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 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.
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.
Just in time for International Sherry Week, Chantal Tseng – a true student of all things liquid – joins the podcast to discuss the versatility of various types of sherry – both paired with food and in cocktails – and to debunk a few old myths. Tseng was the original bar manager and senior bartender of the country’s first ever sherry bar, Mockingbird Hill, where she created and managed the wine list and cocktail program. She was named EaterDC’s 2013 Bartender of the Year and one of Daily Meal’s 25 Top Bartenders in America. Please drink in this educational and fun episode with the charming Chantal Tseng.
‘Delicious does not require an explanation’ – A conversation with John Terlato.
Famous wine importer and winery owner John Terlato talks about what it takes to own a winery, why you may want to give Pinot Grigio a try and five factors that make a great wine of the world.
Wines tasted in this episode:
2017 Château Sistine Tradition Rouge
2017 Raymond Usseglio Cuvee Imperiale Rouge
2016 Tour Saint Michel Cuvee Feminessance Rouge
