Through The Grapevine | Culture + Hospitality

This week's episode is a two-parter featuring some live blind tastings!! I invited back Savannah & Nakoah to test their palates, along with a new voice in Dave Hendrickson of Occasio Winery and Sidewinder Spirits. Our last blinds tastings did well and we wanted to see if it might translate again to this style! I made sure to cut out as much slurping as possible haha. The goal of this episode is to...

Did you know that from about 1800-1900 the Livermore Valley was known across the nation as a must-stop town for settlers heading west? Or that the historic Ravenswood used to be the Livermore Valley's very own Gatsby Estate? Where spectacular and luxurious parties were thrown inviting folks from all over the region to stop here in our neck of the woods. Well, you won't want to miss Paul Halvorsen'...

Yo!!!! TTG could not be more excited to offer this episode with CEO & 4th Generation Winegrower Carolyn Wente. With over 130 years of history here in the Livermore Valley, we are humbled at the opportunity to chat with this amazing woman. Talking all things wine and food! Carolyn shares her passion for food while taking us through a few things you might not have known about this valley. In the...

We are always happy to sit down with Mr. Flywheel himself, Brandon Cardwell. Born and raised here in the Livermore Valley he has become one of the region's most influential ambassadors. Working alongside the city to ensure the future of a region and it's community. JTM and Collin introduce a new nickname, will it stick?? And Brandon introduces the Isabel Neighborhood Specific Plan that was recentl...

November 3rd - Election Day 2020 Collin and JTM wanted to go into the vault a pull out an episode that we think everyone might want to hear. The man the myth the legend Julio Covarrubias of Casa de Vinas Vineyard here in the Livermore Valley. Regional maturity is a topic we bring up often on this show, and without people like Julio, it would not be a conversation we could have. While there may nev...

Yo, we have Trent Thompson in the house! Most recently he and a handful of Bay Area artists made the Only Up Mural Festival a reality. Bringing color and vibrancy to our city like never before. Originally from Rochester, NY he has made tremendous strides in his first few years here in the Tri-Valley. It was great to sit down with him and reflect on a few of these accomplishments. We cover a few of...

Today we are joined by a couple of Livermore locals, Aimee & Bryan Wingen of Wingen Bakery. In this episode, we talk about the families' amazing journey in 2020. Their daughter Waylynn Betty Wingen was born with a very rare disease that challenged both of them like they could not imagine. Join us as they take us through their journey and the courage it has taken to keep pushing in a year that...

In this episode of TTG, we sit down with the President of the Association of African American Vintners & Winemaker at Longevity Wines Phil Long. Continuing conversations on social equity in the world of wine. Phil shares how you can get involved and the many partnerships that have stemmed from this year! He also takes us through an accident in the cellar early in his career that nearly took hi...

Part 2 of this epic episode of Tasters Extravaganza!! Tune in and enjoy the Blind Tasting. 

Join JTM on our very first two-part episode of Taster's Extravaganza! Jeremy is joined by a couple of industry street soldiers in Savannah Vento-Chun, her husband Nakoah Chun, and Sabio bartender Eian Cathcart a.k.a. TrapLucifer!! We taste everything from Carignan to Mezcal and even  Baijiu Chinese spirit with loads of character. It was a treat to sit down with these young professionals and l...

This episode with Alisha Sommer Marketing Director at Ruby Hill and all-around creative and hospitality consultant was one of our bests yet! JTM comes hard with a new intro as we dive into some of the most transparent and important conversations we have had yet. Alisha speaks to her many talents and how you can take an active stance in promoting an industry of inclusion. In a nation so divided cou...

We are back! For this episode, we welcomed back to the show John Ernst creative director at Altamont Beer Works. Join us as this week as we chat with John about the importance of getting digital. Meanwhile, Collin gives pointers on how to navigate a very volatile hospitality marketplace with strategic money management. We shed some light on a rapidly growing cannabis industry and together we work...

2020 is proving to be among the most historical years in decades and there is so much to talk about. It has been over 3 months since Collin & Jeremy sat down last and they are itching to get back at it. Our hearts are heavy at the horrific death of George Floyd. All while dealing with the most destructive pandemic in centuries. We decided to go 'unscripted' and really talk about some topics needin...

This is an episode we have long-awaited. TTG is happy to bring Limor Finkel Western Region Portfolio Specialist at Winebow to the show. We first met Limor as a sales rep for Chambers & Chambers. While at Chambers she managed Contra Costa County and the Livermore Valley and we were all drawn in by her expertise and passion for what she represented. Still young in the game she has climbed the la...

This week we welcome to the podcast Robin Fahr Marketing Director at VTV. These are some trying times as the world is braising itself with Covid-19 running rampant. Whether you are at home with loved ones or on the road still getting the job done, be sure to give yourself a break and try to maintain some semblance of your routine. Meaning it is time to tune in to another fantastic episode. Former...

We are back with part two of Karl Wente's episode and excited for you all to hear it. We dive straight into measure p and have some more fun along the way as we break into our third bottle. We also spend some time thanking folks for their continued support as we are communally ecstatic about YES ON MEASURE P. Be sure to hang in there towards the end of this episode as we went ahead and re-aired so...

We are excited to air this week's 2 part episode with Livermore's own Karl Wente. We have spent the last two seasons building a voice for regional maturity and sitting down with fifth-generation winemaker Karl was genuinely insightful. With the vote just one day from wrapping up, we make sure to spend some time on MEASURE P and the value of tourism here in the valley. The Wente family has been ste...

On this round, we sit down with Robyn & Nicole. Local realtors by day, the two of them decided they wanted to impact their community differently. And over the past several years, they have built a group of more than 10,000+ subscribers. With rich history here in both Pleasanton & Livermore, the ladies give us their perspective on what they have found people are looking for in a thriving ci...

In the mood for reminiscing, join us as we take it all the way back in this episode with Jim McDonnell, owner of Sabio On Main. Since the age of 16,  Jim has been a successful serial entrepreneur as well as a lifelong foodie who travels extensively, visiting the most cutting edge restaurant venues across the globe. Drawing inspiration from the many meals, conversations, and experiences he has...

Join the crew as we continue to push the conversation on regional maturity here in the Livermore Valley.  Ballets are on there way to you all if they haven't arrived already. Be sure to vote for P rogress by VotingYesOnP and bring the Livermore Valley Wine Country its first downtown hotel. Collin, Jason, and Jeremy take a moment to circle back on the first few guests and have a bit of fun. Th...

In this week's episodes, we sit down with the city of Livermore Cheif Strategist of Entrepreneurship Brandon Cardwell. We have often talked about building a sustainable hospitality culture and community here in the Livermore Valley. Join us as Brandon dives into the flywheel that he believes can help manifest more innovative and progressive thought leadership. Day to day you can find him at the Da...

In TTG fashion, we went a bit long on this episode, but for a good reason. Livermore local Paul Halverson takes us on a wild ride this episode as we dive into all that is coffee. From Asgardian origin stories to easy ways to make a better brew at home, you will take much from this episode. Pauls's rich history in the world of coffee has led him to ope Story Coffee in his hometown of Livermore. Whe...

We are excited about this one. We had been chasing Bill Niles for a while wondering if he would join is for an epic interview, needless to say, we got him. You won't want to miss what he has to say in this season opener. From Yes on Measure P to anime there is nothing that we do not get to. Since opening Range Life in historic downtown Livermore, he has helped push the boundaries on what this regi...

We are back and more excited than ever for 2020. But first, we look back at some of the highlights in 2019 as we begin to build the foundation for what is to come this season. While we are still shaking the cobwebs off in this episode, the camaraderie is better than ever. We wish everyone who decides to join us this season a very prosperous 2020, it is time for big things here in the Livermore Val...

Kevin Woodling is the Sales Manager for Scott Laboratories. Scott Labs is a provider of equipment and winemaking materials, everything from fermentation supplies, to sanitation, filtration, bottling etc etc. Scott is a leader in the industry, one of the most trusted companies for a lot of wineries globally. Kevin got his start in the wine industry while attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He bega...