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During this episode of ROCK'nVINO hosts Michelle and Coco chat with Rene Byck, Vice President and Co-Owner of Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa. Paradise Ridge really has it all! Perched above Santa Rosa in Fountaingrove with some of the most spectacular views in all of Sonoma County, the winery also boasts a beautiful sculpture garden; a museum dedicated to Nagasawa Kanaye, one of the earliest grape growers in the area; a wedding and venue space; summertime concerts with rotating food trucks; and delicious wines. Rene shares the story of how his parents started the winery and the sculpture garden, the connection to Burning Man, the fires in 2017 that destroyed parts of the property, the rebuilding journey with help from American AgCredit, and the popular Wine and Sunsets Series, which goes through mid-October. Make your reservation today by visiting prwinery.com ROCK'nVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.
Dan Barwick Dan Barwick is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. Harry Duke is also in the KSRO studio today. Dan Barwick is a busy winemaker who produces wine for two well-known wineries, Trecini Winery and Paradise Ridge Winery. Today he is here to talk about Trecini Winery. Before tasting the Trecini wines that Dan Barwick has brought, Dan Berger has another cellar dweller, a 2008 Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, a bottle that was lost and hidden at the bottom of a box in the cellar. He thought it would be dead but both Dans find it wonderful. The flavors are mature, the acids have held up nicely. They are still making beautiful wine there, but this is amazing, how it has held up. Steve's getting it on the third taste. Harry declares, "I'm out. It's not leaping to me as anything special." After that, they taste Dan Barwick's Trecini Sauvignon Blanc. There is David, Cathy and John Vicini, the patriarch. Dan Barwick has been making wine for them for 20 years, and Sauvignon Blanc is their biggest production. Dan Berger says that Sauvignon Blanc is their claim to fame. They have several different vineyards, which Dan Barwick describes, in the Alexander Valley. Dan Berger tasts a bit of lemon and Cynar, which is an Italian artichoke liqueur. Dan thinks it would be perfect with a little bit of age, it expands the herbal components. It would ideally accompany shellfish. Dan Berger says that the Trecini wines are cleaning up at competitions, and that Trecini is under the radar because they're mostly available locally. There is a small Trecini tasting room in downtown Santa Rosa. 684 7th St., corner of Humbold St, in downtown Santa Rosa. Dan Barwick grew up in England and came to a harvest in Sonoma County in 1991 with the intention of learning about wine. He spent the next 19 years working in cellars throughout Sonoma County and asking a laot of questions. In 1995 he met Sonia Byck, part of a Byck family that owns Paradise Ridge. They married and went to wineries in the southern hemisphere on their honeymoon. He says he learned a lot by taking great winemakers to lunch. He has taken some courses at UC Davis which he calls an extraordinary bastion of information. Dan Barwick says that among all the facts you need to know, pay attention to pH. Dan Berger adds, it starts in the vineyard. If you're careful, beginning before harvest, it will carry you all the way to the bottle. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online. Next they have a vineyard designate Vicini Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from 2019. It is very smooth and easy to drink. Trecini wines specifically aim for a slightly lower alcohol so that if you compare a glass of 12.5% alcohol wine to another at 15%, too much alcohol covers the great flavors. Next they taste a 2018 Trecini Merlot, which triggers the memory of the movie Sideways and how Dan Berger inadvertently influenced that script. At the time, Dan was writing for the Los Angeles Times and had a frequent byline in LA. When the screenwriter contacted Dan for some information about wine, he misunderstood what Dan was telling him, and that is how the famous line about Merlot got into the movie. It's a story that's always good for a laugh or two. It's fresh and vibrant, tannins are low, and all you have to do is capture that in the vineyard, says Dan Barwick. It's still young, so vibrant and fruity, but already shows some of that dried black olive component. The idea is to capture the varietal character, which this does. It gives you something more than just fruit. Dan Barwick says, "part of having that balance is picking your fruit early enough with a low enough level of sugar. You have all those dried herbs in Merlot, but if the fruit gets riper, these flavors disappear. All of these flavors ... are the medium-rares of the ripening level of any grape, really, and I troll in capturing those characteristics of the fruit."
Dan Barwick is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. Harry Duke is also in the KSRO studio today. Dan Barwick is a busy winemaker who produces wine for two well-known wineries, Trecini Winery and Paradise Ridge Winery. Today he is here to talk about Trecini Winery. Before tasting the Trecini wines that Dan Barwick has brought, Dan Berger has another cellar dweller, a 2008 Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, a bottle that was lost and hidden at the bottom of a box in the cellar. He thought it would be dead but both Dans find it wonderful. The flavors are mature, the acids have held up nicely. They are still making beautiful wine there, but this is amazing, how it has held up. Steve's getting it on the third taste. Harry declares, "I'm out. It's not leaping to me as anything special." After that, they taste Dan Barwick's Trecini Sauvignon Blanc. There is David, Cathy and John Vicini, the patriarch. Dan Barwick has been making wine for them for 20 years, and Sauvignon Blanc is their biggest production. Dan Berger says that Sauvignon Blanc is their claim to fame. They have several different vineyards, which Dan Barwick describes, in the Alexander Valley. Dan Berger tasts a bit of lemon and Cynar, which is an Italian artichoke liqueur. Dan thinks it would be perfect with a little bit of age, it expands the herbal components. It would ideally accompany shellfish. Dan Berger says that the Trecini wines are cleaning up at competitions, and that Trecini is under the radar because they're mostly available locally. There is a small Trecini tasting room in downtown Santa Rosa. 684 7th St., corner of Humbold St, in downtown Santa Rosa. Dan Barwick grew up in England and came to a harvest in Sonoma County in 1991 with the intention of learning about wine. He spent the next 19 years working in cellars throughout Sonoma County and asking a laot of questions. In 1995 he met Sonia Byck, part of a Byck family that owns Paradise Ridge. They married and went to wineries in the southern hemisphere on their honeymoon. He says he learned a lot by taking great winemakers to lunch. He has taken some courses at UC Davis which he calls an extraordinary bastion of information. Dan Barwick says that among all the facts you need to know, pay attention to pH. Dan Berger adds, it starts in the vineyard. If you're careful, beginning before harvest, it will carry you all the way to the bottle. Next they have a vineyard designate Vicini Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from 2019. It is very smooth and easy to drink. Trecini wines specifically aim for a slightly lower alcohol so that if you compare a glass of 12.5% alcohol wine to another at 15%, too much alcohol covers the great flavors. Next they taste a 2018 Trecini Merlot, which triggers the memory of the movie Sideways and how Dan Berger inadvertently influenced that script. At the time, Dan was writing for the Los Angeles Times and had a frequent byline in LA. When the screenwriter contacted Dan for some information about wine, he misunderstood what Dan was telling him, and that is how the famous line about Merlot got into the movie. It's a story that's always good for a laugh or two. It's fresh and vibrant, tannins are low, and all you have to do is capture that in the vineyard, says Dan Barwick. It's still young, so vibrant and fruity, but already shows some of that dried black olive component. The idea is to capture the varietal character, which this does. It gives you something more than just fruit. Dan Barwick says, "part of having that balance is picking your fruit early enough with a low enough level of sugar. You have all those dried herbs in Merlot, but if the fruit gets riper, these flavors disappear. All of these flavors ... are the medium-rares of the ripening level of any grape, really, and I troll in capturing those characteristics of the fruit." Dan Berger remembers the 1980s when people didn't want "green" and they ...
Today we chatted with Rene Byck, co-owner of Paradise Ridge Winery. A winery that has persevered after losing almost everything in the 2017 Kincade fire but has remained resilient with the reconstruction of their tasting room with stunning views, amazing wine and awe-inspiring art pieces.
If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file hereJeff Pisoni - Winemaker For Fort Ross, Pisoni & Lucia VineyardDan Barwick - Winemaker For Paradise Ridge Winery
Today's tastings: Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé & Syrah. Dan Barwick is in with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. He is the winemaker at Paradise Ridge Winery. They were hit hard by the October 2017 fire but they are open and doing business. They have the perfect locale to do social distance tastings. There is plenty of space there. Steve says they have one of the greatest views in the county from up there. They start with a Sauvignon Blanc that Dan has brought. Dan started his wine activity at Harrod's in London where he was working in the wine department in the '80s. He had different jobs in the wine business and came to California in 1991 to work at a harvest at Matanzas Creek, to learn winemaking “boots on the ground.” He also went to Burgundy, South Africa and Australia. He has taken extension courses from UC Davis and many courses also at Santa Rosa Junior College. He describes Harrod's food halls in Knightsbridge, London, which is an iconic store. It is a great place to visit. It is a huge store maybe six acres on six floors. They have absolutely anything and everything. He is married to Sonia Byck, of the family that owns the property. They met at Santa Rosa JC. Dan enjoys cooking pizza. He has worked with John Franchetti and they have a pizza oven at the winery. The Paradise Ridge Sauvignon Blanc is the first wine tasting today. Dan calls it the sorbet of wines. It could pair well with oysters or spicy cuisine. 1998 was Dan's first harvest at Paradise Ridge. Next is a 2019 Rosé from Syrah and some Grenache. It is made with gentle whole-cluster press. Rosé is popular now, but it wasn't always so. Dan Barwick points out that the fastest growing segments of the American wine market are the sparkling, aromatic and Rosé, all of which are driven by their acidity. Dan Berger arrives in the studio and tries the Sauvignon Blanc first, "wonderful" he says, with some pink grapefruit flavors, tropical fruit and dried herbs. They put a silk-screened label on a Bordeaux-style bottle. Dan Berger says that Syrah normally gives a bolder aftertaste, but this is more delicate; it's stunning, a combination of the essence of the Syrah with the aromatics coming from the Grenache. Barry Herbst calls in from Bottle Barn, where they have lots of Paradise Ridge wines. They are very well-stocked and open for pickup and delivery. Visit Bottle Barn dot com for online ordering and tons of information. There is also a wine glut, so they have specials, like wines that normally sold for $50 a bottle for $17.99. Supply and demand is working in favor of fans of excellent Pinot Noir this year. Cool climate Syrah can be excellent, although often it is grown in warmer climates here. Dan Berger also is getting excellent Syrah wines from New Zealand. Dan says that this Syrah is different, it's a Grenache Syrah Mourvedre, a GSM. They are made to have good acidity so that they will go well with food. The acidity comes from picking the grapes before they become too ripe with more sugars. Dan Barwick describes the two kinds of acid in grapes, tartaric acid and malic acid. The dry Rosé gets its acidity from the tartaric, and the malic gives it a "pop" he says. He says the pH is the magic number that will dictate what you can and cannot do. Knowing the pH of a wine is important, because if it is too high, the wine will not mature the way you want it to.
Dan Barwick is in with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. He is the winemaker at Paradise Ridge Winery. They were hit hard by the October 2017 fire but they are open and doing business. They have the perfect locale to do social distance tastings. There is plenty of space there. Steve says they have one of the greatest views in the county from up there. They start with a Sauvignon Blanc that Dan has brought. Dan started his wine activity at Harrod’s in London where he was working in the wine department in the '80s. He had different jobs in the wine business and came to California in 1991 to work at a harvest at Matanzas Creek, to learn winemaking “boots on the ground.” He also went to Burgundy, South Africa and Australia. He has taken extension courses from UC Davis and many courses also at Santa Rosa Junior College. He describes Harrod’s food halls in Knightsbridge, London, which is an iconic store. It is a great place to visit. It is a huge store maybe six acres on six floors. They have absolutely anything and everything. He is married to Sonia Byck, of the family that owns the property. They met at Santa Rosa JC. Dan enjoys cooking pizza. He has worked with John Franchetti and they have a pizza oven at the winery. The Paradise Ridge Sauvignon Blanc is the first wine tasting today. Dan calls it the sorbet of wines. It could pair well with oysters or spicy cuisine. 1998 was Dan’s first harvest at Paradise Ridge. Next is a 2019 Rosé from Syrah and some Grenache. It is made with gentle whole-cluster press. Rosé is popular now, but it wasn't always so. Dan Barwick points out that the fastest growing segments of the American wine market are the sparkling, aromatic and Rosé, all of which are driven by their acidity. Dan Berger arrives in the studio and tries the Sauvignon Blanc first, "wonderful" he says, with some pink grapefruit flavors, tropical fruit and dried herbs. They put a silk-screened label on a Bordeaux-style bottle. Dan Berger says that Syrah normally gives a bolder aftertaste, but this is more delicate; it's stunning, a combination of the essence of the Syrah with the aromatics coming from the Grenache. Barry Herbst calls in from Bottle Barn, where they have lots of Paradise Ridge wines. They are very well-stocked and open for pickup and delivery. Visit Bottle Barn dot com for online ordering and tons of information. There is also a wine glut, so they have specials, like wines that normally sold for $50 a bottle for $17.99. Supply and demand is working in favor of fans of excellent Pinot Noir this year. Cool climate Syrah can be excellent, although often it is grown in warmer climates here. Dan Berger also is getting excellent Syrah wines from New Zealand. Dan says that this Syrah is different, it’s a Grenache Syrah Mourvedre, a GSM. They are made to have good acidity so that they will go well with food. The acidity comes from picking the grapes before they become too ripe with more sugars. Dan Barwick describes the two kinds of acid in grapes, tartaric acid and malic acid. The dry Rosé gets its acidity from the tartaric, and the malic gives it a "pop" he says. He says the pH is the magic number that will dictate what you can and cannot do. Knowing the pH of a wine is important, because if it is too high, the wine will not mature the way you want it to.
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
On this episode via Zoom, we welcome our guests from Paradise Ridge Winery Vice-President / Co-Owner, Sonia Byck-Barwick and Winemaker Dan Barwick. Sonia and Dan fill us in on all the new developments at Paradise Ridge from what’s happening in the vineyards, to the rebuild of the winery and the rebirth of the vineyards—it’s an inspiring and fascinating peek behind the scenes at a beloved community gathering spot—Paradise Ridge. For more than 30 years, Paradise Ridge has taken action to be conscientious stewards of the land using sustainable practices. Of the 155 hillside acres, only 15 acres are planted to vines. The native oaks and other natural environs provide a sanctuary for the surrounding wildlife. The goal of sustainability continues to influence every decision made at Paradise Ridge. Show Notes 0:57 New Paradise Ridge bottles and meaning behind the label. 3:40 What’s happening in the vineyard now and the new biodiversity program. 6:00 New vineyard in front of the winery. 7:05 Using Bio-Char in trenches under the vines in trenches. 8:40 Using sheep in the vineyards to keep weeds trimmed. 10:25 Grazing helps with fire resiliency –Paradise Ridge is participating in a pilot program for vineyards with regard to sustainability and fire resiliency. 12:03 New owl boxes with new baby barn owls. 13:35 Re – Re opening of the winery with the original building footprint with new tasting lounge and patio area. 15:15 New reservation system and will involve food components with every tasting. 16:50 Wines and Sunsets scheduled to start around July 1st. 19:41 Bee keeping with Dan. 20:40 New work to make the big picture of ranch and winery better via sustainability practices. 22:20 Sustainability measures really started with Sonia’s parents --sustainability was integrated from the start with an eye towards doing the right thing for the planet and community. Links Paradise Ridge Winery Wine Road Wine Road Podcast Instagram -- @wineroadpodcast
It was two years and two months after the wine country wildfires when I stopped by to see how Paradise Ridge Winery's rebuild was coming along. I had no idea it was the first day of their soft opening. In October of 2017 their hospitality center and production facility burned to the ground. I've come to know the Byck family fairly well over the years and I'm thrilled to see the return of Paradise. Owner and family member Rene and I sat down in January so he could catch us up on the challenges his family faced the past two years, the new building and some changes they have in mind. Then I'll talk with Master of Wine Peter Neptune about the rich and centuries long tradition of Mardi Gras. You won't believe how many centuries! You'll also hear about the sparkling wine that was developed in southeastern France that ties into the historical roots of the celebration, Faire La Fête Brut. As you'll hear, sparkling wine was developed in the Limoux region, (no, not Champagne) making Faire La Fête the ideal sparkling for Mardi Gras celebrations. You gotta love a history lesson with a party theme.
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Wine Road Episode 91 | 3-Day Itinerary - Santa Rosa If you haven't started planning your trip to Santa Rosa yet, you will be soon after hearing this episode! With so many unique, locally owned businesses in Santa Rosa, three days isn't nearly enough time to explore them all. Wine Road provides the Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining options, activities, and places to stay. Show Notes :25 WIne of the Day: 2014 Optima Cabernet Sauvignon 2:20 Sponsor of the Podcast: Visit Santa Rosa 3:50 Let’s Visit Santa Rosa! 11:15 Breakfast options 18:55 Item of the Day: Fifty Fifty Bottles 21:15 Book of the Day: Pacific Pinot Noir 23:40 Scottsdale, AZ must see! 25:20 Wine & Food Affair Links Wine of the Day: 2014 Optima Cabernet Sauvignon Optima Winery Timbercrest Farms Kokomo Peterson Winery Family Wineries Sponsor of the Podcast: Visit Santa Rosa Hotels The Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country The Sandman Hotel Vintners Inn Flamingo Resort Restaurants Perch + Plow Gerard’s Paella Parish Cafe Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven The Jade Room Sift Dessert Bar Willi’s Wine Bar Cumin Restaurant Carmen’s Burger Bar Vitality Bowls Criminal Baking Co & Noshery The whole pie Bird & Bottle Omelette Express Coffee Flying Goat Acres coffee A’ Roma Roasters Coffee Beer Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen Russian River Brewery Third Street Aleworks Moonlight Brewing Co Attractions Safari West Luther Burbank Home & Gardens Charles M. Schulz Museum Farmers Market Luther Burbank Organic Market Veterans Hall Farmers Market Wineries Carol Shelton Wines Inspiration Vineyards and Winery Desmond Wines Paradise Ridge Winery Hanna Winery Balletto Vineyards Iron Horse Vineyards Red Car Wine D’Argenzio Winery Brunch Spinster Sisters Hiking Howarth Park Miracle Plum The Phoenician Visit Episode 89!! Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA.
Paradise Ridge Winery was one of a handful of wineries that burned to the ground during the October Sonoma/Napa wild fires. Now that some time has past I spoke to family member Rene Byck about that harrowing night and following week, as well as their plans to rebuild. When I spoke to Rene in late February they had yet to begin clearing the debris. That allowed me the opportunity to take and share photos of the devastation which you can see at OnTheWineRoad.com/ParadiseRidge. The good news is, all but one of their many art installations and sculptures have miraculously survived. As a consumer you can help support the winery by visiting their Kenwood tasting room or buying the fantastic wine they offer from their website, PRWinery.com.
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Wine Road Episode 30 - Buckle your seatbelt we've made it to 30! In this episode we eat delicious Eggs Benedict from The Alexander Inn in Cloverdale. Pop some bubbles from Paradise Ridge celebrating our 30th episode!!! Discuss all things tasting and touring in Sonoma County with Aaron Costa from Healdsburg Vino Tours. Millie introduces us to the Book of the Day - Wine Isn’t Rocket Science and then breaks down the Wine Road Mug Giveaway details. DJ Bethy Beth talks about the upcoming Breakfast with the Winemakers. Wine Road provides the Wine, When and Where of Northern Sonoma County with news on events, wineries, wines, dining options, activities, and places to stay. Wine Road — https://www.wineroad.com DJ Bethy Beth, Paradise Ridge Bubbles, Millie Winehouse, Aaron Costa Show Notes: 0:40 Eats of the Day - Eggs Benedict from The Alexander Inn 1:20 Touring and Tasting in Sonoma County 1:32 Tasting Tips 2:35 Healdsburg Vino Tours - Aaron Costa 7:20 Hire a Driver 13:20 Book of the Day - Wine Isn’t Rocket Science 15:15 Item of the Day - Wine Road Podcast Mug 15:40 Giveaway Details! 18:00 Wine of the Day - 2014 Blanc de Blanc from Paradise Ridge Winery 19:00 Breakfast with the Winemakers Links: • The Alexander Inn • Healdsburg Vino Tours • Wine Isn’t Rocket Science • Paradise Ridge Winery • Transportation Along the Wine Road • Wine Road Tasting Tips • Wine Road Tours • Wine Road Breakfast with the Winemakers • GIVEAWAY- Wine Road Podcast Mugs Credits: The Wine Road podcast is recorded, mixed, and mastered at: Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA.