Celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan was seemingly born with a ladle in her hand. She started her culinary journey in her homeland of India and eventually landed in Chicago where she became the executive chef of Vermilion, earning multiple accolades, including Chicago magazine’s Best New Restaurant, Esquire’s Restaurant of the Month and Wine Enthusiast’s Best New Restaurant in the U.S..  She eventually landed a role on Iron Chef as the only Indian female ever to compete on that stage. She then proved to be a fierce competitor on The Next Iron Chef. Today, Chef Chauhan is a full-time judge on the Food Network hit show Chopped, which has been nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award and granted Chef Chauhan the honor of receiving the prestigious James Beard Award of Excellence.

Chef Chauhan is an active supporter of various charities such as CRY (Child Rights and You) and P.A.V.E. (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment). Maneet is highly devoted to giving back to the community that has given her so much. In 2014, she opened Chauhan Ale & Masala House in Nashville, Tenn. Her energy and creativity, combined with polished culinary skills and the courage to follow her passion, have proved to be the right ingredients for success. Chef Chauhan currently resides in Nashville with her husband, daughter and son.

Drink in this episode of the Vine Guy for a very candid conversation with Chef Maneet Chauhan.

Bibiana grew up in Columbia where vineyards are virtually non-existent. So, in 2001, she packed her bags and left for France where she immersed herself in all things wine, ultimately earning a degree in Viticulture and Enology from Cognac followed by a degree in Enology from the University of Bordeaux.  She completed her research for her thesis at the famed estates of Château Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion. Her passion for wine has sent her around the globe, eventually deciding to call California her home.

Dave Phillips grew up on the family homestead in Lodi, California, which was settles by his Great Great Grandparents in 1865.  His youth was spent driving tractors in the vineyards and growing fruit and vegetables to sell at the family’s roadside fruit stands and local farmers markets. Today, he and his brother Michael have created some of the most iconic brands in the wine industry, including Seven Deadly Zins (which they subsequently sold), Earthquake, Freakshow, and their latest project, Outerbound. He is passionate about sustainability and his community. Dave and his wife, Corene, have two boys, and travel the world together marketing their winery and extolling the virtues of Lodi fruit. His passions include Ultra running, mountain biking, triathlons, and skiing. I invite you to drink in this entertaining episode with the very down-to-earth – and good friend – Dave Phillips.

Leigh Orleans is a Private Chef based in North Carolina but travels all over the country crafting fresh, seasonal meals for her clients.  Her culinary skills were showcased on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen Season 22, where she competed and earned a Black Jacket during the finalists round.  Leigh holds a degree in Culinary Arts from the Savannah Culinary Institute and a Master’s Degree in Wine and Beverage Management from the Culinary Institute of America. In May 2017, she graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a business major from Kenan-Flagler Business School.  Travel has consistently been a significant source of inspiration for Leigh’s culinary creations. Her passion for travel was further nurtured through study abroad programs in Sevilla, Spain, and South Africa. I invite you to drink in this entertaining episode with the very enthusiastic Leigh Orleans.

Wine has always been a part of Executive Winemaker Ben Papapietro’s life. A native San Franciscan of Italian descent, Ben grew up with wine as part of every family meal and gathering. His passion for wine making caught fire in his early twenties as he explored wines from around the world. But the wines that really turned Ben’s head were from the Burgundy region in France. During his 37-year career with the San Francisco Newspaper Agency, Ben met future partner Bruce Perry. Through their common passions—cooking and wine—they became fast friends. They joined together to make wine as a hobby in their garages. To hone their craft. they volunteered to work during harvest at a friend’s Sonoma County winery specializing in Pinot Noir. Today, the Papapietro Perry cellar is simply a more elaborate version of Ben’s garage wines. He describes his wines as “… an extension of my home and personal hospitality.”

I invite you to drink in this conversation with the delightfully complex, yet humble Ben Papapietro.

After graduating UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program, Tyler Klick joined Redwood Empire Vineyard Management in 1997 on the grounds crew and eventually worked himself up to his present position as co-owner and viticulturist. Tyler oversees all traditional and specialty viticulture for REVM and also handles estimating, budgeting and overall construction projects. He is passionate about the environment and is actively involved in creek restoration projects and certification programs such as Fish Friendly Farming, CCOF, Organic Certifiers, and Certified CA Sustainable Winegrowing. Tyler led REVM to become the first certified sustainable vineyard management company in the State of California, where they farm about 2,000 acres. He is proud of REVM’s commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices, making sure that any property REVM manages is environmentally  better when they are done. I invite you to drink in this fascinating  episode with Tyler Klick.

As the fourth-generation winegrower and co-owner of Zialena Winery, Mark Mazzoni’s deep-rooted connection to the land and his family’s winemaking legacy have guided his passion for crafting exceptional wines. A pivotal trip to South America in 2004 immersed him in winemaking traditions, broadening his perspective. In 2012, he co-founded Zialena Winery with his sister, Lisa Mazzoni, focusing on artisanal Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel using open-top concrete fermenters. Beyond winemaking, Mark’s devotion to uplifting the local wine community in his hometown of Geyserville is paramount to his success. His dedication to sustainable farming practices and his reverence for tradition are reflected in every bottle of wine that bears the Zialena label. I invite you to drink in this fascinating episode with the innovative Mark Mazzoni.