Tasting Italian wines can be a daunting yet incredibly educating experience. And a lot of fun.  Several varietals from vineyards all over country may create a challenge, but when presented by the growers themselves, that can make a world of difference. We were in Chicago in early May for the Dalla Terra Winery Direct tasting and had the opportunity to record brief interviews with many of the winemakers present. Without a doubt, learning can be fun.

While Cab may be king in Napa Valley, Zinfandel rules at Storybook Mountain Vineyards in Calistoga. Several types of Zinfandel in fact, including a Rose. Storybook Mountain is a family operation and Colleen works along side her winemaker dad. We met Colleen back in February during a crazy chilly day of heavy rain that even included some hail. Luckily, the vines were sleeping.

Lean more by visiting www.storybookwines.com

Photo by Jeanette Hrnyak.

Welcome to our video companion to Podcast #225.  The 2017 Sonoma Barrel Auction was a resounding success raising a record $794,500.  We recorded short interviews for the podcast and this video features segments of those recordings from the tasting events.   Sonoma County grows a wide variety of grapes and winemakers were proud to show their very best featuring “never before, never again” wines.

Rutherford native Steve Tonella is one of those winemakers that wine lovers seek out for their small production levels and high quality wines. When you make only a thousand cases, your family has over 100 years in the business and your name is on the label, quality is everything. We interviewed Steve at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley during the Premiere Napa Valley auction…and if you listen closley, you’ll hear the auction as it happened in the background.

Learn more by visiting www.srtonellacellars.com

This is the companion video to Podcast #223 featuring Steve Burgess and Kelly Woods of Burgess Cellars in Napa Valley.