Life Between the Vines

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 [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Peter Velleno, Winemaker, Castello di Amorosa, Napa Valley, defining the phrase “Two Dragons, One Sword”.  Learn more by visiting castellodiamorosa.com

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tend to run hand in hand coastal areas of California. Freestone Vineyards focuses on those two grapes along the Sonoma Coast making some very serious wines. Justin Ennis is the Senior Director of Winemaking and I caught with him recently to learn more about this wine that had its start at [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Justin Ennis, Senior Director of Winemaking, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast, defining the term “Whole Cluster”.  Lear more by visiting josephphelps.com/freestone-vineyards

Nolan Jones grew up literally across the street from where he now makes wine in El Dorado County, California. Schooled in Los Angeles and then England, he worked wine in Champagne, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Napa Valley but found his way back to El Dorado and Lava Cap Winery. That’s where the bears really, really [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Nolan Jones, Winemaker, Lava Cap Winery, El Dorado County, defining the term “Alpine”.  Learn more by visiting lavacap.com

The history of Napa Valley is extensive but few names have have left a mark like Mondavi. Peter Mondavi Jr. now takes the helm of Charles Krug Winery in St Helena, continuing the legacy and importance, of family. I met up with Peter at the winery earlier this year to clarify a bit of the [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Peter Mondavi Jr, Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug, Napa Valley, defining the term “Bottle Variation”.  Learn more by visiting charleskrug.com

February in Napa Valley can bring an interesting menu of weather variations. My recent trip saw cold and rain along with a bit of snow on top of Mount St Helena. All it took was another week until it got to 70 degrees and a more pleasant scene. But its wine country so who cares? [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Michael Honig, President, Honig Vineyard and Winery, defining the term “Fumé Blanc”.  Learn more by visiting honigwine.com