The TallMikeWine Podcast

Episode 21 - A very unique episode! Mike packed up his microphone and went on vacation to Walla Walla Washington! Of course to taste wine, but also to talk to the people (he wanted to sing Karaoke but that didn't happen). Hear the people Mike met (he comes face-to-face with the Wine Woman of Walla Walla, Cara Almberg!) and his thoughts on all the driving he did - it's like being in the passenger's seat!

Restaurants discussed:
Hattaway's on Alder
Brasserie 4
The Green Lantern Tavern

Wineries visited:
Dunham Cellars
Eternal Wines/Drink Washington State
Sleight of Hand Cellars
Brook & Bull Cellars
Dusted Valley
Rasa Vineyards 
Moonbase Cellars
The Walls Winery/PÁŠXA wines
Cotes de Ciel Winery

Beer!
Immersion Brewing, Bend Oregon
Quirk Brewing Co, Walla Walla Washington

Episode 20 features Stacy Brsiscoe who didn't set out to be a wine journalist when she got out of college with a degree in American Literature. As often happens, wine found her! She tells Mike about slowly building a wine writing career on multiple platforms; the first time she really "got it" when drinking wine - there were lots of people around; about how she takes the sometimes "dry" business side of the wine world and makes it interesting (it's all about finding the people!); and what to avoid when taking a wine-drinking selfie. The two also sip and chat about a couple of deliciuos wines, discuss Stacy's former life as a personal trainer and her early years studying with the Jesuits! How can you not want to listen?

See pictures on Mike's Instagram @tallmikewine, drop an email to [email protected] for feedback, suggestions, or to request your official podcast coasters.

Wines discussed in this episode:
2020 Bodega Garzón Albariño "Reserva", Garzòn, Uruguay 
2011 Villa Creek Aglianico "Luna Matta Vineyard", Paso Robles 

For episode 19, Mike has a Zoom call with his friend Gordana in the United Arab Emirates. She is a Wine Specialist at a VERY fancy, over the top resort in Dubai. Find out how she got there, and what drives Gordana to continue her wine education to the highest level. How did all of this happen for a girl who grew up in the former Yugoslavia (now Serbia)? And why didn't she continue her education to play classical accordian? Also, Mike gives a shoutout to the Swipe East Swipe West podcast, it's a dating podcast that's super fun. See pictures on Mike's Instagram(@tallmikewine). As always, you may write to Mike via gmail ([email protected]) with questions, comments and suggestions.

If you listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, please rate and review - it helps A LOT!

Wine discussed this episode:
2016 Sadie Family Cinsault "Pofadder", Swartland South Africa

Big News! The Podcast has made it on a list of the Top Wine Podcasts...The Feedspot Top 45 Wine Podcasts. See the list HERE. Also, Mike is again "solo sipping" and he explains why (hint: harvest continues at Nicholson Ranch).

Care to tell Mike from where you listen to the Podcast? Please drop a line, to [email protected] - you can also see pictures of wines discussed on the show at Mike's Instagram. Follow it all on Instagram and/or Twitter to be super up to date.

Wines discussed this episode:
2014 Montepeloso "Eneo" Costa Toscana IGT
2014 Huge Bear Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
2016 Martin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, "Puerta Dorada Vineyard" Rutherford, Napa Valley

This "mini episode" is Mike at home, in between guests, with some behind the scenes winery stories of the people he meets, and doesn't quite meet, and what they tell him, and who's getting coasters! Also, wines he's been sipping - there are a few, and all delicious.

Please follow along on Mike's Instagram, and send an email to give Mike feedback, ask a question, or just to check in or request coasters!

Wines from this episode:
2013 Long Shadows Cabernet Sauvignon "Feather", Columbia Valley
2018 The Walls Winery "Stanly Groovy", Red Mountain
2009 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Game Ranch" Oakville, Napa Valley

Deepak is back for his 4th time on the Podcast, joining Mike in the Vintners room for a discussion and tasting of the Wine Club wines from the new Nicholson Ranch release. The guys also talk about the coming harvest, the life cycle of grape vines, and a coming expansion of Deepak's wine empire. See pictures on Mike's Instagram! Also, feel free to email Mike with feedback on the show, request coasters, or anything really.

Wines discussed this episode:
2018 Nicholson Ranch Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley Estate
2018 Nicholson Ranch Pinot Noir "Cactus Hill", Sonoma Coast Estate
2015 Nicholson Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The 17th installment of the Podcast finds Mike back in the Vintners room, with VJ Gandhi, wine importer, distributor, and retailer. VJ's company specializes in wines from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley wine region. There's yet another Love Story to be told in how VJ ended up moving to the states, and she also explains what prompted her to get into the wine bizz. The two of them also talk about Shania Twain and other notable Canadians. Oh, and they sip some wine and talk about it, too. It's the Wine Podcast like NO other! Check out Mike's Instagram for pictures, and email Mike to get your very own set of TallMikeWine coasters!

Wines discussed in this episode:
2014 Nicholson Ranch Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley Estate
2016 Poplar Grove "The Legacy", Okanagan Valley

Episode 16; Kerry Shiels grew up in Washington Wine Country. Her parents planted a vineyard when she was in Jr High. She went away to college and to start her "adult" life. Then her parents started a winery, and the vineyard became one of the more renowned vineyards in the state. Hear how Kerry re-tooled and came home to run the family winery. She and Mike also discuss life in "Disneyland for grownups"; Yakivegas vs. The Palm Springs of Washington; and sip a few nice wines and talk about them. It's the wine podcast like NO other!!!

See pictures on Mike's Instagram! @tallmikewine
Cote Bonneville website! cotebonneville.com

Wines discussed this episode:
2019 Cote Bonneville Rosé of Cabernet Franc, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley
2012 Famille Perrin "L'argnée" Vieilles Vignes, Gigondas

Podcasts discussed:
Music Student 101 (Kerry's fave)
Key Notes (Mike's fave, only available on Spotify)

An in-between guests episode, Mike talks to *himself* about what he's been drinking, life at the winery mid-summer, the Olympic games, his favorite thing to watch at the moment, AND a podcast recommendation.
To see pictures check out Mike's Instagram! And please send feedback, questions and coaster/sticker requests via email to: [email protected]

Wines discussed this episode:
2006 Quilceda Creek Merlot, Columbia Valley
2016 Nicholson Ranch Pinot Noir "777" Sonoma Coast

Podcast recommended: Key Notes w/Cole Cuchna (only on Spotify)

For episode 15 of the podcast Mike chats with Nicholson Ranch Chief Wine Scientist Jean-Claude Pijanowski. JC (as they call him at the winery) discusses his time in wine and his prior time working at NASA, including the time he met Carl Sagan and things got weird. The guys also taste two great wines from faraway lands, discuss the outlook for the 2020 and 2021 vintages, Mike introduces the Podcasts latest merchandise, and eventually the discussion turns to teleportation, time travel, the Billionaire Space Race and more! There is NO other wine podcast like it. Check out Mike's Instagram for some pictures of everything, and if you'd like to get your very own TallMikeWine Podcast coasters or stickers, drop a line to [email protected].

Wines tasted this episode:
2019 La Vigne du Roy, Tavel 
2014 De Martino Carmenere, Maipo Valley, Chile "Alto de Piedras"