Paul Sloan, co-owner and winemaker at Small Vines, believes that by bringing “small vines” into balance, you will get the best fruit and produce the best wines. And he’s not wrong!

Paul and his wife Kathryn have worked hard to consistently grow grapes and produce inspiring wines of authenticity. I invite you to drink in this very educational episode with the dedicated Paul Sloan.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FGsr38ZPeTRTio0cwOX7N

 

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“You could probably spend your entire life drinking wines under $100 and probably under $50 and drink spectacularly good wine for years and years and never run out.” Ray Isle

Just In Time For The Holiays!!! Ray Isle’s new book, “The World in a Wineglass: The Insider’s Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now” is available NOW!
 
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Ray on my Vine Guy podcast – and I can tell you, he is a fantastic guest! And I love his theory that. “You could probably spend your entire life drinking wines under $100 and probably under $50 and drink spectacularly good wine for years and years and never run out,”
 
I invite you to drink in this fun-filled episode with the delightful Ray Isle. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GAkK679EaFeGNX7LaOFzO 

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Alex Gambal’s new book, “Climbing the Vines in Burgundy” recounts the huge gamble he took when he moved his family to Burgundy to pursue a dream – and how it paid off

Former Burgundian winemaker, Alex Gambal, has written a book about his 26-year adventure as an American breaking into the ultra-exclusive French wine region. “Climbing the Vines in Burgundy” is a fascinating memoir of how an Ex-pat from Washington, DC was able to not just break into the insular world of Burgundy, but excel in creating a renown boutique enterprise; Domaine

Alex Gambal, making some of the wines in the region.
Today, he spends his time between Idaho and Wyoming in the Teton mountains, where he is a ski host at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, an avid hiker and a grandfather. He is as passionate about wine as he is about community development. He is also the benefactor and chairman of the Diana “Dee” Williams Freestyle Fund, a charitable foundation to benefit the development and advancement of promising mogul skiers to the Olympic and World Cup level.

I invite you to drink in this informative episode with the energetic Alex Gambal.

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Making Wine and Making Music Have More In Common Than You Think

Making Wine and Making Music Have More In Common Than You Think

Famed winemaker Jean-Nicolas Méo (of Domaine Méo-Camuzet in Burgundy, France) and legendary co-founder of IRS Records (think Police, REM, The Go-Go’s, etc.) Jay Boberg met serendipitously at a party in Philadelphia over 25 years ago. Their friendship has led to a remarkable collaboration in Willamette Valley Oregon, where they make outstanding wines that, “we like to drink.” I invite you to drink in this extended episode with Jean-Nicolas Méo and Jay Boberg of Nicolas-Jay Wines. It will be “music to your ears…”

Wines tasted in this episode:
2018 Nicolas-Jay Affinités Chardonnay
2017 Nicolas-Jay Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

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Vin Fraîche Co-Founder Michael Kennedy Says Wine Scores Don’t Tell The Whole Story

Michael Kennedy created the Vin Fraîche Wine Group in 2018, after launching three distinct wineries in Napa Valley, Bordeaux and Oregon. In 2020 an additional winery was acquired to the group in Tuscany, Italy. Kennedy’s drive to create wines of freshness, vibrancy and life has created a thread of commonality in the wines throughout the brands. His passion for wines that are complex, long lived and built for food has driven him to assemble a team of winemakers and friends that help create wines of substance. He has been called a “Rising Star” by Food & Wine Magazine, “Super-Somm” by Bloomberg’s Elin McCoy and a “Top Young Entrepreneur in America” by Business Insider. He splits his time between Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Tuscany and his hometown, St. Louis. He and his wife Rachel have two sons, and one more on the way. Drink in this delightful episode with the refreshing Michael Kennedy.

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Famed Winemaker Gustavo Gonzales Brings A Unique Approach to Mira’s Practices and Techniques

Gustavo’s love for wine runs deep into his childhood. He grew up in California’s Central Valley, surrounded by family with longstanding ties to agricultural business who instilled in him a love of the land and an appreciation for wine. He spent his summers in orchards, vineyards, cotton fields, tomato fields and canneries, but he never intended to be a farmer, much less a winemaker. His dreams were filled with airplanes and rockets and cars. But one day he found a bottle from Robert Mondavi Winery that his father had put away. After reading the mission statement on the back label, his trajectory changed and led to 17 years at Mondavi, where he earned the title of head red winemaker. In 2009, Gustavo established Mira as one of the top producers of small production, single-vineyard wines in Napa Valley—including fruit from premier vineyard sites such as Hyde Vineyard in Carneros and Schweizer Vineyard in the heart of the Stags Leap District. Drink in this episode with the fascinating Gustavo Gonzalez.
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David Kong is Breaking The Wine Glass Ceiling With Glasvin!

One day, entrepreneur David Kong asked himself, “What good is glassware if it never gets used?” That question inspired David to leave his job at a hedge fund and develop his own brand of hand-blown glassware designed for regular use. Glasvin was born! Working directly with the factory, Glasvin is able to offer wine lovers the unparalleled sophistication of hand-blown glassware at a mainstream price. Glasvin’s pieces are designed to be effortlessly lightweight yet durable and dishwasher-safe. Each style in the collection is designed to promote an uncompromising sensory and wine-drinking experience. Today, Glasvin is the glassware of choice at many of the top restaurants in the U.S., including 14 Michelin Star restaurants. it is also the stem of choice for Christie’s Wine Auction. I invite you to drink in this episode with David Kong.

And better still: use promo code vineguy to save 10% on your first order! Such a deal!

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Mike Reynolds – President of Hall Wines – Has An Appellation For All Palates

Mike Reynolds began his career at Hall Wines as winemaker and general manager during the infancy of the winery, and was later promoted to president. Since 2002, Reynolds has overseen development of the HALL, WALT and BACA businesses—including production, operations and vineyards, which includes close to 500 acres in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Santa Barbara counties. Drink in this episode with the very busy Mike Reynolds!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wfw24BgWCJajWS79RbWFj

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Ryan Prichard – Director of Winemaking at Three Sticks – Loves Crafting “Table Fellowship” Wines

Ryan Prichard was born and raised in Northern California. His work with smaller wineries in California and Colorado led him to Williams Selyem in Healdsburg where he learned the art of making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 2015, Ryan joined Three Sticks where he crafts estate-only “Monopole” Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that showcases Three Sticks’ exceptional vineyards throughout Sonoma.

I invite you to drink in this episode with the ever-so-charming Ryan Prichard.

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Clay Mauritson Makes Wines For The Generations… Literally!

I have had the privilege meeting so many wonderful people through the world of wine, and Clay Mauritson is no exception – I had the honor to interview Clay at the recent Red, White & Snow event in Park City, UT as part of the National Ability Center fundraiser.

Clay Mauritson, of Mauritson Wines, was born and raised in the Dry Creek Valley and is part of the sixth generation of a grape-growing family. Pioneers from Sweden, Clay’s great great-grandparents raised Merino sheep for the wool and planted their first vines on land they settled in 1868. That area now anchors the Rockpile AVA. After playing in the Rose Bowl for the University of Oregon in 1995, Clay graduated and returned to Sonoma County in 1997, where he honed his winemaker skills alongside winemakers at several notable estates. In 1998, he produced the first bottling under the Mauritson label: a Dry Creek Zinfandel. Clay is committed to the sustainability of the family’s 350 acres of vineyards and maintains strong relationships with other growers, giving Mauritson access to some of the best grapes in Sonoma County. Clay’s greatest passion is his family and his the desire to preserve the Mauritson vineyards for future generations.

Please take a moment to drink in this wonderful episode with someone whose heart is as full as his wine glass…

https://open.spotify.com/show/6v6cWdpiDQzFNcOPQwFGKA

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