Mel Knox became a barrel broker by accident when he was working in a wine shop in California. Over the space of a 43 year career representing such famous cooperages as Taransaud and François Frères he’s worked with many of California’s greatest producers and even made a few wines of his own. He’s a witty, well-informed and opinionated interviewee, as you’ll find out from our entertaining chat.

To read more about Mel have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram @mel_knox_barrels.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify. You can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.