Life Between the Vines

I love Ohio wines and for those in the know, the state has an extensive history in wine growing dating back to the early 1800’s. Take the time to check out Leon Adams book The Wines of America, if you can find it, to learn more. Way back in 2012 I interviewed Art and Doreen [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Lauren Fiala, Winemaker, Baci Winery, Grand River Valley AVA, Ohio, defining the term “Heroic Viticulture”.  Learn more by visiting baciwinery.com

With 42 years at San Felice, Oenologist Leonardo Bellaccini is committed to blending tradition with innovation. Wine in Tuscany is renown world wide, representing some of the finest wines to be found in Italy. But what is old, is new, and creating the groundbreaking Vitiarium project shows the essence of the region. I spoke with [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment, we feature Leonardo Bellaccini, Oenologist, San Felice, Tuscany, defining the term “Passion”.  Learn more by visiting sanfelice.com

Caprio Cellars is located just outside of the city of Walla Walla sitting comfortably amongst the vine covered hills. Dennis Murphy IS Caprio Cellars dividing his time between building homes in the Northwest and making world class wine. The winery specializes in paring their wines with small bites so their guests get the full effect [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Dennis Murphy, Winemaker, Caprio Cellars, Walla Walla, Washington, defining his favorite wine phrase.  Learn more by visiting capriocellars.com

Our very first interview with winemaker Doug Fletcher dates back to 2010 but since then I’ve sat down with Doug several times to talk about his wine adventures. Klipsun Vineyard is found on Red Mountain but Doug and I met at his office in Walla Walla. As winemaker the vineyard is a very special place [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Douglas Fletcher, Winemaker, Klipsun Vineyard, Red Mtn, Yakima Valley, defining the term “Corked Wine”. Learn more by visiting www.klipsun.com

The McClellan family founded Seven Hills Winery back in 1988 and in 2010 Casey McClellan was our guest on this podcast. Now that I’ve finally gotten to Walla Walla I was able to chat with Seven Hills Head Winemaker Bobby Richards at their very friendly tasting room in downtown. In my eyes, visiting Walla Walla [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Bobby Richards, Head Winemaker, Seven Hills Winery, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the phrase “Don’t Mess it Up”.  Learn more by visiting sevenhillswinery.com

The history of Washington wineries and vineyards might just surprise you. L’Ecole No. 41 is Walla Walla’s third winery, and was founded in 1983 by Baker and Jean Ferguson. Today it is run by second generation owner Marty Clubb. The tasting room is located in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse which makes your visit a completely [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Marty Clubb, Proprietor, L’Ecole No. 41, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “Double Decant”.  Learn more by visiting lecole.com.

When I’m back in my home state of Ohio I always try to record a podcast interview featuring some of the areas finest winemakers. Way back in 2017 I recorded my first interview with Tony Kosicek of Kosicek Vineyards which was podcast 216, ironically, the Cleveland area code. This time I caught up with Tony’s [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Emma Kosicek, Assistant Winemaker, Kosicek Vineyards, Geneva, Ohio, defining the term “Authentic”.  Learn more by visiting kosicekvineyards.com

Yakima Valley in the state of Washington has its own special identity when it comes to wine. But getting wine lovers to notice can be a challenge. Marissa Dineen is the Owner and Vintner at Dineen Vineyards and she visited Milwaukee recently where her family has roots. But family was only part of the visit [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment, we feature Marissa Dineen, Owner & Vintner, Dineen Vineyards, Yakima Valley, Washington, defining the term “First Leaf”.  Learn more by visiting dineenvineyards.com

Highly sought after grapes makes for truly exceptional wine. Its a simple as that. Pepper Bridge Winery in Walla Walla practices sustainable agriculture but it goes way beyond that. I met up with Partner and Director of Winemaking Jean-Francois Pellet at their tasting room, just a few weeks ago. A third generation winemaker, Jean-Francois is [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jean-Francois Pellet, Partner & Director of Winemaking, Pepper Bridge Winery, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “T-Bud Grafting”.  Learn more by visiting pepperbridge.com

I’ve been able to visit so many unique tasting spaces in Walla Walla picking a single best one would be impossible. But Dunham Cellars was just “plane” fun…with maybe a bit of emphasis on the word plane. Dunham is located in an old WWII airplane hanger (on East Boeing Avenue no less) and that’s where [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Joanne Dunham, Founder & Managing Partner, Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla, Washington, quoting her favorite wine phrase.  Learn more by visiting dunhamcellars.com

Crafting wine in Washington state is a serious business but not without a great deal of humor. These winemakers are passionate, but know how to share laughs with visitors. I met up with Proprietor Mike Martin a few weeks ago to learn about the wine, the winery name and how he found his way to [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Mike Martin, Proprietor, The Wall Vineyards, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “Duality”.  Learn more by visiting thewallsvineyards.com

Valdemar Estates is the first internationally owned winery in Washington and based in Walla Walla . With this interview, old world meets new world as Proprietor Jesus Martinez Bujanda Mora and Head Winemaker Devyani Gupta welcome me to their modern tasting room, which is located not far from the Oregon border. Jesus from Spain and [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jesus Martinez Bujanda, Proprietor, Valdemar Estates, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “Troncoconic”.  Learn more by visitint valdemarestates.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Devyani Isabel Gupta, Winemaker, Valdemar Estates, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “Tudbidity”.  Learn more by visiting valdemarestates.com

“Wine for the greater good” is the point behind Tinte Cellars in Washington state. Sneaking in under the wire just ahead of harvest I was able to chat with Winemaker Noah Fox Reed and General Manager, Cameron James by phone. After visiting Washington state in September I was able to experience the diversity of the [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Cameron James, General Manager, Tinte Cellars, Woodinville, Washington defining the term “Delish”.  Learn more by visiting tintecellars.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Noah Fox Reed, Winemaker, Tinte Cellars, Woodinville, Washington, defining the term “Delightful”.  Learn more by visiting tintecellars.com

Tim Gamble along with his wife Teresa Spellman Gamble are on a mission committing to strengthen the communities that create Washington wine. I was Tim and Teresa’s guest at the Auction of Washington Wines GALA in Seattle a few weeks ago and here I finally get the chance to chat with Tim about theTinte mission [...]

Gramercy Cellars focuses on Bordeaux and Rhone style wines, which is not surprising since just about anything can be grown in eastern Washington. Brandon Moss is Winemaker and Partner at Gramercy along with Master Sommelier and Founder Greg Harrington. This was the first stop on my tour of Walla Walla and Brandon was kind enough [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Brandon Moss, Partner & Co-Winemaker, Gramercy Cellars, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the term “Pied de Cuve”.  Learn more by visiting gramercycellars.com

The wine business is made up of some of the most fascinating people you could ever imagine. That’s why I do this. But Ernst “Erni” Loosen is a stand out! With 200 years of family winemaking behind him, Erni is out to explore, experiment and learn more. Laughing was a key part of this recording [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Ernst “Erni” Loosen, Weingut Dr Loosen, Mosel Valley, Germany, defining the term “Historical Winemaking”.  Learn more by visiting drloosen.com

Washington’s Columbia Valley is known for spectacular vineyard sites focusing on exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Quilceda Creek is a renowed Cab producer earning 100 point scores from major publications. I met up with winemaker Mark Kaigas at the tasting room where truly Cab is King. A brief shout out to our old friend Scott Lloyd who [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Mark Kaigas, Winemaker, Quilceda Creek, Snohomish, Washington, defining the phrase “Good Not Great”.  Learn more by visiting quilcedacreek.com

It was Argentina that provided a true passion for Ashley Trout, Owner & Winemaker at Brook and Bull Winery in Walla Walla, Washington. In 2016 Ashley Founded Vital Wines, making limited production wines to help create equity in healthcare for vineyard workers and their families. I originally spoke with Ashley by phone back in July [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Ashley Trout, Founder, Vital Wines, Walla Walla, Washington, defining the phrase “Stuff and Fluff”.  Learn more by visiting vitalwines.org or brookandbull.com

Its not uncommon for winemakers to have a background in the medical or chemical world. But our guest today is not a winemaker. Greg Lambrecht is the inventor of what is likely the most revolutionary wine related device in modern history. The Coravin is a remarkable wine tasting tool which gives wine lovers the opportunity [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Greg Lambrecht, Founder and Chairman, Coravin, defining the term “Sparge”.  Learn more by visiting coravin.com.

Most people don’t realize that Washington is the second largest wine producing state in the US featuring over 20 AVAs. But beyond that, Washington wines are diverse and exceptional. Chateau Ste Michelle is based in Woodinville, just outside of Seattle. Joel Wright is the red winemaker at Chateau Ste Michelle and I was able to [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Joel Wright, Red Winemaker, Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville, Washington, defining the term “Scratchy”.  Learn more by visiting ste-michelle.com

Those who love Washington wine know one of the many fine areas for wine tastings is Woodinville. And in Woodinville you’ll find the stunning DeLille Cellars, which is located in the Old Redhook Brewery building just around the corner from the extraordinary Spa at Willows Lodge. At DeLille, I met with Jason Gorski, Vice President [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jason Gorski, Vice President of Winemaking, DeLille Cellars, Washington, defining the phrase “Every Day is Tuesday”.  Learn more by visiting delillecellars.com

Producing 100% estate grown Washington red wines from the heart of Red Mountain, Ambassador had an interesting entry into the wine business with a major connection to our old friend, Winemaker Tom Rinaldi. Allison Engman is co-owner and spends time in the warehouse district of Woodinville where many Washington tasting rooms are located. If you [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Allison Engman, Co-Owner, Ambassador Wines of Washington, defining the term “Plenipotentiary”.  Learn more by visiting ambassadorwinery.com

In the very cool stadium district of downtown Seattle you will find the Browne Family Vineyards tasting room…well one of a few of their tasting rooms. I met up with Andrew Browne, Proprietor of Browne Family to get up to speed on Washington wines and the huge link to Walla Walla. Andrew experience his first [...]

This week our Vino Lingo segment we feature Andrew Browne, Proprietor, Browne Family Vineyards, Washington, defining the term “KISSING”.  Learn more by visiting brownefamilyvineyards.com

This is part two of our coverage of the Auction of Washington Wines 2025. This podcast asks Washington Winemakers “Why is Washington Wine special?” Be sure to watch all three Washington videos on our YouTube channel. The list of Washington wine professionals as they appear: Chris Upchurch-Upchurch Vineyards Marissa Dineen-Dineen Vineyards Sidney Rice-Dossier Wine Kelsey [...]

While at the TOAST event for the Auction of Washington Wines, I had the opportunity to chat with Marissa Dineen, Vintner and family member, Dineen Vineyards. At the TOAST event, the “Healthy Land, Healthy Communities” award was given to Marissa in honor of her work. Cultivating excellence is what Washington Wine is all about. Learn [...]

This is part one of our coverage of the Auction of Washington Wines 2025. This podcast covers the 4th annual TOAST event at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville, which honored some of the Washington Wine industry’s best and brightest. The Winemakers Barrel Auction and Picnic follows at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The weekend finishes with the GALA [...]

This is part five of our series where I ask winemakers “What is the one question you’ve never been asked, that you’d like to be asked”. Always fun answers and maybe bit of food for thought. Winemakers in order of appearance: Paula Kornell-Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley Mike Sullivan-Benovia Winery, Sonoma County Rémi Vervier-Champagne [...]