The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

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!

This week we celebrate one of our favorite holidays by sitting down with the two biggest champions of Grenache. The Haas & the Perrin Family changed the focus of the wine industry in California by introducing Rhone varietals to the New World. Sondra Bernstein from the girl & the fig forced wine lovers to step out of their comfort zones by only offering these wines at her hugely successful restaurant in Sonoma. These were not seen as smart business decisions at the time, but passion and focus sometimes override logic. Thank God, we hope you enjoy the show! [EP162] tablascreek.com thegirlandthefig.com @figgirl @tablascreek @MJ Towler @hospicedurhone

We are in the middle of Harvest and still dealing with fires, smoke and heat. This show was sort of a break from reality for us, some meat but also a lot of fat. Ramblin on. [EP161]

This week we have a little fun and taste through the new releases from Sixteen600 and Bart offers a special vertical Zinfandel promo. If you happen to listen to the entire show you will be rewarded with some stupid ramblings from the Wine Makers. You can tell we are suffering from PTSD. Sonoma Strong has become Sonoma Tired. Enjoy everyone… Cheers! [EP160]

We are experiencing fires in a large portion of our wine growing regions due to a lightning storm that brought over 11,000 strikes in a 72 hour period. The smell of smoke has become a part of our daily lives for the past two weeks. First and foremost our hearts go out to all the families that have lost loved ones and their homes. Being that the fires have started so early in the picking season, we have a new challenge this year, smoke. Vineyards that have prolonged exposure to smoke risk being “tainted” by the smell and flavor of the fires. What does that mean for this years harvest? This is not an easy or fun conversation to have but we thought it was important to honestly discuss the ramifications. Stay safe, tune in…