Holiday season is here! Tug and Kathryn are getting ready for a string of parties and they discuss what wine to bring along. Sparkling is always a festive choice. Prosecco isn't the only bubbly in Italy - there are other spumantes from all over the country! Kathryn explains how she chooses the perfect bottle to share. The couple recounts the recent Thanksgiving week at home with the kids. Tug is inspired by some vinyl. Kathryn is still high on bus travel. The Wine of the Week is the L’Archetipo ‘Susumante’ Rosato Brut, Puglia, Italy 2021. Follow us on Instagram @thelongfinish @esterswine @kath ..read more

Tug and Kathryn are gearing up for Thanksgiving week! The hosts discuss the “Nouveau” style of winemaking that started in Beaujolais. The trend is expanding to other regions - in this case a Carignan and Zinfandel blend from California. Kathryn explains the term “Nouveau” and why it makes for a good Thanksgiving pairing wine. Tug celebrates Devo, Kathryn has another book recommendation! The Wine of the Week is the Las Jaras ‘Slipper Sipper’ Nouveau, California 2023. Follow Us on Instagram @thelongfinish @esterswine @tugcoker @kathrynweilcoker @lasjaraswines @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey @clubdev ..read more

Tug and Kathryn are celebrating the end of the SAG strike and drinking Riesling. They sing the praises for this varietal, a sommelier favorite. Kathryn explains why it’s a great choice for Thanksgiving. Tug is thrilled about the end of the strike, and reveals the silver linings of the picket lines and power of community. Kathryn shares another book recommendation. The Wine of the Week is the Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Feinherb Riesling, Saar - Mosel, Germany 2022. Follow Us on Instagram: @thelongfinish @esterswine @kathrynweilcoker @tugcoker Peter Lauer @lauerwine Vom Boden Imports Vomboden.com @v ..read more

Tug and Kathryn are enjoying the autumn heatwave in Southern California with a bottle of rosé. Made from 100% Grenache (a varietal that Kathryn once despised) the hosts talk about the versatility of this grape. This wine comes from one of the most influential wine professionals in the United States, and his journey into farming is a good sign for the industry. In other news, the couple has survived Halloween and the candy rush. Tug is spending more time at Esters. Kathryn takes the kids to an art museum. The Wine of the Week is the Brij, Rosé of Grenache, San Luis Obispo County, California 202 ..read more

Time to start celebrating Halloween with ORANGE wine! Kathryn and Tug open up a skin-contact wine from Australia made from Italian grape varietals. This producer has so much going for them - delicious wine and a very fresh accessible approach to branding and storytelling. Kathryn talks about the main grape-growing regions in South Australia and what’s changing with the wave of “new Australia” winemakers. Back at home, Tug shares the latest update on his ancient car. Kathryn takes the bus. And Esters gets ready to host a HalloWINE bash. The Wine of the Week is Unico Zelo ‘Esoterico’ Amber, Sout ..read more

Time for another blind tasting! Now it’s Tug’s turn to take a stab at guessing the wine that Kathryn has chosen. Has he learned anything in 120 episodes? Tug uses deductive tasting to figure out what’s in the brown bag. Does he successfully make the call for Grüner Veltliner from Kremstal, Austria? Kathryn the explains the typical characteristics of Grüner Veltliner, where it grows, and what to eat with it. In other news, the couple is starting to get into a groove with school and healthy kids. They have an afternoon away to see a play at a local theatre. Sadly, Tug’s beloved car breaks down o ..read more

How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Well, this week Tug requested a wine from Rome so Kathryn’s opening up “the nun wine.” Yes, this delightful white wine from Lazio is made by sisters of the Cistercian order and has quite a cult following. Kathryn talks about Lazio, the Italian state where this wine is made. The Ryder Cup, the world’s most prestigious team golf tournament (go USA), is taking place in Rome this week - just 90 minutes from the winery. At home, well, bedtime is a mess. Tug celebrates the conclusion of the Writers Guild strike and appreciates the generous WGA community ..read more

We're talking hybrid grapes and their place in the future of the wine industry. Kathryn explains native vs hybrid grapes, where they grow, and why they require less maintenance and fewer chemicals in the vineyard. The hosts open a bottle of Baco Noir from Sonoma Coast made by hybrid-champion Matt Neiss. The wine industry faces many challenges with climate change and hybrid grapes could be part of the solution. Tug asks: why have people been averse to cultivating and drinking these grapes before? The stigmas are pervasive (the bottle this week is delicious!). In other news, the kids are finally ..read more

Kathryn is on the mend this week, so Tug drinks alone and sips on a fantastic bottle of Vinho Verde. This is a perfect weeknight wine! Kathryn shines a light on this wine region in Portugal, and why Vinho Verde is such a good option for value hounds. This particular bottle is special because it's made from a single varietal, which is a rare practice in the region. In other news, the hosts discuss life with all three kids in school (finally), Tug describes coaching his 4-year-old in his first team sport, and Kathryn has a new book recommendation! The Wine of the Week is Quinta do Ameal, Vinho V ..read more

10 Years! The hosts celebrate their 10 year anniversary with Burgundy. Kathryn and Tug choose a special bottle from Esters’ cellar - a 2013 Pinot Noir from Simon Bize, a producer they visited in their first year of marriage. Kathryn talks about Savigny-les-Beaune as a village and shines a light on the history of this fantastic domaine. The hosts also discuss some of the recent hot vintages to look out for from Burgundy. The couple shares some favorite memories from their Colorado wedding. They also describe a recent night out to a restaurant with a great Champagne list. The Wine of the Week is ..read more