Wine Talks with Paul K.

It was like talking to an old friend with Katie Wetzel. My father and her mother and father were friends back in the days in Palos Verdes Estates. Have a listen as we go through old times, new times and current times. Alexander Valley Vineyards is one of the great original Sonoma winemaking houses and I am proud to have her as my friend and have this conversation. 

This is one funny bit. On my last trip to Sonoma, I was tapped to be on KSRO's California Wine Country with host Steve Jaxon and famed wine critic Dan Berger.  Great conversation and laughter with talented Steve Jaxon and never a dull wine moment with Dan Berger.  And look for the podcast  (coming soon) I recorded with Dan just before going on the air with these two characters.

Vanessa Conlin was born into the arts.  After her soiree into singing Opera, her next self disciplined challenge was to learn wine...and why not shoot for the coveted title of Master of Wine? Vanessa is one of 40+ MW's in the US and one of the 90+ women who have earned the title. She is endearing and passionate. Hear from Vanessa Conlin.

In 1972, the Duncan family set out to try their hand at winemaking; I think it worked. Meet Matt Duncan, 3rd generation owner of Silver Oak Cellars..yes, the famed Silver Oak. His insights and understanding of the winery and the trade are inspirational. Have a listen.

Michael Juergens is a Master of Wine candidate, industry consultant, and author. In this episode Paul and Michael sit down over a glass (or two) and discuss the exciting challenge of growing grapes where they have never been grown before, wine snobbery, and his recently published book Drinking and Knowing Things.

The Anderson Valley is a wine growing region in Mendocino county that is turning heads with Pinot Noir and Sparkling wine. At the helm of Domaine Anderson is Darrin Low. He grew up in the heart of the wine country and never left (except for his brief stint in Bordeaux). Hear his thoughts on everything wine.

I was told by winemaker Bruce Neyers that I was to venture into food and wine writers, Colman Andrews was a must have on the show. As a writer in the entertainment sector, he was nominated for an Grammy...but food and wine was where he wanted to be and wrote for Bon Appetit, Food and Wine and Travel and Leisure. We had a blast on the podcast and am already scheduling the next.

I was intrigued to meet Natalie Bath of Rudd Estates...we were having such a great conversation I went off script and didn't get to all my talking points.  Rudd Estates is family owned and produces exquisite wines under Natalie's tootalage. Oh, it is primarily a one woman show. Meet Natalie Bath.

I could have sworn Proprietress Nell Sweeney walked by when Rich and I were on the mics for Wine Talks. I was going to be a little intimidated had she come in. Rich and I spot of the Sweeney family and the history that surrounds Vine Cliff. Quite fascinating and truly original. Have a listen.

Tom Leonardini II is a second generation family at Whitehall Lane.  We sat at the winery for what I would call a frank conversation about the state of Napa Valley and wine business as a whole.  He sheds some light on what it takes to be successful in the Napa Valley and be a good steward of the land.  Have a listen.

I received the book "10 Restaurants That Changed America" from my daughter as a gift. I couldn't put it down and immediately sought Dr. Freedman for a podcast. The podcast was so interesting that I ordered his second book "American Cuisine and How It Got That Way" and am tearing into that tome. You too will say "who knew?" when the details of what we eat in America are revealed.  Salut.

Paul Mabray is considered one of the most knowledgeable consultants on the business of wine. Having worked for wine.com WineDirect.com and others. We could have spoken for hours. Have a listen.

Richard Niner fell in love with Paso Robles when he visited in the '90's on a business trip...it took 1o years to find the right parcel of land and he and his wife took up the Paso Robles life by purchasing BootJack Ranch.  Son Andy Niner is at the helm now and we sat down on Wine Talks to see what Niner Wine Estates is up to under 2nd gen leadership.

I read Chefs, Drugs and Rock and Roll at the behest of the great Melvyn Masters. I wasn't 20 pages into the book before I decided having Andrew Friedman on the show was a must.  A variable wealth of American cuisine knowledge, Andrew Friedman breaks the subject down to help us understand how what we eat came to be. Enjoy.

Bartholomew Broadbent has a storied wine history on his own. He currently owns one of the great importing houses in America, Broadbent selections, and single handedly brought Madera back to America after a prohibition hiatus.  Not to mention the son of one of the great Masters of Wine, wine critic and famed wine auctioneer Michael Broadbent. We get into it on this episode of Wine Talks.

Meet PhD Katherine Larson, curator of the Fire And Vine Exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass and wine have 1000's of years together and Katherine took the time to sit with us and explain the history....quite intriguing....and learn what the "punt" is for!

It has been a few years since Emmanuel Kemiji was hanging around...we got him in studio to tell us of his newest ventures...this man has been busy, canning wine and making incredible craft beers.  Hear the story and the path it took to get here (not to get to the studio...to canning wine and making beer).  

Tom Hinde's resume is off the charts. He has made wine for iconic wineries such as Kendal Jackson and iconic celebrities such as Yao Ming. His outlook and passion for wine is clearly a reflection of his experience. You will find this episode informative and inspiring. Have a listen to Tom Hinde....really quite revealing.

Pat Roney, CEO of Vintage Wine Estates, has kept vigilant in growing his company to one of the largest winery groups in America. His insightful look at the industry reminds us that it is about quality products and good service....despite phoney taste algorithms. Hear his insights and resolve to forge more quality for Vintage Wine Estates.

The food scene in the US was changing rapidly in the '80's and LA was the hub.  Being a Chef was not a claim to fame in those days but restaurants like Michaels in Santa Monica was changing all that. Michaels was like a Chef breeding ground churning greats like the namesake, Michael McCarty, Ken Frank, Jonathan Waxman, Nancy Silverton and more. You will be amused and intrigued with Michaels recoll...

Eric Asimov's experience in the food and wine world is impossible to compare. Having started with the NY Times as a food critic and then moving to wine 16 years ago, he has developed an all-encompassing opinion when it comes to all things wine. His insights are thoughtful and insightful. Enjoy.

Each time I sit with Frédéric Barnier, it is like going to Burgundy school. Due to Covid, the 2019 barrel tasting of the wines of Maison Louis Jadot was canceled, so I reached out to head winemaker, M. Barnier to catch up on the happenings. From Covid to climate change, we covered it all.

We could have chatted for another hour and still had more to discuss. Andre and Michael of the Canadian podcast "Two Guys Talking Wine" was like meeting up with old friends and catching up; the subject ? Wine, naturally.

If you found a menu from a restaurant in the Burgundy part of France from let's say 1965, you would find that fine Beaujolais wines rivaled in price their competitors of Burgundy. With the advent of Beaujolais Nouveau, the perception of Beaujolais began to change. Meet Cyril Chirouze, winemaker at Chateau Des Jacques of Maison Louis Jadot, His commentary and insight into this historical region wil...

If you go on a wine tour of either Bordeaux, France, or Argentina, you will make a big mistake if don't take along the respective copy of Michael Higgins' Exploring Wine Regions. A Ph. D., pilot, and wine devotee having traveled the world to create these two gorgeous coffee table books. And a hoot to talk to.