Season 8 Premiere: Haunted Hills, Bold Hearts & Unforgettable Wines

Welcome to Season 8 of Wine Crush Podcast! We’re uncorking the new season with a double feature that’s packed with legacy, resilience, creativity—and even a few ghosts.

In this episode, we sit down with Cam of Ghost Hill Cellars, whose family has farmed the same land in Oregon’s Willamette Valley since 1906. Cam shares how their family pivoted from cattle to Pinot Noir, built a new tasting room on a haunted hill, and embraced both history and innovation in every bottle. Yes, there’s a ghost (actually, four)—and yes, there’s a medium who confirmed it.

We’re also joined by Cassandra of Corcilla Cellars, whose journey is equally compelling. From her nursing career and military life to launching her winery in Oregon City, Cassandra shares how a broken arm changed her path forever. With wines inspired by science, art, and the badass women who lead with heart, her brand is a tribute to strength, beauty, and intention. From pet-nat Riesling to bold Viognier, every bottle has a story—and a mission.

Whether you’re here for the wine, the ghost stories, or the inspiration, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable season ahead.

Tune in, sip along, and get ready to fall in love with wine all over again.

Robert from Hoquetas Wines ditches his rock-god tours to nerd out on Riesling and Rhône blends in Walla Walla. He’s obsessed with minimal intervention—so no fancy lab tricks or color-boosting chemicals, and apparently not even a whiff of new oak is allowed to stain his precious juice. Heidi Moore, the gracious host who loves to remind us she butchers names, pokes into Robert’s Catholic altar boy wine days (yep, underage church guzzling), his musician career, and how he’s basically a one-man band in both the winery and the tasting room. They fangirl over Riesling’s overlooked splendor, get all philosophical about wine being a living masterpiece, and dish out sweet pairings like fried chicken with bubbly.

In this larger-than-life episode of Wine Crush, Heidi Moore pops by Smoky Rose Cellars, where ex-Air Force meteorologist Josh spills the tea on Walla Walla winemaking, bulldog adventures, and the joys of color-challenged rosé. From freak hailstorms to a cellar bursting with 18 small-lot wines, discover how Josh turned a military forecast into a forecast for fine vino. this episode uncorks the delightfully chaotic story of a man, his dog, and a region that’s rewriting America’s wine narrative.

Today on Wine Crush, Heidi pinballs between 80s pop culture references, Ms. Pac-Man high scores, and serious Rhone-wine wisdom as she chats with Steve Wells, the renegade behind Time & Direction Wines in Walla Walla. Ever hear of a winery jam session and vintage arcade corner? Steve’s tasting room is your new grown-up playground, featuring zippy white blends, triple-threat Syrahs, and zero pretension. Tune in for lamb pairing tips, the story behind his shift from NYC restaurant hustle to Walla Walla wine guru, and why you’ll never want to leave this tasting room—unless you’re out to beat the high score

Ever heard of a wine label named after pizza’s ancient ancestor? Meet Jason Fox of Lagana Cellars, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Pancakes’ with a passion for white wine chemistry and vibrant, no-frills reds. Host Heidi Moore uncovers Jason’s journey from Indiana kitchens to Walla Walla terroirs—plus a deep dive into Carménère’s ‘lost and found’ story. Discover how asphalt art, a killer tasting room vibe, and a dash of sarcasm keep Lagana Cellars on everyone’s must-sip list. Grab a glass (or a cheap beer), and join the party

Brooke from Delmas Wines (in Walla Walla) joins Heidi on the Wine Crush Podcast. They bond over the joys (and perils) of living in smaller towns versus big cities—traffic jam complaints no one else would take seriously. Brooke’s family roots started in Napa, wandered around the country (yes, Minnesota made an appearance—blame the brutal winters for their quick exit), and eventually landed on the rocky soils of Walla Walla’s Rocks District. She gushes over their unique head-trained vine technique, a technique so special it involves burying vines in dirt and cobblestones to protect them from winter frosts (remember, vine popsicles aren’t profitable). Delmas focuses on Rhône varietals (notably Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and the occasional cameo of new whites). Their production is tiny—about a thousand cases—and they generally sell direct to consumers or through super-select retailers. The upshot? Quirky micro-winery meets rock-strewn vineyard so out there it needed its own specialized AVA.

Ever dream of rock music and magic spells swirling through your glass of Syrah? In this episode of the Wine Crush Podcast, our host Heidi Moore uncorks the vibrant story behind Trey Bush, co-owner and winemaker at Sleight of Hand Cellars. From pearlized vinyl records to Pearl Jam riffs, Trey’s world blends the joyful chaos of great music with the meticulous, artistic craft of Washington winemaking—he even snagged Neil Patrick Harris for a cameo on one of his wine labels! Whether you’re drawn by the Walla Walla terroir or can’t resist the lure of a turntable spinning in the background, prepare for an unfiltered, music-charged adventure through a cellar brimming with playful labels and pure passion. Grab your headphones, pour a glass, and tune in—you’ll never look at wine the same way again.

In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, Heidi Moore takes listeners on the road to the Walla Walla Valley, where she meets Brad Sorensen, the vineyard manager at Les Colline Vineyards. Brad shares his journey from Wisconsin to the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, to working in Napa and Sonoma, and finally finding his home in Walla Walla. He discusses the unique climate, soil, and varietals of Les Colline, including the famed Block 50 Syrah. With insights into vineyard management, the challenges of grape growing, and the experimentation that sets Walla Walla apart, this episode is a fascinating deep dive into the art and science of viticulture.