Grape Encounters Wine Radio

David talks with Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, an agency that coordinates wineries with RV travelers that can stay onsite at many wineries in the US. "Wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and more – Free overnight stays at over 600 incredible locations across North America"

Next, David talks with Lynea Gagliano of Travel Oregon.

Finishing off our preparation for the trip, it's Dave Simmons, CEO of Mighway, all the way from New Zealand, talking about the

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David talks barrels with Lucas Brewer and Michael McGloughlin of Quality Wine Barrels in Arroyo Grande, CA.

While working at one of California’s largest wineries in the late ‘90s, Quality Wine Barrels founder Roger Burson saw a need for obtaining reasonably priced high quality used wine barrels from trustworthy sources. With few options available apart from calling local wineries to check for culled barrels, Roger decided to create something new in the wine industry: a used wine barrel exchange. Over the years they expanded on this concept to offer good quality re-fillable barrels as well as racks to wineries, breweries and distilleries across the United States as well as other countries.

Their barrel recycling program has grown in recent years to include barrels that are no longer suitable for re-fill. These retired barrels are given new life in the hands of furniture makers, Pinterest hobbyists, and to weekend gardeners as well as nurseries for use as planters. Find out more at their website!

Next, David talks orange wine with Mike Kirkpatrick, co-winemaker along with his son David, of Ruby Cellars wines, based in Atascadero, CA. Orange wine is growing in availability, and is made by leaving white grape juice with its skins to extract flavor, color and tannins. Ruby Cellars’ Orange Viognier is an award-winning wine, very different from their regular Viognier. Find out more about this unique wine and terrific winemaker family here.

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Tom Wark, Executive Director, National Association of Wine Retailers

David talks with Tom Wark, Executive Director of the National Association of Wine Retailers, and author of the Fermentation blog, about the challenges of wine buying and shipping in the U.S., due to states' laws. Tom explains this complicated issue in an easy-to-understand way, but you should also check out his award-winning blog!

To stay up to date on wine laws, and ways to take action, check out: https://www.winefreedom.org/

Tom and David also get into our culture's current trend to link wine and cannabis enjoyment, and industries, and the perils of that.

The episode finishes up with an interview with The Naked Waiters, Clark, Andy and Kim, a trio from Utah who play ukeleles and do some great covers and also original music. Check out their version of Havana in the final segment!

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David on all things Thanksgiving! Turkey methods, the all-important stuffing issue, and our friend Angel, a regular at the Grape Encounters wine bar!

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On the anniversary of the devastating Tubbs Fire in Sonoma, David hosts Micheal O'Shea, co-owner of Amaturo Sonoma Media Group, owners of KSRO in Santa Rosa, discussing the documentary Urban Inferno, about the fires that devastated Santa Rosa in 2017. Michael's radio station KSRO was the lifeline for many local folks and they won two Marconi Awards for their news coverage of the fires and the subsequent recovery of the area.

Next, it's Alison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Wine Alliance and the Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the Wine Institute, talking about the current state of sustainability in CA and the wine industry.

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David talks about California Wine Month, and just about everything else under the sun, with Elaine Chukan Brown. Elaine serves as the American Specialist at JancisRobinson.com, a contributing writer with Wine & Spirits Magazine, and a speaker at events worldwide. Her work has been featured in World of Fine Wine, Decanter, Robb Report, MensHealth.com, GuildSomm.com, Wine Business Monthly, San Francisco Magazine, Alquimie and Noble Rot, among others. She also contributed to the recent multi-award winning 4th edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine. Blessed with travel, and a wealth of in-depth time with vintners from around the world, she uses WakawakaWineReviews.com to share more of the story.

Elaine Chukan Brown

Brown is known for having created illustrated tasting notes, which have been described by @KermitLynchWine as “a new standard in wine reviews.” Since, such illustrated tasting notes have become a creative new alternative for beer and spirits as well. Hawk Wakawaka Wine Reviews has been rated among the world’s leading wine blogs recommended by the highest-caliber wine & food media venues. Find out more about CA Wine M0nth happenings at http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/californiawinemonth/

Dave Simmons, COO of Mighway

Next, David talks with David Simmons of Mighway.com. Mighway is a peer-to-peer platform that connects motorhome and campervan owners with guests. Rent directly from private owners with nationwide availability and shorter rental periods and let the journey unfold, with Mighway! Available in the U.S. and New Zealand. It's the perfect way to explore any wine country! Find out more at https://www.mighway.com/

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David talks wine, art, baseball and more with artist and winemaker Tom Rodrigues of Artevino wines of Maple Creek Winery. Tom has been an artist for many years, and this year has been chosen as WineSong's Artist of the Year for 2018.

Winesong is the premiere annual charity auction & wine + food tasting on the Mendocino Coast & is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. Proceeds are used to enhance equipment, facilities and services at the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Since 1985 Winesong has raised over $7.5 million for improvements in local healthcare, and David has proclaimed Winesong his very favorite food and wine event. This spectacular event takes place at the stunning Mendocino Botanical Gardens on the Coast of California, September 7 & 8, 2018.

The food is amazing. The wines are amazing, and the hospitality and surrounding beauty is indescribable!

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Winemaker Adam LaZarre

David talks with Winemaker Adam LaZarre, who has a long and storied career in the wine industry. His accomplishments are too many to mention, but in addition to the wines he has made for many large brands (Rex Goliath, Cycles Gladiator, Hahn Estates, he and his wife Angie have been making their own wines for many years under the name LaZarre Wines.

The brand was started in 2003 primarily as a high-end, single-vineyard Pinot Noir project and has grown to include such varietals as Merlot, Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Vin Gris, and Chardonnay.

Through many of their contacts developed over the decades working for various wine companies, Adam and Angie have created relationships with a number of great growers on the Central Coast of California from which they source their fruit. These vineyards range from Pine Canyon deep in the hills of western Monterey County down to the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County. In between are Paso Robles and Edna Valley, two other sources of grapes for the portfolio.These wines are limited in their production and are really the best offerings the LaZarres can deliver in any particular vintage. They are completely committed to providing the very best possible wines at any price and will continue to do so until they depart the earth. After all, wine is a gift from God and should be enjoyed responsibly or at least naked…

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David chats with friend Chris Longo of Jensen’s Market about what's new and changing in wine retail, and also with Jamie Peters of WineSong, an annual charity auction and wine + food tasting produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. Proceeds are used to enhance equipment, facilities and services at the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. The Diagnostic Imaging Center, Medical Evacuation Helipad, Out-Patient Surgical services and Emergency Department Equipment are just a few of the vital areas that Winesong funds have enhanced. Since 1985 Winesong has raised over $7.5 million for improvements in local healthcare.

Jamie Peters of Winesong

David has proclaimed Winesong his very favorite food and wine event. This spectacular event takes place at the stunning Mendocino Botanical Gardens on the Coast of California, Sept. 7th & 8th, 2018. The food is amazing. The wines are amazing, and the hospitality and surrounding beauty is indescribable! Want to know more? Listen in! Your palate will thank you for it!

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Sean Taylor, creator of RateMyWinemaker.com

David talks with Sean Taylor, creator of a new business, RateMyWinemaker.com, an anonymous forum for wine industry workers to anonymously rate their winemakers and harvest experiences. This is a site that will help any aspiring winemaker or wine worker to check out winery jobs around the world! Listen and learn more, and visit: http://ratemywinemaker.com/

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