The Vine Guy

Latest Episodes:

Master Sommelier John Blazon shares his passion for wine, education and pairings Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

Master Sommelier John Blazon is blazing a trail with the Jackson Family’s high-end Spire Collection of wines. A 37-year veteran within the Hospitality/Beverage industry, John received his master sommelier diploma from the International Court of Master Sommeliers in the fall 2004, becoming only the 59th MS for the American Chapter. Today there are 164 Master Sommeliers in the United States and only 255 worldwide. John has been recognized by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), Santé magazine (“Wine Professional of the Year” in 2003), and the STARWINE International Wine Competition as their “Sommelier of the Year.” Drink in this episode with the ever-so-knowledgeable John Blazon, MS.

On the road episode — John Forrest knows a secret – how to make lower-alcohol wines by beginning in the vineyard, not the laboratory Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

John Forrest, and his wife Brigid, are both doctors by training and winery owners by choice. Their lineup of wines in New Zealand covers the gamut from delicious low-alcohol wines (Doctors’), to the hallmark wines of Marlborough (Forrest), to the sumptuous Cote de Beaune-esque wines of the Waitaki Valley (Tatty Bogler). If you don’t think that low-alcohol can’t be sumptuous and complete, think again. Find out what John’s secret is when you drink in this episode with Dr. Forrest.

Wines Tasted in This Episode:

2018 Doctors’ Pinot Noir

2018 Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Doctors’ Rose

2019 Forrest Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Forrest Albarino

2015 Forrest Chardonnay

2015 Forrest Pinot Noir

2017 Forrest Pinot Noir

2015 Tatty Bogler Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir

2018 Forrest Botrytised Riesling

On the road episode — Te Whare Ra winemaker and proprietor Anna Flowerday defines her wines as 'authentic' and explains why her organic vineyard exists Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Te Whare Ra (pronounced “too far rah”) Winery is the “oldest small” winery in Marlborough, New Zealand with the oldest vines in the region. Husband and wife Jason and Anna Flowerday – both winemakers in their own right – bought the 35 acre property in 2003. Together, they have brought the vineyard back to life and take great care to farm the land organically for two reasons; first, they genuinely believe it’s good for the land and the fruit, and second, they actually live on the property with their two sets of twin daughters – yes, four girls – and they want a safe place to raise their children. I had the amazing good fortune to meet Anna at the winery’s “cellar door” during a recent trip to New Zealand and take a wonderful tasting tour of their wines. I invite you to drink in this episode with the talented Anna Flowerday.

Wines sampled in this episode:

2018 TWR Sauvignon Blanc

2017 TWR Estate Riesling “D” (for dry)

2019 TWR Estate Riesling “M” (for medium)

2018 TWR Pinot Gris

2018 TWR Gewürztraminer

2018 TWR Chardonnay

2016 TWR Pinot Noir

2015 TWR Pinot Noir Home Block Single Vineyard

2017 TWR Noble Riesling Sticky (Dessert Wine)

'Lodi has always been the backbone of California wine history' … Which is why 'X' marks the spot is at the center of Lodi’s new branding campaign May 28, 2020

Show notes

Celebrated wine writer, author and educator Elaine Chukan Brown and Stuart Spencer, the executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, join me in the studio for a very special episode of The Vine Guy. They discuss everything Lodi, from the multi-generational farmers who have grown grapes in the area since the mid-1800s to the new innovations taking place in the vineyards. There are a few surprises along the way, including a stunning Albariño and a Cinsault made from vines over 100 years old. Drink in this educational conversation with Elaine and Stuart.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2018 Oak Farm Vineyards Albariño, Lodi, California

2017 Michael David Winery Ancient Vines Cinsault, Lodi, California

2018 St. Amant Winery Marian's Vineyard Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Lodi, California

Joel Aiken likes to blend clones, not varieties, when he makes his other-worldly Cabernet Sauvignon wines May 21, 2020

Show notes

As the former head winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) in Napa Valley, Joel Aiken liked to experiment with a lot of clonal varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon. During his tenure at BV, Joel was responsible for making some of the most storied wines in the history of the century-plus old estate and oversaw some of the most significant changes at the winery. Today, Joel is not resting on his proverbial laurels. His consulting firm is helping several brands make wines that are both stunning and affordable. I invite you to drink in this episode with the legendary Joel Aiken.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2017 Scattered Peaks Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Scattered Peaks Small Lots Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 Beaulieu Vineyards BV1 Cabernet Sauvignon

Nicole Salengo, winemaker at Berryessa Gap Vineyards says, “I see colors when I taste wine” May 14, 2020

Show notes

There are two things you should definitely know about Nicole Salengo, the talented winemaker at Berryessa Gap Vineyards, located in Winters, California. First, she gets bored easily, so she is always looking to take on new challenges – which is a good thing if you are a fan of great wine. Second, she is passionate about crafting wines that are true to their varietal characteristics. Since she is the winemaker for a family who runs one of the most well-respected vine nurseries in California, she is never bored and she is making a lot of interesting wines – 13 to be exact. Drink in this interview with the charming and talented Nicole Salengo.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2019 Berryessa Gap Vineyards Verdejo

2016 Berryessa Gap Vineyards Malbec

2016 Berryessa Gap Vineyards Tempranillo

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery goes beyond sustainable with Napa Green certification May 07, 2020

Show notes

While St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is only one of about a dozen wineries in Napa Valley that produces 100% estate grown and produced wines, they’re also just as dedicated to the environment. Under the leadership of St. Supéry’s CEO, Emma Swain, the winery has embraced “Napa Green,” a comprehensive environmental certification program that represents a soil-to-bottle approach to environmental stewardship and winemaking, integrating holistic management practices at every step of the process. Oh, and St. Supéry also makes some stunning wines, focusing on Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Bordeaux-style blends. Drink in this episode with the delightfully dynamic Emma Swain.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Napa Valley Estate Sauvignon Blanc

2015 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Merlot

On the road episode — Send in the clones… there are 18 distinct clones in Peachy Canyon Winery’s Heritage Zinfandel Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Things are just peachy at Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles, California, where second generation owners, brothers Josh and Jake Beckett, along with winemaker Robert Henson, are making “varietally correct” wines from site specific terroir in the Central Coast, including one Zinfandel produced from the original 18 “Heritage” clones found in California. I invite you to drink in this episode with Josh, Jake and Robert in this on the road episode.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2017 Peachy Canyon Winery Heritage Zinfandel

2017 Peachy Canyon Winery Especial Zinfandel

On the road episode — Three words describe Mettler Family Vineyards: Multi-generational, quality, sustainability Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

The Mettler family has been farming wine grapes in Lodi for over five generations. Today, they are making award-winning wines from their own vineyards. General manager Kim Mettler and Vineyard Manager (and husband) Jason Eells talk about the passion the family has for sustainable farming and quality winemaking. And find out why Kim refers to her winemaker brother, Adam, as her “little show pony!” I invite you to drink in this episode with Kim and Jason.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2017 Mettler Family Vineyards Epicenter Zinfandel

Non-Vintage Mettler Family Vineyards Copesetic Red Blend

World renown Sherry expert Lucas Payà says he can pair Jerez Sherry with “anything in my refrigerator” Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Lucas Payà has worked as a sommelier and beverage director with some of the most renowned chefs in the world, including Ferran Adrià of El Bulli in Spain and José Andrés of ThinkFoodGroup in America. Throughout his career, Lucas has developed a genuine passion for Sherry and has become an advocate of promoting Jerez Sherry pairings – which he claims is the most versatile wine in the world. Today, Lucas is the Sherry House of Lustau U.S. National Brand Educator where, in conjunction with the Regulatory Council of Jerez, he has developed a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist program. I invite you to drink in this extensive interview with Lucas Payà.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Non-vintage Lustau Porto Fino Sherry

Non-vintage Lustau 'Don Nuño' Oloroso Sherry

This episode is hosted by Scott Greenberg and produced by Sarah Beth Hensley.

Music for this episode is "Wishful Thinking" by Dan Lebowitz available in the YouTube Audio Library.

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