After nearly three decades in Germany promoting her family's business, Claudia Schug has returned to Northern California to work with her siblings at Schug Carneros Estate Winery. Although Schug is not a household name, German immigrant Walter Schug played an important roll in the growth of Napa and Sonoma's wine industry. It's an interesting story Claudia shares about how her father made his way to America for good with his new wife in tow and the few belongings they had all crammed into a VW b...
Nov 08, 2017•29 min•Season 4Ep. 3
South of the town of Sonoma, in the southern end of Sonoma Valley, is a wide open plain with farmland, vineyards, and the flat and wetlands of San Pablo Bay. Nestled back against the tip of the Sonoma Mountains, in the midst of unexpected lush surroundings, is Cline Cellars. It’s a favorite wine and destination for many across the U.S. For 15 years the director of winemaking, Charlie Tsegeletos, has been crafting a great number of wines back behind that oasis, which also includes the Italian var...
Oct 26, 2017•21 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Notice: My apologies for the delay in uploading this post. I live in Santa Rosa, California, not far from the devastating fire issues. Our hearts go out to those affected by the damage and big props to the first responders who have worked multiple days in a row. We'll remain strong and carry on. Each year Wine and Spirits Magazine chooses the Top 100 wineries of the world. Each winery is invited to attend their annual tasting event in San Francisco. This is the third year Eric Sussman of Radio-C...
Oct 14, 2017•28 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Join me as I take the drive to Smith-Madrone Vineyards and Winery perched high atop Spring Mountain. It provides a unique viewpoint of Napa Valley (in more ways than one). Stuart and Charlie Smith have been up there since the early 70s crafting wine the way they feel it should be made. Their style hasn't always been in favor but as tastes have changed they've become fashionable again. If you enjoy hearing opinions on the wine industry from those who have been around for forty-five years you'll a...
Sep 26, 2017•20 min•Season 3Ep. 21
I truly enjoy sharing the stories of winemakers and I really get a kick out of finding distinctive gems that are outside the norm. This is certainly one of them, steeped in multiple layers of rich history. Aimée Sunseri is a 5th generation winemaker from Napa County’s oldest family-owned winery, the Nichelini Family Winery, which dates back to 1895. She is also the winemaker for New Clairvaux Vineyards in the small, dusty town of Vina, Ca. The original winery was the largest producer in the worl...
Sep 07, 2017•25 min•Season 3Ep. 20
This was only the second time I’ve featured just one guest on my radio show since it began in 2014. Today you’ll meet the Godfather of Zinfandel, Joel Peterson. You may not recognize his name but Joel has been bottling and promoting Zinfandel since he started his brand in 1976, Ravenswood Winery. It's likely you've heard of that name. They bottle other varietals and are well known for their slogan, No Wimpy Wines. Now he's back at the beginning with his new brand, Once and Future. It’s a fascina...
Aug 13, 2017•37 min•Season 4Ep. 15
(Garagiste - A French term used to describe a garage-based winemaking operation. Once seen as a negative, garagiste wineries are now treated with cult-like status.) Ben Papapietro was a garasite in San Francisco. His desire to get into the wine business found him living in his van in a vineyard for months at a time. Some how he managed to keep his newspaper job during his decades-long venture. Along with friend and partner Bruce they managed reached success in Sonoma County with Papapietro Perry...
Jul 28, 2017•21 min•Season 4Ep. 14
You know, one wine country’s best-kept secrets are the smaller, boutique wineries who, more often than not, make stellar hand-crafted wine. Without cruising around Northern California in person you wouldn’t know of most of them. Paul Mathew Vineyards is a fine example. Winemaker Mat Gustafson and his wife Barb make a great team, and if you happen to be in Sonoma County they offer fantastic food and wine pairing dinners. The road Mat traveled in becoming a winemaker was long and took many turns, ...
Jul 18, 2017•21 min
This is the second time I've had the chance to interview Ted and each time it's been an enjoyable experience. Now he's the head winemaker at the historic Clos Du Val winery in Napa's iconic Stags Leap District. Clos Du Val has recently made some dramatic changes to their wine making philosophy. The timing couldn't have been better to get Ted's thoughts on the changes you'll be seeing and tasting in the near future. My family happened to be visiting Napa Valley that week from Phoenix and not only...
Jul 02, 2017•21 min
National Rosé Day was June 10th and to mark that occasion I interviewed 3 winemakers who craft distinctive versions of refreshing pink wine. I traveled from Napa Valley to Sonoma County and hit Glen Ellen in between. This is the season for Rosé and over the last few years that style of wine has been getting quite interesting as winemakers search for creative ways to produce it. That’s what you’ll hear on this podcast. So find a warm spot in the sun with a chilled glass of Rosé and let’s get star...
Jun 21, 2017•27 min
This interview began as a discussion concerning the 40th anniversary celebration of Raymond Vineyards’ first vintage release. Always the innovator, owner Jean-Charles Boisset had it bottled with a gold embossed red velvet label. No, really. This inspired me to sit down with him to discuss his creative inspiration. That led me to present other wine producing innovations he has been offering from Buena Vista Winery (Sonoma Valley) and JCB by Jean-Charles (Napa Valley) . I enjoy interviewing J.C. b...
Jun 08, 2017•27 min
She’s been called “the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world” by Decanter magazine. Jancis Robinson recently honored the UC Davis Shields library by donating her personal writings, papers, photographs, and even tasting notes. Her long list of credits include co-authoring The World Atlas of Wine with Hugh Johnson, editing The Oxford Companion to Wine , and co-authoring American Wine with Linda Murphy. She is founder of the award-winning JancisRobinson.com. Naturally, I jumped at ...
May 24, 2017•14 min
If you enjoy a glass of wine while reading a good mystery you'll appreciate this story. Zinfandel has been in the U.S. since the early 1800s yet no one knew for sure where it originated. Is it related to Primitivo? Finally in 2001, with help from others around the globe, U.C. Davis professor Carole Meredith solved the mystery and in turn helped save the heritage grape from extinction. Carole shares her exhaustive research and discovery with me in this in-depth interview. You'll also hear about h...
May 13, 2017•34 min
On Earth Day my guest was Kenny Likitprakong of Hobo Wine Company. He was a good fit. He's a guy who loves the land, the freedom of the road and wearing out a pair of shoes. It's no wonder he chose a career that would take him into the vineyards along country roads to produce a product from the soil. Kenny and his wife Lynn are also environmentally conscious and choose to use 100% geothermal clean energy to run the production facility. But don't let the name fool you. He's making world class win...
Apr 26, 2017•18 min
It's not often, actually only once before, that I've interviewed a Hospitality/Tasting Room Manager of a winery. Yet the impressive experience that is offered at MacRostie in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley inspired me to do so. LisaMarie Kennedy is the driving force and we discuss the mindset that sets them apart from other tasting rooms. And, of course we'll discuss their wine. That's a given. For more interviews visit OnTheWineRoad.com
Apr 18, 2017•15 min
Michael Sebastiani has been in the vineyards since he was ten, if not younger. In his 20s he began working with Paul Giusto at Viansa Sonoma. While there they hatched the idea of starting their own brand. Highway 12 passes through the iconic vineyards of Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley, Los Carneros and Napa Valley. No better name could capture the essence of the wine they wanted to offer. In this podcast you'll hear what it takes to start and operate a winery as they speak candidly about th...
Apr 10, 2017•38 min
There were a number of wineries established in the mid to late 1800s in California that still exist however Foppiano Vineyards is the longest continually run family winery in Sonoma County. Some of the original dwellings and structures still exist, even the tasting room is built out of the original old redwood tanks. And if you visit you can still taste their 1996 Petite Sirah. The place is steeped in history. Join me in the Russian River Valley appellation as I talk with the president, the wine...
Mar 29, 2017•24 min
On this podcast we talk about Tannat grown and crafted by Bodega Garzón in Uruguay and Y. Rousseau Wines in Napa. Joining me in this discussion is Christian Wylie, the general manager of Bodega Garzón, and French American Yannick Rousseau, the winemaker of his namesake winery. We in the U.S. are not terribly familiar with the Tannat varietal but it is respected in South America and southwest France. Through the efforts of these two experienced wine masters and other wineries who are giving it a ...
Mar 19, 2017•37 min
If you want to taste depth of variety the wines made from Acorn Winery's Alegria Vineyards dates back to 1890 and includes over 70 different grape varieties. Sixty different varieties are included in the Medley blend! Not many winemakers are bottling field blends like this anymore. Has he gone bonkers or is he crazy like a vineyard fox? In this podcast you'll meet Bill Nachbaur of Sonoma County's Acorn Winery. For other interviews visit OnTheWineRoad.com.
Mar 04, 2017•19 min
Susie Selby has been a winemaker in Sonoma County for 23 years now but following the loss of her father, who happened to be her partner, she was nearly talked out of pursuing the venture. Facing an uphill battle she chose to forge ahead. Along the way the community has supported her and Selby wine has been served at White House functions more than any other winery in the country. Without a road map she’s found success. As you’ll hear she has maintained her sense of humor and humbleness. Join us ...
Feb 19, 2017•20 min
I read in Wine Spectator that Garrett of G. Love and Special Sauce is a fan of wine. It turns out his sister helps supports his desire with fine Burgundian wine. This gave me a good reason to set up an interview prior to a show at the Fillmore in San Francisco a while back. I've been a fan for many years and it was very cool to spend some time with him. (I gave him a nice bottle of Kosta Browne Pinot to say thanks). We talked wine, music and family. After the interview he asked if I wanted to he...
Feb 02, 2017•12 min
I think you'd have to agree that in 1969 Lee Titus was likely the only person who was a wine grape grower and radiologist. There's nothing like pursuing two passions. Inspired with what has happening in Bordeaux at the time he replanted the grapes that were falling out of favor wtih the varieties that are now so popular in Napa Valley. We learn about the family's changes and decision to make their wine as I talk with second generation wine grower Eric Titus.
Feb 01, 2017•22 min
You're invited to join me on a foggy morning in May as I meet winemaker and viticulturist Tom Meadowcroft. We walk through the Louvau Vineyard in Russian River Valley, Sonoma County. We discuss bloom, his winemaking process and those he respects. In this intimate conversation you'll feel you're standing and walking along side of us. The Meadowcroft tasting room is in Cornerstone Plaza south of the town of Sonoma. I really enjoy his Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and the other ...
Jan 16, 2017•20 min
On this first day of 2017 I’m presenting my show from the last day of 2016. On the final broadcast of the year I wanted to highlight those who have expressed their passion about the wine industry. The winery owners, winemakers and growers I have chosen have done so eloquently, philosophically, poetically, and often spiritually. I'm confident that if you listen it will make the wine you love taste even better. Cheers! Guests include Greg LaFollette of Alquimista Cellars, Julie Johnson of Tres Sab...
Jan 02, 2017•37 min
Not long after college, and with a degree in French Language, Michaela Rodeno talked her way into getting hired as the second employee at Moët & Chandon's new American winery, Domaine Chandon. It was 1973 and the office was in a garage on Mt. Veeder. After 15 years of helping Chandon become a success, she left as a V.P. and accepted the C.E.O. position at the newly established St. Supery Vineyards and Winery. While there she formed Women for WineSense with Frog's Leap Winery's Julie Johnson,...
Dec 22, 2016•16 min
This is one of the oddest segments I've ever recorded. Judd Finkelstein of Judd's Hill Winery has his own radio show on 1440AM KVON, Tuesdays at 9am. So I joined his show to interview him which aired on my show. Still with me? Judd's Hill Winery is a family owned and green certified winery in Napa Valley. Learn more by listening here.
Dec 06, 2016•21 min
The University of California at Davis has undertaken a wine label transcription project called “Label This” and you can participate. Imagine, lending your time to this prestigious college which is considered by some to house the greatest wine library in the world. They have digitized 5,000 historic wine labels which were collected over a period of decades by Maynard Amerine, a professor of viticulture and enology at UC Davis. To make them searchable and accessible to the world, they need your he...
Dec 04, 2016•11 min
I had a feeling of great anticipation before meeting this international wine icon. Agustin Huneeus began his career by saving Concha y Toro in Chile, a brand now recognized across the globe. He also worked for Seagram's, eventually overseeing their international brands. That position brought him to Napa Valley which led to his decision to get back into running his own winery again. He's done very well and continues to do so at Quintessa and with other successful wineries here and in Chile. Like ...
Nov 14, 2016•11 min
On this podcast we're going to challenge your belief in mystical talent. Marc Mondavi is not only a long time winemaker from the iconic Mondavi family, he is also experienced in the fine craft of dowsing, divining, yes they even call it water witching. Go ahead, scoff if you will, but Marc is paid handsomely for this talent and he wouldn't have been for decades if he wasn't successful. It's no wonder his other wine project, aside from the family's Charles Krug winery, is called The Divining Rod ...
Oct 24, 2016•19 min
It's time to veer off the Wine Road a bit and chat with a brewer. After all, the modern era of the craft beer industry began here in the heart of Northern California Wine Country. Don is an icon among brewers beginning with New Albion Brewery, kick starting Mendocino Brewing Company, and now calling Napa Smith home. He's been working on his craft as long as some of the winemakers I've interviewed. Hear about his past, present and likely future.
Oct 12, 2016•27 min
