Podcasts about dry creek valley

Fred Peterson has been making wines in Sonoma County for more than 40 years.  While attending UC Santa Cruz, he took a job in a classmate's family vineyard in Mendocino County and he found his passion. He left Santa Cruz, and used the rest of his GI Education benefits to attend UC Davis. Photo: Peterson Winery. Credit: Wine for Normal People   Fred got his bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Enology in 1978. And after managing vineyards for a large winery in the Central Coast, he moved to the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma in 1983. That same year, he planted a vineyard and built his house on Bradford Mountain.   In 1987, Fred hung a shingle on a red barn off of Lytton Springs Road and Peterson was born. The winery is no longer in the red barn, but it remains an important part of their history and is represented on every wine label with a back drop of Bradford Mountain, where the Peterson Estate Vineyard is located. Photo: Fred Peterson. Courtesy of Peterson Winery   In this (super dorky) show Fred takes us through some of the fascinating history of how philosophies about terroir and soil have changed since he started as a grower and winemaker in the early 1980s and how he has managed to be a leader in sustainable, but not dogmatic sustainable farming and winemaking.  Fred was one of the first voices in Sonoma to promote low intervention farming and winemaking. It shows in the wines!   Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can't go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to wineaccess.com/normal to sign up!   

Dan Berger, Alan Baker. Cartograph Wines co-founder Alan Baker is back with us on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. His last time on the show was this episode in April of 2024, almost one year ago. Cartograph is a label known for small-lot elegant Pinot Noir, Rieslings and sparkling wines as well, from Russian River Valley and Mendocino Ridge. Dan Berger says that if you are a wine lover, you know that the best part of that is finding these small local producers that make excellent wine. These wines are under the radar, so Alan declares they need a better radar. Alan and his wife moved up from San Francisco in 2009 to launch the brand. Cartograph Wines has just purchased a new property in Dry Creek Valley which will become their new home and tasting room. It should be ready in about one year. There is Syrah on the property and they plan to install some art there too. For now they are in Healdsburg. From Radio to Wine Alan worked in radio in St. Paul, MN for sixteen years before he “caught the wine bug.” Before that he studied music and shifted into making recordings of music, which led him to NPR in the twin cities. When he tasted a certain bottle of wine, which was a 1998 Alscatian Riesling. “That silly $13 bottle of wine changed my entire life.” – Alan Baker Steve Jaxon has named Dan Berger “Mr. Riesling” and the nickname is well earned. Alan and Dan first interacted because they share a taste for dry Riesling. If you handle it right, it can be “bone dry” and still have a lot of fruit flavors. Cartograph has planted Riesling recently so next year they will have some to taste from their estate. Alan did bring a Rosé, a 2024, 100% Pinot Noir, light salmon color and completely dry. 90% was pressed directly from the grapes, and they also collect the juice that comes from the sorting table. Dan believes that the screw cap is one of the secrets to California Rosé. The screw cap makes a prefect seal with no oxygen transfer at all. This way, the wine stays in perfect condition for a lot longer. They are also tasting a 2023 Pinot Noir that Dan calls "dramatic." There is a hint of pomegranate. The majority of the fruit in this bottle comes from their estate vineyard in Russian River Valley near Cotati. Dan says it is so close to Petaluma Gap that it could be considered a Petaluma Gap style wine. It has low alcohol, 13.7%.  There is some oak, Dan calls it a "grace note" of aromatics. Dan suggests decanting it for an hour or so between opening it and tasting it.

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Andrew Nalle, Winemaker, Nalle Winery, Dry Creek Valley, defining the term “Sweet Tannins”.  Learn more by visiting www.nallewinery.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment Doug Nalle, Owner, Nalle Winery, Dry Creek Valley, defines the term “Zinberry”.  Learn more by visiting www.nallewinery.com

The last time I interviewed Doug Nalle was back in 2009 so I was way, way overdue to visit Nalle Winery. This time around I met with Doug and his son Andrew with occasional commentary from Doug’s wife Lee. We laughed a lot back in 2009 and we laughed even more in 2025. Nalle is [...]

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 

Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. Steve Jaxon talks about wine news with Dan Berger on California Wine Country today, since our expected guest was a last-minute scratch. Dan has brought a Tendu from Matthaisson in Napa Valley, made from Cortese grapes. It is a common wine in Piedmont, the province of north-western Italy, whose capital is Torino. American wine consumption is down in every category , except Sauvignon Blanc was the only one up in sales.  One reason is the influx of good Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand. This caused the category to expand. There is the Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé French styles, the California style and now the New Zealand style. From region to region the styles are all different. In the US, Sauvignon Blanc was up almost 4%, while everything else was down between 4 and 8 % in sales. Tasting rooms and wineries are closing. Discount pricing is rampant. Young people are drinking all kinds of other things, even hard seltzer or non-alcoholic products. Market Cycles in the Wine Industry Wine has been with us for thousands of years, so the industry has to wait for the cycle to turn, maybe a year or two. Sometimes wine news is old news. There was a downturn in 2009 and within 18 months the business was back. Dan says that the 2024 vintage is excellent. The 2024 white wines and Rosés are starting to show up in the stores now. Pedroncelli winery in Dry Creek Valley is a thriving winery. Montse Reese their winemaker has been on the show. Also Julie Pedroncelli was on this episode last January. They have owned their land for almost 100 years. Dan opens a Kerner which is Riesling crossed with Trollinger, a red grape. It is a white wine from the Alto-Adige region of north-eastern Italy. Wineries used to operate tasting rooms at a profit, but that has changed. A lot of wineries have closed that were all producing the same wines, Chardonnay and Cabernet. Julie Pedroncelli explained how a winery has to set itself apart somehow, which they have done. Michigan is producing great wine. Look for Chateau Grand Traverse, the old reliable.

For this podcast, I sat down with Andy Robinson from Seghesio Family Vineyards. I recently learned that Wine Spectator named Seghesio's 2022 Sonoma County Zinfandel the Top Value Wine of 2024—an incredible achievement, especially considering the global competition in the Top 10. Producing high-quality wine at a scale that reaches shelves across multiple states and countries—while keeping it affordable—is no small feat. That's just one of the many topics I explore with Andy in this conversation.  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

GUEST LINE-UP: Lauren Fremont - Executive Director, Winegrowers Of Dry Creek Valley - Passport To Dry Creek Valley Jeff Nelsen - Founder & CEO, Liquid Farm If yo u cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here

Julie Pedroncelli St. John is back as a guest on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger today. Her last time on this show was this episode of April 26, 2023. The Pedroncelli family winery began when her grandparents bought some property in Dry Creek Valley that contained a vineyard, a home and a shuttered winery. This was seven years before the repeal of Prohibition. They sold grapes and then after Prohibition was repealed in December, 1933 they started producing wine. They have been family-owned and operated ever since then. The Dry Creek Valley has ideal conditions for certain grapes including Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. The Pedroncelli property is on the hillside. Different ends of the property have different microclimates and today they farm about 11 different varieties on all of their vineyards. By owning the property the wine production is not subject to the financial pressure of a mortgage. Winemaker Montse Reese Their winemaker in Montse Reese who just celebrated 18 years there. Everything they grow comes into the winery. They also buy from growers all around Dry Creek Valley. The Zinfandel they are tasting today is an example of their product that comes from their own vineyards and from other local growers. There is a tab on the Pedroncelli website called Vino in my Dino, which comes from the Flintstone's Dino the Dinosaur cup. When Julie was 5 years old her first taste of wine, watered down, of course, came from one of those. Julie has brought a 2023 Chardonnay that comes from F. Johnson vineyard in southern Dry Creek Valley. The winemaker Montse Reese put it in French oak barrels for 8 months, and it undergoes malolactic fermentation sur lies. This makes a wine with complex citrus and melon flavors. It is a candidate for at least a year of aging but is already tasty. It has a wild tropical fruit component which suggests that the wine will improve with aging or when decanted. “Time in bottle or time in the air,” giving aeration helps a lot, says Dan.

Dry Creek Vineyard winemaker Tim Bell is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger today. Tim has been on CWC a few times but the last one was this episode on August 4, 2021. Dan Berger gives credit to Tim Bell for making wines that are interesting for their subtlety. He tells how his first exposure to wine was in retail. He went to UC Davis, worked at a custom crush facility for a while, then at Freemark Abbey for 10 years making Rutherford Cabernet. From there he worked at Kunde estate, where they had more then 600 acres of vineyards. After five years there, he got the opportunity to move to Dry Creek Vineyard. It is one of the rare family-owned wineries that is still in the hands of the original family owners. The other winemaker is Brian Pruett. Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley Dan Berger talks about when David Stare planted Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, he had an intuition that it would work, but nobody knew yet. Tim describes a lot of the varietals that they have planted. Visit Chigazola Merchants online to shop their unique selection of fine Italian wines. They have a 2022 Chardonnay from Marchelle, Greg La Follette's brand. After all these whites, they also have some Zinfandel. Dry Creek Vineyards claims credit for being the first winery to use the term "Old Vines" on the label. There are several old vineyards in the area that are also family-owned, which produce fruit that they use. These vineyards are field blends of Zinfandel with a scattering of other varieties. There are head-trained vines and are dry farmed. Dan detects a violet spice and bay leaf flavors. But the best part is the structure, which makes it ideal for food like pizza. The one they are tasting is a 2021.

Episode 216 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Edd Lopez, Senior VP of Sales at Trattore Farms & Winery Today we have Edd Lopez, Senior VP of Sales at Trattore Farms and Winery, and he shares insights into the founders' story, their unique tasting experiences amidst scenic Dry Creek Valley, and their acclaimed range of Rhone-style wines, Zinfandel, and olive oils.  Wine of the Day: Trattore Farms 2021 Estate Viognier    Links: https://trattorefarms.com https://www.wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland/   Sponsor: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/  

Doug Nalle, co-founder of Nalle Winery, is our guest today on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. The last time Doug was on the show was this episode of April 19, 2023. Doug Nalle and Dan Berger have been friends for fifty years. They have three Chardonnays to taste. First, a 2021 Chardonnay from Hopkins Ranch. Doug and his wife Lee founded the winery in 1984 and they just finished their 41st harvest. They produce about 2000 cases per year. Mostly they make Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Their Chardonnay is about 200 cases. Doug's son Andrew is the winemaker now. He got a degree in enology from Fresno State. His wife April is a viticulturalist who went to Australia for training and works with the winery. They have roughly 24 acres of grapes and they use some and sell some. His wife's family bought property in Dry Creek Valley 95 years ago and it is still in the family. Visit Chigazola Merchants online to shop their unique selection of fine Italian wines. Doug has brought two 2021 Zinfandels. Dan describes the Nalle property as “spectacular.” They have an above-ground cave. It is grade level with retaining walls on two sides. There are 6 feet of dirt stacked inside the walls, so the interior is naturally cool like an underground space. Back in the 80s and 90s Zinfandel was a moderate alcohol wine, between 13 and 14 % ABV. Then the trend was for higher ABV but Doug did not follow that trend. Vertical tasting of 3 Chardonnays They are tasting the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Chardonnays from Bob and Tony Hopkins' vineyard in Russian River Valley. The 2021 is smooth and pure fruit. The 2022 has an extra layer of something. Nalle Winery is open Friday Saturday and Sunday and maybe other days too at 2383 Dry Creek Road. Exit in Healdsburg and go west about 2.1 miles to their sign. The 2023 is young, obviously and has barely been bottled. It is interesting to taste one that is so young just to know where the wines start out. Then the starting point for aging is five years, in Dan Berger's opinion. Doug Nalle give credit to his son Andrew for the quality of the 2023. Andrew just finished a Masters degree in Enology at Fresno State. He studied particular strains of yeast and ways to use them. Zinot Noir Zinot Noir is something Doug and Andrew came up with by blending 60% Zinfandel and 40% Pinot Noir. They liked it for the forward fruit of Zin plus some "mysterious Pinot Noir thing going on." It is a modest 13.65 ABV and they made only 280 cases of it.  

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.

Dennis McCarter, owner and winemaker of McCarter Cellars, is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. This is his second time as a guest on CWC, the last time was this episode back in January of this year. Dan Berger is away again this week and Melissa Galliani joins us in the studio. Dennis tells about having taken a course at SRJC about pairing wine and food, which left him with the desire to start making wine. He started by making five gallons of Barbera in his garage. As he continued to make wine, he started winning awards, so he decided to go pro. That coincided with his transition out of the insurance business. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc came from Rogers vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. The location is on the cooler side of the area. Dennis eventually finished enology studies at SRJC. His wines started winning awards right away. They continue to win recently. The inaugural Pinot Noir earned 98 points and took best of class at the North Coast Wine Challenge, sponsored by the Press Democrat and his Gewürztraminer took silver there. His Rosé, Pinkish, took a gold medal at Experience Rosé challenge. Click the logo to visit Davis Bynum Wines.   Dennis is involved in a group of American Vintners that meets quarterly. He is also on the board of the Sonoma Library Foundation, to do fund raising. With them, he helped organize Tasting Diversity, where they hosted events to raise exposure for African-American owned wineries. For more information about Tasting Diversity, visit this page at the Sonoma Library Foundation and scroll down to the middle of the page where it is listed among their other events. Discount Code There is a discount code WINERADIO for listeners to get 15% off. Dennis has accomplished a lot as a winemaker after only two years. His Gewurtztraminer is tasty and Dennis attributes its success to his method that includes he and his wife pressing the grapes with their own feet. His favorite wines to make are Pinot Noir and Zin, and aromatic whites like Gewurtztraminer. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for info on the 2024 Summer Concert series. McCarter Cellars will have a tasting room by the end of the year, in a location across from where Carol Shelton Wines is located. Wait for news by the end of harvest season. That is starting to get busy now.

Glenn Proctor is part of Sonoma County royalty. Founded by Glenn's great grandfather in 1904, the Puccioni's were one of the original Italian farming families in Dry Creek Valley. Today, Puccioni Vineyards is still committed to making distinctive Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from the Puccioni Ranch, located in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. Their grape growing and winemaking knowledge has been passed down through the generations with the goal of “letting the vineyard speak” by producing concentrated wines in a complex and rustic style that exhibits characteristics of the site. Drink in this fascinating episode with Glenn Proctor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Glenn Proctor is part of Sonoma County royalty. Founded by Glenn's great grandfather in 1904, the Puccioni's were one of the original Italian farming families in Dry Creek Valley. Today, Puccioni Vineyards is still committed to making distinctive Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from the Puccioni Ranch, located in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. Their grape growing and winemaking knowledge has been passed down through the generations with the goal of “letting the vineyard speak” by producing concentrated wines in a complex and rustic style that exhibits characteristics of the site. Drink in this fascinating episode with Glenn Proctor.

In part two of the fall release podcast Morgan, Chris, and Casey continue to discuss the once-in-a-lifetime 2023 vintage and talk through the rest of the wines: 8:22 2023 Banfield Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 17:24 2023 Dolinsek Ranch Heritage Wine, Russian River Valley 21:41 2023 Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 26:54 2023 Beeson Ranch Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 36:36 2023 Monte Rosso Zinfandel, Moon Mountain  42:55 2023 Shake Ridge Barbera, Amador County 51:50 2022 Bien Nacido Syrah, Santa Maria Valley 

Episode 205 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery   Today we are joined by Katarina Bonde, the owner and winemaker of West Wines. She reveals how she transitioned from a background in music and software to winemaking and shares unique experiences like harvest walks and library tastings at West Wines, fostering a sense of community in Dry Creek Valley. Two(!) wines of the day: West Wines Crest Cuveé & West Wines 2022 Viognier Fast Five: Richard's Summer Dessert! -Peaches -Butter (or plant milk works too) -Brown sugar -Cinnamon -Salted Pistachios Cut peaches in half, take out pit Whisk butter, cinnamon and sugar into a paste.  Roughly chop pistachios Dredge the peaches in the paste Place on  hot grill, flat side down first, char for about a minute and a half  Flip them over, put the rest of the paste on the charred half, cook for another minute and a half  Once plated, sprinkle with salted pistachios Potential sixth ingredient: Vanilla ice cream! Or coconut bliss ice cream :)    Links: https://westwines.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/

Send us a Text Message.Woody is an innovator and entrepreneur. He has seen the wine side of the business through multiple  lenses. Today he shares his insights and wisdom and why sparkling is the way to go when it comes to non-alcoholic wines.Check out the links below. @woodys.wine@lpv.group@lpvictoire Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Everyone from Iron Chefs, winemakers, journalist and more.

VINTAGE EPISODE from season 3, episode 17: 100+ year old gnarled, Zinfandel Vines, Dry Creek Valley and interview with John Olney, director of winemaking & COO of Ridge Monte Bello & Lytton Springs Vineyards. ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE is about California's cool, aspirational lifestyle and awesome wines hosted by Chuck Cramer, a California native, living in London and is the Director of European sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in the world of California wine, chatting along the way with the key influencers in the industry who make it all happen. This week's episode includes an interview with John Olney, Ridge Vineyards. 

Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam are joined by Jason Passalacqua. They discuss the intersection of wild food and wine and how to make wine more approachable for the wild food community. They also talk about traditional pairings between game and wine and how Passalacqua wines are specifically designed to pair well with wild game. The conversation highlights the importance of education and experimentation in finding the perfect wine and food pairings. In this conversation, Jason Passalacqua, owner of Passalacqua Winery, discusses the connection between wine and wild game. They explore the idea of demystifying wine and making it more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience. They also discuss the importance of education and empowerment when it comes to wine and wild game and how these two worlds can intersect to create a unique and enjoyable dining experience. The conversation highlights the diversity of flavors and the endless possibilities for pairing wine with different types of wild game. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the joy and exploration that comes with combining wine and wild game - Leave a Review of the Podcast - Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices Guest: is a hunter, angler, forager, outdoorsman, cook, and vintner. His passion for wine and love of the outdoors began with fishing and hunting among the vines on his family's property in Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg, California. After a career in engineering, he wanted to get back to his roots. As a fourth-generation vintner, he was inspired by his family's history of growing grapes since the 19th century and began making wine. He opened Passalacqua Winery in 2004 with a vision to create quality wines that pair with the outdoors. Passalacqua Winery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passalacquawinery Passalacqua Winery website: https://passalacquawinery.com/ Takeaways: Wine and wild food are part of a lifestyle and offer a unique sensory experience There are no strict rules when it comes to pairing wine and wild game; it's all about personal preference Passalacqua wines are designed to pair well with wild game, offering a balance of flavors that enhance the purity of the food Education and experimentation are key to finding the perfect wine and food pairings Demystifying wine and making it accessible to everyone is important Education and empowerment are key when it comes to wine and wild game There is a wide range of flavors and possibilities for pairing wine with wild game Combining wine and wild game can create a unique and enjoyable dining experience Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Topic 02:53 Updates and Plans for the Future 06:05 Guest Introduction and Background 09:10 Growing Up in Northern California and Love for the Outdoors 13:08 The Intersection of Wine and Wild Food 16:01 Demystifying Wine and Making it Approachable 22:28 Pairing Wine with Wild Game: Traditional and Non-Traditional Pairings 28:24 Passalacqua Wines: Designed to Enhance the Flavors of Wild Game 00:02 Introduction and Background 09:53 Demystifying Wine and Making it Accessible 30:13 Exploring the Flavors and Pairings of Wine and Wild Game 39:54 Creating a Unique and Enjoyable Dining Experience 50:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Keywords: wild food, wine, pairings, approachable, education, experimentation, wine, wild game, demystifying, accessibility, education, empowerment, flavors, pairing, meat, cooking, drinking, drinks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/

California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger celebrates World Chardonnay Day with a selection of Chards and Rosés. Dan has brought two Chardonnays, three Rosés and a mystery wine from Dan's cellar. The first tasting is called Samur, and it's a 2022 Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. The producer is Arnaud Lambert. It is on the sweet side, a “patio wine” says Dan. The region is south-east of Paris. It starts on the Atlantic coast and follows the river east over 100 miles. Next, they taste a 2022 Knuttel Family Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. Bill Knuttel was the winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards for a long time. This wine won a gold medal at the recent Press Democrat wine competition. It has a bit of both rich and tart flavors. “Sonoma County makes better Chardonnay than just about any American wine region.” -Dan Berger. There are so many sub-regions of Sonoma County that produce different styles of Chardonnay. The Wine Market Right Now Wine sales are down. Why, everyone asks? Is it because millennials have more options for beverages than ever before? Within the last 6 months, the craft brewing industry has collapsed, and sales of wine are flat but not off. It is more seasonal than beer. Beer sells year-round, but wine has summertime specialties like Rosés. When the weather turns hot, everybody wants Rosé. Red wine is not a summertime wine, although Pinot Noir is “going nuts” while zinfandel sales are flat. Maybe that's because people are backing off the high alcohol wines. Other varietals are getting more attention, relatively speaking, such as Syrah, Grenache and many more. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for info on the 2024 Summer Concert series. Dan describes Chardonnay as kind of neutral flavored, as a grape, it really doesn't have a lot of flavor. It is sort of citrussy and fresh, but not always. If harvested late, it can be rich and bold. But it is a clean canvas for a winemaker. Since Chardonnay doesn't have very much by itself, if it is properly treated in the vineyard and in the winery, then in the barrel, everything you do can change the wine. From year to year, what style does mother nature allow a winemaker to make that year?  Dan notes three types, from three Sonoma County regions, Petaluma Gap, Russian River Valley and Bennet Valley. Petaluma Gap has wind and Russian River Valley has fog. Both conditions slow the ripening so the grape stay on the vines a bit longer. This is also true of Bennet Valley, in Sonoma County. Dry Creek Valley can also produce some great Chardonnay, although it is better known for other varietals. Click the logo to visit Davis Bynum Wines. A German Chardonnay Next is a 2021 Chardonnay from Germany. Chardonnay has appeared in Germany only in the last ten years, as climate change has made Germany warmer. In the future some vineyards that produce Riesling will probably be converted to Chardonnay. They are even making Chapagne-style wines in England now, which was impossible before the warming of the climate. Rosés too, today Rosés became popular after stainless steel tanks were developed that allowed winemakers to keep the temperature down during winemaking. The first tasting is Campuget, a Rosé from France, very dry with a trace of sugar. Another is a 2022 Mas de Gourgonnier. (Mas is an old French word for a farm. -ed. note)

During this episode of ROCKnVINO, hosts Coco and Michelle talk with Noah and Kelly Dorrance of Reeve Wines, BloodRoot Wines and The Ramble, a homegrown music and wine festival in Healdsburg on June 7th and 8th. Noah and Kelly moved to Sonoma County from Missouri after falling in love with each other and with wine.   Reeve Wines in Dry Creek Valley is known for small lot, delicious wines and a tasting experience close to nature. In downtown Healdsburg, they have a charming tasting room for their more value focused wines from BloodRoot.   As if that weren't enough, Noah and Kelly have created a homegrown music festival called The Ramble, June 7th and 8th in Healdsburg featuring headliners Lord Huron, Andrew Bird, and Cautious Clay, as well as The Nude Party, The Coffis Brothers, and Spike Sikes. Proceeds benefit Giffords, in memory of Kelly's 9-year-old niece Evelyn who was killed in a school shooting in 2023. Get details and tickets at www.bloodrootramble.com   ROCKnVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.

David Rafanelli and his family own the A. Rafanelli Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, California.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 198 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Coco and Michele from Rock'n Vino Tune into Rockin' Vino Radio where hosts Michelle Marquez and Coco Sturzenbach take you on a journey through the intriguing intersection of music and wine. They engage with winemakers, musicians and chefs, discussing the fascinating impacts of music on wine perception and enjoyment. Available on KSRO and various podcast platforms, this show offers a unique auditory experience for all wine and music enthusiasts with lively discussions and thoughtful pairings. Fast Five: Andrea Card from Francis Ford Coppola Winery *Super Easy Caprese* -Log of Mozzarella (preferably fresh) -Fresh Basil - whole leaves -Tomatoes- sliced -Reduced Balsamic  -Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Salt & Pepper to taste)  Slice the mozzarella, put fresh basil and sliced tomatoes on top - top with balsamic and EVOO! Simple, fresh and delicious! Pairs nicely with Francis Ford Coppola - Sofia Blanc de Blancs Links:  https://www.ksro.com/podcast/rock-n-vino/ https://www.rocknvino.com/ https://www.francisfordcoppolawinery.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/  

Look, I'm bleeding Syrah@tensleywines @cormorantcellars #wine #Syrah #CabernetSauvignon #podcast #radio #winelover Co hosts : Good ol Gal Denise, Good ol Boy Justin, Made Man Maury, Made Man BobSIPS – Dive into the depths of Santa Barbara County with the Sips, Suds, & Smokes crew as we swirl, sniff, and sip our way through a lineup of Tensley Vineyards' exquisite Syrahs and a standout Cabernet Sauvignon. We also dabble with the diverse and organic offerings from Cormorant Cellars, showcasing their mastery of old-world winemaking techniques. From the cool climate Turner Vineyard Syrah to the sun-kissed Tensley Estate Vineyard Syrah, and the intriguing Cormorant Cellars Red Blend, we're uncorking the stories and the flavors that make these wines sing. Whether you're a fan of bold reds or searching for the perfect wine to accompany a charcuterie board or a sizzling steak, this episode has a glass raised for you. We will be discussing this whiskey and rating them from 1-5 with 5 being the best:6:01 Cormorant Cellars Sauvingon Blanc 2021 3 SIPS13:41 Cormorant Cellars Grenache Blanc/Marsanne 2021 3 SIPS18:29 Cormorant Cellars Chardonnay 2021 3 SIPS22:53 Cormorant Cellars Red Blend 2021 3 SIPS29:04 Tensley Syrah Turner Vineyard 2022 4 SIPS31:16 Tensley Fundamental Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 4 SIPS37:22 Tensley Syrah Tensley Vineyard 2022 4 SIPS46:13 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard 2022 3 SIPSinfo@sipssudsandsmokes.com X- @sipssudssmokes IG/FB - @sipssudsandsmokes Sips, Suds, & Smokes® is produced by One Tan Hand Productions using the power of beer, whiskey, and golf. Available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeart, and nearly anywhere you can find a podcast.Enjoying that cool Outro Music, it's from Woods & Whitehead – Back Roads Download your copy here:https://amzn.to/2XblorcThe easiest way to find this award winning podcast on your phone is ask Alexa, Siri or Google, “Play Podcast , Sips, Suds, & Smokes” Credits:TITLE: Maxwell SwingPERFORMED BY: Texas GypsiesCOMPOSED BY: Steven R Curry (BMI)PUBLISHED BY: Alliance AudioSparx (BMI)COURTESY OF: AudioSparxTITLE: FlapperjackPERFORMED BY: Texas GypsiesCOMPOSED BY: Steven R Curry (BMI)PUBLISHED BY: Alliance AudioSparx (BMI)COURTESY OF: AudioSparxTITLE: Back RoadsPERFORMED BY: Woods & WhiteheadCOMPOSED BY: Terry WhiteheadPUBLISHED BY: Terry WhiteheadCOURTESY OF: Terry WhiteheadPost production services : Pro Podcast SolutionsAdvertising sales: Contact us directlyContent hosting services: Audioport, Earshot, Radio4All, & PodBeanProducer: Made Man BobWine Podcast, Wine Tasting, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Organic Winemaking, Old World Style Wines, Cormorant Cellars, Tensley Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Sonoma Wine, Monterey Wine, Santa Barbara County Wine, Wine Rating, Wine Pairing, Wine Varietals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During this episode of ROCKnVINO, hosts Coco and Michelle talk with Lauren Fremont, Executive Director of Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley about the upcoming Passport to Dry Creek Valley, Friday, April 26th through Sunday, April 28th.   This event has expanded to include a more intimate experience with boutique wineries on Friday, as well as a la carte luncheons and dinners on Friday as part of a new Wine-derlust Collection! Of course, you can also get two-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday, where over 25 wineries will offer tastings, bites, education, and music, depending on the location.   Get all of the details and secure your tickets today at drycreekvalley.org   ROCKnVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.

Yes it's that time of year!I love it! Today we have a great new feature with Don Wallace and plenty of single vineyard Zinfandels really and opened.First let's look at their website,and the tasting notes on our featured Zinfandels from Dry Creek Vineyard. 2020 Wallace Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Our Wallace Ranch Zinfandel is a shining example of the preservation of iconic old vine Zinfandel. This incredible vineyard is on the home property of Proprietors Kim and Don Wallace, and it was the first to be planted using the Heritage Clone in 1994. To develop this clone, we grafted budwood from a pre-Prohibition vineyard onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock in our estate Wallace Ranch vineyard, forever preserving the heritage of the old vines and crafting a "young vine" wine with "old vine" characteristics. Initially, the aromas express fruit-forward tones of black cherry, blackberry and raspberry. In the background, subtle notes of coriander, white pepper and cumin emerge after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of cranberry and boysenberry pie mix with soft undertones of cardamom, nutmeg and mocha. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and symmetry between fruit, alcohol, tannin and acid. yes I did say three.....our second wine today is 2020 Vogensen Ranch Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Rising more than 800 feet off the valley floor, Vogensen Ranch is located on the back of Bradford Mountain and is one of the more extreme growing sites in all of Dry Creek Valley. We have isolated a steeply sloped, well-draining area of the vineyard called “Barn Block” to create this bottling for our single vineyard series. The undulating nature of the terrain and east-facing sun exposure provide grapes that are beautifully ripened and lead to a wine that is silky, textured and well-balanced. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry jump from the glass and intermix with spicy nuances of nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper. Juicy, rich dark flavors of brambleberries and plum come forward, combined with deeper notes of black pepper and marzipan. The silky, seamless tannins flesh out the vibrant finish of black and white pepper, all framed by refreshing acidity and superb roundness. Tasting these wines reminds me ...I like to eat!!... Our third wine today is 2020 Farmhouse Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River Valley Winemaker Notes: This delicious bottling is the sixth vintage of Zinfandel produced from our Farmhouse Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vines in our Farmhouse Vineyard were among the first to be planted using the Heritage budwood concept to preserve the heritage of iconic old vine Zinfandel vineyards! Cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock to create a “young vine” wine with “old vine” Zinfandel characteristics. Initially, the aromas show fruit-forward tones of black and red cherries, cranberry and blackberry. Subtle notes of mocha, rose and earthy nuances come forward after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of plum and strawberry mix with soft undertones of coriander, toffee, toasty cedar and roasted almonds. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and silky tannins. The finish is pure with a slight spiciness and refined elegance. The stage is set! Please click on the link,at the bottom of this feature.please enjoy this great new audio feature with Don Wallace.all music is my original music...performed by...Yours truly.Enjoy.Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

We have two perfect wines for your holiday feast!Are you ready. First the 2020 Spencer's Hill Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: The Petite Sirah varietal has traditionally played an important role in producing our world-class Zinfandel wines. In certain vintages, we decide to bottle a small amount of Petite Sirah to more fully express this incredible variety. From the first moments of airing, this Petite Sirah exudes aromas of blackberry and ripe plum with nuances of nutmeg, coriander and fine leather. The palate is defined by flavors of black cherry, white pepper. cinnamon and mocha. The tannins are firm, but well integrated with a long and lingering finish. Notes of pie crust and dried herbs emerge along a deep and rich mouthfeel filled with supple tannins and a smooth texture. This wine is a huge and beautiful wine,and moved straight to the top of my favorite wines! Until we opened the 2020 Historic Blocks Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: Our Historic Blocks Zinfandel is a tribute to the legacy vineyards of Dry Creek Valley and our family winery's enduring commitment to preserve the extraordinary heritage of Zinfandel. Located primarily along the eastern bench of the valley, specific blocks of old vine Zinfandel were selected as the backbone of this robust and luxurious wine. These century-old, gnarled vines are still tended to by hand, preserving this beloved tradition and living testament to the remarkable history of our home appellation. This vintage presents inviting aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry and plum with notes of orange peel, baking spice and toasty cedar. On the palate, layers of black cherry, cranberry and raspberry come forward with nuances of coriander, whit pepper, mocha and rose petal. The wine is full-bodied, with deep richness and impeccable balance. Its tannins are slightly firm and lend a plush mouthfeel. Both wines will be on the table for my next birthday the day after Christmas! Don wallace will tell us more about these wines,and we have agreat audio feature which you can access by clicking on the link below. Please join us!AND Happy holidays! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

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/

I recently traveled into the Dry Creek Valley and sat down with Don Wallace,at Dry Creek Vineyard. We did new features on some of the amazing red wines. Today we have three wines .We will start with the Pinot Noir. Winemaker Notes: The Russian River Valley is perhaps the finest region for growing world-class Pinot Noir in all of California. The coastal climate is ideal with daily heating and cooling cycles that create the perfect conditions to cultivate this delicate grape. We produce just a small amount of Pinot Noir, hand selecting the most optimal fruit from our vineyard. Aged in small French oak barrels, this beautiful wine displays pure varietal characteristics and earthy nuances, true to the terroir of the Russian River Valley appellation. This 2021 vintage displays wonderful aromatics of black cherry, blueberry and rhubarb. Several more minutes of airing reveal notes of black tea, rose and cocoa. On the palate, flavors of raspberry and cranberry integrate with hints of baking spices, orange peel and toasty cedar. The tannins are fine with a delicate mouthfeel and beautiful complexity. This delicious Pinot Noir is flavorful and balanced with naturally high acidity and a long lingering finish. We also opened the beautiful Merlot. Winemaker Notes: We have crafted this classic Bordeaux varietal since 1974. Our first vintage of Merlot was released in 1974, and we have produced this classic Bordeaux varietal ever since. In fact, the Dry Creek Vineyard 1991 Reserve Merlot won the prestigious “Grand Prix d'Honneur” at the 1995 Challenge International Du Vin in Bordeaux, France — much to the surprise of the French! This delicious varietal adds bright aromatics and a velvety mouthfeel as a blending component for our Bordeaux program, but it is outstanding as the dominant varietal as well. In our 2019 vintage, aromas of black cherry, plum and black currant immediately fill the senses. A few more moments reveal notes of nutmeg, cocoa and black and white pepper. The palate is full of wonderful complexity, combining flavors of blackberry and boysenberry. This wine features deep undertones of coriander, bay leaf and mocha with a bright finish and silky tannins. This beautiful wine has excellent structure and balance with a lush, round quality that lingers. these are the tasting notes from their great website. today we will feature a third wine. 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon "Iron Slopes" Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: This high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon was inspired by our decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards within Dry Creek Valley. This exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon showcases some of the more extreme growing sites that lie on the western hillsides of Dry Creek Valley. The undulating nature of the terrain provides grapes that are beautifully ripened and lead to a wine that is silky, textured and complex. Juicy aromas of plum and blueberry come forward initially. Additional airing reveals notes of cedar, cinnamon, thyme and coriander. The palate is bold and luxurious with luscious yet earthy flavors of black cherry, fine leather, mocha and white truffle. The finish lingers with notes of white pepper, caramel and oregano. Chewy tannins frame this full-bodied and rich expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. We have two new audio features.Please click on the link at the bottom of this feature,and join Don Wallace and i as we discuss these incredible wines. In the up coming weeks we will have many new audio features with this world class winery and Don Wallace. 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 .

Hear about travel to the wine region Sonoma County in California as the Amateur Traveler talks to Brooke Herron about this popular tourism region where she grew up. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-sonoma-county/ Why should someone travel to Sonoma County? Brooke says, "A myriad of reasons, in my opinion beyond wine. It is an absolutely stunning region from an outdoors perspective. You've got the coast, you've got hiking trails, mountains, hills and then you've got also lots of farms, distilleries, breweries, cideries. And what I loved the most about living there for 20 years and now coming back home to it on a regular basis is really first, the outdoors and the beauty, right? The access to the ocean and trees. And then next, of course, the fact that you can get amazing food, and craft drinks everywhere." Brooke lays out a 5-day itinerary: Day One: The Sonoma Coast The first day begins on the breathtaking Sonoma Coast. Drive along Highway 1, skip the touristy Bodega Bay, and head to Shell Beach near Jenner. Here, you can choose between a leisurely stroll on the Kortum Trail or a more challenging hike on the Pomo Canyon Red Hill Loop. Chris recommends history buffs take the drive up to Fort Ross which was the Russian presence on the California Coast. After the hike, consider a stop in Jenner for a smoked salmon bagel or clam chowder with a view over the bay. For dinner, Santa Rosa offers the Bird and the Bottle, a favorite, or a more casual option at Russian River Brewery. Day Two: Sebastopol and Russian River On the second day, Brooke will explore the charming town of Sebastopol and the Russian River area. The Barlow, an open-air marketplace, is a must-visit. Enjoy craft cider, spirits, and unique food options. Highlights include Golden State Cider, Blue Ridge Kitchen, SpiritWorks Distillery, and the recently added Rewind Arcade for a playful touch. If you're not into alcohol, explore Goldridge Organic Farms for olive oil tastings and Bohemian Creamery for a delightful cheese experience. For wine enthusiasts, Horse and Plow, Dutton Estate Winery, and the unique Radio Coteau are recommended stops. Day Three: Relaxing in Petaluma On the third day, Brooke recommends a leisurely drive to Petaluma. Explore the historic downtown, and if in the mood for seafood, the Shuckery is a great choice. For a more casual experience, Brewster's Beer Garden offers a relaxed atmosphere with great outdoor seating. Accommodations in Santa Rosa can be found at Hotel E, a boutique luxury option in the heart of downtown. In Petaluma, Brooke suggests considering the charming Metro Hotel for a unique and affordable stay. Day Four: Explore Hillsburg and Windsor Brooke's top winery picks in Hillsburg include Idlewild Wines for unique Italian varieties like Arnés, Fresa, Dulcetto, Grignolino, Barbera, and Cortese blends, with educational Sunday events. Orsi Vineyards, a hidden gem in Dry Creek Valley, offers distinctive varieties like Sagrantino and Biancolella. Unty Vineyards, known for sustainable practices, provides a casual Rhone and Italian variety tasting experience. Gary Farrell in Sonoma County is recommended for exceptional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, especially from the Russian River Valley. Aperture Cellars, known for Bordeaux blends, stands out, with a focus on texture. In Windsor, Artisan Alley hosts Two Shepherds Wine and Tilted Shed Cider. Two Shepherds offers organic and natural wines, including orange and skin-contact varieties. Grand Cru Custom Crush offers a diverse micro-winery tasting experience. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Shiloh Regional Park's hikes and mountaintop views, while Riverfront Regional Park offers a scenic water setting. Brooke suggests exploring farmers' markets in Windsor and Healdsburg for fresh produce and vibrant atmospheres. Dining recommendations in Healdsburg include Bravas Tapas Bar, Willie's Seafood and Raw Bar, Valette Restaurant, and The Matheson. Lo and Behold is recommended for cocktails, and Black Oak Coffee and Flying Goat for coffee. In Windsor, Artisan Alley's Two Shepherds Wine and Tilted Shed Cider are must-visits, along with Pizzalea for gluten-free pizza. To unwind, Shiloh Regional Park and Riverfront Regional Park offer beautiful natural settings. For spirits, Young and Yonder Spirits and Alley Six Spirits in Healdsburg are noteworthy. Day Five: Explore the Sonoma Valley On day five, explore the renowned Sonoma Valley. Hike at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park or Bartholomew Park. Kibblestadt Cellars, known for balanced wines, is a top choice. Prohibition Spirits in Sonoma offers unique tastings like Pink Gin. Bedrock Wines, near the plaza, features interesting varieties. Eldorado Kitchen is recommended for high-end dining. Café La Haye, Valley Bar and Bottle, and Sunflower Cafe offer diverse breakfast and casual options. Enoteca Della Santina is suggested for a relaxed glass of wine, while Winery 16 600 in Glen Ellen offers unique wines. Sonoma's fine dining includes Eldorado Kitchen and Café La Haye. Hot Monk Tavern and The Grapevine are casual favorites. Eldorado Cantina, attached to Eldorado Kitchen, offers delightful Mexican food at a more affordable price. Wrap up the day with tastings at Kibblestadt Cellars and Bedrock Wines. Brooke highlights Sonoma County's diversity, including hikes, beaches, cider, beer, and spirits. For planning, check Sonoma County Tourism's website for itineraries and information. Whether you are here for the wine, cider, and spirits or the coastal hikes and ziplining through the redwoods, Sonoma Valley offers adventures that bring you back again and again.

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.

Episode 187  Renae Perry from Papapietro Perry Sponsored by: Russian River Family Vineyards We were joined in the studio today by Renae Perry from Papapietro Perry Winery in Dry Creek - and her lovely wine! Come along as we chat about awesome restaurants, different events held both in person and virtually by Papapietro Perry, and hear about their amazing Wine Club Member cruise! Pickleball skills may be required to join.  Wine of the Day: 2020 Pinot from Russian River Valley  - 100 point winner from Sunset Magazine! Congratulations! Fast Five: Rebecca Germolus Rebecca's Top Appetizer! -Deli turkey -Deli ham -cream cheese (sub chèvre) -Pesto (sub zook) Spread the cheese on the meats, roll them up, and your guests will think you have a chef on hand! Links:  Papapietro Perry Wine & Food Affair Russian River Family Vineyards Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. Threshold Studios

In this episode you'll meet Jennifer Brown of Napa Valley's Hall Family. They are more or less based in three counties, they source from a good number of appellations across California, and they have three brands that I'll touch upon, but we'll focus on BACA Wines. BACA only produces Zinfandel, which I found interesting knowing that Jennifer's family has gained notoriety for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Jennifer and I met in 2020 at the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Zinfandel Experience Grand Tasting event and she told me she loved to skip through the Zinfandel vineyards as a child. Zinfandel? Hearing that from a Hall family member struck me with enough curiosity I wanted to hear the full story of how she ended up focusing on Zinfandel instead of the other varieties her family is well known to produce. Today, you will get to hear that story.

recently Don Wallace and I enjoyed four courses at the Matheson in Healdsburg. It's always a great time when Don Wallace and I get together. We have 4 wines and 4 courses to share with you today. First let's look at the tasting notes and the great websites of Dry Creek Vineyard and The Matheson. Open Tuesday through Sunday at 5:00 PM. Bar Open at 4pm. A Love Letter to Sonoma County Our menu is a modern ode to Healdsburg's micro-seasonal ingredients, exploring the possibilities of a locally foraged fungi from a secret stand on the slopes of rolling forest, or the range of a Purple Heart tomato cultivated from a farm within walking distance to the restaurant. For Chef Nate Davis and team, finding the limitlessness in the specific moment is a play of craft and passion. The downstairs bar menu is a culmination of both classic cocktails and their modern twists. The back bar is made of suspended cold steel and is stocked with sought-after brown spirits and other rarities. The Matheson's sake cellar, includes a range of the major styles of sake, listed on our digital wine list. The Wine Wall features 88 wines on tap, allowing curious drinkers splashes of multiple selections without over-commitment, or those who know what they like a half or full glass. “We are able to share pours of the most extraordinary wines, often hard to find and when found, only by the bottle,” said Beverage Director Jon McCarthy. Design your own flight of fancy, exploring a region, a varietal, a vintage, or a hunch. No reservations necessary, stop by before or after your dining experience - or on your exploration of the Healdsburg Square. We have opened four great wines from Dry Creek Vineyard . Winemaker Notes: For over 50 years, Dry Creek Vineyard has been a leader in Sauvignon Blanc in California. Winery founder David S. Stare was the first person to plant the Sauvignon Blanc varietal in the Dry Creek Valley in our DCV3 Vineyard, against the advice of many viticultural experts. Many years later, Sauvignon Blanc is now the most widely planted white variety in the Dry Creek Valley! With 16 acres under vine, our DCV3 Vineyard is the backbone of our Sauvignon Blanc program. Our 2022 vintage of DCV3 Sauvignon Blanc displays intense aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit and passion fruit. After a few more minutes of airing, softer herbal nuances of jasmine, thyme and chamomile come forward. The palate is bursting with vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and nectarine with striking hints of cucumber, jalapeño and white pepper. The bright acidity of this crisp and refreshing wine is preserved by stainless steel fermentation. Enjoy this lively wine now in its youth, or age for a few years if desired. 2020 Farmhouse Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River Valley Winemaker Notes: This delicious bottling is the sixth vintage of Zinfandel produced from our Farmhouse Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vines in our Farmhouse Vineyard were among the first to be planted using the Heritage budwood concept to preserve the heritage of iconic old vine Zinfandel vineyards! Cuttings from a pre-Prohibition era vineyard were grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock to create a “young vine” wine with “old vine” Zinfandel characteristics. Initially, the aromas show fruit-forward tones of black and red cherries, cranberry and blackberry. Subtle notes of mocha, rose and earthy nuances come forward after several minutes of airing. On the palate, flavors of plum and strawberry mix with soft undertones of coriander, toffee, toasty cedar and roasted almonds. The wine is supple with tremendous complexity and silky tannins. The finish is pure with a slight spiciness and refined elegance. 2019 Merlot Dry Creek Valley 90 Points – Wine & Spirits 92 Points – Wine & Spirits Winemaker Notes: We have crafted this classic Bordeaux varietal since 1974. Our first vintage of Merlot was released in 1974, and we have produced this classic Bordeaux varietal ever since. In fact, the Dry Creek Vineyard 1991 Reserve Merlot won the prestigious “Grand Prix d'Honneur” at the 1995 Challenge International Du Vin in Bordeaux, France — much to the surprise of the French! This delicious varietal adds bright aromatics and a velvety mouthfeel as a blending component for our Bordeaux program, but it is outstanding as the dominant varietal as well. In our 2019 vintage, aromas of black cherry, plum and black currant immediately fill the senses. A few more moments reveal notes of nutmeg, cocoa and black and white pepper. The palate is full of wonderful complexity, combining flavors of blackberry and boysenberry. This wine features deep undertones of coriander, bay leaf and mocha with a bright finish and silky tannins. This beautiful wine has excellent structure and balance with a lush, round quality that lingers. 2018 Meritage "Alluvial Gap" Dry Creek Valley Winemaker Notes: This exquisite Meritage was inspired by almost five decades of working with Bordeaux varietals planted in the different districts and vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. This experience provided us with knowledge of which properties grow the best fruit our region can offer. This delicious blend features fruit from specific vineyard sites within the Lytton Springs district of Dry Creek Valley, including our iconic Endeavour Vineyard. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, with three additional Bordeaux varietals for complexity and depth. At first swirl, the wine displays powerful aromas of black currant, plum sauce and cranberry. Several more minutes reveal hints of clove, sage and chai. The palate is full and rich with flavors of black cherry, black currant and blueberry pie, with notes of fine leather, dried herbs de Provence and toasty oak. The tannins are firm yet supple, with a round, plush texture and a rich, lingering finish. We have four features to share. Please click on the links below and joinus as we play the audio for these great features. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . Now onto our second feature. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . please click on the next link and join us. Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine . We are still hungry,join us! cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Dennis Hill, co-founder of Langhart and Hill wines, joins Steve Jaxon on California Wine Country. Larry Van Aalst is in for Dan Berger, who is travelling this weekend. Larry has had a long career in wine, he was an educator and a Sommelier and worked in the university and junior college and with PBS, all related to wine. He even worked in the prune harvest back when that was the dominant fruit in Sonoma County. This 2023 vintage is Dennis' 51st as a professional winemaker. His first job in winemaking was working for the late Ed Seghesio. He grew up on his family's property just south of Healdsburg, on the border between Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley AVAs. It was a prune and apple farm but in the 1970s they replaced most of the prunes and apples with wine grapes. Rosés made of Bordeaux Grapes are Great They are tasting a Rosé made of Merlot, which Larry really likes. Dennis calls is “racy” and it has a deeper color than most Rosés these days. He wanted his to have a little more depth of flavor, so he leaves it on the skins and uses Merlot.  Rosé is not just seasonal anymore, They are also tasting a Chardonnay is about the flavors of the fruit, not the oak. It's all older and neutral wood. It is complex and without any of that annoying buttery oaky flavors. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. These wines are available at Bottle Barn. They don't have a tasting room and are just building their sales in the marketplace. They only make about 350-400 cases per year, mostly to restaurants and selected local retail, including Bottle Barn. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for the latest on the winery and event calendar. They also make another line of wines called Rumplestiltskin, which is dedicated to unusual varieties not usually encountered. They make an orange wine and an Appassimento, and a Croatian variety called Dobricic. The Appassimento is very interesting. It is a northern Italian style where they dry the grapes before pressing them, which makes a unique flavor. Amarone is the name of one kind of wine made this way.

Episode 183 Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery  Episode 183 | Erik Miller, Owner & Winemaker at Kokomo Winery & Breaking Bread Wines Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery Erik brought three (!) bottles of wine to share while we learned about his journey through winemaking from Kokomo Winery to his newest venture Breaking Bread Wines. He wants to share his wonderful natural wines with the world and we're here for it! Wine(s) of the day: 2022 Breaking Bread Pet Nat 2022 Breaking Bread Al Dente 2022 Breaking Bread Cabernet Franc Links:  https://www.breakingbreadwines.com/ https://www.kokomowines.com/ Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. Threshold Studios  

Meet Katarina Bonde, a Swedish-rooted individual whose path led her from the world of tech to the enchanting realm of winemaking. University classes kindled her fascination with wine, sparking journeys through Europe's vineyards. Settling in Seattle in the early nineties, Katarina's tech career intertwined with her growing passion for wine. She and her husband discovered the budding wine region of Dry Creek Valley, charmed by its family-owned wineries. Today, as Winemaker and Owner at West Wines, Katarina weaves her diverse background into every bottle, a harmonious blend of technology and terroir.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Learn how Katarina's path led her to the wine industry, all the way from her roots in Sweden Uncover the intriguing origins of West Wines and its unique legacy of female winemakers Learn about Katarina's European approach to patience in winemaking and the significance of aging wines in barrels over decades Join the conversation on the evolution of West Wines under different winemakers Gain insights into the unexpected wine region of Sweden and its connection to Katarina's winemaking journey Delve into the distribution landscape as Katarina discusses the balance between direct-to-consumer sales and the three-tier system Discover how West Wines adapted during the pandemic See Katarina's unique perspective on managing her roles in both the tech and wine industries Gain insights into the art of balancing personal winemaking vision with consumer preferences Get an exclusive look at West Wines' production scale and learn about the number of cases produced at present   In this episode with Katarina Bonde Join Katarina Bonde of West Wines as she shares her journey from Sweden to California's Dry Creek Valley. Explore the inception of West Wines, its all-female winemaker tradition, and Katarina's unique perspective on crafting wines for longevity.  In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Katarina Bonde, Winemaker and Owner at West Wines. Learn about her European-inspired patience in releasing wines and the delicate balance between her winemaking vision and consumer preferences. From pandemic challenges to tech-wine duality, Katarina offers insights into her world, culminating in a glimpse of West Wines' production prowess.   Sponsor for this episode… This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead. Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft marketing agency that propels organic growth by using a powerful combination of content development, Search Engine Optimization, and paid search. At Barrels Ahead, we know that your business is unique. That's why we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy that highlights your authenticity, tells your story, and makes your business stand out from your competitors. Our team at Barrels Ahead helps you leverage your knowledge so you can enjoy the results and revenue your business deserves. So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your results today! To learn more, visit barrelsahead.com or email us at hello@barrelsahead.com to schedule a strategy call.

Smart farming, Dry Creek Valley, old-timers, embracing new technology, sucker for a good curry and interview with Duff Bevill, founder & partner of Bevill Vineyard Management in Sonoma. ON THE ROAD with mrCAwine is about California's cool, aspirational lifestyle and awesome wines hosted by Chuck Cramer, a California native, living in London and is the Director of European sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in the business of California wine, chatting along the way with the people who work in wine, and make it all happen. This week's episode includes an interview with Duff Bevill, the founder & partner, Bevill Vineyard Management. 

This week we traveled to Dry Creek Valley to meet with a true living legend, Jim Pedroncelli. The family purchased their property in 1927, they are bonded winery number 113. For nine decades they have been producing wines of high quality, tradition and heritage. When you have the opportunity to talk to a winemaker in their 90's, sit back, lean in, and listen. [Ep290] @pedroncelliwine

Zinfandel, zero manipulation grape whisperer, easy to love, better to be lucky than good, and interview with Fred Peterson, owner, Peterson Winery in Dry Creek Valley. ON THE ROAD with Chuck Cramer is about California's cool, aspirational lifestyle and awesome wines hosted by Chuck Cramer, a California native, living in London and is the Director of European sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in CA wine, chatting along the way with the experts who make it all happen. This week's episode includes an interview with Fred Peterson, Peterson Winery. 

Pedroncelli Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel In this episode, Rob and Scott review the classic red from Pedroncelli, their Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. So come join us, on The Wine Vault.

Glenn Proctor - Puccioni Vineyards & Ciatti Company Glenn's family immigrated to Dry Creek Valley in 1889 knowing they knew they wanted to invest in property. This led them to purchase Puccioni Ranch in 1904, the family has continuously farmed grapes on the property, and in the early 1920's and 30's operated Puccioni Winery. Today, Glenn is one of the proud owners of Puccioni Ranch and serves as the General Manager. In 2002 Glenn started Puccioni Vineyards, a small handcrafted Old Vine Zinfandel brand using the grapes from his family's property. In 2003 he joined The Ciatti Company, the world's largest broker of bulk wine and grapes and became a partner in 2003. After attending Healdsburg High School he graduated from California State University Fresno with a BA in Viticulture/Plant Science and then continued at UC Davis where he earned a master's degree in Horticulture. Glenn has served on many wine industry boards over his career. We dive pretty deep into his family's vineyard and the wines they produce. We begin to talk about the bulk wine and grape business but there is a whole other show that we will have to revisit. This is a great show not to be missed. [Ep283] www.puccionivineyards.com www.instagram.com/puccioni_vineyards www.ciatti.com

Clay Mauritson, of Mauritson Wines, was born and raised in the Dry Creek Valley and is part of the sixth generation of a grape-growing family. Pioneers from Sweden, Clay's great great-grandparents raised Merino sheep for the wool and planted their first vines on land they settled in 1868. That area now anchors the Rockpile AVA. After playing in the Rose Bowl for the University of Oregon in 1995, Clay graduated and returned to Sonoma County in 1997, where he honed his winemaker skills alongside winemakers at several notable estates. In 1998, he produced the first bottling under the Mauritson label: a Dry Creek Zinfandel. Clay is committed to the sustainability of the family's 350 acres of vineyards and maintains strong relationships with other growers, giving Mauritson access to some of the best grapes in Sonoma County. Clay's greatest passion is his family and his the desire to preserve the Mauritson vineyards for future generations. I invite you to drink in this episode with the delightfully charming Clay Mauritson. Note: Clay was in Park City, Utah where he was the Winemaker Honoree at the Red, White & Snow wine event that benefits the National Ability Center

Clay Mauritson, of Mauritson Wines, was born and raised in the Dry Creek Valley and is part of the sixth generation of a grape-growing family. Pioneers from Sweden, Clay's great great-grandparents raised Merino sheep for the wool and planted their first vines on land they settled in 1868. That area now anchors the Rockpile AVA. After playing in the Rose Bowl for the University of Oregon in 1995, Clay graduated and returned to Sonoma County in 1997, where he honed his winemaker skills alongside winemakers at several notable estates. In 1998, he produced the first bottling under the Mauritson label: a Dry Creek Zinfandel. Clay is committed to the sustainability of the family's 350 acres of vineyards and maintains strong relationships with other growers, giving Mauritson access to some of the best grapes in Sonoma County. Clay's greatest passion is his family and his the desire to preserve the Mauritson vineyards for future generations. I invite you to drink in this episode with the delightfully charming Clay Mauritson.Note: Clay was in Park City, Utah where he was the Winemaker Honoree at the Red, White & Snow wine event that benefits the National Ability Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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