Life Between the Vines

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 [...]

For our listeners I have to note that we conducted this interview in the lobby of a busy Sonoma hotel on a lovely Spring afternoon. I met up with Blair Guthrie who makes his eponymous wine in Sonoma. Blair is from New Zealand and after spending a bit of time in the US making wine, [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Blair Guthrie, Proprietor & Winemaker, Guthrie Family Wines, Sonoma County, defining the term “Mouse”.  Learn more by visiting guthriefamilywines.com

There will likely always be debates between the use of cork versus screw cap, glass and other enclosures. This time we take an in depth look at cork as Patrick Spencer, Executive Director of the Natural Cork Council is our guest this week. Cork is simply amazing and even better it is good for the [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Patrick Spencer, Executive Director, Natural Cork Council, defining the term “Lenticels”.  Learn more by visiting naturalcorkcouncil.org

When you make high end Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California, is must be from the Russian River area. Mark McWilliams Arista label make this top quality wine from vineyards that were once owned by his parents. Today Mark operates the winery from a space just off the square in Healdsburg. The wine business never [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Mark McWilliams, Proprietor, Arista Winery, Healdsburg, defining the phrase “Fluffing the Lees”.  Learn more by visiting aristawinery.com

Many that visit wine country dream of becoming a vintner or winemaker, but few make the dream come true. Sheree Thornsberry and her husband Brian did in fact, make the dream come true and then some. I met with Sheree and Winemaker Ashley Herzberg at Grand Cru Custom Crush just a few weeks ago, where [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Sheree Thornsberry, Proprietor, Innumero Wines, Sonoma County, defining the phrase “A Sense of Place”.  Learn more by visiting innumerowines.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker, Innumero Wines, Sonoma County, defining the term “Vibes”.  Learn more by visiting innumerowines.com

Ehlers Estate Winery is always a fun place to visit and this time we met up with Winemaker Adam Casto and his four legged friend Adrian. Ehlers is found on Highway 29 just around the corner from the Culinary Institute of America, a historic area in Napa Valley. We talked about science, wine, vineyards and [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Adam Casto, Winemaker, Ehlers Estate, Napa Valley, defining the term “Persona”.  Learn more by visiting ehlersestate.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Kenny McMahon, Co-Founder & Winemaker, Arabilis, Willamette Valley, defining the term “Millerandage”.  Learn more by visiting arabiliswines.com

Way back in the early days of Life Between the Vines, the first interview I recorded in Sonoma was at Benziger Family Vineyards, Glen Ellen. Biodynamic way back then, it was a huge education for me in wine making.. So finally 16 years later I met up with family member Chris Benziger at the very [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Chris Benziger, Vintner, Benziger Family Vineyards, Glen Ellen, defining the term “Geological Lasagna”.  Learn more by visiting benziger.com

Its was pretty amazing in this podcast to meet a 5th generation wine family member in addition to reconnecting with a winemaker we previously interviewed who is also a family member! Robert Young is the Hospitality Manager at his family’s Robert Young Estate Winery in Alexander Valley and Matt Michael is Winemaker. Matt was our [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Matt Michael, Winemaker, Robert Young Estate Winery, Alexender Valley, defining the term “Poopie”. Learn more by visiting ryew.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Robert Young, Hospitality Manager, Robert Young Estate Winery, Alexander Valley, defining the term “Hot”.  Learn more by visiting ryew.com

Rémi Vervier is the Managing Director and Oenologist at Champagne Palmer and recently visited Chicago to talk about their exceptional wines. Meeting with Rémi in Chicago was a great opportunity to taste through the Palmer wines and get a first hand look at this Champagne house. While the weather was exceptionally hot outside we enjoyed [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Rémi Vervier, Managing Director & Oenologist, Champagne Palmer, France, defining the phrase “The Power of Time”.  Learn more by visiting champagne-palmer.fr/en

This is the first time I’ve been able to record an in-person full-length interview with Mike Sullivan and it was a totally great experience. Mike is Winemaker and Co Owner at Benovia Winery which is tucked away near the Charles M Schultz airport in Sonoma County. Exceptional Pinot and a laid-back atmosphere is the vibe [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Mike Sullivan, Winemaker, Benovia Winery, Sonoma County, defining a very special term, “????”  Learn more by visiting benoviawinery.com

Marla and Geoff Bedrosian knew exactly what they were looking for when it came to starting their own wine label. They settled in a very specific part of Sonoma County, grew grapes, found a winemaker that fit their concept and chose clones that created an excellent fine wine. The regular afternoon breeze and drop in [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Marla Bedrosian, Proprietor, Domaine de la Riviére, Sonoma County, defining the phrase “Clones are like Cousins” .  Learn more by visiting domainereviere.com

Entering Raymond Vineyards from Highway 29 in Napa Valley you will come upon a rather large eyeball giving you a look-see. No fear, its a friendly eye brought to you by none other than Jean-Charles Boisset! You’ll hear a bit more about that later in the podcast. Its always fun to catch up with Jean-Charles [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature our old friend Jean-Charles Boisset of The Boisset Collection, Napa Valley, defining the term “Rhythmic”.  Learn more by visiting boissetcollection.com

The wine growing regions of California are vast and beyond imagination when it comes to acreage as well as just plain beauty. Dancing Crow Vineyard is located in Hopland just a couple hours north of San Francisco. The scenery along the drive is stunning and the wines are equally exceptional. Scott Kirkpatrick is Winemaker and [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Scott Kirkpatrick, Winemaker, Dancing Crow Vineyard, Hopland, defining the term “Flocculate”.  Learn more by visiting dancingcrow.com

The secrets of a Michelin starred restaurant’s fine wine cellar is the blend of knowledge, experience and creativity. William Simons is the Wine Director and Director of Operations at Albi in Washington DC and I spoke with him on the phone just a few weeks ago. Albi’s Palestinian identity with a broad focus on hospitality [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment William Simons, Wine Director & Director of Operations, Albi, Washington DC, defines the term “Spontaneous”.  Learn more by visiting albicd.com

When we say winemakers tell the best stories, we weren’t kidding! Greg Pestoni, General Manager of Pestoni Family Estate Winery does have some of the best stories. His family history goes way back and covers several areas in the Valley. After spending years in the film industry Greg came back to the family winery to [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Greg Pestoni, General Manager, Pestoni Family Estate Winery, Napa Valley, defining the term “Double Plus”.  Learn more by visiting pestonifamily.com

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with three Napa Valley vintners to discuss several law suits which have been in the news. Lindsay Hoopes founded her winery in Yountville in 1983. Heather Brakesman Griffin's family founded Summit Lake Vineyards on top of Howell Mountain in 1971. Stu Smith founded Smith-Madrone on top of [...]