Any winemaker will tell you that wine is made in the vineyard. But the role of winemaker can never be underestimated. Focus, experience, talent are just some of the major ingredients in making great wine. Jeff Cole, Winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate in Napa Valley is our guest today and I had interviewed Jeff by phone back in June of 2020 (Podcast 387). At that time all of our interviews were by phone due to Covid. This time, we meet at the Estate and talk wine face to face, while the Napa winter drops precious rain from a beautiful rainbow.

You can also hear Jeff on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Unicorn Team”

Learn more by visiting sullivanwine.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Stu Smith, Proprietor, Smith-Madrone Vineyards, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, defining the phrase “Fire Safe Farming”.  Learn more by visiting www.smithmadrone.com

To get a look into Premiere Napa Valley we like to run the video of the previous year to give a good look back.  Premiere 2024 is coming up in two weeks and we will feature a brand new podcast and video to celebrate.  For now take a look and enjoy Premiere Napa Valley 2023!  The list of vintners is below.  Learn more by visiting www.napavintners.com

Premiere Napa Valley is back in full force for 2023. Winemakers from all over the Valley have created special lots for the auction to support the Napa Vintners. Our last PNV podcast was in 2020 so it was a very happy reunion of winemakers and the trade to be together at various wineries for tastings during the final week of February. This podcast features brief interviews with almost 50 winemakers at these events pouring and catching up. Listen and please enjoy.

Learn more by visiting www.napavintners.com

The following is a list of vintners interviewed in order of appearance.

Intro by Aaron Pott/Pott Wines

-John Skupny/Lang & Reed

-Jason Moulton/Whitehall Lane

-Emma Swain/St Supery Vineyards

-Michael Scholz/St Supery Vineyards

-Josh Widaman/Pine Ridge Vineyards

-Ray Signorello/Signorello Estate

-Lilly CoquerelCoquerel Family Wine Estates

-Stephen Cruzan/Titus Vineyards

-Brian Liu/Chase Cellars

-Aron Weinkauf/Spottswoode Estate

-Julie Robertson/Crocker & Starr

-Renee Ary/Duckhorn

-Chris Deardon/Robert Biale Vineyards

-Lesley Russell/St Helena Winery

-Diana Schweiger/Acumen Wines

-Stephanie Douglas/Aratas Wine

-Cyrus Hazzard/Crocker & Starr

-Cristie Kerr/Kerr Cellars

-Pam Starr/Crocker & Starr

-Tor Kenward/TOR Wines

-Benoit Toquette/Tierra Roja

-Michael Cooperman/LITHOLOGY

-Connie Gutterson/Freedom Estate

-Linda Neal/Tierra Roja

-Benoit Toquette/Fait Main

-Ehlers Estate/Laura Diaz Munoz

-Brian Maloney/Buena Vista

-Garret Lyon/Brilliant Mistake

-Steve Rogstad/Brandlin Estate

-Cody Hurd/Priest Ranch

-Tom Rinaldi/Patent Wines

-Molly Hill/GRO Wines

-Ivo Jeramaz/Grgich Hills Estate

-Sarah Kasai/Grieve Family

-David Tate/Barnett Vineyards

-Jean Hoefliger/JH Wine Consulting

-Aaron Pott/Blackbird Vineyards

-Elizabeth Vianna/Chimney Rock Vineyards

-Casey Stringer/Stringer Cellars

-Julie Johnson/Tres Sabores

-Trevor Durling/Beaulieu Vineyards

-Shannon Lail/Lail Vineyards

-Sara Fowler/Peju

-Robin Akhurst/Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine

-Jean-Charles Boisset/JCB Collection

-Bastien Lucas/Maxville Winery

-Ana Diogo Draper/Artesa Vineyards

-Robin Baggett/Alpha Omega