Grape Encounters Wine Radio

Today's episode of Grape Encounters is the story of wines that were never supposed to exist. It begins with a family that decided to come together and take on a retirement project that would bring them closer to the earth. The Faulkner family has deep roots in the world of project management. They have been responsible for overseeing the construction of some of the most iconic building projects in the world, including the triumphant reimagination of the World Trade Center years after the 911 tragedy. With Bill and Cheryl Faulkner eager to find a post-retirement project that included their three adult children, a decade-long search led them to the purchase of a sprawling tract of highly-promising agricultural land in Creston, California; located in California’s Central Coast Wine Country. The property had no history as a vineyard, but expert advice convinced the Faulkners that it was special. It was their intention to grow grapes, but they never intended to make wine. Like all projects on their extensive resumés, they were guided by a determination to always be the best at what they do.

When Grape Encounters host David Wilson first met the Faulkners, they told him that their goal was to grow the finest grapes in the world… and they weren't kidding. Upon tasting unbonded wines which they had produced solely to validate the quality of their grapes, David was stunned and urge them to consider making wine under their Defiance Vineyard label. They were skeptical if not downright resistant to the idea, but took David’s advice nonetheless. David introduced them to a highly-acclaimed winemaker, Adam LaZarre, who significantly bolstered their confidence. Among the first wines to be made were a Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. We don't want to spoil this episode for you but, suffice to say, right out of the gate, these first wines were rock stars in every sense of the term.

If you have any doubts, consider this; both wines just received top honors at one of America's most prestigious wine competitions. In fact, the Petite Sirah was named Best in Class among a crowded field of entries. Daughter Erin Faulkner joins David on this episode of Grape Encounters to share this amazing story about two wines that beat all odds to become true rock stars! It’s an amazing success story that you won't want to miss!

Speaking of rock stars, this edition of Grape Encounters is presented by Total Wine & More. With more than 8000 wines to choose from, you’ll discover many of the world’s finest wines at your Total Wine & More store!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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This installment of Grape Encounters showcases two women in wine on very different missions that are certain to benefit both wine enthusiasts and wine producers. Both hope to offer much-needed guidance with very different purposes in mind.

Bringing much needed levity and direction to a world that hasn’t been very fun lately is CJ Dannen, a Portland-based entrepreneur who noticed that something was sorely missing from Oregon’s vast wine country… Directions! They say men refuse to ask for directions. Thanks to this very entertaining problem-solver, they don’t have to! That’s because CJ has created the consummate directory of Oregon wineries and she has left no stone unturned. Like we said, she’s very entertaining, and it was her steady flow of imaginative facebook posts that got host David Wilson’s attention. David says, “Her posts about wine were totally absent of the lame memes that are so tired and overused. When I took a closer look at her content-rich website, VinoVoyage.com, I knew having her on the show was mandatory.” A pure delight and wealth of guidance, CJ Dannen kicks things off in style.

Next up, it’s Gerry Schultz who has decided to use her highly-regarded boutique vineyard in picturesque Occidental, California to help get badly-needed answers about how to overcome the devastation of grapes exposed to choking smoke from catastrophic wildfires. Against tough odds, Gerry is forging ahead and has turned the fate of her precious grapes over to renowned winemaker Lisa Bishop Forbes of Ektimo Winery/Ross Road Custom Crush. Gerry knows it’s a big gamble, but she’s convinced that her risk-taking might help produce much needed guidance for grape growers and winemakers who may find themselves in the same boat someday.

At a time when disappointment is especially deflating, these determined women provide inspiration that is contagious in a very good way!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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This episode of Grape Encounters is the second part of our visit with Bonny Meyer, who co-founded one of the most revered luxury wine brands in California history, Silver Oak. Bonny’s just-released autobiography, Perfectly Paired, recounts the truly remarkable story behind the birth of this highly sought-after Napa Valley Cab that almost instantly became the gold standard of California reds. We started the conversation in Episode 580 which reveals the remarkable love story between Christian Brother Justin Meyer and a shy, young girl planning to become a nun. It was a forbidden romance that they tried to extinguish, but couldn’t… and what followed was a fairy tale romance so passionate that it manifested itself in a brand that helped shape the Napa Valley into one of the world’s most revered wine regions.

Back in the sixties, the Napa Valley was a humble little place. The residents there were wonderful, hardworking people who never imagined their beloved valley would evolve into the crown jewel of American winemaking. Bonny says, “When I first moved here in 1972, most of the people walking around St. Helena were wearing work shirts and work boots and jeans and Justin and I showed up. He had been a monk. I had been in college, and the sum total of our fortune was he had a dog and I had a car. Together, we became the ranch managers and moved into the old farmhouse where I still live. A lot of things have changed since then.”

She continues, “Justin and I had this wonderful, epic, romance and love affair for 35 years. And then he suddenly died and, and that was devastating and in a word, although much more complex than that. And then the day after he died, my daughter arrived. She and I were lying on our bed. Across from the bed about 10 feet away was a fountain that was in a little niche in the wall and it had pebbles in it. And as we were quietly talking about her dad, a pebble flew across the room and landed next to her. And Holly and I looked at the pebble on the floor. We looked at each other, we looked at the pebble again. And then she quietly said, "Hi Daddy.”

That’s just a little taste of the incredible stories that Bonny shares in this very surreal story will make you laugh, cry and rethink everything you feel about love, loss and living a life in a deeper, fuller way. Check out their full story in Perfectly Paired.

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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Episode 579 of Grape Encounters Radio represents the first significant road trip that Host David Wilson has taken after 6 months of chomping at the bit in solitary confinement, to visit Silver Oak Winery Co-Founder Bonny Meyer.

Wanting to squeeze as much as he possibly could in this trek up to Napa and Sonoma, David visited several mentors and friends along the way. It was a notably surreal journey to say the least and who better to recount it with than our announcer Brent Keast. Apart from being our golden voice of reason, Brent also happens to be an actor, voiceover talent AND winemaker. In this show I simply share my recent visit to Napa and Sonoma during freak weather that quickly devolved into lightening-ignited fires.

The purpose of the trip was, first and foremost, to do a very up-close and intimate interview with Silver Oak Winery Co-Founder Bonny Meyer, who just released her long-awaited book, “Perfectly Paired.” The book is a very personal look at the love story between her and Christian Brother Monk Justin Meyer. It all began when Bonny was in her late teens and, even though such a love story was absolutely unthinkable, it evolved into a relationship that has inspired lovers (and great winemakers) for decades. In this installment of Grape Encounters, David sets the stage for his upcoming two-part conversation with Bonny. David says, “I have done thousands of interviews with amazing folks from every corner of the wine world. This story, lovingly and intimately told by Bonny Meyer from home that she and Justin shared, will open your eyes and heart to unimaginable insights about unconditional love, the birth of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, and finding light and meaning in immeasurable grief. I cannot recall ever being so profoundly moved during an interview. I wanted to spend part of this episode introducing listeners to this exceptional woman as a means of setting the stage for the next two episodes which I think will be deeply impactful to all who tune-in.” For those who think that luxury brands of any kind are the result profit-minded entrepreneurs, this is a story breaks that mold. The story of Silver Oak is not about a quest for fame and fortune. Justin and Bonny started their life together with a vehicle, a dog and not much else. Their unbridled passion to produce the world’s finest Cabernet was fueled by an unbridled passion for one-another.  

David’s one-day visit ended up evolving into 3 magical days of extraordinary conversation from Bonny’s Vineyard, followed by 3 additional whirlwind visits with mentors and friends who have had a profound impact on his life and career. Those visits include the GM and co-owner of our Napa and Sonoma affiliates; Michael O’Shea. Michael is a true radio legend and has contributed a great deal to the success of Grape Encounters. Next stop, Colleen Beaty. Colleen and David were responsible for developing a landmark economic recovery program in the days, weeks and months following 911. Finally, David’s last stop before heading home was an unforgettable dinner under the stars with now of America’s most beloved Sommeliers, Christopher Sawyer and his family. Christopher is probably best know as the “Sommelier to the Stars.” He’s been a favorite guest on the show for several years and never fails to bring grins, laughter and insights to every interview.

It was a trip filled with surreal moments. Many heartwarming, others heartbreaking. Most unforgettable. And so, a new chapter of Grape Encounters begins.

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back.

Episode 578 of Grape Encounters features Michael Houlihan, co-founder of Barefoot Wine, America’s most successful wine brand. Everything about the Barefoot Wine story seems totally unimaginable. When a debt back in 1986 was paid in grape juice to folks who barely even drank wine, one could only imagine things turning out very badly. Instead, the colorful, quirky and incredibly clever Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey let their imagination and instincts take them on a journey that would result in birth of an everyday-drinking pocketbook-friendly wine that would eclipse all the other easy-drinking budget brands. Mavericks. Fearless. Wildly successful. The meteoric rise of the Barefoot brand was the catalyst for many challengers. Remarkably, even though Barefoot was sold to E & J Gallo back in 2005, the Barefoot phenomenon continues change the way we look at business and success.

David has shared several conversations with Michael and Bonnie on the air and there’s always plenty of new insights to share. While they have been out of the wine business for many years now, their spinoff business, “The Barefoot Spirit,” has spawned a New York Times Bestseller, a formidable business consulting practice, worldwide seminars, a must-read weekly newsletter and now, an old-style radio drama starring Ed Asner.

What motivated David to contact Michael was a recent report by Nielsen concerning wine-buying trends during the Covid Pandemic. With several brands jockeying to be top dog among high production everyday drinking wines, it’s no surprise that Barefoot continues to be a favorite, as it has been for nearly 35 years. It’s a market segment that constantly attracts consumers who are new to wine and, quite remarkably, serves as the gateway to more exclusive handcrafted products.

Sharing the Barefoot Spirit is a passion for Michael and Bonnie. Their message is clear: What worked for them will work for others, regardless of the industry you’re in. And to make their message and story more digestible, they’ve enlisted the talent of beloved acting icon, Ed Asner, who stars in a classic radio theater reenactment of the Barefoot story. It’s a remarkable story that is anything but a tall tale!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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Peake Ranch in the Santa Rita Hills of California’s Central Coast has quite a story to tell. In just a few short years, owners John and Gillian Wagner have not only built an extraordinary winery on property made legendary by the cult classic wine flick Sideways; they also have managed to build a reputation that is practically unthinkable! Producing world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, Peake Ranch is earning scores that are simply off the charts… which is not the only reason that Host David Wilson is excited to visit the winery during the pandemic. This story has quite a twist because David and John have been very close friends since the First Grade!

John and Gill Wagner of Peake Ranch Winery

However, in recent years, communication has been sparse. As a result, John didn’t learn until recently about David’s wine radio career and David didn’t know that John had gone from milk and cookies in first grade to the highest grades in winemaking! It’s a wonderful story of two old friends making a “grape” new connection later in life!

Find out more about Peake Ranch wines and visiting Peake Ranch in Buellton, CA, here.

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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Anyone that thinks winemaking isn’t an art form is not drinking very good wine! Actually, it’s not uncommon for winemakers to also be involved in a host of creative pursuits. Heck, Leonardo DaVinci had a terrific vineyard in his backyard. David has even tasted wine from his property in Vinci, Italy. Apparently Leo isn’t involved in the winemaking biz anymore. He’s got a bit of age on him. There is, however, a fellow who reminds David a lot of Leonardo in lots of ways. He’s Tom Rodrigues; owner and winemaker at ArteVino, produced at the Maple Creek Winery in the prestigious Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, CA. Tom’s wines are so good, they come with one heckuva guarantee; If you don’t like them for any reason, David will drink them for you free of charge! (David’s not holding his breath for handouts!)

Artist and winemaker Tom Rodrigues of Artevino and Maple Creek Winery

Tom works in a broad range of mediums, creating astonishing works on canvas and glass and much more! It would be tough to say which of his skills are more extraordinary, which is why you definitely have to pay a socially-distanced visit to his glorious foothill property to drink in everything he’s created! By the way… you won’t encounter a more hospitable winery than ArteVino, so see them masked now, or plan a visit when the pandemic passes! (It will pass, won’t it?) Find out more about Artevino and Maple Creek Winery here.

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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It’s a veritable potpourri of pontification on this week’s edition of Grape Encounters.  As you probably know, sometimes our show’s host has so many things on his mind that he foregoes having guests on so that he can cover as much turf as possible.  This week, he’s all over the board!

First, David is backpedaling a bit when it comes to virtual wine tastings. In past weeks, he’s been a little sour on the idea, simply because some of these virtual experiences last the kind of creativity or ingenuity he’d like to see. BUT… since so many online daters are doing their very best to court would-be partners without actually being in the same space, David proposes combining online dating and virtual wine tasting for a perfect match.

Oh, and what happens if you get the dreaded virus and your sense of taste goes on the blink? It may not be the perfect solution, but we’ve got a suggestion for you… OVERCOMPENSATE! You’ll hear what we mean.

There’s much more to ponder in this hour-long, socially-distanced edition of Grape Encounters. The best part is, you can get as close to you speakers as you want.  We practice germ-free broadcasting and podcasting at all times!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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Cancelled. Cancelled. Cancelled! Whether you’re into sports, travel or wine, there’s a good chance that your favorite events and activities are on indefinite hold. We are all pretty bummed for sure. But it’s even sadder when events that are an essential part of making our lives better also fall victim to our current plight. Well, the good news is, some very important wine and food events that raise millions of dollars for critical needs are not taking no for an answer. That doesn’t mean their disobeying the rules. It means they’re finding inventive ways to carry on. And if you keep close tabs on these beloved and important events, you’ll discover that there’s a great deal of excitement and enjoyment at your fingertips.  We just need to help you get plugged in.

Last year, The Oregon Wine Experience topped the Grape Encounters list of must-attend events. That high praise is not simply because of the extraordinary goings on at their venue in Southern Oregon, but also because the event raises critical funds for the Children’s Miracle Network through the Asante Foundation. Well, the show will go on in 2020, just in a very reimagined way.

Sarahanne Driggs, Events Officer for the Asante FoundationJoining David to give us the lowdown is Sarahanne Driggs, the Events Officer for the Asante Foundation and a true miracle worker! It seems that nothing can break Sarahanne’s spirit or determination to continue the amazing work of the foundation and the Oregon Wine Experience.  Heck, even the beloved (and quite incomparable) barrel auction. Go ahead, bid for the very best wines in Oregon. They are a really big wow!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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We had intended to pay a long overdue visit to a number of our wine and hospitality friends on the east side of America.  Unfortunately, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern. Nonetheless, we still want to spread the love and two of our most lovable east coast friends join us today thru the magic of ZOOM. What would we do without it?

Will OuweleenVintner, O-Neh-Da

First up, it’s our bud Will Ouweleen of O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyard, located in the breathtaking Finger Lakes wine region of Upstate New York. You’ve got to really feel for Will. After years of tireless work trying to save the region from a potential environmental catastrophe made possible by thoughtless frackers, things were really rolling along for this historic sacramental wine producer. Very sadly, cancelled church services has translated into a mountain of this very special wine sitting idle. Even worse, these particular wines aren’t meant for aging. Hence, time is not their friend. Will has dealt with a lot of monster-sized challenges in his life so he decided, when the going gets tough, wine enthusiasts should just go glamping on his property instead. It’s a great way to stay socially distanced and enjoy all that this off-the-beaten-path vineyard and winery has to offer.

Paul Cullen, Chef and Musician

Wrapping up the show is one of our favorite guests who has been so busy, we’ve had a tough time trying to catch up with him.  He’s former Bad Company bassist Paul Cullen. Paul is all about food, wine, music and Italy. Wait until you hear how this very inventive wino, foodie, tour guide, chef, singer, songwriter and even sausage-maker pulls all of his passions together for your benefit! No spoiler alert here. You’re going to have to listen to the whole show!

Today’s edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More, where you’ll find thousands of wines produced by folks who started with a dream and never looked back. Be sure to spend a little time online at TotalWine.com. You’ll be very glad you did!

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