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After years of making wine out of their family home, Kent and Kathy Rosenblum took their love of winemaking to the next level and founded Rosenblum Cellars in 1978. In partnership with several close friends, and with Kathy acting as his assistant winemaker and helping with the crush, Kent made Rosenblum Cellars’ first vineyard designated zinfandel. Inspired by their early winemaking success, Kent began to focus on crafting vineyard designated wines using grapes farmed from mountainside, head-pruned, old vines. He would search Sonoma and Napa, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and beyond, just to find the best vineyards and growers in California.

In 1987, Rosenblum moved his commercial operation from its location next to The Dead End Bar in Oakland, to a facility next to the Oakland-Alameda Ferry building on the island of Alameda, and the rest of the journey became history. Along the way, Rosenblum Cellars became one of the original “three R’s of Zin” (along with Ridge and Ravenswood), and the practicing veterinarian even managed to pick up a new nickname instead of Doc, becoming “The King of Zin”. Long hard work eventually paid off, and the Rosenblums were able to sell their winery to Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines for a reported $105 million in 2008.

Join us as we talk with Kent about his humble beginnings, his love for wine, and the dozens of vineyard designates to come out of his prolific winery. You may even want to open a Zin or Petite…we did.

For More Info: www.rosenblumcellars.com

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Ray Walker departs February 8, 2009 to set up the logistics for his negociant wine business in Burgundy. Only 27 years old, Ray left behind a promising career in the financial world a few years ago to pursue a career in winemaking.

Smitten by Pinot Noir, and Burgundy in particular, Ray quite his job and moved his young family to Sonoma where he was mentored by Ed Kurtzman and others. While many of his type would have been satisfied with a winemaking career in California, Ray felt a pull to return to Pinot Noir’s Holy Land. He immersed himself in the French culture and language and made plans to develop his independent label, Domaine Ilan, in Burgundy.

Join us as we listen to his captivating story.

For More Information on Maison Ilan: www.maison-ilan.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Let’s assume you’ve worked with Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non for the last eight years. What could you possibly do for an encore? Well, if you’re Maggie Harrison, you would become part of a venture to work with Oregon Pinot Noir. And then, you’d get to work on your own label as well.

The recent history of Oregon’s Antica Terra winery began when a group of four individuals, including winemaker Maggie Harrison, purchased the winery in 2005 and two years later planted additional acres of Pinot noir, with more planting planned for 2008. The new winery should come on-line in 2009. For her own label, Maggie is sourcing Syrah from Santa Maria Valley for her own, Lillian label, a small lot collection named for her grandmother.

Join us as we talk with Maggie Harrison, about her past experiences with the iconic SQN, and her current projects in Oregon and with California Syrah.

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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When Jonathan Maltus bought Château Teyssier in the early 1990s, he had big plans. Never mind that Château Teyssier was located in Vignonet, arguably the equivalent of the Outer Hebrides of St. Emilion, big plans could still come to fruition.

The original estate had seen better days, but with the arrival of Jonathan and Lyn Maltus in 1994, a complete modernization of the winery and cellar took place, and a second winery was even constructed. Maltus replaced the old concrete vats with stainless steel, bought all new cooperage, and added a state-of-the-art bottling line. New vineyards were also purchased, one literally a stone’s throw from Ausone, all of which to supply Maltus with plenty of pedigreed fruit for a few pet projects.

One of the first “garigistes” of Bordeaux (one who produces ‘vins de garage’ or garage-wine), Maltus has produced a string of bottlings, such as: Le Dôme, Château Laforge, and Le Carre, all of which were admittedly designed from the beginning to garner critical praise. Sharp, amiable, and bearing more than a passing resemblance to actor Robbie Coltrane, Jonathan Maltus would seem to be a force to be reckoned with in Bordeaux. Eschewing many old world traditions, he steers clear of convention, embraces things like reverse osmosis, and seemingly has no desire to “blend-in.”

Join us as we talk with the irrepressible Jonathan Maltus about his wines, his philosophy and his tilting at the windmills of Bordeaux.

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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The Santa Rosa restaurant, John Ash & Co., has played a little known but remarkably important role in the history of Sonoma County wine. John Ash & Co. was known for spawning numerous innovative and progressive wine trends that have since become commonplace in restaurants today. Restaurant wine-by-the-glass service originated in California at John Ash & Co., and organized blind tastings of wines and creatively themed wine dinners emphasizing food and wine pairings were first popularized at the restaurant. John Ash & Co. was among the first restaurants to have a wine bar and an associated retail wine store.

Over the years, numerous ex-employees of the restaurant have went on to become successful winemakers, winegrowers and key employees in various wine related businesses.

Listen to Dan Kosta, a former Wine Director at John Ash & Co. talk about his experiences that led up to him co-founding Kosta Browne with Michael Browne, another former John Ash & Co. employee.

For more info on John Ash & Co: www.chefjohnash.com

For more info on the wines of Kosta Browne: www.kostabrowne.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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To any fan of the wines from France’s Rhone Valley, the name Guigal needs no introduction - in fact it is as well known as Syrah itself. In fact, everyone attending the 4th seminar of the 2008 Hospice du Rhone was salivating to partake of these wines.

Hosted by Phillippe Guigal, with additional commentary from Patrick Will, attendees were able to sample 10 wines from E. Guigal: 2006 Condrieu, 2006 Condrieu “La Doriane,” 2006 St. Joseph “Lieu-Dit Le St. Joseph,” the etherial 2005 Ermitage Blanc “Ex Voto,” 2003 Cote Rotie “Brune et Blonde,” 2005 St. Joseph “Vignes de L’Hospice,” 1998 Cote Rotie “Chateau d’ Ampuis,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Moline,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Landonne,” and finally the amazing 2001 Ermitage Rouge “Ex Voto.”

Join us as we hear from Phillippe Guigal about the fascinating history of this legnedary property, with its steep hillside vineyards and delicious wines.

For more info on Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

For more info on the wines of E. Guigal: www.guigal.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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After purchasing an abandoned farm in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains in 1983, winegrower Jim Law began planting vines from cuttings and grafts in 1985. Varieties included Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Vidal and Seyval. The first vintage was 1987 and Linden winery was opened in 1988.

The relatively small 5,000 case production is Jim’s “sweet spot,” and to exceed this he’d have to sacrifice his winegrowing time - not something he’s prone to do. It was an interesting dichotomy out in the vineyard. Jim had recently replaced a block with new denser plantings - like babies, small and petite; while back behind us, stood an army of tall wooden lyre trellises, waiting for the older vines to climb to the top. They’ve been experimenting here with different varieties, placement, trellising, and som on over many recent years, and from the end product, it seems they’re getting closer to defining the mid-Atlantic region. Jim Law seems to be at the forefront of all of that. “We’re still young. We don’t have all the answers yet,” he would say. Not too dissimilar to what one hears from almost any winegrower on the West Coast. But somehow when Jim said it, it seemed more mystical, as though he looked forward to coming back some generation later, reincarnated as… what else, a winegrower, to see the fruition of his and others’ labors.

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Video #20: Linden Vineyards - Video

Although never officially classified, the wines of Pomerol have nonetheless been able to rise on their own merits to become some of the best, as well as some of the most expensive in Bordeaux. With its clay and gravel soils planted predominantly to Merlot and a lesser amount of Cabernet Franc, this small right-bank region totals less than 800 hectares, and is marked more by its understated farm-house wineries than by grand chateaux.

Now, not content to merely rest on their reputation, many producers in the region have formed an association to further promote Pomerol and its wines. The group, Pomerol Séduction, is currently an assemblage of nine vintners, including Château Beauregard, Château Clinet, Clos du Clocher, Château La Conseillante, Château Gazin, Château Mazeyres, Château Petit Village, Château Rouget and Château Vieux Maillet. Join us as we speak with several representatives from Pomerol Séduction to hear how Pomerol differs from other regions in Bordeaux, and how they differ from each other within Pomerol.

Sponsor- Millesima, Fine Wine Merchant: www.millesima-usa.com

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In 1980, Barbara and Jim Richards were living in Midland, Texas, and began thinking about a second home. They had an interest in wine and started looking for some property in the Napa Valley to build a home and plant a small vineyard. They realized their dream in 1983 when they found a property located five miles west of St. Helena and over 2,000 feet above the Valley floor near the top of Spring Mountain. Vineyard exposure is generally east with many variations, and the soils are derived from the Sonoma volcanics and from Franciscan sandstone. Total acreage is 20 acres with 15 acres planted.

In 1985, after clearing, ripping, and terracing about ten acres, they planted 3,555 bench graft Merlot vines, and 945 Cabernet Sauvignon vines. By 1987, the Richards’ recognized their previous absentee landlord role was insufficient to monitor the vines. So, Barbara came to manage things from January through harvest, while Jim would come to help when he could get away from his business as a petroleum geologist. Their first small harvest was sold to Conn Creek Winery. In 1988, they planted another 2,300 Merlot vines in their last five acres of vineyard.

The early ‘90s were momentous for the Richards’. By 1993, Barb and Jim had moved into their new home in the vineyard, and Pride Mountain Winery released a 1991 Merlot, made from their grapes blended with Pride’s Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The Richards’ agreed to sell their grapes to the Prides beginning in 1994 and their wine maker, Bob Foley, agreed to make wine from part of the grapes into Paloma Merlot for the Richards’ new label, debuting their Merlot-based blend in 1996. Also, Barb and Jim decided to plant a block of Syrah to see how it would do, and by 1996, they started making the wine commercially as well. Unfortunately, they’ve since pulled up the small Syrah vineyard, and replanted with Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2000, the Richard’s finally decided to construct their own winery on the property. A few years later, their son Sheldon joined them in the business, and to this date the Richards’ Paloma Merlot still stands as one of the enduring benchmarks of the variety in California, and indeed the world.

Join us as we talk with Barbara Richards about Paloma – their early years, and what it was like to basically become pioneers on Spring Mountain, and well as Merlot’s place in Napa Valley.

For more info on Paloma Vineyard: www.palomavineyard.com

Sponsor- Gold Medal Wine Club: www.goldmedalwineclub.com

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Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the longest established sparkling wine house in the Champagne region of France. Named after Benedictine monk Dom Thierry Ruinart, the winery is located in the city of Reims, where ancient crayères (chalk pits) serve as cellars that offer constant temperature and humidity, thus allowing the wine to age as long as 12 years. These crayères were hewn from the chalk sub-soil by the Romans, who used the chalk as building materials. Also used during World War I to escape the bombing, these cellars were classified an historic monument in 1931.

Join us as we sit down with Ruinart’s Cellarmaster Frédéric Panaїotis to discuss Ruinart’s history, its vineyard sources, and of course its various cuvées.

For more info on Champagne Ruinart: www.ruinart.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Spring Mountain Vineyard is rich with history. After the sudden death of Tiburcio Parrott in the late 1800s, neither the house nor the 800 acres were used between 1896 and 1938.

Eventually the property was purchased by Mike Robbins in 1974. Robbins bought an old Victorian on St. Helena Highway near Deer Park Road and constructed a small winery which became Spring Mountain Vineyards. Soon Robbins outgrew this first location and discovered the wonderful Parrot estate.

After acquiring Parrott’s Miravalle estate, Robbins restored the Victorian residence and built a 17,000 square foot winery at the site of Tiburcio’s wine cave and small winery. Though his primary vineyard was in Rutherford on the Silverado Trail (now the site of Domaine Mumm), Robbins planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in 1980 on the land around Miravalle. Robbins’ Spring Mountain Chardonnay became highly prized by connoisseurs and was a “cult” wine of the late 1960’s and 1970’s.

Once the site for the former TV show, Falcon’s Crest, Spring Mountain lives on, now comprising four separate vineyards totaling 245 acres in 130 blocks. The Miravalle, Chateau Chevalier, Streblow (Alba), and Draper (La Perla) vineyards are beautifully terraced, rising up the hillside from 400′ to 1600′ in elevation creating several microclimates. The “main house,” an 8,000 square foot Victorian was built in 1885 by Tiburcio Parrott.
Featured during the aerial flyover in the opening credits of the TV show, the house is meticulously maintained both inside and out, and all of the original features of stained glass and molding have been kept.

Join us as we talk with Valli Ferrell, winemaker Jac Cole, and vineyard manager Ron Rosenbrand about the vineyards and this lovely estate.
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For more info on Spring Mountain Vineyard: www.springmountainvineyard.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Click Here: Freemark Abbey Winery

Opus One, certainly one of the most iconic wineries in Napa Valley, was the fruition of a 10-year collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux. Celebrated as the first joint venture between California and France, the winery produced its first vintage in 1979, having been made, aged and bottled at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. Some 10 years later, construction began on Opus One’s own winery – right across the highway from the Mondavi winery. As with the concept of Opus, the design of the new winery was groundbreaking, combining Greek and Roman motifs with those of early California.

Join us as we talk with Roger Asleson and Michael Silacci about Opus One and its history, as well as its place in today’s Napa Valley.

For more info on Opus One Winery: www.opusonewinery.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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If you like this show check out:

Audio #93: Mondavi - 40 Years in Napa
Audio #186: Chateau Mouton Rothschild

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When Dennis and Judy Groth purchased 121 acres in Oakville in 1981, it included the Oakcross Vineyard - filled with prime Cabernet Sauvignon that had been planted by Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan some 8-10 years earlier. So, it didn’t take long for them to establish a track record with their Cabernet. In fact, Robert Parker gave the 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon the distinction of California’s first 100 point wine.

Fast forward to today, and between 1999 and 2003 they replanted all of the Cabernet Sauvignon with new clones, rootstocks, and new trellising. With all the young vines, they also decided to not produce wine for the Reserve program for vintages 2000-2004.

Join us as we talk about Oakville, Cabernet and what it’s like to be given the first perfect 100 point score on a wine from the U.S.

For more info on Groth Vineyards and Winery: www.grothwines.com

Sponsor: Vinfolio: www.vinfolio.com

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Click Here: Groth Vineyards and Winery

Does the name Russell Bevan ring a bell? Well, it probably does to most wine-geek denizens of the internet. Russell (and alter ego Bacchus) was there at the start, when wine-based bulletin boards and discussion groups emerged from their cocoons.

A rabid wine fan from the time he could buy wine (actually, even before), Russell wanted to learn everything he could about the subject. Eventually, he found many others across the country like himself who were thoroughly into wine. Before long, Russell found himself leading groups of thirsty geeks on extended wine tours of his favorite region, California. These tours became the things of legend, and soon other geeks were doing likewise, exploring and indulging their passion in the California grape scene.

So, where did all this crazy passion for wine lead Russell? Right into winemaking. When he was offered a ton of high-quality Cabernet fruit from a very respected source in Napa Valley, Russell jumped at the chance and made his first Bevan Cellars Cabernet. And where did that lead him? The winemaking job at this same source – Showkett Vineyards. Fast forward to today, Russell leads some of the same friends on a new adventure, hand-sorting through grapes in an all-out effort to make a “yummy” wine.

Join us as we talk with Russell about the early days, the present challenges, and how he and his inspiration Victoria realize a dream of what must seem like the perfect life.

For more info on:

Bevan Cellars: www.bevancellars.com
Drystack Cellars: www.drystackwinery.com
Showket Vineyards: www.showketvineyards.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Brian, Jay, Doug Shafer, President of Shafer Vineyards, and Leigh.

Today we interview Doug Shafer, the President of one of California’s premier wineries: Shafer Vineyards. We discuss Doug ’s journey and transition from wine maker to President and some of the things that make their vineyards such a consistent producer of quality wines. Click here to learn more about Shafer Vineyards.

Doug and his wife Annette are also highly involved in charitable causes. Doug talks about Festa Primavera which benefits local education. There are going to be some incredible auction items so make sure you check it out.

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If you enjoyed this episode check out these other related shows:

Audio #16: The Wines of Bob Foley
Audio #93: Mondavi – 40 Years In Napa
Audio #103: Bo Barrett and Ch. Montelena
Audio #108: Winery Profile: Trefethen Vineyards
Audio #125: Winery Profile: Staglin Family
Video #1: The Staglin Family
Audio #148: Wine Maker Profile: Mike Trujillo
Audio #197: The Wines of Dunn Vineyards

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Brian in Full ‘crush’ Effect

Brian Loring continues his story with us discussing the history of Pinot Noir and its rising popularity. Additional hot topics covered include wine closures, corked bottles, soaring prices and much more. Part 2 of 2.

To contact: Loring Wine Company

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