Podcasts about freemark abbey

Cathy Corison is a legend, pioneer, and true trailblazer in the California wine industry. In the 1970s, when most women were limited to lab work, Cathy set her sights on winemaking. She earned her place at Freemark Abbey and Yverdon, eventually becoming head winemaker at Chappellet in 1980. While the wine world leaned toward big, bold, hedonistic Napa Cabernets, Cathy stayed true to her vision—crafting restrained, elegant wines that initially flew under the radar of critics like Robert Parker. Today, under her own label, Corison, Cathy is celebrated as one of California's most respected producers. Joining the conversation is Grace Corison, Cathy's daughter and the future face of Corison Winery. Grace played a key role in getting their vineyards certified organic—a recognition of practices they'd followed for years. She recognized the importance of official certification for transparency and for connecting with a younger generation of wine drinkers. Also joining us is Anna Brittain, Executive Director of Napa Green, who organized the annual RISE Symposium, where both Cathy and Grace will serve as keynote speakers this year. RISE is one of the most impactful events in the wine industry, bringing attention to sustainability and climate action through education, leadership, and collaboration. Learn more at: risegreen.org corison.com Hope to see you at RISE!

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.

Join Master Sommelier Michael Jordan as he interviews winemaker Kristy Melton on 2024 harvest.

Join Barry Dodds as he takes you through all things Freemark Abbey. Learn stories about Sycamore and Bosche Cabernet Sauvignons as well as Chardonnay.

Join winery ambassador Barry Dodds as he interviews winemaker Kristy Melton on all things Harvest 2023: Freemark Abbey Winery.

Join winery ambassador Barry Dodds as he chats with Freemark Abbey winemaker Kristy Melton and Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel on all things Freemark Abbey Merlot.

Join Freemark Abbey winery ambassador Barry Dodds and Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel as they dive into Freemark Abbey's Sauvignon Blanc.

We have reached for the stars with this wine! The 2019 Endeavour is our feature today,and how lucky we are! We will look at the tasting notes and other pieces of the puzzle to give you a great insight into the making of this incredible wine.please go to their website....drycreekvineyard.com Winemaker Notes: Located in the Lytton Springs district of Dry Creek Valley, our estate Endeavour Vineyard is the vision of the second generation to grow Cabernet Sauvignon that equals the finest of any in California. Strategically planted to take advantage of the diverse soil conditions on property, it contains its own sustainable ecosystem, complete with a natural pond to collect rainwater. This vineyard is a labor of love and continues to drive our family winery forward in producing world-class wines. At first swirl, notes of black currant, black cherry and cranberry come forward, followed by deeper aromatics of clove and orange zest. Additional airing reveals nuances of cardamom and mocha. On the palate, elegant flavors of boysenberry and plum mingle with complex notes of cinnamon, toasty cedar and bay leaf. The refined tannins are well-integrated, providing a rich and luxurious mouthfeel with a long, lingering finish. Tim Bell Winemaker Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. Tim's creativity in blending and extensive experience shaping wine quality in the vineyard made him a great choice for the winemaking team at Dry Creek Vineyard starting in 2011. He graduated with honors in winemaking at UC Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that inform his stylistic choices in creating delicious blends. With this education, and formative experiences in a previous career selling wine, Tim arrived at a balanced, complex winemaking style shaped by his precise palate and preference for wines that define their varietal character. Early in his career, Tim worked at Freemark Abbey, helping to shape the wine style and vineyard program. Later, he became the Director of Winemaking at Kunde, gaining critical acclaim for his Sauvignon Blancs, Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons. All of this experience has prepared Tim for what he has called “his best winemaking job.” Away from the winery, Tim spends time outdoors with his family as much as he can, usually somewhere involving bodies of water. His other interests include music of all kinds and good food (and wine!). Weekends often find him grilling the tastiest burgers on the west coast. A greatdeal fo work went into this beautiful wine,and we will be featuring this wine with local chefs in the very near future. Please click on the link at the bottom of this page ,and join us as Don wallace and I discuss this incredible wine! Cheers! Click here and join us as we enjoy great food and wine .

Explore what makes Freemark Abbey Merlot so delicious with winemaker Kristy Melton and winery historian Barry Dodds.

Join Winery Ambassador/Historian Barry Dodds as he interviews winemaker Kristy Melton on all things Freemark Abbey.

Join Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel and Winery Ambassador Barry Dodds as they explore Freemark Abbey Chardonnay.

Join Winery Ambassador Barry Dodds and Winemaker Emeritus Ted Edwards as they dive into Ted's forty year career as Freemark Abbey's winemaker, and the legacy he leaves behind.

While the history of most wine producers is established in the years after they begin, Delgadillo Cellars started with a 30-year history in the Napa Valley under its belt. 30 years working the vineyards of Napa Valley. 21 years in winemaking. Winemaker Ignacio Delgadillo, Sr., started in the wine industry in 1975 at Freemark Abbey, eventually becoming cellar master during the days when Freemark produced one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon releases in the Napa Valley (and that is saying something). Along the way, he has consulted as a private vineyard contractor and established a successful custom wood packaging business.   After all those years in the vineyards and in the winery, Ignacio and his son, Ignacio Delgadillo Jr., found the opportunity to create their own label in 2001, and Delgadillo Cellars was born. With Ignacio senior's extensive knowledge of the vineyards of Napa Valley, he and his family selected a small vineyard along Mill Creek in the northwest part of the valley. The Cabernet vines in Mill Creek Vineyard were planted between 1971 and 1976. Spur pruned, ladder trained, and completely dry-farmed, the fruit from these vines is concentrated, complex, and elegant. Delgadillo Cellars farms the site, allowing them to hand tend the fruit from bud break to bottling. Each Delgadillo Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon release spends several years in French oak and has been bottle aged for three years in ideal cellar conditions before release. Delgadillo Cellars wines are truly a family affair, steeped in the traditions of Napa Valley wine growing.     [00:01 - 08:02] Opening Segment Ignacio recalls his experience of growing up in wine country, learning about the industry and the different aspects of it from a young age had a big impact on his later career choices Wine is a very labor-intensive industry with many benefits (such as therapeutic work), but there are also challenges (such as long hours and competition);   [08:03 - 19:01] Get to Know Delgadillo Cellars Ignacio tells the story of how Delgadillo Cellars came to be It wasn't easy starting a wine business when he was just a high school student Starting a wine business is a big investment, but if it fails, it's not really that big of a risk   [19:02 - 24:35] Whites and Reds Get to know the different varieties of wines offered by Delgadillo Cellars and how they are made Ignacio shares his thoughts on their wine, specifically the red blend they produce.   [24:36 - 48:19] Closing Segment What goes with this wine? Ignacio mixes and matches their wines with the best food the pair to Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile wine that can be paired with meals that have complex flavors. Ignacio enters the Tasting Round   Connect with Ignacio through info@dcellars.com and Delgadillo Cellars.   Let's continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.   TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!    JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.     Tweetable Quotes   "Being in the booze industry is really a party every day." - Ignacio Delgadillo  

David Stare Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare and daughter Kim Stare Wallace join Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. Tom Simoneau is in the studio today. Dry Creek Vineyard was Tom's Winery of the Year for 2021. This year they celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. They got the front cover of Wine Spectator magazine too. They are one of the last truly private, family owned wineries in Sonoma County. David Stare grew up in Boston, MA. After graduating college and getting an MBA, he got a job in Germany for a steel company. On weekends, he visited wineries. Then in June 1970 he spent two months in France and decided he wanted to get into the wine business. When he saw an article in the Wall Street Journal about the potential for the wine business in California, it was a sign. In the summer of 1971 he and his family moved to California and he enrolled in courses at UC Davis. He realized that northern Sonoma County had a tradition of grape growing and so he bought a run down prune orchard in 1972 and the rest is history. In summer 1972 he tried to get a use permit for a winery at his house, which the neighbors objected to. So he was forced to build his winery down the hill. Today, he is glad they are located where they are, because he considers it to be the prime spot in the valley. Tom Simoneau even bottled his first wine at Dry Creek. Fumé Blanc They taste the 2021 Fumé Blanc, their fiftieth vintage. He always liked Fumé Blanc and he planted Sauvignon Blanc even if people told him it was not a good area for it But David turned out to be right. This is their flagship wine and they were the first Sonoma County winery to sell it. Robert Mondavi used the term, and they found that Fumé Blanc sold better than Sauvignon Blanc by 3-1, even if it is just an old-fashioned term for the wine. This sells for $11.99 at Bottle Barn. It was just listed as Wine Spectator's number seven of best values on the market. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the best deals on wine, beer and spirits, including many Dry Creek Vineyard wines. Then they taste the 2019 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, which was Tom Simoneau's Zinfandel of the Year last year. Chenin Blanc still sells well, which used to be the most popular white varietal. Dry Creek Vineyard wines have moderate alcohol and good acidity, so they age well. Steve Jaxon mentions Tim Bell, Dry Creek Vineyards' winemaker, who has been on this show before. Tim Bell joined the staff of Dry Creek Vineyard in 2011, which was a difficult harvest. He used to work at Freemark Abbey and before that, worked in retail. He also worked for Kunde when that family owned the winery. Meritage The Dry Creek Vineyards 2018 Meritage is “a killer” says Tom Simoneau. David Stare was around when the term Meritage was created, a portmanteau between Merit and Heritage. Dan Berger organized a contest in 1988 to find this name and one guy from the East Bay came up with it. They make two blends, this one called Mariner, is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon. Both of them celebrate the Bordeaux varietals in Dry Creek Valley. This wine has an “under the radar tannic structure” says Barry Herbst. They have time for one more red, a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with a little bit of other Bordeaux varieties. David Stare was making Bordeaux blends here in Dry Creek Valley before they became fashionable. All the blends in Bordeaux are blended to some extent. They are located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, off the 101 at Dry Creek Road. The place is wide open and beautiful. Most of their tastings are outside right now and they have beautiful gardens and are open 10:30 to 4:30, open every day. Reservations are encouraged. There is a very active wine club, with many single vineyard wines in small amounts.

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Bill O’Connor  is the Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at Jackson Family Wines. Based in Sonoma County, the heart of California's wine country, the business is one of few family-owned and operated wineries of its kind. Founded in 1983, with a focus on artisanal and old wines with a distinct character and quality, their portfolio includes wines like Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Freemark Abbey, Murphy Goode, Stonestreet, among many others. On the show, Alan and Bill talk about the historic partnership between Jackson Family Wines and the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, and what Bill makes about effective partnerships. In this episode, you’ll learn: What it’s like being a family-owned winery How to effectively handle partnerships The importance of refining your customer’s experience Key Highlights: [02:00] Bill’s dream job [03:30] The historic partnership with Churchill Downs [04:36] Jackson Family Wines’ tie to racing [11:50] Their wide variety of wine offerings [14:02] How Bill thinks about partnerships [16:06] Refining the customer experience  [20:30] Bill’s advice for navigating new relationships [23:15] A defining experience that made Bill who he is today  [26:54] Bill’s advice for his younger self [29:36] Bill’s recent impactful purchase [31:05] The brands, companies, and causes Bill follows [33:03] What Bill says is today’s biggest threat and opportunity for marketers Resources Mentioned:  Jackson Family Wines Bill O’Connor Churchill Downs & Kendall-Jackson and La Crema Sponsorship Stonetreet Farms Jess Jackson (Wikipedia) Barbara Banke Cardinale, La Jota, Freemark Abbey, Hartford Family Winery Grounded – Julia Jackson Subscribe to the podcast: Listen in iTunes (link: http://apple.co/2dbdAhV) Listen in Google Podcasts (link: http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa) Listen in Spotify (Link: http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC ) Connect with the Guest: Bill LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-o-connor-28662a22 Jackson Family Wines Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfw  Stonestreet Farm Twitter: https://twitter.com/StonestreetFarm Connect with Marketing Today and Alan Hart: http://twitter.com/abhart https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhart http://twitter.com/themktgtoday https://www.facebook.com/themktgtoday/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-today-with-alan-hart/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingtoday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, thanks to listener and Patron Rafael C. for the podcast topic this week! It is the 45th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris: a tasting of California and French wines, organized but the late Steve Spurrier, that opened the door for wines from the US and all over the New World to be recognized for their excellence. We should raise a glass to him, his partner Patricia Gallagher, and to journalist and author George Taber, all of whom made this event so very significant.  Here's a quick recap, all of which we cover in the podcast... In 1976, an English wine shop owner, Steven Spurrier, and the director of his adjacent wine school, Patricia Gallagher, wanted to introduce members of the French culinary elite to the wines of California. The goal was to show them the new developments happening across the world in wine (and to get publicity for Cave de la Madeleine and the Academie du Vin -- genius marketing!).   Photo: Berry Bros & Rudd Wine Blog In preparation, Spurrier and Gallagher researched, tasted, and carefully selected 6 boutique California Chardonnays and 6 boutique Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. They brought these wines to France and on May 24, 1976 conducted a three-hour tasting that (unbeknownst to them) would change the wine world forever.   Nine French judges sat at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris and sipped 6 California Chardonnays with a group of four high end white Burgundies (100% Chardonnay). They followed that up with 6 California Cabernet Sauvignons and four of the best Bordeaux from the Left Bank. The results were as follows:   Chardonnays 1973 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley (family owned) 1973 Roulot Meursault Charmes, Premier Cru, Bourgogne 1974 Chalone Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains (owned by Diageo) 1973 Spring Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley (owned by an investment company) 1973 Joseph Drouhin Beaune “Clos des Mouches,” Premier Cru Bourgogne 1972 Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley (owned by Jackson Family Wines/Kendall-Jackson) 1973 Ramonet-Prudhon, Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Bourgogne 1972 Domaine Leflaive, Puligny- Montrachet, “Les Pucelles”, Premier Cru, Bourgogne 1972 Veedercrest Vineyards, Napa Valley (shut down for 20 years, resurrected in 2005 under a sole proprietor) 1972 David Bruce Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains (family owned) Photo: National Museum of American History -- Smithsonian  The Cabernets/Bordeaux 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Napa Valley (owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle/Antinori) 1970 Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux 1970 Château Haut-Brion, Graves, Bordeaux 1970 Château Montrose, St-Éstephe, Bordeaux 1971 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains (owned since 1987 by a Japanese pharmaceutical company) 1971 Château-Leoville-Las-Cases, St. Julien, Bordeaux 1971 Mayacamas Vineyards, Napa Valley (family owned) 1972 Clos du Val, Napa Valley (family owned) 1970 Heitz Cellars, Martha’s Vineyard, Napa Valley (investor owned) 1969 Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley (owned by Jackson Family Wines/Kendall-Jackson)   Shocking and unexpected though they were, the results helped land California a seat at the table in the world of serious wine and paved the way for other regions to show that they were also capable of making excellent wines. Photo: Bella Spurrier The contest was not without objection. According to George Taber’s book (FYI -this is an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission from your purchase) the major ones were: The 20-point system was too limiting (but 20 points was standard at the time, I think any scale would have been criticized) For each category there were only four French wines to six California wines, so the odds were statistically in California’s favor (this is a very valid argument but the purpose of the tasting was for fun and learning, so we can’t really fault Spurrier for not knowing!) Spurrier didn’t choose the best French vintages (Spurrier picked French wines he thought would win, this was the best available) The French wines were too young (the tasting has been replicated and the California wines have aged better than the French wines!) Blind tastings suck – (this is very true but there was no "gotcha" here. It was just done to remove judgment, not to make people guess what wine was what Chateau!)   My additional objections: It is quite unfair to judge French wine without food. A small roll for palate cleansing isn’t enough. With a meal, the French wines would have been different. Food must be at the table for a fair judgement. The order of the wines in a tasting matters. Of course a lighter style wine tried after a heavier one will seem washed out. I don’t know what the case was here, but the “out of the hat” system was probably not the best order for the wines. We do need to realize that 1976 was a very difficult time for France. It was still rebuilding after the trauma of two World Wars in very quick succession and it took years to garner investment and get the wineries functioning and modernized. This was likely in the period of transition and that means the wines, made by traditional methods may have tasted less “clean” in comparison to the wines of California, which benefitted from cutting edge technology and scientific know-how, which was part of the culture of the reborn wine culture there.   That said, we all must raise a glass to Steve Spurrier, Patricia Gallagher, and George Taber for holding/covering this event, which improved and globalized wine for the modern times! Book cover from Amazon.com I highly recommend George Taber’s book "Judgment of Paris"  It’s a great read!   PS-- As we discussed in the show, check out my friend Tanisha Townsend's podcast, "Wine School Dropout" and her site Girl Meets Glass! ________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople      Wine Access   Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more!  Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). They offer top quality wines by selecting diverse, interesting, quality bottles you may not have access to at local shops. Wine Access provides extensive tasting notes, stories about the wine and a really cool bottle hanger with pairings, flavor profile, and serving temps.  

Pete Foppiano is sitting in for Steve Jaxon today on California Wine Country, but Dan Berger is in the studio as usual and his guest is Haley Jackson Hartford Murray from Hartford Family Winery. Barry Herbst from Bottle Barn is also in today. The Hartford was established as a winery by Jess Jackson in 1994. It is in Forestville in a remote area of Russian River Valley. Dan calls it the most ideal winery on the planet because they have every gadget for making great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A lot of people don't know that it is part of the Jackson family of wines. Her grandfather is Jess Jackson who approached her parents in 1994 with the idea of making wine in Russian River Valley, mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and at first they also had some old vine Zinfandel. Dan Berger's cellar dweller bottle today is a Merlot from Freemark Abbey 2008, this is a Jackson Family affiliated winery. The winemaker is Ted Edwards, Dan has known him for 40 years. Ted is great at getting the best of his varietals. Dan says a good quality Merlot deserves to have 5-7 years and this one has close to 13 years old yet it is just beginning to show. This illustrates the greatness of Merlot and of Freemark Abbey. Dan considers Hartford to be one of the greatest wineries in Sonoma County that nobody has ever heard of. Barry Herbst says that Bottle Barn cutomers sure do know it. Pete says it's a “hidden gem” among wineries. Today they will taste some of Hartford's single vineyard wines, starting with the Chardonnay. They do also make some Russian River Valley blends, which they have more of, for retail sale in places like Bottle Barn. The majority of their 30 single vineyard wines are their own estate, so they farm them and manage them. They also have some neighbors who provide fruit to them. This came from Dutton Ranch. Most of them have only a few hundred cases made. The location is cool, the fog rolls in first and stays low. The wine has floral delicacy. Dan is getting pineapple and guava, plus a mystery floral flavor, maybe peach or nectarine, towards honeysuckle and jasmine. Here the acid level may be higher than usual, which may be driven by climate change. Dan Berger on Climate Change “We are reaching a point now in California where global climate change is becoming an issue and the winemakers are really solving the problem. I think they're doing a brilliant job. All over California we're finding Chardonnay to be better because it's more savory. This wine is pretty tart.” Pete asks what steps have been taken to address climate issues. Dan says harvest date is critical. If you have to vary your harvest date and adjust that year to year. Also, you have to do your work in the vineyard early in the season. You can't allow the crop level to get too large or too small. That means from the moment you're pruning, late January early February, you're making sure that what's on the vine is going to give you the right amount of fruit in 7 months. Keep that in balance and the wine will be balanced. Haley points out that all of their vineyards and wineries are certified sustainable, meaning that they meet specific criteria to use less water, conserve as much as possible, to monitor soil health, biodiversity in the vineyards. They want the vineyards to be healthy ecosystems. They were lucky in the recent fires, although the fire was very close. These special single vineyard wines are available through the Hartford website. The other line of Russian River Valley blends (Chard and Pinot Noir) are at Bottle Barn. “This Chardonnay has got real personality.” It's the Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay. The site is right on the ridge, and it gets the first fog. It has flavors of lemon, lime and citrus. Tasting from the barrels, “you're in Margaritaville.” Dan Berger describes other changes that climate change has brought to the wine industry. It is not a problem for people who are sensitive to growing grapes in cooler regions ...

One of Napa Valley’s original Cabernet houses with a legacy that dates back to 1886, Freemark Abbey has pioneered the California wine industry and become a beacon of enduring quality and tradition. Timeless, trusted and authentic—the winery is admired for crafting classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon that stand the test of time sourced from lauded vineyard sites. The winery has an especially long tradition of sourcing from the highly desired Rutherford AVA and is widely known for its iconic Bosché and Sycamore single-vineyard Cabernets. The hand-built stone winery, originally constructed in 1899, is a testament to the estate’s long presence in Napa and on the famed Rutherford Bench. Freemark Abbey wines are available through discerning fine wine retailers and restaurants throughout the United States, or directly from the winery.

Pete Foppiano is sitting in for Steve Jaxon today on California Wine Country, but Dan Berger is in the studio as usual and his guest is Haley Jackson Hartford Murray from Hartford Family Winery. Barry Herbst from Bottle Barn is also in today. The Hartford was established as a winery by Jess Jackson in 1994. It is in Forestville in a remote area of Russian River Valley. Dan calls it the most ideal winery on the planet because they have every gadget for making great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A lot of people don’t know that it is part of the Jackson family of wines. Her grandfather is Jess Jackson who approached her parents in 1994 with the idea of making wine in Russian River Valley, mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and at first they also had some old vine Zinfandel. Dan Berger’s cellar dweller bottle today is a Merlot from Freemark Abbey 2008, this is a Jackson Family affiliated winery. The winemaker is Ted Edwards, Dan has known him for 40 years. Ted is great at getting the best of his varietals. Dan says a good quality Merlot deserves to have 5-7 years and this one has close to 13 years old yet it is just beginning to show. This illustrates the greatness of Merlot and of Freemark Abbey. Dan considers Hartford to be one of the greatest wineries in Sonoma County that nobody has ever heard of. Barry Herbst says that Bottle Barn cutomers sure do know it. Pete says it’s a “hidden gem” among wineries. Today they will taste some of Hartford’s single vineyard wines, starting with the Chardonnay. They do also make some Russian River Valley blends, which they have more of, for retail sale in places like Bottle Barn. The majority of their 30 single vineyard wines are their own estate, so they farm them and manage them. They also have some neighbors who provide fruit to them. This came from Dutton Ranch. Most of them have only a few hundred cases made. The location is cool, the fog rolls in first and stays low. The wine has floral delicacy. Dan is getting pineapple and guava, plus a mystery floral flavor, maybe peach or nectarine, towards honeysuckle and jasmine. Here the acid level may be higher than usual, which may be driven by climate change. Dan Berger on Climate Change “We are reaching a point now in California where global climate change is becoming an issue and the winemakers are really solving the problem. I think they’re doing a brilliant job. All over California we’re finding Chardonnay to be better because it’s more savory. This wine is pretty tart.” Pete asks what steps have been taken to address climate issues. Dan says harvest date is critical. If you have to vary your harvest date and adjust that year to year. Also, you have to do your work in the vineyard early in the season. You can’t allow the crop level to get too large or too small. That means from the moment you’re pruning, late January early February, you’re making sure that what’s on the vine is going to give you the right amount of fruit in 7 months. Keep that in balance and the wine will be balanced. Haley points out that all of their vineyards and wineries are certified sustainable, meaning that they meet specific criteria to use less water, conserve as much as possible, to monitor soil health, biodiversity in the vineyards. They want the vineyards to be healthy ecosystems. They were lucky in the recent fires, although the fire was very close. These special single vineyard wines are available through the Hartford website. The other line of Russian River Valley blends (Chard and Pinot Noir) are at Bottle Barn. “This Chardonnay has got real personality.” It’s the Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay. The site is right on the ridge, and it gets the first fog. It has flavors of lemon, lime and citrus. Tasting from the barrels, “you’re in Margaritaville.” Dan Berger describes other changes that climate change has brought to the wine industry. It is not a problem for people who are sensitive to growing grapes in cooler regions ...

In this episode, Jill talks to Barry Dodds, Wine Historian for Freemark Abbey. For over half a century, America's premier grape-growing state has enjoyed a reputation more or less interchangeable with Cabernet Sauvignon's. It's the king of red wine grapes in California—and also in France—for a reason: the amazing complexity that skilled winemakers are able to coax out of it when grown in optimum locations. They know all about this in the great, old chateaux of Bordeaux, as well as at many younger, but equally prestigious, wineries in Napa Valley. The world's best Cabernet grapes are grown in these respective regions. On the short list of the latter sits Freemark Abbey, a St. Helena winery founded in 1886, that hasn't been “young” for a long time. With nearly 50 vintages' worth of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintages tucked away in its library, Freemark's signature portfolio of wines represents one of the most fully realized Cabernet programs in America. They're produced by a winery whose contemporary rise to prominence has, from the 1960s to present, coincided with that of California's fine wine industry. Today, Freemark Abbey is many things to many people: a team of some of the most respected winemakers working in Napa Valley; a historic 1886 winery and pristine estate, with an enthusiastic hospitality program that highlights both; a collection of source vineyards up and down Napa Valley, representing several of California's most distinctive terroirs; an extensive—and unparalleled—wine library that stretches back decades; and a winery that, because of its long history and international reputation, is one of Napa Valley's true ambassador brands. If you want to try any of the wines Jill tasted on the show you can ORDER ONLINE or from the BIG RED LIQUORS APP for Curbside Pickup Service. It's as easy as 1,2,3! Start Your Order -  bigredliquors.com Simply select your store, browse and search for Freemark Abbey products, and start a CURBSIDE order. Your store will notify you when it is ready for pickup. Best of all, our NO TOUCH curbside will leave you with peace of mind and the great products you want ASAP.  

Join Freemark Abbey Winemaker, Kristy Melton, as she discusses the winemaking style, sourcing, aromas, and flavors of the 2017 vintage of the Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2017 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon will be releasing early September 2020.

Join Freemark Abbey Winemaker, Kristy Melton, as she sits down with Winemaker Emeritus, Ted Edwards, to taste through the 2005 & 2016 vintages of Cabernet Bosché & Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Both the current vintage and library re-release will be available starting in August of 2020 in limited quantities for one year only!

Join Freemark Abbey Winemaker, Kristy Melton, as she sits down with Winemaker Emeritus, Ted Edwards. Kristy and Ted discuss Ted's 40 year history with Freemark Abbey and his new role as Winemaker Emeritus.

Join Jeff as he sits down with Winemaker at Freemark Abbey, Kristy Melton, and they discuss the release of the New Napa Valley Chardonnay!

Join your bud, Jeff Ngo, as he sits down with winemakers Ted Edwards and Kristy Melton. Ted and Kristy walk us through their current releases, the 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2015 Cabernet Bosché. Ted also reminisces on the 2004 harvest and release of the 2004 Sycamore and Bosché.

Join your bud, Jeff Ngo, as he sits down with the winemakers at Freemark Abbey, Ted Edwards and Kristy Melton. They talk about both of their fascinating careers, including Ted’s nearly 40 years at Freemark Abbey.

Hugh takes a look at a venerable Napa Valley property with a fine record.

This podcast episode is a repeat of the show from March 22, 2017, with Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard. (This week's live radio show has been pre-empted by a Golden State Warrior's basketball game on our home station KSRO.) The first tasting is a Rosé from Bonny Doon Vineyards in Santa Cruz. Dry Creek Vineyards was celebrating their 45th anniversary (last year when the show was recorded). Today they will celebrate with tastings of their Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, a Zinfandel and a blended red. First, Dan Berger opens a bottle of A Proper Pink, a rosé produced by Randall Graham, owner and “king for life” of Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz. It is a slightly sweet Rosé, made with 69% Tannat and 31% Cabernet Franc. Dan explains that to make Rosé you have to get the skins out of the juice pretty quickly. Steve asked Tim Bell to describe how he got into the wine business. He grew up in Southern California and worked for the Liquor Barn chain and got interested in wine. He studied winemaking at UC Davis, graduated in 1994 and did an internship at Gloria Ferrer, then worked at a few different wineries including Freemark Abbey, for 10 years. Now he has been at Dry Creek for 6 years, since 2011 In 2017 Dry Creek Vineyard was celebrating the 45th anniversary of their first vintage and we will taste these Dry Creek Vineyard wines: Chenin Blanc: Dan says this is the best Chenin Blanc he has ever tasted. Chenin Blanc to be popular in California but today only a few thousand acres of it remain, mostly for jug wine. It is dry, has beautiful melon fruit and subtle spices of green tea. Dan points out that chilling this wine covers the sugars and gives it a weightiness from the sugar which shows up as texture rather than as sweetness. Sauvignon Blanc: Dry Creek Vineyard planted the first Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley. The pioneers tried different vines to see what varieties were appropriate for each region. Dan tells that when David Stare planted Sauvignon Blanc in the 1970s, it reminded him of the Loire Valley. He and Robert Mondavi adopted the name Fumé Blanc for the wine. Tim Bell says that the Loire Valley was David’s inspiration. Some other grapes that go into its blend and Dan says the aromatics are fascinating, with hints of chamomille. Tim also tastes ripe limes. This variety has a tendency to show its distinctiveness based on the weather and soil where it is planted. For this reason, some regions give green herb flavors while others do not. Tim agrees, having made Sauvignon Blanc from different regions. It also has a tendency to show its distinctiveness based on the weather and soil where it is planted. Some regions have green herb flavors, others, do not. Tim agrees, as he has made Sauvignon Blanc from different regions. When talking to somelliers in restaurants, Dan discovered that that patrons who ordered Sauvignon Blanc ended up spending more money on their checks because they would order two bottles. Steve asks Dan to sum up the history of Dry Creek. When David Stare planted Sauvignon Blanc, he discovered it was an ideal place for it to grow. Pedroncelli was another pioneer, with Zinfandel. The Dry Creek area was important for home wine making during Prohibition. Since in certain states it was illegal to make wine even at home, they shipped “wine bricks” with “warnings” saying, “do not add 30 gallons of water and some sugar or else this will ferment.” 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel: This grape ripens unevenly and Tim says this contributes to its unique flavor. Dan finds flavors of black pepper and mocha, not woody, but cocoa-like and black cherry and raspberry. Steve finds that it is smooth, and doesn’t "slap him in the face" like some Zins. Dan says there is a handful of California Zins that deliver this kind of fruit in the $60 range, but this one sells for $38, a great bargain. 2013 The Mariner, a Bordeaux-inspired blend. Tim says the wine changes from year to year,

Chef Cody Storts drinks and talks the history of Freemark Abbey Wine. Also joined by Eric Fuller about being a recording engineer and bartender.

Cathy Corison is the owner of Corison Winery in St. Helena, California. An alum of Freemark Abbey, Robert Sinskey, and Chappellet, she's made wine under her eponymous label since 1987. Critic Eric Asimov of the NYT has written, “Corison is one of the greatest producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley today,” and she's been named a “Winemaker of the Year” by San Francisco Chronicle. She talks to us about what it was like being one of the first female winemakers in Napa in the late 1970s, and her impressions of how the industry has evolved in the last 40 years.

Steve and Sher Bell of Campana Ranch discuss Steve's storied past, which included working for the Mondavis during their family split, early days in Napa, and what brought him and Sher to craft the beautiful wines they make in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma today.   Here are some more detailed notes: First we talk about Steve's Story -- which includes the evolution and questions about “Big Wine." We talk about Steve's getting caught in the crosshairs of a Mondavi feud, his time at Freemark Abbey, and the a long career at Beringer We hit on the business side of big wine and how it was challenging for Steve. Sher tells us about her perspective on Steve's career, and how her pursuing her passion helped Steve pursue his with wine.  We discuss how Steve and Sher began the winery -- we talk about the best and hardest parts of having their own things They make a lot of different types of wine -- we discuss the rationale behind it A fantastic show. I hope you find it as fascinating as I did!!!     Thanks to this week's sponsor who makes the podcast possible!   The Great Courses Plus -- who makes you smarter and more well rounded! With thousands of outstanding video lectures that you can watch or listen to any time and anywhere, The Great Courses Plus is an easy way to stimulate your brain and make you smarter! For a free trial, go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/wine   A must listen to anyone interested in learning about California wine history and a great story that moves from corporate to entrepreneurship and always involves a commitment to the vineyard, to doing things ethically, and to making great wine!       

When it comes to winemaking you'll find Cathy Corison at the intersection of Power and Elegance. You won't locate that intersection on a map but you can find it in a Corison bottle. Cathy has worked at respected Napa Valley wineries such as Freemark Abbey, Chappellet and her namesake winery for 40 years. Not a bad run for a woman who got her start with a wine appreciation course "on a whim." This year she was named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine. She'll be the first to say her success has as much to do with serendipity and luck as it does talent. Meet Cathy Corison on today's podcast.  

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.On this week's show:* James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Joan Nathan is in for her annual visit to provide news of this year's celebrity chefs/celebrity mixologists, Sips 'n Sups events are the weekend of January 22-23 at the Newseum and in private homes across the City. The even benefits DC Central Kitchen and Martha's Table, two organizations feeding thousands of hungry people in DC every day.* A seventh-generation farmer from Virginia, Forrest Pritchard wrote his first book, a surprise NY Times best seller called Gaining Ground as a crash course on the benefits of sustainable farming. His newest book, Growing Tomorrow, is a deeper drill into sustainable farming, reflecting conversations with and recipes from sustainable farmers.* Winemaker Ted Edwards from legendary, award-winning Freemark Abbey in Napa is stopping in during his easy coast swing to offer tastes and talk of some of his winery's latest and greatest vintages, including the official wine of Super Bowl 50!* Former engineer Anthony Arguin decided one day that locally-sourced and prepared foods and deliciously affordable wines were more of a passion than engineering. So, he opened the Wine-ing Butcher way up north in New Hampshire. There now are three, with Wine-ing Butchers the newest in Ashburn. Anthony is in talking about being a foodie entrepreneur and about his appearance at the Dulles Expo Center on January 22, where he'll appear on the cooking stage.* Brewmaster and mixologist Ben Matz is in from the new Wicked Bloom DC Social Club in NoMa. No surprise, he'll be mixing up samples of his signature cocktails and filling us with info about this cool, new watering hole.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.On this week's show:* James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Joan Nathan is in for her annual visit to provide news of this year's celebrity chefs/celebrity mixologists, Sips 'n Sups events are the weekend of January 22-23 at the Newseum and in private homes across the City. The even benefits DC Central Kitchen and Martha's Table, two organizations feeding thousands of hungry people in DC every day.* A seventh-generation farmer from Virginia, Forrest Pritchard wrote his first book, a surprise NY Times best seller called Gaining Ground as a crash course on the benefits of sustainable farming. His newest book, Growing Tomorrow, is a deeper drill into sustainable farming, reflecting conversations with and recipes from sustainable farmers.* Winemaker Ted Edwards from legendary, award-winning Freemark Abbey in Napa is stopping in during his easy coast swing to offer tastes and talk of some of his winery's latest and greatest vintages, including the official wine of Super Bowl 50!* Former engineer Anthony Arguin decided one day that locally-sourced and prepared foods and deliciously affordable wines were more of a passion than engineering. So, he opened the Wine-ing Butcher way up north in New Hampshire. There now are three, with Wine-ing Butchers the newest in Ashburn. Anthony is in talking about being a foodie entrepreneur and about his appearance at the Dulles Expo Center on January 22, where he'll appear on the cooking stage.* Brewmaster and mixologist Ben Matz is in from the new Wicked Bloom DC Social Club in NoMa. No surprise, he'll be mixing up samples of his signature cocktails and filling us with info about this cool, new watering hole.

Saving a wine to enjoy when your kid turns 21 or on your 10th or 20th wedding anniversary is a great idea, but what will last that long? This week we've got a great list of options for you with advice on how to research your best options and storage tips to boot!  Here's the list:  1. Vintage Champagne 2. Alsatian Riesling from producers like Zind Humbrecht, Marcel Deiss, or Trimbach. Or German Riesling from producers like Donnhoff or JJ Prüm. 3. The Italians: Barbaresco and Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, or Taurasi from Agliancio 4. White and red Burgundy 5. California Cabernets from specific producers: Ridge, Heitz, Chateau Montelena, Freemark Abbey. 6. Heavier Northern Rhônes of Syrah like Cornas or Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the specific producers in Southern Rhône. 7. Bordeaux from the best producer you can afford 8. High end Rioja   Sweet Wines (my top picks for long aging) 1. Sauternes 2. Vintage Port  3. Tokaji from Hungary 4. Madeira   Whatever the occasion you're commemorationg there's a wine for you! Congratulations!