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A wide-ranging conversation with Rex Pickett, the author of Sideways! Yes, the novel, which became one of the most loved wine movies ever. How did it make it to the big screen? What other adventures has Miles (the main character) had - hear about the sequels, and about Rex's interesting life! Plus delicious wines are tasted, and many laughs are had.

Buy Rex's books HERE!

See all the pics HERE!!

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Wines tasted this episode:

2021 Mark Ryan "Numbskull", Columbia Valley

2017 Two Hands "Lily's Garden" Shiraz, McLaren Vale

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Karen MacNeil wrote the WINE BIBLE in 2001, and since then it's gone on to sell a million copies, and been revised a couple of times. So, obviously, Karen is someone a LOT of people look to for knowledge about wine. It's "the bible" right? She and Mike talk about how Karen began her journey in wine, how she tastes particular wines, Mike's fascination with wine bottles and their shapes, and of course they do some tasting! 

Wanna *see* the action? Follow Mike on Instagram, to keep up on the wines he's drinking, food he's eating and more! And feel free to check in via email, ask a question, or just get your own set of "official" TallMikeWine Podcast coasters, drop a line!

Wines Discussed This Episode:

2022 Domaine Grosbois Chinon La Cuisine de ma Mère, Loire Valley

2012 Six Sigma Cabernet Saugignon Else's Vineyard, Lake County

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Mike's Canadian pal, Amy Tyler hops on a Zoom call to talk about BOOKS! Amy hosts the Redfern Book Review Podcast and has a lineup of good reads for the summer. Some good wines are sipped, and there's also a very detailed explanation about the differences between white wine, pink wine, red wine, and even orange wine!

Are you following Mike on Instagram? Get on it!! How about some "official" TallMikeWine Podcast coasters? Send an email with your address and Mike will send you a stack!

Wines discussed this episode:

2024 Saintly, The Good Rosé, Brittish Columbia

2020 Tolaini Cabernet Sauvignon "Legit", IGT Toscana

Books discussed:

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Table for Two by Amor Towles

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Fortune Favors the Dead by Susan Jane Wright

Podcasts discussed:

Monica Lewinsky - Reclaiming

Fail Better with David Duchovny

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IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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The eldest son of Nicholson Ranch owner/winemaker Deepak Gulrajani (a multiple-time guest on the podcast), Zander, is now the Assistant Winemaker at the Ranch! He's got great stories of growing up on the property, and in Sonoma, driving a Rolls Royce to his prom, and also the devastating effect the 2017 wildfires had on he and his family. He also has one of the most infectious laughs you'll ever hear.

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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Fabiano Ramaci is making Amarone-style wines in Sonoma. Amarone is Mike's favorite Italian wine. Of course he had to have him on the podcast! It's a great conversation about Fabiano's Italian heritage and growing up in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, the restaurant business, and the usual chattering about some very tasty wines!

Take a look behind the scenes by following Mike on Instagram! Want your own set of "official" TallMikeWine Podcast coasters??? Drop an email HERE. Mike would love to hear from you!

Wines discussed this episode:

2024 Mora Estate Rosato, Sonoma County

2019 Mora Estate Valpo, Sonoma County

2016 Mora Estate Valporone, Sonoma County

BUY the wines here: Mora Estate Website

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IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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Bay Area native Brian Kulich started working in restaurants as a teen, and eventually worked in, and ran wine programs for Michelin Starred hot spots! Then Covid came and a dream of owning his own wine brand became a reality. Hear about the genesis of Brian David Wines, the state of the business, and find out about "purse wine". It's a fun chat. 

You listen to the show, but do you have the "Official" Coasters? Drop Mike an email and he'll send you a set. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for peeks behind the scenes.

Wines discussed this episode:

2021 Vangone Marsanne, Napa Valley

2023 Lish Wines Pinot Noir, Calesa Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma

Podcast Recommendation: Pivot Podcast

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A really fun guest from the first year of the podcast returns! Stacy Briscoe is a Sonoma-based journalist who loves exploring the ins and outs of the wine business. She's also a student of wine who's achieved the WSET Diploma Level Certification, and will eventually be a Master Of Wine. She and Mike compare the WSET with the Court of Master Sommeliers, touch on the latest "challenge" that has the whole wine industry talking AND sip a few delicious wines. Check it out!

I'm sure you'd love to see behind the scenes, the cool labels on the wines being sipped, what everyone looks like(!!), and the gear. Check it all out on Mike's Instagram.

How about a set of "official" TallMikeWine Podcast Coasters??? Got an idea for a show topic, a question or feedback? Send an email!

Wines discussed this episode:

2021 Paix Sur Terre Mourvèdre Been Away Too Long Denner Vineyard Paso Robles

2020 Time & Direction Syrah P&S Eritage Walla Walla Valley

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IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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Spencer Christian was the main weatherman on ABC's Good Morning America from the mid 1980s through the 1990s, and he's still at it, working the weather desk at ABC7 in San Francisco now for the past 25 years! Early in his career he developed a serious wine habit (and another habit we talk about). Spencer and Mike share a couple of wines, and delve into a life lived "on TV".

Be sure to follow Mike on Instagram to see behind the scenes! Got a question? Want your very own set of "official" TallMikeWine Podcast coasters? Send Mike an email!

This episode's wines:

2015 Chateau Mongravey, Margaux

2021 Guardian Cellars "Gun Metal", Columbia Valley

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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Temecula California! A rather under-sung wine region in Southern California takes the spotlight as Mike chats with Rob Crisell about his book "Temecula Valley Wineries". But that's not all! They also touch on avocados! Greek Tragedy! Kierkegaard, too!!! You better believe it's the wine podcast that NOT "all about wine."

See behind the scenes HERE on Mike's Instagram!

Wines discussed this episode:
2013 Ryme Cellars Aglianico, Luna Matta Vineyard, Paso Robles
2022 Crisell Vinayards "Last Companion", Temecula Valley

The BOOKS!
Temecula Valley Wineries (Amazon Link)
California Avocados: A Delicious History (Amazon Link)

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

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A swing through a few of Seattle's SODO (South of Downtown) tasting rooms, from Mike's recent Pacific Northwest road-trip!! Mike and his pal Tammy from High School sip and chat and laugh, follow along!

Wineries Visited:
Brown Family Vineyards (website)
EFESTE (website)
Spruce Hill Winery (website)

Have you followed Mike on Instagram? Please DO!!

How about a small monthly donation to keep the podcast commercial free, click the link below, and thanks for your support.

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!