Two Glasses In

For our final episode of Season 2, Bion Rice (of Artiste Winery ) talks with Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery Richard is a legend in the wine region, having been the first to plant Pinot Noir in what is today known as the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of North Santa Barbara County. He and Bion discuss the complicated history of the valley and how a glass of a Volnay changed his view on wine. Rich...

For Episode 9, Bion Rice (of Artiste Winery ) talks with Raj Parr (of Sandhi Wines). From Calcutta to becoming the Sommelier of the Michael Mina restaurant group, Parr lives a storied career that has led him to make high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills. From growing up in kitchens, Parr believes in the strong pairing between food and wine. He also champions protecting the...

For Episode 8, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) talks with Matt McKinney of McKinney Family Vineyard Matt grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley and had a successful career playing pro Volleyball in Greece, Puerto Rico and Italy as well as playing for the US National Team. A bet with his dad on winning the pro league vball Championship in Puerto Rico earned him his first half acre vineyard on the fa...

For Episode 7, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) talks with Sonja Magdevski of Clementine Carter Wines. Sonja discusses her colorful path to winemaking, taking her through Macedonia and planting Pinot with Emilio Estevez in Malibu. Sonja waxes poetic on the power of Roussanne and how making wine with grapes whole cluster is an art within itself. Follow along and drink what we’re drinking. Episo...

For Episode 6, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) talks with the “King of Grenache”, Mikael Sigouin of Keana Wine Company. Born in Hawaii, Mikael discusses the lessons his “Tutu” (Grandmother) taught him and how her spirit led him to winemaking, his life’s calling. "Kaena" means "potential for greatness” and Mikael is a “Hapa” (a mix or part of many things). His wines are very much both, powerfu...

For Episode 3, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) with an old family friend: Iris Rideau of Rideau Vineyard. When Iris founded Rideau in 1997, she was the very first Female African-American winery owner in the United States. Overcoming racism in her childhood, she became one of the founding winemakers in the Santa Ynez Valley and helped build the Los Olivos AVA into what it is now. Rideau (now r...

In Episode 4 of Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) catches up with Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines The self-proclaimed “The Indie Rock of Los Olivos Wineries”, Larry loves experimenting with distinctive wines, such as his Mouvedre rose. Larry discusses why he favors getting his hands dirty with the grapes, screw caps and the one-on-one interactions with his audience is the most important relatio...

For Episode 3, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) gets into a serious conversation (and serious drinking) with Keith Saarloos of Sarrloos + Sons. For Keith Saarloos, winemaking is a family affair. His father worked the land while his children helped decide the wines. Because of this tight bond, each varietal he grows is named after a member of the family, representing all their qualities in the...

For Episode 2, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) talks to one of the rising stars of the Santa Barbara Wine Country, Jessica Gasca (Story of Soil). Jessica started working in the industry in 2009. She apprenticed at Sanguis, saving up enough to start her unique label. Her single varietal-focused brand develops release-focused single vineyards for each wine and quality of the terror. She discuss...

Welcome to a brand new season of TWO GLASSES IN. For our first episode, Bion Rice (Artiste Winery & Gallery) talks to two of the founding members of the Santa Barbara Wine Country, Dick Doré and Bill Wathen. Dick and Bill began Foxen in 1985 on the Doré family’s land in the Santa Maria Valley. Foxen's first vintage was made in 1985 in an old blacksmith shop on the ranch. This building was now know...

We’re all given an endless number of choices in life, about which direction to go or what path we want to follow. In the case of Andrew Murray, the world of wine would have really missed out on his spectacular creations should he have chosen to become a paleontologist as planned. Lucky for us, when given this choice, Andrew ultimately left UC Berkeley behind for a new kind of study, Syrah. After g...

Nobody is better suited or more deserving than Tyler Thomas to serve at the helm of two of Santa Barbara County’s notable wine producers, Dierberg Vineyards and Star Lane Vineyards. Inspired by his epicurean grandmother, Tyler fell in love with food and wine early on, which led to his obsession for plant science, and eventually an unquenchable desire to squeeze the terroir out of his vines. Join u...

Unquestionably worthy of all his accolades and reputation, Blair Fox of Blair Fox Cellars, Fox Wine Co., Fess Parker Vineyards & Winery, and Epiphany Wine Co. has more than earned his stripes in the wine business through passion, sheer will and grit to become one of the best winemakers in America. A husband, father of two daughters and winemaker for multiple wineries, Blair is a life-balanced...

Kathy’s exuberance translates through her wines. Tasting her wines is like tasting the past, present and future all at the same time. The soils from Fiddlestix Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills deliver an unmistakable sense of place in the glass, while the texture and mouthfeel of her wines characterize the artistry of her style and direction. During Episode 6 of “Two Glasses In,” join us as we discuss...

Winemakers love talking about dirt, especially Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards and Winery, who can break down the minerals and soil types in his vineyard by strata and epoch. While it could be easy to feel intimidated discussing viticulture and geology with someone whose friends like to call “The Professor,” sitting and sipping with Michael Larner is rather entertaining and engaging, so much so...

During Episode 4 of "Two Glasses In," join us as we sit down with up-and-coming winemaker Jill DelaRiva Russell of Cambria Estate Winery. From the onset of our conversation, one thing is clear, Jill enthralls those around her with a sense of grace and passion for chardonnay and pinot noir, which she crafts from 100% estate-grown grapes from one of the most iconic vineyards in Santa Barbara Wine Co...

Who would you say is the most influential brand ambassador for Santa Barbara wine country? We'd argue that Doug Margerum has clearly made the biggest impact on the region in the past three decades. Join us for Episode 3 of "Two Glasses In," as we discuss Doug's early start in the industry as a winemaker and restaurateur to how he's helped to advance the rise of legendary winemakers such as Jim Cle...

After enjoying two glasses of wine, Bryan Babcock of Babcock Winery & Vineyards sits down with host Bion Rice to discuss his storied career as a legacy winemaker in Santa Barbara County, how he got his start in the family business, and what’s next on the horizon. Follow along and drink what we’re drinking. Episode 2 of “Two Glasses In” features wines from Babcock Winery & Vineyards, includ...

With a glass of pinot noir in hand, Frank Ostini, owner of acclaimed California restaurant The Hitching Post 2 (featured in the Academy Award® winning film Sideways ) and co-owner and winemaker of Hitching Post Winery sits down with host and Santa Barbara County winemaker Bion Rice to discuss the “Sideways Effect” on merlot, what makes the Santa Barbara County wine region special and the inner wor...

My name is Bion Rice, host and co-creator of “Two Glasses In.” As a third-generation winegrower, making wine is more than a job, it’s a calling. I’ve lived and breathed the bounty of Santa Barbara wine country, and believe there is no better place on earth to grow wine and cultivate this craft. To celebrate Santa Barbara County’s unique and diverse wine country, “Two Glasses In” is a podcast and v...