Italian Wine Podcast celebrates second anniversary

Italian Wine Podcast, founded by managing director of Vinitaly International Stevie Kim and hosted by wine writer Monty Waldin, is celebrating its second anniversary, having produced 181 episodes since it was launched in 2017.

The podcast, which is available on platforms including SouthCloud and iTunes, takes the form of weekly episodes covering the Italian wine industry, from interviews with celebrity winemakers and critics to profiles on different regions.

In its first two years it has amassed over 130,000 plays and was recently nominated as one of the Feedspot’s “Top 30 wine podcasts” for its active commitment “to educate, inspire, and empower its audience with frequent updates and high-quality information.”

Commenting on the achievement, Stevie Kim said: “I have invested personally in the podcast project because I believe audio is immediate and frictionless. This immediacy and ability to reach wine lovers while they are commuting to work, jogging, or working is a very effective way of bridging the gap between the Italian wine community and the rest of the world. In devising the project two years ago, our intention was to give a voice to Italian wine producers but also to wine professionals who promote Italian wine worldwide and who provide their precious insight into the way the Italian wine category can be better positioned in their home markets.”

“In terms of plays we are still below my personal objective. Although to many 130,000 plays may not seem like a lot, I have given myself five years to significantly improve ratings and engagement. As it stands, the project is not entirely self-sustainable. However, I really believe in its potential and hope the show can be the go-to place to take part in the Italian wine conversation.”

Host Waldin, added: “As a kid I would help my dad produce audio recordings of key figures in the local community. My dad was both a history fan and a radio expert, having worked in intelligence during the war. I see the podcast as a hybrid, part educational tool and part oral history. The podcast format has an easy, effortless transparency: there is no filter between audience and interviewee.”

The podcast’s next series, due to air in April, will focus on Sardinian producers, while there will also be recording sessions at this year’s Vinitaly and the launch of a dedicated channel of Spotify.

To find out more information about the podcast, please click here.