The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

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]

To me a Journeyman is someone who has spent their career learning from those around them, expanding their knowledge and then sharing with their peers.  If we agree on that then Mike Drash is truly a Journeyman since his first position at DeLoach Winery then on to J winery in the Russian River Valley. Next moving to the Napa Valley working at Far Niente and as Winemaker at Luna Vineyard and his own brand Tallulah. But not until taking a winemaking position in Southern Minnesota that he had to take all that experience and apply it to varieties and grape growing conditions unlike anything he had worked with, another time to learn. 2020 finds Mike taking on another chance to learn as winemaker for Stone Tower Winery in Virginia,  I wonder if Thomas Jefferson would have anything to share with Mike. Hope you enjoy this week’s show, but you can’t listen until you have voted. Cheers!!! www.stonetowerwinery.com @stonetowerwinery @winemakermiked

This week we virtually visit Anderson Valley and chat with the owners of Bee Hunter Wine. This region is typically known for Pinot Noir and racy whites but there is a lot more going on up there. One of our listeners turned us on to this “dynamic duo” and their funny way of talking up there. If you have never heard of Boontling, we will translate some of their favorite sayings. Super cool humans and talented winemakers. Do you know anyone that was born in a “fairy ring” ?? You will if you listen to the show, check it out… beehunterwine.com @beehunterwine

This week we wish John Myers a Happy Birthday and talk about female wine influencers, UV light for grapes and smoke taint. [EP166]

Rosalind Reynolds started her journey into wine at a young age, working on experimental techniques in the lab for Gallo. Her passion for making wine pushed her to “harvest hop” around the world, finally settling in as assistant winemaker to Pax Mahle in Sebastopol. Rosalind then started her own label, Emme Wines, making small batches with unique varietals in a crushpad that can only be described as an incubator for young, talented winemakers. Sam and Brian were literally left speechless when she described some of the projects she was working on. Wine drinkers, meet your future, young winemakers that are more than willing to think outside the box and bring you fresh, interesting wines. She just released her new wines this week, I encourage you to act quickly if you want to try them. emmewines.com info@emmewines.com @rosalindsreynolds To attend the Voter Registration Party on Monday go to ashesdiamonds.com

This week we sit down with Jen Reichardt, owner-winemaker at Raft Wines. Jennifer was raised in Petaluma, born into a family of duck farmers. In 2016 she started her own wine label, focusing on unique varietals from interesting vineyards, maintaining a price point that was accessible to everyday wine drinkers. Her wines have also given her a platform to raise awareness about voting issues, supporting restaurant workers and obviously delicious duck consumption. In the midst of our current round of fries, we also discuss smoke taint and the issue of climate change. We encourage our listeners to follow Jennifer on Instagram and reach out to your House Representatives via the Capital switchboard to help us pass the Restaurants Act. Tune in, turn on, eat local, drink local… [EP164] Capitol Switchboard – 202-224-3121 drink.raft.wine @duckdaughterjj @raftwines @miracle.plum

With the sale of the Benziger Family Winery to The Wine Group in 2015, Joe and Mike Benziger have left as well as Tim Wallace. So who stepped up to continue in the family tradition? Jill Benziger took over Consumer, Trade and outreach Liaison and her sister Jamie, named Wine Enthusiast Magazines 40 under 40 tastemakers in 2019, took over as winemaker at Imagery. We sit down with the new generation to see how the transfer of power is going. The commitment to Biodynamic farming and the passion for making great wine is still there. So what’s different ? Give it a listen and find out. Benziger.com Imagerywinery.com @imagerywinery @benzigerwinery The Wine Makers is #9 on the list of Top 30 Wine Podcasts of 2020!