December 2017 - On The Wine Road

Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Wineries

The Respected David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars

As you’ll hear in this podcast, David of Ramey Wine Cellars is well known by most in the biz. His name came up three times in the last few months while talking with other winemakers. A lot of wineries have tapped into his knowledge by hiring him as a consultant. I’ve also heard he doesn’t hold back his opinions. Those spring forth concerning a bit of a controversy he’s in the midst of here in Sonoma County. Meet the winemaker who utilizes old world methods with modern innovations…when necessary. Here’s David Ramey…

Photo compliments of Mark Spivak

Napa Valley, Wineries

Cathy Corison and her top 100 wine

When it comes to winemaking you’ll find Cathy Corison at the intersection of Power and Elegance. You won’t locate that intersection on a map but you can find it in a Corison bottle. Cathy has worked at respected Napa Valley wineries such as Freemark Abbey, Chappellet and her namesake winery for 40 years. Not a bad run for a woman who got her start by taking a wine appreciation course “on a whim.” This year she was named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine. She’ll be the first to say her success has as much to do with serendipity and luck as it does talent. Meet Cathy Corison on today’s podcast.

Her Kronos Vineyard from the second story porch of her winery barn.

The late season makes its mark on her old vine Cabernet Sauvignon vines.

Petaluma Gap, Wineries

The Petaluma Gap is the Newest American Viticultural Area (AVA)

Congratulations to the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance for FINALLY receiving the much desired, and deserved, AVA designation (American Viticultural Area). The coastal wind and fog in the region truly produce grapes of distinction. Prior to their annual Wind to Wine tasting event last year, I interviewed Doug Cover of the PGWA Board of Directors about their pursuit of the AVA distinction. If you’d like to learn about the process and what it means for the growers and the winemakers who source grapes from the region click the link below. This is my raw interview and is less than 8 minutes. For distinctive cool climate wines look for Petaluma Gap on wine labels from this point forward!

For a larger view of the wineries who source from the Petaluma Gap click the map

Lake County, Wineries

Brassfield Estate Winery, Lake County Getaway

The Lake County wine region covers a wide area. It’s a bucolic region with stunning views of Clear Lake, the largest lake in California. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now, if you haven’t been to Lake County wine country, it’s well worth the weekend trip. There is some fantastic wine being produced there. During our visit I sat down with winemaker Matt Hughes at B rassfield Estate Winery. As you see, it’s a beautiful property and they put as much effort into their wine as they have the facility, the property, and wildlife reserve. The Brassfield 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon picked up the Best of Class Award during this year’s North Coast Wine Challenge, meaning it topped Cabernets from Napa, Sonoma, and Marin! No small feat. Matt shares their story here.