Tyler Klick Knows – And Grows – Wines From The Ground Up

After graduating UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program, Tyler Klick joined Redwood Empire Vineyard Management in 1997 on the grounds crew and eventually worked himself up to his present position as co-owner and viticulturist. Tyler oversees all traditional and specialty viticulture for REVM and also handles estimating, budgeting and overall construction projects. He is passionate about the environment and is actively involved in creek restoration projects and certification programs such as Fish Friendly Farming, CCOF, Organic Certifiers, and Certified CA Sustainable Winegrowing. Tyler led REVM to become the first certified sustainable vineyard management company in the State of California, where they farm about 2,000 acres. He is proud of REVM’s commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices, making sure that any property REVM manages is environmentally  better when they are done. I invite you to drink in this fascinating  episode with Tyler Klick.

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Winemaker Mark Mazzoni Has Some Very ‘Concrete’ Ideas On How To Make Unique Wines at Zialena

As the fourth-generation winegrower and co-owner of Zialena Winery, Mark Mazzoni’s deep-rooted connection to the land and his family’s winemaking legacy have guided his passion for crafting exceptional wines. A pivotal trip to South America in 2004 immersed him in winemaking traditions, broadening his perspective. In 2012, he co-founded Zialena Winery with his sister, Lisa Mazzoni, focusing on artisanal Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel using open-top concrete fermenters. Beyond winemaking, Mark’s devotion to uplifting the local wine community in his hometown of Geyserville is paramount to his success. His dedication to sustainable farming practices and his reverence for tradition are reflected in every bottle of wine that bears the Zialena label. I invite you to drink in this fascinating episode with the innovative Mark Mazzoni.

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Food Network star Duskie Estes wants you to know the face behind your food and why it’s important to honor every animal “snout-to-tail”

Known for her joyous personality, her passion for ethical sourcing and her advocacy for small farmers, Duskie Estes has been a leader in the farm-to-table movement for decades. She is also no stranger to television; Estes has competed on Food Network’s Next Iron Chef, seasons 3 and 5, appeared on an episode of Beat Bobby Flay, and judged on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. She and her husband, John Stewart, have been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, as well as numerous PBS shows. I invite you to drink in this episode with the infectious Duskie Estes.

 
 

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Working With Family Has Its Challenges, But Love Shines Through In Every Bottle of Trombetta Wine

At the tender age of 10, Erica Stancliff demonstrated the skills that would later define her career as a winemaker and enologist. Now, with 16 harvests under her belt, Erica has been described by Press Democrat as a “young Sonoma County winemaker turning heads” and featured in renowned publications, such as Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, San Francisco Chronicle, Robb Report, Martha Stewart, and more. Currently, she consults for five unique wine brands, including her family’s winery, Trombetta Family Wines, where since 2014, Erica has helped her family’s winery expand from 500 cases of a single Pinot Noir a year to a broad portfolio of 1200+ cases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I invite you to drink in this episode with the charming and talented Erica Stancliff.

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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

 

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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