Wine Road: The Wine, When & Where of Sonoma County

Episode 210 

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today, we were joined by Ed Morris, the winemaker at River Road Family Vineyards & Winery! He shared insights into his innovative oak program, deepening our understanding of the winemaking process and how it harmonizes with nature. We also explored the Blue Bin product line, wines in 100% recycled bottles, highlighting their environmental benefits and ability to maintain the wine's quality - this reflects on both the artistry of winemaking and the significance of sustainability, presented through the lens of River Road Family Vineyards.

Fast Five:

Leo from Leo Steen Wines

Slice & Spice (BBQ Eggplant Roll-Ups)

1 Eggplant - Sliced thin, (with a mandolin, preferably) and then dried off, and salted to your preference Add a dash of olive oil and balsamic, grill eggplant on BBQ Shave a bunch of parmesan cheese Fennel seeds ground in a mortar  Orange zest (lots!)  Mix the cheese, fennel and zest together, put on the eggplant and roll them up - enjoy! 

Links: 

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Leo Steen Wines

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 209 

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Elizabeth Miller, Director of Sales at DaVero Farms & Winery

Join our chat with Elizabeth Miller from DaVero Farms and Winery, a beacon of eco-friendly farming and genuine Italian charm. Dive into an immersive experience with tours around their captivating gardens, vineyards, and olive groves, coupled with guided tastings of their exceptional wines and olive oils. DaVero's commitment to sustainability and passion for nature make it a must-visit location for wine lovers and environmental enthusiasts alike.

Fast Five: 

Lamb Chops by Katarina Bonde from West Wines

Ingredients:  Lamb chops Spices- Sage, lavender, parsley (whatever spices you like) Salt & Pepper Garlic Cottage Cheese

Pat the spices, salt & pepper on the lamb chops, cover in cling wrap and let it rest in the fridge.

Put garlic cloves in a pan with some of the herbs, and cottage cheese - this becomes the cream sauce.

BBQ Lamb chops to desired doneness level, then put a dollop of the cream sauce on each lamb chop.

Pairs well with a Cabernet Sauvignon from West Wines.

Links:

https://davero.com/visit/

https://westwines.com/

https://www.wineroad.com/events/harvestwinetrail/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 208

Redsicover the charming town of Sebastopol with us! Enjoy a hot cuppa from Retrograde Coffee and Sunshine or delve into the world of tea at Many Rivers. We also share some of our favorite dining delights such as The Redwood and Pilar for authentic Georgian cuisine.

Secondly, we provide an in-depth look into the thriving wineries of Sebastopol, including Dutton Estate, Russian River Vineyards, and Emeritus. From walking tours to the energetic Peacetown Summer Concerts, we share a variety of activities.

Wines of the Day- Emeritus Hallberg Ranch Pinot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Hill Pinot Noir 

Links: 

Fairfield Inn & Suites

https://www.duttonestate.com/

https://duttongoldfield.com/

https://www.ballettovineyards.com/

https://www.russianrivervineyards.com/

https://www.ektimowines.com/

https://lynmarestate.com/

https://www.emeritusvineyards.com/

https://moshinvineyards.com/

https://www.sebastopol.org/

https://www.goldridgeorganicfarms.com/

https://www.wineroad.com/events/harvestwinetrail/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 207

Ron Rubin, Owner of River Road Family Vineyard and Winery

We are so excited to welcome Ron Rubin, the "patron saint" of the Wine Road Podcast! We discuss his journey in the wine industry, his initiatives, and dedication toward sustainability and community outreach. Truly a treasure to Sonoma County, we're so happy to have him on the show. Grab a glass of his BLUE BIN and join us! 

Wine of the Day- not-yet bottled River Road Family Vineyards and Winery Pinot Meunier

Sponsor & Guest: 

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Sponsored by River Road Family Vineyards & Winery

Episode 206

Listen in today as we share wine and stories with Leo Hansen, the owner and winemaker of Leo Steen Wines.

Known for making incredible Chenin Blanc, we start the show with the very first release of a Sparkling Chenin Blanc - what a great way to start the show! This bottle did go into the recording studio with us, then home with Beth!

Episode 205

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today we are joined by Katarina Bonde, the owner and winemaker of West Wines. She reveals how she transitioned from a background in music and software to winemaking and shares unique experiences like harvest walks and library tastings at West Wines, fostering a sense of community in Dry Creek Valley.

Two(!) wines of the day:

West Wines Crest Cuveé & West Wines 2022 Viognier

Fast Five: Richard's Summer Dessert!

-Peaches -Butter (or plant milk works too) -Brown sugar -Cinnamon -Salted Pistachios

Cut peaches in half, take out pit Whisk butter, cinnamon and sugar into a paste.  Roughly chop pistachios Dredge the peaches in the paste Place on  hot grill, flat side down first, char for about a minute and a half  Flip them over, put the rest of the paste on the charred half, cook for another minute and a half  Once plated, sprinkle with salted pistachios

Potential sixth ingredient: Vanilla ice cream! Or coconut bliss ice cream :) 

Links:

https://westwines.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 204 Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Episode 204 unpacks Moshin Vineyards through a chat with Rick Moshin, shedding light on new varietals like the 2023 Vermintino and exclusive events such as the Bordeaux river cruise. Besides the vineyard's rich history, listeners learn about upcoming events like Amber's art show, a writing workshop, and a joint venture with Swan Winery.

Wine of the Day: Moshin Vineyards 2023 Vermentino

Fast Five: Coco, co-host of Rockin' Vino

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan optional!) Ingredients: -Bananas -Applesauce -Oats -Milk (almond or otherwise is fine too!) -Vanilla -Chocolate Chips -Cinnamon

Set oven to 325 Mash up the bananas, then you put in the applesauce, some oats, a little bit of milk and vanilla, and just mix it all together and then add in, like if you wanted to add cinnamon, which I always do, and then add in your chocolate chips once everything is mixed in. And then you put it on a pan, smash it down a little bit, and bake it for about 15 minutes or so, and they come out delicious.

Links:

https://moshinvineyards.com/

https://www.rocknvino.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 203

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Mark Elcombe, Home Place Manager at Sonoma-Cutrer

This podcast highlights Marc Elcombe of Sonoma-Cutrer, delving into the winery's distinct offerings and acclaimed Chardonnays. Known for tastings, vineyard tours, and unique croquet games, Sonoma-Cutrerstands as a noteworthy asset in the wine industry. Recently, the winery was welcomed into the prestigious Duckhorn Portfolio, cementing its position in the wine market.

Wine of the Day: Sonoma-Cutrer 2021 The Cutrer Chardonnay

Fast Five:

Lemon Spaghetti by Michelle from Rock'n'Vino

Olive Oil Parmesan Cheese 1 Garlic clove  Lemon (Meyer or Eureka) Spaghetti

Use a microplane zester for the following: Zest lemon, Zest garlic clove, zest a fluffy pile of parmesan cheese into a bowl. Add olive oil, squeeze the juice of the lemon juice in and stir. Once pasta is to al-dente readiness, scoop it out and throw it into the bowl with the dressing. Add a little bit of pasta water if it needs to loosen up. And THAT’S IT. :) 

Links: https://www.sonomacutrer.com/

https://www.rocknvino.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 202

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

In this podcast episode, Dustin Moilanen, co-founder and winemaking director at ACTA shares insights about their unique winemaking process. ACTA, embodying their Latin motto 'Acta Non Verba' or 'Deeds Not Words', puts emphasis on intentional winemaking. Highlighted in the discussion is their signature red blend, Deeds, a rich mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and sometimes Malbec.

Wine of the Day: ACTA 2021 Deeds

Fast Five: 

Shane from Wilson Winery: Pulled Pork! 

Pork Tenderloin Sweet Teriyaki BBQ Sauce Brown Sugar Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Cup Chicken Stock 

Crock pot for 5-6 hours - shred with forks, eat on a brioche bun - include coleslaw if you want, but Shane isn’t a coleslaw guy. 

Pairs well with any Wilson Winery Zinfandel!

Links: 

https://actawine.com/

https://www.wilsonwinery.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 201

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Carol Shelton, Winemaker and Owner of Carol Shelton Wines

Today we are joined by renowned winemaker Carol Shelton! We delve into her favorites- currently, the 2022 Coquille Blanc and Wild Thing Rendezvous Rosé, discussing their distinctive winemaking processes. She emphasizes the critical role barrel selection plays in shaping the wines' flavor profiles and highlights the richness of her wines through food pairing, providing a recipe for an asparagus tart that beautifully complements the Coquille Blanc.

Wines of the Day:

Carol Shelton 2022 Coquille Blanc

Wild Thing 2023 Rendezvous Rosé

Fast Five: Carol's "Asparagus Tart" - Or Fancy Pizza :)

Instructions from Carol herself:

Here are the FIVE (sort of, I cheated a bit): 1 roll of crescent roll dough (or puff pastry if you have to be fancy) 2 T. Dijon mustard 2 c. freshly grated gruyère cheese (or fontina or asiago) 1 # very skinny asparagus, tough ends snapped or cut off, then cut into 1” lengths ½ c. freshly grated parmesan cheese A squeeze of fresh lemon juice and its zest (optional) A sprinkling of Herbes de Provence (optional)   Preheat oven to 400°F. Flatten out crescent roll dough into a rectangle (approx. 12”x9”) on parchment paper on a sheet pan. Prick it all over with a fork (called “docking it”).  Spread the mustard evenly over the docked dough.  Sprinkle grated gruyère over crust, avoiding edges so it won’t bubble over when hot. Lay asparagus over the bed of cheese and sprinkle herbs, parmesan and lemon juice/zest on top.  You can make a nice pattern of the asparagus if you want to get fancy! Bake at 400°F for 15-20 min or until pastry edges are brown and crispy and cheese is melted. Cut into squares and serve—top with a squeeze of balsamic glaze if desired.

Links:

https://www.carolshelton.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/