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 670, March 14, 2026: JL Wood Wines (Monterey County) with Proprietor Paul Morrison

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Adam Bell

“Not unlike the European wine model where it is common practice to concentrate on and produce wine from one varietal, JL Wood (Arroyo Seco in Monterey County) has mandated that it make only Chardonnay. It has done so since 2020, producing less than 3,000 cases a year, when it began making its own Chardonnay. Its 125-acre JL Wood Ranch Vineyard in the Chardonnay-centric AVA of Arroyo Seco in Monterey County, has for almost 25 years, been selling its grapes to other producers. Ed Filice is the chief winemaker.”

“So, why only Chardonnay? The reasons, explained by owner Paul Morrison, are numerous. “There are few specialists in Chardonay in California,” he offers. “Secondly, we have great clones: 4 and 17. It’s ideal for our soils. Third, to jump into Pinot Noir, for instance, and do it very well, would be difficult. Plus, there were already a lot of folks doing it in the adjacent Santa Lucia AVA. Of course, when we took over the ranch, it was already planted in Chard. Chardonnay has the benefit of being popular and large wineries have historically bought rather than grown Chardonnay for their own programs.””

“We also believe that a lot of California-produced Chards had winemaking issues that we could correct as a specialist. The heavy-handedness that works in red winemaking can be a liability when working white wines, especially because Chardonnay specifically is a special challenge given its delicate nature. There are only a few producers out there who control the process well from vineyard through the winery.”

“Lastly, we aren’t into winemaking to make a wine out of a bunch of different and purchased varietals. A major consideration has been to demonstrate what we can do with our ranch in the Arroyo Seco, which is ideal for either Chard or Pinot Noir.”

All their reasonably priced, limited production boutique wines are available direct from the Winery via their Website.

Paul Morisson joins us gently pulling the cork on all that is JL Wood wines.

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 655, November 29, 2025: Winemaker Michael Brughelli, Brughelli, Santa Maria

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Adam Bell

“Michael Brughelli founded his eponymous wine brand in 2018. His wines represent the culmination of a full and purposeful career in the wine industry, and a meaningful life as a father, husband, brother and son. Precise and intentional, these wines pay tribute to Michael’s Swiss-Italian roots, while building upon an American family legacy.”

“The brand is represented by two animals found in the heraldry crest of the town Lavertezzo, in the Canton of Locarno; the Brughelli family homeland. The lion equates valor and courage. The pelican embodies charity. As a former first responder, these symbols have influenced Michael throughout his life.”

“He’s been drawn to the natural world and farming since boyhood. An avid outdoorsman, Michael enjoys time spent in the vineyard and is inspired by its natural environs. The Brughelli wines embody the trajectory of his path, in work and in life, thus far.”

“The premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes used in the Brughelli wines are coming from Santa Maria Valley vineyard sites that Michael dictated and / or managed the farming on for over a decade with the goal of applying top tier farming to top tier and potentially incredible sites.”

Winemaker Michael Brughelli joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Brughelli wine.

Show 620, March 15, 2025: WillaKenzie Estate winery, Northern Willamette Valley, OR with Winemaker Erik Kramer

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Adam Bell

Erik Kramer of WillaKenzie Estate Winery

“WillaKenzie Estate is a family-owned, estate-driven winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Since breaking ground more than 25 years ago, they have been passionate about crafting Pinot Noirs that convey a sense of place. They coined the moniker “Place Matters” – the Oregonian answer to the French concept of terroir. True to the vision of their Burgundian founder, terroir is not a simple notion ; it’s the core to everything WillaKenzie does. It’s in the name, WillaKenzie, which describes the ancient sedimentary soils on which the vines are planted. The name also pays tribute to two of the Willamette Valley’s major rivers : the Willamette and McKenzie, which appear as two sets of waves in the top-right and lower-left corners of their crest. These expressive lines evoke the rivers as well as the rolling hills of their Yamhill-Carlton Estate. The fleur-der-lis at the center of the WillaKenzie crest pays homage to their founder, Bernard Lacroute’s, French heritage.”

“A scientist by training, Winemaker Erik Kramer worked as a hydrogeologist before deciding to apply his precision and passion for balance to his love of wine. Kramer joined WillaKenzie Estate in January of 2017, bringing deep experience creating highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the region, defined by terroir and texture-driven winemaking and a refined style of finesse and balance. In partnership with the tenured vineyard management team, Erik drives WillaKenzie Estate wines towards their highest potential.”

“WillaKenzie Estate is one of the most unique, diverse and historic properties in the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir so clearly represents its sense of place and the unique topography at WillaKenzie offers so many fascinating expressions of the varietal. It’s an honor to work with an Estate that is capable of producing such a broad array of great wines that offer both clarity and distinction.” Erik Kramer

Winemaker Erik Kramer joins us to pull the cork on all that is WillaKenzie Estate.

Show 611, January 11, 2025: Canopy Wine Lounge, Palm Springs, with Chef Kristin Puttkamer and Sommelier Josh Kelly

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Adam Bell

“Canopy Wine Lounge located min Downtown Palm Springs is the first upscale wine lounge in the Coachella Valley, catering to locals, domestic, and international tourists. With nearly 150 wines from around the world, amongst greats Lithology (St. Helena, CA), Waypoint (Napa, CA), Otronia (Patagonia, Argentina), and Alkina (Barossa Valley, South Australia), it promises an unforgettable experience where the world’s finest wines meet Executive Chef Kristin Puttkamer’s gourmet culinary delights showcasing elevated seasonal California cuisine.”

“Born and raised in the vibrant city of Boston, Kristin Puttkamer’s journey to becoming the esteemed Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs is marked by an exciting array of experiences and a passion for culinary excellence. Puttkamer’s early exposure to different cultures ignited her love for food and hospitality. Puttkamer later honed her skills through formal education at The Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, California. During her studies, she embarked on an externship at the Michelin Star restaurant, State Bird, where her culinary prowess caught the attention of Darioush Winery. At Darioush, she worked under Michelin Star Chef Chris Lemerand and Chef Sean Massey, embracing the challenge of crafting innovative menus inspired by California’s seasonal bounty and Persian influences, enhancing the winery’s culinary experience for guests. In 2024, Kristin’s culinary journey reached new heights as she accepted the role of Executive Chef at Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs.”

“Canopy Wine Lounge seamlessly blends the art of winemaking with a vibrant social hub and an elegant event space. Last year they proudly produced a signature wine, Desert Wren, crafted with care by Winemaker and Sommelier Josh Kelly.” It’s unusually aged in clay amphora. In addition to the Desert Wren Pinot Noir, 2023 Sonoma Coast there will be other future Desert Wren releases including a Chardonnay.

“Canopy Wine Lounge invites guests to unwind in style and enjoy their diverse selection of wines five days a week. (Closed on Tuesday & Wednesday.) As a wine lounge, Canopy offers a diverse selection of wines in a brilliantly curated atmosphere with the relaxed appeal of your neighborhood wine bar.”

Chef Kristin Puttkamer and Sommelier Josh Kelly are our guests to uncork all that is Canopy Wine Lounge.

Show 602, November 9, 2024: Keller Estate Wines, Petaluma, Sonoma County with General Manager Ana Keller

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Adam Bell

“Keller Estate is a Mexican-American, family-owned winery nestled in the Petaluma Gap AVA of California, a unique stretch of windswept landmarked by the wind and fog that is funneled from the cold northern Pacific coast between mountains and the bay to the warm inland valley. The Keller family brings a rich, multicultural heritage to the estate winery, and since its founding in 1983, they have remained committed to organic farming and regenerative growing practices to produce estate bottlings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah that reflect their distinct terroir. The winery is led by Ana Keller, daughter of founders Arturo and Deborah Keller, who oversees a minimal intervention approach resulting in elegant, age-worthy, and food-friendly wines.”

“Since assuming leadership in 1998, Ana has passionately crafted wines that embody the terroir while remaining committed to the family’s dedication to producing elegant, age-worthy, and food-friendly wines. Armed with a background in biochemistry and honed management and marketing expertise, Ana has evolved alongside Keller Estate, championing organic farming practices and refining blends with collaborative finesse. Her influence is palpable throughout the Estate, from personally engaging with club members to shaping its overarching vision.”

“In 2013, Ana joined the board of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance, and was instrumental in establishing the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA). Reflecting the Keller family ethos of community stewardship, Ana also devotes her time to the Glancy Wine Education Foundation. Through this involvement, she helps advance wine education scholarships, fostering inclusivity and equality within the hospitality industry.”

The Peninsula Hotels around the globe are known for outstanding hospitality and global-class food and beverage. Since 2006 Keller Estate wines has bottled an exclusive yearly release of estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for The Peninsula Hotels that is co-labeled with Keller Estates.

Ana Keller joins us pulling the cork on all that is Keller Estate winery.

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 543, September 16, 2023: Native9 Wines with Brand Ambassador Wes Hagen Part One

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Adam Bell

“Nine generations after the Ontiveros Family’s arrival in California, on the same land that their family once called home, James Ontiveros is proud to grow and make wines with Winemaker Paul Wilkins that are complex as the story of how they came to be.”

“Ranchos de Ontiveros is a culmination of wines (Native9 and Rancho Vinedo) expressing the unique climate, soil, and capability of the Santa Maria Valley. It’s not always pretty, and it’s seldom romantic. But it is, first and foremost, real.”

“Native9 wines are sourced from all 8 clones of Pinot Noir at Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard, planted by James in 1997. The grapes are hand-harvested with whole cluster fermentation. Nothing is left out. The Native9 selections are unique, stand-out wines, produced with the land, conditions, and resources James Ontiveros has available to him.”

“Rancho Vinedo wines are sourced from the Wente Clone Chardonnay and Martini Clone Pinot Noir from Rancho Vinedo Vineyard, a parcel of the original Rancho Tepusquet Land Grant. The Dona Maria Chardonnay is fresh, vibrant, and mineral driven. She’s lean and impressive. Own-rooted and old vine, this vineyard was planted in 1973 and farmed by the same family until 2012. The first vintage was 2014.”

Wes Hagen, Estate Host and Brand Ambassador joins us to uncork all that is Ranchos De Ontiveros Estate Vineyards.

Wes Hagen personally conducts (by appointment only) Native9 Estate Tours and Tastings on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The fee is $50, If you e-mail Wes and mention the “SoCal Restaurant Show” Wes will generously personally host your tasting of up to 4 adults at no charge.