire to everything it touches. We taste a savory Rosé that reflects the season and share stories of 2 women who are changing the wine in Tavel, the heart of complex Rosé in France. Warm, welcoming, and rebellious wines that embody the heat of Soltice and our welcome to Summer.&n...
We wanted to take time to answer your questions about Renegade and Blackthorn. This episode is all about who we are and our new company. We know you listen to us, so we wanted to take the time to listen to you. Grab a glass and hang with us! Support the show CONNECT WITH US: You can follow and message us on Instagram @joinblackthorn You can also reach out via email - gather@joinblackthorn.com If you want to help support the show and get extra content every week, you can subscri...
Welcome to Renegade: A Blackthorn Podcast. We are embarking on a new podcast adventure, but our entire catalogue of CrushCast will still be available on this podcast feed. Renegade is a podcast for those who want to learn about wine on the fringe and connect it more to everyday life and the mystical. In our inaugural episode, we introduce you to Blackthorn, Renegade, and our new content. We jump into Spring and talk about how the season of renewal and rebirth can be connecte...
In this episode, we explore where wine aromas come from and how you can use a little bit of wine knowledge to enjoy wine more than you already do! Allie will break down the different types of aromas, while Julie throws in a little science lesson. Support the show CONNECT WITH US: You can follow and message us on Instagram @joinblackthorn You can also reach out via email - gather@joinblackthorn.com If you want to help support the show and get extra content every week, you can subscr...
In our final episode as CrushCast, we wanted to bring you all a long awaited episode all about Greece and the underestimated variety Assyrtiko. As always we bring you a stellar example of our featured wine, this one is all the way from Attica region of Central Greece. Right in time for spring this mineral-driven white is perfect for Spring and a killer pairing for light seafood and Greek fare. Julie takes you to the Greek with a litlle history and Allie finishes the pod with an ho...