Priyanka French of Ghost Block Estate Wines joins the show to talk about her path from India to Bordeaux, Burgundy, New Zealand, and Napa Valley, plus how those experiences shaped her approach to vineyard-driven winemaking. The conversation covers organic farming, women in wine, mentorship programs like Batonnage and Wine Unify, and the legendary ghost story behind the Ghost Block vineyard in Yountville. Then Aaron and Joel review the 2024 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc, a surprisingly layered and playful Napa Sauvignon Blanc that completely rewrites their expectations for the varietal.
This week:
- Why Priyanka believes great wine starts with farming, not trends
- The real ghost story behind Ghost Block Vineyard in Yountville
- How Burgundy, Bordeaux, and New Zealand shaped her winemaking philosophy
- A deep dive into Sauvignon Blanc picking decisions, fermentation, and texture
Wines reviewed:
Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc (Yountville, Napa Valley, California, 2024) $35, 13.5% ABV
Ghost Block Website:
https://ghostblockwine.com/
Ghost Block on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ghostblockwine/
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Wine
00:52 How Priyanka Fell in Love with Wine
05:07 Learning Winemaking Around the World
09:40 Breaking Into the Wine Industry
14:43 Mentorship & Making Wine More Accessible
19:33 The Ghost Story Behind Ghost Block
23:45 Sustainability, Elegance & The Future of Napa Wine
30:35 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc Tasting
37:45 The Art and Science of Winemaking
46:56 Review and Final Thoughts
52:21 Pi Nope or ChardonnYay?!
54:50 Where to Find Ghost Block Wines
