The Andy and Olly Show: Recent Episodes
Andrew Lofthouse
We are here to demystify the wine industry! Initially we recorded LIVE on Instagram, so there is no getting away from technical glitches and now on a slightly more stable medium!
We talk to other winemakers around grape varietals grown, techniques used, terroir in the area, mishaps along the way and of course everything else in between too! This is a fun filled podcast that captures the imagination of those interested to learn more about the wine industry in short sharp episodes.
If you like the podcast or have any feedback, just let us know. Follow us on social media for more fun and wine related stories @thenorthernwineguy .
Or head to the website: www.thenorthernwineguy.co.uk to see more blogs and wine related events taking place UK wide.
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WOW! What an episode and boy have we got an educational podcast for you!
We speak to the award winning winemaker that is Jen Parr from Valli wines in Central Otago, New Zealand. Not only has she won so many awards for her winemaking abilities that it would take me too long to write here, but this is also an INCREDIBLE insight into the whole region of Central Otago in NZ. For anyone who wants to know more not just about their premium wines and selected sites, but climate, soil type, altitude and so much more, then look no further.
Andy and Olly get a real understanding of what it is like to make wine in the region in Jen's wonderfully informative style on this podcast and despite a tech difficulty that nearly foiled them half way through, managed to carry it through and be so much wiser for the knowledge imparted by one of the very best in the world.
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We head back to close to where the podcast originated back in Devon for this episode and speak to one of our good friends, Sarah Massey, head winemaker at the award winning Lyme Bay. In line with English Wine Week, we get an insight into how Lyme Bay create their amazing catalogue of sparkling and still wines plus find out what is Sarah's favourite wine to create and much more.
A great winemaker in the UK from a fabulous winery.
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We bring our next episode of The Andy and Olly Show to you from 3 different places in the world. Olly, sunning himself in Sicily, Andy enjoying the rain in the UK and our special guests this week, Tipchenitza Winery from Bulgaria, 1hr drive from Sofia.
Olly and Andy were lucky enough to see and try the range of wines that Tipchenitza Winery offers at ProWein in Dussldorf and at the London Wine Fair this year and were bowled away by their magic.
With Velin and Nadia at the helm, this is bound to be an exciting listen, find out exactly how they make their now famous Orange wine and so much more.
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From Somontano to Shrewsbury. This is an episode that will pull on your heart strings if you ever wanted to become a winemaker. From an idea that started which captivates you from youthful exuberance to hard work and effort in making that idea become a living reality.
Tom and Emma create wines in Spain and live in Shrewsbury. How? Listen in and better yet find out so much more about indigenous varietals used, regenerative farming and wine production and also better yet - a special 'Andy and Olly' case too.
Head to this link and add 'ANDYOLLY' for the password to see your specialist case:
https://www.paso-primero.com/the-paso-members-shop
Wow ! Listeners are in for a cracker!
Find out about Domaine Jones - owned and run by Katie Jones, a UK citizen who tells us about her journey to France and the establishment and build out of her wonderful Old Vine orientated plots in Southern France. An incredible journey as well as insight into what it takes to overcome adversity to live a dream. Incredible episode!
This is most definitely a show for anyone that would like to learn about:
- Biodynamic winemaking and farming
- Gravity winery management
- Micro climatology
- South African terroir and soil types
- Utilising and Enhancing Winemaking with the balance of technological advances with holistic winemaking
Gaining BALANCE! This is the key takeaway from the episode with the wonderful, Johnathan at Avondale in South Africa. A brilliant episode that encapsulates everything about modern day wine making in an episode. For all wine lovers and those interested at any level.
WOW what an episode we have for you!
Special guests Jordan Wines from the Stellenbosch Kloof in South Africa tell us all about how they met, how they took on, developed and enhanced the winemaking business. Alongside that, how they have been leading champions in moving South African Wines ahead, leading by example in development and knowledge.
Incredible to have Gary and Kathy on the episode, this is a wonderful advertisement for anyone interested in wine and winemaking. In addition, keep an eye out for Mousehall Estate in the UK in East Sussex, as they release their first vintage of still wines this year too!
WOW! Swedish Wine Movement is here.....!
This is an incredible episode from Jeppe at Vejby Vineyard in Sweden. Find out all about the winemaking practices, utilising a Solera-system style blending process to articulate the biodynamic winemaking culture. The first in the region to create a red wine, it is mindblowingly good! His aspirations are for evolving into Orange wine production too so watch this space. This is a brilliant example of biodynamics and wine production with low intervention skills to produce award winning wines and definitely worth a listen for anyone studying wine or WSET qualifications!
Head winemaker, Dave Sutton gives us an in depth look at viticulture in Central Otago, NZ. The 4 sub region plots that make up the Te Kano culture, the terroir and grape varietals created from a blank canvas as well as how the Te Kano name came about.
This is a story of an award winning wine estate in New Zealand that is pushing boundaries with organic winemaking in both white and red wines. A multi generational project which has been built on winemaking excellence.
For those wanting to know more about the Central Otago region, this is the podcast for you. Inspirational and also inciteful too.
Andy and Olly are joined by the incredible Adam, head winemaker at Saddle Goose, based in the UK.
This is no ordinary episode though, this looks at rewriting the script and challenging the norms of winemaking. Adam takes us on a story of exploration, with winemaking experience from working around the globe alongside Masters degrees too!
Adam explores the wonderful world of Pet Nat, Natural Wines and UK challenges to wine making. We even get our first dog on the show too.
A brilliant example of the evolution of winemaking and new techniques being used to service the UK consumer. A must for all! Enjoy!
Within the Chiltern hills, between Oxford and Henley, stands Hundred Hills Wine Estate. An exclusive winery which solely produces some of the finest sparkling wines in England and Wales.
Listen to this podcast and do not let some of the poor sound quality (we do perform it live) for some of the questions put you off, because the depth of knowledge that you hear from Stephen, head winemaker and owner of Hundred Hills, is nothing short of brilliant.
He takes you on a journey of discovery, in how to outline and search for the best chalk based landscape, having scouted tens of sites in advance and how he has been winemaking now for 20+ years and established a luxury brand which is seen throughout Michelin starred food establishments. A brilliant insight into winemaking and the challenges faced!
Andy and Olly welcome you to a THIRD series of The Andy and Olly Show.
This time taking you GLOBAL!
That's right, we are now venturing further afield, not just focusing on the UK wine industry, which is still very important to us, but also finding winemakers and wine estates with new challenges, new information and climatology and so much more.
In the first episode, we speak to the brilliant Mark Le Roux at Waterford Estate in Stellenbosch. He has mastered his craft in a beautiful location and gives us insights into the 19 different parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon that are blended to create the wine in the bottle, the mountain lions that walk through the vineyards at night, the leaf removal system for their canopy management and much much more. It is a fascinating look at winemaking in South Africa. Enjoy!
Join us as we discover all about the creation of the highly regarded and award winning Ashling Park Estate in Chichester with Gail. This is no ordinary vineyard estate, this is something that really is quite something. With an incredible winemaker who has been highly accoladed and incredible grounds, hear about all the wonderful things you can do here in West Sussex.
Join us as we embark on another foray in finding out more about the 'local' winemaking scene - as we move to Jersey this week for some super interesting and insightful information on everything from grape varietals, to terroir to fermentation temperatures. Jordi, the head winemaker is on hand to guide us through wine making in Jersey and the challenges they face as well as the wonderful wines they produce.
Join us and listen to Andy at Denbies in Dorking, Surrey.
Olly and I were lucky enough to try the 2022 Orange Solaris and boy is this wine special! Make sure you make a note.
Also, listen till the end to find out who Olly's sporting hero is and who he would like to appear on the show as a guest....
As ever feel free to reach out to either co-host as a vineyard who would like to appear or with questions for future shows! Cheers!
WOW! What an episode.
We find out where Olly is in the world this week, plus most importantly discuss with Chris, the head winemaker at Astley Vineyard everything from aged vines in the UK and the pioneering industry. To Worcester and its ability to grow grape varietals which are truly original and established; from the benefits and drawbacks to organic farming and so much more. Listen now for a really interesting in depth discussion on key current UK wine industry developments and issues as we see them in 2023!
Olly returns to the Show after missing the previous episode, albeit during his holidays in Italy....However, the most important thing, is we hear from Ben at Kenton Park on how they established the vineyard and went full pelt at a new family business....and boy has it worked a treat!
Also, the all new part of the show that asks YOU the viewer or listener, to send over questions for Andy and Olly to answer each episode. Feel free to drop us a line for all winemaking, wine industry and anything in between, questions for the co-hosts to answer.
This episode sees Andy interview Robb (MBE) at White Castle Vineyard in Wales.
A national and international award winning vineyard, the scope of grape varietals and winemaking is truly cutting edge and puts them right at the top of the very best vineyards in the UK.
Robb gives great insight into the wine industry, having started some 14+ years ago and how it has evolved over time. A brilliant listen and certain a vineyard that needs to be on your list if you are looking to sample some of the finest wines the UK can produce.
That is right!
The Andy and Olly Show is back with a New Series!
This time, bigger, better, sponsored and slightly more professional too.
Although, excuse Andy for his illness and coughing fits through this podcast. We learn about what the boys have been upto since Series 1 and all about New Hall in Essex.
In our fourth episode saw us return to the South East to speak to Katy at Downsview Vineyard in Crowborough on the Sussex/Kent border. Planted in 2010 with a huge array of different grape varietals being showcased. The South Downs offering a superb backdrop for the vineyard. Further development is scheduled but already they have 2 vineyards and look to grow from strength to strength. Take a look at their experiences too with glamping looking exceptionally great too!
5th episode and counting, this is a short episode with Fairmile Vineyard based in Henly-on-Thames as we get closer to harvest days in the industry. A local couple started out in 2011 believing that the Chiltern foothills would produce a great location for award winning sparkling wine production. With a similar climate to Northern France, vines were planted in 2013 of the major Champagne orientated varietals - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Traditional method adopted and bottle orientated second fermentation, have a listen to see how they have got on thus far.
A superb winemaking chat with Mark, owner of All Angels Vineyard in the UK.
Some of the finest sparkling wines that are coming out of the UK are from All Angels, which is based just outside of Newbury - listen in to the history and how the name came about before understanding the evolution of wines.
Listen in to our final episode of Series 1 as we unfortunately miss Olly (fear not folks he is in one piece) but we do get to hear from Tim at Yorkshire Heart.
Interestingly to recap the series with a vineyard which is based in between Harrogate and York and how they have adapted their winemaking to the differing climate of the south coast of the UK which predominantly has the largest amount of vineyard density in the country.
Tune in to hear the varietals available at Yorkshire Heart, with brewery tours, vineyard tours, glamping and festivals - it is certainly a place to go and visit too!
Listen in to this week's episode as we hear from one of the youngest and most influential head winemakers in the UK - Tommy Grimshaw.
Tommy started winemaking at the age of 17 and is into his 10th year of winemaking - he is in charge of winemaking at Langhams Wine Estate and this episode he really drills into a lot of detailed analysis of how he and his team create some of the most impressive wines in the land.
A must for any aspiring winemakers who want to hear from someone who has been in every role in the vineyard and winery before becoming a truly inspirational leader in his field.
Across Dartmoor to the north, just outside of Okehampton, you will find Alder Vineyard. Find out what you can find at Alder with head winemaker Tom Hodgetts and 'Roast on a Toast' too. Andy and Olly talk all things Devon in this podcast and discuss the wonders of a Rondo Rose too. A family vineyard with an awful lot to offer the public and highly accessible too - surely that is worth a visit!
Episode 8 takes us to East of Bath but still within Wiltshire, to talk to Paul at A'Becketts Vineyard. HIs grape varietals are of a particular preference with a combination of 'old style' and new style varietals. First planting on the site back in 2001, they produce still and sparkling wines alongside cider and apple juice. A really good in-depth discussion with Paul ensues during the call, so go on take a listen!
Well we thought we would squeeze in a little extra bonus episode for you. This is the wine tasting of the Pinot Noir from A'Becketts which, thanks to the postal service in the UK, managed to arrive after our interview with Paul. So we thought it only fair to add a little extra episode with our thoughts and views....take a listen.
Black screen at the start is normal, no? (for those who can view it on video). Sadly Andy had his camera the wrong way around to begin with but fear not it lasts only seconds before you begin to hear about Busi Jaconsohn and their fantastic location for a vineyard in Eridge. They focus their efforts on making the best sparkling wines that they can being keen Champagne lovers. This is a perfect (near perfect) showing of understanding around how to make sparkling and why the English sparkling industry really is booming and taking awards at a canter. Enjoy this especially if you are sparkling wine fans!
Episode 7 suffered slight technical difficulties, as is always the way in a winery trying to record on the move and make wine at the same time. Nevertheless, do listen in for an interesting Q&A session between Andy and Oli and their thoughts on why this could be a good year for winemaking in the UK and what also goes into the process - it isn't just all about the amount of sunlight hours received and the warmth of this summer.
The authentic noises of the press after a hard day's harvest are evident in the background but we thought it would be fun to at least try to run an episode during a harvest whilst in the winery - so do excuse the occasional decompression!
Also note a review of Brabourne's Rose de Noir sparkling, which we hope to discuss again in the future with them live.
Episode 6 comes to you with All Angels Vineyard owner, Mark, who discusses their historic Enborne based establishment, just outside of Newbury in Berkshire with history dating back to the 12th century.
Listen to the episode which gives a view on estate management with wines sat on lees for longer vs trying to monetise when initially produced and the ups and downs that go with it.
As well as hearing about upcoming new releases from All Angels in the near future. A superb teach-in on owning and running a vineyard in the UK.
The 5th episode and counting, this is a short episode with Fairmile Vineyard based in Henly-on-Thames as we get closer to harvest days in the industry. A local couple started out in 2011 believing that the Chiltern foothills would produce a great location for award winning sparkling wine production.
With a similar climate to Northern France, vines were planted in 2013 of the major Champagne orientated varietals - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Traditional method adopted and bottle orientated second fermentation, have a listen to see how they have got on thus far.
Our fourth episode saw us return to the South East to speak to Katy at Downsview Vineyard in Crowborough on the Sussex/Kent border.
Planted in 2010 with a huge array of different grape varietals being showcased. The South Downs offering a superb backdrop for the vineyard. Further development is scheduled but already they have 2 vineyards and look to grow from strength to strength.
Take a look at their experiences too online with glamping looking exceptionally great too and something which Andy and Olly are eyeing up taking on in deepest, darkest December....when there may just be an 'ON TOUR' session for the Show....stay tuned to find out more.
In our third episode, and with Andy and Oli back together in one place, we reached out to Hannah at Artelium in Sussex, to find out about their venture which began growing in 2018 and has gone on to win not 1 but 2 WineGB awards already which is some feat!
Artelium, based in Streat in Sussex, has a mammoth 105,000 vines across 2 sites. The first 85,000 vines were planted in 2018 and 2019. Creating a rich array of sparkling and still wines with a vast diverse selection of grape varietals, Artelium have already picked up WineGB Awards for their wine standards.
Listen to our interview with Burn Valley Vineyard in East Anglia, where Laura gives us a great insight into viticulture on their vineyard, the techniques used and wines made on site.
Also, excuse the crackles from the poor sound quality as we start to create a podcast which had 3 different locations to comprehend - hopefully you get the gist of the bulk of conversation and enjoy the show too.
Meet Andy and Olly, the co-hosts of The Andy and Olly Show as they look to kick off their inaugural episode, speaking to UK winemakers across the country on grape varietals, problems faced by owners and winemakers, how terrior makes a difference on flavour and aroma profiles and in this episode everything to do with Calancombe Wine Estate in Devon.
HELLO EVERYONE!
WELCOME TO THE ANDY AND OLLY SHOW !!
We will be taking a trip across the UK (via wifi) to speak to as many UK vineyards as possible around their processes, their grape varietals, terroir, techniques used and also no doubt mishaps too....to showcase the sheer excellence of UK winemaking and how we are truly becoming one of the best countries to make dedicated still and sparkling wines.
Your co-hosts will be Andy Lofthouse aka 'The Devon Wine Guy' and Oliver Shaw, Head Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Calancombe Estate in Devon.
So join us on our trip around the U.K. and share tips, thoughts, feedback and more as we strive to bring more information and accessibility to you on vineyards and vineyard management - and most importantly, tell you a bit more about what ends up in your glass too.