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Cline Cellars’ Director of Winemaking, Charlie Tsegeletos

South of the town of Sonoma, in the southern end of Sonoma Valley, is a wide open plain with farmland, vineyards, and the flat and wetlands of San Pablo Bay. Nestled back against the tip of the Sonoma Mountains, in the midst of unexpected lush surroundings, is Cline Cellars. It’s a favorite wine and destination for many across the U.S. For 15 years the director of winemaking, Charlie Tsegeletos, has been crafting a great number of wines back behind that oasis, which also includes the Italian varietals for Cline’s other property, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Fortunately for him, the winery sits across the street. Both are enjoyable to visit but are individually unique properties. I reached out to Charlie during a busy harvest but he managed to carve out some time for me.

cline Cellars

The lush surroundings at Cline Cellars

Cline Carp

The descendants of America’s first carp

 

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Radio-Coteau, A Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Winery

Each year Wine & Spirits Magazine chooses the Top 100 wineries of the world. Each winery is featured in their Winter Issue and is invited to attend their annual tasting event in San Francisco. It’s quite an event! This is the third year Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau has been chosen. He makes remarkable cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, and Zinfandel. As a “pioneering micro-climate negociant” he works with as many as 16 different vineyards. His property in Occidental is quite historic and has its own story to tell. His vineyards there are maturing nicely. I find it interesting that he only has two subject tabs on his website yet it’s deeper in content than almost any winery website I’ve seen. Eric is quite prolific. I was happy to have finally tracked down this highly respected winemaker.

 

Eric Sussman

Eric at the Top 100 event, 2017

 

The Firemen’s Story

It’s always my intention to talk with people who make a difference here in wine country. The couple of weeks during the fires it was two of the hard working firemen who traveled to join the fight. I thought it was important to get to  know them as people, not just firefighters. You’ll hear why they fight fires, about their appreciation for our community, and the loved ones they leave at home to save people they’ve never met. It takes an unusually caring soul to make that sacrifice. Capt. Gilbert Miguel of Kings County Fire Department & Battalion Chief Brian Price of Fresno Fire Department took time during their resting period to share their story.

This is just south of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Just one of the many spots were fire crews had 24 resting periods before fighting another 24 hours. There were so many trucks it wouldn’t fit in one or two photos.