Life Between the Vines

Few things are better than sitting on a hillside in the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley and chatting with a Vintner. Malek Amrani is originally from Morocco and with the huge wine influence from his father, eventually found his way to Napa Valley. The fruit from Atlas Peak has special meaning for Malek but [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Malek Amrani, Proprietor, The Vice, Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, defining the term “Splash”.  Learn more by visiting thevicewine.com

There are so many incredible wine regions around the world it can be a bit daunting to focus in on one that may pique your interest. Award winning Author Michael C. Higgins, Ph. D. can take you there. Well first off, Michael is not only an Author, but a wine expert, photographer and publisher as [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Michael C. Higgins, Ph. D., Author & Photographer, “Exploring Wine Regions” defining the term “Appellations”.  Learn more by visiting exploringwineregions.com

Every interview brings a wealth of information when it comes to grapes, wine and the full process of making the final bottle. There are also surprises. I met up with Oscar and Lola Llamas, owners of Llamas Family Wines, at their home in the city of Napa. Oscar spent his early life as a vineyard [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Oscar Llamas, Co-Owner, Llamas Family Winery, Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, defining the term “Herbaceous”.  Learn more by visiting llamasfamilywines.com

As most of you faithful listeners know, we love to seek out the small production winemakers that put passion and quality above all else. Alex Guarachi is that producer. Hand made wines grown with depth, focus and soul. I met up with Alex at his home in St. Helena and his kindness along with his [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Alex Guarachi, Founder, Guarachi Family Wines, Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, defining the well known phrase… Learn more by visiting guarachifamilywines.com

On top of tasting exceptional wines, visiting tasting rooms can be its own adventure. Sommras Wines is located near the top of Atlas Peak on Atlas Peak road and is a way fun drive to get there. Eric Felton is Partner and COO at Sommras and I caught up with him a few weeks ago [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Eric Felton, Partner & COO, Sommras Wines, Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, defining the term “Dry”.  Learn more by visiting sommras.com

The En Garde Tasting room is located in Kenwood, Sonoma County, and Csaba Szakál is making more than half of his wine from Napa Valley grapes. While Atlas Peak is one of his most important AVA’s he makes wine from other areas including Diamond Mountain, Russian River, Petaluma Gap and others. I met up with [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Csaba Szakál, Proprietor, En Garde Winery, Atlas Peak, Napa & Sonoma, defining the term “Dumpty”.  Learn more by visiting engardewinery.com

A tomato farmer from Florida becomes a grape farmer in Napa Valley, not really that surprising. When farming is in your blood, it stays. Jeff Gargiulo is well known in Napa Valley for world class wines and his joy for farming grapes shows in each bottle. I met up with Jeff at his property in [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jeff Gargiulo, Founder, Gargiulo Vineyards, Oakville AVA, Napa Valley, defining the term “Creme Brulee”.  Learn more by visiting gargiulovineyards.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Glenn Salva, Managing Director, Antinori Napa Valley, defining the term “Typicity”.    Learn more by visiting antinorinapavalley.com

Glenn Salva has been with Antinori Napa Valley for 40 years. A fantastic time in any business let alone the wine business. Glenn is the Managing Director at Antinori and you might say that he has seen it all. Likely Glenn would say you never know what comes next. I visited the massive property a [...]

Wine lovers absolutely love to spread the word of the “hidden gems” in various parts of the country. Lake County in California is one of those gems. Specifically Brassfield Estate Winery is a real find for lovers of the grape. Recently I spoke with Jonathan Walters, Vice President of Winemaking and Vineyard Operations about this [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jonathan Walters, Vice President of Winemaking and Vineyard Operations, Brassfield Estate, Lake County, defining the term “Fump-Over”. Learn more by visiting brassfieldestate.com

Jean-Charles Boisset along with his wife Gina Gallo-Boisset have created a brand new wine experience in Napa Valley at Flora Springs. I visited with Jean-Charles and Gina last week to talk about this new effort but that wasn’t the only news! Jean-Charles has acquired Artesa in the Carneros AVA. Needless to say this was an [...]

This week we feature Jean-Charles Boisset, Flora Springs, Napa Valley, defining the term “Inspirational” Learn more by visiting florasprings.com or artesawinery.com or jcbcollection.com

The differene between a Vintner and a Winemaker is simple. A Winemaker makes wine and a Vintner owns the winery. I often use the term Winemaker for many of my guests, as a generality. John Troisi of Jean Edwards Cellars is a Vintner. In face he lives in New Jersey operating the winery on a [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature John Troisi, Owner, Jean Edwards Cellars, Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, defining the term “Sexy Wine”.  Learn more by visiting jeanedwardscellars.com

To be a Winemaker that opens a winery in 2010 and remains to this day says a lot about the wines she makes. Rachel Rose is Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Willamette Valley, Oregon. With extensive experience in Australia, Rachel has made Oregon her home and in fact, lives in the [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Rachel Rose, Winemaker & Vineyard Director, Bryn Mawr Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon, defining the term “Spelunking”.  Learn more by visiting brynmawrvineyards.com

What could be better than making wine in a castle? Peter Velleno does in fact, make wine in a castle, in Napa Valley. Castello di Amorosa is found in Calistoga at the north end of Napa Valley and actually is easy to miss. As you head up the driveway this 13th century Tuscan castle reveals [...]