The Vine Guy

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!

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

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.

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

Loveblock wines is founded by Erica Crawford, and her husband, Kim Crawford, renowned veterans of the New Zealand wine industry. Erica started her career as an aspirational medical scientist, progressing into the pharmaceutical industry. Her career in the wine industry was quite by accident, when she met Kim Crawford. Erica and Kim began making wine under their own label in 1996 and later sold that brand. However, both were lured back by an untamed parcel of land on a hillside in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley and the prospect of making wines that showed “true and naked terroir.” Erica credits her healthy lifestyle with growing healthier vines and making cleaner wines in New Zealand.

Lindsey Fern discovered her passion for wine while backpacking through Europe and Africa and later honed her skills working in restaurants all over the world including London, Ibiza, Miami and San Francisco’s Bay Area. In 2014, her journey ultimately led her to the Inn at Little Washington as their cellar master. Then in 2021, she became director of wine. Lindsey is the only woman running a 3-Star Michelin restaurant’s wine program in the country! She in passionate about the industry and her career. Drink in this refreshing episode with the delightfully candid Lindsey Fern.

Aaron plays Anthony Holmes on the NBC’s comedy, Grand Crew. The popular sitcom tells the story of a ‘crew’ of 30-something Black professional friends in Los Angeles who regularly enjoy getting together at their favorite neighborhood wine bar to unpack their everyday adventures. On the show, Aaron’s character plays the happy-go-lucky, yet slightly uptight accountant. The series first aired in December 2021, and was the top digital comedy on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform. Currently in production, season 2 of the successful comedy will return first quarter 2023. In addition to Grand Crew, Aaron can also can be seen on Amazon Prime’s hit series A League Of Their Own, in the role of Guy. Best known for his role as Dr. Malik Verlaine on CBS’ drama Pure Genius, Aaron’s acting resume extends to include appearances in HBO’s Insecure, Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, CBS’ NCIS, FOX’s Bones and TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles. Drink in this episode with the talented Aaron Jennings.

Jeff Morgan is the owner and founding winemaker of Covenant Wines, a boutique urban winery in Berkeley, California making small-lot fine wines from California and Israel. Covenant wines are made from extraordinary vineyards that stretch from Central California, Lodi and Northern California, all the way to the Galilee and Golan Heights in Israel. Covenant wines have been praised by Robert Parker, who called them “the finest kosher wines on planet Earth,” and by Jancis Robinson who stated that Jeff has made “the best kosher wine I have ever tasted.” Drink in this fascinating episode with the exceptionally entertaining Jeff Morgan.