Known as one of the 11 most extreme vineyards in the world, Lerkekasa shares the same latitude as Siberia, Southern Greenland and Alaska, yet pioneer vintners, Joar Saeetem and Wenche Hvattum, are trying to find grapes that thrive there.

Hosts Linda Rez and William Pollard talk about Lerkekasa and share the stories behind Linda's recent visit and wine tasting.  

Passionate people sharing their love of wine making in a beautiful setting, make sure to visit Lerkekasa when you travel to Norway.  You will not be disappointed.

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Hosts Linda Rez and William Pollard from Wild4Washington Wine feature great wines from Chile on today's Wine Muse as they discuss the earthquake and what it might mean for the wine industry there.

William will taste and review the 2008 Montes Merlot as well as review their Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc.

Rez and Andy welcome author and speaker Matt Fradd to today's show to talk about the physical, mental, and emotional effects of addiction.

Matt is the executive director of The Effect and Integrity Restored (integrityrestored.com). He is the author of the book Delivered: True Stories of Men and Women Who Turned From to Purity and he and his wife coauthored Restored:True Stories of Love and Trust After . A popular speaker and Catholic apologist, he has addressed thousands of people around the world and appeared on EWTN, ABC, and the BBC. Matt is also the founder of the website, TheEffect.com, which is dedicated to helping men and women break free from the vice. He has produced several audio and video resources on the topic, including Taking Down Goliath: Five Strategies to Get Out of Your Life, The Ugly Truth, and The Man Talk (all available from Catholic Answers). He lives in North Georgia, with his wife Cameron and their four children.

Rez and Andy welcome author Cathy Romano to the show to talk (and laugh) about her book, Does This Date Make My Ass Look Big.

Have you ever noticed that everywhere you go people are talking about last night's date? So did Cathy Romano and this book is one curious woman's 18 month journey collecting dating stories from women who wanted to share theirs with her, without holding back. DOES THIS DATE MAKE MY ASS LOOK BIG: WOMEN SHARING ONLINE DATING'S BOTTOM LINE features 15 anonymous stories. Interwoven into each story is hope, help, some humor and even a silver lining. The blend of shocking and sweet stories will enlighten you and help answer the question Cathy was after for women her age: What is today's online dating world really like? For the answer, pick up this short, fun read for yourself or as a gift for a friend looking to plunge into the digital dating waters. It might just be the thing to keep her afloat!

Zach Skow, the founder of Marley's Mutts, was diagnosed with end stage liver disease in July of 2008 due to his excessive drinking.  In fact, Zach had battled alcoholism since his teens. As he tried to get healthy enough to receive a liver transplant, the doctors advised him to exercise and quit drinking.  Sick and weak, Zach started walking with his father's rescue dogs, including a Rottweiler–pit bull mix named Marley. The dogs in Zach's life loved him unconditionally and helped him survive his illness.  Today Zach is healthy and sober and repaying the debt, rescuing the hardest to adopt dogs and finding them loving forever homes. 

 

Zach can relate to the dogs, he says that without alcohol, he was vulnerable and scared—much like the dogs he now rescues from shelters. When Zach walks into a shelter, he sees himself in the destitute dogs, and they in him. He knows intimately what it is like to feel worthless and unwanted. He felt like a “throwaway human”, and to most people, the dogs in the most hard-knock shelters are throwaway dogs. 

Also on the show, Jolene and Shawn Heath from Heath's Haven Dog Rescue. Heath’s Haven Rescue & Sanctuary is a special needs rescue for dogs with neurological issues, spinal injuries, paralysis, and mobility issues. 

Wine Muse hosts Linda Rez and William Pollard welcome Rex Pickett--author of the all-time most dramatically influential book about wine: Sideways. Sideways was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay; it also won over 350 awards from critics.  In 2011 Mr. Pickett published Vertical which continues the story of Miles and Jack as they embark on a roadtrip with Miles' mom, her nurse, and her dog through wine country and middle America. Vertical explores Miles' relationship with his mother and his coming to grips with her impending death.

He has a new book in the trilogy, Sideways 3 Chile, you won't want to miss, which follows Miles' life and wine adventures in Chile.

Author and filmmaker Stormy May is changing the way equestrians think about their horses: no bits, no saddles....no riding.  Her popular documentary film, The Path of the Horse, is a fascinating look at the horse and human heart and the other-worldy potential for their relationship. 

About a decade ago, Stormy, formerly a champion competitor, instructor, and judge in equestrian sporting events, sold her ranch and bought a camera.  She set out to travel the world and film the greatest horsemen and women, people whom she respected and read, and to learn a different and more humane way to work with horses.  Her journey uncovered research that challenged her thinking and led her to look at her relationship with her own horses much differently.

She'll share her journey and her thoughts on horses in this conversation on Minstrel and Muse.

Wine Muse hosts Linda Rez and William Pollard welcome Chris Kajani from Carneros' Bouchaine Vineyards.  Chris has recently taken the winemaking reins from legendary vintner Michael Richmond and she stops by to share the story behind their fantastic Riesling, a non-traditional staple in a region dominated by Pinot Noir.

Wine Must hosts Linda Rez and William Pollard welcome Ghost Hills Cellars' Mike Bayliss from Yamhill Carlton's AVA in Oregon.  Mike shares the real-life ghost story behind his label as well as the long history his family has had in that area and why they turned to growing grapes and making wine.

Wine Muse hosts, Linda Rez and William Pollard welcome Wayne Bailey, fellow elopee and vigneron from McMinville, Orgeon's, Youngberg Hill Vineyards.  Youngberg Hill has a gorgeous vineyard and Inn that offers wedding and elopement packages along with their standard tasting and visiting schedule.  If you're heading to Oregon to taste wine or looking for a spectacular vacation spot for wine lovers, you won't want to miss this conversation.