Tag Archive for: barbera

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! 

Listen now:

Listen later: OTWR_RogueValley

 

Rogue Valley

Dan and Cin Marca

Rogue Valley

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rogue Valley

The Ashland Springs Hotel standing proud

Part of the attractive hotel lobby

 

The back patio of the Ashland Springs Hotel


 

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 effect 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!

Play now

Right click to save for later:  OTWR_Easton_Sobon_R

 

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.

Winemakers Easton and Sobon of Amador County

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

 

Winemakers Easton and Sobon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winemakers Easton and Sobon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winemakers Easton and Sobon

Winemakers Easton and Sobon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winemakers Easton and Sobon of Amador County

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