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

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Cyrus Hazzard, Executive Vice President, Crocker & Starr, Napa Valley, defining the term “Typicity”.  Learn more by visiting www.crockerstarr.com

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