Trinkfluss Wines Podcast
Season 1
by Bastian Fischer
We sit down with Tom and Nick, two Godalming locals who turned a lockdown daydream into a craft beer taproom. Now firmly established as a local institution, The Antelope has a story worth pulling up a chair for. We head back to the beginning, when family and friends put their shoulders to the wheel to help make the dream a reality. Along the way, Bastian learns about picklebacks, and Matteo shares a sporting secret from years gone by. And because this is still Trinkfluss, Bastian brings a phenomenal bottle of Chardonnay from Vienna, a city with vineyards within its boundaries. His pick? A 2018 Zahel Chardonnay from a fourth-generation family estate. A cracking wine offering great value and giving some of the finest Burgundies a run for their money. Not bad when the brief was to “bring Montrachet or Meursault”. So let's pour a glass, pull up a chair and join us for another episode of The Trinkfluss Wines Podcast. To find out more about The Antelope, visit antelope.beer Hosted by Bastian from Trinkfluss Wines and Matteo from Take One Studio.
What do a two-week skin-contact Pinot Grigio and a jack-of-all-trades virtual assistant have in common? Neither one wants to be put in a box. In this episode, Bastian and Matteo are joined by Ilona McKie, a Godalming-based virtual assistant who swapped a decade of PA and EA roles for running her own business — and hasn't looked back since. To match a conversation all about defying categories, Bastian pours something equally hard to pin down: Scarbolo, Salvadi 2023, a Pinot Grigio from Friuli in northern Italy, just a stone's throw from the Slovenian border. Made by siblings Lara and Masha, third-generation winemakers, this is Pinot Grigio unlike any other — left on its skins for two weeks, giving it a striking brick-amber colour closer to a dark rosé than anything you'd expect from the grape. Think sour cherry on the nose, orange peel and candied fruit on the palate, with a structure and complexity that keeps evolving in the glass. Served at the cooler end, around 10–12°C like a fine white Burgundy, it's a genuine "guess the grape" bottle — and a reminder that Pinot Grigio has far more range than its supermarket reputation suggests. From there, the conversation turns to Ilona's own story. After years of being the one holding everyone else's diary together, she made the leap to self-employment, and has spent the last three and a half years building a business that flexes to whatever her clients need — from marketing and social media to events, PR, business development and membership management. She works with small businesses and solopreneurs on retainer or by the project, describing herself as "a jack of all trades, master of getting it done" — or, as the episode puts it, a customisable Swiss Army knife for small business. Along the way: what actually separates a VA from a PA, why niching down never quite stuck for her, and why the industry runs on referrals rather than competition. A conversation about orange wine hiding inside Pinot Grigio, building a business around versatility, and why every small business needs its own Swiss Army knife. Pour a glass, pull up a chair and join us. To find out more about Ilona, visit ilonamckieva.com Hosted by Bastian from Trinkfluss Wines and Matteo from Take One Studio.
What happens when you bring stand-up comedy out of the big city and into the heart of suburban life? In this episode of the Trinkfluss Wines Podcast, Bastian and Matteo sit down with Lynne Morris, founder of Rural Roars, alongside her four-legged companion Ted, to chat about the power of grassroots comedy. Lynne shares the hilarious realities of running pop-up comedy nights across local village halls and pubs—from navigating quirky hecklers with bizarre village jobs to braving courtyard gigs under duvet covers. To complement a conversation all about comedy and entertainment, Bastian uncorks the aptly named "Popcorn" by Herbert and Carmen Zilinger from the Weinviertel region in Austria. A real crowd-pleasing, field blend of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Pinot Blanc. This is a really fun wine, making it the ultimate wine to pair with good laughs. Tune in for insights on the UK comedy scene, cultural humour, and great wine recommendations! Available now on all major platforms.
What happens when a wellness studio, coworking space and a full calendar of community events all end up under one roof? In the case of Well & Good in Godalming, quite a lot. In this episode, Bastian and Matteo are joined by Charlie, founder of Well & Good, to talk about building a business that doesn’t fit neatly into one box. Yoga, Pilates and barre sit alongside hot desks, quiz nights, pottery and prosecco, networking mornings and the occasional birthday party. With the summer heat in full swing and a Greek theme inspired by Charlie’s recent holiday, Bastian pours the Markovitis, Alkemi Rose of Xinomavro 2025 from Naoussa in northern Greece. Made from Xinomavro, it is a seriously distinctive rosé- almost Irn-Bru orange in colour, savoury, zesty and somewhere in the space between classic rosé and orange wine without really being either. Think tapenade, tomato leaf, grapefruit and blood orange, with the sort of freshness that makes the bottle disappear rather quickly. From there, the conversation turns to Charlie’s own story. Well & Good started in 2019 as a small wellness studio and shop for local makers before COVID forced a rethink and coworking became part of the mix. Since then, it has grown into a genuine community hub, home to resident freelancers, a popular women’s networking morning and, of course, the occasional sold-out wine social with Trinkfluss. Charlie also looks back on her previous life in media, from sponsorship at Sky and corporate fundraising for Cancer Research UK to time spent at Channel 5 and Channel 4, and talks about why leaving the corporate world to run her own business- exhausting as it can be — still feels like the right decision. A conversation about community, career changes, coworking, Greek rosé and why Godalming has a habit of drawing people back home. Pour a glass, pull up a chair and join us. To find out more about Well & Good, visit bewellgood.co.uk Hosted by Bastian from Trinkfluss Wines and Matteo from Take One Studio.
What makes a bottle truly memorable? Sometimes it is the wine itself. Sometimes it is the people around the table. And other times it is a childhood Babycham memory that somehow finds its way into the conversation. In this episode, Bastian and Matteo are joined by Kevin from The Godalming Deli for a wide ranging chat about food, travel, local independent businesses and the kind of places that make a high street feel alive. To keep things suitably refreshing during a summer heatwave, Bastian opens a bottle of Weingut Stefan Müller Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben 2021- a beautifully bright, low-alcohol German Riesling with proper zip, charm and the kind of electric acidity that earned it a very unofficial “Pikachu-style” tasting note. From Babycham memories and unexpected Saint- Emilion cellar moments to spice blends, deli inspiration and the importance of independent shops, this is a conversation full of warmth, humour and community spirit. A chat about food, wine, nostalgia, local life, and why the best bottles are often remembered for much more than what is in the glass.
In this episode, Bastian and Matteo are joined in the shop by Angus from Heinrich Winery in Burgenland, Austria, just before a winetasting event at Trinkfluss Wines. Heinrich has become one of the names that shows just how exciting Austrian wine can be: thoughtful farming, careful work in the cellar and bottles that feel full of life and energy without being loud. And because this is still Trinkfluss, we don’t just talk about the wines - we open them! Join us as we explore three very different interpretations of Blaufränkisch: a bright and surprising white Blanc de Noirs called Into the Light, a juicy, chilled red called Out of the Dark, and a more classic, structured Leithaberg DAC 2019 that immediately makes you wish for a home-cooked bowl of goulash to go alongside it. So whether you are already madly in love with Austrian reds or have never quite known where to start, this conversation is a brilliant reminder that serious wine doesn’t have to feel serious. Grab a glass and pull up a chair as we chat about all things Burgenland, farming philosophy, Blaufränkisch and the joy of wines that are handcrafted, alive and highly enjoyable to drink.
What happens when you bring together a Sicilian red fermented in ancient clay vessels and a local shopkeeper with a talent for finding life’s finest little treats? Quite a delicious conversation, as it turns out. In this episode of the Trinkfluss Wines Podcast, Matteo and Bastian are joined by Emily, owner of The Peppered Pear Pantry on Godalming High Street - a shop filled with carefully chosen treats, thoughtful ingredients, and the kind of things you didn’t know you needed until you spotted them on the shelf. Emily shares her journey from running a high-energy, 180-cover restaurant and international art gallery in London to creating a slower, more considered neighbourhood space here in Surrey. We talk about her family’s deep connection to biodynamic farming in Sussex, heritage breed chickens with a surprisingly strong sense of self-preservation, and the joy of sourcing products with a genuine story behind them. And because this is still Trinkfluss, there is something suitably delicious in the glass. Bastian pours COS Pithos 2022 from Sicily - a wine made from Nero d’Avola and Frappato, fermented and aged in traditional clay amphora. Rather than turning it into a formal tasting, the wine becomes part of the conversation: bright, earthy, quietly beautiful, and very happy alongside the truffled Brie and French butter crisps Emily brings to the table. A conversation about food, wine, farming, family stories, local shops, and the pleasure of choosing things with care. Pour a glass, open something delicious, and join us. If you want to discover more about the Peppered Pear Pantry visit https://www.thepepperedpearpantry.com/
What do New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a jar of penny sweets have in common? Quite a bit, as it turns out. In this episode, Matteo and Bastian are joined by Ewan, owner of the iconic Godalming Delights- the communities most beloved sweet shop and ice cream parlour on Church Street. While many locals might know Ewan’s partner Albert from the shop’s funny and wonderfully entertaining Instagram reels, Ewan is the slightly more "behind the scenes" half of the duo and the keeper of some brilliant stories behind the business. He shares the wonderfully winding tale behind the shop: a Boxing Day moment on a bench, the beginnings of Shere Delights, an unexpected name change involving a lingerie shop, and the sense that, somehow, Godalming was always meant to be part of the family’s story. And because this is still Trinkfluss, there is of course something delicious involved. Bastian brings along Clos Henri Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Marlborough, New Zealand - not for a formal tasting, but for a very important question: can great wine and proper ice cream actually work together? Sat outside the shop with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a scoop of hand-podded Madagascan vanilla ice cream, the answer is surprisingly convincing. A conversation about sweets, wine, ice cream, family stories, local businesses, and the small moments that somehow lead to big things. Pour a glass, grab a scoop, and join us. If you want to discover more about Godalming Delights: godalmingdelights.co.uk Curious to try Ewan's New Zealand sauvignon for yourself? Clos Henri Estate Sauvignon Blanc is available from Trinkfluss Wines, so you can grab a bottle, pour a glass and taste along with the episode. This podcast is hosted by Bastian from Trinkfluss Wines and Matteo from Take One Studio.
Ready to trade screen time for some real, face-to-face connection? This week, we are thrilled to welcome our very first guests: Katie and Sarah, the brilliant minds behind Godalming High Street's favourite board game hub, The Wayfarer's Rest! Moving to the UK from the States, Katie and Sarah bonded over a shared love for Dungeons & Dragons and gaming communities. On New Year's Day 2020, they set out to create an immersive space for people to find their own "found family" through the power of play. From the structure of game rules to the hilarious chaos of house-ruled card games, they share how gaming acts as the ultimate generational equalizer. And what’s in the glass? Bastian picked Heinrich Naked Orange from Burgenland in Austria for Katie’s very first orange wine experience. Tune in to hear how she got on- or better yet, pop into Trinkfluss Wines in Godalming or shop online, pick up a bottle and taste along with us. So grab a glass and let the chaos unfold! 🎲🍷 If you want to discover more about the Wayfarer's Rest: https://wayfarersrest.com/ Curious to try Katie’s first orange wine for yourself? Heinrich Naked Orange is available from Trinkfluss Wines, so you can grab a bottle, pour a glass and taste along with the episode. This podcast is hosted by Bastian from Trinkfluss Wines and Matteo from Take One Studio.
Episode 1: Taking Wine Off Its Pedestal (and How It All Began) Welcome to the official first episode of the Trinkfluss Podcast! To kick things off, we’re taking you behind the scenes of Trinkfluss Wines in Godalming to share the story of how this whole project actually came together. In this episode, Matteo and Bastian sit down to chat about the chance encounter that started it all. It turns out, all it took was a casual wine tasting, a shared fascination with storytelling, and a mutual belief that wine shouldn't be trapped on an intimidating, stuffy pedestal. Bastian opens up about his refreshing approach to wine by keeping it fun, accessible, and deeply focused on the real people and the stories behind the labels. You’ll hear how a conversation about podcasts quickly snowballed into a grander vision: a show that bridges the gap between passionate wine producers and the unique, independent shopfronts and the people that make up Godalming's High Street giving our local community its vibrant charm and character. Grab a glass of whatever you're drinking, get to know your hosts, and join us for an unpretentious chat about wine, business, and community. Don't miss a drop! Hit follow on your favourite platform and subscribe to our newsletter via the links in the caption so you're always in the loop when a new episode drops. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.trinkflusswines.co.uk/