Wine Talks with Paul K.

Latest Episodes:

He drills water wells...and owns Ancient Peaks Winery.. Meet Doug Filliponi. May 05, 2022

Show notes

If you were to call a company in the San Luis Obispo area to drill and new water well or repair an old one, most likely you will call Doug Filliponi. A grass roots type of guy, Dougs experience drilling wells for all industries but particulary the wine industry, brought him to the love of the grape.

Though still the lead well driller in SLO, Doug now not only speaks of his love of geology but his latest love of wine. Down to earth, wearing his cowboy hat, Doug and I laugh through the conversation but get serioius about the value of a great wine. I found the Ancient Peaks wines of extraordinary value and amazing reprsentation of what can be produced in SLO.

From golf to wine. Makes no sense. Meet Matt Reynvaan; Reynvaan Vineyards May 03, 2022

Show notes

I was interested to hear this story. Matt came to me through the regular channels and I had not tasted his wine until the podcast recording. And the more we spoke, the more I was intrigued.

Matts parents thought the Pacific Northwest was the place to be. They moved to Walla Walla to venture into a new path of their life. At the time Matt was interested in golf and set out find a job in the industry near Walla Walla. He landed work at the local country club and through a unusual set of circumstances, was invited to play in a tournament and landed in a foursome of wine folk.

At some point after chatting about wine, one of the winemakers challenged him to land a shot closer to the hole than is own...and if he did that, he would give him a job in the winery. Bingo....that is all the incentive he need to land the ball considerable closer to the hole and hence earned the job.

Now he creates some of the most interesting Syrahs that I have tasted in my 32 year careeer.

Hear the rest of the story here.

Vinho Verde is hot in America. Meet a premium maker; meet Mafalda. Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Vingo Verde is one of the hottest wine categories in America right now. The quality coming from this important region of Portugal is creating consumer awareness of this slightly bubbly wine.

The wine regions of Portugal are plenty and anchored by the infamous Port wines. Most American consumers are not aware of the plethora of still wines being produced there, let alone the variety of styles and complexities.

In 1993, my father and I visited Vin Expo and to our surprise, because the show was so large, we were left to fend for ourselves to taste wine. During the podcast I gained concurrence from Mafalda that the still wines of Portugal had a long way to go and were quite undrinkable at the point.

Not the story today, like many wine producing countries in the world, Portugal has emerged through technology and passion, in the world of wine as a force to consider.

Have a listen to Mafalda.

From making wine in Virginia to San Luis Obispo. Meet one interesting woman, Rachel Martin. Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

A unique combination of education and experience brought Rachel Martin to launch Oceano Wines with husband and co-proprietor, Kurt Deutsch in 2016. A Virginia native, Martin was present at the inception of what is now considered one of that state's premier wine producers, Boxwood Estate Winery, in 2005. As Executive Vice President of Winery Operations, Martin's job was to oversee all facets of production, sales and marketing of Boxwood's award-winning whites, rosés and Bordeaux-style red blends.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston/Tufts University), Martin decided to make her love of wine a full-time vocation. She parlayed a degree in Viticulture and Enology from Napa Valley College into a spot in the prestigious Sensory Evaluation program at the University of Bordeaux School of Enology. And from there, Martin ushered in the very first wines at Boxwood, located in Middleburg, a bucolic area previously better known for horses than vines.

Appreciating the distinctiveness of Middleburg's terroir, Martin spearheaded the move toward securing a coveted American Viticultural Area designation from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the federal agency charged with evaluating the merits of all such applications. The petition she authored on behalf of the region was approved in 2012, making Middleburg Virginia the state's seventh AVA.

Martin's forward thinking led directly to Middleburg having its own wine identity separate from the more generic Virginia designation, making her well suited to again start from scratch with Oceano Wines. None other than the esteemed author Jancis Robinson noted Martin's marketing savvy in her book "American Wine."

Martin is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier International New York and Washington, D.C chapters and was the first woman to be inducted into the District of Columbia chapter of the International Wine & Food Society. A founding board member, she is also closely involved with the beverage/culinary aspects of the annual Middleburg Film Festival.

Hear her here.

She makes wine in New Orleans. Seriously. Meet Kim Lewis. Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

For the past few years, I have been keeping up with all things Kim Lewis, some might say I am a social media stalker… Maybe! But can you blame me? Kim Lewis is an inspiring entrepreneur to look out for! She brought a winery to the heart of New Orleans. A concept that seemed a bit unusual, but it turns out there is actual wine history in Louisiana.

Kim Lewis' story is unique and fun like she is. Tune in to hear more about her life journey that brought her to the Wine Industry from leaving college, starting a company, and pursuing a new career all while being a strong woman of color, businesswoman, winemaker, and mother!

What can she not do?

Listen and be inspired!

Uruguay makes great wine. Meet Mele Sosa Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

When you think of the wines of South America, you primarily think of the wines from Chile and Aregentina. Both countries with a rich history in wine and both can create world class examples.

I searched my tasting database and found have only tasted 35 Urguan wines over that past 20 or so years. And i had my doubts...because typically wines that come here for tasting from newer lessor know districts, don't fair that well against their established competitors. Well, did the wines of Bodega Garzon change my mind.

Meet Mele Sosa who has been touring the world showing the wares of Bodega Garzon. You will be impressed. And that night of the porcast, I took home a bottle of the Tannat...completely confirmed the quality of the wines.

What does a Pink Cadillac and Rosé have in common. Meet Charles Bieler.. Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

Rosé was not a household word/wine in America. Maybe on the east coast it is more accepted. In that the famed Bob Trinchero raised the awareness of pink wine in America, it was a sweeter, fruited version of its dryer, more sophisticated French counterparts. And for me, Rosé can be just as complex and interesting from a terroir standpoint as any red or white wine.

You will learn how Charles Bieler in his own way, set out to tell America with good Rose is all about. Taking a cue from the famed ice cream gurus, Ben and Jerry, Charles set out with a pink Cadillac with a trunk full of Rosé to impress the most discerning wine folk across the country.

That was the beginning of Charles' career in wine and he has never looked back. You will learn of his multitude of projects that has taken him to the Cotes du Rhône in France to Washington state.

Here this story and much more....because there is much more to hear.

He makes wine with his sister! Who could? Meet Marco Bonfante Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

You will hear a great discussion of the differences in philosophy and wines throughout Italy. I am a huge fan of the Bonfante wines and was thrilled to have Marco Bonfante in the house to tell us of the generations of his family in the wine trade.

Wine and food are naturals and Marco does a great job laying out the foods and wines of north west Italy.

On his website he quotes Salvador Dali "Real connoiseurs don't drink wine: they taste secrets." We probe that thought ...what are those secrets.

He as a fascination with making wines of elegance...in other words, wines with seamless transitions and supple character.

Have a listen to Marco Bonfante.

Piemonte revealed No confusion about this famed region now. Meet Mattia Paggliasso Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Piemonte is one of the prolific wine regions of Italy. Situated about an hour west of Milan it is on the way to France for you geography buffs. It is also home to some of Italys most famous and sought after wines. From the famed white wine Gavi Di Gavi to the most collected Barolo's, Piemonte plays host to a huge variety of wine styles and indigenous foods.

We meet up with a real Piedmontese, Mattia Paggliasso who helps us unwind the complexities of the wine region.

What is cool about Piemonte is we can have a famed sweeter sparkling wine such as Moscato d'Asti to a serene dry white wine like Romero Arneis...then off to the Langhe for a village Nebbiolo or go a bit further north for a Barolo. And the food! Hear from Mattia as he makes my mouth water with descriptions of the foods there.

Have a listen.

Two real women, real Napa history. Meet Chelsea & Remi Barrett Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

When Jim Barrett won the Judgement of Paris with his 1973 Chardonnay, I don't think he realized the legacy of Napa history he was creating. I caught up with two granddaughters who both carry the torch in their own way; creating unique and separate identities in the Napa Valley. Meet Remi and Chelsea Barrett.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Wine Talks with Paul K.

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6