Northwest Wine Radio

(2019)  In some parts of the Pacific Northwest, its just not very easy to grow wine grapes.  Specifically, western Washington just isn't the place you find a lot of vineyards.

Until you look very closely.

This week, we feature to story of Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery of La Conner, Washington.  We find out how a couple found a way to live and make wine close to home!  Then we travel to the most eastern part of Washington to meet some brewers who have really gone to the dogs.  There's plenty of evidence when you hear the names of some of the beers at English Setter Brewery in Spokane Valley.

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2019)  Their plan was to plant a region-renowned vineyard, and make a life together producing wine.

Then life changed.

This week, we feature to story of Triple Oak Vineyard of Oakland, Oregon, and the circumstances that left a widow to fulfill the dreams of her late husband.  It's an inspiring story that has an ending you'll raise a glass to!  Then, we're off Walla Walla, where we meet the rock star behind Eternal Wines and the Drink Washington State label.  Just the stories behind the names are fascinating.  Wait until you hear how and why he makes the wine!

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2019)  Did you have any idea there was a matchmaking service for wine grapes?  We met one on today's show!

The mother-daughter team at Kendall Farms used to grow wine grapes and make wine.  They still do today, but the focus on the business is to make sure no Northwest grape goes to waste.  Then we head to Oregon's Willamette Valley to meet the man behind William Rose Wines.  You'll love his accent, and his quest to help other budding winemakers through something called Oregon Wine Lab.

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2019)  One of Oregon's prized valleys for wine has a new AVA...because the grapes are definitely different there.

The man who began Rivers Edge Winery in Elkton stops by to share his winery's story, as well as what made his region of wine country deserve it's own distinction.  Then we're off to central Oregon to meet a bartender who had tasted plenty of good spirits, then decided to make his own.  It's really fun learning about Oregon Spirits Distillery in Bend, and their line-up of unique products.

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2019)  We begin the new year by taking a trip to a local island to discover some really delicious wine!

The people behind Fletcher Bay Winery on Bainbridge Island stop by to talk about how they do what they do...as well as the others now making wine on the popular Washington island.   Then we head south to Oregon's Willamette Valley to learn the story behind Wildcraft Cider Works.  This popular operation in Eugene does some really interesting things with fruit!

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2018)  Sometimes, the person in charge of writing "titles" for the show gets a little too creative.  However, it IS true this episode features both cephalopods and train stations.

First, we sit down with one of Washington's female winemakers to get the story behind her two labels:  Cote Bonneville and Train Station.  Both are based in the Yakima Valley.  Then, we're back to Seattle for the fascinating story behind Mollusk Brewing.  They do things a little differently there!  We finally round things out in Idaho to meet the family that runs Fujitsun Cellars.

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2018)  Who are we kidding?  There's no place like Bend, Oregon. But as you're about to find out, just because the name says "Bend" doesn't mean that's the entire story.

This becomes much more clear as we sit down with the people behind Bend Distillery and learn more about their line of fine spirits AND that it wasn't named after the city.  Before we take you down this snowy road, we'll learn the story of Milbrandt Vineyards in Washington's Yakima Valley.  They have something special in the middle of all those Yakima hops!

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2018)  Maybe you're reading the title of this week's show and thinking "what?"  Well, we were just trying to be clever with the names of our guests.

First, we sit down with the people behind Eugene's Noble Estate Vineyard & Winery, and learn how this operation out in the country has become a major player in Willamette Valley wine.  Next, we head east over the Cascades to Bend to hear the story of Monkless Belgian Ales.  The guy behind this operation had made beer for friends for years.  One day, someone challenged him to "go pro," and he hasn't looked back since!

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2018)  Every fall presents a challenge for our show.  It's harvest time, which means the people who are normally guests, are busy in the vineyards.  Since we taped this show during harvest, we thought it might be fun to do something a little different.

For the first time ever on Northwest Wine Radio, we're going back to school.  We're spending the entire show with the people behind NW Wine Academy, which is headquartered at South Seattle College.  We take an in-depth look into their program, and even get a chance to meet students working towards their certificate.

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.

(2018)  This week's show is a "trifecta" in the adult beverage world, featuring stories of wine, beer, and spirits. 

Not every brewer strikes gold in the first year.  Then again, the guys behind Yakima's Single Hill Brewing aren't just any brewers.  You'll definitely enjoy the story of their beer, as well as their "good vibes" philosophy.  Speaking of first time victories, we meet the winemaker behind Oregon's King Estate, and find out it's his first job as a winemaker.  It's amazing when you consider the accolades he's won! 

Then, we get a chance to sit down with the man behind Pacific Distillery of Woodinville, and learn a little about absinthe...and the correct way to sip it!

Join host Brian Calvert for all this, plus Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery stops by to answer our wine questions, Justin Stiefel of Heritage Distilling Company mixes-up our "Drink of the Week," and the "Wine Moms" will have a wine recommendation.