Sparkling wine has been on the rise for quite sometime and Willamette Valley has made a huge name for itself with bubbles. Terry Culton is Director of Winemaking and Vineyards at Willamette Valley Vineyards bringing almost three decades of experience from the West Coast Pinot Trail. I caught up with Terry to get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes in sparkling wine production. Everybody loves bubbles because its not just for celebrations anymore.

You can also hear Terry on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Wine Barrels”

Learn more by visiting wvv.com

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To many wine lovers, Italian wines can be a bit of a mystery. The fact is, Italian wine might be challenging but the best way to learn, is to taste. I was in Chicago a few weeks ago to meet with Max Schweisfurth, Export Manager for Castello di Bolgheri, Italy. Max was born in the US but raised in Germany and has and extensive background in wine. I was lucky to taste one of their finest wines and believe me, there was no mystery. It was easy to fall in love.

You can also hear Max on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Bottle Gravity”.

Learn more by visiting castellodibolgheri.com

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For this podcast we ask our guests “If you could, what would you change in the wine business…”? Here are their responses:

Julien Fayard-Fayard Wines, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Florencia Palmaz-Palmaz Vineyards, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Rob Sinton-Starfield Vineyards, El Dorado County

Fritz Hatton-Arietta Wine, Napa Valley

Lisa Redmon-Redmon Wines, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Jesse Fox-Sequoia Grove Winery, Napa Valley

Wes Steffens-Vineyard 7&8, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley

Steve Contursi-Arrow & Branch, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Elise Nerlove-Elkhorn Peak, Napa Valley

Ken Nerlove-Elkhorn Peak, Napa Valley

Peter Mondavi-Charles Krug, Napa Valley

Nolan Jones-Lava Cap Winery, El Dorado County

Stu Smith-Smith-Madrone, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley

Gloria Bazan-Bazan Cellers, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Tom Farella-Farella Vineyard, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Rebecca Sciandri Griffin-Sciandri Family Vineyards, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Ron Sciandri-Sciandri Family Vineyards, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Ridgely Evers-Avivo Wines, Lodi

Michael Honig-Honig Vineyard & Winery, Napa Valley

Jim Pennella-Farang Wine, Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley

Ed Felice-JL Wood, Monterey & Napa Valley

Learn more by visiting coombsvillenapa.org, eldoradowines.org,  napavintners.com, lifebetweenthevines.com

Sponsored by:

www.barkersmarquewines.com

Sponsored by:

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What is the key to making great wine in New Zealand? Terroir. Terroir. Terroir. And Blind River. And Marlborough. Not to mention passion, heart and focus. I met up with Barker’s Marque Winery Co-Proprietor Gillett Johnson at his home in Illinois to learn more about these New Zealand wines. Gillett along with his partner and COO Simon Barker have taken Sauvignon Blanc to its highest level. My eyes have been opened and my palate made happy.

You can also hear Gillett on our Vino Lingo segment defining the phrase “New World Battonage”

Learn more by visiting barkersmarquewines.com

Sponsored by:

www.barkersmarquewines.com

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Everyone knows wine is made in the vineyard and the health of a vineyard is everything for wine. I recently spoke with Allison Jordan, Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance just after their Leadership Awards were published. We offer our congratulations to the winners but more importantly we salute their dedication to our planet. Sustainable farming isn’t the future, its the now.

You can also hear Allison on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Sustainable Winegrowing”

Learn more by visiting sustainablewinegrowing.org

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