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There are over 3,000 different grape varieties grown around the world, but Jason Haas, the second-generation proprietor and general manager at Tablas Creek Vineyards in Central Coast California, brings all 15 of the grapes found in the Southern Rhone region of France in their vineyards to make wines inspired by Chateauneuf du Pape but still “rooted” in Paso Robles. Drink in the episode with the delightfully dedicated Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyards. Wines tasted in this episode: 2019 Tablas Creek Vineyards Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2018 Tablas Creek Vineyards Esprit de Tablas

Valerie and Philip Von Burg may come from two different worlds, but they found each other. Then they founded the Wine Foundry, where they get as much joy making wine for others as much as for their own brand. Today, they’re making over 300 different wines for custom individual brands as well as over 20 wines for their own brands. They share both their passion and their secret for success in this episode of the Vine Guy podcast.

Self-proclaimed ski bum Travis Todd and tech entrepreneur Chris Andrew have no formal training or experience in winemaking, yet they jumped into the deep end of the wine pool with their first vintage at De la Boue in the Willamette Valley. The result: two wines as charming and complex as these two friends. One learned to trust his palate, the other already knew to trust his friend. Drink in this extended episode with Travis and Chris who make “dinner friendly” wines and great conversation. Wines tasted in this episode: 2019 De la Boue Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon 2019 De la Boue Syrah from Columbia Gorge, Oregon

You can’t spell winner without Winn … head sommelier at Bourbon Steak inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC. Winn shares his wine pairings for a few of Tampa Bay and Kansas City’s famed cuisine. His picks just might surprise – and delight – you. Drink in this fun episode with the talented palate of Winn Roberton. Wines tasted in this episode: 2019 Remhoogte 'Honeybuch' Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2016 Michael Shaps Wineworks Tannat, Charlottesville, Virginia

Old Town Cellars on Main Street in Park City is changing the wine culture in Utah, one glass at a time. Former ski-jumper-turned-sommelier Stephen MacKay and business-savvy Jason Morgan were childhood friends who reconnected to start the first on-site wine production facility in Park City. The result is an avalanche of great wine. Drink in this interview with two very cool – and talented – skiers-turned-winemakers on this episode of The Vine Guy. Wines tasted in this episode: 2018 OTC Mountain Town White Multi-Vintage OTC Mt. Superior Tempranillo (aged 9 months in Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and Wild Turkey barrels)

Steve Dutton is a fifth generation Californian and together with his brother, they farm over 1,200 acres of land in Sonoma County. He is joined on the podcast by his fiancé, Karissa Kruse, President of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. Together, they talk about the history of Dutton Ranch, Sonoma County, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, wine bras, and love. Drink in the entertaining episode with Steve and Karissa. Wines tasted in this episode: 2014 Kistler "Dutton Ranch" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2014 Dutton-Goldfield Freestone Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

In this special episode, Scott Greenberg, the Vine Guy, shares his personal recommendations for affordable and delicious Champagnes and Sparkling Wines to ring in the New Year.  Wines Reviewed Include: Non-vintage Gervais Gobillard Brut Authentique Champagne Non-vintage Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Non-vintage Montaudon Grande Rose Brut Champagne 2011 Bertrand-Delespierre Origines Croisees Champagne Non-vintage La Tordera Prosecco Brunei Brut Italy Non-vintage Jean-Marc Gilet Vouvray France Non-vintage J Vineyards Cuvee 200 Brut California Non-vintage Bagrationi 1882 Reserve Brut Georgia Non-vintage Schramsberg Brut Rose California

Christi Coors Ficeli’s husband, Dave Ficeli, joins the podcast for this part-two interview where they discuss making micro-lot wines from a tiny rock-hard vineyard. Their extensive American oak barrel program is just one of the many nuanced changes that Dave and Christi have taken on with their passion project, C Elizabeth, honoring four generations of strong women. Best of all, some of the proceeds from the sale of this tiny production are going to first responders in the Napa Valley region. Drink in the heart-warming episode with the charitably minded Dave and Christi Ficeli.  Wines Tasted In This Episode:2014 C. Elizabeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 C. Elizabeth Cabernet Sauvignon 

Christi Coors Ficeli always thought she’d follow in her great great grandfather’s famous beer brewing shoes. As a descendent of Adolf Coors, she knew that beer flowed through her veins, but so too did her family’s entrepreneurial spirit. Christi’s first taste of the wine business came shortly after college working for Galo, where she learned the basics of production, distribution, promotion and sales in a family business environment. It was also where she met her future husband Dave Ficeli. Dave’s job took them to Napa Valley were they both fell in love with wine, food and the sense of family that is at the heart of Napa’s agricultural community. In 2012 Christi applied her entrepreneurial spirit when she purchased and revitalized Napa Valley’s Goosecross Cellars. Drink in part one of a two-part episode with the delightful Christi Coors Ficeli. Wines tasted in this episode: 2016 Goosecross Cabernet Sauvignon Estate $80 2016 Goosecross Holly’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon $180

Cyrus Hazzard is the senior director of Total Wine’s concierge sales department. Wait… what? Total Wine has concierge sales department? Yup, and Cyrus joins the Vine Guy podcast to talk about his career, Total Wine’s dedication to the high-end wine market, and most importantly, his wine picks for Thanksgiving. One of them just might surprise you. Drink in this episode with the oh-so-conversant Cyrus Hazzard. Wines tasted in this episode: 2015 Au Pied du Mont Chauve St Aubin Charmois from Burgundy, France 2015 Amadieu Gigondas Pas de L’Aigle from Rhone Valley, France

Merry Edwards is a pioneer in Sonoma County, and for the first time, she has chosen another winemaker to carry on her legacy. Heidi von der Mehden was a well-established winemaker who knew her way around Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay production, but she really wanted to make Pinot Noir. Now the head winemaker at Merry Edwards, Heidi has her wish fulfilled and her Pinot cup is overflowing! Drink in this delightful episode with the charming and talented Heidi von der Mehden. Wines tasted in this episode: 2018 Merry Edwards Winery Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017 Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc

Michael David Winery has a long history in Lodi, California. The family has been farming the land since the 1860’s and growing wine grapes since the early 20th century. Founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are fifth generation grape growers who sold their wines at the family’s fruit stands… until their Seven Deadly Zins exploded onto the market and moved them from roadside sales to a national brand and now a household name. David Phillips joins the Vine Guy podcast to share their remarkable story and the wild ride of Michael~David wines.  Wines tasted in this episode: 2018 Michael David Freakshow Zinfandel 2017 Michael David Inkblot Cabernet Franc

With fewer trick-or-treaters knocking on doors, it’s quite possible that you could very well be left holding you own bag… of candy this year. Don’t let the stockpile of sugary sweetness languish in your plastic pumpkin on the counter all by itself. In this episode, Scott Greenberg, AKA The Vine Guy, shares his annual picks for pairing Halloween candy favorites with wine. Trust me, this is no trick, but a genuine treat that you’ll have fun experimenting with long after the doorbell stops ringing. Wines Tasted In This Episode: 1996 Broadbent Colheita Madeira 2017 Hirsch “San Andreas Fault” Pinot Noir 2016 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Red Label 2017 Michael David Six Sense Syrah Non-vintage Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne Alvear “1927” Pedro Ximenez Solera Sherry 2016 Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Shiraz 2016 Fonseca Vintage Port

Mendocino County, located on the coast of northern California, approximately equidistant from the San Francisco Bay Area and the California/Oregon border, was originally coined “the emerald triangle.” Today, thanks to Bernadette Byrne, the executive director of the Mendocino Winegrowers Association, Mendocino is now known for producing quality wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and more. The region is diverse, the family farmed vineyards are quaint, and the wines fly free (on participating airlines). Come visit Mendocino County through Bernadette’s interview on this episode of The Vine Guy. Wines tasted in this episode: 2019 McNab Ridge Winery Grenache Rose, Mendocino 2013 Goldeneye Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Fred Ryan, Jr has been an aficionado of both wine and White House history for most of his life, and in his new book, Wine and the White House, A History, Ryan takes the reader on a journey through history to reveal just how influential wine has been in diplomacy and social entertaining since the founding of our country. The book is richly illustrated and peppered with fascinating anecdotes from each administration. Drink in the entertaining episode with the incredibly charming Fred Ryan. Wines tasted in the episode: 2016 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, North Coast, California 1994 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Ross Halleck is a lover of all things Pinot Noir and so, it turns out, is singer Josh Groban. Several years ago, Josh reached out to Ross and asked him to team up to make a very special blend for a very special project. In addition to Pinot, Ross also makes a wine that usually does not get a lot of attention in California; Gewürztraminer. Drink in the episode with Halleck Vineyard’s Ross Halleck. Wines tasted in this episode: 2019 Halleck Vineyard “Calendrelli” Gewürztraminer 2017 Halleck Vineyard “Three Sons” Cuvee Pinot Noir

Pamela Wood is a certified wine educator, American wine expert and certified sommelier who traded in her skis for cork screws. Originally from Southern California, Pam’s life changed during a ski trip to Utah after college. Skiing led to a career in hospitality, and that in turn led Pamela to her passion for exploring the world of wine and sharing it with others. Today, Pam is the director of education for the Culinary Wine Institute USA, providing wine sales and service training to restaurants around the country. According to Pam, "The world of wine has something for everyone." Drink in the episode with the enthusiastic Pamela Wood. Wines tasted in this episode: 2018 Garofoli Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi Macrina from Marche, Italy 2016 Hewitson Miss Harry “Harriet’s Blend” from Barossa Valley, Australia

When Alex Golitzin started Quilceda Creek back in the 1970s, his uncle André Tchelistcheff, America’s most influential winemaker, told him to do one thing and do it well. Golitzin decided to make Cabernet Sauvignon in the Columbia Valley in Washington state. Today, winemaker Alex Stewart carries on the tradition by crafting some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines in America, using minimal intervention to let the stunning Columbia Valley fruit shine through. Drink in this delightful conversation with the oh-so modest Alex Stewart. Wines tasted in this episode: 2017 Quilceda Creek CVR (Columbia Valley Red), Washington State 2017 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State

Certified Sommelier/CEO Consultant Jim Schleckser told me last year during a Vine Guy podcast episode that he was going to write a book about entertaining in a professional setting. Well, he did it! Professional Drinking: A Spirited Guide to Wine, Cocktails and Confident Business Entertaining is out this week and Jim joins me on the podcast to talk about his new book and give a few tips on ordering wine in a restaurant. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the wine game, you’re going to want to drink in this fun and enjoyable episode with my friend, Jim Schleckser. Wines tasted in this episode: 2015 Badia a Passignano Gran Selezione Chianti from Italy 2015 George Vintage XIII Hansen Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley

Robert Hayk is on a mission to introduce Americans to wines they have no idea about, namely wines from Bulgaria. In addition to the incredible value these wines offer, Robert is also obsessed with providing quality in the bottle (or can) and transparency on the label. Drink in this very candid – and politically intriguing – conversation with wine importer Robert Hayk. Wines tasted in this episode: 2018 Bulgariana Pinot Noir 2018 Rough Day Cabernet Sauvignon