TRINKTalks

Getting Smart about Swiss Wine Travel with Marc Checkley

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we are joined by television journalist and wine educator Marc Checkley. Tune in as he takes us on a journey through the "hidden library" of Swiss wine, uncovering rare indigenous grapes like Completer and Plant Robert across Switzerland's diverse cantons. From the terraced vineyards of Lavaux to the high-altitude Bündner Herrschaft, this episode explores the sustainable travel tips and vibrant local culture featured in Marc’s new book, Switzerland: The Smart Traveler’s Wine Guide.

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ABOUT TODAY'S GUESTS
Our guest today is Marc Checkley,  the Kiwi-born, Swiss-based "wine storyteller" who has made it his mission to put Swiss wine on the international map. Marc is a prolific writer and content creator whose work has appeared in Gault&Millau, Time Out, and National Geographic and more.
With a career that spans film, television, and broadcast journalism across Asia and Europe, Marc brings a unique "storyteller’s lens" to the wine world. He is the co-author of the definitive Switzerland: The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide (Academie du Vin Library) and serves as an official UNESCO Heritage Guide for the Lavaux vineyards. In addition to his writing, he leads Drink Moi, a boutique consultancy specializing in wine education and curated Alpine tourism.
Whether he is judging international wine competitions or designing immersive wine tourism experiences, Marc focuses on "the story before the sip," proving that the history and people behind the bottle are just as intoxicating as the wine itself.
ABOUT TRINK 
TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
LEARN MORE:
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ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS
Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 
Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.
Thanks for listening & keep Trinking!

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 3 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we explore the Austrian red wine your somm is obsessed with (but you’re not drinking!). We are joined by NYC-based sommelier Katja Scharnagl and renowned winemaker Georg Prieler for a deep dive into the world of Blaufränkisch.
From the limestone and schist soils of the Leithaberg to the high-energy dining rooms of New York City, our guests discuss why this "insider favorite" is finally ready for the global stage. Katja shares her secret for describing the grape to newcomers—as the "baby" of Pinot Noir and Syrah—while Georg explains his philosophy as a farmer focused on finesse over power.
If you would rather read the transcript you can!
Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAY'S GUESTS
Georg Prieler is a fifth-generation winemaker and the current head of Weingut Prieler, a legendary estate located in Schützen am Gebirge in the Burgenland region of Austria. Since taking over the family estate in 2011, Georg has solidified his reputation as an "icon producer" of Blaufränkisch and Pinot Blanc. His winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in the unique limestone and mica-schist soils of the Leithaberg DAC, where he produces site-specific wines that emphasize elegance and precision over power. He is widely recognized for his work in the celebrated Goldberg vineyard, often cited as one of the finest expressions of Blaufränkisch in the world.
Katja Scharnagl is a leading voice in the international sommelier scene and the Beverage Director at Koloman, a highly acclaimed restaurant in New York City. Originally from the village of Spitz in Austria’s Wachau Valley, Katja grew up surrounded by her family's winery and hospitality traditions. Before her current role at Koloman, she spent a decade at the three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin, where she rose to the position of Chef Sommelier under the mentorship of Aldo Sohm. An Advanced Sommelier (CMS), Katja also runs Katja Consulting, where she helps collectors and enthusiasts navigate the world of fine wine with a focus on education and storytelling.
ABOUT TRINK 
TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag
https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/
https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 
Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.
Thanks for listening & keep Trinking!

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we head to the volcanic cliffs of the Nahe to speak with Karsten Peter, the visionary winemaker and director of the historic Gut Hermannsberg. Karsten shares the daring philosophy behind his "late-release" strategy—holding back top Rieslings for five years to allow their true terroir to emerge—and discusses the radical decision to declassify the entire 2024 harvest following a catastrophic frost. From the man-made legacy of the Kupfergrube copper mine to his personal limestone-driven project in the Pfalz, this conversation explores the intersection of patience, site-specific winemaking, and the grit required to manage one of Germany’s most prestigious estates.

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Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST 
Karsten Peter is a highly decorated German winemaker celebrated for his ability to translate unique terroir into world-class wines, most notably through his transformative work at the historic Gut Hermannsberg estate in the Nahe. 
Born into a winemaking family with over 300 years of heritage in Bad Dürkheim, Peter gained international experience in Burgundy, Australia, and New Zealand before joining Gut Hermannsberg in 2009, where he was instrumental in restoring the Royal Prussian Domain to its former glory. Recognized as "Winemaker of the Year" by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he is known for a "dogma-free" philosophy that prioritizes natural fermentation, minimal intervention, and extended aging to produce complex, mineral-driven Rieslings. 
Since 2021, he has focused on his own family estate in the Pfalz, Weingut Karsten Peter, where he applies his site-specific approach to organic viticulture and the production of elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
ABOUT TRINK 
TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag
https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/
https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 
Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.
Thanks for listening & keep TRINK-ing!

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of TRINKTalks! where we dive into the soulful, surprising, and often misunderstood world of Austrian wine and food. This is a thoughtful conversation with Monika Caha and Tara Q. Thomas—their deep industry experience bridges Austrian tradition, New York’s wine scene, and decades of culinary exploration.
Together, we unpack everything from Austria’s natural-wine reputation to the country’s deep regional diversity, from cherished grapes like Zierfandler and Rotgipfler to the rustic foods that shape the Austrian table.
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Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAY'S GUESTS 
Tara Q. Thomas is the Managing Editor of JancisRobinson.com, one of the world’s most respected independent wine websites. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, she is a veteran wine journalist, critic, and editor. Before joining the Jancis Robinson team, she spent more than two decades at Wine & Spirits Magazine, where she served as Executive Editor/Lead critic for the wines of Austria, Germany, Greece, and Eastern Europe.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Tara’s deep understanding of wine is rooted in her early training as a chef. She "traded her knife kit for a wine glass" and has since become a leading voice on the intersection of food and wine. She is the Assistant Editor for the landmark 5th edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine (published in 2023) and has authored several books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine Basics.

Monika Caha is a true pioneer, she changed the way America drinks Austrian wine. Born and raised in Austria, she first conquered the New York culinary scene as the executive chef and owner of the acclaimed restaurant Kaffeehaus. In 2003, she pivoted from the kitchen to the cellar, founding Monika Caha Selections.
Over the last two decades, she has curated an elite portfolio of artisanal, family-owned estates, bridging the gap between centuries-old traditions and the modern American palate. From creating the 'training wheels' for Grüner Veltliner with her famous Grooner brand to championing rare indigenous varieties like Zierfandler, she is the primary architect of Austria’s success in the U.S. market. 
ABOUT TRINK 
TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag
https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/
https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS
⁠Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wines and wine cultures of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York. Her work appears in the pages of , Noble Rot⁠,⁠ The Art of Eating⁠,⁠ SevenFifty Daily⁠,⁠ Meininger’s and of course TRINK⁠. She is the author of the German Wine Scholar, a new course on German wines from the Wine Scholar Guild⁠. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.

Thanks for listening and keep TRINKing!

Welcome to Episode 12 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we discuss Camilla Gierda’s book Natural Trailblazers. This publication explores the intersection of natural wine, climate change, and sustainability, highlighting how organic farming, biodiversity, and alternative packaging can reduce the wine industry’s environmental impact. The journey to identify trailblazing producers committed to sustainable practices is both complex and rewarding, with new grape varieties offering resilience in the face of climate challenges. The natural wine movement, rooted in social good as much as rebellion, emphasizes the importance of consumer education and collective responsibility. It also celebrates the growing influence of women in wine and encourages collaboration among producers to drive innovative, climate-conscious solutions.

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Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAYS GUESTS 
Miki Smith is a Virginia-based entrepreneur, wine educator, and climate-conscious leader. With a WSET Level III certification and working toward her Diploma, she founded GoodWine in 2021 to spotlight planet-friendly producers committed to low-carbon farming and ethical practices. Through her platform and regional wine club, she educates consumers on sustainable wine choices and amplifies voices driving climate-focused change in the industry.

Christine Pieroth, known as Piri Naturel, is a pioneering natural winemaker from Germany’s Nahe region, where her family has farmed since 1781. After studies at Geisenheim and international vineyard work, she launched her label in 2019, crafting low-intervention wines from organic, regenerative vineyards. Christine integrates agroforestry and PIWI hybrid grapes to boost biodiversity and resilience, earning a feature in Natural Trailblazers for her climate-forward, terroir-driven approach.

Camilla Gjerde is a Norwegian-born, Sweden-based natural wine writer and advocate. A WSET Diploma holder with a PhD in Political Science, she’s the author of We Don’t Want Any Crap in Our Wine and Natural Trailblazers, profiling pioneering producers leading sustainable, low-carbon wine practices. Through her work, Gjerde champions authenticity, climate action, and social good within the global natural wine movement.
ABOUT TRINK 
TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
LEARN MORE:
https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag
https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/
https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en
https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 
Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.
Thanks for listening and keep Trinking!