The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

The guys gather this week on the day after… No not New Years Day, the day after what can only be described unbelievable. We touched on a number of subjects, everything from what’s going on in the vineyard to vineyard designated gummies. We are looking forward to 2021 and already have an entire list of guests we can’t wait to introduce you to. Stay safe everyone and we look forward to a great year. Cheers!!! [EP178]

Laura joined the conversation while sitting on her lanai on Kauai sipping a Pellegrino in the morning sun talking about wanting to distill some rum. Ahh, the life of a winemaker right ?? Not exactly… Dig deeper and you’ll find that she is extremely thoughtful in her approach to the wine business, almost like she has one eye on a barrel of Merlot and the other eye up in space looking down at the planet. She catches the attention of the critics, named Winemaker to watch in 2017 and recently having her Carneros Merlot selected as 1 of 12 wines that defined 2020 by Esther Mobley, but that is not her goal. Laura wants to make soulful wines made with intention for everybody to enjoy. Reacting to climate change, she has moved up to Washington to make more acid-driven white wines, in a cooler environment with lower overhead. She is not a fan of social media or even the process of selling, Laura simply wants to create beautiful wines. You can purchase some of these wines through Benchmark in Napa. Happy New Year, thanks for supporting us this year, it is truly appreciated. [EP177] 1614 Sixth Street Berkeley, CA  94710 (510) 883-3189 laura @ inconnuwine.com

Fine Disregard Wine Cowas founded by Mike Schieffer and Kara Maraden – both came to the Napa Valley drawn to wine from previous careers, Mike from Texas and Kara from Pennsylvania. Mike graduated from American University in Washington, DC – worked for the Discovery Channel – exploring a possible career in law – but then was bitten by the wine bug. His introduction to wine making came through a Rugby coach who connected him with several wineries in Bordeaux – Mike worked in Bordeaux in 2008 and later in the Hunter Valley in Australia where he was introduced to Sémillon – an introduction that would later influence his decision to work with Sémillon in the Napa Valley. Kara graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Master’s in Plant Pathology. Trying to determine a career – she initially helped managed large estate gardens in Pennsylvania, sold beer for a stint before moving to California in 2010. Initially seeking a job in a tasting room, she soon discovered viticulture was a better match to her interests and background. She has been a viticulturist for Clos Du Val, Regusci and Foley Family of Wines. [EP176] https://www.finedisregardwine.com

This week on the show we discuss the wines on our favorite year ending lists, Wine Spectator Top 100, Wine Spectator top 100 wines under $20, Esther Mobley’s 12 California wines that defined 2020 and Jeb Dunnuck top 100. We also discuss automated tractors, future guests, supply chain inequities and our personal favorite wines of 2020. Happy Holidays. [EP175]

Ray has had a life full of adventures, from traveling around Asia after graduating college to signing up to help build a sailboat and the being on the crew sailing around the South Pacific. Ray’s wine-making career began on various Sonoma Valley bottling lines in the late 1970’s. From there he worked at Kenwood Vineyards in the cellar for about 5 years. Ray also picked-up some Pinot Noir knowledge, by working a couple of harvests at Bouchaine Vineyards. In 1987 he began working as co winemaker for Laurel Glen Vineyards. When Ray first started, the wine world was a different place. He watched and learned as stainless steel tanks began replacing redwood tanks and concrete fermenters. He saw refrigeration become commonplace, and work in the vineyards and the wineries become more specific. He saw this willingness to change lead California to produce unique world class wines. Similarly, Ray developed as a winemaker first by following traditional procedures, then by following the more technical approach suggested by the University of Davis. Ultimately, Ray’s wine making style utilizes traditional, natural methods supported by technical knowledge. Ray is uniquely familiar with the difference between working with multiple vineyards to make one wine and using a single vineyard. In Argentina, the single vineyard concept is still new.  Before Ray’s first visit, he knew very little about Argentina. Once he arrived, he found great joy in the people, the culture, the food, and of course–the Malbec. The wine industry reminded him of California when he first started out. At that time, there was an influx of new people and new ideas. Change for the better was in the air, grounded by an appreciation and respect for tradition. [EP174] https://adelantewine.com/

The Wine Makers celebrate their favorite holiday of the year, Repeal Day, with Tom Wark, wine publicist, wine blogger and tireless advocate for wine consumers, producers and retailers. Perhaps best known for his Fermentation Wine Blog, where he never shies away from controversy and frequently takes on the archaic “Three-Tiered System” of wine sales that has allowed wholesalers to keep a stranglehold on the market since the repeal of prohibition. Listen in as Wark dispatches on 30 years in the wine business, the current state of wine shipping laws, neo-prohibitionists and much more! [EP173]

This week we gathered together on Zoom the day before Thanksgiving to answer some listeners’ questions. As a request from a couple of listeners we will be asking for suggestions and questions that we can attempt to answer each week. But to always be on brand we recommend that you “Question the Answers”. If nothing else we will eventually get the right answers to your questions. Brian, Sam, Bart and John are truly grateful for all your support for the podcast from you listeners. We love doing the podcast but it doesn’t mean anything if no one listens. [EP172]

Bertus grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and knew he wanted to be a winemaker at the age of 15. He went on to study Viticulture and Enology at the University of Stellenbosch, then working in the cellars at Deetlefs Estate, Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, Glen Carlou. In 2010 he came to California to work harvest in Napa Valley where he met Alli. But it wouldn’t be until 2012 when they had their first date at Bouchon and shared a bottle of 2008 Domaine Tempier. Whether it was his South African charm or the Mourvedre that swept Alli off her feet only she knows. In 2017 wanting to celebrate everything they hold dear: love, adventure, a sense of exploration, and one ton of Mourvedre from El Dorado County Belong Wine Co. was on its way. Bertus is also the winemaker at Tank Garage and James Cole Wines in Napa Valley, we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed his wines. www.belongwines.com @belongwineco @bertusvz

Just the name makes you wonder about the wines and who makes them. It all started with Syrah, funny how a lot of our winemaking guests have told us it started that way. Matt Nagy and Ben Brenner both found their way to California from the East Coast working at different wineries in Napa Valley. In 2013 they came together and started making Syah from the Las Madres Vineyard in Carneros. Now they are sourcing grapes from the Alder Spring vineyard in the farthest reaches of Mendocino County and down to Carmel Valley in Monterey County. All with the focus of sourcing the best grapes and staying out of the way. Minimal intervention is likely the best way to describe our winemaking style. “The idea of the winemaker is to be the reliable translator – to take what was made in the vineyard from sun, water, and soil and let it become the finest wine that it can be.” With that much time spent on the car I hope they are all caught up with all the episodes of The Winemakers Podcast. Check out this week’s show and Matt & Ben’s wines. [EP170] www.bnwines.com @bnwines info@bnwines.com

This week we’re joined by a trio of young winemakers who are making their voices heard about the future of winemaking in Sonoma Valley. Jack Sporer wears many hats, he runs the operations of Sonoma’s newest custom crush facility, Magnolia Wine Services, he’s the assistant winemaker for Bucklin Vineyards and has his own label, Fresh Wine Co. Through Magnolia he works with Dan Marioni who got hooked on making wine the hard way at Coturri Winery and now makes zero/zero Natural wines under labels D. Marioni Wines and Sonoma Mountain Winery. Rounding out this next-gen trio is a friend of the program, Isabel Gassier, who is making A Deux Tetes and some Sixteen 600 wines at Magnolia. Three different winemaker and winemaking styles all come together under the same roof in pursuit of the best grapes, the best vineyard and a true expression of Sonoma Valley. The future looks bright! [EP169]