Mendocino County, located on the coast of northern California, approximately equidistant from the San Francisco Bay Area and the California/Oregon border, was originally coined “the emerald triangle.” Today, thanks to Bernadette Byrne, the executive director of the Mendocino Winegrowers Association, Mendocino is now known for producing quality wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and more. The region is diverse, the family farmed vineyards are quaint, and the wines fly free (on participating airlines). Come visit Mendocino County through Bernadette’s interview on this episode of The Vine Guy.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2019 McNab Ridge Winery Grenache Rose, Mendocino

2013 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

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Fred Ryan, Jr has been an aficionado of both wine and White House history for most of his life, and in his new book, Wine and the White House, A History, Ryan takes the reader on a journey through history to reveal just how influential wine has been in diplomacy and social entertaining since the founding of our country. The book is richly illustrated and peppered with fascinating anecdotes from each administration. Drink in the entertaining episode with the incredibly charming Fred Ryan.

Wines tasted in the episode:

2016 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, North Coast, California

1994 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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Ross Halleck is a lover of all things Pinot Noir and so, it turns out, is singer Josh Groban. Several years ago, Josh reached out to Ross and asked him to team up to make a very special blend for a very special project. In addition to Pinot, Ross also makes a wine that usually does not get a lot of attention in California; Gewürztraminer. Drink in the episode with Halleck Vineyard’s Ross Halleck.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2019 Halleck Vineyard “Calendrelli” Gewürztraminer

2017 Halleck Vineyard “Three Sons” Cuvee Pinot Noir

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Pamela Wood is a certified wine educator, American wine expert and certified sommelier who traded in her skis for cork screws. Originally from Southern California, Pam’s life changed during a ski trip to Utah after college. Skiing led to a career in hospitality, and that in turn led Pamela to her passion for exploring the world of wine and sharing it with others. Today, Pam is the director of education for the Culinary Wine Institute USA, providing wine sales and service training to restaurants around the country. According to Pam, "The world of wine has something for everyone." Drink in the episode with the enthusiastic Pamela Wood.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2018 Garofoli Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi Macrina from Marche, Italy

2016 Hewitson Miss Harry “Harriet’s Blend” from Barossa Valley, Australia

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When Alex Golitzin started Quilceda Creek back in the 1970s, his uncle André Tchelistcheff, America’s most influential winemaker, told him to do one thing and do it well. Golitzin decided to make Cabernet Sauvignon in the Columbia Valley in Washington state. Today, winemaker Alex Stewart carries on the tradition by crafting some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines in America, using minimal intervention to let the stunning Columbia Valley fruit shine through. Drink in this delightful conversation with the oh-so modest Alex Stewart.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2017 Quilceda Creek CVR (Columbia Valley Red), Washington State

2017 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State

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Certified Sommelier/CEO Consultant Jim Schleckser told me last year during a Vine Guy podcast episode that he was going to write a book about entertaining in a professional setting. Well, he did it! Professional Drinking: A Spirited Guide to Wine, Cocktails and Confident Business Entertaining is out this week and Jim joins me on the podcast to talk about his new book and give a few tips on ordering wine in a restaurant. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the wine game, you’re going to want to drink in this fun and enjoyable episode with my friend, Jim Schleckser.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2015 Badia a Passignano Gran Selezione Chianti from Italy

2015 George Vintage XIII Hansen Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley

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Robert Hayk is on a mission to introduce Americans to wines they have no idea about, namely wines from Bulgaria. In addition to the incredible value these wines offer, Robert is also obsessed with providing quality in the bottle (or can) and transparency on the label. Drink in this very candid – and politically intriguing – conversation with wine importer Robert Hayk.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2018 Bulgariana Pinot Noir

2018 Rough Day Cabernet Sauvignon

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Born in Jamaica, Nadine Brown’s journey from social worker to Sommelier has been an unexpected-yet-rewarding experience. Nadine is considered one of the top wine directors in Washington, D.C., and it’s easy to see why, particularly when she defends her All-American wine list. In this episode, we try a “Las Vegas Showgirl” wine from the “pinch” of Napa Valley and learn about The Veraison Project, a program directed at getting people of color more involved in the wine industry. Drink in this interview with Nadine Brown.

Wines Tasted In This Episode:
2018 Chateau Famaey Sparkling Malbec Rose Pet-Nat
2017 Hour Glass “HGIII” Red Wine from Napa Valley, CA

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“We’d go home at two in the morning, play guitar and drink DRC Échezeaux and Richebourg and not know it was anything special…”

Tim McDonald, chief everything officer of Wine and Spirits Spoken Here, has taken a very interesting road from Las Vegas waiter, to beverage supplier, to wholesale manager, to media consultant, and now head wine judge for several major wine competitions. He likes to think of himself as “wine curious.” What he is is an amazing storyteller. Drink in his story on this episode of the Vine Guy. 

Wines tasted in this episode:

2018 Qupe Y Block Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

2018 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir

2018 Qupe Central Coast Estate Syrah

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