Monday, August 26, 2013

8/26-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen talk with Randy Pitts & Larry Van Aalst
















The Harvest Moon: the moon at and about the period of fullness that is nearest to the autumnal equinox.  In the legend of the Harvest moon, it is said that all full moons have their own special characteristics based primarily on the whereabouts of the ecliptic in the sky at the time of year that these moons are visible. 
Harvest Moon Estate and Winery was founded on growing, producing and bottling world-class Russian River Valley wine in a balanced, elegant style. Our premise is that Russian River Valley Zinfandel can be just as layered and complex as any Pinot Noir or Bordeaux variety in the world and receive the same respect.  The Pitts family has grown quality grapes in the Russian River Valley since 1976. In 2000, son Randy reverse migrated from San Francisco back to Sonoma County to assume the farming responsibilities at the family's modest nine-acre ranch. In conjunction with lessons on farming by his Dad and a few viticulture/enology courses at the local junior college, Randy made a barrel of homemade Zinfandel off the ranch's back block which turned out exceptionally tasty. Quickly concluding that properly farmed and judiciously fermented, Zinfandel has great capabilities of being California's own wine nobility.  The growers-turned winemakers birthed their inaugural vintage in 2002 and look forward to making their Zinprint on the winescene for decades to come.  
In addition to growing up Zinfandel, Harvest Moon also hand crafts small amounts of Russian River Valley GewürztraminerPinot Noir and Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon.
We proudly invite you out to the Estate tasting room and winery to experience the next echelon of full-service Sonoma County wine country!
The significance of the logo: Our simple circular brushstroke logo is an ancient Chinese symbol that’s been contemporarily adopted by the Japanese as the circle of life. Our logo, like our vineyards, represents a semi-closed system; permeable from outside influence. The Circle of Life starts out slow and builds to high productivity only to level out and enjoy a slow, gradual decline. Just before the circle is joined, there’s a brief pause- a quietness of sorts- and then begins the cycle anew. This is life… These are our seasons… This is wine.




Larry Van Aalst - Sommelier/WCOW Show Host
Host (The Sonoma Report), CRN Digital Talk Radio, Santa Rosa, CA
The Equus Restaurant wine list was judged "Best of Show" in the 1995 and 1998 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. The gallery of Sonoma County wines, nearly 300 bottles hand-picked by their winemakers, sets the tone--wine country splendor in a classic setting. Larry Van Aalst, Equus Sommelier, has been selecting wines for Equus for over a decade. Larry has been judging at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair/San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for over a decade likewise, an opportunity for Larry to keep abreast of fine wines from California.
Larry will discuss 2012 Sonoma harvest and crush and update listeners on some upcoming events. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

8/19-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen visit with Peggy Evans & Tobin James

Peggy Evans - Executive Director, Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association
The Temecula Valley is located in a veritable paradise which encompasses an area including over 35,000 acres of rolling hills and vineyards.  Rural in nature, sustainable in farming practices and including an agricultural preserve known as the Citrus/Vineyard zone, the Temecula Valley is widely recognized as the 'jewel' of Riverside County.  We are centrally located and within an hours drive from San Diego, Orange County or the Palm Springs area.  Each of our family owned wineries are easily accessible and situated just close enough in proximity to one another to make your wine country tour a breeze.  

Whether you're looking for a quick day trip - or planning to stay for a couple of days - there's plenty to see and do here in Temecula Valley Wine Country.  Wine tasting, winery tours and an array of winery events are offered daily throughout the region.  Along with fabulous wines, you'll find incredible winery restaurants, intimate bed and breakfast inns, lush resorts, splendid gift shops and beautiful picnic grounds.  And if you're looking for the perfect location for a wine country wedding, look no further!   Temecula Valley... Southern California's Wine Country.




Tobin James - Tobin James Cellars

Tobin (Toby) James grew up on a vineyard in Indiana, worked in a wine shop in Cincinnati and knew at the age of 18 that he would own a winery. He apprenticed at the Estrella River Winery, eventually being hired on full time and becoming their cellar master. From there, he headed to Eberle Winery to eventually make their wines with Gary Eberle.
When Peachy Canyon started, the owner needed a winemaker. A deal was struck so that Toby would become the founding winemaker and also have the opportunity to continue making Tobin James Cellars' wine at the same facility. The very first wine Toby made won a spot on the coveted "top 100" wines of the year with the Wine Spectator. Toby's reputation continued to grow, and in 1993 decided to build his own winery on highway 46 east of Paso Robles.

Monday, August 12, 2013

8/12-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen talk with Alexis Eaton & Al Jabarin

Alexis Eaton - PR Manager, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - Kaanapali Fresh
Kaanapali Fresh - A Culinary Experience - August 30 & 31 2013! Kāʻanapali Beach Resort presents the second annual Kāʻanapali Fresh, a two-day summer event highlighting Kāʻanapali as the premium spot for exquisite cuisine, meaningful experiences, and superb activities, August 30 and 31, 2013. The entire resort comes together to offer visitors exciting opportunities to sample chefs’ menus, learn about Grown on Maui products with Maui’s farmers, savor the beauty of Kāʻanapali, play on the beach, and simply enjoy the rich history of the land. Only Kāʻanapali offers this unique culmination of culinary creativity, memorable experience, and array of choices in land- and ocean adventure. Mark your calendars today!


Al Jabarin -  Founder & Proprietor, 1313 Main
Al is the proprietor of 1313 Main, Napa's premier wine bar and lounge. 1313 Main has been open for about 2 years, and has quickly become known as one of the best spots in the Napa Valley to enjoy and appreciate wine.

1313 Main, Napa's premium wine tasting lounge, announces the opening of Lulu's Kitchen at 1313 Main on Friday, August 30, 2013. 

With Culinary Director Ryan Quigley and Executive Chef Isaac Coles leading the team, Lulu's Kitchen adds a unique dining option to the Northside district of Downtown Napa. Following the adage "you are what you eat", Lulu's Kitchen offers a selection of small plates focusing on regional purveyors and local farms that supplement Lulu's onsite garden. With locally sourced ingredients that are seasonal to the moment, the cuisine at Lulu's Kitchen is crafted to elevate the wine centric experience at 1313 Main in an elegant, intimate setting. 

Offering small bites to main courses, culminating in fresh desserts or the traditional cheese plate, Lulu's Kitchen offers diners a variety of options to complement the 1300+ wines that are offered at 1313 Main on a daily basis.

Proprietor Al Jabarin says, “LuLu’s completes the concept of 1313 Main as a wine-centric destination in the Napa Valley. With LuLu’s Kitchen at 1313 Main we add a new dimension to downtown Napa's diverse gastronomic scene."

Located at 1313 Main Street, Lulu's Kitchen at 1313 Main serves late afternoon bites and dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 4pm to 10pm, Friday & Saturday from 4pm to 11pm, and Sunday from 4pm to 10pm. Lulu's Kitchen is closed on Mondays. For information, please visit 1313main.com or phone 707-258-1313.

Monday, August 5, 2013

8/5-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen talk with Susan Cannon

Susan Cannon - Owner, Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines
Susan Cannon is the owner of Susan G. Cannon Estate Wines in the greater Los Angeles area. Susan's Experience involves her being Regional Sales Manager at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Regional Sales Manager at Trefethen & Shramsberg Vineyards. She is also a graduate of Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Napa, CA, UC Davis, UCLA, California Culinary Academy.
PROUDLY REPRESENTING: Kapcsandy Family Vineyards | Lamborn Family Vineyards | La Sirena Winery |  Miro Cellars |  Grand Cru Imports | Grof Degenfeld Tokaji | Oakville Cross Wines | Six Sigma Winery|   Et Cetera Wine Company |  Domaine Georg Rafael | Laird Family Estate |  Consulting for Meyer Family Cellars
Starting my wine career in 1983 with a small brokerage firm in the Los Angeles area, ultimately  lead me to Trefethen and Schramsberg  Wineries where for for 9 years acted as Southern California Sales Manager and Brand Manager for out of state distribution in several western states. In 1993 I joined Silver Oak Cellars and spent 13 years representing them winery direct in Southern California  and as brand Manger in 8 states in the mid and southwest states  and  Eastern Canada.  In addition to sales I assisted ownership in both marketing and public relations programs.