On The Wine Road Podcast

Informações:

Synopsis

Hear intimate conversations with winemakers, growers, winery owners, brewers and more from Sonoma, Napa and beyond. You can also join my community at Patreon.com/OnTheWineRoad. Receive special posts, rewards, and additional content.

Episodes

  • Traveling Mighway To Visit Harvest Hosts

    26/01/2019 Duration: 12min

    This episode is a bit different than my usual podcast. You'll hear about two businesses who work with each other to provide unique experiences on the road. Mighway is a peer-to-peer rental platform, like Airbnb, but for RVs. Harvest Hosts has relationships with wineries, breweries, farms, golf courses and other appealing destinations that allow you to stay overnight on the properties in an RV. If you like being on the road these two options offer another way to travel to the experiences you enjoy.   

  • Two Wineries Gathering Accolades In the Santa Rita Hills

    09/01/2019 Duration: 39min

    I kick off 2019 with two interviews from the Santa Rita Hills. You'll meet Chad of Melville Vineyards and Bryan of Babcock Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley of California's central coast. This trip to Santa Barbara offered plenty of wine and craft beer options, blue skies, palm trees and the Funk Zone. The distinctive pleasures tied in well with Chad's unconventional winemaking style and Bryan's innovative vineyard management. Both are gaining high praise and deserve your attention. 

  • The Passion Expressed Within the Wine Industry

    23/12/2018 Duration: 37min

    As we approach the end of another year, now my 6th On The Wine Road, 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/J

  • The Creator of Cult Wine, Michael Browne - CIRQ

    03/12/2018 Duration: 24min

    On today's podcast you'll hear my intimate conversation with winemaker and iconic wine producer, Michael Browne. He gained fame with the highly respected Kosta Browne over the last 20 years. He has since moved on to a his own project Cirq. In this interview you'll really get to know Michael, what drives him, why he loves Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, and hear about past experiences that inspire his winemaking and fearless pursuit of his passions.

  • A Wine Industry Icon: Warren Winiarski

    10/11/2018 Duration: 40min

    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. 

  • Lisa Strid of Aridus Wine Co.

    20/10/2018 Duration: 21min

    Over the years I have featured wineries in the burgeoning regions of Arizona, primarily southern Arizona, my former stomping ground. On this podcast you’ll meet Lisa Strid of Aridus Wine Company of Willcox, east of Tucson. They also have a tasting room in Scottsdale in the Phoenix area. Interestingly, Lisa presented a seminar at the Napa Valley Wine Institute before I met up with her in Arizona. That provided a great opportunity to try a few of their wines before our scheduled interview in Tucson. As you'll hear, I think they're a standout in the Arizona wine industry. 

  • The Top 100 Wines in the World

    03/10/2018 Duration: 37min

    On this podcast I chat with principles from 5 wineries who have been chosen to attend Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 100 Tasting Event in San Francisco on October 9th. It's a spectacular evening that includes some of San Francisco's top restaurants. The recordings you'll hear are from past interviews with Jason Drew of Drew Family Wines, Jared Brandt of Donkey & Goat, Cathy Corison of Corison Winery, Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau, and Jean-Charles Boisset of Raymond Vineyards. Also, publisher and senior editor Joshua Green explains the lengthy process of the picking the top 100 wines.  If you can't make it to the event, pick up Wine & Spirits special Winter issue being released next week, or peruse the Top 100 list online.

  • Napa Valley's ZD Wines Turns 50

    19/09/2018 Duration: 19min

    A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of being invited to attended a grand affair at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa. About 700 people were in attendance, culinary fare was being served, several musicians performed and all for the purpose of celebrating ZD Wines' 50th Anniversary. The Rutherford AVA Napa Valley winery has been building something special for quite some time. They also make one of the most unusual wine blends I've heard of in the U.S. Abacus is pricey but because of the decades it takes to craft that unique blend you could argue that it's worth it. Just a few days before the celebration I had the chance to sit down with winemaker Brandon deLeuze so you and I could hear more about ZD Wines.

  • Did You Know September is California Wine Month

    08/09/2018 Duration: 17min

    On today's podcast Nancy Light, the Vice President of Communications at the Wine Institute rings me up to discuss the fact that September is California Wine Month. There are over 70 events occurring throughout the state. We touch upon many in the Sonoma, Napa regions as well as a few in other appellations. You just might be inspired to plan a trip around one of the events. I'm parking the car and picking up the phone for this On The Wine Road Podcast.   

  • On to Spirit Works Distillery

    25/08/2018 Duration: 18min

    This week I'm traveling off the wine road and on to the spirit trail. Spirit Works Distillery has been on my radar for quite some time. I've heard nothing but good things about what they craft and witnessed them win an award one evening. It's an interesting story how Timo and Ashby Marshall came together under extraordinary circumstances and ended up where they are today. That is, creating finely crafted variations of gin, vodka, and whiskey in a sustainably conscious manner with their grain to glass philosophy. I'm impressed with what doing...I even like their gin! (That hasn't happened since that one night in high school).

  • Italy's Largest Wine Producer, Zonin1821

    30/07/2018 Duration: 16min

    You know, some of the world's most respected wines are made right here in Northern California. However, I do like to branch out and learn about wineries across the country...and the world. I thought you might be interested as well. In this podcast I’m reaching across the globe to talk with Brand Marketing and Communications Manager, Jelena Meisel of Italy’s Zonin1821. They're a nearly two centuries old vine growing and winemaking company, the largest private and family wine producer. Their web address in the states is ZoninUSA.com. The number "1821" signifies the year the company was formed. Jelena joined me on the phone to fill us in about the family and brands. Someday I hope to see a few of the properties in person. If you get a chance, visit the website to see them. Bellissima!  

  • The Winemaker, The Grower and a 100 pt Score

    26/06/2018 Duration: 23min

    I've known these guys at Kokomo Winery over five years now. Winemaker Erik Miller was on my first show back in October of 2013. Winegrape grower Randy Peters was kind enough to by my guest every other month a couple years ago when I presented a feature called From Bud to Bottle. And as you'll hear, my wife and I belong to their wine club. When I heard they achieved a perfect 100 point score in the North Coast Wine Challenge, I was thrilled for them. Like a friend would be. Sure, it's not quite the same as receiving 100 points from some international wine critic but when you consider the wineries entering are from six of the most respected wine regions in California, well that's sayin' something. By the way, I knew that wine was special the first time I tasted it, before the award. I remember the moment. It's sublime. A true representation of the nectar of the gods. Here's your chance to find out how they did it.

  • The Story of Rombauer Vineyards

    06/06/2018 Duration: 24min

    I'll bet a bottle of wine you haven't heard a story about a successful pilot deciding after retirement to move his family to a rural area to raise his family who, without expectation or a plan, became a wine baron. In 1972, Napa Valley was a quieter agricultural area but just a few years later the region was thrust upon the world stage...and it's been growing ever since. And like many, the wine bug bite the former pilot, Koerner Rombauer. On today's podcast I talk with his son, K.R., and winemaker Richie Allen about their great success. You'll also learn of a surprising development that occurred just a week following the interview. I'll leave it at that. And if you have heard a story about a former pilot who became a wine baron, reach out to me for your bottle of wine.

  • The Amazing, Nearly Endless Benefits of Cork and its Forests

    18/05/2018 Duration: 17min

    It's hard to imagine that since the late 1600s nothing has been discovered or invented that seals a bottle of wine better than the all natural product of cork. Sure, now there are screwcaps and synthetic closures but neither provide the positive aspects that cork can deliver. To learn more about this fascinating, timeless product I've hooked up with Peter Weber of the Cork Quality Council. Together with ETS Laboratories they are conducting exhaustive research to discover and eliminate TSA, or cork taint, in wine. In this podcast you'll learn a little about this research and the many environmentally beneficial properties of cork.  

  • Two Hands Wines of South Australia

    07/05/2018 Duration: 24min

    It's incredible how a relationship from decades ago has led to this interview. The details are contained in the podcast so I won't go into it here. Nevertheless, I met Tim Hower last year over email. Finally, a few weeks ago we met to record this interview. It's interesting how an American in the energy industry ended up becoming part owner from this world renowned winery. The night we met Tim invited to taste through a line-up of Two Hands Wines (as I had hoped). I love the wines from Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale and Two Hands offers a stellar representation of the two regions. You can hear about their wines and how a fan of Two Hands became part owner in today's podcast.  

  • Popping the Cork on Breathless Sparkling Wines

    26/04/2018 Duration: 18min

    I've been seeing Breathless Sparkling Wines around more and more lately. They've been winning awards, and I hear people say it's their favorite bottle of bubbles. It was time to find out more about this burgeoning winery. The three sisters who share ownership and responsibilities pursued the endeavor inspired by their mother's zest for life. I enjoyed a tasting and interview with Sharon, and admitted to her that I prefer still wines over sparkling. The one they have now captured my heart...the silky, lightly sweet Ratafia. Like liquid gold. Speaking of which, they've already picked up 10 Gold medals in 2018, four of which were Double Golds. To that I say "Cheers!" 

  • Riana Mondavi Continues the Mondavi Legacy

    13/04/2018 Duration: 20min

    The name Mondavi is synonymous with wine in California, and across the globe for that matter. Riana is a 4th generation Mondavi and is a brand ambassador for CK Mondavi and Family. In early March I had the chance to sit down with her and their winemaker, Charlie Gillmore. We met at the Sonoma County Wine Library, a true library rich with books on wine history as well as educational resources. There were a few people studying nearby so it may seem like we're talking in hushed tones. It is a library, after all. During this podcast we'll discuss their 75 year history, their decades long relationships that help maintain their incredibly low prices, and keeping the brand relevant with the current generation. 

  • Paradise Ridge Winery will Rise Again

    28/03/2018 Duration: 24min

    Paradise Ridge Winery was one of a handful of wineries that burned to the ground during the October Sonoma/Napa wild fires. Now that some time has past I spoke to family member Rene Byck about that harrowing night and following week, as well as their plans to rebuild. When I spoke to Rene in late February they had yet to begin clearing the debris. That allowed me the opportunity to take and share photos of the devastation which you can see at OnTheWineRoad.com/ParadiseRidge. The good news is, all but one of their many art installations and sculptures have miraculously survived. As a consumer you can help support the winery by visiting their Kenwood tasting room or buying the fantastic wine they offer from their website, PRWinery.com. 

  • Wine Routes Trip Planner

    19/03/2018 Duration: 19min

    Those of us who live wine country hear it all the time when people visit to go wine tasting, "Where should we start?" The first answer I give is "What do you want to experience?" Well, now the Wine Routes trip planner can provide a great number of options that can tap into your interests. You can enter the kind of varietals you like, the kind of experiences you'd like to have, whether you can bring your kids, your dog and so on. Then you can plan a trip based on the responses and share that trip with others. Another bonus is the ability to create lasting relationships with the wineries. I talk with Co-Founder Adrian Tamblin and Product Manager Ian Scales. As you'll hear, the app and website also includes wine regions across the U.S. Listen in and get ready to explore. Cheers!

  • Telaya Wine Co. of Boise's Snake River Valley

    09/03/2018 Duration: 18min

    In today's podcast On the Wine Road travels across four states as we make our way to Boise, Idaho. Wine may not come to mind when you think of Idaho but like the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, the Rhone River in France and the world's other exceptional wine growing river valleys, Boise has the Snake River Valley. The weather can be a challenge and they need more acreage planted to vines but they're off to a good start and are determined to grow. In the meantime, Washington has been a reliable source of grapes for Idaho wine producers. While in Boise my wife and I met Earl Sullivan of Telaya Wine Co. I was impressed with not only his winemaking style but the story he told of how he and his wife Carrie chose to forgo successful careers to start a winery for the purpose of owning a family run business. It's a story worth hearing.

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