POPULARITY
Can fine wine be made with more than just grapes? Today we speak to esteemed Napa winemakers Steve and Jill Matthiasson about the oldest and possibly most under appreciated kind of wine. Today's episode is brought to you by Auction Napa Valley. To register for a chance to win a pair of tickets to attend the greatest barrel tasting in the United States, go to this link: https://www.sommtv.com/anv2025. No purchase necessary.
Today, we're unfolding the tapestry of Napa Valley's hidden gem, Meadowood. Joining us is special guest Danielle Lucas from this illustrious property, which is not just a resort but an embodiment of the Napa Valley spirit—a confluence of luxury, culture, and a rich history in winemaking.In this episode, we delve into how Meadowood curates an intimate connection with the land and its guests. We explore the estate's commitment to delivering bespoke experiences, whether through its thoughtfully designed guest rooms nestled into the hillsides, its diverse culinary offerings from the elemental Charter Oak to the freshly conceptualized Forum, or its personalized wine journeys orchestrated by the knowledgeable concierge team.Meadowood's saga is interwoven with the Harland family's vision and dedication—where attention to detail has not only crafted exclusive world-class wines but also fostered a sense of community through events like the annual Auction Napa Valley.Despite the setbacks of the 2020 fires, Meadowood's resilience shines through its multifaceted retreat—boasting an all-suite spa sanctuary, fitness and wellness programs, and recreational indulgences from tennis to swimming.Thanks for joining us on today's episode of The Intrepid Traveler podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate and review our show to help us reach even more aspiring travelers. Don't forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, Instagram or follow us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on our latest epic travel adventures! Use the following links when planning your own travel!TRAVEL INSURED INTERNATIONALMEDJETVIRTUOSOPROJECT EXPEDITION
Join the Wine Dream Team, Jaime Araujo, Tanisha Townsend, and Akos Forczek, and the Host, Antoine Abou-Samra for The Wine Hour #12. We have the pleasure to welcome Beth Novak Milliken, President and CEO of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Napa Valley, USA. SPECIAL GUEST BIO In 1987, Beth Novak Milliken joined her mother, Mary Novak at Spottswoode, becoming the first second-generation family member to become actively involved in guiding Spottswoode Estate Vineyard &Winery. In the more than three decades since, Beth has played a key role in establishing Spottswoode Estate Vineyard as one of the world's great winegrowing sites, and Spottswoode as one of Napa Valley's most iconic and respected wineries. She has also quietly built a reputation as a leader in the Napa Valley community, advocating on behalf of the wine industry and the social and environmental causes she holds dear. In addition, Beth has been a strong and effective voice for the Napa Valley wine community. Reflecting the high regard she is held in by her peers, in 1998 Beth was elected the youngest president ever of the Napa Valley Vintners, the first woman to hold the position. Believers in leading by example, Beth and Mary worked with four women winemakers in a row at Spottswoode, before promoting current winemaker Aron Weinkauf to that position. Beth also spearheaded the restoration of Spring Creek, which defines the southern boundary of the estate vineyard. In 2010, Beth and Mary were honorary chairs of Auction Napa Valley, a hugely successful event that raised more than $8,500,000 for Napa Valley nonprofits, and in 2007, Spottswoode joined 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of Spottswoode's gross revenues each year to nonprofits that support a healthier world. Above all else, Beth sees herself as a steward of her family's winegrowing estate, carrying on the legacy begun by Mary, who passed away in 2016.“Our family has a four-decade relationship with this land that now spans three generations. I grew up here, along with my four siblings, and now the third generation is enjoying the property. When you own a family winery like ours, the cellar is like a photo album: each vintage of our Spottswoode Estate Cabernet is a picture of a year in our family's life, and a testament for our love of this place. This is why it has always been so important to us that our wines reflect who we are, and what we believe in, both in terms of the way we farm our vineyard and in the beautiful, balanced style of our wines.” PROGRAM Uncorked [6:20] Jaime Araujo, and Akos Forczek talk about the harvest of 2021 Licensed To Taste [25:21] Tanisha Townsend gives you insight on the crossover between wine and spirits, and in the Wine Minute talks about Wine based cocktails Have A Drink With Me [34:31] Antoine Abou-Samra has a conversation with Beth Novak Milliken on the intricacies of Family Businesses, the legacy she is continuing, the care for the environment, and the challenges ahead. There is an accompanying playlist with the show (selected by the guest). It can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1UdICUu5zcPpCJPryVOFeP?si=2222b35cba3a409a Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe/follow to our podcast. You can also follow us on our different platforms: Instagram: @atablefortwo.live Facebook: @atablefortwo.live LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atablefortwo/
Founding winemaker Delia Viader, PhD. applies a unique approach to grape growing and wine making, challenging new world conventions while honoring old world traditions; resulting in a highly sought after and coveted cult wine – their flagship Viader Proprietary Red Blend. Delia forged the vision for this hillside estate vineyard and exceptional wine blend in 1986.Today Viader Vineyards is a thriving multi-generational family business as son Alan continues to produce world-class wines from their magnificent, mature estate vineyard on Howell Mountain. For an elevated yet welcoming level of hospitality.Born in Argentina, proprietor Delia Viader spent much of her formative years in Europe and especially in France. Delia came to the United States as a post-graduate student and holds a doctorate in Philosophy from the Sorbonne University in Paris, France and pursued advanced business Studies at three American universities: MIT, UC Berkeley and UC Davis.After MIT, she moved to California and continued business school at the University of California Berkeley. During her studies, she realized the opportunities in the United States for both starting a career and raising children in a healthy environment.Recognizing the potential of the up and coming wine region nearby, Delia soon set her sights on purchasing land in the Napa Valley and subsequently plunged into the wine business in the early 1980s. With an initial loan from her father, Engr. Walter Viader, she acquired their Howell Mountain property and set out to create a world class wine estate. Delia continued learning about winemaking through programs in Enology and Viticulture offered at University of California, Davis to better learn the practical theory behind making fine wine. All while raising four children on her own, Delia forged the vision and design for this unique estate vineyard property, wine blend and brand. Delia's story illustrates the importance of education and understanding coupled with following one's instincts. The Viader®estate and Delia's wines have consistently reflected these strengths.As a leader within the local wine community, Delia contributes her perspective and industry experience to the Napa Valley Vintners and California Wine Institute where she currently serves on the Board for both organizations. Her history with the Napa Valley Vintners dates as far back as 1990 where she and a select group of local vintner leaders helped frame the organization's strategic plan. Since then, Delia has helped spearhead Premiere Napa Valley – an annual grand tasting and futures trade auction that consistently raises more than $4 million each year, and has also contributed to Auction Napa Valley in various roles, spending a decade as part of the beneficiary vetting committee and helping to set the focus and parameters that would determine adjudication of funds.Alan spent his childhood on his family's vineyard estate on Howell Mountain. His early education in wine and formal schooling helped shape his respect for terroir-driven wines, organic farming, and diverse viticultural practices from around the world.He started working in the family vineyards at the age of nine and continued to help throughout his childhood, including working as cellarhand in the caves at Viader After high school, he pursued his passion for grape growing with a hands-on program in Sonoma where he received a degree in Viticulture Management. In 2002, Alan officially stepped in as Vineyard Manager for Viader in 2002, while simultaneously continuing his education at UC Davis, where he learned the fundamentals in winemaking. In 2005, Alan worked a harvest at Achavel-Ferrer winery in Mendoza, Argentina, which convinced him that winemaking was his calling. Alan officially stepped in as lead winemaker for Viader® in 2006. Today, he continues to oversee vineyard management operations while working in all areas of wine production together with his mother, Delia at Viader An avid adventurer and seasoned traveler, Alan continues to visit the world's best wine producers and wine growing regions throughout Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. In 2013, he went to the University of Sciences Agro to study viticulture in Bordeaux, France.A hands-on experimentalist and eternal student of the vine, Alan has been at the forefront of trialing and adopting the right combination of organic, biodynamic and sustainable practices, not to mention new technology integrations that optimally benefit the quality of Viader wines. In the cellar, Alan has been equally fervent about delivering better quality results, experimenting with different blends, yeasts, fermentations, barreling, etc., always open to new ideas, trials and opportunities to responsibly deliver improved quality wines. As the right-hand to his mother & founder, Delia Viader, Alan oversees Viader production from start to finish. Having inherited his mother's passion for winemaking and expressing Viader 's unique terroir, Alan is looking forward to continuing the family business for many exciting vintages and generations to come.
You certainly know the Cakebread name, but have you enjoyed Karen Cakebread's wine—Ziata? Karen spent 18 years with Cakebread Cellars and has extensive experience with projects and committees with the Napa Valley Vintners, Auction Napa Valley and she was president of the Calistoga Winegrowers. Listen in as Karen shares about her journey and the wines of Ziata!
You certainly know the Cakebread name, but have you enjoyed Karen Cakebread's wine—Ziata? Karen spent 18 years with Cakebread Cellars and has extensive experience with projects and committees with the Napa Valley Vintners, Auction Napa Valley and she was president of the Calistoga Winegrowers. Listen in as Karen shares about her journey and the wines of Ziata!
You certainly know the Cakebread name, but have you enjoyed Karen Cakebread's wine—Ziata? Karen spent 18 years with Cakebread Cellars and has extensive experience with projects and committees with the Napa Valley Vintners, Auction Napa Valley and she was president of the Calistoga Winegrowers. Listen in as Karen shares about her journey and the wines of Ziata!
March is Women’s History Month so, our founder and president, Michelle Mandro is talking with some of her friends. This week, meet winemaker Heidi Barrett who is also an artist, pilot and skier. Wine critic Robert Parker has awarded her wines 100 points five times. Learn about the moment she decided to study wine and become a winemaker. Find out about her work with Screaming Eagle and the story behind the 6-liter bottle that sold for half-a-million dollars at Auction Napa Valley. Discover which brands she is an independent winemaker for and why she’s doesn’t plan on taking on more clients. Learn about her wine brand Barrett and Barrett which she works on with her winemaker husband Bo. Get a personal description of her home and learn why it’s her oasis. Find out what she thought about the movie Bottle Shock and so much more.
No doubt about it, grown-ups need to get crazy, too. Just because you've got a few kids and a dozen other responsibilities doesn't mean you're already dead. In fact, the more steam you've got, the more you need to blow it off. In this episode, Christine personifies this truth with the story of her recent shenanigans at Auction Napa Valley with Joel Aiken, creator of the delicious 2013 Sonoma Mountain Sonoma County Pinot Noir we're drinking. Let's just say it involves a late night, too much wine, garden decorations, compromising photos and the authorities...
No doubt about it, adulting is hard, and grown-ups need to get crazy, too. Just because you’ve got a few kids and a dozen other responsibilities don’t mean you’re already dead. In fact, the harder adulting gets, the more you need to blow it off. In this episode, Christine personifies this truth with the story of her recent shenanigans at Auction Napa Valley with Joel Aiken, creator of the delicious 2013 Sonoma Mountain Sonoma County Pinot Noir we drink on the podcast. Let’s just say the story involves a late-night, too much wine, garden decorations, compromising photos, and the authorities… What would a wine podcast be without the wine? Get all the amazing wines we drink on the podcast for up to 70% off retail price! Sign up for daily, no-obligation offers from The Wine Spies. Click here to sign up. Diggin’ the podcast? Then you’re going to love the book. Check out Pairs With Life, the debut fiction novel by host John Taylor.
We're here to show you what's going on in the world of wine - and here's the first episode, featuring Auction Napa Valley, sales of South African wine, Twitter controversies, and our wine of the week!
Summer charity season is underway across the west. Auction Napa Valley kicked things off, raising almost $12 million. Sun Valley takes the stage in July, Auction of Washington Wines in August, and then the Sonoma County Wine Auction in September. Dozens of events in between also make an impact, including "Steakout" in Seattle, raising money to fund breakthrough cancer research.
We’re mixing extraordinary passion and heart into this edition of “Napa Valley Inside Out” with my guest Rick Jones, of Jones Family Vineyards. Rick has a most impressive academic and business background that he has parlayed into his admirable philanthropic efforts in many facets of our Community in Napa Valley, to raise the standard of care and lifestyles of all of us who call Napa Valley home. We talk about Ole Health which provides primary medical care for adults and children throughout Napa County, whether they have insurance or not; the exceptional, leading edge surgeons that St. Helena Hospital has been fortunate enough to attract; Napa Learns, technology and project based learning in public schools; and Auction Napa Valley which attracts wine lovers from around the world - raising over $13.6 million for local health and children’s education nonprofits at this year’s event – and Rick has been at the center of all of it.
Heidi Barrett has produced extraordinary wines for clients including Screaming Eagle, Paradigm, Dalle Valle, and many more. One of her Cabernets holds the record as the most ever paid for a single bottle of wine -- $500,000 at Auction Napa Valley. Today she has her own wine brand, La Sirena, and another with her husband, Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, called Barrett & Barrett. On this episode of the podcast, Heidi takes Doug through one of the most fascinating careers and life stories in the Valley. Enjoy! For more visit: lasirenawine.com or barrettwines.com.
Patsy McGaughy, Communications Director at Napa Valley Vintners joins me to discuss the history of the Napa Valley Vintners and how the organization works to preserve and promote the area as a wine growing region. We talk about the number of wineries and acres planted in Napa Valley, 2018’s Auction Napa Valley, and the many other annual events they host each year and which organizations the proceeds benefit.
Auction Napa Valley is coming to you online. Bidding starts on May 31st and it's a great opportunity for those in the industry and wine lovers that can't make the trek to Napa Valley participate in the auction. Peg Melnik writes a nice article featuring Hoby Wedler, a blind UC Davis graduate student, who is leading blind wine tastings at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. There's a lot at stake as the battle lines are being drawn between Empire Wine and the New York State Liquor Authority. Although we haven't tried it yet we're tempted; Alder Yarrow has found a company that can help make receiving shipments of wine less problematic. If you adhere to a vegan diet Sara Rennekamp provides a more in-depth viewpoint into the winemaking process, so that you can make a more informed decision when purchasing your wines. Alder's first walk through the famed Grand Cru vineyards of Champagne was not what he had expected. The photos and video that accompany the article are appalling. Conversely Caroline Henry has found that there is successful budding culture of sustainable growing that is taking hold in the Champagne region. In this week on VinoWeek we tackle these subjects and a few more as we strive to keep you up to date on what's going on in the world of wine. Thanks for listening and if you like what you hear please tell a friend. Cheers!
A look at how Auction Napa Valley Funding targets community need by Jeff Schechtman
From seven founding vintners in 1944 to nearly 450 members today, the Napa Valley Vintners non-profit trade association is deeply committed to working together to promote and protect the Napa Valley appellation, its agricultural heritage, and its community. "Napa Valley Rocks: Leadership" tells the story of how nearly seven decades of collaboration and camaraderie have shaped the Napa Valley wine industry.