Before we started the recorder, my conversation with Chuck McMInn was about the telecom industry back in the day....and how he was responsible for the release of the famed Intel 8088 processor (this is serious microprocessor history). The wine bug got him on a trip to Napa and as he puts it "I got into the wine business two weeks before I knew I was in the wine business"" Fabulous story and as winemaker Keith Emerson peels back his passion for winemaking, you understand why Vineyard 29 quickly b...
Nov 02, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 20
The study of wine started in the late 60's when Ed began calling on Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits as a newspaper ad salesman. He was inspired by dad's exuberance and academia for the subject and committed himself to learn as much as fast as possible. Ultimately, he headed up two chapters of the International wine society, Les Amis Du Vin, through which Ed organized tastings with some of the most famed critics of the time. Ed and I dig a bit deeper on what the modern LADV will look like. Salut....
Oct 28, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 19
I bought some Roco Pinot Noir; the Stalker, and during the process was told the winemaker, Rollin Soles was a hoot. Correct. Having made wine in all corners of the world of wine, Rollin Soles has deliberate and unique perspectives on all aspects of wine. It is refreshing to hear the passion as a result of vast experience. Have a listen to Rollin (pronounced Raw-lin). Salud.
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 18
I have been tasting his wines for years and featured the Blanc in my club…I never peeled the story back to understand the motivation behind his wines. Meet Moritz Bak who thought it a good idea to start a winery at the base of the Pyrenees; only one problem…he did not know French. Have a listen.
Oct 18, 2021•52 min•Season 8Ep. 17
Wine can be a difficult subject. And I don't believe in the idea that you can simplify it....however, Matthew Lindsey has created an method that engages the novice and enthusiast alike when approaching the subject of wine. His wine festivals combine food, wine and cocktails (oh, and music) all under one venue. I am headed to one of his festivals this month to see how he does it.
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 8Ep. 16
George Skorka was highlighted in the first edition of Playboy magazine in Hungary. He escaped the regime to come to America without a word of english and with nothing but his wits, personified hospitality. Having worked at the best of the best restaurants in America, he has come to be the personification of the work Maitre d'. You will find his outlook inspiring and his experience extraordinary. Meet George Skorka.
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 14
The biodynamic wine movement is real and growing. One of the first in California was Gelert Hart and Ambyth wines. Truly rustic and adhering to the principals of biodynamic farming, Ambyth creates extraordinary wines from a variety of grapes. Hear how the vines grow and the philosophy works throughout the process.
Sep 28, 2021•37 min•Season 8Ep. 13
George Ronay is about to retire from a life of wine; but do you really retire from wine? Hear the passion and philosophy about wine from a man who worked all sides of our great industry. Learn about the passion it takes to be successful and keep an eye on the goal.
Sep 22, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Umbria is an unsung hero in the realm of Italian wine. The grape Sagrantino makes a robust long lived wine that speaks so telling of its terroir, I feel like I have travelled 3000 miles with each sip. I speak with my good freind Valentino Valentini, a third generation winemaker and former mayor of Montefalco. Enjoy.
Sep 16, 2021•39 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Mike Houlihan was sent out by his new girlfriend to strong arm a $300,000 debt for her client. The rest of the story is funny, inspiring and out right the story of America. In 1989, Mike came paid a sales call on me in our old warehouse in Lomita, California. He said he had the La Feet of California wine. And when left, I thought "what a stupid idea"...oh, really, it is not the largest brand in America. Hear the story.
Sep 14, 2021•58 min•Season 8Ep. 9
The California wine trade didn’t start in Napa, Sonoma, or Mendocino; it started it in Southern California in the 1700’s. Many Italian immigrants game to the Cucamonga area from the Lombardy region…not to make wine but to cut stone. Founded in 1929, San Antonio Winery is currently the only licensed winery in Los Angeles. Amazing history and story. My old friend Santo Riboli sat with me to discuss the trek of this famed company and family.
Sep 09, 2021•53 min•Season 8Ep. 8
I met Cayce Kerr as he was funning flanker of Fred Couples agent to vet me out as a legit company. His stories are amazing and the energy and effort he put into creating his own brand of chocolate wine. At the time, I tasted each and every brand on the market....Cayce's was by far the best of the bunch. Seven years later....he is getting some traction...hear the story.
Sep 07, 2021•50 min•Season 8Ep. 7
I wouldn't have believed it myself until one of the men I respect most in this industry brought in Dr. Nayan Patel. The Doctor of Pharmacy has been working with a delivery system to bring Glutathione (an known detoxification agent) into the blood stream. Have a listen what what his new patent is all about.
Sep 02, 2021•47 min•Season 8Ep. 6
HIs musical Sideways is gaining attention in the wine world. Hear the story of the book and the movie and the preliminary discussion of the musical. Well, it is coming out and there is a concert in Sonoma to release the songs (at Buena Vista winery). I had the chance to sit down with Rex Pickett, the author of the book Sideways that was made into the multi award winning movie of the same name. Learn where he taught himself to love Pinot Noir...though he never really hated Merlot!
Aug 31, 2021•54 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Andrew came to the wine business with no knowledge of wine but understands internet marketing and logistics. We met on the golf course playing with a round with other wine industry professionals. We had such a great conversation that I thought we would continue on the podcast. He is at a company called Wine Access and works with previous guest, Master of Wine Vanessa Conlin. Salut.
Aug 26, 2021•56 min•Season 8Ep. 4
He oozes with charm and charisma but knows how to get serious too. The Boisett name in world of wine is synonimous with fine wines from around the world. As a child he visited the Buena Vista winery in Sonoma while on a US vacation with the family. He told himself that one day he would return to "this most magnificent place." Some of the most iconic structures and vineyards in the Napa Valley are part of the Boisset Collection. Have a listen...quite inspiring.
Aug 24, 2021•53 min•Season 8Ep. 3
The wine trade in Oregon was creeping along until the late '80's when they started their International Pinot Noir Festival. They invited the great French burgundy makers to participate and the French loved the terroir and camaraderie. Maison Louis Jadot and many other Burgundian houses invested in creating great Pinot Noir in the Williamette Valley, Oregon. Guillaume has been a guest on the show prior and brings new insight into the happenings in the Williamette Valley and Louis Jadot. Salut....
Aug 19, 2021•52 min•Season 8Ep. 2
I have been reading his prose for years always wondering who the real Dan Berger is. And boy did I find out....engaging, funny, practical and a living wine resource. It is so important to know the history and stories behind wine; as a beverage and as an industry. Hear is all on this episode of Wine Talks. Salut.
Aug 17, 2021•56 min•Season 8Ep. 1
It was like talking to an old friend with Katie Wetzel. My father and her mother and father were friends back in the days in Palos Verdes Estates. Have a listen as we go through old times, new times and current times.Alexander Valley Vineyards is one of the great original Sonoma winemaking houses and I am proud to have her as my friend and have this conversation.
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 20
This is one funny bit. On my last trip to Sonoma, I was tapped to be on KSRO's California Wine Country with host Steve Jaxon and famed wine critic Dan Berger. Great conversation and laughter with talented Steve Jaxon and never a dull wine moment with Dan Berger. And look for the podcast (coming soon) I recorded with Dan just before going on the air with these two characters.
Aug 11, 2021•30 min•Season 7Ep. 19
Vanessa Conlin was born into the arts. After her soiree into singing Opera, her next self disciplined challenge was to learn wine...and why not shoot for the coveted title of Master of Wine? Vanessa is one of 40+ MW's in the US and one of the 90+ women who have earned the title. She is endearing and passionate. Hear from Vanessa Conlin.
Aug 05, 2021•44 min•Season 7Ep. 18
In 1972, the Duncan family set out to try their hand at winemaking; I think it worked. Meet Matt Duncan, 3rd generation owner of Silver Oak Cellars..yes, the famed Silver Oak. His insights and understanding of the winery and the trade are inspirational. Have a listen.
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 17
Michael Juergens is a Master of Wine candidate, industry consultant, and author. In this episode Paul and Michael sit down over a glass (or two) and discuss the exciting challenge of growing grapes where they have never been grown before, wine snobbery, and his recently published book Drinking and Knowing Things.
Jul 28, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 16
The Anderson Valley is a wine growing region in Mendocino county that is turning heads with Pinot Noir and Sparkling wine. At the helm of Domaine Anderson is Darrin Low. He grew up in the heart of the wine country and never left (except for his brief stint in Bordeaux). Hear his thoughts on everything wine.
Jul 22, 2021•51 min•Season 7Ep. 15
I was told by winemaker Bruce Neyers that I was to venture into food and wine writers, Colman Andrews was a must have on the show. As a writer in the entertainment sector, he was nominated for an Grammy...but food and wine was where he wanted to be and wrote for Bon Appetit, Food and Wine and Travel and Leisure. We had a blast on the podcast and am already scheduling the next.
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 7Ep. 12
I was intrigued to meet Natalie Bath of Rudd Estates...we were having such a great conversation I went off script and didn't get to all my talking points. Rudd Estates is family owned and produces exquisite wines under Natalie's tootalage. Oh, it is primarily a one woman show. Meet Natalie Bath.
Jul 08, 2021•58 min•Season 7Ep. 11
I could have sworn Proprietress Nell Sweeney walked by when Rich and I were on the mics for Wine Talks. I was going to be a little intimidated had she come in. Rich and I spot of the Sweeney family and the history that surrounds Vine Cliff. Quite fascinating and truly original. Have a listen.
Jul 06, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Tom Leonardini II is a second generation family at Whitehall Lane. We sat at the winery for what I would call a frank conversation about the state of Napa Valley and wine business as a whole. He sheds some light on what it takes to be successful in the Napa Valley and be a good steward of the land. Have a listen.
Jun 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 8
I received the book "10 Restaurants That Changed America" from my daughter as a gift. I couldn't put it down and immediately sought Dr. Freedman for a podcast. The podcast was so interesting that I ordered his second book "American Cuisine and How It Got That Way" and am tearing into that tome. You too will say "who knew?" when the details of what we eat in America are revealed. Salut.
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Paul Mabray is considered one of the most knowledgeable consultants on the business of wine. Having worked for wine.com WineDirect.com and others. We could have spoken for hours. Have a listen.
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 5
