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When we last checked in on Gloria Ferrer, the winery was undergoing a significant transition. With a new general manager in place, they were moving toward organic farming across their 300 acres, while also preparing for the retirement of their original winemaker and vineyard manager. Enter viticulturist Brad Kurtz, who not only spearheaded the shift to organic farming but also took a deep dive into re-evaluating every block of their estate vineyards—matching clones and rootstocks to specific soils for optimal results.
In early 2024, Kyle Altomare joined as Director of Winemaking. With experience at Raventos Codorniu and as Associate Winemaker for Artesa Vineyards, Kyle is now instrumental in crafting Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling wines and elevating the style and prestige of their estate. The goal: to refine and develop a signature house style defined by the purity of estate-grown fruit.
As this is the final show of the year, we encourage you to open a bottle of bubbles—preferably one made right here in California—and raise a glass to the bright future of California wine.
Thank you all for your amazing support of the podcast. Here’s to a sparkling 2024. Happy New Year [Ep 351]
gloriaferrer.com -
Brooke Delmas Robertson is one of our favorite people, and for good reason. Her Delmas SJR Vineyard Syrah was just named #10 on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2024, and shortly after, her Viognier earned a spot in Decanter's Top 50. Her family has been raising the bar in the Rocks District of Walla Walla for years, producing only about 1000 cases annually—flying under the radar, but with outstanding quality.
Brooke’s commitment to sustainability and family legacy shines through in her approach: “We want our vines to outlive us and be sustainable and strong for generations to come. That expectation requires daily oversight and a commitment to sustainability and healthy plants,” she says. “The driving vision to create a small, family-estate operation has been a family dream since my brother and I were kids. My work on behalf of the estate will continue to be a tribute to my late brother, whom the vineyard is named after. To life!”
In addition to her winemaking, Brooke serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Winegrower Association, representing Eastern Oregon. She’s a Level One Mentor with Bâtonnage (Women in Wine) and founded the Vineyard Technical Group for the Walla Walla Valley, partnering with Oregon State University and the Rocks District Winegrowers to provide ongoing education for wine growers in the region.
We highly recommend getting your hands on these wines, especially the Viognier and SJR Vineyard Syrah. Better yet, plan a trip to Walla Walla, Washington, and see firsthand the incredible work being done there. [Ep350]
www.delmaswines.com
@delmas_sjrvineyard -
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Stuart Spencer began his career with the Lodi Winegrape Commission in 1999 as the Program Manager where he was instrumental in conceptualizing and guiding many of the region’s successful marketing, research and education, and sustainable viticulture programs, including LODI RULES.
His passion for Historic Vineyards runs deep and his knowledge of the local history in Lodi is impressive. Stuart wrote an article in March of this year that highlighted the growing concerns over foreign bulk wines flooding the California wine industry that is truly shocking.
www.lodigrowers.com/imported-foreign-bulk-wine-the-dirty-secret-no-one-in-california-wine-is-talking-about
Stuart also is the winemaker for St. Amant Wine, his family winery that first planted grapes in Amador County back in the eighties, then went on to make wines in Lodi. We had the opportunity to try some of his wines and they were “off the charts” amazing. Enjoy the show and pick up some of his wines.
www.stamantwine.com
@st.amant_wine -
After first dipping his toes in the wine industry in the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia, Matt Crutchfield’s passion for wine truly blossomed in Charleston, South Carolina. Working in wine bars and retail shops allowed him to dive deep into the seemingly endless rabbit hole of wine knowledge. Initially, he planned to work a single harvest in Sonoma County to gain firsthand experience in winemaking before returning to hospitality in Charleston.
But after four harvests in Sonoma and another in New Zealand, it became clear that winemaking had completely captivated him. Instead of heading back to Charleston, Matt fully embraced the craft. Now the Assistant Winemaker at Ryme Cellars, he has been encouraged by owners Ryan and Megan to create some of his own wines. Inspired by Ryme’s skin-fermented styles, Matt has produced two chenin blancs—one fermented on the skins and one without—showcasing his unique approach to the varietal.
Enjoy our conversation with Matt and be sure to check out his wines! [Ep348]
https://www.mattcrutchfieldwines.com/
@mattcrutchfieldwines
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We were joined by the lovely Patrizia and Romano Chiari of Tenuta l’Impostino in Tuscany. Crafting organic Sangiovese blends using biodynamic principles for over 20 years, their wines are a testimony to the tradition and innovation of a lesser-known corner of Tuscan viticulture, Montecucco.
tenutaimpostino.it
@tenutaimpostinowinery -
This week on the podcast we have Ray Isle the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor of Travel + Leisure. His articles about wine, beer, food and spirits have appeared in a wide range of national publications. He speaks regularly on wine at events around the country and is a frequent guest on national media, appearing on programs such as NBC's Today, CBS Mornings, CNBC’s Squawk Box and many others. With those qualifications you might ask, what's he doing on The WineMakers Podcast...We were able to catch him while he was in Sonoma County while he was promoting his recent book The World in a Wineglass. Enjoy this great conversation that we had with Ray covering all sorts of current topics in the wine business. [Ep346]
Follow his wine exploits on Instagram @rayisle
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Aaron Pott is a true legend in wine country. Starting his career at newton Vineyards in Napa, he left the U.S. for a position as winemaker at Château Troplong-Mondot, a Premier Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, France. Aaron then moved to Château Troplong- Mondont after a year to become director at Château La Tour Figeac, a Grand Cru Classé located in Saint-Emilion. He spent five years there and, in the process, earned a degree in Viticulture from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France.
Aaron eventually returned to Napa and accepted the position of head winemaker in charge of international brands for Beringer before taking over as general manager and winemaker at Quintessa in 2004. After buying a piece of property on Mt. Veeder, Aaron and his wife Claire started Pott Wines, making Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Grenache. He continues to consult for numerous wineries, when he’s not surfing or watching soccer. All the wines are stellar, but that Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc are still on my mind. [Ep345]
pottwine.com
@aaron_pott -
This week on the podcast we welcome The River Club, a collaborative wine tasting space brought to you by two family-owned wineries, Belong Wine Co. and Paper Planes Wine Co. Just south of downtown Napa off the beaten path along the river in Napa's Tannery District this hidden gem offers epic river views and a refreshingly modern tasting experience.
Sourcing from vineyard sites from the Sonoma Coast to the Sierra Foothills, they met in Napa where they became friends in 2017 and soon began making their wines at the same winery. Realizing their shared passion, they were determined to open a space where they could share their wines that exemplify their spirit of exploration and sense of community.
A great conversation about not only these two distinct wine companies but also about opening a tasting room with a modern look and feeling. Check out this episode and make a reservation to go tasting at The River Club soon. [Ep344]
https://www.exploretock.com/riverclubnapa
https://www.paperplaneswine.com/
https://belongwines.com/ -
Isabel Gassier is in Sonoma this week for one of her semi-annual visits to taste and blend the Sixteen 600 and À Deux Têtes wines. Naturally, we had to ask her—how are the vineyards looking in France? Isabel is joined by Jack Sporer of Fres.co wines and our very own Phil Coturri. Together, they opened some old wines and some brand-new ones, letting the conversation flow. There's plenty of harvest wrap-up, vineyard talk, and fascinating blending discussion. Plus, we tease an exciting new collaboration wine between Fres.co and Sixteen 600. And most importantly... GO VOTE! [Ep 343]
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Peter Mathis, an old friend of the podcast and an extraordinary winemaker, stopped by the Sixteen 600 Tasting House this week to update us on his new releases and share stories from his life working alongside Joel Peterson to build the Ravenswood brand, as well as his experiences in Sonoma County Wine.
Enjoy as we hear Peter's fascinating stories and taste a bottle of his 2010 Grenache and his 2020 UberBlend. Sit back, pour a glass, and enjoy! [Ep342]
mathiswine.com -
Harvest is in full swing here in Sonoma, the guys take a moment to discuss how things are going, what to expect, and how the wines are tasting so far. The weather has been almost perfect, but a heat spike in the last few days may have affected some of the fruit, Sam has been out there every morning and weighs in on the issues. A compacted growing season has wine makers jockeying for tank space and press time, let's see what the guys have to say. [Ep341]
danecellars.com
winerysixteen600.com -
Paul Grieco has a storied career in wine and hospitality, beginning in his family’s Italian restaurant in Toronto and working his way to the heights of Manhattan dining rooms. He worked with the famed Danny Meyer and the-now celebrity chef Tom Colicchio when they opened the fabled Gramercy Tavern where Paul began as a server and eventually became beverage director. Despite all the accolades that come with hallowed halls of fine dining, Paul is most revered acclaimed and revolutionary wine bar Terroir and its now legendary Summer of Riesling. The guys had a chance to sit down with Paul and Tanner Walle of Valley Bar and Bottle when the Summer of Riesling hit Sonoma. We discuss the state of wine and hospitality in wide ranging and appropriately non-linear conversation.
In short, the Summer of Riesling collided with International Grenache Day as we approached the Autumnal Equinox on the back porch of the tasting house…and the results are spectacular. [Ep340] -
Bibiana is an absolute powerhouse in the wine industry, and we've been fans since she first appeared on the podcast 6 or 7 years ago. Her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in Medellin, Colombia, she dreamed of making wine as a teenager in a country with no real wine culture. Determined, she moved to France, graduated with honors from the University of Bordeaux, and went on to work at prestigious estates like Haut-Brion. She gained experience in Cote-Rotie with Michel and Stephane Ogier and Domaine Clusel-Roch, then moved to Alsace, Burgundy, South Africa, and finally, California.
In California, she worked for renowned wineries such as Peay, Qupe, Au Bon Climat, Lynmar, and Pahlmeyer before establishing her own labels: Cattleya and Alma de Cattleya. She also co-founded Shared Notes with her husband Jeff Pisoni—yes, that Pisoni. On top of her winemaking success, Bibiana now imports coffee from Colombia to roast in Sonoma County for a dedicated customer base. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a mother of two?
Her wines are remarkable, known for their generous acidity, depth, and length. She was recently featured in *Sonoma Magazine*, where she was photographed by James Joiner, with the photos even developed in her favorite wine. If you haven’t tried her wines yet, you're missing out! [Ep339]
winesbybibiana.com
cattleyawines.com
sharednoteswine.com
sonomamag.com -
Founded in 2011 by journeyman cellar hand and self-taught Winemaker Chris Christensen, Bodkin Wines disrupted the sparkling wine scene with America’s First Sparkling Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc in 2012. With one foot rooted in wine science and the other in craftsman- ship, Christensen’s minimalist philosophy guides his signature style of high acid, low alcohol wines. These wines have garnered over two dozen 90+ point scores in critical review over the past 8 years alone. In addition to being named as a ‘Winemaker to Watch’ by Esther Mobley of the SF Chronicle in 2017, Christensen was also selected to the Wine Enthusiasts’ 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list for 2020. As an African-American winemaker Christensen works to promote diversity and inclusion in the wine industry through speaking engagements, podcasts and mentorship opportunities for aspiring vintners and winery owners. [Ep 338]
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Harvest has begun and Sonoma Magazine has a beautifully put together Harvest Issue featuring many of the "Grand Cru Vineyards" of Sonoma County, their sense of place, history and future. Joining forces with renowned Photographer James Joiner, Abby presents intimate portraits of wine-making and winemakers here in Sonoma Co.
Also joining us was Marrielle Tinsley, well-known photographer and winemaker in Sonoma.
It's all about sense of place and Sonoma Magazine curates these stunning images 6 times a year. It's a well done publication and you can order this issue and others by emailing Abby at [email protected] [Ep 337] -
Rodrigo's interest in organic farming began at the Universidad Catôlica in Santiago, where he wrote his thesis on organic pest control. This paper led him to work with some esteemed leaders in the world of organic grape growing, including Alvaro Espinoza, Alan York, Ann Kramer, and Paul Dolan and Mike Benziger. After working as Director of Winemaking at Benziger he returned to Chile In 2012. Huneenus Vintners hired Rodrigo to convert four Chilean wineries and vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming. Next working for the Huneenus family at Quintessa in Napa Valley. But his time working in Sonoma made him think about all the mountain vineyards that he wasn't familiar with, which is when Far Mountain was conceived. "Far Mountain, describes the vineyard sites we work with and the greater settings in which those vineyards lie. There is a beautiful symmetry in these places, in that they are not only special sites for wine growing, but places we are physically drawn to because of their splendor." [Ep336]
farmountainwine.com
@farmountainwine -
This week the guys are joined by four farmers fighting for the future of Sonoma County agriculture. A ballot measure has qualified in Sonoma County, sold as ban on “factory farms”, but in reality will have ripple effects that threaten all ag in the county, including grapes and wine. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Doug Beretta from the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Bronte Edwards from Rainbow Family Ranch, Loren Poncia from Stemple Creek Ranch and longtime friend of the pod Jennifer Reichardt from Liberty Ducks. Why are we talking about cows, sheep, ducks and chickens on a wine show? Because Sonoma County’s farms and farmers don’t exist in their own silos, they are part of an interconnected and symbiotic ecosystem and foodshed. And by golly there’s a shit shortage! Tune in, register to vote and if you’re in Sonoma County vote NO on J! [Ep335]
Doug Beretta
sonomafb.org
@sonomacountyfarmbureau
Bronte Edwards
rainbowfamilyranching.com
@sister_b_loves_food
Loren Poncia
stemplecreek.com
@stemplecreek
Jennifer Reichardt
libertyducks.com
drink.raft.wine
@jenniferreichardt
No on Measure J Resources-
noonmeasurej.com
@noonmeasurej
foodandfamilyfarms.com/
@foodandfamilyfarms -
This week we sit down with Barbara Gorder and Brian Baker, veterans of the wine & spirits industry focused on sales and marketing. We discuss the current state of the U.S. wine industry and the challenges that many of us are facing in a rapidly changing climate. But don't worry, they brought solutions. There is a lot of good info here for business owners and consumers. All of their contact info and assets are listed below so you can reach out and get involved. Remember - Wine is Cool !!! [Ep334]
Brian Baker
Cultivar Marketing
Website: https://cultivarmarketing.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (707) 363-5931
Barbara Gorder
Undisclosed Location
Website: www.unlo.com
Email:[email protected]
Phone: 312.972.2833 (PT)
Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium
Join us for the best DTC Wine education and networking in the business.
https://dtcwinesymposium.com/
January 21-23
Hyatt Regency Monterey, CA
Early Bird Tickets on Sale now until November 1, 2024
Pass My Glass
Wine Co-op program for 2025
Be a part of raising sales in the wine industry via OTT/CTV.
Click Here -
Isabella Morano knew she wanted to make wine as a child on a family trip to Italy, identifying with how folks in her ancestral homeland connected over food and wine. However back home in Wisconsin, the only thing keeping teenage Isabella’s wine dreams alive was Anthony Bourdain TV shows. As soon as she was able she moved to California and started working her way up the wine ladder. Now she has several vintages of Isa Wines under her belt, specializing in vibrant Sauvignon Blancs, and a new vineyard planted in Majorca, Spain. Check out drinkisawines and @isa.wines on Instagram. [Ep333]
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Marvella Castaneda is a Sommelier and artist from Atlanta that we met in Georgia last year. She had just left a restaurant called Lazy Betty, which received a Michelin star the week we landed. Currently in the middle of opening a new hotel in Atlanta, she took a week off to visit California's newest AVA, the West Sonoma Coast, and spend time with some of the "coolest" growers and wine makers in the AVA. We coaxed her into stopping by to share her experience. As a special bonus, she walked in with Scott Kirkpatrick, some may remember him as the wine maker for Mountain Tides, a project that focused on Petite Sirah. Scott is now the wine maker at Dancing Crow Vineyards in Mendocino County. [Ep332]
If you would like to see Marvella's artwork, you can follow her @drawntowine
@marvellacastaneda
@cellaringscott - Visa fler
