“Larry Schaffer, the founder and winemaker of tercero wines went back to school later in life to pursue his passion, taking classes at community colleges with kids who literally could have been his kids, and then received his MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He moved to the Santa Barbara County wine region, and that is where he has remained since 2005, starting on the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and then eventually branching off to start and run tercero wines. Larry is especially adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner.”
Larry is tasting seven of his premium wines including a sparkling Chenin.
Visit his tasting room in picturesque Los Olivos to see for yourself or sample his wines tonight at Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.
“Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, California, founded in 1925 produces around 40,000 plus cases annually under their flagship brands, Guglielmo Private Reserve, Tre and the oldest label, Emile’s. Although the winery has grown, they still faithfully abide by the family philosophy to produce natural, quality wines to share with family and friends.” The current generation of the Guglielmo Family overseeing the family legacy is George Guglielmo as Winemaker and President and his Brother, Gene, as Partner and Vice President.
“Guglielmo Winery is situated within one of the larger American Viticultural Areas (AVA) of the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay with the specific designation of Santa Clara Valley. Their vineyards are comprised of around 50 acres planted to Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Carignane, Grignolino, Sagrantino, and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Visiting Guglielmo Winery’s Tasting Room and Retail Gift Shop in Morgan Hill is like taking a step back into Old Italy. Large wooden beams, stone walls, and terracotta tile provide a relaxing backdrop to enjoy tastings of the Guglielmo family’s award-winning wines. Open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on all major holidays.”
“Third generation winemaker, George E. Guglielmo, grew up on the family wine estate in Morgan Hill, California and began absorbing many aspects of the wine business at a very young age from his father and grandfather. As a teenager, George began broadening his knowledge base by apprenticing with other local winemakers to learn as much as he could about grape growing and winemaking. He also completed Fresno State University’s Viticulture and Enology program to supplement his knowledge of traditional winemaking techniques with the more modern aspects required to produce wines for today’s marketplace.”
“George’s winemaking philosophy remains a blend of age-old tradition and cutting-edge winemaking science and technology. George produces their wines with minimal handling or filtering – believing that the wines are at their best when allowed to develop naturally with only the necessary interventions by the winemaker. He shares his family’s strong belief that wines should be easy for everyone to enjoy at a reasonable price. His philosophy has paid off in the many award-winning wines he produces today that have been noted for both quality and value.”
George Guglielmo joins us to pull the cork on all that is Guglielmo Winery.
“CordeValle, the celebrated Northern California golf resort in San Martin, acquired the Clos La Chance Winery late last year. It’s an idyllic wine estate neighboring the resort’s 1,700-acre property. With this acquisition, CordeValle ushers in a new chapter with the introduction of CordeValle Winery, reinforcing its commitment to excellence while setting a bold yet approachable vision for the future.”
“Rooted in a passion for exceptional hospitality and craftsmanship, CordeValle Winery is the newest venture from CordeValle, bringing a refined, sense-driven approach to winemaking. Clos La Chance’s winemaker, Steve Driscoll, continues to helm the winemaking operations. Located within the Santa Clara Valley AVA and surrounded by 83 acres of verdant rolling hills and vineyards, CordeValle Winery offers an elevated yet approachable experience that blends the extraordinary beauty of Northern California with impeccable hospitality.”
“With curated events, immersive tasting experiences, and a locally inspired culinary program led by new Executive Chef Tom Esparza, the winery invites guests to slow down and savor every detail. This is more than a vineyard, it’s a destination where community, sustainability and heritage converge.” CordeValle Winery’s Tasting Room reopens on January 21st after their Winter break. The easiest way to buy the CordeValle wines is via their Website, at the Tasting Room in San Martin or as a member of one of their Wine Clubs.
Steve Driscoll is the Winemaker at CordeValle Winery. “Steve joined the team at Clos La Chance prior to the 2009 Harvest Season. Steve Graduated with a degree in Wine and Viticulture from the University of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. After traveling the world, Steve came back to the Central Coast to find himself at what is now CordeValle Winery. Steve has grown within the company and moved up at a rapid pace. His knowledge of the cellar and his passion for producing fine wines is unrivaled, and possibly only matched, by his passion for Metallica and Def Leppard.”
Steve Driscoll joins us to uncork all that is CordeValle Winery.
Their founding winemaker, Jon McPherson, is a distinguished second-generation winemaker (the son of pioneering Texas winemaker Clinton “Doc” McPherson and the brother of McPherson Cellar’s Kim McPherson) and the McPherson Family still plays a significant role in contemporary Texas winemaking. “Doc McPherson” firmly established that Sangiovese and Tempranillo wine grapes could grow well in the Texas High Plains.
“The competition, judged by a panel of wine professionals and sommeliers, attracts wineries interested in the important Fort Worth market. It celebrates the diversity of grape varieties and terroirs across the globe, with a “Texas twist” that emphasizes the state’s distinct winemaking regions.”
“Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is a luxury retreat in the heart of Texas Hill Country in Johnson City, Texas. Set amidst rolling hills and vineyards, it features 78 luxury villas, two tasting rooms, an outdoor pavilion hosting live music, Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, a spa, a heated seasonal outdoor pool and 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. It is an award-winning winery offering some of the region’s top varietals, and it’s the only winery in the region with an onsite microbrewery serving craft beer.
Jon McPherson is our guest to pull the cork on all this is Johnson City’s Carter Creek Winery.
“Larry Schaffer, the founder and winemaker of tercero wines went back to school later in life to pursue his passion, taking classes at community colleges with kids who literally could have been his kids, and then received his MS in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. He moved to the Santa Barbara County wine region, and that is where he has remained since 2005, starting on the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and then eventually branching off to start and run tercero wines. Larry is especially adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner.”
Visit his tasting room in picturesque Los Olivos to see for yourself or sample his wines tonight at Manhattan Beach Food & Wine.
“Veteran El Dorado County, CA Winemaker Marco Cappelli’s choice to get into the wine business was not pre-ordained; his Italian-born parents were teetotalers and his childhood home was not in Napa or Sonoma, but Carmel-by-the-Sea, an area known more for windswept rocky shores and white sand beaches than wine production. The path to an eventual career in winemaking started in a more roundabout and serendipitous way.”
“After a wonderful and life-changing 20 months in Europe, making wine at various wineries in Tuscany and learning the remarkable complexity of sweet wine production in Sauternes, he returned to California to look for a steady job. At this point in his life, fate intervened; through a dear friend he was introduced to Andre Tchelistcheff, the bedrock of California winemaking and mentor to many fortunate young winemakers. This was 1987. Andre was helping a start-up winery in Oakville / Rutherford owned by entrepreneur, bon vivant and nonpareil good person Clarke Swanson. At Swanson Vineyards Clarke and Marco together made many wonderful wines and even more wonderful memories. After 17 years working with Swanson, he left Napa in 2004 for the quiet wilderness of the Sierra Foothills to begin a new chapter in his life.”
“Believing he could make a modest living growing grapes, Marco purchased a 42-acre parcel in the Fair Play AVA of El Dorado County with a little house, a great view and 14 acres of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Roussanne. He quickly realized, however, that the hardscrabble life of a Fair Play grape-grower was no way to make a living, even a modest one, so he turned to what he knew best and started working with local vineyards and wineries. With time he grew to understand and appreciate the rugged terroir, sleek and focused wines, and adventurous spirit of the locals.”
“The business model for Cappelli Wine had been taking form in his mind for many years and when a circa 1895 building in the historic district of downtown Placerville came up for sale, he and his wife Belinda knew it was time to give the retail Tasting Room business a try. While he continues to work for local wineries, he spends much of his day introducing locals to his rotating selection of delicious, hand-crafted small batch and single-vineyard wines priced for everyday drinking. Patrons even are rewarded with a $2 credit when they return an empty bottle.
Marco Cappelli is our guest gently pulling the cork on all that is Cappelli Wine.
“Ravines Wine Cellars in Finger Lakes (Geneva and Hammondsport) is a flourishing partnership steeped in food and wine. Winemaker Morten Hallgren grew up on a winery, Domaine de Castel Roubine, surrounded by estate vineyards in the Cotes de Provence wine region of France. He arrived in the Finger Lakes with an Enology and Viticulture degree from one of Europe’s finest schools and experience at many different wineries including Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux.”
“Working as head winemaker for a historic FLX winery (Dr. Konstantin Frank) for 6 years, he worked with grapes from vineyards throughout the Finger Lakes. He wondered why no one in the FLX was producing dry Riesling. Even the Rieslings labeled “dry” were actually pretty sweet. In his mind, the most interesting inherent characteristics were masked behind high sugar, super-fruity wines. He identified two unique and expressive sites: the Argetsinger Vineyard and 16 Falls, purchased grapes and began producing a new style of Finger Lakes mineral driven wines in a rented barn on Keuka Lake.”
“Ravines’ first vintage in 2002 was exclusively dry, vinifera wines. The Riesling took the Best Dry Riesling medal at the World Riesling Cup. Then came the Wine Spectator Top 100, the first non-dessert Finger Lakes wine to get onto the prestigious list and then named twice more in the next few years.”
“In 2011 Ravines purchased the historic White Springs Farm (circa 1801) where gentleman Farmer and Cornell agriculturist Carl Fribolin, had built a winery and planted vineyards in 2003.”
“After purchasing the Keuka parcel on the two ravines in 2000, with the plan to make wine in the next vintage, Morten knew the top two sites where he already had experience working with the grapes and set out to purchase from those two sites for Ravines upcoming first vintage. Those are the Argetsinger and 16 Falls Vineyard on the eastern edge of Seneca Lake that have been a part of every vintage of Ravines wine through to this day. The Hallgrens rented a barn down the street from where they lived, and with the purchased grapes, Morten produced the first vintage, making wines from the classic varietals of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and a Meritage red “Bordeaux-blend”.”
“Morten left his job at Dr. Frank in 2005 and only made wines for Ravines thereafter. In 2010 Morten moved production operations to White Springs Winery in Geneva, near the northwestern end of Seneca Lake. By that time, the acreage being purchased from the Argetsinger and Sixteen Falls vineyards was up to 59 acres. Morten also became the winemaker for White Springs Winery, then owned by the philanthropist and gentleman farmer, Carl Fribolin.”
“In 2012, Carl wanted the Hallgrens to take over his vineyards and so they purchased the White Springs winery and property, including 50 acres of vineyards and a turn-of-the-century slate barn that was soon remodeled. The renovation included adding a large tank room, creating a large barrel room, expanding the lab and adding more warehouse facilities. With a second tasting room open year-round, Lisa took the time to expand their dedicated group of attentive and knowledgeable tasting room staff.”
“After replanting vines at their original Keuka vineyards, adding 10 acres of plantings to the White Springs Vineyards now called Limestone Springs and purchasing the entire 46 acres of the 16-Falls Vineyards, Ravines now possess 130 acres of estate vineyards. Ravines also work another 28 acres of vines from the famous Argetsinger Vineyard, owned and operated by the Argetsinger family, as well as an adjacent five acres at Two Gorges.”
“Ravines Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes, NY with Tasting Rooms in both Geneva and Hammondsport makes dry, classical, terroir-driven wines on over 130 acres of estate vineyards. Founded in 2001 and family-owned and operated ever since by Morten and Lisa Hallgren, Morten was born and trained as an oenologist / winemaker in Provence and Bordeaux France, before moving to the region and pioneering the bone-dry, mineral-tinged riesling style that the region is now famous for.”
“Ravines utilizes minimal intervention in the cellar and employs sustainable winegrowing practices on steep-sloping vineyards with limestone and shalestone soils. They have won numerous honors and played a major role in elevating the Finger Lakes region on the world stage as a top cool-climate wine destination.”
“Celebrating its 15th year, Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks (January 19th to February 1st) has become a favorite tradition in the valley. And why not?”
“The Santa Ynez Valley’s reputation as a culinary-driven destination—with imaginative chefs, deep agricultural roots, collaborative culinary culture, and cuisine that ranges from contemporary, innovative farm-to-table fare to traditional Scandinavian feasts—is as well-earned as its reputation for making world-class wines. And for two weeks, the valley’s restaurants offer the best of the region’s cuisine at an unbeatable price.”
“From January 19th to February 1st, 2025, Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks will showcase the region’s culinary bounty — and being that this is the Santa Ynez Valley, the perfect wine pairings — with a variety of special three-course prix fixe price menus. Dozens of restaurants will participate, each offering curated, chef-driven, three-course menus at prices of $30, $40, or $50, plus tax and gratuity. More than two dozen of the region’s wineries and tasting rooms will also participate at various levels, offering two-for-one tastings, special tasting flights, and discounts on bottle purchases.”
“For the latest updates on Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks, including menus and participating restaurants, wineries, and tasting rooms, visit Dine SYV or follow Visit the Santa Ynez Valley on Instagram, Facebook, and X.”
Our guide to Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks is Shelby Sim, President and CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley.
“Living Roots Wine & Co. is a winery in both the Finger Lakes Region of New York (Hammondsport, Keuka Lake, Steuben County) and the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. Sixth generation winemaker and Adelaide native Sebastian and Rochester native Colleen Hardy make wines with regional and varietal expression, minimal inputs, and maximum quality.”
A stylish new Tasting Room debuted one year ago with an incredible view of Keuka Lake and is located on the family’s Shale Creek Vineyard with an urban Tasting Room in Rochester.
“Some wines are made year-to-year while others are one-offs. Each vintage is an opportunity to explore new vineyards and varieties, and to highlight the terroir and natural strengths of these diverse regions.”
“The new Winery and Tasting Room in Hammondsport is located on the family’s Shale Creek Vineyard and features a large tasting bar, retail area, spacious indoor and outdoor seating, indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pits. The site is run on geothermal energy, solar panels and also offers EV chargers.”
“The estate wines include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Cabernet Franc. Vinifera and hybrid varieties are sourced from other growers around the region. Their most popular wines from Australia are McLaren Valley Grenache, Adelaide Hills Shiraz and Red Blend.”
“Living Roots also offers a range of lower alcohol “Sessions” wines (7 to 10 % ABV), made with natural techniques and spanning from Session Sparkling White to Session Red.”
Proprietress Colleen Hardy joins us to uncork all that is Living Roots Wine & Co.
“Suisun Valley Wine Co-opin Fairfield (established in 2007) represents three local, family owned micro wineries with distinct wine styles and approaches to winemaking tasting their wines in a single, unique, visitor-friendly indoor and outdoor tasting room.”
“The three member wineries (Sunset Cellars, Blacksmith Cellarsand King Andrew Vineyards) share a common goal of crafting high quality, distinctive wines from grapes grown locally in Suisun Valley and nearby regions. As long-time friends, the winemakers collaborate, exchange ideas, and lend hands in the vineyards and the cellars. With deep mutual respect, they are proud to represent one another’s wine at the Co-op.”
“Most of the tasting room staff at the Wine Co-op are actual wine producers and grape growers. They all take turns pouring the wines. While visiting them, you will learn firsthand their vision and philosophies behind the wines. The Co-op Team enjoys spending time with visitors and like sharing Suisun Valley’s rustic and authentic charm.”
Fah Sathirapongsasuti, the principal of the Suisun Valley Wine Co-op and Winemaker and Co-owner of Sunset Cellar, joins us to uncork all that is the Suisun Valley Wine Co-op.
“Winemaker Matt Smith built Blacksmith Cellars on the philosophy of crafting distinctive varietal driven and blended wines that he is passionate about. The process of winemaking is a lifestyle he embraces and enjoys and it shows in his releases.
“Founded by Doug and Katsuko Sparks in their garage in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset District, Sunset Cellars believes in “Zen Zin” a minimalist winemaking style and respect for our grower’s efforts in the vineyards. In 2007 they founded the Suisun Valley WineCo-op. Fah and Mio succeeded them as winemaker and co-owners in 2021”
“Wine grower Roger King and his wife Carol (King AndrewsVineyards) bring you unique and boutique wines of Suisun Valley and Solano County. Small lot winemaking from the vineyard to the winery brings fresh vibrant wines to your palate. They grow, vint and bottle their wines with limited intervention.”
