Matt Ridgway is a chef who was worked for some of the finest restaurants in New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta. He now has his own road side bistro in Rosemont, NJ named 'The Pass' where he showcases his culinary and charcuterie skills.
dB Podcast Episode 19 - Jenny Schultz - American Winemaker
Jenny Schultz is another transplant from the east coast of the US, Philadelphia, who followed her dream to go make wine. With a strong chemistry background, she is now the Enologist at Three Sticks in Sonoma, California.
dB Podcast Episode 18 - Glenn Hugo - Texan/Californian Winemaker
Glenn Hugo was a restaurant wine buyer traveling around the US opening restaurants for a corporate chain. But he decided to follow his passion and move to Napa to become a winemaker. He's now the chief winemaker for Girard, one of Napa's hottest brands.
dB Podcast Episode 17 - Tegan Passalacqua - Napa Winemaker and Vineyard Owner
Tegan Passalacqua is the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at the historic Turley Wine Cellars. Tegan is also the proud owner of the Kierchenmann Vineyard, growing old vines, the right way. He has worked for some of the world’s most prestigious productions in France and New Zealand. .
My conversation with Tegan provided some very memorable quotes and moments that I will never forget. Having worked and traveled through some of the same places, I was moved by his passion and opinions. I look forward to speaking with him again soon.
Original post date: 1st December 2012
dB Podcast Episode 16 - Jesus Ceja - Mexican American Brewer
Jesus Céja comes from a large, storied family in the Napa/Sonoma region of California. Jesus has traveled the world as a brew master and has now settled back in Sonoma to found the Carneros Brewing Company with his family. He also has his own vineyard, Céja Farms Vineyard a producer of Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Petit Syrah, Zinfandel and Grenache.
I stopped into the brewery as the newly built facility had just started opening to the public. Jesus and I discussed the meticulous nature of brewing, yeast propagation, malts, hops and why he is focused on making truly balanced beers. His passion for brewing these balanced beers are about to take wine country by storm in the coming year and it was pretty cool to see it at the very beginning.
Original Post date: 25th November 2012
dB Podcast Episode 15 - Keith Wallace - American Writer and owner of The Wine School of Philadelphia
Keith Wallace is the Founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia and www.vinology.com. He was the executive chef and journalist for National Public Radio and he is a published author for a variety of publications including thedailybeast.com, Philadelphia magazine and even some of his own books such as ‘Corked and Forked’. He is a former chef and has worked at wineries from California to Italy. He is a man with many connections and also an artist with swear words.
Keith and I sat down on a very hot summer day in the main room of his Wine School just off of Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. We spoke of all the many ventures and paths he has taken. We spoke of all the mistakes made in the wine industry. We spoke about a new book he is writing. We spoke loudly and frankly. Cheers!
Origina post date: 2nd of August 2012
dB Podcast Episode 14 - Macario Montoya - Californian Winemaker
Description: Macario Montoya is the Winemaker and Owner of Campesino Cellars which produces Pinot Noir from the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. He has also become a ‘Rhone-phile’ producing Syrah, Mouvédre, and Grenache from the Sonoma coast. He is also the Assistant winemaker for Pina Napa Valley, a premium Cabernet Sauvignon producer. He and his wife’s family’s involvement in wine producing in California goes back for generations.
I had the pleasure of working with Macario during the 2011 harvest in California and we became quick friends. But it wasn’t until we sat down to record this interview that I came to know how he ended up making wine. His story is unique and his passion for all things wine is simply fun to be around. Salud!
Original post: 9th September 2012
dB Podcast Episode 13 - Todd Wuerker - New Jersey Winemaker and Viticulturist
Description: Todd Wuerker is the Owner, Viticulturist and Winemaker at his family estate, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery in Rio Grande in Cape May County, New Jersey. The vineyard lies on 100+ acreson the peninsula of mostly sandy soils at the bottom south eastern tip of the Garden State. Todd’s family has been farming this site since the 1940s and in 1997 he established the vineyard on the site. He is experimenting with a wide range classic varietals in the budding wine industry of New Jersey including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot , Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio.
I had brought my brother Jamie along for this one and we had a blast meeting Todd and touring his facilities. Todd knows his stuff and the quality of his wines far exceeded my expectations. These wines are not just good for an up and coming region, but excellent when compared with his peers around the world. Cheers buddy.
Original post: 1st of August 2012
dB Podcast Episode 12 - Emily Hodson Pelton - Virginian Winemaker
Emily Hodson Pelton is the winemaker for the acclaimed Virginian Estate, Veritas Vineyard and Winery. Her career in the sciences led her to saving lives in Thailand and back into the USA to study Oenology and Viticulture at Virginia Technical Institute, home of some of the world’s most notable studies on viticulture and wine. Veritas Vineyard and Winery showcases why Virginia is now the hottest up and coming state for wine the USA.
I stopped by the beautiful facilities at Veritas Vineyards and Winery to chat with Emily on my drive from Philadelphia to South Carolina. ‘In Vino Veritas’ means ‘in wine there is truth’ and there is no lying that quality and unique styles of these hand crafted wines that Emily produces. The wines range from fantastic examples of Virginia staples such as Viognier and Cabrenet Franc to exquisite expressions of Chardonnay and red blends. Emily is always fighting the good fight and I look forward to tasting her wines in years to come and chatting with her again soon.
Original Post: 23rd July 2012
dB Podcast Episode 11 - Jenny Dobson - New Zealand Winemaker
Description: Jenny Dobson studied Oenology at the University of Bordeaux and began her winemaking career in Burgundy at Domaine Dujac. In the early 1908s worked with Steven Spurrier at the famed l’Academee du Vin in Paris and Caves d la Madeleine. She then became the winemaker at Chateau Sénéjac in the Haut Medoc of Bordeaux. She also worked and has consulted at Frankland Estate in Western Australia before establishing TeAwa Estate in Hawke’s Bay. She now makes wine and consults for Sacred Hill, Unison Vineyard and William Murdoch Wines in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
I spoke with Jenny on the day before I left to work a harvest in the USA and we had a profound conversation. Her love of smells and flavours brought me through a journey in wine that continues today making some of New Zealand’s top wines. Her experience with, passion for and mentorship in wine is that of the best in the world. I hope this is the first of many conversations with Jenny Dobson I can bring to you.
Original Post: 7th July 2012
dB Podcast Episode 10 - Gordon Russel - New Zealand Winemaker
Gordon Russell is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed and respected winemakers. He’s been making wine at the unique facility at Esk Valley Estate for more than 20 years. His passion for wine has made him one of the country’s most respected and awarded winemakers. His love of music and travel have made him one of the world’s most interesting winemakers.
I met Gordon years ago while I was working at Esk’s sister winery, Vidal Estate and we immediately hit it off. He has continued to give me advice on making Malbec and give me some great music. We discuss his travels throughout the world and how it all started one day when he took a ride outside of Auckland on his Suzuki 125.
Original post date: 6th July 2012
dB Podcast Episode 9 - James Ostergren - American/Kiwi Winemaker
Description: James Ostergren spent his childhood on the shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey and studied in Boston, Massachusetts. But his family roots in New Zealand drew him to Aotearoawhere he began his career in winemaking. After winemaking stints in the USA and at some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wineries, James is now at Mission Estate Winery, New Zealand’s oldest production.
James and I met when I saw him wearing a ‘Phillies’ cap (a rare site in New Zealand) at a wine tasting at the Eastern Institute of Technology. It was great to speak with someone else from that part of the world who ended up in Hawke’s Bay. James’ love for surfing and the beautiful beaches of New Zealand have made living and making wine in Hawke’s Bay a beautiful life for him and his family.
Original post: 7th of July 2012
dB Podcast Episode 8 - Guillaume Thomas - French Winemaker
dB Podcast Episode 7 - Hayden Penny - New Zealand Winemaker and Viticulturist
Original publish date: 4th of June, 2012
Description: Hayden Penny is the winemaker for organic production, William Murdoch Wines set back in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Hayden’s career started in New Zealand but has brought him through California, Australia, South America, Spain and a unique experience in Bulgaria.
I see Hayden on a fairly regular basis in the Gimblett Gravels. But it wasn’t until we sat down for this chat I realised the extent of his experience and travel. He brings a unique story to the table and his work at William Murdoch Wines is on the verge of international acclaim.
