When we say winemakers tell the best stories, we weren’t kidding! Greg Pestoni, General Manager of Pestoni Family Estate Winery does have some of the best stories. His family history goes way back and covers several areas in the Valley. After spending years in the film industry Greg came back to the family winery to continue the tradition of creating more great stories. I could have sat and listened to him all day.

You can also hear Greg on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “ ”

Learn more by visiting www.pestonifamily.com

This week on our Vino Lingo Video segment we feature Kaj Ahlmann, Proprietor, Six Sigma Ranch, Lake County, defining the phrase “Monday Night Pizza Wine”.  Learn more by visitint sixsigmaranch.com

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with three Napa Valley vintners to discuss several law suits which have been in the news.

Lindsay Hoopes founded her winery in Yountville in 1983.

Heather Brakesman Griffin’s family founded Summit Lake Vineyards on top of Howell Mountain in 1971.

Stu Smith founded Smith-Madrone on top of Spring Mountain in 1971.

In 2022 Napa County sued Lindsay Hoopes, alleging violations of her use permit. This lawsuit has not yet been resolved. Lindsay, who is an attorney and teaches law at UC Law, believes her “small winery exemption” is her legitimate reason to operate.

In the fall of 2024, Lindsay, Heather and Stu joined together to sue Napa County in federal court, in San Francisco, claiming that Napa County’s regulatory overreach has threatened their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and restraint of trade.

Today the vintners talk about the two cases and explain the unusual situation where a local government is seemingly trying to put long-time small wineries out of business.

Each lawsuit has a website which is home to lots of information and ways to support the vintners: http://saveoursmallwineries.org/ and https://napawinerieslawsuit.org/

This is our special podcast of the Sonoma County Barrel Auction 2025 featuring the Vintners/Winemakers talking about the special LOTS made for this Auction. Cheers!

Clay Mauritson/Mauritson Wines

Mike Sullivan/Benovia Winery

Courtney Wagoner/Martinelli Winery

Jessica Gilmore/Williams Selyem

Caroline Guerra/MacRostie Winery

Ben Papapietro/Papapietro-Perry Winery

Ames Morison/Medlock Ames Wine

Brian Ball/Skipstone

Phil Holbrook/Salty Goat Wine

SaCha Stewart-Coleman/Twomey & Silver Oak

Dan Kemp/Twomey & Silver Oak

Brandon Muller/Brandon Gregory Estate

Lisa Evich/Chateau St. Jean

Geoff Bedrosian/Domaine de la Riviere

Ryan Prichard/Three Sticks

Mark Hernandez/ACTA Wine

Nick Briggs/Dutcher Crossing Winery

Katie Wetzel Murphy/Alexander Valley Vineyards K

en McCabe/DeLoach Vineyards

Mari Jones/Emeritus Vineyards

Sally Johnson Blum/SJB Winemaking

Crystal Fairbanks/Knights Bridge Winery

Hanna Smith/Aperture Cellars

Ried Kinnett/Brooks Note Winery

Cushing Donelan/Donelan Family Wines

Nicole Hitchcock/J Vineyards & Winery

Laura Fontaine/J Vineyards & Winery

Caroline Shaw/J Vineyards & Winery

Sarah Lampi/Ravenswood Winery

Christopher O’Gorman/Rodney Strong Vineyards

Learn more by visiting sonomawine.com

During my recent visit to Sonoma County I was lucky enough to be interviewed by my friend and Executive Director of Sonoma Valley Tourism, Tim Zahner.  Watch or listen, it was a great time!  Learn more by visiting www.sonomavalley.com