Anyone that starts a small business has my immediate respect. Anyone that owns a small business in the wine industry has my immediate curiosity. Stephanie Franklin is the Proprietor of Fly Wines, based in Oakland, California, which is in it’s first year of business. The wine industry can be a huge challenge and successfully finding one’s way through laws, licenses, rules and logistics can only come from passion. Stephanie has the passion.

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

Learn more by visiting www.flywines.club

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Jeff Cole, Winemaker, Sullivan Rutherford Estate, Napa Valley, defining the term “Unicorn Team”.  Learn more by visiting www.sullivanwine.com

Smith-Madrone Winery dates back to the very early ’70s in Napa Valley, a time when wineries weren’t so common. Stuart and Charlie Smith literally carved out an incredible future in fine wine making back then and have maintained top quality all those years. It’s been way too long since I last sat down with Charlie for an interview, in fact it’s been since 2013, and it was great to get caught up. Times have changed but one thing has not, the quest for making the best wine possible.

You can also hear Charlie on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Minerality”.

Learn more by visiting www.smithmdrone.com

Karen MacNeil, Author of The Wine Bible at Premiere Napa Valley 2024

Growing up in Napa Valley, Lindsay Hoopes looked outside of the wine industry for her future. Eventually she came back to the place she loved to rediscover the wine in her blood. Lindsay has had some incredible adventures before returning to wine country and to this day does not back down from a challenge. I met up Swith her at the Hoopes property to get caught up on current happenings that may have an affect on all Valley small wine producers.

You can also hear Lindsay on our Vino Lingo segment defining the term “Phenolic Bitterness”.

Learn more by visiting hoopesvineyard.com