Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery

In my 11 years in and around the wine industry, people have often asked me about barrels, yet related to the surface details, like whether a winery uses French oak, or 100% new oak, how many months does the wine age in oak, etcetera. Well, there are so many other details involved with barrel selection and how they can be used, it will make your head spin! So, if your head hasn’t been spun in a while, listen in to my conversation with Joe Nielsen. He’s as smart as he is chill, which allows him to easily change hats from the positions of general manager to winemaker, often several times a day at the south Sonoma winery. Before I get into the barrel discussion, I’ll ask him about a topic that’s new to me, pressure bombs. It’s a technique they use as a means to keep an eye on the health and needs of the vineyard. Yet, as it turns out, the method is not nearly as intense as the name suggests. No explosions occur at Ram’s Gate.

Find other interviews, wine trivia, and news at OnTheWineRoad.us  

On The Wine Road Podcast is sponsored by Sonoma Clean Power

The closing theme is "Coarse Grind," written & produced by Marscott

Additional music is sourced from Soundscape

This brand is what you get when you combine the 4^th generation of a historic wine brand (Charles Krug Winery, first established in 1862), with an off-shoot winery that is predominantly owned by women who exhibit the courage and grace of the family’s immigrant matriarch (C Mondavi & Family), and a passion to support nonprofit causes (Equality Now), and blend it all into a wine brand that is enhanced with innovative augmented reality technology.  What's more, the juice is sourced from three European countries to provide a certain je ne sais quoi! It's Aviana. Giovanna Mondavi explains the inspiration and purpose behind this remarkable wine.

As we find ourselves in the period of holiday parties you may be considering how much alcohol you’re consuming. We’re also approaching a month that can be referred to as Dry January, which is supported by an international campaign that promotes a self-imposed break from alcohol. Does that mean wine lovers have to put aside their beloved nectar of the Gods? Not necessarily. A good option will be discussed on today’s episode that takes me into San Francisco. My guest is Catherine Diao, wine lover and co-founder of Null Wines. 

On The Wine Road Podcast is brought to you by Sonoma Clean Power, offering solutions to help customers save with clean energy. 

This Classic episode was recorded in September of 2021 for my radio show, then uploaded as a podcast a year later. If you missed it the first time around, I know you'll enjoy it this time.

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 Himalayas, 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 Juergens.

In this episode you’ll meet Jennifer Brown of Napa Valley’s Hall Family. They are more or less based in three counties, they source from a good number of appellations across California, and they have three brands that I’ll touch upon, but we’ll focus on BACA Wines.
BACA only produces Zinfandel, which I found interesting knowing that Jennifer’s family has gained notoriety for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Jennifer and I met in 2020 at the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Zinfandel Experience Grand Tasting event and she told me she loved to skip through the Zinfandel vineyards as a child. Zinfandel? Hearing that from a Hall family member struck me with enough curiosity I wanted to hear the full story of how she ended up focusing on Zinfandel instead of the other varieties her family is well known to produce. Today, you will get to hear that story.

On this episode, you’ll hear about wine that has been nurtured by Mother Nature for over 100 years. Winemaker and ampelographer Greg La Follette has been crafting wine from old vines for so long that he knows of their place in history and other names they’ve had throughout the centuries.  

His latest wine project is Marchelle Wines. I’ll chat with Greg about the gnarly old vines and the diverse geology of the Russian River Valley’s six Neighborhoods. You’ll also hear from Greg’s partner with Marchelle, Kevin Lee, a marketing master who is doing an excellent job of propping up the brand on social media.

I didn't get a chance to interview Evan Damiano, Marchelle's Associate Winemaker, but the boys give him big props for his dedication to the project.

MarchelleWines.com

This episode was originally posted in 2019 -

Now a guy who calls himself John Fucking Caldwell is likely to be brash...probably a risk taker, and likely one of a kind. In John's case, yes, he could be described by each of those descriptors, as well as pleasant, inventive, philanthropic, and one who can make the best of a situation. So it may come as no surprise that he's the kind of person who would consider, and accomplish, smuggling grapevines into the U.S. And that's just half of the story. Join us in his kitchen in south Napa Valley as John shares the compelling tale he's told many times...because it's one worth hearing. 

For images of John, his wine, and spirits visit onthewineroad.us/john-fucking-caldwell

New episodes will be arriving soon.  

Like many people in Northern California, Tony Lombardi's ancestors emigrated from Italy. He grew up in the area and his friends are the Who's Who of the wine industry. His background in PR and marketing led him to join his pals who founded one of the coveted cult brands of the early 2000s, Kosta Browne. That position paid off in spades as you'll hear in this interview, ultimately leading KB winemaker, Cabell Coursey to join Tony at Lombardi Wines. Tony shares the story of his family's influence and his enviable position in the Sonoma County wine world.

Lombardi Wines also provides Tony with the means to support a cause that is close to his heart. He'll share details of Hilinski's Hope and how next year's incredible Seine River Cruise in France will provide an additional fundraising opportunity. You're invited to join them!

My guest is Jessica Venezia, the Director of Administration and Marketing for FWC.

Not only does Family Winemakers of California hold tasting events to highlight and support their member wineries, but the organization also lobbies for legislative action on behalf of the wine industry, focusing on the smaller production facilities. Jessica delves deeper into the details. This podcast is for wine lovers and fledgling wineries who are looking for support to generate growth, awareness, and sales. 

On The Wine Road Podcast is sponsored by Sonoma Clean Power

Originally posted in December 2020, I thought I'd share this story of Frog's Leap Winery once again in case you missed it.

John Williams has had quite a career. The story of Frog's Leap didn't begin until after John worked with Napa Valley icon Warren Winiarski at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. He helped launch Glenora Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes region. Afterward, he returned to Napa Valley as a winemaker for the esteemed Spring Mountain Vineyard. All this, before and during the founding of Frog's Leap, where early business decisions, like their comical slogan, "Time's fun when you're having flies" were made with his partners in the Frog Farm hot tub.

40 years on, John continues to evolve, innovate and successfully sustain the Frog's Leap brand, all while maintaining his sense of humor.

Join me as John fills us in the details, with cameo appearances from former partners Larry Turley and Julie Johnson.