Grape Encounters Wine Radio

Wine Appreciation with an Irish and Japanese Accent

Okay, so here's a really off-the-wall episode of Grape Encounters Radio. What happens when the lead singer of a leading Celtic Rock group meets up with Grape Encounters host David Wilson? Well, you'll hear the answer in episode 510 of Grape Encounters Radio.

Keith Roberts is the lead singer of the Young Dubliners, perhaps the world’s most popular group in this genre, and he has lots of insights when it comes to being on the road and enjoying America's favorite adult beverage. The first half of this show is a real hoot and you will find Keith's personality infectious.

In the second half of the show, join David at Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga, California. When people come to Saratoga to enjoy this wonderful wine region, one of the places that they almost always stop is Hakone Estate and Gardens. On today's episode, David is joined by Executive Director Shozo Kagoshima. They tour the garden and talk about why it's a perfect fit with the astonishing local wine community.

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Taking in the Sacramento Food and Wine Scene at Mulvaney’s and Heringer Estates...

Today’s episode of Grape Encounters comes to you from California’s State Capitol, Sacramento. Best known as the Golden State’s government seat, this northern California city is becoming equally well known as a food and wine lover’s paradise, and there’s probably no better example of delectable dining than Mulvaney’s B and L, owned and operated by its namesake, Patrick Mulvaney.

Patrick Mulvaney, Proprietor and Chef at Mulvaney's B and L in Sacramento

10 years ago Mayor Kevin Johnson suggested to Patrick that Sacramento should call itself “The Farm-to-Fork Capitol.” Initially, Patrick wasn’t in love with the suggestion. Today, however, he’s not only embraced the title but is widely considered to be the leader of a movement that has put Mulvaney’s and Sacramento in the culinary limelight. The show begins with a delightful one-on-one in Mulvaney’s wine cellar.

Mike Heringer, Winemaker at Heringer Estates in Clarksburg, CA

In the second half of the show, David heads out to the Sacramento River Delta, a massive network of rivers and slews. It's water-based recreation on steroids here. But what a lot of people don't know is that when you dock your boat and climb up the embankment, you’re likely to discover some really terrific wineries that have been fairly low-profile for a very long time. These days, however, wineries in this region are really making a name for themselves. One such place is Heringer Estate, a family farm that has been operating for several generations. Joining David is the winemaker and co-owner Mike Heringer. This is one very beautiful place, rich with history and turning out a very broad selection of wines!

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If you're into wine. one of the most important concepts and subjects of conversation is “sustainability.” It’s something that most people have had a tough time wrapping their arms around, but in today's episode of Grape Encounters Radio, you'll be able to bring the sustainability concept into your kitchen with the help of Alison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance, and also VP of Environmental Affairs for the Wine Institute. Joining Alison is Janet Fletcher, whose new book, published in conjunction with the Wine Institute – Wine Country Table – offers great insight into the sustainable movement and shows amateur and professional cooks alike how to best take advantage of the sustainability concept.

Janet Fletcher is a multiple winner of the James Beard Award, and if you have any question about just how delicious her recipes are, ask David, because he sat down and enjoyed several of them at the launch of the Wine Country Table Cookbook. You can get even more information about Janet Fletcher and the Wine Institutes cookbook at www.DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com/Wine-Country-Table.

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David visits the Santa Cruz Mountains, starting with a horseback ride through the vineyards at Cooper-Gerrod Estate Vineyards and stables. Family members Doris and Bill Cooper host David as he records the show riding "Ben" and Stacy Queen the Stable Manager takes David through the vineyards, trotting past Cab Franc and Chardonnay grapes and California chaparral and through a bit of a cloudburst.

Next, it's on to the tasting room of this six-generation family-run farm and vineyards at Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards. They have several vineyards overlooking the Santa Clara Valley and all their vineyards are certified organic, unirrigated, and the vines are naturally stressed. Looking for a fantastic and unique winetasting experience not far from the Silicon Valley - plan a visit to Cooper-Gerrod Vineyards and Farm!

This show is dedicated to David's Father, Robert D. Wilson, a renowned Quarter Horse breeder.

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Daniel Dagorret, Manager of Carter House Inns and Restaurant 301

A best-of reprise from our Southern Oregon Mighway RV adventure, we stop in Eureka, CA at the Carter House Inns, where their Restaurant 301 has one of the best wine lists in the world, with over 3,800 selections and has been a proud recipient of the Wine Spectator’s most prestigious honor, the Grand Award, every year since 1988. Note, proprietor Mark Carter has won over seven perfect 100 pt scores from Robert Parker. We spent the night in a lovely and luxurious room, complete with hot tub and views of Eureka’s victorian skyline. David speaks with General Manager Daniel Dagorret and gets to explore their “cellar” and hold a bottle of a $20,000 bottle of wine. Find out more about staying and dining there here.

Next, David talks with Brendon Butler and Sue Devitt of Devitt Winery near Jacksonville, OR. They were our Harvest Hosts for the night, and they have a charming small wine-making operation with an interesting story.

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Floyd Harmon, Executive Director of the Asante Foundation

Host David Wilson talks with Floyd Harmon,the Executive Director of the Asante Foundation, discussing the Oregon Wine Experience, an event that showcases wines from all over the state that raises money to benefit Kid’s Health through Asante’s affiliation as a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Joining David and Floyd is Dan Marca of DANCIN Vineyards in Medford, Oregon, helping to explain what a "barrel auction" is, and what opportunities are available for people to experience Oregon Wines. Dan is the proprietor along with with his wife Cindy, of a meticulous and lovely tasting room experience in Medford, Oregon. Their tasting room boasts a full kitchen and pizza oven that perfectly complements their award-winning wines. It’s a lovely spot, and a must-visit stop on your Southern Orgeon travels! Find out more about Dancin Vineyard here.

The Oregon Wine Experience, is a multi-day event featuring the full breadth and depth of Oregon wines, amazing culinary creations and everything that makes Oregon unique. The 2019 event is August 19-25, 2019, in lovely Jacksonville, Oregon.

Last year they had record breaking representation from across the state with more than 100 Oregon wineries participating, providing the perfect opportunity for guests to take in the vastness of our state’s excellent wine. In 2018, Oregon Wine Experience® raised more than $1.3 Million and 100% of those proceeds went to Children’s Miracle Network and other Asante healthcare programs. Find out more here.

Next, David has on Cameron Hughes, winemaker and proprietor of Cameron Hughes Wines, extraordinary wines at very reasonable prices. Find out more about Cameron's wines here.

Winemaker Cameron Hughes

 

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Brent Keast, Renaissance Man

Host David Wilson chats with Brent Keast, a new addition to Grape Encounters Radio, all about radio, wine and wine pairing with food.

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Wes Hagen, Winemaker, Historian and Philosopher

David hosts longtime friend and wine expert, Wes Hagen, winemaker and brand ambassador at J. Wilkes Wines on the Central Coast, as well as a noted wine judge, lecturer and educator. Wes has the unique ability to have condensed the History of Wine into a two-minute talk. Listen to hear it!

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Tom Rodrigues, winemaker and artist

David hosts Tom Rodrigues, winemaker and renowned artist, founder of Artevino wines and Maple Creek Winery. Maple Creek Ranch and Winery was established in the spring of 2001. Tom, an artist for more than four decades, decided to leave his hectic Marin County life and settle in the Yorkville Highlands of Anderson Valley, the premier growing region for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After finding the ideal environment for growing grapes and living a healthy lifestyle, he purchased the ranch, vineyard and winery. From there, he hired Kerry Damskey, a consulting winemaker, to mentor him in his winemaking techniques, making French style wine while using California fruit. Artevino was born.

Tom’s art adorns the labels of Artevino with a different painting on each varietal from his”Vineyard Series.” His art may also be seen on some of the most notable industry, Far Niente, Nickel and Nickel, Dolce, EnRoute, Gemstone and Manzanita Creek, just to name a few.

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Tim Hanni, Master of Wine, Certified Wine Educator, Wine Industry Faculty, Sonoma State University

David is on with Tim Hanni, Master of Wine, someone who has been making headlines throughout his career and especially recently with his maverick ideas and opinions on wine and the industry's inherent fallacies about wine tastes and wine & food pairings. Tim has a great book out, Why You Like the Wines You Like: Changing the way the world thinks about wine. Check out this great interview full of sensory enlightenment.

Tim is also a Wine Educator, and has a new course available about really understanding the wine business, check it out here.

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