Our Favorite Substacks of the Year

The wine and entertainment substacks that we most enjoyed in 2024

It’s time to wrap things up for this ridiculous year. To do so, I wanted to shout out the Substacks that we found the most rewarding, most engaging - to us, personally - during this past year.

Please note that this is a long yet still curated list. Many amazing substackers are not named simply because:

a) they started late in the year so maybe they’ll make the cut next year!

b) we didn’t find them until late in the year and so maybe they’ll make the cut next year!

c) they weren’t particularly active in 2024, even though what little they posted was top notch.

And those are just the most common reasons. We love you all, but let’s get to shouting out the ones we spent the most time with in 2024.

WINE SUBSTACKS

For Those Interested in the Wine Industry

FERMENTATION by Tom Wark

Tom's was one of the very first Substacks I ever subscribed to, and was the first I became a paid subscriber to.

From Tom's About page:

"For those of you who are wondering what you’ll find here, it’s a place where we explore the intersection of culture, politics, ideology, media, and wine. I examine how the wine industry works, who it serves, who it doesn’t, and how it wraps itself around and responds to movement in society and the culture. You’ll read advocacy, criticism, analysis, news, reports, research, and my personal response to living a life in wine marketing, advocacy, and media relations."

Joe Fattorini ‘s Substack

Ex-host of THE WINE SHOW and one of the funniest wine Substackers out there in terms of peppered in humor and cheeky voice, though Joe's content is deadly serious underneath that surface.

From Joe's own "About" page:

"Honestly, marketing people if you're not signed up to Joe Fattorini’s substack, I don't know what you're doing; you're missing a masterclass every week" —Rishi Dastidar

What’s the spirit of this Substack? A subtle blend of wine, history, and behavioural (he's British, yo) science. Like a combination of Mary Beard and Daniel Kahneman. But squiffy.”

Brunello Bombshell by Maria Banson

Maria also does wine and movie pairings! Weirdos unite!

She guested on our own Substack to do a wine and music pairing and she also drops her Weekly "The Wine Press" podcast, all the wine industry news that's fit to drink for that week in 15 minutes or less.

For Those Interested in Viticulture and Viniculture

Down the Rabbit Hole by George Nordahl

George was a really fun find this year. He does deep dives into extremely nerdy stuff regarding wine, and even when one of his headlines doesn't sound like something I care about, the writing sucks me right in!

From George's About page:

This is a place where you can stretch your arms wide, and fully embrace your inner wine nerd. The posts you can expect to receive should you be so kind and subscribe will cover interesting topics that most wine writing does not cover. My aim here is to learn something new through writing and researching, and hopefully to share that knowledge with someone who might find it interesting in turn. Maybe that’s you?

The Morning Claret by Simon J Woolf

Simon tumbled onto my radar when I inadvertently swiped an original image from one of his pieces from some other online article that swiped it originally and Simon gently poked me for attribution (but thankfully not RETribution!) And then I realized that Simon literally wrote the book on Orange Wine and I was hooked.

From Simon's About page:

I’m Simon J Woolf, and I’ve been writing about wine since 2011, in magazines, books, on and offline. I focus on natural wine, and related themes such as organics, biodynamics, minimal intervention and orange wine. Not only are these fascinating and frequently divisive topics, they’re also deeply held passions of mine and they represent the kind of wines I want to drink.

Expect critical writing with a journalistic intent. I look for the story behind the wine, because it interests me more than tasting notes or technical details.

For Those Interested in Drinking Wine and Understanding It Better

Shades of Grape by Eveline Chartier

One of the first Substacks I followed that talked at length about different wine grapes, styles, regions, and makers, and helped show me the way to talk about these things in a newsletter without turning it into a textbook!

From Eveline's About Page:

After a fulfilling engineering career, it was time for change...this eventually led me to the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Diploma Program (WSET Level 4) at the Austrian Wine Academy in Rust, Austria and Tuscany, Italy. Upon completion in August 2023, I became one of approximately 12,500 program graduates worldwide. This is an achievement that I am extremely proud of.

Enter shades of grape Substack.

My goal is to impart my wine knowledge to allow people to understand why they enjoy their favorite wines and allow them to fully explore the wine world.

Everyday Drinking by Jason Wilson

I was already a fan of Jason thanks to his book GODFORSAKEN GRAPES which covers rare, largely forgotten varieties, and that was like catnip for Dave "what's in this shop that I've never heard of before?" Baxter.

I was thrilled to then find him here on Substack, and looks like 2025 is going to be a big year for his publication!

From Jason's About page:

Join us as we explore the wide world of wine and spirits — as well as how drinks intersect with food, travel, and culture.

Subscribers will get regular essays and articles, dispatches from wine and spirits regions, advice from experts, an archive of features and recipes, and occasional audio segments.

The WineKnowLog by The WineKnowLog© (Joel Butler, MW)

Joel is the first Master of Wine to hold residence in the USA. He's had ~50 years in Wine, working as an importer, wine merchant, winemaker, wine educator, wine judge, writer-author-historian.

I've especially enjoyed Joel's incredibly in-depth tasting notes on Non-Alcoholic Wines (verdict: most are bad, some are not that bad, and one or two actually surprise, but we've got a ways to go), also his recent series on Virginia wines.

I highly recommend browsing through his articles to find subjects that most interest you - he writes in depth and at length and there is gold in them hills.

Tannic Pannic by Zach O. Brown and Issac K. Brown

Two brothers with WSET 3 certification (and here's hoping I join them in that in March when I get my exam results!), I initially took note of their unique and thoughtful attempt to reimagine the 100-point scoring system and apply this new approach to all their wine reviews.

Add to this that they're authentically funny and can also write at length about wine topics without ever feeling heavy or "too much" and this became a go-to wine Substack to follow.

From their About page:

Two clinically anxious brothers freaking out about wine.

We’re two Bay Area natives with an unrealistically healthy obsession with wine. Equal parts unhinged and over-schooled, we’re just jumping out of our jorts to share our “expertise” in the form of weekly ramblings and value wine recs.

So if you like musing about wine and want to sacrifice a few brain cells along the way, hit the ole’ subscribe button!

Cheers ya dirty winos.

Survives on Wine by Kate Reushel

Kate was, I think, my second Substack subscription after Tom Wark's. Her triple-threat pairings of Wine, a Recipe, and an Album just won my heart. And she's also a specialist in Portuguese wine to boot!

Kate also guested on our show to talk about the incredible Gotan Project album a Revancha del Tango (Revenge of the Tango). SUCH an incredible album, details here:

Kate has also jut started experimenting with a new video format, recording herself making a recipe while sipping something nice. PLUS she does these incredible visual tasting note designs. Defintely definitely definitely check her out.

Shitty's Substack by Shitty Wine Memes

It's Shitty Wine Memes on Substack!

If you know, you know. If you don't, gtf in the know, pronto.

ENTERTAINMENT

Movie/TV Substacks

From the Yard to the Arthouse by ???

This is what Substack is about, baby - an (anonymous) ex-con writes about the movies he missed while locked away while connecting his themes intelligently to the criminal justice system.

From Yard's About Page:

I was a prisoner of the federal government from 2014 to the beginning of 2023. Last year I was able to leave my halfway house and rejoin society. I've left behind a pretty broken, damaging system, one that does nothing to improve the lives of victims or perpetrators.

We're soapboxing already, I know. But let’s talk about movies.

Warren Peace by Matthew Brady

While I appreciate (and hell, participate) in viewing works of entertainment with a culturally critical eye, sometimes Substackers can make this their entire raison d'etre, and the approach gets a bit overexposed.

So it's always refreshing to read someone who's doing smart, insightful work but isn't just looking for the takedown or troubling element, but is also looking for the reasons to appreciate and celebrate different works, and leads with that.

From Matt's About Page:

I’ve been writing about comics, film, books, TV, and more for years, and as I continue to do so, you can receive my writing in your inbox regularly. I’ll be looking for feedback on what you think I should cover next, and this community will hopefully provide a place for interesting discussions and intelligent, entertaining commentary on various areas of interest.

Everything is Horrible by Noah Berlatsky

Speaking of cynicism, the title of Noah's Susbtack says it all - but this is nevertheless a measured, expertly critical take on different media. Noah is also one of my favorite writers on politics and culture, AND he's a pretty fantastic poet! And I don’t even like reading poetry.

From Noah's About page:

Hi! I’m Noah Berlatsky, a freelance writer and scribbler. I mostly write about politics or culture or both.

I’ve written a number of articles on fascism, since that’s unfortunately relevant now. I’ve also written popular posts about ways substack can improve. And a lot of movie reviews. And recently sometimes I write poetry.

COMICS/BOOKS

Atlantis Still Sunk by Aubrey Sitterson

Aubrey Sitterson is one of the best current crop of comic writers and regularly breaks down the medium and craft in eye-opening, intellectual ways. These are conversations the medium needs to stay relevant and ever-evolving.

From Aubrey's About Page:

Get regular communications from the writer of No One Left to Fight, The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling, BEEF BROS and more. Includes details on upcoming releases, behind-the-scenes process exploration, appearances and signings, and deep dives on sequential art techniques and approaches.

Fred's Substack by Fred Harper

Fred is a comic artist, painter, muralist, and political cartoonist and while he's too modest to say so, he writes excellent journal-like entries on his life and artistic process.

Fred was a guest on our podcast episode about the TOXIC AVENGER movie, as Fred is the artist on the new Toxic Avenger comic! (Which I had been getting every single issue of and it is a wonder.)

From Fred's About Page:

Why subscribe? Why indeed. Because you might be curious how someone you may or may not know, in this case me, navigates their world. You can feel superior at my mistakes, and maybe pick up an idea or two about doing things better for yourself or friends if you see me doing things you might not have thought? I post a lot of art and some photos. I’m a visual artist after-all.

Monster of the Week by Jessica Maison

Jessica is a comic writer, novelist, and publisher. Her Substack chronicles the story of a different monster every week - always well researched, imaginative, unique, and gorgeously written I always carve out an hour some evening when nothing else is demanding my time to read her latest.

Jessica was a guest on our podcast just a few weeks ago, discussing the movie MOON (2009) as stories about "doubles", clones, duplicates, etc. are a passion for her.

From Jessica's About Page:

Monster of the Week is where I write about all the monsters I am obsessed with in the voice of NECRO, the cute and cuddly book of the dead and beloved character from MARY SHELLEY’S SCHOOL FOR MONSTERS. Each newsletter is one of Necro’s diary entry about another monster including cool facts and silly secrets about these creatures. Part fact, part fiction, all monsters.

The Gasp with Jessica Hobbs

Jessica was a fellow Sundance Instutiuter with me, and when she left she focused on releasing her first book - The Witch and Other Tales of the American Gothic which she has since also turned into a series of audio book chapters, all available on her Substack!

She’s an incredible writer, and only just getting started.

From Jessica’s About page:

…stay up-to-date on the book’s journey as it makes its way through the literary world, be the first to hear when a new episode of the podcast is released, and get behind-the-scenes access to the creation of the project as well as the start of my next book.

Meanwhile, the sociologist and film historian who often takes control of my brain has finally found an outlet to dig into the social and historical contexts of the many works of art that illuminate our day-to-day lives. Here you will find reviews and recommendations, new book/movie/podcast alerts, and new trends in the realm of horror, thrillers, and science fiction - plus re-examining old trends as they find their way back into the zeitgeist.

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Phew! That’s a lot of stacks! But also nowhere near all the worthy writing worth your time on this platform.

Here’s to 2025 and all the new articles, creations, and new creatives it brings our way.

Thank you so, so much for subscribing to WINE AND… here on Substack. This is our homebase and the most meaningful to us. But also please do subscribe to our “Wine and Entertainment” podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, etc. Wherever you most prefer to listen to podcasts!

We have big, big plans to do a whole lot more in 2025. Well beyond just wine and entertainment pairings.

We’ll see you then, and Happy End of Year, you wonderful mammer jammers.

Cheers, chin chim, slainte, and may we all have the chance to prove that money can’t make us happy. ;)