Life Between the Vines

Wine lovers who know Argentina also know all about Mendoza and Malbec. Malbec is gold in Mendoza and Magdalena Viani makes Bodega Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec. I caught up with Magdalena right in the middle of harvest which was very kind of her to take the time. This inexpensive wine delights the palate and makes [...]

Wine lovers who know Argentina also know all about Mendoza and Malbec. Malbec is gold in Mendoza and Magdalena Viani makes Bodega Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec. I caught up with Magdalena right in the middle of harvest which was very kind of her to take the time. This inexpensive wine delights the palate and makes [...]

Anyone that starts a small business has my immediate respect. Anyone that owns a small business in the wine industry has my immediate curiosity. Stephanie Franklin is the Proprietor of Fly Wines, based in Oakland, California, which is in it’s first year of business. The wine industry can be a huge challenge and successfully finding [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Stephanie Franklin, Founder & CEO, Fly Wines, Oakland, defining the term “Spittoon”. Learn more by visiting www.flywines.club

Smith-Madrone Winery dates back to the very early ’70s in Napa Valley, a time when wineries weren’t so common. Stuart and Charlie Smith literally carved out an incredible future in fine wine making back then and have maintained top quality all those years. It’s been way too long since I last sat down with Charlie [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Charlie Smith, Winemaker, Smith-Madrone, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, defining the term “Minerality”. Learn more by visiting smithmadrone.com

Growing up in Napa Valley, Lindsay Hoopes looked outside of the wine industry for her future. Eventually she came back to the place she loved to rediscover the wine in her blood. Lindsay has had some incredible adventures before returning to wine country and to this day does not back down from a challenge. I [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Lindsay Hoopes, Proprietor, Hoopes Vineyard, defining the term “Phenolic Bitterness”. Learn more by visiting hoopesvineyard.com

ny winemaker will tell you that wine is made in the vineyard. But the role of winemaker can never be underestimated. Focus, experience, talent are just some of the major ingredients in making great wine. Jeff Cole, Winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate in Napa Valley is our guest today and I had interviewed Jeff by [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jeff Cole, Winemaker, Sullivan Rutherford Estate, Napa Valley, defining the term “Unicorn Team”. Learn more by visiting www.sullivanwine.com

You can always tell successful business leadership by the kindness of the people that they employ. They smile a lot and they love what they do. Crocker & Starr is that kind of business. It doesn’t hurt that folks who work with wine, tend to be pretty happy. Pam Starr has built that very business [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Cyrus Hazzard, Executive Vice President, Crocker & Starr, Napa Valley, defining the term “Typicity”. Learn more by visiting www.crockerstarr.com

Rhône Wines can be one of the most important experiences in a wine education. White wine that can age from this area, are great eye opener. Francois Miquel is General Director of Maison Ogier and he took time out to chat via phone with me in February. In regard to harvest, their website quotes, “The [...]

The history of winegrowing in the state of Ohio is extensive, dating back to the 1800’s. Today, the Grand River AVA in northeast Ohio is a major winemaking area with wineries offering surprisingly varied tasting experiences. Matt Meineke and his wife Tara are owners of M Cellars located in Harpersfield growing wines that make a [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Matt Meineke, M Cellars, Harpersfield, Ohio, defining the term “Details Matter”. Learn more by visiting www.mcellars.com #wine, #Mcellars #ohiowine #winemaker

Welcome to Premiere Napa Valley Part Two were we ask about the auction lots as well as how is PNV important to smaller production wineries? All in all I interviewed 47 vintners during the weeklong event. Listen to what Napa Valley is all about. Cheers Vintners in order of appearance: Paula Kornell/Proprietor/Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine [...]

Once a year, members of the Napa Valley Vintners gather to taste and to auction one-of-a-kind wines to members of the trade. This is my 13th visit to the event and I’m grateful to present these interviews with old and new friends alike. Enjoy Premiere Napa Valley 2024, Part One. Cheers! Michael Scholz/VP of Winemaking [...]

The challenges of winemaking are many but when a winemaker’s focus is exclusively sparkling, the game changes completely. Jeanne Feldkamp and Dan Diephouse are owners as well as winemaker at Corollary Wines in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. They’ve made sparkling wine in the traditional method since 2017 and soon they’ll be using grapes grown on [...]

This week we feature Jeanne Feldkamp, Co-Owner, Corollary Wines, Willamette Valley, defines the term “Traditional Method”. Learn more by visiting www.corollarywines.com

A short drive from Portland is Willamette Valley, which is an extraordinary wine area to visit. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign but many other varietals made their mark in this fertile area. It is a growers paradise. Ben Howe is now the Vice President of Winemaking for Stoller Wine Group which comprises several labels. We [...]