4/8-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen visit with Guinevere Aide & Ari Heavner

Raw Chef Guinevere Aide
I'm an old soul with a young heart, I'm a friend to the friendly, I have edge, I can be sarcastic, sexy, a pain in your arse. With the good comes some bad. I'll be the first to say i'm not perfect. But I try... And god knows I try a lot harder these days. Shy? I am NOT!! Understanding? I try to be. If I do something I'll regret in the morning, let me sleep in. Im young,trying.laughing.crying,and im sure as hell STILL BREATHING. So, more about myself? I was born in (Who really cares?). Oh yes I love adventure. I love people and the boundless potential for surprise they hold. I love my friends. I love to travel, I like to cook and I love the food network. I love writing short stories and horribly bad romantic poetry that I often delete straight away because it's so embarrassing. It's difficult to distill the broader scope of one's life into a single paragraph- I'd suggest you simply get to know me by TALKING to me. I don"t bite...

Ari - Idle Cellars
Idle Cellars is a micro-winery located in Sonoma County, California. We, Ari Heavner, Ben Larks and Eric Henson believe in the artistic craft of wine making, and work hands-on from grape selection to bottling. The three of us, an entrepreneur, an artist and a wine aficionado, met while working at Deerfield Ranch Winery under the tutelage of master winemaker Robert Rex. We studied and strive for the perfection of an elegantly balanced wine; equal parts technical mastery and art. It was Robert who taught us that the essence of winemaking is "getting to know your grapes" and to be with your wine literally from the vine to the bottle. We've taken this knowledge and our deep understanding of our agricultural surroundings to choose the best varietals and processes for each wine. With Idle Cellars we seek to provide the best of Sonoma and of wine craftsmanship. We hope our wines bring people together, be it at a lively dinner party or a lazy BBQ and give all who drink it the same joy we had making it.

4/1-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen talk with Dan Morgan Lee & Steve Peck

Dan Morgan Lee - Winegrower - Morgan Winery

With more than thirty years’ experience, Dan Lee and the Morgan label have been synonymous with artisan, vineyard-centric wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey.

Coming from a small town in California’s Central Valley, Dan Morgan Lee had prepared initially for the study of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis.  It was late in his college career that he discovered enology satisfied his interest in both science and agriculture. Immediately enrolling in the graduate enology program, Dan completed his studies and was hired as winemaker at Jekel Winery in Monterey County.

After serving his apprenticeship at Jekel, Dan moved up the road to Durney Vineyard where he continued to make Monterey wines. While making wine full-time for Durney, Dan aspired to craft his own label.  It was at a meeting of the Monterey County Winegrowers Association that he shared his vision with a banker. In addition to becoming his business advisor, that banker would also become Dan's wife.

In 1982, Dan and Donna Lee opened the doors of Morgan Winery. Their very first Monterey Chardonnay earned a Gold Medal at the LA County Fair and a Platinum Medal from Wine & Spirits Magazine. Since then, Morgan has become one of the Central Coast’s most recognized labels, earning “Winery of the Year” honors from Wine & Spirits in 1996 and from the San Francisco Chronicle in 2003. In 2005, Dan introduced a second label, Lee Family Farms – intended to provide a fun outlet for his exploration of “alternative” varietals.

Able to pick and choose fruit sources from around the state, Dan eventually turned more of his attention to the Santa Lucia Highlands and single vineyard releases.  Dan and Donna invested in their belief in the Highlands with the purchase of the Double L Vineyard in 1996. Today the Double L is one of the best known vineyards in California. Dan’s leadership and expertise in the district led to his being named the first Board President of the newly formed Santa Lucia Highlands’ winegrowers association in 2005.

Dan and Donna Lee reside in Salinas. Twin daughters Annie and Jackie (the inspiration for the “Double Luck” vineyard moniker) are in college; son Josh is in high school. 

Steve Peck - Red Winemaker - J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines

As the red winemaker for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Steve Peck combines a gifted palate, a passion for viticulture and a comprehensive technical knowledge of winemaking practices.

Born and raised in California, Steve began cultivating his love of viticulture and winemaking as a teenager while traveling to vineyards and working alongside his uncle. A dedicated home winemaker, Steve’s uncle taught him the importance of hands-on attention to detail at every step of the winemaking process. This early exposure to vineyards and winemaking inspired Steve to enroll at the University of California, Davis. While studying chemical engineering and fermentation sciences, Steve put himself through school as part of the team at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. This three-year experience augmented Steve’s academic studies with a practical understanding of premium Napa Valley winemaking methods.

After earning his degree, Steve pursued opportunities in the biotech industry, working for Merck and Co. and Genencor International. Throughout this period, Steve remained dedicated to the art of winemaking, crafting his own red wines nearly every vintage, including several Cabernet Sauvignons made from Paso Robles grapes. Eager to return to a career in winemaking, Steve joined Five Rivers Winery as winemaker in 2001. In addition to his role as winemaker for Five Rivers, Steve was also responsible for producing the red wines for Jekel Vineyards beginning with the 2004 vintage. In these capacities, Steve had the opportunity to work with an extensive array of vineyards in Monterey County, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County, and was responsible for orchestrating harvest scheduling for dozens of growers. During this period, Steve consistently earned acclaim for his red wines.

In 2007, Steve was appointed winemaker for the full portfolio of J. Lohr red wines including J. Lohr Estates, the J. Lohr Vineyard Series and the J. Lohr Cuvée Series, as well as red wines for Cypress Vineyards and Crosspoint. Working with Senior Vice President of Winemaking Jeff Meier, Steve strives to maintain the flavorful character of each wine by focusing on the natural characteristics embodied in J. Lohr’s estate vineyards. “Steve is inquisitive and intuitive,” says Jeff,” which are fundamental qualities in a superior winemaker. On top of that, he’s a genuinely personable leader with a great technical mind and a real passion for winemaking.”

3/25-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen visit with Jeff Pisoni and David Fleming

Jeff Pisoni - Winemaker, Pisoni Vineyards
Jeff Pisoni is the winemaker. He earned a B.S. in Enology at California State University, Fresno, and got hands-on experience at premium wineries before becoming the Pisoni Estate and Lucia winemaker in 2002.

"The Pisoni Brothers (Mark and Jeff) are turning one of America's great vineyards into one of its great wineries." 
-Richard Nalley, Food & Wine


The Wine

The Pisoni Family produces one wine each year under the label bearing its name: Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir. Although actual quantities vary with fruit yields, typical production is a mere 500 cases annually.

Often noted for their deep color and intensity, wines from Pisoni Vineyards offer complex flavors and layers of undulating texture. The rocky mountain soil and the long, cool growing season provide the fundamental character of the wine, and the tannin and acid structure contribute to the age-worthiness.

The Philosophy

As Émile Peynaud once said, "Wine is both a reflection of the people who make it and the region that produces it …" In accordance with the legendary French winemaker, the Pisoni Family's ultimate goal is to create a great wine that represents this vineyard site and the passion of the family.

The Craft

Wines are made from several different blocks, harvested on different dates. Winemaker Jeff Pisoni vinifies small lots with a focus on artisanal methods and a non-interventionist style of winemaking: hand sorting, native yeast fermentation, hand punch-downs, no fining, no filtration. This philosophy retains the character of the wine and the vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

VINEYARDS

The Site

A special place, Pisoni Vineyards expresses the land and climate of the Santa Lucia Highlands and the spirit of the Pisoni Family. The site is a source of exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.

First planted by Gary Pisoni in 1982, Pisoni Vineyards consists of small vineyard blocks arranged on and around the ridges of the mountainous landscape. Ranging in size from one-half to seventeen acres, the vineyard blocks perch at an altitude of 1,300 feet in the granite-laced mountains of the coastal Santa Lucia Range.


The Philosophy

Inspired by the Burgundy tradition of having several wineries source fruit from the same vineyard, Gary Pisoni has formed relationships with some of the most prestigious Pinot Noir producers in California. With agreements based on handshake alone, these wineries are guaranteed specific rows and blocks each year. They purchase grapes at a per-acre price rather than a per-ton price, which maintains the focus on quality and not yields.

In addition to supplying fruit to artisan producers of vineyard-designated wines, the Pisoni Family retains a portion of the vineyard for the production of Pisoni Estate wine.


The Practice

Vineyard management is meticulous. Under Mark Pisoni's leadership, a long-time permanent crew of 18 skilled individuals perform all the work by hand. Every decision implements sustainable farming practices and long-term considerations.

This commitment, combined with the rocky soils and cold Monterey Bay weather, produce serious and compelling wines.

Bibliana González Rave - Rave Vines & Wines
As a 14-year-old girl growing up in Colombia, the thought of making wine seemed to be an impossible dream. At age 16, I was determined to prove otherwise. 
I attempted to make my first wine, in a 5-gallon glass jar, in my bedroom closet without so much success. Nevertheless, the experiment marked the beginning of my career as a winemaker. 
With literally no more than a backpack and lots of expectations, I went to France to learn about wine. After five years of total immersion in all things French, I obtained a degree in Viticulture, a DNO of Enology (Diplôme National d'Œnologue) from Bordeaux and the experience of five harvests.

David Fleming - Winemaker, Paraiso Vineyards 
As the Paraiso Vineyards winemaker for more than a decade, Dave manages all aspects of winemaking and production. He is crazy-passionate about vineyard expression in his wines, and is very careful not to “over-make” them. Never satisfied with his extensive winemaking knowledge, he is an eternal student always looking to learn more. Married to Rich and Claudia’s daughter Kacy, Dave is a part of the Smith family. He spends his off-time with their three kids at various sporting events and volunteering in the local Monterey County community. Unless the Redskins are playing…then he’s in front of the television with a glass of Paraiso.

3/18-Michael Horn and Nicole Nielsen visit with Henry Patland

Henry Patland - Proprietor Patland Estate Vineyards

In 1978, Henry immigrated to the United States with his family from the Ukraine. Living during Soviet regime, he understood early on the value of hard work. He found his first job in the states at the age of twelve, delivering newspapers at night and going to school during the day. Henry graduated from Washington High School in San Francisco and continued his education in UC Santa Cruz in Computer Engineering. During his second year, he met Olga, who had only recently immigrated to the United States from Israel. She later graduated with a degree in Multimedia Communication and Graphic Arts. Two years after the birth of their first son, Michael, Henry co-founded a High Tech company in Silicon Valley. Olga then gave birth to twins, Felix and Kevin. While raising her three boys, she maintained her work in publishing. And while the dream of a winery was put on hold, it was never too far from their hearts. In 2007, Terra Del Cuore was purchased and Patland Estate Vineyards was established. In 2010, the first PEV wines were released.

Today, Henry and Olga, together with their three sons, the support of their families, and the exceptional talent of Jay Buoncristiani, have taken Patland Estate Vineyards to a great start, and continue to reach new heights. 

The Family invites you to come and visit the beautiful Napa Valley, pour a glass of Patland Estate Vineyards wine, and enjoy the Tuscan landscaping of the Terra Del Cuore Estate.

Chris Weidemann - Proprietor & Winemaker - Pelerin Wines 

Chris and Cathy Weidemann met in 1994 while studying Viticulture and Enology at U.C. Davis. Amongst classes and exams, and while subsequently working in Napa Valley, they shaped their dream of founding a small artisan winery.

The Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey ultimately provided the ideal location for the project: offering just the right combination of terroir and opportunity. While working in Monterey, Chris and Cathy were able to forge relationships with Gary Franscioni of Rosella's Vineyard, and Rich and Claudia Smith of Paraiso Vineyards, thereby securing access to what they regard as the best Pinot Noir and Syrah sites in the area.

As an Assistant Winemaker for Newton Vineyard and later at Morgan Winery, Chris has honed his craft alongside winemakers John Kongsgaard and Dean DeKorth. He describes his winemaking style as a joining of John's focus on intense and dramatic wines with Dean's discerning sensibility regarding textural balance and complexity.

Cathy brings a love of food and wine along with a business foundation to the enterprise, having completed her MBA at San Jose State University. She has also worked as communications and marketing director for Paraiso Vineyard conveying winery image to press as well as consumers.

3/11-Michael Horn & Nicole Nielsen talk to Jaime Orozco and Heather Muran

Jaime Orozco - Associate Director of Sales and Marketing - Mi Sueno Winery

Perhaps new to the Mi Sueño team, Jaime is no stranger to the wine industry. Rising up the ranks in the hotel and restaurant industry, he discovered his passion for wine while working for Miner Family Winery. Like Rolando, Jaime is yet another example of a Mexican immigrant in pursuit of the American Dream. It seems so fitting that he found his way to Mi Sueño Winery. Jaime recieved his bachelors degree from Sac State in PR and Marketing, making him second in his family to graduate from college.

jaime@misuenowinery.com

Heather Muran - Executive Director - San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association

The wineries of SLO Wine Country boast an average distance of just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in prevailing marine conditions that are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California.

Collectively, these growing conditions forge a unifying wine quality that is native to SLO Wine Country:

Cool

The reliable cooling effect of the nearby Pacific Ocean ensures a long growing season, enabling the grapes to achieve physiological ripeness and natural balance. Cool-climate varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir excel in the heart of SLO Wine Country, and even the warmest areas benefit from considerable marine influence.    

Consistent

The ocean proximity also exerts a moderating effect on the climate, minimizing temperature swings so that growing conditions are rarely hot or cold. The result is an extraordinarily steady growing season that fosters balanced ripening and consistent quality from vintage to vintage.

Complex

The imprint of the ocean is also evident in SLO Wine Country's uncommonly complex soils, which are frequently riddled with ancient sea fossils. Soil variation enables the winegrower to mix and match varietals to specific soil profiles, or to add more "colors" to the palette of a single varietal, heightening overall quality and complexity.