On The Wine Road Podcast

The Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards has created a lower priced wine called Post and Beam. That led me to interview winemaker Michael Accurso. He'll take us through the full Far Niente portfolio, which includes Nickel & Nickel, Dolce, En Route and Bella Union. You'll also learn how Far Niente came to be the revered winery that it is today, the beginnings of which go back to 1885. Far Niente helped create the high-end Napa Valley wine market and has continued that role for more than three decades. Benchmark Wine Group is the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world.  It is the largest online seller of rare wines and they can be obtained by YOU!  Do you want a 1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape? A 1999 Antinori Brunello di Montalcino? Or how about a 1977 Graham's Vintage Port?  Hear how Benchmark can obtain these sought after wines, and how you can buy rarities from a collector's cellar. David Parker fills us in on this episode of On The Wine Roa

Today’s offering comes to you in a timely fashion. The Stay at Home Order in California has been lifted. As a result, winery tasting rooms opened again last week for outdoor service. However, the order went into affect the day we arrived in the Sierra Foothills region back in December. Nonetheless, both winemakers were happy to meet with us, at a safe distance, of course. Both interviews in this podcast feature winemakers in Amador County; Bill Easton of Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Easton Wines, and his neighbor Paul Sobon of Shenandoah Vineyards, Sobon Estate and his boutique brand, Paul J wines. I get a kick out of the winding country roads and the small towns of the Sierra Foothills, and the welcoming nature of the people who enjoy the slower pace there. For years,  winemakers Easton and Sobon have shown you don't have to live in a world-renowned wine region to make world-class wines. That said, the time is coming when the wine regions of the Sierra Foothills will be mentioned in the same discussion as N

On this podcast I feature Seghesio Family Vineyards & Shadowbox Cellars. Winemaker Andy Robinson and Sonoma County's Seghesio Family Vineyards are celebrating 125 years of grape growing this year. Seghesio is one of the few that made it through Prohibition and continue to this day. In comparison, owner Justin Preiser's Shadowbox Cellars is in its infancy at 11 years of winemaking. His fairly new tasting room in downtown Napa was the first wine entity granted an outdoor space, the parklet, during this covid era. Seghesio Family Vineyards and Shadowbox Cellars are producing outstanding wines and offer enjoyable experiences. Justin's Salt and Acid Pairing is nearly one-of-a-kind, utilizing a gourmet food item paired with his aged wine. To hear more details about the Salt and Acid Pairing you'll just have to listen to the podcast. I'll tell you this, it was surprisingly tasty. Hit play to join us under the ancient trees in Healdsburg, and streetside in Napa. Download for later  OTWR_Seghesio_Shadowbox_R

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 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, 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 Larry and Julie.

My guests from Chenoweth and Chev have a history together. Charlie Chenoweth grows sought after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Charlie's wife Amy and friend Michael Browne craft their own versions of epic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Russian River Valley also plays a role on this podcast.  Its diverse soil, fog-filled valleys, rolling hills and redwood trees have inspired my two guests. Chenoweth Wines The Chenoweth Wines tasting experience was quite a venture, as you'll see below. That was before the pandemic. But you can make a reservation to taste their fantastic wines within their picturesque Redwood Grove. It's quite a setting. As you'll hear, Amy and Charlie are quintessential Sonoma County residents.  Amy has a rock 'n roll attitude, and Charlie is as laid back as a country boy can be. Michael Browne Michael Browne has sourced grapes from Chenoweth's highly regarded Treehouse and Bootleggers Hill vineyards in Russian River Valley for his previous Kosta Browne cult wines, then in Michael's Browne Family W

Wild fires? I was hoping it would be quite a while before I had to cover this topic again. Mother Nature hit with a vengeance in mid August. The late summer storm was a nice surprise, but the 12,000 lightening strikes in four days across Northern California was insane. The resulting 585 wildfires produced 18 large infernos, one of which was the Hennessey Fire. Today's podcast features two wineries who "miraculously" survived the firestorm, Green and Red Vineyard & Nichelini Family Winery of Napa's Chile's Valley.   

Clément Pierlot is the chef de cave of historic Champagne Pommery in France. I found it interesting that the Champagne house known for creating the Brut style of bubbly is now making a sparkling wine from California grapes. It turns out Louis Pommery California Sparkling is harvested and made just up the freeway from me in Sonoma County. It was a topic worth pursuing. That led to another interview with a fellow Vranken-Pommery winemaker, Bruno Maillard. He crafts rosé in Provence and Carmargue/Languedoc, the world’s foremost regions for the light refreshing pink wine. You’ll hear from these Frenchman and learn about the incomparable heritage of the largest winegrower in Europe, Vranken-Pommery.

It was a chance meeting at an industry party. It's common to meet people of various winery positions at these after hours gatherings. I've struck up the occasional friendship during one of these evenings, and that how I met Mike. He's a pleasant guy, smart, and when he told me which wineries he works with it raised my eyebrows. Not one, not two, but FOUR high-end Napa Valley wineries. That's what led to this interview. His boss (bosses)?  Married winemaking couple Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams Porembski. The three of them have an enviable business, and friend, relationship. What are the duties of an assistant winemaker? (Often they do as much or more hands-on work than the winemaker). Which esteemed wine brands do the three of them craft? Well, you'll just have to listen to discover the answer. And when this whole virus era settles down, I can't wait to try more of them with Mike. Press play to join us safely on the wine road. 

For this interview I traveled 2000 feet above Napa Valley to the peak of Spring Mountain. Schweiger Vineyards offers picturesque views from their tasting room in the center of their rolling mountaintop vineyard. As father and son, Fred and Andy have been working the property, with wife and mother Sally, since the 70s. As you can imagine, they have plenty of stories to tell. Their wines are excellent and they have a close relationship with their club members - whose suggestions often get put into action by the family. As it was planned, this interview aired on Father's Day weekend. Here's to father and son!

Looking for intrigue, self-preservation and humor? It's here. I talk with Agent Red of The Wine Spies. Each day they present a tempting, world-class wine at discounted prices. How do they do it? Through covert intel. On a side topic, Agent Red's personal mission is protecting our health with HALOmask. The most protective, easy to wear face mask. He explains what sets them apart from others. Then you'll hear about a whimsical wine brand from a serious Napa Valley winemaker - Grant Long's T.P. Reserve Wine. He chose to put a smile on our faces during these sobering times. Cheers! 

On this podcast you're going to meet a professor from the past who you're likely not familiar with but who's decades of travel and research led to many important discoveries in viticulture, much of which had a positive influence on the quality of wine produced across the globe. Through interviews with winemaker Dan Petroski of Larkmead Vineyards and the professor's daughter Jeanne, you'll meet Dr. Harold Olmo. He was such a fearless researcher he became known as the Indiana Jones of Viticulture. Thanks to the University of California at Davis for prompting me to pursue this story. 

While the Napa and Sonoma Vintners organizations are incredibly supportive to their winery members, and communities, covid-19 has required an even greater response. The Napa Valley Vintners and Sonoma County Vintners are helping to promote the creative and necessary ways wineries are reaching out to the wine loving public. In some cases, they're presenting their own virtual tasting sessions. In this podcast I talk with the President and Executive Director of the Napa Valley Vintners, Linda Reiff, and the Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners, Michael Haney. These interviews were conducted to coincide with my previous post "Wineries Battle the Coronavirus Blues." As  you'll hear, there is no elitist attitude from either of these executives despite the fact they run organizations in two of the world's top wine regions. They're pleasant, down to earth people. Many winemakers, growers, and owners are the same way. As I've said before, that's what I love about the wine industry. Keep listening until the end

Back in December - before sheltering in place and when corona referred to a type of crown or the glow around the sun - my wife and I spent a week up and down Oregon's Willamette Valley. It was cool, with light rain and occasional heavy fog...and we loved it. Prior to our trip I set up several interviews, with Lynn, the dynamic former owner of Penner-Ash; Bryan and Laura Laing, the fun-loving owners of Hazelfern Cellars; and Luisa, from one of the oldest Oregon family wineries, Ponzi Vineyards. Each guest expressed their love for the region and the wine they craft. As always, their stories are entertaining and distinctly different from one another. Join me as I travel beyond California On The Wine Road.

In this second ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) podcast, I feature Ramazzotti Wines & Berryessa Gap Vineyards as I promoted the annual Zinfandel Experience. Joe and Travis Ramazzotti follow in immigrant Guiseppe's footsteps growing zinfandel and other Italian varieties. In 2002, they  decided to start bottling their grapes and others from legendary vineyards in Sonoma County as Ramazzotti Wines. I met up with Joe and Travis at Deavola Pizzaria in Geyserville for the interview. Hey, why not drink wine and eat pizza while we talk? Nicole Salengo, the winemaker at Berryessa Gap Vineyards, fills us in on the grapevine history of Winters, California. It's a warm region but evening winds funneled through the Berryessa Gap cool down the vineyard grapes. She crafts a good variety of wines but zin is one of her favorites.  In this interview you'll find out how this geology loving Vermont gal became a California winemaker. A Wine Uncorked feature is also included.  Stay in, stay healthy and enjoy some wine w

Zinfandel Advocates and Producers host ZinEX, aka the Zinfandel Experience, each year in San Francisco. The past few years I've interviewed zinfandel winemakers and growers to help promote the event. This podcast will be the first of two featuring this year's guests. Napa Valley's Robert "Bob" Biale filled the full hour of my radio show, so he'll be the only guest on this podcast. His Italian immigrant family has a rich history in Napa. As you'll hear, early challenges inspired Bob's father to get creative, selling wine clandestinely...without a permit. That audacious move led to their  successful flagship wine. It's one of many colorful tales offered by those in the wine industry. Hit Play to hear this gracious man share his story and his love of zinfandel. 

This is a shorter podcast that features the Mount View Hotel and Spa in Calistoga, Napa Valley. It's an historic, beautifully designed art deco hotel that offers many enticing experiences for their guests. This interview aired on my radio show last Saturday and I wanted you to hear it in case you're panning a trip to Napa Valley or Sonoma, in the coming weeks. On April 1st, The Mount View is offering a one of a kind experience that combines wine tasting, a film, dinner, featuring one of the performers in the film, and a night's stay at the hotel. Further details on this one of a kind event are featured later in the interview. If you can't make it that night keep the Mount View in mind for a future stay. 

It was two years and two months after the wine country wildfires when I stopped by to see how Paradise Ridge Winery's rebuild was coming along. I had no idea it was the first day of their soft opening. In October of 2017 their hospitality center and production facility burned to the ground. I've come to know the Byck family fairly well over the years and I'm thrilled to see the return of Paradise. Owner and family member Rene and I sat down in January so he could catch us up on the challenges his family faced the past two years, the new building and some changes they have in mind.  Then I'll talk with Master of Wine Peter Neptune about the rich and centuries long tradition of Mardi Gras. You won't believe how many centuries! You'll also hear about the sparkling wine that was developed in southeastern France that ties into the historical roots of the celebration, Faire La Fête Brut. As you'll hear, sparkling wine was developed in the Limoux region, (no, not Champagne) making Faire La Fête the ideal sparkling f

On this first podcast of 2020 I talk with winery owner and winemaker, David Eckert about ZO Wines, in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Not only do they have a number of tasting spaces on the property, they also have a lovely 100+ year old Craftsman home that is available for overnight stays. David also answers the question of why they chose an elephant as their mascot. And no, it doesn't mean their wines are big.  You'll also meet esteemed winemaker Daniel Baron, who spent many years at Napa and Sonoma County's Silver Oak and Twomey. He joins Molly Hodgins of the Napa Valley College Viticulture and Winery Technology Program to discuss some of their courses. The college is an excellent option as a path to get started in the wine industry.  Another Wine Uncorked features is also included. Hit Play and I'll meet you On The Wine Road.

After a long unplanned delay my latest podcast is finally here. For you hard cider fans, you'll get a kick out of hearing from founder Jeffrey House. The former Brit brought his cider knowledge to the U.S. in the 1970s and opened Ace Premium Craft Cider in 1993. With his sons firmly in place Ace is still a family run business, now in it's second generation. Then you can join me on Spring Mountain Vineyard during harvest with their longtime vineyard manager, Ron Rosenbrand. You'll hear about the unique character of this 845 acre property and how this year's growing season was for their Bordeaux varieties. Buckle up, it's time to venture out On The Wine Road.

Each year I have the great pleasure to taste some of the world's best wines all in one place. If only Wine & Spirit Magazine's Top 100 Event was several days so I could taste them all. The local culinary treats are a welcomed bonus. In this podcast you'll hear interviews with winemakers from California's Central Coast, South Africa, Portugal, Slovenia, Napa Valley, and W&S Magazine's senior editor Joshua Green. The Top 100 wineries gather every October in San Francisco. it's a "must experience" event if you appreciate wine and would like to expand your horizons. Pop open a bottle and join the fun.