Steven Mirassou knows the name of the game in Livermore Valley is Cabernet Franc. He also knows that this area makes many other world class wines, which often surprises people. The fact is, Livermore Valley is an extraordinary wine growing region and wine lovers need to discover just how great their wines are. I met up with Steven a couple weeks ago to talk about just how cool Livermore is and why this land is so very important. It’s all about passion.

You can also hear Steven on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Structure”.

Learn more by visiting www.stevenkent.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Marimar Torres, Vintner, Marimar Estate Vineyards, Sonoma County, defining the term “Pierce’s Disease”.  Learn more by visiting www.marimarestate.com

Livermore Valley is just less than on hour east of San Francisco and stands as one of California’s finest winegrowing areas. Livermore Valley found international recognition in 1889 when it won America’s first international gold medal for wine at the Paris Exposition. It is my pleasure to one again visit this beautiful valley to chat with some fantastic winemakers. For this podcast I met up with Robbie Meyer, Winemaker at Murrieta’s Well Winery. Robbie has many vintages under his belt making wine at some of California’s best AVA’s. Robbie joined me along with his four legged pal Mando to talk about the legend of Joaquin Murrieta and how this property became famous.

You can also hear Robbie on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Stain the Palate”

Learn more by visiting www.murrietaswell.com

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Mia Mascarin, Vintner, Mascarin Family Wines, Sonoma County, defining the term “Vigneron”.  Learn more by visiting www.32windswines.com

Wine isn’t scary. Wine is fun and it’s healthy (heck Robert Mondavi lived to 94). So for this podcast I asked 24 winemakers and vintners during the week of the Sonoma County Barrel Auction “Why is wine so misunderstood”. Here is what they said:

Winemakers & Vintners in order of appearance:

Olivia Wright, Winemaker/Rodney Strong Vineyards

Mark Mazzoni, Owner & Winemaker/Zialena Winery

Reid Kinett, Asst Winemaker/Brooks Note Winery

Cassidy Block, Enologist/Three Sticks Wines

Greg Morthole, Winemaker/Davis Bynum

Gregory Roberts, Vintner/Brandon Gregory Estate

Tahlia Suggs, Marketing/Head High Wine

Dan Kosta, Founder & President/dk Wine Group

Theresa Heredia, Director of Winemaking/Gary Farrell Winery

Jay Sweet, Caretaker/Sweet Family Vineyards

Darrell Holbrook, Winemaker/Chalk Hill Winery

Andrea Card, Senior Winemaker/Francis Ford Coppola

Randall Watkins, Winemaker/Laurel Glen Vineyard

Alicia Sylvester, Winemaker/Banshee Wines

Katie MacMurray/MacMurray Ranch Vineyard

Chris Benziger/Benziger Family Winery

Jeff Pisoni, Winemaker/Fort Ross Vineyard

Hillary Sjolund, Director of Winemaking/Aperture Cellars

Lisa Amaroli, Winemaker/Benziger Family Wines

Steve Gower, Vintner/Crux Winery

Brian Callahan, Vintner/Crux Winery

George Christie, Founder & CEO/Wine Industry Network

Mia Mascarin, Vintner/Mascarin Family Winery

Marimar Torres, Vintner/Marimar Estate Vineyards

Learn more by visiting www.sonomawine.com