I sat with Chef Ken Frank to peel back his career through the LA food scene and his ultimate stop at the famed La Toque. Hear his insights into the plight of a chef and being at the forefront of nouvelle cuisine.
I took a trip to Forestville 2 days before the evacuation to sit with Rickey Trombetta to hear her story of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The mother daughter team makes some formidable wines.
The Omen and Oro Bello wines are all Alexandre Remy. As a matter of transparency, he will tell you how much it costs to make each bottle and what it should sell for...plain and simple.
CoVid has wreaked havoc in the wine and food industries. Though on-line sales of wine are up, the industry itself is in a crippling phase. Ed Masciana, author of Short Cuts on Wine explains the devastation with the restaurant crowd.
I met Stetson about 12 years ago as he brought my first video winemaker interview ever produced...a father son combo from Slovenia. A wealth of knowledge and passionate about wines from the region. A very interesting chat.
We are joined by Molly Hill of Sequoia Grove Winery to talk all about Natural Wine. We discuss the importance of attentive farming and harvesting in natural wine, dry farming vs. wet farming, and the natural value scale.
Everyone knows Mario in Napa Valley...everytime I mentioned I did a podcast with him (restaurants and other wineries) everyone was like "we love Mario." You will quickly learn why.
The Wine Cask restaurant in Santa Barbara was iconic in its day and was innovative on all fronts; food, wine and service. When Doug Margerum walked in for out podcast and we began the conversation...the light went on...this is the guy from The Wine Cask.
As I was podcasting with Santo Riboli...the 3rd generation owner of San Antonio Winery...I was pleasantly interrupted by Arnaud Debons, the Frenchman who makes wine in DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles). Sit back and hear his philosophy on wine making and life.
Ed has been hanging around the Wine of the Month Club for over 50 years....he is the author of Short Cuts on Wine and a wine educator. He has been on the floor selling wine in the best shops in LA, blending wine for his negociant label, working the kitchen in many restaurants and more. Very knowledgable and a hoot to have in the studio.
A visit from Rich Hartenberger shows us that you can make it in this business but it takes tenacity and passion. Listen to the family trek to California, how they chose Paso Robles and how it works now. You just have to love it for it to work.
A conversation close to my heart....Charles Krug Vintage Select Cabernet Sauvignon literally started the WIne of the Month Club. Meet Peter Mondavi Jr., co-owner of Charles Krug Winery and hear the Napa history and the passion.
I was invited to Beverly Hills to interview Pablo Alvarez of the infamous Vega Sicilia. I was intrigued and curious to the history of the winery including the expansion into the Tokaji region of Hungary.
This was a ton of fun...we peeled back the joy and headwinds of creating wine in your garage and then....wow, making wine for the public. Great stuff....have a listen.
Tyler Russell shares his views on "burgundian" wines, winemaking in the California Central Coast, and the similarities between cooking and winemaking.
I have had the pleasure and honor to host famed comedian Adam Carolla on Wine Talks. He began a side company CarollaDrinks with his wine Lynette and the WOMC is helping them along. In the same vein of support, the Carolla production team has been instrumental in launching this podcast. Have a listen.
One of the most interesting conversations I have had not only about wine but french culture, life and then wine! Enjoy.
The famed Hearst castle has incredible history on many fronts. Though the castle was donated to the State of California and is an incredible destination....the Hearst family has a winery and tasting room near by. Meet Soren Christianson....winemaker.
Here is one driven Woman in Wine who absolutely mesmerized me...and she gave me a hug! Listen the passion and trek of Nicole Andrus.
Gary Lipps history in the Napa Valley is a veritable history book. Listen where he worked and who his mentors are....I dig a little deeper to see what makes this guy tick.
Ed Masciana author of "Shortcuts on Wine" was in the house...he has been hanging around the Wine of the Month Club for 50 years...never ceases to amaze me with his wine knowledge. And did you know he worked for Der Wienerschnitzel?
Not sure I could do it, but Filipe Martin Cabazon finds it an extraordinary opportunity. By the taste of the wines...I would say it is working. A very informative conversation about their winery in the Ribero Del Duero.
In the 15 years I have been producing wine videos and podcasts, I have never had a sister and brother act join the show. Together they make wine in the Valpolicella (just north of Verona) that is amazing and thought provoking.
Master Somm turned wine maker, Chris Miller, tells of his storied career...he has delved into the many facets of wine including but not limited to being the Wine Director at the famed Wolfgang Puck restaurant, Spago. Have a listen to see what is approach to winemaking is producing.
If you remember the '70's comedian Pat Paulsen, you may not know that he owned a winery....I remember speaking with him at his tastings...we are joined by wine author Ed Masciana; great story. You may also remember an advertisement that circulated in the '80s where there was an officer asking someone to say "Gundlach Bundschu Gerwurzatraminer" (I guess a DUI test!)....here it from Jeff Bundschu.
We had two unexpected guests stop by..first Fabrice Brunel, engineer turned winemaker from the Cotes Du Rhone and listen to Luca Ferraris speak of reinvigorating the family business against his fathers will.
When Vincenzo explains the meaning of Testamatta...you will begin to understand from whence these wines hail. Bibi Graetz bucks the system.
I was happy to hear Scot Bilbro was in town to chat with me. I presented him with a newsletter from 1990 when I featured his fathers Old Vine Red #9. Have a listen like two old friends.
I am proud to say that one of, if not the first interview she ever did, was in our studio years ago. Great to have her energy and wisdom back in the studio for this episode of Wine Talks.
Such an interesting trek to become the North American manager for a great collection of French wines. She discusses Parisian life, Caribbean trends and great french wines.
