Grape Encounters Wine Radio

This week, first David delves into how the real price of a bottle of wine breaks down – tracing a bottle of wine from the winery to the wine glass and how much it gets marked up along the way.

Peake Ranch winery and tasting room will be opening this summer!

Next, in an uncanny story of how life comes full circle, David visits with one of his oldest friends, John Wagner of the new Peake Ranch winery. Having gone to first grade togther, David and John both had entirely different careers through their adult life, but both are now connected through the wine industry. John is in the process of building the brand new Peake Ranch winemaking facility and tasting room on the original Richard Sanford property in Buellton, CA (in the Santa Ynez wine region, and featured in the movie Sideways). He's been making wine from Santa Maria fruit for a few years and is making some very tasty wines! We look forward to their grand opening later this year! For more information, please visit their website.

Last, our first ever listener call-in from the great state of Kansas, regarding why are there very few wine choices in his state. Listen to find out more!

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David visits the Wente Vineyard in Livermore, CA, the country's oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, founded in 1883. They are celebrating their 135th anniversary, and David talks with the "first family of Chardonnay," Phil, Niki and Karl Wente about their family history, and the celebrated "Wente clone" that is prevalent in CA Chardonnay. Also, next month is national Chardonnay Month, and May 24th is international Chardonnay Day! Listen to find out more about this storied family and all that Wente Vineyards offer.

Wente is also one of the first wineries to introduce the new "Certified Sustainable" logo on their labels - look for them in your local store!

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Uncommon wine knowledge...

Adam LaZarre, of LaZarre Wines and Wine Hooligans

There are no stupid questions when it comes to wine. The thing is, the questions most people are asking may not give you the knowledge you really need when it comes to wine. That’s why we invited world-renowned winemaker Adam LaZarre into the studio to tackle a few questions that we think will give you a little better wine knowledge. Plus, you’ll be the hit of the next social gathering.

Adam LaZarre may be one of the most unpretentious wine experts you’ll ever meet. He’ll make you laugh. He’ll make you say WOW. He’ll even make you think about getting into the wine business! Well, two out of three ain’t bad! You can find Adam's wines at the Grape Encounters Empourium or by ordering them here.

Chef William Carter and his wife/partner Katherine Bloxsom-Carter, of The Canyon Villa

Also on this week’s show is William Carter, former Executive Chef at the Playboy Mansion for 28 years. Now William and his wife Katherine have their own project, cooking and hosting the ultimate getaway in Paso Robles, CA, The Canyon Villa is winning top honors in some of America’s most prestigious Bed and Breakfast competitions. Learn why by listening here or check out photos of this gorgeous place at their website!

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David Hunt of Hunt Cellars Winery

David talks with David Hunt of Hunt Cellars, a winemaker, author, musician, lyracist and inventor. David lost his sight in his forties, and it hasn't stopped him from making the most of each and every day. David (Hunt) believes that his "inner vision that can see a God-made world, not a man-made world." David shares his story and philosophy of his journey. By the way, Hunt Cellars recently had five of their wines (all at that they submitted) score over 90 points by Robert Parker/Wine Advocate. Watch a video of David Hunt here and learn more about Hunt Cellars Winery here.

Alison Laslett, CEO of Santa Barbara Vintners

Next David talks with Allison Laslett, CEO of the Santa Barbara Vinters, who puts on one of the oldest wine festivals in CA, the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival which happens every spring. The upcoming event will be April 21, 2018, and info can be found here.

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David talks aspects of the importance of wine branding and marketing, and the experience of wine judging at competitions.

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Bruno Mottet, Executive Director of Chateau la France

Continuing the exploration of Bordeaux, David visits with Bruno Mottet, Executive Director of Chateau la France, a beautiful chateau with vineyards, a bed & breakfast and a 20-meter stainless steel rooster who watches over the grapes.

An estate of great name since the XVIIth century, Château La France is one of the largest estates in the Bordeaux region, boasting 90 hectares (222 acres) in a single block. 68 hectares of the 78 under production are classified AOC Bordeaux Supérieur rouge (red) and the remaining 10 hectares AOC Bordeaux Blanc Sec (dry white).

Chateau la France

Its rolling vineyards lie all round giving beautiful views and sense of privacy. The property is open for visits throughout the year and are free with wine aroma workshops included. What is unique is that you can rent the château in its entirety with private swimming pool (12 people for around 3000€ per week). Your own keys to your own château! Owner Bruno Mottet admits that his reason for developing wine tourism is to help build customer loyalty for his wines rather than to particularly create revenue.

Sophie Blot, Sales Director at Chateau Leroy-Beauval

Next, David chats with Sophie Blot, Sales Director at Chateau Leroy-Beauval, which has its roots in the 13th century, and has undergone a state-of-the-art renovation with the current owners, Stéphanie and Alexandre Leroy.

From this well recognized terroir there are a range of 8 wines produced, from Bordeaux red to rose, thereby including a dry white and two sparkling wines dearingly named Marquise, the owners would like to stress, this range of sparkling wines are delicately feminine who have gained a strong reputation on the French market and distinguished themselves with classicism Bordelaise.

While at Chateau Leroy-Beauval, David and his group enjoy a very special caviar tasting from the third largest producer in the world, Sturvia. It was delicious enough to make a David a caviar convert!

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Lucas Puente, Chief Economist at Thumbtack

David talks with Lucas Puente, Chief Economist at Thumbtack, a service that matches up consumers and service providers, from bartenders & event help to house painting and personal training. Thumbtack looked at which cities know how to throw the classiest parties by examining which cities are most likely to have a professional bartender at their event.

Lucas holds a PhD from Stanford, and has been the Thumbtack economist for four years and uses data to better understand the policies and economics affecting the small business marketplace. See their Thumbtack Classy Party Index list of cities here, and if you're looking to hire a bartender in your area, please click here.

Allison Jordan, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the Wine Institute

Next up is Allison Jordan, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the Wine Institute, as well as Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). Starting soon, consumers can expect to find a new logo on wine bottles, that indicates the producer practices certified sustainable policies.

Find out more at: SustainableWinegrowing.org.

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Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars

David talks with one of our most favorite somms, Christopher Sawyer, "the Sommelier to the Stars," all about The World of Pinot Noir event, and why it's ok for you to like, or not-like, different varietals... including Pinot!

 

Follow Chris's events and blog at: http://sawyersomm.com/

 

 

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Erin Faulkner of Defiance Vineyard

In a new edition of David's "You Too, Can Be A Winemaker," David talks with Erin Faulkner of Defiance Vineyard in the Paso Robles wine region, about her family's journey into winemaking, and their methods of learning the grape-growing and winemaking industries. Their Cabernet Sauvignon really "wow'ed" David, and they have a fascinating story, still in the making... Find out more about them at: https://www.defiancevineyard.com/

As a follow-up to a previous story about Vinome, David explores getting his DNA examined to see what that says about his wine preferences... David talks with Director of Customer Experience at Vinome, Brad Johnson, about the "consumer genomics" kit that they send out for people to check out their own genetic trait preferences. Find out more at: https://www.vinome.com/

Check out David's offer/challenge to listeners to take the Vinome vs. David's 20 Questions Wine Profile Challenge - listen to find out how!

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Charn Rai, Creator of the VSpin, accepting the 2018 German Design Award

On this week’s Grape Encounters, meet Charn Rai, the inventor of a device that host David Wilson says is a “landmark innovation.” (Interview starts at 18:30 in the podcast.) This brand-new wine aeration product is a game-changer… just as the Coravin was a few years back. After putting it through its paces, David says, “It’s beautiful, mesmerizing, and destined to revolutionize conventional decanting in a matter of months.”

Charn shares the process of developing the V-Spin; a gorgeous decanter that sits on a simple stand. Inside the stand is some very innovative magnetic technology which enables the wine in the decanter to swirl silently—creating a vortex that exposes the wine to air in just a few minutes. The V-Spin does what otherwise could take hours… and you can adjust the speed and time to perfectly suit the wine varietal. Find out more at: https://vspin.us/

Bob Sweeney, co-creator of the Boutiques Wine Sampler Box

Also on the show is Bob Sweeney, co-creator along with Tim Jones, of The Boutique Wine Sampler Box, a California Central Coast entrepreneur who has come up with a new take on wine tasting. You’d think you would see this done all over the world, but frankly, it seems few have taken the time to pull the pieces together.

What Bob did was negotiate contracts with several of the top premium wine producers in the Paso Robles region of California. Six of Paso’s finest were repacked into 375ml bottles; three healthy pours in each bottle. The result is the ability to enjoy a true cross-section of what the region has to offer. Make no mistake, these are outstanding wines and David wanted to showcase this very special project to encourage other regions to show off their very best in the same way! Find out more at: https://boutiquewinebox.com/

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