The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

Roaming the world and looking for an Idle Moment, Ben Larks is one of the more colorful people in the California wine world. Enjoy one of our most entertaining interviews as we talk the ying and yang of life as micro-winery entrepreneur. Join the Idle Movement! Idlecellars.com

This week The Wine Makers go “on the road” to Victor, a small town near Lodi, Ca. to meet with Tegan Passalacqua. Most people will know Tegan as the wine maker for Turley Wine Cellars, but he has another, small brand called Sandlands that gets a lot of attention from people “in the know”. These wines are made from lesser-known vineyards, most outside of Sonoma and Napa. Tegan recently purchased a house and a historic meat processing plant in Victor with plans to convert it into a production facility for his Sandlands wines. He is also the founder of the Historic Vineyard Society, a non-profit whose only goal is to identify and save old-vine vineyards in California.Tegan took us on a tour of the vineyards in the surrounding area and we ran into Markus Bokisch, you can see this on our Instagram feed… @winemakerspod www.turleywinecellars.com www.sandlandsvineyards.com @ownrooted on Instagram

The guys are back for the New Year and bring you one of the most fascinating talks with anyone in the wine business, Tim Wallace, former President of Benziger Family Wines and currently the Executive in Residence at Sonoma State Wine Business Institute. This show is literally worth thousands of dollars in wine marketing and branding lessons. Enjoy.

We hope your holidays are excellent and filled with great wine. Listen now to find out how to win a limited-edition Sixteen600 tie-dyed T-shirt! We’re back Jan. 4, 2019

Bart and Brian take a road trip to West Sacramento and sit down with Craig Haarmeyer, owner-winemaker Haarmeyer Wine Cellars. Sacramento terroir is the focus. He makes small batches of Chenin Blanc, Nebbiolo, Mataro, Syrah and Zin, their purity and soul shine through, winemaking at its finest from a historic warehouse facility. Thoughtful and non-apologetic, Craig makes wine that he wants to drink. Give it a listen and catch the “Sacramento Buzz”….

EP78: The Wine Makers team sits down with Todd Jolly talking wine, sports and our awesome listeners. Our favorite wine sales guy from Sonoma’s Best has lots of Holiday hints for listeners with Bubbly and French imports. We enjoy the Sonoma wine community and celebrate California liquid sunshine, wine and Equator Coffee. A special shout out to Dane Cellars for their incredible scores at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

EP77: We sit down with Csaba Szacal and talk vineyards in Napa and Sonoma valleys, their fruit and the passion of winemaking. Steeped in four generations of Hungarian winemaking, Szakál’s approach is a mix of old-world tradition and new-world innovation. Csaba is passionate about Sonoma County Russian River coastal pinot noir and high-elevation cabernet sauvignon from three Napa Valley mountaintop AVA’s. “[En Garde] wines show a fragrant complexity that seems something this winery obtains routinely.” – Robert Parker Engardewinery.com

Raj Iyer was raised in India, where his father let him try Chablis at a very young age. He recalls that memory in the wines he makes today from two famed Sangiacamo vineyards. A chance meeting on the Sonoma square connects Raj with the famous artist who created his beautiful labels. The passion and thoughtfulness come through clearly in his wines. We recorded this episode at the Rhone Room, owned by Sondra Bernstein from The Girl & The Fig. Sondra sits down and reveals her newest project, a podcast about food called “The Bite Goes On” http://www.oceanschurning.com https://www.facebook.com/OceansChurning/ 1-707-583-6819  

This week the guys sit down with Tres Goetting of Robert Biale Vineyards in Napa. From a history of delivering jug wine in Napa to the leading producer of Zin in Napa, Biale wines are now crafted and overseen by Tres Goetting. Tres is both a tremendous musician and an extraordinarily talented wine maker. We talk about their vineyards, the highest quality fruit and Tres’s own style of crafting these excellent wines. You’ll also hear Tres talk about his new line “Aesop Wines”. Robert Biale Vineyards: Instagram: @bialevineyards Facebook: Robert Biale Vineyards Twitter: @BialeVineyards Pinterest: Robert Biale Vineyards Website: https://biale.com/ Aesop Wines: Instagram: @aesopwines Website: https://www.aesopwines.com/

The guys sit down to cover Harvest 2018 in all its beauty. Sam and Bart report that while harvest may be complete, there is still lots of ‘round the clock work to be done. They’re joined by Isabel Gassier from Nimes, France and talk about the upcoming Grenache release and creating new wines in the style Philippe Cambie.

Chris Leonard takes a very thoughtful and tactical approach to making his wines and works with Roussanne and Zinfandel exclusively. How does a kid from Missouri end up making wine in California? Sometimes a chance meeting at Stinson Beach with a woman who happens to work for Caymus. Daan Smeets, Restaurant Man for 38 North and Sante sits in and teaches us about Dutch wines and that crazy language. Leonard Wine Company leonardwineco.com 1801 Park Avenue, Napa, CA 94558

The Wine Makers proudly bring you an exceptional interview with the Godfather of Zin, Joel Peterson. From his early days and the beginnings of Ravenswood, to his current passion, the Once & Future Wine Company, Joel takes us on a journey through the world of wine like no one else can. Simply fascinating. Onceandfuturewine.com

After her journey from South Carolina and Italy to Robert Biale Vineyards and Spottswoode in Northern California, Stephanie Cook is on a mission to create beautiful single vineyard designate wines while living life to the fullest and keeping a true sense of balance. With special guest Jeff Cohn. http://wondermentwines.com

The guys sit down with yet another Sonoma County Icon, David Ramey. From his years in France at Chateau Petrus to Healdsburg CA., David Ramey is known as one of California’s best and most respected winemakers. His efforts have helped shape the way many wines in the US are made today. David lets us in on his own philosophies of wine making and life making for a truly authentic and tremendously interesting show. http://www.rameywine.com

The guys talk it up with Cathy Huyghe, CEO and Co- Founder of Enolytics, Author of: Hungry for Wine, Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass and columnist for Forbes and Inc. magazines. A really fun episode that digs deep into understanding how and what consumers really think about wine. Of course, we taste, talk and laugh as Cathy helps put the World of Wine under analysis.

This episode was recorded at Suite D in Sonoma, where Sondra Bernstein was hosting an International Grenache Day party. We sat down with iconic wine maker Randall Grahm, founder of the Bonny Doon winery. Randall is a true pioneer in the wine world and a hero to the Rhone community. Robert Joseph is a wine maker for Le Grand Noir, a winery in the Languedoc- Roussilon. He has also written over 20 books on wine and is a former journalist for the London Sunday Telegraph. www.bonnydoonvineyard.com www.legrandnoir.com

The guys sit down with one of the men that really started the Sonoma wine scene, Mike Benziger. Sitting in Mike’s huge organic garden we talk history, wine and life. A Very special show, enjoy.

To say that Richard Arrowood is a Sonoma Legend is both true and an understatement. Richard Arrowood is an iconic winemaster who has been making wine exclusively in Sonoma County for more than for 50+ years. From 1974 through 1990, he created the wines for Chateau St. Jean, where he developed some of the first vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Sonoma County. He has worked closely with Phil Coturri over the years to produce the best fruit with absolutely the best field management principles. He and his wife, Alis, founded Arrowood Winery with the 1985 vintage. Each year, they made extraordinary small-lot varietals and vineyard designates. Richard was the winemaster at Arrowood Winery until June 2010, when he resigned his position to devote himself full-time to making wines for his estate winery, Amapola Creek Vineyards and Winery. Facebook: @amapolacreek Twitter: @amapolacreek Instagram: amapolacreekwinery Winery Address: 392 London Way, Sonoma, CA 95476 Mailing address: P.O. Box 1987, Glen Ellen, CA 95442 PH: 707-938-3783

This week the guys sit down with Jeff Cohn, owner/winemaker Jeff Cohn Cellars in Sonoma. Jeff recently received some very high scores for his last release and we were lucky enough to try his newest wines before anyone else. Shortly after the recording of this show, we were told about the passing of Kent Rosenblum, he was a great mentor to many including Jeff Cohn. His spirit lives on through the wines he made and the wine lovers he touched.” https://www.jeffcohncellars.com/ Sonoma Tasting Room: T | 707-938-8343 E | [email protected] Alameda Admin Office: T | (510) 465-5900 E | [email protected]

The Wine Makers sat back this week and did a full-blown tasting at Three Sticks Winery. We were joined by special guest Marcia Macomber, who is a marketing and advertising guru in the wine industry. Enjoy as Ryan and Bob do their (our) show for us!

The guys head to the Home Ranch of Sonoma’s Sangiacomo family to talk land, fruit and winemaking. Mike and Steve Sangiacomo along with Meghan Ainsworth really made us feel at home… in the middle of 1600 acres of beautiful vines and fruit. One Hell of a discussion follows and one not to be missed. Website: http://sangiacomowines.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SangiacomoWines/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sangiacomowines/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SangiacomoWines/

The guys really dive in for a long talk with one of Sonoma’s best known winemakers, The Godfather himself; Michael Muscardini. This is one conversation you won’t want to miss. Enjoy. [email protected] Muscardinicellars.com 9830 Sonoma Highway Kenwood, CA 95452 707.933.9305

The guys take a deep dive into exactly what’s going on in the fields right now in Sonoma and Napa counties. As harvest quickly approaches and everyone is gearing up for the immense job ahead, we take a minute to relax and taste some new wines along with covering what’s going on around the area wine wise. Always a bit irreverent and casual, The Wine Makers certainly take the stuffiness out of the wine world. Enjoy.

The Wine Makers sit down with Cody and Emily Rasmussen of Desire Lines Wines. Working their way up the hard way, they are great people as well as stellar winemakers. Cody is also the assistant winemaker at Bedrock Wine Company, working with Morgan Twain Peterson and Chris Cotrell. www.desirlineswines.com [email protected] [email protected]

The Wine Makers do a deep dive with a member of the very elite club, Winemaker of the Year as rated by the San Francisco Chronicle, Bibiana Gonzalez Rave. Bibiana is from Columbia, studied in France and has been a consulting winemaker at some of the top wineries around the world. Today she is making her beautiful wines in Sonoma County and we were lucky enough to talk with her on the show.

The Wine Makers host Amy Bess Cook of WOW along with Lulu McClellan of Handley Cellars and Katy Wilson of LaRue Wines. Both Katy and Lulu are incredible winery owners and their wines are simply beautiful. Amy also has a new Grenache called Sirsee and is promoting gender equality in the winery business.

EP57: After the holidays, the guys talk about what’s happening in the vineyards and all things wine. Enjoy.

Never have the guys met a winemaker as dedicated to quality, cult status wines and CHARITY. All of the finances from Bob Cabral Wines go to local school charities including some very pricey (but worth it) Imperials that provide virtual school budgets in Northern CA. The wines: Fantastic. The Mission: Pure and very functional. Bob is all action and very little talk. Hear what he does have to say this week on The Wine Makers.

The Guys get with a fixture in the wine industry, Bob Cabral, from Three Sticks Winery, to cover his background and the Three Sticks line up. Some very interesting and even emotional thoughts are shared as we wolf down the Three Sticks Rose’ and generally learn a lot from Bob. Visit them online at threestickswines.com

This week the guys welcome Jordan Kivelstadt of Kivelstadt Cellars. Jordan, the Wayward Son has driven wines in all new styles of packaging, from wine on tap from a keg to premium wine in cans. Needless to say, a lively discussion occurred. Wine in CANS?! John is not a fan, Bart and Brian are. Will they agree to disagree? Try the Orange wine, you’ll love the “chugability factor”.

Recorded live at The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma, John is back after his hip operation and the Wine Makers’ host a party for Nicole Rolet from Chene Bleu in the French Rhone region. This is a fascinating and funny episode so don’t miss, special thanks to Sondra Bernstein for hosting.

EP52: Memorial Day 2018 – On this episode we welcomed Melani, a loyal listener of the show and an active duty nurse with the US Navy along with all of her friends from Tennessee, San Diego and Washington at the world famous Rhone Room to hang out and drink some wine. Melani has recently decided to purchase a vineyard in Paso Robles and spend the rest of her life making and growing wine. It was a pleasure to meet them all and hear their stories.

Todd is a certified specialist of wine, sake professional, and currently runs one of the the coolest little wine clubs in Sonoma. Head out of town on Napa St. and drive eight blocks.On your left is a building with a deli and a wine shop. Ask for Todd. Listen to this episode and you will see why. Enjoy Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sonomasbest/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sonomasbest/

Chef Ari Weiswasser cut his chops at some of New Yorks best restaurants, including Daniel, Corton and Picholine. After a couple years at the French Laundry in Yountville, the young chef decided to open up his own spot, Glen Ellen Star, with his wife Erinn Benziger. We talk about food, family and balance. Enjoy

This episode was recorded from our hotel room at the Hospice du Rhone event in Paso Robles. We were joined by Isabel Gassier who left her family winery in France to come work with Bedrock Wine Company and Enterprise Vineyards in Sonoma. Phil Coturri stops by to talk about Saxum Vineyards and drinking wines way too young. The conversation gets heated when Ian Blessing from the French Laundry and Tasio Baserga of the San Luis Obispo Country Club discuss screw caps versus corks. Hold on to your glass, this episode may ruffle some feathers in the wine world. Gassier wines – http://www.michelgassier.com/en/wines/ Tasio Baserga – [email protected] Ian Blessing – Instagram @ianjamesblessing

Sheana Davis is an American cheesemaker, chef, culinary educator and owner of the Epicurean Connection in Sonoma. In 2009, Sheana proudly released her own cheese, Delice de la Vallee, which in 2010 won an ACS 1st Place. She talks about wine pairing, the history of cheese in Sonoma, and the current wave of young cheesemakers on the rise. We are also joined by her husband Ben Sessions, formerly of Hanzell Winery, and Kyle Reynolds, cheese expert from the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Pour yourself a glass and cut off a wedge of your favorite cheese for this episode. Contact Sheana: http://www.theepicureanconnection.com/ Instagram @EpicureanSonoma Twitter @EpicureanSonoma The Epicurean Connection PO Box 1916 Sonoma, CA 95476

This week we welcome Ian Blessing from the French Laundry and open up some 1970 Margaux and some old non-vintage Champagne. Sam and Bart discuss the recent rain storms and how they’ll affect the vineyards. Recorded at Bart Hansen’s house on Sonoma Mountain over-looking some of the most historic vineyards in the County.

This week we welcome Jeff Bundschu from the historic Gundlach-Bundschu Winery. This Sonoma landmark planted vines in 1858 and has been harvesting grapes ever since. Jeff shares his deep passion of music and wine, and their relationship to each other in his own life. We learn about his family hi-jacking a train and kidnapping Richard Branson. His story of last years fire is truly terrifying. Ian Blessing, from the team at the French Laundry joins the show to discuss the new breed of sommelier. We open up a bottle of 1982 Gundlach-Bundschu Kleinberger, these vines have since been ripped out and no longer exist in California.

From the World-Famous Rhone Room in Sonoma, CA a conversation with two of Sonoma’s most innovative vintners ever, Morgan Twain Peterson and Chris Cottrell. Discussing their ideas for an extensive new line of wines, saving Heritage Vineyards and what the ‘wine life’ is really all about. Drop by the General Hooker House when you’re in Sonoma to taste all of the incredible Bedrock Wines.

Catchin’ up on everything wine and fun, the guys blend their own wines with new fruit from Dane Cellars. Direct from the barrel, we all blended our own mixture. I was a bit heavy on the Syrah according to the instructor, Bart Hansen. Penalty Laps for Myers.

The Wine Maker’s guest today is the man who helped put Zin in every store in the country, Peter Mathis. Peter grows his fruit (now mostly Grenache) and makes his wine here in Sonoma. Peter’s Grenache and Rose’ are beautiful and the conversation is great.

Land, Weather, Fruit and the art of winemaking. Bart, Brian and Sam discuss all of these and more on this week’s episode.

EP41: Tom Gendall from Cline Cellars, joins The Wine Makers to talk land, fruit and winemaking. Tom’s insights to making high quality yet accessible wines, gives us all a new way of looking at the wine we buy and drink.

The guys tackle the issue of the strange weather patterns we’ve had this year and how it might affect the crop and of course what they’re doing about it right now.

The long anticipated interview with Maureen Cottingham, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance. Their events are among the most popular in all of California’s wine making regions, visit them at SonomaValleyWine.com

On the heels of last week’s discussion of the future, let’s look at reality and what we can do at every point along the way to make sure this year is spectacular.

The guys look forward to the new year and what it can bring in terms of new vineyards, beautiful fruit and the wine-making that goes with it. Let’s hope it’s different than last year in a very positive way.

An obviously over-served group of Wine Makers talk about exactly how to do a wine tasting right by comparing glasses of wine against each other and how Jeff Cohn makes such a beautiful red wines.

The guys kick off the year with two great guests: Ian Blessing from The French Laundry and Jeff Cohn of Jeff Cohn Wines. A quick review of last year and some predictions for the coming year.

The guys get together and reflect on all that happened in 2017, a crazy year to be sure.