Show 467, March 26, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

“Come celebrate and be part of the 5th Anniversary Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival that will take place on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl! Masters of Taste 2022 will bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more. Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Vanda Asapahu as it’s first-ever female Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022, which also happens to mark the 5th Anniversary of this celebrated event.” Joining us to preview all the delights of Masters of Taste are Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP L.A.’s Program Coordinator Gail Carney.

Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California.” It was founded in 1983 by the late Romeo Zuench and his wife, Margaret. They are pioneers with the Lagrein grape from Italy and also known for premium Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Margaret continues as Owner with her grandson, T.J. de Jony as Winemaker / Proprietor. Before establishing Piedra Creek Winery as a retirement project Romeo was (for 30 years) an accomplished Aerospace Engineer for Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park. “It has been said that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make great wine…but it certainly doesn’t hurt.” Piedra Creek Winery’s Margaret Zuench and T.J. de Jony are our guests to uncork all that is Piedra Creek Winery.

A discovery at the recent Natural Products Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center is Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice fresh squeezed and packed in Italy. The Blood Oranges used are from the Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello varieties grown at the foot of the Mt. Etna volcano in the rich volcanic soil of Sicily. It’s rich in antioxidants with only 80 calories per 8oz. Mark Taylor, the US Import Agent for Mongibello, joins us with all the squeeze on Mongibello 100 per cent Blood Orange Juice from Sicily.

In 2003, Covenant winery founders Jeff Morgan and the late Leslie Rudd tasted an Israeli wine that inspired them to bring a new California perspective to a 3,500-year-old winemaking tradition. What started as a 500-case Napa Cabernet project has now grown more than ten-fold. Today, Covenant’s 7,000-square-foot urban winery is situated in Berkeley, California, also home to other urban wineries. Covenant’s sister winery, Covenant Israel, was founded in 2013. Since 2013, Covenant Israel wines have been made in the northern Galilee. Vintner Jeff Morgan joins us to uncork all that is Covenant urban winery.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Is dry-aged fish perhaps a new trend in area restaurants? The Orange County Register’s James Beard award-winning food critic, Brad A. Johnson, considers this (with examples) in a March piece. Chef Andrew, a known seafood authority, provides his insight. Last year Chef Andrew was set as the lead chef of the prominent culinary team for Outstanding in the Field’s Sustainable Seafood Dinner on the Huntington Beach Pier. A couple of days before the event (as part the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl 2021) the dinner was abruptly cancelled due to the unfortunate aftereffects of the Huntington Beach oil pipeline rupture. The better news is that it’s now rescheduled for Thursday, May 12th. Updates from Chef Andrew…

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 467, March 26, 2022: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part One

Margaret C Zuench and TJ de Jony of Piedra Creek Winery

Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California.” It was founded in 1983 by the late Romeo Zuench and his wife, Margaret. Margaret continues as Owner with her grandson, T.J. de Jony as Winemaker / Proprietor. Before establishing Piedra Creek Winery as a retirement project Romeo was (for 30 years) an accomplished Aerospace Engineer for Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park.

“In 1984 Piedra Creek Winery became the smallest bonded winery in the Edna Valley, if not the state of California, originally producing only a couple hundred cases of estate sourced Chardonnay.”

“The ultra -small batch wines quickly gained notoriety. The grapes used would not come from a selected vineyard, nor from blocks within vineyards, but rather from only the best sections of the 55 -acre Chardonnay vineyard. The result: only the best fruit would be used to make the finest wines possible.”

“In 1999, San Floriano vineyard was planted and Piedra Creek Winery moved. Three clones of Pinot Noir, two clones of Chardonnay and two clones of Lagrein comprise the San Florian vineyard. The unique and meticulous practice of hand selecting only the highest quality fruit played a fundamental role in the formation of San Floriano vineyard.” Romeo was a pioneer in bringing Lagrein grapes (from Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region) to the USA.

Piedra Creek Winery hosts relaxed, intimate tastings on the patio in the middle of their estate vineyard Friday through Sunday, 12 Noon to 3 p.m. For the comfort of all guests advance reservations are a must.

Piedra Creek Winery’s Margaret Zuench and T.J. de Jony are our guests to uncork all that is Piedra Creek Winery.

Show 467, March 26, 2022: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part Two

Margaret C Zuench and TJ de Jony of Piedra Creek Winery

Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California.” It was founded in 1983 by the late Romeo Zuench and his wife, Margaret. Margaret continues as Owner with her grandson, T.J. de Jony as Winemaker / Proprietor. Before establishing Piedra Creek Winery as a retirement project Romeo was (for 30 years) an accomplished Aerospace Engineer for Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park.

“In 1984 Piedra Creek Winery became the smallest bonded winery in the Edna Valley, if not the state of California, originally producing only a couple hundred cases of estate sourced Chardonnay.”

“The ultra -small batch wines quickly gained notoriety. The grapes used would not come from a selected vineyard, nor from blocks within vineyards, but rather from only the best sections of the 55 -acre Chardonnay vineyard. The result: only the best fruit would be used to make the finest wines possible.”

“In 1999, San Floriano vineyard was planted and Piedra Creek Winery moved. Three clones of Pinot Noir, two clones of Chardonnay and two clones of Lagrein comprise the San Florian vineyard. The unique and meticulous practice of hand selecting only the highest quality fruit played a fundamental role in the formation of San Floriano vineyard.” Romeo was a pioneer in bringing Lagrein grapes (from Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region) to the USA.

“It has been said that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make great wine…but it certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Piedra Creek Winery hosts intimate tastings on the patio in the middle of their estate vineyard Friday through Sunday, 12 Noon to 3 p.m. For the comfort of all guests advance reservations are a must.

Piedra Creek Winery’s Margaret Zuench and T.J. de Jony continue as our guests to uncork all that is Piedra Creek Winery.

March 26: Masters of Taste with Ayara Thai, Piedra Creek Winery, Mongibello 100% Blood Orange Juice, Covenant Wines

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Masters of Taste Preview with Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP’s Gail Carney Part One
Segment Three: Masters of Taste Preview with Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP’s Gail Carney Part Two
Segment Four: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part One
Segment Five: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part Two
Segment Six: Mongibello Blood Orange Juice from Sicily
Segment Seven: Covenant Winery, Berkeley with Founding Winemaker & Co-Owner Jeff Morgan
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

“Come celebrate and be part of the 5th Anniversary Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival that will take place on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl! Masters of Taste 2022 will bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more. Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Vanda Asapahu as it’s first-ever female Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022, which also happens to mark the 5th Anniversary of this celebrated event.”Joining us to preview all the delights of Masters of Taste are Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP L.A.’s Program Coordinator Gail Carney.

Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California. It was founded in 1983 by the late Romeo Zuench and his wife, Margaret. They are pioneers with the Lagrein grape from Italy and also known for premium Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Margaret continues as Owner with her grandson, T.J. de Jony as Winemaker / Proprietor. Before establishing Piedra Creek Winery as a retirement project Romeo was (for 30 years) an accomplished Aerospace Engineer for Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park. “It has been said that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make great wine…but it certainly doesn’t hurt.” Piedra Creek Winery’s Margaret Zuench and T J. de Jony are our guests to uncork all that is Piedra Creek Winery.

A discovery at the recent Natural Products Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center is Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice fresh squeezed and packed in Italy. The Blood Oranges are from the Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello varieties grown at the foot of the Mt. Etna volcano in the rich volcanic soil of Sicily. It’s rich in antioxidants with only 80 calories per 8oz. Mark Taylor, the US Import Agent for Mongibello, joins us with all the squeeze on Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice from Sicily.

In 2003, Covenant winery founders Jeff Morgan and the late Leslie Rudd tasted an Israeli wine that inspired them to bring a new California perspective to a 3,500-year-old winemaking tradition. What started as a 500-case Napa Cabernet project has now grown more than ten-fold. Today, Covenant’s 7,000-square-foot urban winery is situated in Berkeley, California, also home to other urban wineries. Covenant’s sister winery, Covenant Israel, was founded in 2013. Since 2013, Covenant Israel wines have been made in the northern Galilee. Vintner Jeff Morgan joins us to uncork all that is Covenant urban winery.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Is dry-aged fish perhaps a new trend in area restaurants? The Orange County Register’s James Beard award-winning food critic, Brad A. Johnson, considers this (with examples) in a March piece. Chef Andrew, a known seafood authority, provides his insight. Last year Chef Andrew was set as the lead chef of the prominent culinary team for Outstanding in the Field’s Sustainable Seafood Dinner on the Huntington Beach Pier. A couple of days before the event (as part the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl 2021) the dinner was abruptly cancelled due to the unfortunate aftereffects of the Huntington Beach oil pipeline rupture. The better news is that it’s now rescheduled for Thursday, May 12th. Updates from Chef Andrew…

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Thai Cuisine

“Come celebrate and be part of the 5th Anniversary Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival that will take place on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl!”

“Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Vanda Asapahu as it’s first-ever female Host Chef of Masters of Taste 2022, which also happens to mark the 5th Anniversary of this celebrated event. Culinary Master and 2022 Host Chef Vanda Asapahu is the chef and owner of Ayara Thai and she has participated in Masters of Taste since the event’s inception in April 2016. While her mother, Anna Asapahu, still helms the family kitchen, Asapahu is the vanguard, taking up the torch of her family’s culinary tradition at Ayara Thai, and under her leadership in May of 2019 Ayara Thai was named one of Michelin Guide California’s 2019 Bib Gourmands.”

“I have had the pleasure of participating in Masters of Taste since its inaugural year,” states Asapahu. “The most amazing thing about Masters of Taste is that 100% of the proceeds go directly to benefit Union Station Homeless Services and not many food festivals can say that. Union Station Homeless Services is committed to ending homelessness in Los Angeles.”

“Masters of Taste 2022 will bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, along with select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more.”

“This year Masters of Taste 2022 will partner with Careers through Culinary Arts Program, Los Angeles (C-CAP LA), anational 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by culinary educator Richard Grausman in 1990 and Co-Chaired by Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) provides culinary, job, and life skills to over 20,000 middle-and-high school students in seven regions across the United States. Due to the restaurant industry labor shortage, the Los Angeles Region, C-CAP LA will be partnering with Masters of Taste by bringing high school student volunteers to assist this year’s Masters of Taste 2022 Culinary and Sweet Masters throughout the event to gain real-time event training while helping support these incredible chefs and restaurants that are participating in this year’s event.”

Joining us to preview all the delights of Masters of Taste are Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP L.A.’s Gail Carney.

Margaret C Zuench and TJ de Jony of Piedra Creek Winery

Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California.” It was founded in 1983 by the late Romeo Zuench and his wife, Margaret. Margaret continues as Owner with her grandson, T.J. de Jony as Winemaker / Proprietor. Before establishing Piedra Creek Winery as a retirement project Romeo was (for 30 years) an accomplished Aerospace Engineer for Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park.

“In 1984 Piedra Creek Winery became the smallest bonded winery in the Edna Valley, if not the state of California, originally producing only a couple hundred cases of estate sourced Chardonnay.”

“The ultra -small batch wines quickly gained notoriety. The grapes used would not come from a selected vineyard, nor from blocks within vineyards, but rather from only the best sections of the 55 -acre Chardonnay vineyard. The result: only the best fruit would be used to make the finest wines possible.”

“In 1999, San Floriano vineyard was planted and Piedra Creek Winery moved. Three clones of Pinot Noir, two clones of Chardonnay and two clones of Lagrein comprise the San Florian vineyard. The unique and meticulous practice of hand selecting only the highest quality fruit played a fundamental role in the formation of San Floriano vineyard.” Romeo was a pioneer in bringing Lagrein grapes (from Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region) to the USA.

“It has been said that it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make great wine…but it certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Piedra Creek Winery’s Margaret Zuench and T J. de Jony are our guests to uncork all that is Piedra Creek Winery.

Mark Taylor of Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice

A discovery at the recent Natural Products Expo West at the Anaheim Convention Center is Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice fresh squeezed and packed in Italy. The Blood Oranges are from the Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello varieties grown at the foot of the Mt. Etna volcano in the rich volcanic soil of Sicily.

It’s rich in antioxidants with only 80 calories per 8oz.

Mark Taylor, the US Import Agent for Mongibello, joins us with all the squeeze on Mongibello 100 percent Blood Orange Juice from Sicily.

Jeff Morgan of Covenant Winery

“In 2003, Covenant founders Jeff Morgan and the late Leslie Rudd tasted an Israeli wine that inspired them to bring a new California perspective to a 3,500-year-old winemaking tradition. What started as a 500-case Napa Cabernet project has now grown more than ten-fold. Today, Covenant’s 7,000-square-foot urban winery is situated in Berkeley, California, also home to other urban wineries. Covenant’s sister winery, Covenant Israel, was founded in 2013. Since 2013, Covenant Israel wines have been made in the northern Galilee.”

“Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from several exceptional vineyards in Napa Valley. Pinot Noir is sourced from Francis Mahoney’s hilltop Carneros vineyard. They also have long-standing relationships with growers in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley and Lake County. In Lodi, Covenant works with the Mettler family’s vineyards. In Israel, their best Syrah is grown on Israel’s only biodynamic vineyard—Tzivon—in the Upper Galilee.”

Vintner & Co-Owner Jeff Morgan is the featured guest at the upcoming Covenant Wine Dinner at The Milky Way (The Spielberg Family’s Kosher Dairy restaurant) in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. Executive Chef Phil Kastel will serve a four-course repast with a Covenant wine matched with each dish. It starts with a Crispy Salmon Cake with a shaved fennel and arugula salad matched with 2020 Covenant Blanc De Blanc sparking wine.

Jeff Morgan joins us to uncork all that is Covenant urban winery.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Is dry-aged fish perhaps a new trend in area restaurants? The Orange County Register’s James Beard award-winning food critic, Brad A. Johnson, considers this (with examples) in a March piece. Chef Andrew, a known seafood authority, provides his insight.

Last year Chef Andrew was set as the lead chef of the prominent culinary team for Outstanding in the Field’s Sustainable Seafood Dinner on the Huntington Beach Pier. A couple of days before the event (as part the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl 2021) the dinner was abruptly cancelled due to the unfortunate aftereffects of the oil pipeline rupture. The better news is that it’s now rescheduled for Thursday, May 12th. Updates from Chef Andrew…

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Masters of Taste Preview with Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP’s Gail Carney Part One
Segment Three: Masters of Taste Preview with Host Chef Vanda Asapahu and C-CAP’s Gail Carney Part Two
Segment Four: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part One
Segment Five: Piedra Creek Winery, San Luis Obispo Part Two
Segment Six: Mongibello Blood Orange Juice from Sicily
Segment Seven: Covenant Winery, Berkeley with Founding Winemaker & Co-Owner Jeff Morgan
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”