Small producers make up the heart of Napa Valley. In fact, the majority members of the Napa Valley Vintners Association are family owned. While many visitors to the Valley taste at the “household name” wineries, it’s these small vintners that make some of the most amazing wines. They also offer the most intimate tasting experiences. Kenefick Ranch in Calistoga is one of those wineries. For this program we met with VP of Sales, Chris Kenefick. When it comes to wine, Kenefick is a must visit. Big is good but small can be better.

Learn more by visiting www.kenefickranch.com

Community health and children’s education nonprofits were the big winners at Auction Napa Valley 2018. This year’s auction raised an amazing $13.6 million dollars! Between e-auction lots, live lots and the barrel auction, a splendid time was had by all. Along with celebrating our podcast’s 10^th anniversary, this is our 10^th visit to the Barrel Auction. Wine was poured from the barrels at the Charles Krug Winery and hosted by the 4^th generation Mondavi sisters; Giovanna, Angelina, Alycia and Riana. This program focuses on the influence Robert and Peter Mondavi had on the wine industry in California. Below is a list of Vintners we interviewed at the event. Congratulations to the Napa Valley Vintners Association and the many folks who volunteered their time at this fantastic event!

Learn more by visiting www.napavintners.com

1-Introduction by David Pierson, NVV Chair & Giovanna Mondavi, Dark Matter Wines.

2- Laura Barrett/Clif Family Wines

3-Darioush Khaledi/Darioush Wines

4-Sean Thompson/Schramsberg Vineyards & Davies Vineyards

5-Kevin Morrisey/Ehlers Estate

6-Hugh Davies/Schramsberg Vineyards & Davies Vineyards

7-Renee Ary/Duckhorn Wines

8-Linda Neal/Tierra Roja Wines

9-Chelsea Bellows/The Debate

10-Jean Hoefliger/Alpha Omega

11-Pam Starr/Crocker & Starr

12-Elias Fernandez/Shafer Vineyards

13-Aaron Pott/Pott Wine

14-Brooks Painter/Castello di Amorosa

15-Christine Barbe/Coqueral Wines

16-Karen Cakebread/Ziata Wines

The Life Between the Vines Podcast is celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary this month!  Our good friend Jean Hoefliger, Winemaker for Alpha Omega Winery in Napa Valley shares a few thoughts about the podcast.

The mountains surrounding the Willamette Valley are stunning and hold several vineyards not visible at a glance. Alloro Vineyard is one vineyard that pops up almost out of nowhere. David Nemarnik is Owner and Winemaker and Alloro has one of the most beautiful views you could every imagine. We chatted with David at his home on the property while the lite rain outside reminded us that it was Spring in the Willamette Valley.

Learn more by visiting www.allorovineyard.com

Last Fall, Susan Sokol-Blosser, Author and Founder of Sokol-Blosser Winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon visited our studio for a chat (Podcast #252). For this Podcast, we visited the Willamette Valley and interviewed her son, Alex Sokol-Blosser. Alex is Winemaker as well as Co-President along with his sister Alison. Alex has a tremendous energy and passion for wine. His love of Oregon is obvious. Could there be a better way of making a living? I think not.

Learn more by visiting www.sokolblosser.com