#43 Taking a Much-Needed Wine Break with Mallory Smith

The Play Typer Guy

This week we are taking a break from natural disasters and political mayhem to have a pleasant conversation with Oregon’s Mallory Smith from Alt Wine Fest.

You will hear:

• How Mallory got into wine thanks to the owner of a wine and beer bar
• How she teaches wine classes based on the history and geography of wine using writing and storytelling
• The creation of the Alt Wine Fest with her partner, Martin
• The history of grapes/wine in Oregon pre- and post-prohibition and how to look at more than Pinot Noir for a great Oregon wine
• And more!

Guest Info:

Mallory Smith and Martin Skegg started the annual Alt Wine Fest in 2019 as a way to celebrate the 80-odd grape varieties in Oregon that aren’t pinot noir. They wanted to put the spotlight on these ‘alternative’ grapes, moving it away from pinot, which dominates production and the conversation around wine in Oregon.

Since then they’ve highlighted dozens of different grapes (including some esoteric varieties you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the country), and showcased the passionate, resolute—possibly crazed—winemakers who see the future in asking “What else?”

The mission now is to continue to spread the word about the flip side of Oregon and its pioneering winemakers—while hooking people up with the most exciting wines in the country.

Links:

Alt Wine Fest: https://www.altwinefest.com/

Sunday School Wine Society: https://sundayschoolwinesociety.com/

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