Grape Encounters Wine Radio

Genes affect your senses of taste and smell, which in turn influence your wine preferences.

Genome - vinome? Grape Encounters host David Wilson has long insisted that our taste in wine is no simple accident. For years, David has been noting the relationship between things we love (and hate) in our everyday world and our preferences in wine. David frequently asks listeners to tell him their preferences in music, film, colors and even foods. After asking between 12 and 20 questions, David chooses a wine for the participant based on years of observation. The result? An uncanny track record of choosing wines perfectly. By the way, David NEVER asks any questions whatsoever about the subjects’ wine preferences.

Vinome's Kit to sample your DNA

So, imagine how excited David was to learn that a company called “Vinome” created by a team of genetic scientists and wine experts is now using DNA insights, the science of taste, smell and taste preference information to pair wine lovers and wine discoverers with wines they love. All it takes is a tiny DNA sample swabbed from inside the mouth. Once the results are obtained, you can use it to guide future wine buying purchases or shop for hard-to-find boutique bottles at Vinome's online Marketplace. Vinome also has a very unique online quarterly wine club. Either way, Vinome delivers direct to your doorstep. Promoting the American artisan winemakers, Vinome has piqued the interest of the wine industry since its launch in late July.

David talks with co-founders Ron Andrews, Sara Riordan and Shannon Kieran about Vinome, one of the first companies to apply the science of taste and the vast body of genetic research to a new and broadly accessible experience – a groundbreaking connection between a person's DNA and lifestyle. The personalized wine service, available exclusively on Helix.com, an online marketplace of DNA-powered products, analyzes the nuances of taste preferences, along with 10 genetic markers related to smell and taste to identify eight unique Vinome taste profiles that are uniquely yours. Vinome’s team of founders and developers dig deep into the show which ends with the Vinome team challenging David to be a test subject. Who’s would turn down an offer like that?

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Well, it wasn’t all that long ago that wines with screw cap enclosures began to flood wine stores in a very big way. Most fine wine drinkers resisted the trend for a while but, in the end, boycotting the metal cap meant missing out on some very good wines with natural corks.

Today, things are changing again. As more and more important steps are being taken by wine producers and cork manufacturers to assure wines are not compromised. On today’s edition of Grape Encounters, David invites Peter Weber, President of the Cork Quality Council, based in California, to share information on what is being done to regain the confidence of the wine industry which had grown tired of having wines returned that were ruined by the dreaded cork taint. Additionally, Peter’s organization and others have determined through extensive research that cork are not the thing that can cause a bottle to be compromised.

There are also environmental issues that make for some interesting conversation. More usage of cork contributes significantly to the forests’ preservation as well as communities and habitats of thousands of plants and animals including the endangered Iberian Lynx of which there are only a couple of hundred left in the world!

You’ll learn a great deal about all things cork on this edition of Grape Encounters featuring the Cork Quality Council’s Peter Weber, including; Why screwcaps are not the most effective closure due to a lack of some beneficial oxidation. You’ll also learn why the Aussies who literally led the charge to screw-open Shiraz and capped Cabernet are now closing their China-bound wines with natural cork. Plus, where cork is grow, how stoppers are made and why rare animals and fragile habits thrive thanks to the cork trees.

Just a reminder, it is inappropriate to listen to this edition of Grape Encounter while drinking a wine sealed with a natural cork.

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Leading up to Winesong 2017, this week’s show features two top participants from the remarkable Anderson Valley. First up is Zac Robinson of Husch Vineyards. Husch was founded in 1971 and is the oldest winery in the Valley. The vineyards are comprised of some of the earliest varietal plantings on the valley floor. In 1967 Tony and Gretchen Husch bought the 60-acre Nunn ranch and planted eight acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer grapes on the cool slopes of the property. The plantings sweep down towards the pristine Navarro River. The first official crush was in the fall of 1971,

Zac Robinson of Husch Vineyards

In 1979, Hugo Oswald Jr. bought the 6,000 case Husch Winery from the Husch family and today Husch Vineyards remains owned and operated by the 3rd Generation of the Oswald family: Zac Robinson and Amanda Robinson Holstine. Through the years Husch has modernized and expanded, but it has never lost its initial rustic charm or reputation for great wines.

The second half of the show features Kristy Charles of Foursight Wines; the first winery in the country to put “Vegan” on their label. Foursight Wines is also located in the breathtaking Anderson Valley.

Kristy Charles of Foursight Wines

Foursight Wines was founded in 2006 by Kristy Charles, Joe Webb and Bill & Nancy Charles. Their goal is to produce 100% estate wines in the French monopole model, with grapes sourced only from their Charles Vineyard. Every grape and bottle of wine produced in their vineyard or small winery has been shepherded through the process by a member of the family, making the final product they sell direct through their wine club, website or tasting room all that much more special. Foursight Wines is one of the many prestigious labels featured at Winesong 2017.

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Erich Fleck, Head Cider Maker at Bristols Cider House came to the Cider business by way of the wine business. The funny thing is, Erich quickly learned that there are more similarities than differences between making cider and making wine.

If ever there was a crash course in Cider making, and its similarities to wine making, this is it. Join Erich and a former co-worker with a tremendous amount of knowledge in the beer business for a conversation that covers the gambit… Beer, wine and cider; what do they have in common and where do the similarities end.

The Bristols Cider house, founded by winemaker Neil Collins, is located just a few miles from the Grape Encounters studio. If you’re ever on the Central Coast of California visiting the Grape Encounters Empourium, make sure to ask us to point you toward one of the best Cider experiences around!

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This Week’s Special Guests: Adam Lazarre and William Carter

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!

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!

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Michael Blaylock, Director of Winemaking at Quady Winery

We humans are creatures of habit… and when it comes to wine, that is especially true. Most of the wine consumed in America consists of under 10 varietals. And when you consider the fact that there are literally thousands of wine varietals made in the world, a good argument can be made that we are very much in a rut; even if it’s a delicious rut. Don't fear an escape from your wine comfort zone!

On this edition of Grape Encounters Radio, David visits with three exceptional California winemakers to discuss some of the mouth-watering options they are making for wine lovers like you.

Chrystal Clifton of Palmina Wines

We begin the episode with Michael Blaylock, head of winemaking at Quady Winery in Madera. Next up is Chrystal Clifton of Palmina Wines… and finally Christian Ahlmann of Six Sigma Winery and Ranch in Lake County California. Listen carefully, there’s a good chance you may be changing up your routine shortly after the show is over! Cheers!

Christian Ahlmann of Six Sigma Winery and Ranch

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Winemaking Pioneer Gary Eberle and Partner Marcy Share the Long Journey to Winemaking Superstardom with Eberle Vineyards!

Gary and Marcy Eberle

It’s a long and winding road to winemaking immortality, but nothing has ever stood in Gary Eberle’s way for very long. He is a true winemaking pioneer on California’s Central Coast… most particularly the Paso Robles AVA which Gary helped found.

In recent years, Gary and Marcy Eberle have faced challenges that were both unthinkable and seemingly insurmountable. Nonetheless, Gary and Marcy faced these challenges head on and are once again doing what they do best; making extraordinary wines while educating and entertaining fans of their brand in a style that is the Eberle trademark.

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Still in her 20’s, Delia Viader was determined to make extraordinary wines in the Napa Valley. She had done everything by the book up until the time when she purchased very steep and rocky land that the experts and old-timers thought was a very iffy prospect indeed. Nonetheless, Delia rolled up her sleeves and took on that rugged hillside as onlookers slowly but surely grew to respect her guts and determination.

Today, Delia and her son Alan, who serves as the Viader Vineyards Winemaker, are producing some of the most sought-after Bordeaux varietal in the Napa Valley. Hear there truly amazing story as Host David Wilson sits down with them in their living room which offers one of the most breathtaking views in the valley! It’s a warm and wonderful story of a determined family with the ultimate can-do spirit!

Delia Viader of Viader Vineyards & Winery

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Meet Executive Director Jamie Peters

Jamie Peters, Winesong Event Director

Jamie Peters, Executive Director of Winesong joins host David Wilson for a delightful, lighthearted preview of Winesong 2017. Last year, David 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.

David and Annie Wilson at WineSong

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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Tony Rynders, Winemaker at Panther Creek Cellars and Tendril Wine Cellars

This week, David meets with winemaker Tony Rynders who is neck deep in some of Oregon’s finest winemaking operations. Tony is the winemaker at Panther Creek Cellars which was founded by famed negociant Ken Wright in the 1980s with some of the most iconic single vineyard wines. Panther Creek produced the first Oregon wine to get a Parker 94 for their 1994 Shae vineyard.

Tony also has his own winery, Tendril Wine Cellars in the Willamette Valley which is open by appointment only. As most listeners know, Pinot Noir is not host David Wilson’s go-to wine, but David’s opinion of Pinot went up several notches after tasting Tendril’s offerings. If you think you know Pinot, you definitely want to give this a listen because Tony Rynders has truly reimagined one of the world’s most favorite wines. He certainly got David’s attention!

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