On The Wine Road Podcast

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.

Today's story features a fantasy come true story that follows the "rags to riches" life of an American with an Italian heritage. My guest is Gudrun Cuillo, an Austrian woman who was working for an opera company when she met Robert, the American. The incredible part of the story is not that they ended up in Tuscany, but had the good fortune to turn their newly purchased property into a winery that sits near a long abandoned medieval village. What they were able to do with each property is remarkable. After 20 years of exasperating work and the loss of her husband, what does Gudrun do? She writes a novel inspired by her experiences, Casalvento, House of the Wind. 

I recorded this interview on June 7th, the day after her book was released. She was thrilled with how well it was selling. 
It almost makes me wonder what she'll do next. She actually answers that question at the end of the interview. I found this dynamic woman quite entertaining to talk with, and hope you'll find her entertaining to listen to. 

Here are some links with images that will add to the story:

livernano.it (the village)

Casalvento property tour

gudruncuillo.com 

Inspired Italy

If you’re Paul Sloan, a restaurant sommelier and wine enthusiast, and you get so blown away by a 17-year-old world-renowned Burgundy Pinot Noir you want to replicate that style yourself, how do you achieve that goal if you don’t own a vineyard and you’re not a winemaker? On today's episode, you’ll hear the fascinating story of how Paul and his wife Kathryn made it happen without buying grapes and hiring a winemaker. I will say, the purchase of an unusual European tractor was part of the process.    

Find more interviews, wine trivia, and more at OnTheWineRoad.us   

My destination on the wine road today is Sojourn Cellars in the town of Sonoma, CA. My guest is the Director of Winemaking Erich Bradley, who has the opportunity to source grapes from celebrated vineyards in both Sonoma and Napa Counties. His hands-off natural winemaking style allows the wine to express its own personality. As a result, they speak deeply and eloquently. Sojourn Cellars Tasting salon, is in a chic renovated historic home, where I joined Erich after hours. If you're still trying to wrap your head around the saying, "a taste of place". and the term "terroir" you should come away with a better understanding as Erich explains his winemaking style and vineyard choices.  Enjoy the detailed, relaxed conversation.

Vineyard manager and owner of Enterprise Vineyards, Phil Coturri has spent nearly his entire life as a mountain man, of sorts. He grew up on Sonoma Mountain, then started working on Moon Mountain in the 1970s. Between the two prominent ranges is the world-class wine-producing region of Sonoma Valley.

Phil started learning about organic farming as a teenager, so it’s no surprise he is referred to as a wizard and a guru, possibly even a vine whisperer. In this podcast, Phil talks about his background, traditional organic farming, and what makes Moon Mountain so distinctive.  

 It’s no surprise the Moon Mountain District Association chose Phil to be my guest when I offered to promote the “Reach for the Moon” Master Class and Grand Tasting event. It’s likely no one knows more about Mountain than Phil. The June 3rd event is going to be spectacular - tasting and learning about the wines that are the end product from the grapes that are grown in every direction, with unobstructed views from the mountain to San Francisco Bay. See the impressive list of winemakers who are attending and the wineries who will be sharing their wines by visiting MoonMountainDistrict.org, then click Events.

You can bet I accepted their offer to attend!  I hope to see you there, too.

As they celebrate 140 years, you can say Wente Vineyards is the leader in the U.S. as the family winery has survived longer than any other. That’s quite an accomplishment! They are also a leader in sustainable practices, in a variety of areas. That’s impressive!

Oh sure, Wente Vineyards has had more time than any other winery to develop sustainable business practices beyond what most can replicate, yet the family’s desire to continually do so goes as deep as the roots of their expansive vineyards. Aly Wente will share the details about the many sustainable initiatives they have incorporated to lower their impact on the environment.   

Whether sustainability matters to you or not, you have to appreciate that they’ve surpassed a number of American wineries that started 20 to 30 years before they did yet couldn’t manage to stay afloat.

Join me as I travel to Livermore, California to share their story.

Subscribe to On The Wine Road podcast on iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Find images and more at OnTheWineRoad.us. 

What goes better with an evening of music from talented singer-songwriters? Really good wine!  (I know you may be thinking beer, but hey, they’re in Napa Valley) 14 artists will be gathering for four nights of jammin’ music, and sharing stories for friendly, jovial people in intimate winery settings. On this podcast I talk with the founder of S.I.P., Patrick Davis about how this multi-year event came to be, and what attendees can expect. I will definitely be attending one or two shows.  Can’t make the Napa shows April 19^th-22^nd? They’re back to perform in Healdsburg July 18^th – 22^nd. Prefer to have a sandy beach to enhance your musical experience? Consider Cabo San Lucas later in the year.  For more details visit SongwritersinParadise.com

Subscribe to On The Wine Road Podcast on iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, or wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.

I didn’t mention it in the interview but Anne’s story is one of an immigrant achieving the American Dream. In Anne’s case, it was propelled by two exceptional mentors, and her drive to create something special, like designing a Sculpture Park throughout the rolling vineyards at Donum Estate. She also developed relationships with winegrowers who could provide the grapes she needed to create ideal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her impressive career is what prompted me to choose her as the subject for National Women in Wine Day.     

This is the third time I've interviewed winemaker Ted Henry - each time at a different winery. It's not that I'm a Ted groupie. As a matter of fact, I didn't plan to interview him when he moved to Groth Vineyard and Winery in 2021. But then I read four wines he produced when he was with Clos du Val winery won awards on an international stage...how could I pass up getting that story? Fortunately, we also cover much of what he's been doing since moving to Groth. Ted is now the Director of Winegrowing, in addition to being the winemaker. All they ask from Ted is to "continue to make beautiful, elegant wines of place — wines that excite people." 
Join me as I travel to Oakville, Napa Valley during this On The Wine Road Podcast. 

Photo compliments of Visit Napa Valley

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.