On The Wine Road Podcast

In December, the 2nd Annual LatinX State of the Wine Industry Summit was held at RD Winery in Napa Valley. I missed the event but thought the topic was important enough to share on my podcast, so I met up with the moderator of the event, the dynamic Gabriela Fernandez. The all-day wine industry summit focused on the contributions the Hispanic and LatinX communities have made to the wine industry and celebrated the diversity, perseverance, and legacy-building resilience of those who have become known as the backbone of America’s wine industry. The list of sponsors is impressive! The LatinX Wine Industry Summit event was presented by Hispanics in Wine, Uncorked and Cultured, and The Big Sip. Thirty one respected wineries, from Oregon and California, shared their wine during the finale, La Gran Cata. I believe you will find Gabriela truly passionate about the need for this kind of event. I'm convinced and will mark my calendar as soon as the 2023 date is announced.  

Sometimes good things come in twos. It took over two years for me to nail down this interview with Warren, I recorded over two hours of audio, and it took two visits to do so. Yet every minute I spent with him was a pleasure. You may be aware that Warren was the founder of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and it was his Cabernet Sauvignon that outscored the French Bordeaux wines in the famed Paris tasting of 1976. But that was early on. He has accomplished so much in his 90 years and, remarkably, continues to do so. He semi-retired in 2007 but is still involved with grape growing in his Napa Valley Arcadia Vineyard. He continues to learn yet his depth of knowledge is astounding, and the way his looks at life and winemaking is fascinating. Warren is engaging, charming, and kind of like a great uncle you rarely see but when you do you just want to give him a big hug...and drink his wine.  This episode was originally released in November of 2018.

Join me for my travels through Portugal. In this podcast version of Exploring Portugal, Drinking Wine, you'll meet Carlos de Jesus, the Director of Marketing and Communications of Amorim Cork. From then on, you'll have a newfound respect for the next cork you pull from a bottle! Then I'll sit with Sophia Renquivst from deep within the majestic Douro River Valley. She's been involved with the family's Quinta de la Rosa for most of her life. You can stay at their successful Port house, enjoy the fruits of their labor and the stunning scenery.  The setting for the next interview is like a fantasy land. I sit with Fabiano at Quinta da Avaleda winery in the popular Vinho Verde region. For images and a more detailed story look for my travel blog "Exploring Porgutal, Drinking Wine" at OnTheWineRoad.us. Enjoy the exploration!

I've been going through some ch-ch-changes for 2023...all for the better. I'll explain in this episode. My guest is Matteo Bolla, of the Italian Bolla wine-making family. However, his side of the family produces prosecco in a distinctive style called Valdo Numero 10. You'll hear about Matteo's family and this inexpensive sparkling wine on today's podcast. 

Happy Holidays and New Year! My gift to you, a story featuring Taylor of Serres Ranch. She's an ambitious 5th generation family member who loves to share the story of their nearly 100 year old ranch. She does so with guests while introducing you to their wine in the middle of the vineyards. I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of the experience as I did. However, winemaking is just part of the many endeavors the family at Serras Ranch has embarked upon over the years. Growing blueberries is crop they also farm, and since the berries are available, why not make wine out of them? Ya, no kidding. They sell Bleusé!. You'll hear about the wine grape they use to blend with the blueberries. Details about the other ventures they're involved with await you. Did I not mention the spa? You'll hear about that too. Click the Play button to join me in the Serras Ranch vineyard with Taylor. 

In this podcast I'll introduce you to a rising name in wine who is making waves within the industry.  Thatcher Baker-Briggs is a young sommelier who is fast-becoming a modern-day trailblazer for minorities and millennials in the wine industry. Not only can he procure impossible-to-get vintages and bottles for an international clientele list, he also launched an online import company, Thatcher’s Wine. And there's more... If you're still hanging on to the belief that sommeliers are self-absorbed, and stodgy, Thatcher will quickly dispell that image, because he's quite pleasant and cool as a cat can be. Pull up a chair and join us at the W Hotel Lounge in Hollywood as I delve into his impressive past.   

The Kingdom of Bhutan has been referred to as "magical" for quite some time. So I suppose it should come as no surprise that the introduction of vineyards, while in the shadow of the Himilayas, occurred unexpectedly. And like a centuries-old fable, the hero in this tale possessed an unwitting innocence. Words that can best describe the project are, adventurous, challenging, and even daunting, but it has the potential to be miraculously rewarding. Today I share the tale of the Bhutan Wine Company and its founder, the exceptional Michael Amon.     

My guest on this podcast is the engaging Theresa Heredia, the winemaker at Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery. I really enjoyed sitting down with Theresa. Not only is she savvy, she's quite playful too, further adding to the enjoyment. Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery is one of the early producers of Pinot Noir in Sonoma County, and remain in the forefront of bottling cool climate Pinot and Chardonnay. Theresa is a perfect fit. Please join us in their nicely designed tasting salon, won't ya? 

In the 20th century until the mid-70s or so, west Sonoma County was about as rural as a region could be. When it came to agriculture, it wasn’t far removed from the centuries prior in the farming, orchard, and grape growing regions of the old world. And like many small towns across America, it was common to marry “the boy next door.” Or girl. That’s part of the history of Dutton Ranch and Kozlowski Farms; two small family run businesses who managed to grow with determination and ingenuity. Out of that setting Tracy and Joe Dutton eventually founded Dutton Estate Winery. Tracy joins me to share their impressive story, which still embraces their family’s essential attributes.  

I've made the trip to the San Francisco Wine School a number of times in the past to expand my wine knowledge, while enjoying a selection of fine varietals. Heading into "the city" is something I enjoy. Often, I stay the night.   Since I’ve taken advantage of the San Francisco Wine School I thought you might find it an appealing option as well. They offer so many workshops, programs and events there's bound to be one that appeals to you. So I sat down with co-owner, Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator David Glancy a couple of weeks ago for this interview, and it gave me the chance to ask...what led him to opening the school.

On today’s podcast I'm featuring my roadtrip to the Hospice du Rhone event. It's an atypical wine tasting in California. In the French Rhone Valley region there are a great number of wine varieties and 22 of them were featured. 125 Wine producers from California, Oregon, Washington, and France were in attendance. During the weekend I spoke with General Manager and family member Jason Haas from Paso Robles' Rhone winemaking pioneer Tablas Creek Vineyard, winery owner Ted Ross of Hayseed and Housdon, who donates 50% of his wine sales to local charities, and Elena Barrios, who with her winemaking husband are gaining attention with their outstanding Rhone varietal blends at Top Winery. If you like Grenache, Syrah and Viognier but haven't tried Picpoul Blanc or Bourboulenc, you might want to join the fun next year. Otherwise, visit Pas Robles for their own style of popular and rare varietals. Listen to the podcast and get inspired!  

I think of Alicia Sylvester as a shooting star because, to me, she appears to be speeding through life...even when she's standing still; when she can stand still. Her passion is invigorating. Her energy is inspiring. And at times you could even say she glows. This podcast can serve as a sort of Master Class on how to rise through the ranks. You'll get a kick out of how this small town central Cali girl ended up working harvests across the globe, playing a role in winemaking with respected brands, then landing her current gig at Banshee Wines. Alicia Sylvester crafts small vineyard designate wines for their club, and up to 70,000 cases wholesale. Any aspiring young winemaker should take notes!

I'm offering something a bit different today. As the Visual Oral Histories Chair of the Sonoma County Wine Library Association, I began videotaping oral histories as a way to capture the stories of those who made major contributions to the wine industry. Joel Peterson, the founder of Ravenswood Winery and now Once and Future Wine, certainly deserved to be included. This is the audio from his video. If you'd like to see the video click here. You may have heard the radio interview I posted in 2017 but this interview delves much deeper into his past. Join me in the historic Bedrock Vineyard in Sonoma County with Joel.

Spring is here, we're getting out to enjoy it, and many are considering how to thoughtfully take care of our beauiful planet. Each April, California Wines presents Down to Earth Month celebrating Earth Day. In this podcast you'll  hear about events that are occuring across California. Guests include Allison Jordan of the Wine Institute, Jenifer Freebairn and Danielle Langlois of Lasseter Family Winery, and owner Dario Suttui of Napa Valley's Castello di Amorosa. Celebrate our planet and enjoy the spring season!  Photo: copyright California Wine Institute

It's that time of year to pop some bubbly, so why not find out how the Korbel brothers eventually created "champagne" 139 years ago. It's a multi-layered history full of drama and perserverance. The Hecks are only the second family to run the business, and because of their decades of determination the brand can be found across the U.S. and internationally.  Click Play to hear the story of California Champagne. Cheers, and Happy Holidays! 

It was only a matter of time before cannabis would end up in wine. As it turns out, it's not an easy process. However, the proficient hand-picked crew at House of Saka have managed to make it happen. Looking for a different kind of lift from your Pinot Noir and sparkling Chardonnay that doesn't include alcohol? They can accommodate you. In this podcast Co-Founder and CEO Tracey Mason will share how they built the House of Saka and their vision of the future. You'll hear how years of experience in the wine and cannabis industries, Napa Valley grapes, and the will of Warrior Women have come together to create this transformative beverage within the House of Saka. 

Apparently, I've been absent for a while. For now, I'd like to reach back to share a version of this previous post. It's been an extreme pleasure to meet many fascinating personalities in the wine business. This recording highlights those who have expressed their passion about the wine industry, from Napa Valley and Sonoma County to Hopland and places in between. The winery owners, winemakers and growers I have chosen speak eloquently, philosophically, poetically, and often spiritually about wine and vineyards. I'm confident that if you listen it will make the wine you love taste even better. Cheers! Guests include Greg LaFollette of Alquimista Cellars, Julie Johnson of Tres Sabores, Ulysses Van der Kamp of Van der Kamp Vineyards, Mark Topel of Topel Wines, Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Estates, the late George Macleod of MacLeod Family Vineyard (who we lost earlier this year), Delia Viader of Viader Vineyards and Winery, Gary Breen of Campovida, and Randy Ullom of Kendall-Jackson/Jackson Family Wine

In this podcast you'll meet Nate Miles, who with is partner Matt Nagy, created Groove Wines. It's a thoughtful, stylish brand that believes in transparency. If you prefer wines that are made with little intervention; if you're concerned about the environment, preferring less impactful alternatives, then you'll want to hear about Groove Wines. These intriguing varietals and blends feature names like Joyride, The Daydreamer, The Wild One and The Raconteur. What's more, they're ready for home or on the go! As they suggest...Find Your Groove.

Gracianna Winery was built on a history that stretches back to World War II. His great-grandmother's perseverance helped her escape Europe to start a new life in California. Gratitude was the result of what the New World had to offer. There were struggles, but maintaining a farm and living a full life was rewarding. Owner Trini Amador speaks lovingly of Gracianna, the woman who taught him gratitude. He so appreciated and respected his great-grandmother he captured her story in a book. In her honor, with their son's unintended coaxing, Trini and Lisa have created the successful Gracianna Winery, which also took some perseverance. They're grateful for the appreciation expressed by their club members and the many who have paid a visit to their Sonoma County tasting room. Hear Trini tell the tale of Gracianna in this podcast.