Show 360, February 15, 2020: Winemaker Dave Powell, Powell & Son, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Dave Powell of Powell and Son winesPowell & Son wines are sourced from various vineyard sites throughout Australia’s the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Dave and Callum Powell (father and son) employ traditional, minimalist winemaking techniques to produce a wine that speaks of the place that it was grown. Their inspiration for winemaking having its roots in France’s Rhone Valley, Powell & Son red wines are made from the classic Rhone varietals: Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro and its whites: Roussanne, Marsanne as well as Eden Valley Riesling.

Dave was instrumental in preserving from replanting acres of irreplaceable old vine plantings in the Barossa Valley dating from the mid-1800’s. He actually cleaned up some of this vineyard property himself in exchange for the highly-desirable grapes.

“The Powell philosophy is that a great wine is made in the vineyard and so Callum and Dave work the vineyards they use on their own in the Winter and Spring seasons, then in Autumn pick the fruit and vinify using old concrete ferment vats and basket pressing – producing unique and expressive wines from their most prized vineyards throughout the Barossa.”

Dave Powell joins us to pull the cork on Powell & Son.

Show 344, October 12, 2019: Powell & Son, Barossa, South Australia with Kyle Meyer of Wine Exchange

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeKyle Meyer, Managing Partner of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange, our resident wine authority, joins us for another informative wine commentary responding to listeners’ questions. One of the most acclaimed winemakers in Australia is David Powell of Powell & Son in the Barossa in South Australia.

The remarkable vineyards they source fruit from contain probably the highest quality old vine Shiraz and Grenache in Australia. Very special…

Kyle has been there, sampled the available vintages and now gives us a genuine insider’s overview.

Show 176, June 18, 2016: Kyle Meyer, Wine Exchange, Tasting in Australia’s Top Three Wine Regions

Kyle Meyer of Wine ExchangeOur resident wine authority, Kyle Meyer of Santa Ana’s Wine Exchange, is just back from a visit (and many tastings) to a couple of Australia’s premier wine producing areas. We’ll get the delightfully quaffable highlights…

On Kyle’s ambitious down under trek were the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia and Margaret River in Western Australia. The Barossa is known for Shiraz, some coming from old vines dating back to the 1850s. McLaren Vale is famous for full-bodied reds. Margaret River is a newer wine producing region of distinction as it wasn’t reestablished until the late 60s.

Kyle notes there are excellent values in wines from these regions of Australia in the $15 to $30 price range.

Show 134, August 8, 2015: Finca la Carrodilla Winery and Proprietor Fernando Perez Castro

Fernando Perez Castro-Finca la Carrodilla, opened to visitors in 2014, is one of the newer standout wineries in the Guadalupe Valley in Northern Baja attracting a lot of deserved attention. It’s unusually certified organic. It’s a 20-acre passion project of the Castro Family with the youthful Fernando Perez Castro overseeing the effort. He’s also the self-taught winemaker. Their sister winery in the Guadalupe Valley is Lomita Vinicola Mexicana.

The artfully landscaped and colorful grounds are designed to conserve water. The winery building is architecturally significant with a roof deck garden as part of the entry.

There is actually an Agronomist on staff to supervise all the planting and organic gardens. Fruits and vegetables are raised there which are purchased by quality- minded wine country restaurants. Eventually farm animals will be part of the project. They already raise honey bees.

Initial varietals use Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Tempranillo grapes. The Canto de Luna is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Tempranillo. Fernando is particularly proud of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

LA Mision Associates in San Diego imports the limited release Finca la Carrodilla wines into the United States. All the initial releases are available on www.lmawines.com

Proprietor Fernando Perez Castro is our guest.