Grape Encounters Wine Radio

It’s the first on the road broadcast in 2016 with David Wilson and Wine Editor Sara Schneider from the brand new world headquarters of Sunset Magazine in Oakland. Sunset Magazine is a publication of Time, Inc. and is one of the two largest lifestyle magazines in America. In this special edition of Grape Encounters, David and Sara cover a great deal of ground as they share their ideas about what wine lovers can expect in the coming months. There’s a lot of predictions going on in this installment of Grape Encounters and this is a rare opportunity to tune into a full hour of David and Sara at their absolute finest!

It’s the first on the road broadcast in 2016 with David Wilson and Wine Editor Sara Schneider from the brand new world headquarters of Sunset Magazine in Oakland. Sunset Magazine is a publication of Time, Inc. and is one of the two largest lifestyle magazines in America. In this special edition of Grape Encounters, David and Sara cover a great deal of ground as they share their ideas about what wine lovers can expect in the coming months. There’s a lot of predictions going on in this installment of Grape Encounters and this is a rare opportunity to tune into a full hour of David and Sara at their absolute finest!

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On today’s show, the Renaissance Man of Winemaking, Wes Hagen, joins his dear friend David Wilson to toss out some predictions about what wine lovers might be able to expect in the year 2016. Wes is always full of revelations and this conversation is no different. What would you like to see happen in the wine world this year? Find out what the experts have to say. You might be in for a surprise or two!

On today’s show, the Renaissance Man of Winemaking, Wes Hagen, joins his dear friend David Wilson to toss out some predictions about what wine lovers might be able to expect in the year 2016.  Wes is always full of revelations and this conversation is no different.  What would you like to see happen in the wine world this year?  Find out what the experts have to say.  You might be in for a surprise or two!

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It was a busy year for Grape Encounters… David met many amazing people and traveled to Texas Wine Country, the New York Finger Lakes wine region, and the vineyards of northern Greece! We’ve chosen some of our favorite segments for this Highlights of 2015, including Ian Cauble, Sara Schneider, Adam LaZarre and Gil Gagnon. Many cheers to our listeners and friends in 2016!

It was a busy year for Grape Encounters… David met many amazing people and traveled to Texas Wine Country, the New York Finger Lakes wine region, and the vineyards of northern Greece! We’ve chosen some of our favorite segments for this Highlights of 2015, including Ian Cauble, Sara Schneider, Adam LaZarre and Gil Gagnon. Many cheers to our listeners and friends in 2016!

We begin with David meeting with Ian Cauble, the star of the hit wine documentary, SOMM, to discuss his SommSelect Blind Six wine package. The previous week David and Sara Schneider, the Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine, took on a challenge that may well have been the craziest thing two journalists could inflict upon themselves. It was a blind tasting of Ian’s SommSelect Blind Six – wines from around the world… and did they pass, or should they hang their heads in shame?

Next, joining David on the show is Sunset Magazine’s Sara Schneider who shares some important insights into getting a useful wine education, and doing a little more blind tasting!

Then, David risks it all by doing a little custom blending for one of the hottest winemakers in the business, Adam Lazarre. Will Adam find David’s custom blend of wines around the world luscious or laughable?

We finish off with Gil Gagnon of Gagnon Cellars. A former Disney Films executive, Gil figures he spent 6 years of his life driving to and from the epicenter of California filmmaking. Then one day, an episode of Grape Encounters Radio gave him an idea that eventually led to his departure from the movie business and entré into winemaking. How did his lengthy career in show biz prepare him to make the extraordinary wines that are now getting rave reviews from people like Grape Encounters Host David Wilson? Learn that answer and hear how Gil got into winemaking without planting a vineyard or building a winery. If he can do it, so can you. But it takes patience and a true passion for wine to be successful.

We wish all our listeners and friends of the show a 2016 worth toasting!

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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. 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. 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!

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.

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.

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!

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Two years ago, the Paso Robles wine region in California, was named #1 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Public recognition of Paso Robles wines is swiftly growing and, as a result, Douglas Ayres of the formidable Ayres Hotel chain has helped the region raise the bar by building the extraordinary new Allegretto Vineyard Resort Hotel. This property is literally your ticket to Tuscany without leaving the states. Featuring an astonishing art collection, phenomenal craftsmanship, meticulously landscaped grounds and breathtaking architecture, the Allegretto is a new standard in wine country lodging that has elevated Paso Robles to world class status. Join David and his guest Doug Ayres for a private tour of this incomparable destination property and its astonishing amenities!

The Astonishing New Ayres Allegretto Vineyard Resort Has Raised the Bar!

Two years ago, the Paso Robles wine region in California, was named #1 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Public recognition of Paso Robles wines is swiftly growing and, as a result, Douglas Ayres of the formidable Ayres Hotel chain has helped the region raise the bar by building the extraordinary new Allegretto Vineyard Resort Hotel.

This property is literally your ticket to Tuscany without leaving the states. Featuring an astonishing art collection, phenomenal craftsmanship, meticulously landscaped grounds and breathtaking architecture, the Allegretto is a new standard in wine country lodging that has elevated Paso Robles to world class status. Join David and his guest Doug Ayres for a private tour of this incomparable destination property and its astonishing amenities!

Download this episode