Show 685, June 27, 2026: Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles with Winemaker Ben Mayo

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Adam Bell

“A family winery and Paso Robles pioneer, Le Vigne Winery has been an integral part of Paso Robles’ wine story for more than four decades. At its core, the winery represents a true marriage—both literal and metaphorical—of heritage and passion. On one side is the family’s deep farming roots in Paso Robles (Sylvia Filippini,) where the land has been cultivated since the 1960’s, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay first planted in 1982, just a year before Paso Robles was officially recognized as an AVA. On the other side, Walter Filippini’s Italian culinary heritage brings a distinctly Old World perspective to the wines, informing both farming and the cellar, with wines crafted for balance, structure, and purity of fruit.”

“After years of selling fruit to wineries in Napa and Sonoma, Sylvester Winery was launched in 1990, with the tasting room completed in time for the 1995 harvest. In 2013, the name was changed to Le Vigne (Italian for “The Vineyards”), reflecting both heritage and a deep connection to the land. The estate gained an added distinction in 2014 when the Estrella District was designated as a sub-AVA of Paso Robles, establishing Le Vigne as one of the region’s pioneering family wineries.”

“Today, the winery features a range of Mediterranean-inspired wines crafted from its sustainably farmed estate vineyards, and welcomes guests to its tasting rooms in Paso Robles and Vernon, CA with Italian hospitality and curated wine and food experiences.”

“Le Vigne crafts two distinct ranges of wines from Paso Robles. Estate Vineyard Series wines are expressions of the portfolio crafted as premium, single-vineyard bottlings, while Paso Robes Vineyard Series wines are widely distributed, versatile, and approachable selections, delivering quality and value at an accessible price point”.

Winemaker Ben Mayo joins us to pull the cork on all that is Le Vigne Wines.

Show 685, June 27, 2026: Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles and Vernon, CA Tasting Room, and Peacock Cheese with Co-founder Sylvia Filippini

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Adam Bell

“A family winery and Paso Robles pioneer, Le Vigne Winery has been an integral part of Paso Robles’ wine story for more than four decades. At its core, the winery represents a true marriage—both literal and metaphorical—of heritage and passion. On one side is the family’s deep farming roots in Paso Robles (Sylvia Filippini,) where the land has been cultivated since the 1960’s, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay first planted in 1982, just a year before Paso Robles was officially recognized as an AVA. On the other side, Walter Filippini’s Italian culinary heritage brings a distinctly Old World perspective to the wines, informing both farming and the cellar, with wines crafted for balance, structure, and purity of fruit.”

“The affiliated Peacock Cheese boasts a rich history that began in 1946 as a small family-owned dairy creating fresh and distinctive cheeses. While the company has since ceased cheese production, it identified a rising demand for gourmet cheeses in California. Since 1986, Peacock Cheese has transformed into one of California’s leading suppliers of gourmet cheese and wine to specialty food retailers, restaurants, hotels, and cruise lines.”

“The Filippini family, including Walter, Sylvia, and their son Domenico, is dedicated to maintaining the high-quality standards that Peacock Cheese is renowned for. The company sources exceptional products globally, featuring over 1,000 items, including specialty cheeses, crackers, charcuterie, pâtés, olives, and butters. Offering a diverse selection, Peacock Cheese provides both domestic artisanal products and imports from countries such as Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Great Britain, Canada and more.”

Sylvia Filippini joins us to talk about Le Vigne Winery’s (hidden in plain sight) unusual Vernon Tasting Room, the visitor experience at the Paso Robles Winery and Peacock Cheese.

Show 666, February 14, 2026: Winemaker Sofia Rivier, Ettore Organic Winery, Hopland, Mendocino, California

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Adam Bell

“When proprietor and winemaker Ettore Biraghi of Ettore Organic Winery first laid eyes on Mendocino, he knew it immediately to be an ideal terroir for the production of pure, organic, and low-intervention fine wines. Establishing his vineyard and winery in Hopland (along with winemaker Sofia Rivier,) he took his place in the centuries-long history of one of California’s most dramatic winegrowing regions—one whose future is as promising as its past is historic.”

“Expressing the best of Mendocino’s complex terroir, Ettore wines channel the soul of their abundant natural surroundings—and are only produced from organic, hand-harvested, and estate-grown grapes. From aromatic and elegant Chardonnay to deeply rich Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Ettore Biraghi (along with winemaker Sofia Rivier) brings his Old World Italian style.”

“Winemaker Sofia Rivier is an international agronomist whose career spans from Argentina to Switzerland and currently Mendocino County, USA. Just as she relishes the fine complexities of a wine’s palate, she also reveres the vibrant cultures and art of the world. As such, she continually desires to expand her understanding of the wine industry.”

“In 2018 Sofia decided to move to Mendocino County, California for a new adventure whereby a new project, Ettore Organic Winery, was born. Working closely with the winemaker Ettore Biraghi, Sofia finds the perfect fusion of creativity and work precision to develop interesting wines. She has found an authentic venue to channel her grand focus: make wine at its best expression, understanding the terroir, the challenges of the seasons, applying different techniques of winemaking and working with an excellent and dedicated group of people.”

Locally Ettore’s Vino E Cucina in the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax in Los Angeles is a stylish Italian restaurant serving Lunch and Dinner as well as the local Tasting Room for all Ettore wines.

Sofia Rivier joins us to pull the cork on all that is Hopland’s Ettore Winery.

Show 640, August 16, 2025: Priest Ranch Wines, Yountville, Napa Valley

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Adam Bell

“Priest Ranch is a family-owned brand producing premium wines from the Somerston Estate, a sprawling 1,682-acre ranch tucked into the Vaca mountains on the eastern edge of Napa Valley. Established in 2007, Priest Ranch Wines is named in honor of James Joshua, the Gold Rush-era prospector who originally settled the property in 1869. Today, their forward-thinking blends and dynamic varietal wines strive to honor this historic terroir by embodying the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of Napa Valley pioneers. Exclusively estate-grown and bottled, winemaker Cody Hurd focuses on elevating the estate’s unique factors in each Priest Ranch bottling, relying on industry-leading technology in the vineyards and cellar to produce stunning proprietary blends.”

“Priest Ranch wines are primarily available at the Priest Ranch tasting room in the heart of Yountville. The Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are available wholesale nationwide. Snake Oil, Peacemaker, and Remedy can be found in select markets distribution.”

“Located in the heart of Yountville, Priest Ranch offers a variety of tasting experiences daily. Priest Ranch’s innovative ethos in the vineyard and cellars dovetails with their tasting room offerings, with experiences featuring select current releases beginning at $50.”

“Opened in 2023, The Kitchen at Priest Ranch (KPR) is a natural extension of Priest Ranch Wines’ philosophy that food and wine belong together—and in bold combinations. Located directly adjacent to the Yountville tasting room and boasting the city’s only rooftop tasting bar, The Kitchen at Priest Ranch serves exquisite farm-to-table cuisine in a warm, casual atmosphere. Yountville’s only fast-casual concept, the menu features classic American cuisine with Midwestern influences, combining Napa’s bounty of local produce with the expertise of Executive Chef Dan Solomon.”

Winemaker Cody Hurd and CEO Judd Wallenbrock join us to gently pull the cork on all that is Priest Ranch Wines.

Show 631, June 14, 2025: Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure with Co-Founder Doug Minnick

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Adam Bell

“The 10^th annual Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure will feature more than 40 wineries from across California, including ten L.A.-based wineries showcasing the depth and breadth of the rising micro-production wine movement in Los Angeles. Among the L.A.-based winemakers showcased at the festival are Adorato Wines, Bivium Wine, Cavaletti Vineyards, Flowers & Cheese Winery, Fuil Wines, Hoi Polloi, Montage Vineyards, Pagter Winery, Pulchella Winery, and Sunland Vintage Winery. The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure takes place on June 21^st at the Glendale Civic Auditorium.”

“It’s not widely known, but Los Angeles was once called the ‘City of Vines,’ in fact 200 years ago, this was where American wine began, until prohibition and urban sprawl (and Pierce’s disease) got in the way,” shared Garagiste Festival Co-founder, Doug Minnick. Now, we’re seeing a wine comeback right here in Los Angeles, and though some of the winemakers source grapes from a wide range of California AVAs, including Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, and Sonoma as well as LA County, there’s a growing number of L.A. based micro-wineries now with tasting rooms in the area that Southern Californians can experience without having to make the drive to wine country.””

“Renowned for its handcrafted wines from professional artisan winemakers who make less than 1,500 cases, its renegade spirit, and rules-breaking ‘no snobs allowed’ ethos, The Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure is the only festival to provide Angelenos with the opportunity to be first to discover not only the next wave of winemakers in their own backyard, but also many under-the-radar wines, wineries, wine styles, and grape varieties from almost every AVA in the state, from Napa to San Diego, and all regions in between.”

Garagiste Co-founder, Doug Minnick, is also the winemaker for his own label, Hoi Polloi. “Sourcing fruit from some of the most renowned vineyards in the Central Coast (including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and more), Hoi Polloi is one of, if not the only winery to make Syrah’s from several different AVAs in the state, exploring the range of the wonderfully versatile grape, from the cool climate Sta. Rita Hills, to a deep and powerful, dry-farmed version from the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, and more.”

Garagiste Festival Co-founder, Doug Minnick (also a winemaker) is our guest.

Show 573, April 13, 2024: Parable Wines, Silverado Trail, Napa Valley

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Adam Bell

“The Texas man, Fred Eppright, who once lived in a trailer, now earnestly has charitable endeavors. Assuredly, he holds strongly to success in his business undertakings. But that same Texas man, whose business is commercial real estate, finds himself cajoled by a son, smitten by wine, into the business of wine. The son convinced the father, the wine business could be satisfying, as well as result in a smart family enterprise. Fred, the father, told Trey, the son: “If you can find something that makes sense, bring it to me.” The son did. The father wound up spending a small fortune with the modest hopes of earning a small fortune.”

“This the unusual genesis of Parable Wines, which leads Trey Eppright, the son, to conclude the wine business “is the happiest business, because you give customers what they want.” To which Fred Eppright says, “Trey has that passion. I like that passion, but to me it is a business.””

“With that, the son moved to Calistoga from Austin when Trey found an established winery property once known as Dutch Henry, that had been mostly destroyed in the Glass Fire of 2020. It had a cave, a 2 ½-acre estate vineyard and a tasting room. And he soon identified five additional prized vineyards with which to make very small lots – with the help of renowned Napa Valley winemaker Kale Anderson – and forthwith, Parable Wines was established specializing in premium Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards.”

Trey Eppright and Winemaker Kale Anderson join us to pull the cork on all that is Parable Wines.

Show 569, March 16, 2024: Glunz Family Winery & Cellars with Matthew and Stephan Glunz Part One

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Adam Bell

Stephan and Matthew Glunz of Glunz Family Winery and Cellars

“The Glunz Family story started in 1871 when Louis Glunz, age 17, left his native Germany in pursuit of the American dream. Louis arrived in Ellis Island that year with friends Oscar Meyer (yes, that Oscar Meyer) and Theo Koshswersmill (Dr. Scholl’s.) The three moved from city to city in search of work until they arrived in the boomtown of Chicago in 1872. The American Dream was realized in 1888, with a business loan from Charles Wacker, when Louis Glunz was able to set up a shop as a wine, beer and spirit merchant on Wells and Division Street. In 1893 Louis became the local bottler for Schlitz Beer (not pasteurized.)”

“Moving forward a few generations, the third and fourth generations of the Glunz family opened their winery specializing in small batch fortified wines.” More recently the fifth generation relocated the winery to 40 acres of a vineyard estate in the rolling hills of Paso Robles under the name of Glunz Family Winery & Cellars. Their traditional varietals are made with estate fruit and grapes sourced from other premium vineyards in California. Matt and Steve’s parents eventually relocated to Paso Robles from Chicago and now live on the vineyard estate.

Current white varietals are the 2022 Viognier Santa Barbara and the 2022 Chardonnay Edna Valley. Red highlights include the 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2019 Petit Verdot – Glunz Estate Vineyard, the 2021 Zinfandel – Dante Dusi Vineyard and the 2020 Syrah Santa Barbara – White Hawk Vineyard.

A very special Dessert Wine they are known for is their Mission Angelica. The Mission grape was the first wine grape cultivated in California. “The wine has lovingly aged in oak for an average of 25 years. On the palate it is loaded with butterscotch and maple syrup flavors and balanced with just a light touch of acidity.” To be sipped and savored as it’s a potent 17 per cent alcohol by volume.

Joining us and representing the 5^th generation of proud Glunz Family ownership are brothers Stephan and Matthew Glunz.

Show 569, March 16, 2024: Glunz Family Winery & Cellars with Matthew and Stephan Glunz Part Two

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Adam Bell

“The Glunz Family story started in 1871 when Louis Glunz, age 17, left his native Germany in pursuit of the American dream. Louis arrived in Ellis Island that year with friends Oscar Meyer and Theo Koshswersmill (Dr. Scholl’s.) The three moved from city to city in search of work until they arrived in the boomtown of Chicago in 1872. The American Dream was realized in 1888, with a business loan from Charles Wacker, when Louis Glunz was able to set up a shop as a wine, beer and spirit merchant on Wells and Division Street. In 1893 Louis became the local bottler for Schlitz Beer (not pasteurized.)”

“Moving forward a few generations, the third and fourth generations of the Glunz family opened their winery specializing in small batch fortified wines.” More recently the fifth generation relocated the winery to 40 acres of a vineyard estate in the rolling hills of Paso Robles under the name of Glunz Family Winery & Cellars. Their traditional varietals are made with estate fruit and grapes sourced from other premium vineyards in California. Matt and Steve’s parents (who also fell in love with the beauty of Paso Robles) eventually relocated to Paso from Chicago and now live on the vineyard estate.

Brothers Stephan and Matthew Glunz continue with us uncorking all that is Glunz Family Winery & Cellars.

Show 566, February 24, 2024: Vincent Vineyards, Los Olivos, with Winemaker Zach Perron Part One

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Adam Bell

Zach Perron of Vincent Vineyards and Winery

“Situated in the Los Olivos District of the Santa Ynez Valley, Vincent Vineyards is an estate vineyard and winery dedicated to making limited production Bordeaux varietal wines. The Family-owned winery is the only producer in the region growing and making wine from all five of the noble red grapes of Bordeaux – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot in addition to Bordeaux’s prominent white grape, Sauvignon Blanc. Vincent also grows Syrah, a red wine grape that originated in the Rhone Valley of France.” The youthful winemaker is Zach Perron and he joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Vincent Vineyards.

“Established in 2007, Vincent Vineyards is the realized dream of founders Tony and Tanya Vincent, who purchased the 25-acre property with the intent to grow Cabernet and the other Bordeaux varieties they adored. The aesthetic was inspired by the legendary French estate of Chateau Haut Brion- located in Bordeaux. Cuttings for the Bordeaux varietals planted in their vineyard originated there. After much hard work and dedication, the Vincents bottled their first vintage in 2010, and five years later, debuted their stately Vincent Vineyards tasting room amidst 13.5 acres of estate wines.”

“Their wine is 100 per cent estate grown and produced meaning they only use grapes grown right there on the property. All production occurs on the estate, too. Vincent Vineyards produces approximately 2,500 cases annually which qualifies them as a limited production winery.”

The Estate Tasting Room is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Show 566, February 24, 2024: Vincent Vineyards, Los Olivos, with Winemaker Zach Perron Part Two

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Adam Bell

“Situated in the Los Olivos District of the Santa Ynez Valley, Vincent Vineyards is an estate vineyard and winery dedicated to making limited production Bordeaux varietal wines. The Family-owned winery is the only producer in the region growing and making wine from all five of the noble red grapes of Bordeaux – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot in addition to Bordeaux’s prominent white grape, Sauvignon Blanc. Vincent also grows Syrah, a red wine grape that originated in the Rhone Valley of France.” The youthful winemaker is Zach Perron and he continues with us gently pulling the cork on all that is Vincent Vineyards.

The Estate Tasting Room is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.