Podcast appearances and mentions of alexander valley

Send us a textEver wondered if a $10 bottle of wine could truly impress your palate? The Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 might just change everything you thought you knew about budget wines.After returning from a brief hiatus, I couldn't wait to share this remarkable Costco find with you. This isn't your typical value-priced Cabernet. Crafted by Allison Crowe, VP of winemaking for Plata Wine Partners, this wine showcases why Alexander Valley deserves recognition as a premier Cabernet region. The valley's unique climate—scorching days that rapidly cool to jacket weather at night—creates perfect conditions for developing complex Cabernet flavors while maintaining crucial acidity.What truly sets this wine apart is its fascinating duality. Each sip reveals layers of pomegranate, blueberry, and plum, balanced by both exotic and sharp spice notes with hints of orange zest. There's an unexpected port-like intensity that adds depth without overwhelming. The tannins are remarkably well-integrated, allowing the flavors to unfold gracefully across your palate. At $9.99, this medium to full-bodied wine delivers complexity that defies its price tag, making it a standout in the crowded field of affordable Cabernets.Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast looking for a reliable everyday option or a curious newcomer wanting to explore quality Cabernet without breaking the bank, this bottle deserves a place in your cart during your next Costco run. Take a chance on this unique expression that drinks more like an Old World offering than a typical California Cab—your taste buds and wallet will thank you.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

I am reaching back to 2019 for this podcast. In case you missed it, you may want to hear this story as Jordan Vineyard and Winery is one of Sonoma County's most stunning wineries, fashioned after a French chateau. It stands boldly yet gracefully among the sweeping lawn, beautifully manicured trees, and vineyards. Since the first vintage in 1976, Jordan wine has lived up to the elegance of the Chateau in which it is produced. Needless to say, it was a pleasure to spend time there interviewing CEO, General Manager, and family member John Jordan and winemaker Rob Davis. For you Napa wine history fans, you'll love the stories Rob shares about "the Dean of California Winemakers," André Tchelistcheff. As you listen, you'll understand the reasoning behind Wine Enthusiast Magazine choosing Jordan Vineyard and Winery as American Winery of the Year in 2014.  On The Wine Road Podcast is supported by Sonoma Clean Power. Music was sourced from FirstCom/Universal Music and Marscott.    

Episode 104 of The Journey Is The Reward it's time for a wild ride from pizza critiques to “Paradise” found! So buckle up, adventure junkies!First up, we're diving headfirst into the delicious drama of Listener Mark's pizza review. Turns out, Momma Coleman's taste buds were NOT impressed… for a second time.  Ouch! Guess not all pies are created equal. Then, Micah drops a tech bombshell: the mythical 10-year AirTag battery! Will it survive the test of time? Brian's ready to put on his scientist hat and report back in a decade. We're holding you to that, Brian! For the main event, get ready for some travel tales! Brian braved the wilds of Burbank airport, where the power went on a little adventure of its own, and TSA decided to join the reboot party. We're talking United flights, car rental wizardry (learn how to snag those deals!), and a reunion with old pals in Paradise and Ukiah. And guess what? Brian finally conquered the Alexander Valley wine tasting quest.  Plus, there was beer. Sierra Nevada beer. Oh, and let's not forget the flight home where Brian became the "invisible trash guy" and the "tray table rebel." As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. Feeling the FOMO? Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at Brian@TheJourneyIsTheReward.ORG for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

Get a Taste of Healdsburg, in Sonoma County, California, on this episode of Big Blend Radio's JO GOES EVERYWHERE! Podcast with travel writer and photographer Jo Clark.  Healdsburg nestles in a curve of the Russian River in a northern section of Sonoma County, and sits at the crossroads of three AVAs (American Viticultural Area)—the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley. The downtown district is a collection of art galleries, shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms. Read Jo's article about Healdsburg, here: https://recipestravelculture.com/healdsburg-more-than-great-wine/  Check out Jo's other Sonoma County adventures here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/sonoma-county-offers-more-than-great-vineyards/  Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina's Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! Her Big Blend Radio podcast "Jo Goes Everywhere!" airs every 2nd Sunday at 7pm EST. Follow the show on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yfkjm8sd 

In the fall of 2023, I recorded this interview as an oral history video for the Napa Valley Wine Library Association. I didn't get it completed until early summer of last year. It's about time I post it as a podcast! It was a real pleasure to get to know David Duncan, co-owner and CEO of Silver Oak Winery, founded by his father, Ray in 1972. Together, David and I explore the numerous innovations and transformations that have helped solidify Silver Oak's remarkable legacy over the past 50 years. By the end, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for why Silver Oak remains a true icon in both the Napa and Alexander Valleys.  On The Wine Road Podcast is supported by Sonoma Clean Power  The closing music was composed by Marscott Additional music is sourced from APM Music

Silver Oak Cellars was founded by two people on a handshake in 1972. Ray Twomey Duncan was a visionary Colorado entrepreneur who saw potential investing in California farmland to grow grapes. Justin Meyer was a winemaker and Christian Brothers member. They built a legendary wine focused solely on Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley and Napa. Ray's son, David Duncan, CEO since 2002, continues the legacy and has led expansion with Twomey Winery to focus on Pinot Noir and OVID Napa Valley.The Connected Table is broadcast live Wednesdays at 2PM ET and Music on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).The Connected Table Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

Traveling north on highway 128 into Sonoma County you will eventually find yourself in Alexander Valley, in my mind, a little slice of heaven. Following the winding roads through mostly local traffic, Alexander Valley Vineyards is easy to locate and great fun to visit. The history is amazing and you can even find the grave [...]

This week's RV Hour podcast, hosted by CEO of Giant Recreation World, Larry McNamara, is perfect for wine lovers and RV enthusiasts alike! In Episode 91, we delve into RVing Through Wine Country: Best Destinations for Wine Lovers. Whether you're looking for scenic vineyard tours, discovering RV-friendly wineries, or planning the ultimate wine-tasting road trip, this episode is packed with insights and tips for creating the perfect wine adventure on wheels! But that's not all—we'll also be featuring some incredible deals from GRW's Hot List! This week, we've got an exciting offer: a New 2025 Forest River 134BHX in Winter Garden, FL, on sale for only $14,999—that's just $34 a week! Plus, all new and select pre-owned units come with our Lifetime Warranty at no cost to you. These deals won't last long, so make sure to check them out! Don't miss out on these amazing offers and wine-touring destinations—whether you're an RV veteran or a first-timer, there's something for everyone! Tune in for tips, recommendations, and exclusive deals, and visit any of our 3 locations in Palm Bay, Ormond Beach, or Winter Garden. Always online at www.GiantRecreationWorld.com.

Spending time in Alexander Valley takes you away from the heavy traffic found in busier areas and is just plain good for the soul. Grapes farmed here are diverse and make exceptional wine. I met up with Dustin Moilanen, Co-Founder and Director of Winemaking at ACTA Wines during the heart of harvest. Needless to say, [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Dustin Moilanen, Co-Founder & Director of Winemaking, ACTA Wine, Alexander Valley, defining the phrase “A Velvet Hammer”.  Learn more by visiting www.actawine.com

Phil Long Wines In this episode, Rob and Scott do what you shouldn't do, they drink Phil Long's Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet.  So come join us, on The Wine Vault.

Wenn man einmal mit Frank Kämmer auf Weinreise ist, dann weiß man, was man nicht weiß und kann zugleich erahnen, was Frank wohl alles wissen muss. Scheinbar kennt er sogar den Namen des Hundes des Nachbarn, des gerade besuchten Winzers. Es ist fast unheimlich. Großartig ist jedoch, dass er damit nicht hausieren geht oder sein Gegenüber bloßstellt, sondern mit gezielten Fragen und Anekdoten auf unterhaltsamste Weise zu fördern und zu fordern versteht. Aber er ist kein Fachidiot, denn über den Wein hinaus ist er wie kaum ein anderer den schöngeistigen Dingen des Lebens nicht nur zugewandt, sondern auch darin bewandert. Er kennt die Kulturhäuser dieser Welt nicht nur vom Vorbeifahren, sondern sich in diesen auch vortrefflich aus. Es ist bemerkenswert, wie viel Freude er nicht nur am Lehren, sondern auch an den Erfolgen seiner Zuhörer verspürt. Und selbst mit seinem Wissen und seinem schier endlosen Erfolgs- und Auszeichnungskatalog nicht stehen bleibt, sondern sich durch die vielen Veränderungen in der Weinwelt motiviert sieht, „up to date“ zu bleiben und diese zugleich mit zu verändern. Verneigend, dankend, applaudierend war es ein ungemein bereicherndes Vergnügen, ihn bei uns zu Gast gehabt zu haben und lässt mich ähnlich begeistert zurück, wie damals vor 30 Jahren, als ich sein Gast im Stuttgarter Restaurant „Délice“ war. Ein für mich prägendes Erlebnis. Frank Kämmer MS Hadergasse 5 71332 Waiblingen Germany Telefon: 071 51 50 24 81 E-Mail: mail@frank-kaemmer.de Mit herzlichen Grußworten von: Ronja Morgenstern, Sommelière, Designerin & Champagner-Mädchen Suvad Zlatic, Sommelier und Freund ------------------------------------- Diese Folge von SOMMELIER – Die interessantesten Mundschenke unserer Zeit wird begleitet von durch Silvio Nitzsche ausgewählte Weine aus dem Programm der Schlumberger Gruppe, zu der die Handelshäuser Schlumberger, Segnitz, Consigliovini und das Privatkundenportal Bremer Weinkolleg gehören. ------------------------------------- Sehr gerne empfehle ich die folgenden Weine: Morey-St-Denis, "Clos de la Bussière" Pemier Cru, Domaine Georges Roumier, Côte de Nuits, Burgund, Frankreich _____ 2020 Artas Primitivo Salento, Castello Monaci, Italien Link für Geschäftskunden: https://is.gd/nuitXo Link für Privatkunden: https://is.gd/LNV5Td _____ 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Oak Cellars, Alexander Valley, USA Link für Geschäftskunden: https://is.gd/CCl3hT Link für Privatkunden: https://is.gd/F4QJ5v ------------------------------------- Bitte folgen Sie uns auf Webpage: sommelier.website Instagram: sommelier.der.podcast Facebook: sommelier.der.podcast Wir freuen uns über jede Bewertung, Anregung und Empfehlung. Das Format: SOMMELIER – Die interessantesten Mundschenke unserer Zeit. wird produziert und verantwortet von der: Weinklang GmbH, Silvio Nitzsche, Bergahornweg 10, 01328 Dresden, silvio@sommelier.website

During this episode of ROCKnVINO, hosts Coco and Michelle talk with Robert Young, Hospitality Manager at Robert Young Estate Winery. Robert is part of the 5th generation of family members working at this historic vineyard and winery. His ancestors moved to Sonoma County from New York during the gold rush and bought the ranch property in Alexander Valley, originally growing prunes. A suggestion came along in the 1960s to plant grapes, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon, a varietal now famous in the Alexander Valley AVA. The Young family also developed Chardonnay Clone 17, a disease resistant grape that worked well in hotter climates, cementing the legacy of Robert Young and his family in the California wine industry. In the late 90s, Robert's children established the Robert Young Estate Winery, and now use about 7-percent of the grapes they grow each year to make their wines. The other grapes are sold to about 20 or so wineries and appear as vineyard designates. Book a tasting experience today by visiting ryew.com   Robert Young Estate Winery returns again this year as one of the winery hosts of Songwriters in Paradise. On Thursday, July 25th, Nashville-based songwriters will converge on the winery for an intimate songwriters-in-the-round performance, paired with appetizers and delicious Robert Young Estate Wines. Tickets are available at songwritersinparadise.com.   ROCKnVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.

Melissa Galliani, Dan Berger & Justin Seidenfeld. Justin Seidenfeld, Rodney Strong head winemaker, joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. Justin Seidenfeld has been on CWC a few times, most recently on this episode of April 27, 2022. They begin tasting a brand new wine that they just launched on June 1st. It is a single vineyard 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from one of their estate vineyards called Bud's Ranch. Justin modelled this wine after a Bordeaux style, it is richer than the usual SV. 55% made in large oak barrels, then the rest is done in stainless steel. Dan says it is aimed at being ready to drink now and also to be held in the cellar. 2023 was an interesting vintage, it was cooler than average, which gives the wines structure without being tart. There is just enough acidity to have balance. They also use a rotating egg-shaped vessel for mixing during fermentation, which gives it lees contact. Justin started in 2005 at Iron Horse Vineyards while still going to school at UC Davis. Then he worked at Robert Mondavi before coming to Rodney Strong. Rodney Strong had the thirteenth bonded winery in California. He did a lot of firsts, like planting Chardonnay in Chalk Hill and makin the first Alexander Valley single vineyard Cabernet. He was also a founder of the Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill AVAs. Justin Seidenfeld helped drive the approval of the Petaluma Gap AVA. Dan Berger started writing about wine in 1976, working for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. He had a very informative 2-hour lunch interview with Rodney Strong that year. 1158 Acres of Vineyards Rodney Strong winery is now owned by the Klein family and now owns 12 vineyard sites with 1158 acres total. It is critical to their success to have control over the vineyards as well as production. Dan Berger notices the flavor of fresh-cut new-mown hay in this Sauvignon Blanc which makes it unique. Rodney Strong is famous for its Cabernets and for its Chalk Hill Chardonnay. They also make a very good Pinot Noir, all from Russian River Valley. Their Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet retails for about $20. Justin says it punches above its weight, at that price. They literally buy their barrels as trees in France. That and the fact that they own their vineyards means their retail price is modest, they can focus on quality and evolve. They have just finished rennovating their vineyards and are ready for generations in the future. August 24 is the Single Vineyard Dinner, when they release their top wines. They taste one that is a 2019 100% single vineyard Cabernet, which is a demonstration of terroir. The 3 wines to be revealed on August 24 are similar except for their vineyard location so they taste differently. As Justin describes, Rodney Strong's intention is to surprise and delight.

The guys sit down with local Sonoma County Winemaker, Mark Lyon this week. Mark is a fixture in Sonoma wine-making circles as he was Winemaker at Sebastiani for years and years. Now he is headlong into his own lifelong passion of his own brand, Eco Terreno, organic and fully regenerative farming, creating beautiful whites and reds from the Alexander Valley along the Russian River. [Ep328] ecoterreno.com @ecoterrenowines

Episode 202 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery In this podcast episode, Dustin Moylanen, co-founder and winemaking director at ACTA shares insights about their unique winemaking process. ACTA, embodying their Latin motto 'Acta Non Verba' or 'Deeds Not Words', puts emphasis on intentional winemaking. Highlighted in the discussion is their signature red blend, Deeds, a rich mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Malbec. Wine of the Day: ACTA 2021 Deeds Fast Five:  Shane from Wilson Winery: Pulled Pork!  Pork Tenderloin Sweet Teriyaki BBQ Sauce Brown Sugar Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Cup Chicken Stock  Crock pot for 5-6 hours - shred with forks, eat on a brioche bun - include coleslaw if you want, but Shane isn't a coleslaw guy.  Pairs well with any Wilson Winery Zinfandel!   Links:  https://actawine.com/ https://www.wilsonwinery.com/ Sponsor: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Join us as we meet three incredible survivors of the Nova Festival, Dor Kapah, Shye Klein, and Or Elmakias. Their unwavering courage amidst the chaos and horrors of October 7th stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Listen as they share their journeys of healing and finding light in the darkness after tragedy.To find out more about it by visiting other survivor stories at https://www.israel-is.org/en/survived-to-tell/https://www.instagram.com/survived.to.tell?igsh=MW9ldXZmbWZqaGhnYQ==Episode Sponsor: HERZOG About Our Sponsor:The HERZOG  Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps not as well known as the Herzog Napa Valley and Alexander Valley, but that's only because it was introduced more recently. Lake County is a wine growing region in Northern California that many winemakers like to nickname “the new Napa”. The area is known for its volcanic soil and sharp differences of temperature between the day and night during the growing and harvesting season. The result is a wine that is rich and flavorful, an absolute delight both to enjoy now and to age for many years to come.https://elkwine.com/products/herzog-sr-lake-county-cabernet-sauvignon-california?_pos=2&_sid=1ac5b9035&_ss=rThank you to the  Altair Hotel in Bay Harbour Islands, FL for hosting From the Inside Out at their beautiful hotel.www.thealtairhotel.com

Episode Sponsor: Herzog WinesWebsite: https://elkwine.com/products/herzog-sr-lake-county-cabernet-sauvignon-california?_pos=2&_sid=1ac5b9035&_ss=rEpisode Guest: Rochel Zuckerman Contact: Rochelzuckerman@gmail.comBorn in Miami Beach and Raised in Los Angeles, Rochel Zuckerman was immersed  in the world of celebrity fashion and styling With a thriving career that she loved and found purpose in. Rochel was living her dream, styling hollywood celebrities and musical artists. Then she discovered her Jewish identity at the age of 16 after being raised Catholic. Fast forward to today and Rochel is a wife and vibrant mother of 7 beautiful children striving to find the perfect balance between work, family, and her community projects. Her love for Yiddishkeit and Torah and background in fashion and design, having dressed various celebrities and music artists, which now shines through in her modest dress and passion for event coordinating and interior design. Rochel Zuckerman lives in Ft. Lauderdale with her Husband and their 7 children . About Our Sponsor:The HERZOG  Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps not as well known as the Herzog Napa Valley and Alexander Valley, but that's only because it was introduced more recently. Lake County is a wine growing region in Northern California that many winemakers like to nickname “the new Napa”. The area is known for its volcanic soil and sharp differences of temperature between the day and night during the growing and harvesting season. The result is a wine that is rich and flavorful, an absolute delight both to enjoy now and to age for many years to come.https://elkwine.com/products/herzog-sr-lake-county-cabernet-sauvignon-california?_pos=2&_sid=1ac5b9035&_ss=rThank you to the  Altair Hotel in Bay Harbour Islands, FL for hosting From the Inside Out at their beautiful hotel.www.thealtairhotel.com

Episode 200 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Richard Ross, Wine Road Podcast Sound Engineer Superstar The 200th episode of The Wine Road podcast features Beth and Marcy reminiscing on their podcasting journey, with the one and only Richard Ross, the man behind the Wine Road Podcast curtain! Join them on this reflective journey - with a glass of wine! Wines of the Day:  Russian River Vineyards 2022 Bacigalupi  Moshin Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Noir Ron Rubin Blue Bin Planet Friendly 100% Recycled Bottle, the 2022 Pinot Grigio   Links: Russian River Vineyards Papapietro Perry Moshin Vineyards Sonoma County Wine Growers Alexander Valley Vineyards The Wine List Wine Industry Network VinoTastr The Matheson Valette Gold Ridge Organic Farms Sponsor: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode Sponsor: Herzog WinesWebsite: https://elkwine.com/products/herzog-sr-lake-county-cabernet-sauvignon-california?_pos=2&_sid=1ac5b9035&_ss=rThe Herzog Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps not as well known as the Herzog Napa Valley and Alexander Valley, but that's only because it was introduced more recently. Lake County is a wine growing region in Northern California that many winemakers like to nickname “the new Napa”. The area is known for its volcanic soil and sharp differences of temperature between the day and night during the growing and harvesting season. The result is a wine that is rich and flavorful, an absolute delight both to enjoy now and to age for many years to come.https://elkwine.com/products/herzog-sr-lake-county-cabernet-sauvignon-california?_pos=2&_sid=1ac5b9035&_ss=rEpisode Guest: Alan DershowitzAlan Dershowitz is one of the most celebrated lawyers in the world. He was the youngest full professor in Harvard Law School history where he is now the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus. The author, most recently, of Get Trump: The Threat to Civil Liberties, Due Process, and Our Constitutional Rule of Law, and of numerous bestselling books, from Chutzpah to Guilt by Accusation to The Case Against Impeaching Trump to The Best Defense to Reversal of Fortune (which was made into an Academy Award–winning film) to Defending Israel, Dershowitz has advised presidents and prime ministers and has represented many prominent men and women, half of them pro bono.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of the Kosher Wine Podcast, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman discuss their backgrounds and passion for kosher wine. They explore the significance of wine in Jewish culture and how it is used to celebrate various occasions. The hosts also highlight the influence of kosher wine in the market and the growth of the industry. They introduce the concept of the Kosher Wine Podcast and their plan to feature different wines in each episode. The episode concludes with a focus on Herzog Wine and a tasting of the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, discussing its characteristics and oak aging process. In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Kenny Friedman discuss various aspects of wine appreciation. They emphasize the importance of smelling wine and how it enhances the overall wine experience. They also explore topics such as aging and oak in wine, decanting and aerating wine, and the connection between smell and taste. They recommend the Herzog Alexander Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon as a versatile and enjoyable wine, suitable for various occasions. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to ask questions and engage further.TakeawaysSmelling wine is an essential part of the wine experience and can greatly enhance the enjoyment of the wine.Understanding the aging potential of wine and the impact of oak can help in selecting and appreciating different wines.Decanting and aerating wine can be beneficial for certain wines, but it is not necessary for every bottle.The alcohol content in wine should not be the sole factor in judging its quality, as other factors such as balance and smoothness are equally important.The Herzog Alexander Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a recommended wine for its approachability, versatility, and overall enjoyment.Support the Show.Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

Simi Winery Landslide Vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon In this episode, Rob and Scott review the excellent Landslide Vineyard Cabernet from Simi.  So come join us, on The Wine Vault. 

Episode 190  Sponsored by River Road Family Vineyards   Wine of the Day: Moshin Vineyards 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir We were joined in the studio today by Liana, the newest member of the Wine Road Team! She helps out in our office and is our new point of contact for customers and Members alike. Hear about how she can help you out, and hear about what's coming up for Wine Road! Book of the Day: How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor & Savoring Life, By Mandy Naglich Fast Five Recipe: Lindsay Musco, Director of Business Development Visit Santa Rosa  Brussels Sprouts Salad  Brussels sprouts - cut in half, julienned, then blanched Toasted walnuts - chopped Bacon or Pancetta - chopped, cooked  Vinaigrette (She recommends Gerard's Champagne Vinaigrette) Garnished with Shaved parmesan  Served hot or cold as a side dish Pairs with Crisp white, unoaked chardonnay or Rosé Links:  Wine Road Winter WINEland River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Sponsor: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Foppiano GM Rob McNeill and winemaker Nova Perrill, are both guests on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. Rob was on this CWC episode on August 29, 2018 and Nova has been on the show three other times, the most recent was this episode of October 26, 2022. Nova became the Foppiano Vineyards winemaker in 2014 and Rob became GM in 2017. Rob had made sparkling wine and he wanted to make some at Foppiano, so he introduced Nova to it. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have taken over a lot of acreage, and Napa Valley wineries are buying Sonoma County Pinot Noir fruit. Since most of Russian River Valley is Pinot Noir, what is left of the Cabernet growing in Sonoma is very distinctive in Cab character. Growing it in warm climates sacrifices the aromatics that you get from cooler Napa valley. So these Cabs from Russian River have full Cabernet character. The average consumer has not tasted these aromatics in 20 years, because of the way Napa makes Cabernet today.  This Russian River Cabernet has all the flavors of dried grass, green pepper and red pepper that Cab should always have. Wine is beautifully simple. Wine will essentially make itself, under certain parameters. Sparkling winemaking is taking those parameters and making them as complicated as possible ... and the product makes it worthwhile. -Nova Perrill. Nova says that the varietal and the region are a team. Foppiano is located in northern tip of Russian River, near Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, which give a warmer influence. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Petit Syrah Dan Berger says that Foppiano is most famous for Petit Syrah, which is their flagship wine. They are committed to consistency in its production. It is tannic but moderated by its fruity flavors. Dan has some Petit Syrahs that are 35 or 40 years old. Clark Smith did a survey of the oxygen appetite of all the grape varieties. He discovered that the grape variety with the greatest capacity for absorbing oxygen is Petit Syrah.

Want to know the inside tracks, the backroads and the best bests of the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley in northern Sonoma County? We got you! Our guests today co-host the popular, fun and informative award-winning podcast, The Wine Road. As they say, it's all about the wine and the where of Sonoma County. Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa are podcast pros! They've done 180+ episodes, extolling the delights of northern Sonoma County, from the redwood forests, the diverse growing regions, picturesque valleys and charming downtowns. Tune in and you'll learn about engaging wine personalities, incredible experiences and a diverse culinary culture. Recently Marcy and Beth hosted us, the Marys, on an episode of The Wine Road. ICYMI listen here. It's great to support other podcasters in the wine space and we sure had lots of laughs doing it. Join us for everything you wanted to know - and didn't know you needed to know - about northern Sonoma County along The Wine Road.

During this episode of ROCK'nVINO, hosts Coco and Michelle talk with The Wine Guy, Tom Simoneau! KSRO listeners are quite familiar with Tom's voice, since he started his radio career as The Wine Guy on KSRO back in the 90s. Tom is uniquely suited for our show, since he started out as a musician and ended up a winemaker! Tom learned to play guitar with his college friends and decided to make a go of it as a band in Georgia. Their first band was named C&W Mow Company, since their landlord told them they needed to pay rent somehow and mowing lawns was a good way to earn some dough! Influenced by bands like the Allman Brothers and Little Feat, Tom and his bandmates started to play bigger shows and tour across the country. The music scene in San Francisco drew them west, and they decided they were going to head to California to get signed and become professional musicians. Luck wasn't in the cards, but after a holiday trip home, Tom started to date a beautiful girl he knew from home in Maine, and brought her back to California. Tom and Brenda Lee bought a home in Healdsburg and Tom started working by selling wine over the phone direct to customers. He had the chance to make some wine, and won awards as an amateur winemaker. They sold their first home and bought a ranch in Alexander Valley. That sealed the deal, and Tom the bassist became Tom Simoneau, winemaker and grape grower. In the early years, Tom relied on American AgCredit to help him live from harvest to harvest, as he fleshed out his business. This episode is PACKED with great stories not only about Tom's history, but stories of Sonoma County, Healdsburg, and the families who make this place their home.   Check out Tom's wines (including the Brenda Lee Chardonnay!) online at simoneauvineyards.com and find it on the menu at Valette in Healdsburg. ROCK'nVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.

Dan Berger and Barry Herbst. Barry Herbst is in the studio on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger, with 2023 Harvest Fair winners at Bottle Barn. Dan Berger was also on this episode back on October 2, with a first report on this year's Harvest Fair winners. Barry Herbst says that the public tasting at Bottle Barn last Saturday was well-attended. Almost all the winning wines from the 2023 Harvest Fair are there, in the middle of the store. It will stay up on display through the end of the year, although some of the wines may sell out before then. Instead of his usual cellar wine, Dan Berger has brought a bottle of wine that he has just purchased that comes from Victoria, Australia. The Australians are doing a big promotion to change Americans' perception of Australian wine. Victoria is a cool region that grows a lot of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This Little Yering Chardonnay is crisp and bright and sells for $18. The problem for the Australian wines is that the low-cost Barefoot brand from Australia has miseducated the American public that Aussie wines should only sell for $8. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. A Rosé of Aglianico They begin by tasting the La Certosa Rosé that won Best of Class was made from Aglianico grapes. It is an Italian red variety that makes red wine but that has almost no color. It makes a light colored Rosé too. Next they taste the Best of Class Chardonnay, a 2022 from the Miro label, made by Miro Tcholokov, who appeared on California Wine Country on this episode recorded on September 2, 2020. It's a single vineyard Chardonnay that has a lot of fruit taste. Dan thinks it might take only about a year in the cellar. Miro is the winemaker at Trentadue Winery and he also produces some of his own labels. Dan says that Miro's Chardonnay has a little bit of Burgundian character, in that they have the aftertaste of a European Chard, with its notable acidity. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for up-to-date info on concerts and other events. The next wine is a Grenache Blanc. Dan calls it “all-purpose” because the flavors are all about the fruit but it also has a nice minerality in its aftertaste. Grenache Blanc is only lightly planted in the US. Then finally they taste a Grenache Rouge. Barry discovered this producer because it won Best of Class Grenache in its price range. Alexander Valley, 2019. The tannins that it has are fruit tannins so they are softer. Barry compares it to a Spanish Grenache.

Join Winery Ambassador, Craig Ellick, as he interviews Kristina Shideler on all things Stonestreet and Arrowood wineries.

Melissa Luci from Alexander Valley Hops and Fal Allen of Anderson Valley Brewing Co. visit Brew Ha Ha with Steve Jaxon and Herlinda Heras. Fal Allen has been on the show many times, the last time was this May 13, 2021 episode. It is hop harvest season right now, as Melissa describes. Hops grow as long vines and need tall poles and wires to climb. A field of hops looks like a plantation of telephone poles. Hops were grown from the late 1800s to about 1950 when the price collapsed. Alexander Valley Hops started in 2019 on a very long and skinny lot. They have an active Instagram page. The hops grow up poles that are 18-20 feet high. There is a top wire at that height. They want the plant (called bines) to reach that height by the summer solstice. Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more. The Lost Coast Fresh Hops Festival On Saturday, October 14, from 2-8 PM is the Lost Coast Fresh Hops Festival, in Shelter Cove, CA. Here is their link on Brown Paper Tickets. All of the breweries up there have made a beer out of Alexander Valley Hop Farm's Chinook hops which thlost cey will open at the festival. For fresh hops, they need about 100 lbs for an 8 barrel batch. They try to use them within 24 hours. They give flavor and aroma that is very green, something that you can't get with dry hops. Mad River Brewing is one of the sponsoring breweries. See our sponsor Victory House at Poppy Bank Epicenter online, for their latest viewing and menu options. Fal Allen has brought a bunch of Anderson Valley Brewing Co. beers. A lot of people were IPA obsessed for a few years, and that pendulum seems to be swinging back, so Pilsners are more and more popular now. They are tasting a Russian River Brewing Co. Hop Time Pale Ale which is made with fresh local hops, once a year at hop harvest. AVBC is also participating in a cooperative brewing project to benefit Maui. One is called Salted Caramel Porter. It's a 9.5% ABV beer that Fal describes as a dessert beer. If you like espresso and chocolate, you may like it. Herlinda travels a lot and she will be in New York, Lithuania then Singapore. Alexander Valley Hops served 16 breweries this year, the most ever for them.

Brew Ha Ha is back, with Natalie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing Co. and Jenny Ogston from Victory House at Poppy Bank Epicenter. The Drive with Steve Jaxon is back on the air, on Wine Country Radio 95.5 FM, weekdays 3-6 pm. The Drive is also streaming at TheDrive955.com. Brew Ha Ha is also back on Thursday afternoons on The Drive. Steve Jaxon is hosting today's episode, along with Herlinda Heras. Herlinda Heras is just back from Finland where she was judging the Sahti competition there. She talks about being a judge at competitions around the world. Some are in countries with long beer traditions like Germany, Belgium and Poland. Others, like Portugal, are developing new brewing industries now. In Finland, the Sahti is a traditional brew that dates back to Viking times. Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more. Jenny Ogston talks about how the Victory House is set up for the coming football season. They have over 40 TV screens just in the Victory House area of the Poppy Bank Epicenter. Russian River Brewing News Natalie Cilurzo has news about the Russian River Brewing Co. and their dog-friendly location in Windsor. The beer garden is open every day and the pub is open Wednesday through Sunday. The beer garden has lots of shade. They also have a couple of new statues from the Schultz Museum. She got a set, of Peppermint Pattie and Marcie playing frisbee. They are on display in the beer garden. There are pictures on the Russian River Brewing Instagram page. See our sponsor Victory House at Poppy Bank Epicenter online, for their latest viewing and menu options. Line Dancing at Victory House Victory House now had Country line dancing, with free lessons on Tuesday nights and large events on Friday nights with DJs. They also have bingo on Wednesdays with Harry Duke and trivia on Thursdays. Poppy Bank Epicenter has everything from indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, trampolines and bowling. They also have laser tag, virtual reality and a large arcade with lots of old and new games. They host big events and just had their largest one ever for 1500 guests. There is something to do for the whole family. They used to have axe throwing for about one eight-month period, which was fun and frightening. Russian River Brewing Co. is approaching its twentieth anniversary next year of the downtown Santa Rosa pub. It is also the twentieth anniversary of Pliny the Younger. Natalie talks about a seasonal release called “It takes a lot of great beer to make great wine.” It is a light and refreshing hoppy blonde ale, about 5.25% alcohol. Russian River Brewing Co. is finishing a construction project at the Windsor pub, turning one of their production spaces into a Lager house. They will brew more STS Pils and Velvet Glow Lager. The package will be a 6-pack of 12-ounce cans for the first time, which will be available in November or December. Hop Time Harvest Ale is coming out soon, using all Alexander Valley grown hops. Also, Natalie and Vinny will be making their annual trip to the Pacific Northwest to select hops from this year's harvest. The Fall Season at Epicenter The Fall is a busy season at Epicenter. Victory House is their feature bar, with 24 beers on tap. Half of their beers are locally produced. 25% off arcade games, bowling and more, Monday-Thursday from noon to 6pm, entertainment is 25% off. Kid's Night Out is every second Saturday of the month, and there is live music from local bands on Saturdays. They also have Comedy Night one Friday a month. The also taste another RRBC brew, Hop Father IPA, which is named after one of Vinny's nicknames. Finally, Natalie describes a charity collaboration to benefit Maui that Russian River Brewing Co. is participating in. After the fires that struck the island recently, hundreds of breweries are participating by brewing the special recipe and sen...

Angels and Cowboys Sonoma Rosé 2022-You decide Which Team Your OnThis is a Provence Style Sonoma Sourced Rosé.The Grenache (this is mostly Grenache) comes from the Russin River and Dry Creek.The Syrah is sourced from Carneros, Sonoma Coast, and Sonoma Valley.The Carignan comes from Alexander Valley.And all this builds up to a very tasty summer Rosé.For more information check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and listen to the best wine podcast for more information!!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Sheila Jackson and Natasha McCrea represent over 40 years of experience as entrepreneurs and curators of space for women. Their goal is to create a brand that celebrates our diversity, style, power, and of course, great taste. Natasha is a serial entrepreneur, multi-passionate entertainer, and the Founder of Love CEO Institute, a personal development company for women. Her entertainment industry experience spans over the last 20 years as an actor, director, writer and producer. Natasha has appeared in commercials and numerous network television series. She is an award-winning producer of narrative shorts and documentary film. She has also directed her own one-woman show, for which she was honored with a best writer award. Through the development and national tour of her one-woman show, “Evolution of a Love Addict,” several years of counseling, and entrepreneurship; Natasha turned her life around and elevated herself from love addict to Love CEO. Her coaching practice helps women find peace, pleasure and success, using the Love Intelligence Method that she developed. Natasha loves connecting with other women who share a love for whiskey. She believes we're building more than a whiskey brand. We're starting a movement. Sheila has spent her entire career elevating women - starting out as a marriage and family therapist; women's empowerment writer; host of the Girl Talk LA radio show; and as an award-winning producer, known for her all female crews and putting more women behind the camera. Her advertising campaigns have received the highest honors from the American Advertising Awards (ADDY), Telly and Aurora - with two mayoral commendations from the City of Los Angeles. Also an accomplished writer and historian, Sheila is a development producer for film and television. She is author of two historical biography collections and is among historians included in the University of Washington's oral history archive of “Women Who Rock,” which explores how women have used music as a tool for activism. For the last five years, Sheila has more vigorously pursued her passion for wine and spirits. A self-professed, wine geek, she is a member of the women-led advisory for La Cienega Vineyard, in Sonoma's prestigious Alexander Valley. Her career is a testament to the fact that we can do it all. Since expanding into the spirits world, Sheila is excited about how Jackson McCrea will change the face of whiskey, and explode the status quo. Follow them at: http://jacksonmccreawhiskey.com http://instagram.com/jacksonmccreawhiskey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Lago restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel, a special Italian hot spot with fountain views. The menu reflects the regional cuisine of Italy and the wine list offers carefully selected bottles from various regions of Italy but also noteworthy wines from all over the globe. Maria helps you decide what to pair with the menu including a stellar Barolo with the mushroom risotto, a wine whose vines grow on lava flow, and a mineral-driven fresh white, that is perfect to pair with seafood pastas. Wines reviewed include: 2020 Cordero de Montezemolo, Arneis, Piedmont 2019 Edge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley  2019 Greg Linn, Langhe Nebbiolo For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Join winery ambassador Craig Ellick as he interviews facility winemaker Stacy Hornemann on all things Stonestreet.

Recently Don Wallace and I got together and recorded many great feature on the wines of Dry Creek Vineyard. We have decided to meet at the great local restaurant and pair up some of these incredible wines with the world class menu from Valette Healdsburg. Valette was born from two brothers' lifelong dream of creating a unique dining experience in our hometown of Healdsburg. Our goal is to provide a canvas for local farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their crafts. The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Please click on the three links below,and join us for all the amazing courses we enjoyed. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020-Just What Is A Grand Reserve Wine?This is a $12.99 Trader Joe's exclusive wine.I have read that the Grand Reserve wines are equal to wine at twice the price, are they?Check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and of course, listen to the BEST wine Podcast for all the info!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

In this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, MJ's guest is proprietor and winemaker at Melville Vineyard, Chad Melville. We hear about the importance of being open to learning and committing to doing things right. Chad shares his connection to nature and growing high-quality wine grapes. We dive deep into the specifics of wine regions like Knights and Alexander Valley and learn why Alexander Valley wines can be less expensive than Napa wines even though they are nearby. He discusses his family connection with the Stuhlmuller Family and their vineyard in Alexander Valley. The family would visit the vineyard, discussing how to make it profitable, and have fun. He discusses his connection to Mother Nature, the ocean, mountains, and stars. Chad delves into specific plots of land, their unique soil conditions, and how they produce different types of wines. Finally, we explore the importance of wine critics and finding quality wines. Knowing the winemaker or vineyard can be lifesaving. We hear about some of the best in the business, including Bryan Babcock, Greg Brewer, Bruce McGuire, and Chris Whitcraft. In addition, this episode gives insights into wine culture, boarding schools, nature, and leadership.A massive Thank You to Chad Melville!For more information on Melville Wines click the linkFollow Melville Winery on IGThis episode in-studio wines: 2021 Melville “Terraces” Pinot Noir2021 Melville “Block M” Pinot Noir____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! Subscribe and give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguyThank you to our sponsor: Rare Liquid. Rare Liquid is setting a new provenance standard for the rare wine & spirits industry. Utilizing the untapped potential of Web 3.0, Rare Liquid is building a community of artisan producers, technology, and logistics professionals to serve the needs of next-generation wine collectors.Learn more at Rare LiquidFollow Rare Liquid on IG @rareliquidclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join comedians Sal Demilio and Bob Phillips in this episode of the Sal and Bob Show as they welcome the arrival of spring and more daylight. Sipping on Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2018, they reminisce about what they were doing when this wine was made. But that's not all! Sal and Bob cover a range of interesting topics in this episode, from the recent news about Gwyneth Paltrow's ski accident and the ensuing lawsuit, to a study suggesting that humans are getting dumber over time. They discuss the movie Idiocracy and how it seems to be becoming our reality, and how The Simpsons seemingly predicted the future in some of their episodes. Sal shares his latest TikTok wormhole adventure and praises Ralph Macchio's performance in the Netflix series Cobra Kai. Bob and Sal get emotional as they talk about movies that made them cry, with Bob recalling his experience of crying during the movie "A Man Called Otto" in the theater, and Sal sharing his emotional reaction to the movie "Beached." The conversation takes a political turn as they discuss the potential implications of former President Donald Trump's indictment and have a lively conversation about American politics. Don't miss out on the fun, laughter, and insights from Sal and Bob in this episode of the Sal and Bob Show!

Wine Road Podcast Episode 171 Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery Episode 171 | Jim Rickards, Winemaker, J. Rickards Winery Beth and Marcy chat with Jim about his how his desire to leave the city and become a farmer led to his becoming a winemaker in Alexander Valley. He brings to light the importance of sustainability and how it not only impacts the land and surroundings but the taste of his wines! Wine of The Day: J. Rickards Winery 2019 Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel, Geyserville  Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery  SHOW NOTES 00:58 Wine of the Day: J. Rickards Winery 2019 Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel, Geyserville, from vines planted in 1908.  1:31 Jim explains how the Wine of the Day gets its unique distinct flavors - field blend.  2:42 We learn the breakdown of the Wine of the Day. 3:31 Jim describes how the geography and weather of the Alexander Valley impacts the flavors - brighter flavors and sweeter aromatics.  6:01 Jim gives personal history on how he went from a city boy to a cow rancher, then finally a winemaker. His wine label is his cattle brand! 11:22 Jim's three rules: 1) We're tasting, not drinking.  2) Drink lots of water!  (The bathrooms in Sonoma County are great!) 3) Never ask Jim a question unless you're expecting a 20 minute answer. 13:17 They do a Facebook live event 1x week, anything from wine growing to gardening and mulching - check it out! 16:24 We learn about how Jim was one of the first in Sonoma County to plant a cover crop and how it led to sustainability and being pesticide free! 22:41 Grape growing to winemaking - with the winery opening in 2005. The wine cave was built in 2014  24:39 Walk - ins are acceptable during the week, but reservations are always preferred (and required on weekends) because they want to spend time with you so that you can experience the history, the old vineyards and the wine cave! 26:59 Appointments are made through calling the tasting room - email works too! 28:31 Passport to Dry Creek April 29-30, https://www.drycreekvalley.org — click Passport link! Links  J. Rickhards Winery J. Rickhards April Tax Relief Celebration Event Ron Rubin Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. Threshold Studios

As a lifelong hunter, David Duncan, CEO & Proprietor of Silver Oak in Napa Valley, has a keen appreciation for nature. This has driven David and Silver Oak to pursue many sustainability investments, including being the 1st existing winery and new build winery to be LEED Platinum certified and be at the forefront of energy efficiency for the last 20 years. From solar panels to using waste heat to get water up to sanitization temperatures, David dives into the details of Silver Oak's sustainability efforts and how they think about them in terms of long-term return on investment. Detailed Show Notes: Silver Oak's background - founded in 1972Two wineries - Oakville (Napa) and Alexander Valley (Sonoma)~100k cases/year~700 acres of vineyards, ~75% estate owned fruitFour wine brands total, and Oak Cooperage in MissouriSustainability efforts began in the vineyards in the late 90s, and early 2000sOakville winery2006 dumpster fire burnt the winery downWanted to do the right thing in re-building (2008)Installed solar panels and became 1st LEED Platinum winery (existing building)They looked at LED lighting, but it was 3x as expensive at the timeAlexander Valley wineryBuilt in 2014, 1st LEED Platinum winery (new build)A “living building,” which is mostly energy and water useUses ~1 gallon of water per gallon of wine vs. ~7 gallons of water as the industry averageGenerates 105% of annual electric usageAll LED lighting, which is now more cost-effectiveAmmonia chiller for glycol cooling to keep tanks cool - was old-school technology in the 30s and 40s; new technology is very efficientSanitation water uses solar power to heat to 105F, then waste heat from the cooling system adds 10-15F; the rest of the heating uses electricityIt has a 3-4 month peak season (harvest) where electric usage is higher and sometimes pulls from the electric grid; it has a small battery system but not a large oneUsed recycled materials, which reduced painting needsWorking towards LEED certification for other wineriesVineyards - moving towards electric tractors, but haven't bought one yetCooperage - burns scrap wood to bend barrels instead of natural gasROI for sustainability2.5-year payback for Alexander Valley solar system - highest of all investmentsIt looks at the “life cost of building” to calculate ROI, a long-term evaluation - the long-term view matches the long-term production cycle (5 years to produce Silver Oak)No set target IRR cutoff, but ~5-year payback is the approximate cutoffLooks at the impact on employees, which they call “The Whole Bunch” like a bunch of grapes, and assesses the safety of workersHighest payback investments - solar panels and water use to treat barrels using recycled waterSustainability also improves quality - e.g., minimizing water use in vineyardsBarriers to making sustainability investments are often due to 1 chance a year to make changes; Silver Oak does small trials on 1-2 acres to evaluateShares learnings w/ the industry - gives many tours of winery and vineyards, interviews, seminars and conferences, works w/ UC DavisAlso improving packagingMoving towards a lighter glassThey used to send empty bottles to Canada to decorate and then ship them back to CA to fill. For the 1st time in 25 years, Silver Oak Napa Valley will have a paper label to avoid this environmental impact Get access to library episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Map: Sonoma County AVAs. Sonoma County Winegrowers  Over the last 12 years we've done so much on Sonoma but I realized that we've never done a podcast outlining the areas of Sonoma to give form to this wine paradise that has 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and covers more than a million acres of land (405,000 ha) of which more than 60,000 acres are planted to grapes.   Sonoma is still full of small, family-owned vineyards. It's estimated that at least 85% of Sonoma County's vineyards are family owned and operated and 80% of vineyards are less than 100 acres (40% are less than 20 acres). The Sonoma landscape incorporates coastal ranges, valleys, mountains, flats, benchlands, and innumerable soils and microclimates, including a multitude of producers with different styles and ideas of what to grow.     In this show, we try to compartmentalize the areas of Sonoma, to help you figure out the big areas and their specialties.   Here are the show notes: We start with generalities… Climate: There are sunny days and almost no rain from May through September with most areas cooler near the coast and warmer inland. The Pacific Ocean/Petaluma Gap and San Pablo Bay serve as cooling influences for the western and southern regions of Sonoma County Land: Elevations and slopes slow ripening, provide poor soils with excellent drainage, and create complex wines. Wines from valley floors are simpler. Matching grape to site is important given soil, elevation, and climate diversity. Grapes: Everyone grows everything! You'll find dozens of varieties growing in Sonoma. Moon Mountain AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers  Most of the show is spent detailing the valleys. Here is the quick and dirty on each area:   Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley AVA: Centers on the Sonoma Valley in the southeastern part of the county. It gets cool air from the San Pablo Bay in the south, and protection from the cool influence of the Pacific in the west from Sonoma Mountain. There are dozens of different soils from very fertile on the valley floor, to well-drained and poor on the hills and mountains   Sonoma Valley has 4 AVAs within it: Moon Mountain, Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley, Carneros Moon Mountain District AVA is on the steep western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. It has the famed Monte Rosso vineyard and specializes in Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma Mountain AVA is at high altitude, with steep vineyards on eastern exposures. The vineyards rise above the fog line, allowing grapes to ripen more fully in the sunlight. Basalt soils make good Cabernet Sauvignon. Other grapes are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel   Bennett Valley AVA is Sonoma Valley's smallest AVA. It's a series of small vineyards in the slopes, hills, and ridges between Taylor Mountain, Sonoma Mountain, and Bennett Peak. In the moderately cool climate, with a long hang time, Rhône varieties do well as does Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and grapes like Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier with acidity. Pinot Noir acreage is increasing.   Los Carneros AVA straddles Napa and Sonoma counties. It hugs the San Pablo Bay, and is one of the coolest AVAs in the area, with moderately cool and windy days and early morning fog. The soil is compressed clay and very consistent, this and the weather limits vigor. Chardonnay is 50%, Pinot 43%. Merlot makes excellent wine on the clay soils. Bennett Valley AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers  Town to stay in if visiting the area: Sonoma   ** Sonoma Valley is a discrete part of the larger Sonoma County. When producers use a general AVA for grapes from a combined region, it's Sonoma County. _____________________________________________  COASTAL APPELLATIONS (mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir areas)   Sonoma Coast AVA: Goes from the San Pablo Bay to the border of Mendocino County in the north. This appellation is too large to have meaning – it can be cold and rugged near the coast or warm and sheltered inland, producing very different styles of wine. The expectation is that the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that have the “Sonoma Coast” label are actually from coastal vineyards, but that's not true. We tell the story of how this AVA got to be so muddled and then talk about the 3 AVAs that were set up to rectify the issue:   Petaluma Gap AVA: 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the AVA runs from the Pacific Coast at Bodega Bay, southeast to San Pablo Bay, and has a mild Mediterranean climate. The defining feature is the wind gap in the coastal range, which funnels in cool coastal marine air bringing fog and cool afternoon breezes. The cool climate lower yields and help Pinot Noir (75% of plantings), Chardonnay and Syrah the grapes retain acidity. The West Sonoma Coast AVA (got it in 2022): Stretches from the Mendocino County border to the northern coastal border of the Petaluma Gap AVA. The area includes ONLY areas where coastal influence reaches – it is remote with cooler marine temperatures and much fog at elevation. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main grapes. Fort Ross-Seaview AVA: Located on the outskirts of the Pacific Ocean, with major coastal influence, and high elevation, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have excellent acidity.   Towns to stay in: Petaluma, Jenner, Bodega Bay West Sonoma Coast AVA,  Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _____________________________________  RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA (Pinot Noir, but Rhône and Italian varietals are great too in certain regions)   Russian River Valley AVA is known for Pinot Noir. The constant cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean, coming from the Petaluma Wind Gap creates big diurnal swings, so grapes have a long growing season to develop flavor in the western part of the AVA.   The reality is that the Russian River Valley encompasses warm and cool areas. There are 5 Neighborhoods within Russian River Valley, which are used to discuss the cooler places that are more suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (Laguna Ridge, Sebastapol Hills, parts of the Middle Reach) and those that are suited to warmer climate grapes like Rhône varieties, Zinfandel, and Italian varieties (parts of the Middle Reach, Santa Rosa Plains, Eastern Hills)   Green Valley of Russian River Valley SUB AVA of Russian River is in the southwestern part of the Russian River Valley, surrounded by Sebastopol, Forestville and Occidental. It is very cool, foggy, with heavy coastal influences and produces acidic, less extracted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines on its Goldridge (yellow, sandy) soil     Chalk Hill AVA is in the northeast part of Russian River Valley and has less marine influence and fog. It has rocky, chalk soils so they do grow Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but they also grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.   Town to stay in: Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, or Windsor    _______________________________________ DRY CREEK VALLEY AVA (Zinfandel central)   Dry Creek is the easiest valley to visit (2 roads, 5 stop signs!) and probably the easiest to understand. It is known for exceptional Zinfandel. It's in northern Sonoma County, 20 miles/32 km east of the Pacific Ocean. The Coastal Range blocks a lot of the cooler air from flooding the Dry Creek, giving it hotter days and slimmer diurnal swings at night. The vineyards lie on hillsides, benchlands, and the valley floor at different elevations and on different soils – from loam to clay to gravel. Zinfandel is 30% of plantings and is more elegant, and “old school” (especially from producers like Nalle or Peterson – friends of the pod!). The flavors are less like black fruit and more like raspberry, pomegranate with acidity and moderate alcohol. Other varieties grown are: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay very good Italian and Rhone Varieties, Bordeaux varieties grown too     Rockpile (Dry-Creek Adjacent, great Zin!): On the northern part of Dry Creek Valley, at high elevations beyond the fog, the AVA is great for rich, dense reds – Zin especially is famed (Bruliam does a great job and a friend of the show!)   Town to stay in: Healdsburg or Windsor   Dry Creek AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _______________________________________   ALEXANDER VALLEY (known for Cabernet Sauvignon) Alexander Valley AVA: In northeastern Sonoma County, north of Healdsburg, the Russian River flows through h the Alexander Valley. It gets some cool marine air from the Pacific Ocean, and wind can cool mornings and evenings. Daytime heat spikes will ripen the grapes, but the cool wind will preserve the acidity in the classic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is so coveted, that many Napa wineries grow Cab here for top cuvees.     Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak (Alexander Valley adjacent) AVA: This small area overlaps the northernmost portions of the Alexander Valley AVA. It is steep with high elevations and grows a number of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon.   Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _______________________________________ Less visit-able places (yes, I know that's not a word)…   Knights Valley AVA is right next to Mount St. Helena, and has well-drained soils, but very warm temperatures with no Pacific or San Pablo Bay influence. Elevation is the only cooling factor in this area that has volcanic and alluvial gravel and focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon (2/3 of plantings) and other Bordeaux varietals. Kendall Jackson owns most of Knights Valley.     Northern Sonoma AVA: Too huge for any meaning – most producers use Sonoma County AVA. It includes Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and most of Green Valley.     Fountaingrove AVA (2015) – mostly growers, few wineries. Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, some Rhône varietals – Syrah, Viognier, Petite Sirah plus smatterings of everything. It's too hot for Pinot and Chard except in a few key north-facing sites   So much to explore! Sonoma is a place you can need get enough of, but hopefully this episode gives some form to exactly what you want to do when you finally make it out there!    Some of my favorite people mentioned: @sonomawineguy on Twitter and other Social Media, Nalle Winery, Crux Winery, Bruliam Winery, Keller Estate, Inman Family, Kieran Robinson Wines, Truchard Winery, (and I forgot to mention...Longboard Vineyards in Russian River!).   _______________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors:   I could not be happier to announce my partnership with Wine Access, once again. Wines Access is my go-to source for the best selection of interesting wines you can't find locally. Every box you get from Wine Access is meticulous -- tasting notes with food and wine pairing, serving temperature suggestions, and perfectly stored wine. It's no wonder that Wine Access was rated the best wine club by New York Times Wirecutter and is the official partner and wine provider of The MICHELIN Guide. Check out my favorite wines on the page at www.wineaccess.com/normal, sign up for their daily emails, and join one of their wine clubs...AND get 10% your first order!   If you think our podcast is worth the price of a bottle or two of wine a year, please consider virtually buying us some bottles by becoming a member of Patreon... you'll get even more great content, live interactions and classes!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes   Sources for this show: https://sonomawinegrape.org/scw/sonoma-county-territory/ www.sonomavalleywine.com https://petalumagap.com/ russianrivervalley.org www.wdcv.com www.greenvalley-russianriver.com www.bvgg.org www.carneros.com www.alexandervalley.org  

Join Mollie Battenhouse, MW and Stonestreet winery ambassador Craig Ellick as they review the history behind Stonestreet winery. Discover stories you may have never heard to help sell Stonestreet in market.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon In this episode, Rob and Scott review the well priced Alexander Valley Vineyard Cabernet.  So come join us, on The Wine Vault.

A Cline old vine. Fred Cline and his daughter Hilary Cline from Cline Family Cellars join Steve Jaxon, Harry Duke and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. Fred Cline was last on California Wine Country on this episode in 2018. He made his first commercial wine in the early '80s in Oakley, California, then moved to the Sonoma Carneros area in 1989. But he made wine with his grandfather too. In 1982 he had graduated from UC Davis and purchased the old Firpo winery which closed in the 1930s. Hilary has six siblings and sister Megan and brother Henry also work at the winery. Tom Gendall was named head winemaker in 2020. Katie Hoggins is also a winemaker there. She and Tom Gendall both are New Zealanders. Their profiles are all on this page of the Cline Family Cellars website. All the wines that they brought today are from a new Sonoma AVA tier. This Chardonnay comes from their ranch in Carneros. They also have the Fog Swept Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, the Eight Spur Zinfandel from Dry Creek and a Cab from Alexander Valley. These three wines make up a new tier in the Cline portfolio. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Hat Strap and Fog Swept The Chardonnay is called Hat Strap because of the winds in Carneros. They had trouble with the wind, which was blowing down glasses in the tasting room and blowing hats off heads too. Dan Berger says that the Cline Family Cellars wines are interesting because many of them come from ancient vines. Even the vines they originally planted are 25 years old. Next they pour the Fog Swept Pinot Noir, from the Sonoma Coast appellation. Dan Berger asks about a clone listed on the label that he doesn't know, clone 31. It's a blend of 115, 5 and 31. At the beginning before they planted their vineyards, they were looking for a wine company that would grow grapes on the property, and they found Gallo. Fog Swept is the name of this wine. They accept reservations and also walkins. In January they are doing two-for-one tastings. They are located in the Carneros region.

We have enjoyed these amazing wines from Copper Cane and winemaker Joesph J. Wagner. We have two more features with these wines and the cuisine of Valette Healdsburg. We will check out their website and tasting notes and then pair the wines with great dishes from the menu of Valette Healdsburg. With a focus on innovation and genuine craftsmanship, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions houses a collection of brands that are crafted to offer a touch of luxury for everyday indulgence. The current portfolio includes: Elouan Pinot Noir from Oregon, Belle Glos Pinot Noirs from prime California coastal vineyards, Beran Zinfandels of California, Carne Humana Red and White Blends from Napa Valley, and Steorra, a Brut Sparkling wine made of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in Sonoma County's prestigious Russian River Valley. Our first wine will be the Napa Valley Cabernet from Quilt. seamless blend of crème de cassis, hazelnut, cocoa, blackberry preserves, charred meat, and blackberry pie along with hints of dark licorice, stewed rhubarb, strawberry, spice and vanillin. Rich and satisfying flavors of dark chocolate, yogurt, molasses, brown sugar and rhubarb notes presented in perfect balance with higher-toned fruit emphasis. This wine is a perfect match with the menuy of Valette. "FOR NAPA VALLEY QUILT, I SOURCE FRUIT FROM A PATCHWORK OF PRIME NAPA VALLEY VINEYARDS TO CREATE A CLASSIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON MADE IN THE STYLE MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS LOVED." We have a second feature. This blend really made the day with this great blend of fruit. Expressive aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, and lightly toasted almonds with a hint of spices and vanilla. Complex flavors of ripe black cherry, cocoa, and hints of rosemary. Well balanced with a velvety mouthfeel, vibrant fruit, and soft tannins. The dream of Valette began nearly two decades ago between two brothers. While enjoying a glass of wine on their father's porch overlooking the beautiful Alexander Valley vineyards of Sonoma County, Dustin Valette and Aaron Garzini envisioned opening a restaurant together which would provide a canvas for Sonoma County farmers, winemakers and artisans to showcase their craft. The restaurant would be located in Healdsburg, the heart of Sonoma County – and the location where their great-grandfather operated bakeries. They would serve high quality, yet honest food; offer warm and impeccable service; and house a collection of boutique, small production wines. At the time, Aaron was establishing himself as a dynamic server and sommelier in Sonoma County and Dustin was in New York learning the culinary craft that would be his lifelong passion. They never lost sight of their dream. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public, showcasing the brothers' combined forty-seven years of restaurant experience and a deep dedication to Sonoma County, its food, and its wine community. Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli's in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman, – beginning the twenty-plus year culinary journey toward his dream of opening a restaurant dedicated to showcasing the rich bounty and beautiful ingredients of his Sonoma County roots. Please join us and click on the links below,and enjoy two great audio features with these great pairings. Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Ross Reedy, VML winemaker. Ross Reedy, VML Wine director of winemaking, joins Steve Jaxon, Harry Duke and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. He is director of winemaking at VML Wines. This is his first time on California Wine Country. They begin tasting their Chardonnay, called Sun. The name VML comes from the name of their founding winemaker Virginia Murray Lambrick, who retired in 2018 and who was Ross Reedy's mentor. He started there in 2012 “dragging hoses” happily doing grunt work and working his way up. While tasting the 2021 Chardonnay blend that he made, he describes it as elegant and crisp with honeycomb, caramel and orange peel. It used about 30-33% new French oak. It's 90% Russian River Valley and 10% Alexander Valley. After that they taste another, a single vineyard Chardonnay. Making wine with his father in their garage got him interested at first. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for viticulture. He worked in Paso Robles for some winemakers and also traveled to Napa Valley and Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. Through all the jokes, it's clear that he loves his work. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Next they taste a Kent Ritchie Russian River Chardonnay, picked it a bit early so it has strong minerality is what they were striving for. Book a Tasting VML and Truett Hurst share a tasting room at 5610 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. Enter KSRO at their website as a discount code for a free cheese pairing at your tasting. One of their tastings, The Celestial, featuring five wines from the Russian River Valley. The wines emphasize all the cardinal points around the territory: the Sun, the Earth, Moon and Stars. They are all Pinot Noir blends. The Stars  the western influenced one. The Moon is balanced between coastal and inland. The Earth would be the big fruity bold jammy Pinot Noir. Taste whatever side of the spectrum you like. Get their wines in the tasting room in Healdsburg or at the website.

Wine Road Podcast Episode 163 Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery Episode 163 | Chris Taddei Owner and Wine Maker of Taddei Wines. Chris Taddei of Taddei wines joins us to tell us about his winemaking philosophy and how he got into making wine. He shares his Project X, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Our Fast Five Recipe is Lamb Chops with Blue Cheese Compound Butter from Julius Orth from Ektimo. Wine of the Day: Taddei Project X, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley Fast Five Recipe: Lamb Chops with Blue Cheese Compound Butter from Julius Orth from Ektimo. Podcast Sponsor: Ron Rubin Winery https://ronrubinwinery.com/ SHOW NOTES 1:04 Starting off with 2018 Taddei Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley (Project X) But Chris brought a whole case of wines to try! 3:00 Chris's tasting room philosophy is he wants people to understand who he is and what he does through his wine. He will open anything you are interested in. 5:08 Wine is a slow beverage. The learning experience is a part of the wine tasting experience. And his vertical tastings are a rare treat. 7:10 How Chris came to be a winemaker, his wine epiphany with a bottle of La Tâche, and how he met his wife. 10:53 Chris started the winery in 2003 and made first wine in 1999. Self taught in winemaking with a background in chemistry. Chris Makes wine with intention and deliberateness. 17:38 Fast Five Recipe –Lamb Chops with Blue Cheese Compound Butter from Julius Orth from Ektimo. Ingredients: Rack of Lamb, Butter, and Blue Cheese. Directions: Separate the chops from the rack of lamb and trim off fat. Put olive oil on the chops and sear on a hot grill about 2 minutes. In advance create the Blue cheese compound butter. Crumble the blue cheese into softened butter. Mix well and roll into a tube in wax paper. Put in refrigerator to chill. Cut a medallion of the lamb chop and slater with the butter. Serve with a roasted root vegetable medley. Pair with Ektimo Pinot Noir 21:05 Chris will also take guests through barrel samples too. Open by appointment only but Chris is always there at the Bell Road location. 25:42 Tickets are now available on wineroad.com for Winter WineLand January 14 & 15 with 70 wineries participating. Also check out the Insider Club -- link on the website with all the details. Fill your bag with wine and tag with #mywineroadadventure Links: Taddei Wines Ektimo Wines WinterWineLand Wine Road Insider Club Ron Rubin Winery Credits:The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Rodney Strong Symmetry In this episode, Rob and Scott drink an Alexander Valley classic Meritage in the Rodney Strong Symmetry.  Further, they provide their thoughts on the Wine Spectator Top 10.  So come join us, on The Wine Vault.

we have two great wines today and have decided to drive down to Valette Healdsburg.Harry Bryan has joined us and we will enjoy a couple amazing pairings with the wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards. First we will check out the tasting notes on the wines and then please joinus by clicking on the links at the bottom of this feature. You will then join us for two great audio features! The 2017 ROWEN red blend is a lush and elegant wine consisting of wonderful high elevation, mountain fruit. Early winter showers were followed by a warm, dry beginning to the new growing season, setting the stage for an early bud break. Alternating overcast days and heat waves continued through spring and summer, with a particularly hot period in late June, and an unseasonal rain in July. We harvested the grapes at peak ripeness from September 28 through October 7 under ideal conditions. Bordeaux varietals thrive on steep terrain and volcanic soil and, our Cooley Ranch is precisely the kind of landscape they love, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,040 feet. Cooley Ranch is blessed with a bright red, volcanic-based soil that is sought after for its high-quality grape-growing potential. Also, due to being above the fog line, Cooley warms up during harvest to allow for hotter growing temperatures and extra tannin development. All of this provides beautifully ripened fruit and balanced acidity. This wine is extremely special and the blend is one of the best I have recently tasted. Symmetry 2017 Red Blend The 2017 vintage will not be soon forgotten. The all-time precipitation record was set by mid-April as rain swept like waves over the North Coast, filling all the lakes, ponds and reservoirs. As the rain clouds subsided and the sun appeared, the vineyards in Sonoma County endured six different heat waves at or above 100F including a memorable 110F on Labor Day. We harvested the fruit from September 16th - October 13th to make this beautiful red wine. Symmetry is, at its heart, an artfully blended wine. It is also a wine from a specific region, the Alexander Valley, and part of our goal when making Symmetry is to capture the essence of this AVA. The precise blend will vary each vintage, but with over 40 years of experience growing classic French grape varieties in Alexander Valley, only the best is selected for the final blend. The name "Symmetry" means balance, and our winemakers' ultimate goal is to craft a blend that is harmonious, intensely flavored and elegant. Having an incredible passion for memorable food and beverage experiences, Harry Bryan is the perfect addition to work alongside executive chef, Nathan Davis and owners Aaron Garzini and Dustin Valette. Harry re-joins the Valette team as General Manager with over 20 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry. Harry comes to the property from award winning Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma Coast where he was the Food & Beverage Director. His management experience also includes positions as Bar Manager with Heartland Brewery in New York City, Bar Manager and Floor Captain of the Versace House in Miami Beach, and General Manager of Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg. We have 2 audio features.Please click on the links at the bottom of this feature,and join us! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Today we will enjoy the cuisine of Chef carlos at Guiso latin Fusion! Let's check out the tasting notes on our two feature wines and then enjoy Chef Carlos's Pairing off his great menu! Our first wine is the Old Vine Zinfandel from Rodney strong Vineyards! Fresh, bright berry fruit form our heritage Russian River vineyard, combined with the ripe, peppery jam from our Alexander Valley and Dry Creek vineyards, make for a wonderful diversity of flavor, showcasing the best that Zinfandel can offer. This wine boasts notes of blackberry, plum and boysenberry with a touch of red fruit jam and creamy vanilla. Enjoy this Zinfandel now with spiced short ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or a barbeque chicken pizza. I love this wine and it is a perfect food wine for this amazing cuisine. When Rod Strong first acquired benchland acreage on Westside Road just behind the winery, he wisely chose to leave untouched, the 15 acres of old, gnarled Zinfandel vines that had been thriving since 1904. Today, we still harvest Zinfandel from those same old vines, along with a handful of vineyards we farm to the north in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Next we will open the great Syrah from Balletto Vineyards and Winery. This is a single vineyard wine and really aperfect wine for Chef carlos's dishes. the BCD Syrah is a work of art! This Syrah opens with classic-cool climate aromatics. The first impression is lightly smoked bacon, earth and savory spices. A core of dark fruit follows and holds the wine together without overstepping. it's complex and elegant. Then there's a tart blackberry foundation that runs from start to finish and is a reminder that this wine is grown in a cool site. It has medium viscosity and finishes with notable, just-strong-enough tannins that lengthen the finish and pull for the next sip. With just enough of everything tightly balanced together, the wine shows its seriousness and the potential to age well. It should develop in the bottle for the next five (or more) years. “The goal of the Russian River Valley ‘neighborhood initiative' is to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of the Russian River AVA...We are seeking to explain the varying complex and sophisticated wine profiles coming out of this special region.” we have two great wines and the pairings are truly incredible! We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That's why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. Guiso Latin Fusion is a family owned bistro style restaurant serving authentic Latin American and Caribbean dishes . I have really enjoyed these first features with Chef carlos and look forward to many new features in the very near future! Now jioin us as we click on the link below and listen to this great new feature with two of Sonoma County's best wineries and a local chef super star! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .