EPISODE #9 THE FRANK PRIAL ESCAPADE vs WILLIAM HILL WINERY

About this episode

This episode discusses a pivotal moment in 1986 involving William Hill Winery and Frank Prial's critical comments on a blind tasting event.

Send us Fan Mail This episode delves into a defining moment from February 1986 that catapulted William Hill Winery into the spotlight. At that time, I was Vice President of Sales when Frank Prial, in his popular New York Times column "Wine Talk," made a misstep with his less-than-favorable comments about the results of our blind tasting event. During this event, we pitted our wines against the esteemed First Growth Bordeaux from the celebrated vintages of 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981—and to our...

People in this episode

Host: Fred Reno

Topics covered

• wine tasting
• wine history
• Frank Prial
• William Hill Winery
• blind tasting
• Bordeaux wines

Keywords

• William Hill Winery
• Frank Prial
• Wine Talk
• blind tasting
• Bordeaux
• 1986

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: William Hill Winery

Books & works: Wine Talk

Places: New York, First Growth Bordeaux

More episodes of Fine Wine Confidential Podcast

• EPISODE #13 FORMATION OF WINE FAIR TRADE COALITION/WFTC · May 29, 2026 · 7 min
• EPISODE # 12 BILL BONETTI RETIREMENT & THE WINE INDUSTRY ALMOST DIDN'T KNOW. · April 29, 2026 · 12 min
• EPISODE #11 CALIFORNIA SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE TESTIMONY · March 3, 2026 · 9 min
• EPISODE #10 WINERY FOUNDERS MOST OFTEN ARE NOT THE BRILLIANT BUSINESS FOLKS THEY LOOK TO BE · December 29, 2025 · 8 min
• EPISODE # 8 WINE BUSINESS IS A TRAILING ECONOMIC INDICATOR · November 10, 2025 · 4 min
• EPISODE #7 FRANCHISE LAW PART 2 · October 22, 2025 · 7 min