Grape Encounters Wine Radio

This week, we are treated with a visit from Wes Hagen to the Grape Encounters Studio and Emporium Wine Bar & Shop in the Central Coast. Wes has just experienced the Vinthesis™ blending experience, and gives his stamp of approval to David’s methods and madness. And then lets loose with what we consider to be brilliant observations about the meaning and value of wine in our lives… Wes Hagen, Winemak...

Grape Encounters definitely gets around… and in this episode, you’ll meet folks from the wine industry that hail from California all the way to China. This week’s episode begins with a recap of what’s happening this harvest season with Sara Schneider from Sunset Magazine for an insightful discussion of one of the earliest grape harvests on record. Next up meet a charming wine importer from China n...

The trouble with smart phone apps is that they tend to be awfully gimmicky… Not really delivering on their promises. However, when you hear what the brain trust over at Next Glass has come up with for wine lovers, your jaw will drop so low you’d best not have a mouth full of wine! Trace Smith, COO of Next Glass The Next Glass Application is nothing short of pure genius; helping you predict whether...

We humans are creatures of habit… and when it comes to wine, that is especially true. Most of the wine consumed in America consists of under 10 varietals. And when you consider the fact that there are literally thousands of wine varietals made in the world, a good argument can be made that we are very much in a rut; even if it’s a delicious rut. Michael Baylock of Quady WInery On this edition of G...

Around the world and in this country, growing grapes and making wine are, for the most part, things that we associate with hot summers and mild winters… but why should places like California, Italy and Spain have all the fun? After all, for many states now, stomping grapes and making wine is a multi-billion dollar industry as well as an irresistible passion for many. Paul Read, University of Nebra...

An update on the ongoing threat to the people, environment and wines of the Finger Lakes. John Ingle, Owner/Grower of Heron Hill Winery We’ve been covering the very tense state of affairs in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, where a company from outside the state is poised to store an unprecedented amount of liquid natural gas in abandon salt caves beneath the incredibly beautiful Seneca L...

What happens when a top movie exec takes a recommendation from Grape Encounters to heart? Former Disney Films Executive Gil Gagnon figures he spent 6 years of his life driving to and from the epicenter of California filmmaking. Then one day, an episode of Grape Encounters Radio gave him an idea that eventually led to his departure from the movie business and entré into winemaking. How did his leng...

Featuring 6-Times James Beard Journalism Award Winner, Colman Andrews Colman Andrews, Editorial Director for The Daily Meal If you were asked to choose your 101 favorite wineries, there’s no doubt it would be a daunting task. Well, the massive food and wine themed website, the Daily Meal, asked sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine writers, chefs and wine savvy editors to tackle that very daunting chall...

In the final days of our journey across the wine countries of Northern Greece, we have the rare opportunity to spend some quality time talking about the extraordinary growth of the Greek wine business as well as the historic economic crisis that is coming to a head as we bask in the sunshine on a beach in Porto Carras. David with Yliana Stengou, Popi Golfi and winemaker from Domaine Porto Carras J...

Grape Encounters Radio Takes You to Ancient Greece for a Modern Twist on Wine. Ever since David Wilson became the US Ambassador to the Wines of Naoussa Greece, he naturally has talked a lot about the often under-appreciated wines from this ancient region. But rather than just talk about it, this week, David takes you there.  Not only does he visit many of the wineries and winemakers that he’s been...

  Matt Smith of Grapeseed Wines This week’s show explores a very novel concept in winemaking that creates a unique bond between top winemakers and wine-loving consumers. This week, David introduces you to Matt Smith of GrapeSeed Wines. Imagine being in partnership with some of the world’s greatest winemakers who create wines only available to you. If you’ve got a hundred bucks a month, you’re in f...

The trouble with smart phone apps is that they tend to be awfully gimmicky… Not really delivering on their promises. However, when you hear what the brain trust over at Next Glass has come up with for wine lovers, your jaw will drop so low you’d best not have a mouth full of wine! Trace Smith, COO of Next Glass The Next Glass Application is nothing short of pure genius; helping you predict whether...

In part 2 of David’s coverage of the Finger Lakes Wine Region, David goes to a meeting of “We Are Seneca Lake”, a group fighting the storage of fracked gas in the salt mines underneath the region at Crestwood Midstream. In a conversation with Stephanie and Asa Redmond, we learn exactly what the issues are in this threat to the area. Dr. Sandra Steingraber Then David talks with Dr. Sandra Steingrab...

Helicoptering around the Finger Lakes Wine Country It’s likely you have no idea just how good the wines made in the Finger Lakes region of New York really are because very few of them make it outside of the Empire State.  But don’t let that fact stop you.  If you really want them you can get them and this week, accompanied by Will Ouweleen, owner of O-neh-da and Eagle Crest Vineyards, David takes...

Recently, the International Chardonnay Symposium brought top Chardonnay producers from around the world to the classic Californian beach towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach for an in-depth exploration of the world’s favorite grape and its impact on viticulture, tastemakers and the market. David reports on the event, and talks to industry leaders and winemakers, beginning with Meredith May, publis...

Joe Peleg, Founder of Friends Fun WIne If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about wine drinkers, it’s the fact that we all tend to appreciate a good cup of Joe as well.  Yep, coffee and wine to pair pretty fine, but what if you mixed the two together in the same glass?  Hmmm. Well, today’s edition of Grape Encounters begins with an interview that answers that question.  Meet Joe Peleg, the man who is...

Renowned Chef and wine judge WIlliam Carter William Carter had what many would consider the dream job… Executive Chef for nearly 29 years at the fabled Playboy Mansion. It was nearly three decades of preparing sumptuous foods and choosing sensational wines for the rich, chic, famous and super-sexy. So just what is the next step up the ladder when it seems you’ve been on the top rung for a very lon...

The trouble with smart phone apps is that they tend to be awfully gimmicky… Not really delivering on their promises. However, when you hear what the brain trust over at Next Glass has come up with for wine lovers, your jaw will drop so low you’d best not have a mouth full of wine! Trace Smith, COO of Next Glass The Next Glass Application is nothing short of pure genius; helping you predict whether...

This week’s show sets the record straight on the subject of wine turning to vinegar with vinegar experts Cari and Craig Clark, owners of Chaparral Gardens Vinegars.  In the segment, David downs more than a dozen tastes of vinegar while getting the real skinny on vinegar from these artisan vinegar makers. Next on “Sipping with Sara,” David and Sara Schneider, the Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine, tes...

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey were trying to help a friend collect a debt.  What transpired is truly unimaginable! Neither Michael nor Bonnie knew much about wine… but they understood consumers better than 99% of the population. Michael and Bonnie followed their instincts to a place no wine brand had ever been before… the success story of Barefoot Wine so amazing that it literally changed the...

Plus, a Head’s up on the Biggest Chardonnay Bash in America! These days, there’s a pretty strong connection between celebrity and wine… from those who alternate from stage to vineyard, to those who leverage their celebrity in even more unusual ways. This week’s show begins with a conversation with Paul Cullen, a former bass player for the legendary rock band Bad Company. Paul combines his prowess...

It seems like just yesterday that we aired our first episode of Grape Encounters Radio. But six years and 300 episodes later, we’ve covered an amazing amount of ground and number of topics, so, in celebration of hitting the big 300, Grape Encounters takes you to the state where they do everything big!  Recently, David visited the Texas Wine Country wine region and did a live show from downtown San...

Domaine Porto Carras is unquestionably one of the most luxurious wine regions in the entire world. It is home to some of the world’s oldest wine varietals AND lavish resorts, stunning beaches and a marina to the rich and famous. Yliana Stengou is President of Domaine Porto Carras and we were honored to have her spend some quality time with us in the Grape Encounters Studio, along with a number of...

Meet the Winemakers of Naoussa , Greece for a Very Special One-on-One! As the newly appointed US Ambassador to the Wines of Naoussa, Greece, David has been touring with some of the very best winemakers from that region. On their way south, David invites these talented and fun-loving fellows to stop into the Grape Encounters studio for an in-depth interview about all things Greek Wine. You’re invit...

How Greed and Legal Maneuvering Threaten the Good Name of the Conscientious Winemaking Community as it Celebrates Sustainability and Best Practices You may never hear host David Wilson this outraged again as he takes aim at lawyers and fear mongers who could rake in a fortune by making legal claims against numerous winemakers whose only crime is obeying the letter of the law. Gladys Horiuchi, Wine...