Show 452, November 20, 2021: Winemaker & Proprietor Seth Cripe of LOLA Wines, Calistoga Part Two

Seth Cripe of Lola Wines

LOLA Wines in Calistoga was established in 2008, by winemaker and owner Seth Cripe. Seth’s dream of making wine and growing grapes started randomly as a 14 -year old dishwasher/busboy at a restaurant in his native Anna Maria Island in Florida. At the age of 17, Seth left home to pursue his dream, driving across the US in his trusty ‘88 Subaru with $1,200 and arriving in Napa Valley the summer of 1997 where he started work as a harvest intern at Swanson Vineyards, under the mentorship of Marco Cappelli. After 4 harvests at Swanson, 8 harvests at Caymus along with a few others at some of the worlds’ most renowned wineries, in 2008, Seth started making his own wines calling them LOLA. Seth’s dream was to create a winery that stands for people with a passion for wine that represents world class quality, wines of purity and soul at approachable prices. These are the very same ethos that LOLA represents with each wine that they produce today!”

“LOLA is a Napa Valley based boutique winery focused on creating high quality, approachable and affordable wines. Their winemaking approach pays tribute to the old-world tradition with carefully selected vineyards and handcrafted wines made in small batches. For LOLA, growing grapes and making wine is about connecting with nature, working alongside the ever-changing elements, year to year, to make wines that represent their true sense of place.”

“LOLA’s portfolio of wines consists of their estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, California Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Rose – all part of their classic collection, mostly sourced from Sonoma county. As well they produce the LOLA Artisanal Series of wines which are a collection of wines focused on purity and uncompromised integrity from Distinct vineyards mostly located in Napa Valley.”

“Today, LOLA produces about 20,000 cases of wines that are distributed in 36 US states and also exported to various Asian countries and Northern Europe. They also have their tasting room, The Lola House, in downtown Calistoga, Napa Valley where they host visitors from all over the world who visit this beautiful wine region each year!”

“Seth and his brother, Mic, are also the founders of Cortez Conservas the proud producers of the only US made Mullet Bottarga. They make the truest expression of Striped Grey Mullet Bottarga, Smoked Mullet Roe and BlackFin Tuna Mojama. The pristine waters off the Florida Gulf Coast, off of Anna Maria Island and the connecting fishing village of Cortez, are home to one of this country’s last sustaining wild fisheries. Brothers Seth and Mic Cripe, Florida natives, started Cortez Conservas with the mission of working to create high quality preserved local seafood, to support their friends and family’s way of life as fisherman and help preserve it for the livelihood of future generations.” Cortez Conservas products are available to enjoy and sample separately at the LOLA House tasting room in Calistoga or paired with appropriate LOLA wines.

Proprietor and Winemaker Seth Cripe joins us to uncork all that is LOLA wines.

The Long Beach International Tamales Festival is coming up on Sunday December 5th at the Scottish Rite Event Centre in Downtown Long Beach from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m. This all-day holiday inspired fair features a diverse selection of Latin American cuisine, from regional tamales, Latin inspired dishes, drinks, tequila tastings, a best homemade tamales contest, and a full line-up of entertainment, activities, and vendors of all kinds!

Executive Chef Haley Nguyen of the Culinary Arts Program at Long Beach City College will be one of the judges for the Homemade Tamale Contest and her students will be selling their creative versions of holiday tamales. Chef Haley will be an upcoming guest on the “SoCal Restaurant Show” on December 4th @ 11:15 a.m. PT