
Monty Waldin
Monty Waldin was the first wine writer to specialize in green issues. He is the author of multiple books, including The Organic Wine Guide (Thorsons, 1999); Biodynamic Wines (Mitchell Beazley, 2004); Wines of South America (Mitchell Beazley, 2003), winner of America’s prestigious James Beard Book Award; Discovering Wine Country: Bordeaux (2005) and Discovering Wine Country: Tuscany (2006), both Mitchell Beazley; and Château Monty (Portico, 2008). Monty has contributed on topics of organic and Biodynamic wine to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Guide, Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report and he wrote the entries for Biodynamics and organics in The Oxford Companion to Wine (2015; 2006). He has also contributed to BBC radio and TV, numerous British newspapers and websites, as well as to wine, travel and environmental publications including Decanter, World of Fine Wine, The Ecologist, Star & Furrow (journal of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association, UK) and Biodynamics (journal of the Biodynamic Farming & Gardening Association, USA). His most recent books are Monty Waldin’s Best Biodynamic Wines (Floris, 2013) for wine drinkers, Biodynamic Gardening (Dorling Kindersley, 2014) for biodynamic home gardeners, and Biodynamic Wine (2016, Infinite Ideas Oxford), the comprehensive how-to guide for biodynamic wine-growers and students of biodynamic wine.
https://www.amazon.com/Monty-Waldin/e/B001K8EIVS

August 21, 2020
What About the Workers? Why Wine Certifications Don’t Go Far Enough
Certification protects the consumer from dubious marketing claims (clean wine), as well as importers who are reliant on the honesty of their producers but does it go far enough? The next task must be a social contract between winery owners and their staff and communities for fair working conditions.
February 8, 2019
Kalyna Monnoyer of Casa Raia on authentic Brunello
Monty Waldin talks to Kalyna Monnoyer of Casa Raia about making organic, low intervention Brunello di Montalcino.
June 2, 2018
The Heart of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Interview with Luca and Nicolò de Ferrari of Boscarelli
"The late ‘80s and the '90s was a fashionable period for oaky wines. Everyone was looking for more structure and more color, because the market wanted those qualities. We tried to maintain our tradition." Nicolò De Ferrari in conversation with Monty Waldin
November 13, 2017
Brunello’s Rising Star: Federico Bartolomei of Podere Canapaccia
Montalcino's smallest winery is also making some of its best wines. With vineyards adjacent to some of Tuscany most famous names, Podere Canapaccia is quietly making outstanding Brunello.
August 25, 2017
Fattoria Sardi Is Putting Italian Rosé On The Map
At Fattoria Sardi Matteo Giustiniani is making some of Italy's best rosé. After years of experimentation, his extended skin contact, biodynamic wine has become a benchmark for quality rosé. Monty Waldin talks to Giustiniani about his wine journey.
May 31, 2017
Lamberto Frescobaldi Talks Tuscan Wine
"It's often, wine producers, they love what they do, because they taste only what they do. They don't open themselves. They don't open their heart." Lamberto Frescobaldi in conversation with Monty Waldin
May 12, 2017
Salcheto: A Non-Interventionist, Interventionist Expression of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
"Free sulfite fermentation, definitely now it's a reality, we all consider, it opens up the fruit even more. The borders of the fruit are larger, that's sure." Michele Manelli of Salcheto in conversation with Monty Waldin
April 14, 2017
The “noble wine” Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Miriam Caporali and Valdipiatta
"We are strictly connected with our tradition, which is a good thing. Although sometimes it's not that good because it doesn't allow us to open our minds." Miriam Caporali of Tenuta Valdipiatta talks to Monty Waldin.
February 27, 2017
The Elegance of Chianti Rufina: Selvapiana Winemaker Federico Giuntini
Chianti Rufina wines express a unique elegance. Monty Waldin talks to Chianti Rufina's star winemaker Federico Giuntini about how biodynamics helps him get the most out of the unique Chianti Rufina terroir.
January 23, 2017
Organic Brunello Pioneer Francesco Leanza
"We must focus on hundreds of different Brunellos, from hundreds of difference vineyards, from hundreds of different cru and terroirs. We must produce different wines from this unique place." Francesco Leanza in conversation with Monty Waldin
January 10, 2017
Emilia Nardi Talks Brunello
"Nature has given us a lot, because there is a mosaic of soils. It makes this place so unique compared to other places in the world." Emilia Nardi of Tenute Silvio Nardi in conversation with Monty Waldin
December 21, 2016
Margarita and Francesca Padovani: Montalcino’s Twin Organic Pioneers
"They were like, "Ha ha ha, yeah organic, organic!” But we believed in it, it was not a choice like okay, we do organic because it's fancy." The Padovani sisters talk to Monty Waldin about challenges starting out organic in Montalcino.
November 20, 2016
High Altitude Chianti: Federica Mascheroni Stianti of Castello di Volpaia
Monty Waldin talks to Federica Mascheroni Stianti about Castello di Volpaia, the elegance of high altitude Chianti Classico and their strong commitment to organic viticulture.
October 19, 2016
Chianti Classico: Giuseppe Mazzocolin of Fattoria di Fèlsina
"When I started, Chianti was a wine that was impossible to sell." Giuseppe Mazzocolin of Fattoria di Fèlsina talks to Monty Waldin.
October 5, 2016
The Wines of Lucca An Interview With Winemaker Saverio Petrilli of Tenuta Di Valgiano
Winemaker Saverio Petrilli has been a pioneer in the region promoting biodynamic and organic practices. He talks to Monty Waldin about the rich culture of Lucca, why biodynamics makes for better wine and the joys of illegal pig farming.
September 27, 2016
Fabian Schwarz of La Magia
Monty Waldin talks to Fabian Schwarz about organic winemaking, the growth of Brunello di Montalcino as a brand and the unique terroir of La Magia.
September 6, 2016
The Soul of Chianti: Elisabetta Fagiuoli of Montenidoli
Elisabetta Fagiuoli has a spirituality about her that is present in her wines. She talks to Monty Waldin about her foundation, her unique estate with its 350 million year old Triassic soils and why wine is important.
August 23, 2016
Michigan Native Michael Schmelzer Has Shaken Up Chianti Classico
"We can't imagine every Pinot Noir leaving Burgundy and just being called Burgundy, but that's what we're doing here in Chianti Classico." Michael Schmelzer of Monte Bernardi in conversation with Monty Waldin
July 27, 2016
Sean O’Callaghan, Riecine in Chianti Classico
Monty Waldin talks to Sean O'Callaghan about being an outsider pushing innovation in Chianti Classico.
July 12, 2016
Monty Waldin on Hipster Somms and why “Black Magic” Wine is Delicious Wine
Monty Waldin on hipster somms and why "black magic" wine is delicious wine
June 23, 2016
Ricardo Campinoti of Le Ragnaie in Montalcino
"Our lowest vineyard is 180 meters and our highest vineyard is 621 meters. The difference is dramatic." - Ricardo Campinoti
June 10, 2016
Guiseppe Sesti and the Reinvigoration of Brunello
Giuseppe Sesti talks to Monty Waldin about how Brunello came out stronger following a very public wine scandal.
June 18, 2015
Scenes from Puglia
Monty Waldin's photographs from the harbour at Trani, on Puglia’s Adriatic coast
May 7, 2015
Denis Dubourdieu & a plateful of buntings
Monty Waldin on how for Castello d’Albola, 2015 will be a milestone year in that weeds across the entire vineyard will be ploughed out rather than treated with herbicide.
March 24, 2015
Pet Nat or Natural Fizz
The most consistently fun and enjoyable “natural” wines are the semi-sparkling ones. Vivaciously fruit-driven and only lightly fizzy they are easier to drink with food than Champagne.
February 12, 2014
Try Four Reds From Unusual Grapes
How many times have sat down at your favorite restaurant and ordered your usual dish, only to be told that it’s run out? You’re forced to try something new and—what do you know!—you end up preferring it to your same-old, same-old.


December 3, 2013
The Wild Ones: The Sweetest Sting
Nettle tea is the secret behind many a Biodynamic wines in the Rhone valley
October 22, 2013
The Wild Ones: An Introduction
An introduction to Monty Waldin's column about Biodynamic and natural wine





























