The Vine Guy

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.

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

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.