On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast, host Peggy Fiandaca of LDV Winery welcomes Julia Coney — writer, educator, speaker, consultant, and luxury travel advisor — for a wide-ranging conversation on what wine culture really means, and why it starts long before the glass is poured. Peggy also shares her family's Sunday Sauce recipe from this episode.
Watch the episode below or listen to / download the audio version on Podbean:
Julia is the founder of Black Wine Professionals and co-founder of A Privé Journeys, a bespoke travel company specializing in curated, high-touch wine and culinary experiences around the world. Her work sits at the intersection of wine, culture, travel, and language, with a focus on storytelling that centers people, place, and equity — themes that run through this entire conversation.
"Wine should never feel like a test. When you sit down with people and just explain it simply, it becomes more than just wine — it becomes part of a lifestyle." — Julia Coney
Episode Highlights
1. What Wine Culture Really Means
More Than What's in the Glass: Peggy and Julia trace "wine culture" back to upbringing, community, and the tables people grew up gathering around — for Peggy, that's Sunday Supper with the Fiandaca family; for Julia, it's Louisiana and Texas traditions where food, wine, and conversation linger together.
A Shared Thread: The conversation was sparked by a shared belief that culture — whether Italian American, Francophile, or Southern — shapes how people experience wine long before they ever taste it.
2. Breaking Down Tasting Room Intimidation
The "Cheers" Effect: Julia shares the story of bringing a 30-person travel group to LDV Winery's tasting room, and how walking in felt like the TV show Cheers — relaxed, welcoming, and free of wine-world stuffiness.
No Dumb Questions: Both guests agree the wine industry has, at times, made people feel dumb for not knowing terminology. Julia's approach: meet people where they are, and let curiosity — not jargon — lead the conversation.
3. Local Wine Deserves a Seat at the List
The Restaurant List Problem: Julia points out how rarely local wines show up on restaurant wine lists — whether it's Arizona, Oregon, Virginia, or Maryland — and makes the case that sommeliers and restaurants owe it to guests to include at least one red and one white from the state they're standing in.
Direct-to-Consumer Storytelling: Peggy explains why LDV sells so much of its wine straight from the tasting room, and how that lets her team tell the winery's story directly rather than relying on distribution.
4. Wine and Snacks: Breaking the Rules
Permission to Pair Freely: From Petite Sirah with Trader Joe's barbecue chips to Reese's peanut butter cups with a good Chardonnay, both guests champion pairing wine with whatever you're actually eating — no pretension required.
"Drink Better, But Drink Less": Julia's philosophy on moderation, plus her go-to tool for solo wine nights: a Coravin, which lets you pour a single glass without committing to a whole bottle.
5. Finding the Right Winery Experience
Small Over Big: Julia's advice for wine-tasting newcomers: skip the big production wineries in favor of small or mid-sized producers where you're not just a number on a 90-minute schedule.
Terroir and Connection: Peggy explains how elevation and place shape the way LDV's Petite Sirah tastes compared to the same grape grown in Northern California — and why understanding that connection to the land changes how people drink.
Featured Links & Resources
Learn more about Julia Coney: https://juliaconey.com
Get Peggy's Family Sunday Sauce recipe from this episode: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/peggy-fiandaca-family-sunday-sauce
Learn more about LDV Winery at https://ldvwinery.com/
Listen to more Big Blend Radio "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast episodes: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/
Check out Peggy's "Wine & Bites" Recipe & Podcast Digital Magazine!