Show 671, March 21, 2026: “Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” with Participating Winery, Hitching Post Wines, Buellton. Weston Hartley, Winemaker

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Adam Bell

“Founded in 2024, “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” is a one-of-a-kind tasting event dedicated to celebrating the diversity of California wine through its lesser-known grape varieties. Featuring 60+ producers and more than 100 unique grapes, the festival is a destination for wine lovers eager to explore beyond the familiar. It returns on Saturday, March 28^th to Mica Studios in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles.” VIP access is at Noon and General Admission starts at 2:00 p.m.

Hitching Post Wines in Buellton is one of the participants in “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.” Weston Hartley, the Co-Winemaker (representing the 2^nd generation of Family-ownership) is our guest.

“Led by Frank Ostini (owner of the Hitching Post 2 Restaurant) and Gray Hartley, Hitching Post Wines has passed its 40th vintage in its ongoing quest to create the finest wines possible of Santa Barbara County. The emphasis is to make intriguing, age-worthy Pinot Noirs featuring Santa Barbara County’s two iconic appellations, the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. However, other lesser-known varieties such as Chenin Blanc and Valdeguie have also caught their attention.”

“With Frank Ostini as Chef Winemaker since its inception, these are food-friendly, handcrafted wines of balance and finesse that express the essence of the great vineyards of the Santa Barbara region. Moving forward, the next generation of Hartleys – Emily (DTC Manager) and Weston (Winemaker) – have joined the team and are doing much of the heavy lifting at Hitching Post Wines.”

Valdiguie is their favorite “Undiscovered” wine grape and will be their featured wine at The Festival. “It’s Racy. Defined as: (of a wine, flavor, etc.) having a characteristic quality to a high degree.”

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 646, September 27, 2025: Hitching Post Wines with Gray and Weston Hartley

Posted on September 29, 2025 by Adam Bell

First congrats to Hitching Post for their Double Gold at the 2025 Orange County Fair for their Fiddlestix 2022 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills.

The tradition of innovation and never standing pat at Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines continues with the 2^nd generation of Family involvement. Co-Founder Gray Hartley’s son, Weston, had an idea to do a French-style Piquette wine with the byproduct of vinifying the Valdiguie grape. Piquette is a low-alcohol wine (7 per cent) made from the second pressings of grape pomace. The Hitching Post creation is pleasantly fizzy.

One barrel (25 cases) was made as an experiment and wine devotees already give it high marks. The very limited bottling is presently available on their Website for $20.00.

“Piquette is a low alcohol, simply stated, slightly sparkling wine beverage that is refreshing, fun and easy to drink. Technically it is not a wine since it is made by adding water to grape pomace. It is then allowed to rehydrate and macerate to gain color and flavor rather than fermenting the grapes themselves. This second use for the grapes is a practice that goes back centuries to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name is derived from the French term ‘piquer’ meaning to prick or prickle – the textural sensation it provides. Though Hitching Post Piquette is fresh and direct, they give it the same thoughtful consideration as their more complex wines.”

Gray and Weston Hartley join us to pull the cork on their Fizzy Valdiguie Piquette. You will also see Hitching Post Wines at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade on Oct. 4^thon the Royce Quad at UCLA.

Show 634, July 5, 2025: New Zealand Wine Navigator with David Harlow, West Regional Manager

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Adam Bell

“Like so many other adventures, New Zealand Wine Navigator began with friends, family, and a few excellent bottles of wine. Graham Painter, Founder and CEO, was visiting family in the States and was sent out to select a nice wine for dinner. Wanting to show off some of the outstanding wines New Zealand has to offer, he went from one wine store to the next searching for something special; beyond the big-name Sauvignon Blancs. A deep, rich Pinot Noir or Syrah perhaps. How about a superb Riesling…? Surely, with the breadth of fine wines being produced in New Zealand, there was something special to be found. That fruitless vsearch inspired a mission.”

“Today, New Zealand Wine Navigator is America’s #1 New Zealand wine specialist, satisfying wine lovers across the United States with special, hard-to-find New Zealand wines from small, family estate producers. They ship the wine to a temperature-controlled warehouse in California ready for quick and cost-effective delivery to your home or office.”

“Graham set out to source the finest small-producer wines New Zealand has to offer. Small production, premium, family estate wines were the benchmarks. NZ Wine Navigator works in partnership with New Zealand wineries to help them get their wines out to the world because small, local production is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy.”

“To achieve the perfect selection of wines in their portfolio, NZ Wine Navigator enlisted the help of Cameron Douglas, their Master Sommelier. His carefully curated selection of premium labels from New Zealand is ready for you to drink now or cellar. If you are after exceptional wines from small out-of-the-way winemakers from a small, out-of-the-way country, you’re in the right place! Welcome.”

David Harlow, West Regional Manager for NZ Wine Navigator, joins us to uncork all that is NZ Wine Navigator.

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 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 612, January 18, 2025: Sideways Uncorked – The Perfect Pairing of Film & Wine (The Book)

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Adam Bell

Mira Advani Honeycutt and Kirk Honeycutt

“Two stories unspool in Sideways Uncorked: the story behind Alexander Payne’s modern movie classic adapted from a most unlikely source — an unpublished novel by a burnt-out ex-filmmaker and wine connoisseur Rex Pickett—and the world of Pinot Noir (and Merlot) winemaking before and after Sideways was released. For as authors Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani Honeycutt show, the movie was a pop-culture phenomenon that dramatically impacted the wine industry.”

“Sideways Uncorked ooffers a revealing behind-the-scenes tour of the lush Santa Barbara wine country that forms the iconic backdrop to Sideways, tracing the effect the story eventually had there and elsewhere. With ample narrative and special features (such as a wine lineup of recommendations from various wine regions), this is a one-of-a-kind illustrated book that will dazzle the palate of oenophiles and cinephiles alike.”

Kirk Honeycutt is a longtime film critic, journalist, teacher, and author who wrote the biography John Hughes: A Life in Film.

Mira Advani Honeycutt has more than twenty-five years of experience as a wine journalist.

Kirk and Mira join us to uncork all that is Sideways Uncorked – The Perfect Pairing of Film & Wine.

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 604, November 23, 2024: Ghost Hill Cellars, Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Oregon with Cameron Bower

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Adam Bell

“Ghost Hill Cellars is a fifth-generation farm, vineyard estate, and unforgettable event destination, sustainably tended by the Bayliss-Bower family (and the ghost of a murdered gold miner) since 1906. Neighboring the vineyards of Ken Wright, Tony Soter, and other Willamette Valley luminaries in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the family’s highly prized soils produce Pinot Noir of exceptional finesse and longevity, crafted by legendary Oregon winemaker Eric Hamacher. With a spectacular new hospitality center to match the award-winning wines, Ghost Hill Cellars is a family treasure far more enduring than a prospector’s lucky break.”

“In April 2024, the Bayliss-Bower family unveiled a striking new tasting room and hospitality center perched at the very top of the ridge, with incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. Retractable glass doors, outdoor firepits, and multiple seating areas create a variety of inviting and comfortable spaces for wine tastings, weddings, and special events of all kinds. In this modern farmhouse setting, guests are welcomed like family for tastings Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays.”

“Ghost Hill produces four 100% estate-grown Pinot Noirs: Pinot Noir Blanc (made with no skin contact), Pinot Noir Rosé, Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, and Prospector’s Reserve Pinot Noir (made from the oldest vines of the estate). Critics regularly score this lineup 90-94 points.” With the planting of Chardonnay in the new vineyard a sparkling wine program is definitely in their future.

For more info about Uncovering the Terroir of Ghost Hill Cellars tasting please follow the link to the article penned by my International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) fellow member, Stacey Wittig.

Representing the Bayliss-Bower family is Cameron Bower, “Business Guy and Wine Lover.”

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.