Wineries Archives - On The Wine Road

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin “Les Murot”

Matthieu Mangenot of Domaines Albert Bichot

On today’s podcast you’ll meet Matthieu Mangenot of Domaines Albert Bichot. It was a pleasure to head back to Beaune, France, albeit this time by telephone.

Matthieu will talk about his background and the wines they sent me (aren’t I the lucky one?). He’ll also touch upon the vineyards of Albert Bichot in areas of the three main appellations of Burgundy – village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru.

You’ll also hear about some experiences you can enjoy if you plan to visit in the Burgundy Region now that the world is beginning to open up.

If you’d like to see the wine I received, click the links:

The 2018 Chablis Domaine Long-Depaquit

And the Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé

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Matthieu Mangenot in his element

Our 2013 trip on the Véloroute (cycle route)

…one of the many things you can do in the Burgundy region.

June 28, 2021/by Jeff Davis

DANCIN Vineyards and Weisinger Family Winery of Rogue Valley, OR

Join me on a road trip to southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley wine region.

I met up with Dan Marca of DANCIN Vineyards, who offer a great variety of excellent Pinot Noir from around the region, Italian varietals, and a food menu that’s nearly as long as their wine list. They’re west of Medford near the historic town of Jacksonville. As you occasionally hear in my interviews, serendipity often plays a key role. Dan has two stories that play into that theme.

And I sat with Eric Weisinger of Weisinger Family Winery. He’s the winemaker and G.M. of the well established family winery where he’s held numerous positions since he was a kid. His father moved his family there from Texas to pursue a dream. I’d say he captured it! Now Eric bottles a good number of Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, a Tempranillo and a few surprises; which includes Caldera Lager of IPA beer.
If you decide to visit, be sure to consider their Vineyard Cottage. It’s very attractive.

We enjoyed staying at the historic Ashland Springs Hotel. It’s in the center of Ashland with many excellent restaurants just blocks away, and off the lobby.

These interviews will give you insight into what I found to be two of the best wineries in the Rogue Valley. Let’s hit the road!

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Dan and Cin Marca

Eric Weisinger during my interview

The front Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyard at DANCIN Vineyards.

One of the tasting spaces at Weisinger Family Winery with the Grizzly Peak in the background

The Ashland Springs Hotel standing proud

Part of the attractive hotel lobby

The back patio of the Ashland Springs Hotel

June 13, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Rare 1821 Wine Intended for Napolean Receives $30,000

Edited story from Decanter Magazine

A 200-year-old ‘unicorn’ bottle of the vaunted sweet wine originally destined for Napoleon Bonaparte’s island prison has fetched 420,000.

An intense bidding session saw a single bottle of Grand Constance 1821 sell for 420,000 rand ($30,000) at the 22 May sale, said the organisers of the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction.

‘It’s a true unicorn wine,’ said Charlie Foley, an auctioneer at Christie’s who presided over the CFRWA. Organisers said a UK-based Christie’s client bought the bottle. It is ‘perhaps one of only 12 remaining in the world’.

It was once part of a case of the rare, sought-after sweet wine destined to keep Napoleon company on his island prison of St Helena. But Napoleon died on 5 May 1821, as that year’s harvest was still ripening in the vineyard.

Napoleon wasn’t the only high-profile admirer of wines from the renowned Groot Constantia vineyard.

Constantia wines had begun to achieve notoriety more than a century earlier. By the 1800s, fans had ranged from George Washington to King George III and Frederick the Great.

Today, Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance is one of the most sought-after sweet wines in the world.

The Grand Constance 1821 sold at its 22 May auction was one of three bottles stored by South African drinks maker Distell, and its predecessor company, since being acquired at auction in the 1980s.

All three bottles were recorked in 2019, with a seal containing a unique, traceable code added.

Once in a lifetime opportunity.

Niel Groenewald, MD of Nederburg wine estate and head of CFRWA, said of the Grand Constance 1821 prior to last weekend’s sale, ‘A treasure of this calibre presents itself perhaps once in a lifetime, and anyone lucky enough to secure this wine at auction will be rewarded with an unbelievable valuable piece of wine history.’

Total auction sales at this year’s CFRWA reached 2.2m rand (£112,000), according to unaudited results.

Groenewald said after the sale, ‘Following a year that has impacted the South African wine industry like no other, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction today became a beacon of resilience, showcasing the tenacious spirit of the country’s wine makers – and the massive favour they carry with wine enthusiasts globally.’

Since its creation in 1975, the auction has also supported charitable causes.

This year, organisers said more than 130,000 rand had been raised for the Pinotage Youth Academy, which provides programmes to help young people find employment in the wine industry and related sectors.

Photo Credits: Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, in association with Christie’s.

May 27, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Ehler’s Estate’s International Formula

This interview is was a bit unusual for me, with good reason. Ehlers Estate is one of the few wineries that possess an on-going philanthropic element. But that came later.

Ehlers Estate has a rich history dating back to 1886. It is arguably one of the top Cabernet producers in the competitive Napa Valley region. The old stone winery has been transformed into a modern, fashionable tasting space. In 2018, they hired Spanish immigrant Laura Diaz Muñoz as winemaker and General Manager. Her talent and willingness to revamp the appearance and winemaking is breathing new life into the brand.

In 1996, French philanthropists and owners Jean and Sylviane Laducq, established the Leducq Foundation which supports research for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke. On a small level, proceeds from Ehlers’ wine sales and tastings benefit research as part of the global international network. You’ll hear details from the Foundation’s Executive Board Members, Spaniard Martín Landaluce and American Dr. David Tancredi. It’s a monumental endeavor and one you’ll appreciate if you have a loved one who has suffered from cardiovascular disease. I think you’ll be impressed.

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Laura and the 9 bottles she had waiting for me

The historic stone winery building

The Red Barn

The rustic yet exquisite tasting room

Sylviane and Jean Leducq

President of the Board of Directors of Leducq Foundation, Martin Landeluce

Executive Director of the Board of Directors of the Leducq Foundation, Dr. David Tancredi

May 19, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Napa’s Todd Graff of Frank Family Vineyards

There were two reasons that prompted me to reach out to Todd Graff. First, in October my step-daughter Jackie told me in that her favorite wine is Frank Family Vineyards‘ Cabernet Sauvignon. Then in December, I watched as Todd received “Napa Valley Winemaker of the Year” from the North Bay Business Journal’s Annual Wine, Spirits and Beer Industry Awards. That solidified my desire to interview him.

Aside from his history in the industry, Todd shared why he chose to travel early on. His wanderlust was further satisfied when he was chosen by Schramsberg Vineyards for a project in Portugal. For the last 18 years he’s enjoyed working with Frank Family and making a good list of wine varieties.

Why is Frank Family Vineyards often chosen as Napa’s Favorite Tasting Room? As the winemaker and General Manager, he has a pretty good idea. He’ll share that opinion.

As you’ll hear, Todd Graff is a casual guy, down to earth, and a bit humble…like most winemakers I interview. Enjoy the conversation!

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The old winemaking barn is the first thing you’ll see when visiting Frank Family Vineyards

Todd caught contemplating the answer to a question, and the wine he served us.

The tasting room Craftsman House from the 1930s

Todd developed a taste for sparkling wine during his time at Schramsberg Vineyards. He’s showing off his Brut Rosé as we hung out, literally, on the back porch.

April 26, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Wineries

Mersenne Wines & Capo Creek Ranch

Both wineries featured in this podcast, Mersenne Wines and Capo Creek Ranch, pay tribute to musicians. Mersenne created a wine label for a British Indie-Pop band, and Capo Creek has named a vineyard after a beloved singer, guitarist. That’s one aspect of each winery you’ll appreciate as I get in-depth with their stories of overcoming obstacles.

Mitch Rice of Mersenne Prime Artisan Wines entrance into the industry wasn’t too complicated. He had experience as a home winemaker before taking the leap as a winery owner. Though his beginnings were less challenging, delicate maneuvering was needed to “secure” his partner. As it turned out, their brand features a love story that is wrapped in historical lore…which I greatly respect.

However, if you buy a vineyard there are many more hurdles. Sisters Mary and Nadine Roy of Capo Creek Ranch did purchase land and it took several years to get their footing. They’re strumming along now and offer a wine and food pairing that is par excellence! It was quite an unexpected chapter following their lives as owners of a medical practice in Chicago, when one day an unsolicited pamphlet arrived in the mail that completely changed their life’s direction…eventually.

Join me for these tales of persistence by Mersenne Wines and Capo Creek Ranch, as heard On The Wine Road…

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Mersenne Wines logo
Illustration by Michael Gray

Robin and Mitch

2018 Prospére Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

2016 Rutherford, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 North Coast Wine Challenge Best of the Best 98 pt. score!

2015 “SO45” Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced in collaboration with the British Indie-Pop band “Scars on 45”. Click the image to learn about them.

Capo Creek Ranch

Social distancing with Nadine and Mary Roy

All of their varietals feature familiar curves of an acoustic guitar. This is one of our favorites, the 2018 Open Mic Grenache Red Blend

The filling and delicious Ultimate Food and Wine Pairing overlooking Dry Creek Valley

What we enjoyed that day. Incredible!

There’s plenty of space at Capo Creek Ranch

The Triple Berry Galette with Chantilly Cream. They are not skimpy portions

April 11, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Celebrating International Women’s Day with CADE Estate and Pine Ridge Vineyards

These interviews were aired on my radio show on March 6th in celebration International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. It was a real pleasure to spend half the day with these two talented winemakers.

My first guest will be Danielle Cyrot who has held enviable positions in her career, the last 12 years of which have been at CADE Estate Winery on Howell Mountain. Danielle is working with two interesting projects, the details of which we’ll cover.

Colleen FitzGerald is the enologist and a winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards in the Stags Leap District. She’s been handed an intereresting wine wine project which led to a sparkling brand that is the first new label for the winery in 25 years.

Has it been a challenge for these women to work in such a male dominated field? You may be surprised by their answers. Join me as I celebrate the contributions these ladies have made to the Napa Valley wine industry.

Danielle Cyrot in the CADE Estate tasting room

Colleen FitzGerald with her Chenin Blanc+Viognier blend

March 20, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Fine Wines from the Far Niente Family and Benchmark Wine Group

In this podcast you’ll hear how you can obtain fine wines from the Far Niente Family and Benchmark Wine Group.

The Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards has created a lower priced wine called Post and Beam. That led me to interview winemaker Michael Accurso. He’ll take us through the full portfolio which includes Nickel & Nickel, Dolce, En Route and Bella Union. You’ll also learn how Far Niente came to be revered winery that it is today, the beginnings of which go back to 1885. Far Niente helped create the high-end Napa Valley wine market and has continued that role for more than three decades.

Benchmark Wine Group is the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world. It’s the largest online seller of rare wines and they can be obtained by YOU! Do you want a 1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape? A 1999 Antinori Brunello di Montalcino? Or how about a 1977 Graham’s Vintage Port? Hear how Benchmark can obtain these sought after wines, and how you can buy rarities from a collector’s cellar. David Parker fills us in on this episode of On The Wine Road Podcast.

Far Niente Family and Benchmark Wine Group

Winemaker Michael Accurso

David Parker, Benchmark

These fine and rare wines can be yours!

February 20, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Amador County, Wineries

Winemakers Easton and Sobon of Amador County

Today’s offering comes to you in a timely fashion. The Stay at Home Order in California has been lifted. As a result, winery tasting rooms opened again last week for outdoor service. However, the order went into affect the day we arrived in the Sierra Foothills region back in December. Nonetheless, both winemakers were happy to meet with us, at a safe distance, of course.

Both interviews in this podcast feature winemakers in Amador County; Bill Easton of Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Easton Wines, and his neighbor Paul Sobon of Shenandoah Vineyards, Sobon Estate and his boutique brand, Paul J wines. I get a kick out of the winding country roads and the small towns of the Sierra Foothills, and the welcoming nature of the people who enjoy the slower pace there.

For years, winemakers Easton and Sobon have shown you don’t have to live in a world-renowned wine region to make world-class wines. That said, the time is coming when the wine regions of the Sierra Foothills will be mentioned in the same discussion as Napa and Sonoma counties.

Here’s to a return to a more normal year in 2021!

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Winemakers Easton and Sobon of Amador County

The mid-December day we visited was comfortable enough to interview Paul Sobon in his backyard. It wouldn’t stay that way.

Behind the bar with Bill Easton. Notice the recently received Wine & Spirits Magazine award between us. It’s one of several awarded to him.

Later that day, winter arrived. It was welcomed as it brought the holiday season to life in downtown Placerville.

January 31, 2021/by Jeff Davis

Dry Creek Valley, Napa Valley, Wineries

Seghesio Family Vineyards & Shadowbox Cellars

On this podcast I feature Seghesio Family Vineyards & Shadowbox Cellars. Winemaker Andy Robinson and Sonoma County’s Seghesio Family Vineyards are celebrating 125 years of grape growing this year. Seghesio is one of the few that made it through Prohibition and continue to this day.

In comparison, owner Justin Preiser’s Shadowbox Cellars is in its infancy at 11 years of winemaking. His fairly new tasting room in downtown Napa was the first wine entity granted an outdoor space, the parklet, during this covid era.

Seghesio Family Vineyards and Shadowbox Cellars are producing outstanding wines and offer enjoyable experiences. Justin’s Salt and Acid Pairing is nearly one-of-a-kind, utilizing a gourmet food item paired with his aged wine. To hear more details about the Salt and Acid Pairing you’ll just have to listen to the podcast. I’ll tell you this, it was surprisingly tasty.

Hit play to join us under the ancient trees in Healdsburg, and streetside in Napa.

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Seghesio’s outdoor lawn. Perfect for outdoor tastings, when it’s allowed.

Seghesio Family Vineryards & Shadowbox Cellars

A line up of some of Seghesio’s varietals

Shadowbox Cellars Salt and Acid Pairing

The streetside Parklet in front of Shadowbox Cellars. A fun place to taste, when it’s allowed.

December 20, 2020/by Jeff Davis

The Story of Napa’s Frog’s Leap Winery – John Williams

John Williams has had quite a career. The story of Frog’s Leap didn’t begin until after John worked with Napa Valley icon Warren Winiarski at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. He helped launch Glenora Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes region. Afterward, he returned to Napa Valley as winemaker for the esteemed Spring Mountain Vineyard. All this, before and during the founding of Frog’s Leap, where early business decisions, like their comical slogan, were made with his partners in the Frog Farm hot tub.

40 years on, John continues to evolve, innovate and successfully sustain the Frog’s Leap brand, all while maintaining his sense of humor.

Join me as John fills us in the details, with cameo appearances from Larry and Julie.

The lobby of The Vineyard House

The back porch of The Vineyard House where wine tastings are offered

The Red Barn in Rutherford

Russian River Valley, Wineries

December 7, 2020/by Jeff Davis

Chenoweth and Chev – Epic Pinot Noir

My guests from Chenoweth and Chev have a history together. Charlie Chenoweth grows sought after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Charlie’s wife Amy and friend Michael Browne craft their own versions of epic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Russian River Valley also plays a role on this podcast. Its diverse soil, fog-filled valleys, rolling hills and redwood trees have inspired my two guests.

Chenoweth Wines

The Chenoweth Wines tasting experience was quite a venture, as you’ll see below. That was before the pandemic. But you can make a reservation to taste their fantastic wines within their picturesque Redwood Grove. It’s quite a setting. As you’ll hear, Amy and Charlie are quintessential Sonoma County residents. Amy has a rock ‘n roll attitude, and Charlie is as laid back as a country boy can be.

Michael Browne

Michael Browne has sourced grapes from Chenoweth’s highly regarded Treehouse and Bootleggers Hill vineyards in Russian River Valley for his previous Kosta Browne cult wines, then in Michael’s Browne Family Wines brand, Cirq. He continues sourcing from the Chenoweth’s and other Russian River Valley vineyards for his newly released brand Chev. The project was inspired by the crafting talents of his father, Bob. If that hasn’t kept Michael busy enough, we’ll discuss his new autobiography that was just released on Amazon, Pinot Rocks: A Winding Journey through Intense Elegance. The man does have quite a few stories to tell.

Which brings us to today’s tales featuring Chenoweth and Chev On The Wine Road…

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Amy, greeting her guests with wine and a smile

A ride through the vines

Charlie in another section of the Redwood Grove

A portion of the Redwood Grove

The handcrafted Chevy bench

Charlie, enjoying the view of Russian River Valley

The Pinot grapes going through versaison as they ripen

One of a couple bottles we enjoyed that day

Michael Browne enjoying his craft

A throwback to Michael’s previous brand, Cirq, crafted with grapes from the Chenoweth’s Treehouse Vineyard

The new brand, hearkening back to the ’40s, featuring little gems for car fanatics

The book thing

November 11, 2020/by Jeff Davis

Hennessey Fire Survivors – Green and Red & Nichelini Family Winery

Insane Lightening

Wild fires? I was hoping it would be quite a while before I had to cover this topic again. Mother Nature hit with a vengeance in mid August. The late summer storm was a nice surprise, but not for the Hennessey Fire survivors. The 12,000 lightening strikes in four days across Northern California was insane! (That’s a National Weather Service quote, by the way). The resulting 585 wildfires produced 18 large infernos, one of which was the Hennessey Fire.

Close Call

Today’s podcast features two wineries who “miraculously” survived the firestorm, Green and Red Vineyard & Nichelini Family Winery of Napa’s Chile’s Valley, not far from Lake Hennessey. As you’ll learn, I have come to know both of these families and have conducted multiple interviews with them in the past. Because of that fact I was keeping a close eye on the active fire maps around both wineries during that harrowing week to 10 days as fires raged in both Napa and Sonoma Counties. Other firestorms picked up elsewhere in the state during that period as well.

Thankfully, both survived thanks to valiant help from Cal Fire, volunteer fire men and women, and the owners themselves. Click the play button to hear the families share their harrowing stories.

Green and Red Vineyard

The terraced rows of Green and Red’s unique Tip Top Vineyard.

You can see how close the fire came to the Tip Top Vineyard, stopping at the road.

The fire was close enough to singe some of the leaves but didn’t burn the vines. Smoke tainted grapes are now the concern.

Like many vineyards, Green and Red has a vineyard dog. Uno is small but he’s mighty! He makes an appearance during the interview.

The day I joined the crew for harvest. From L to R, Ray Hannigan, Tobin Heminway, Mary Kate, winemaker Mike Penn and me.

Processing the Syrah grapes. There’s an optimistic feeling that the grapes may have escaped smoke taint.

Nichelini Family Winery

The historic Nichelini home and winery previously on a sunny day.

As it looks today. You can see the blackened ridge behind the home.

Family member Kenny Wainright does his part to save the winery. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Across the street from the winery from the hillside. You can hardly make out the winery on the road. The fire was on all sides.

5th generation winemaker Aimee Sunseri in front of the winery’s original Roman wine press. Thankfully the winery and home survived and can continue the 130 year legacy. (Photo-Napa Valley Register)

September 21, 2020/by Jeff Davis

Vranken-Pommery Champagne and Rosé

Clément Pierlot is the chef de cave of historic Champagne Pommery in France. I found it appealing that the Champagne house known for creating the Brut style of bubbly is now making a sparkling wine from California grapes. It turns out Louis Pommery California Sparkling is harvested and made just up the freeway from me in Sonoma County. It was a topic worth pursuing.

That led to another interview with a fellow Vranken-Pommery winemaker, Bruno Maillard. He crafts rosé in Provence and Carmargue/Languedoc, the world’s foremost regions for the light refreshing pink wine.

You’ll hear from these Frenchman and learn about the incomparable heritage of the world’s largest winegrower in Europe, Vranken-Pommery.

The tasteful line-up: Louis Pommery California Sparkling, The Pommery Brut Royal, and the Pommery Blanc de blancs.

The refreshing Rosé: The Pink Flamingo from Carmargue, and the La Chapelle Gordon from Provence.

The underground caves, or “galleries” as they call them in Champagne, that were carved during mining by the Romans centuries ago.

August 23, 2020/by Jeff Davis

Napa Assistant Winemaker Opens Up – Mike Tracy

I met Mike Tracy at an industry party on a cool February evening, prior to the coronoavirus altering our social activities. It’s common to meet people of various winery positions at these after hours gatherings. I’ve struck up the occasional friendship during one of these evenings. He’s a pleasant guy, smart, and when he told me which wineries he works with it raised my eyebrows. Not one, not two, but FOUR high-end Napa Valley wineries. That’s what led to this interview.

Mike Tracy’s boss (bosses)? Married winemaking couple Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams Porembski. The three of them have an enviable business, and friend, relationship. What are the duties of an assistant winemaker? (Often they do as much or more hands-on work than the winemaker).

Which esteemed wine brands do the three of them craft? Well, you’ll just have to listen to discover the answer. And when this whole virus era settles down, I can’t wait to try more of them with Mike. Press play to join us safely on the wine road.

August 3, 2020/by Jeff Davis

The Mountain Men of Schweiger Vineyards

I traveled 2000 feet above Napa Valley to the peak of Spring Mountain to meet up with the mountain men of Schweiger Vineyards. You’ll find peaceful, picturesque views from their tasting room in the center of their rolling mountaintop vineyard.

As father and son, Fred and Andy have been working the property, with wife and mother Sally, since the 70s. As you can imagine, they have plenty of stories to tell. You’ll find their wines are an excellent representation the complex soil of Spring Mountain – full, flavorful and complex. I am impressed with the close relationship with their club members – who’s suggestions often get put into action by the family. For more details, visit their website here.

As it was planned, this interview aired on Father’s Day weekend. Here’s to the mountain men of Schweiger Vineyards!

The Tasting Room that Fred Built

Inside the tasting room during our recording

A portion of their vineyard, looking west

Their palate pleasing Bordelais blend, Dedication

July 15, 2020/by Jeff Davis