Limerick Lane's guest appearances

Limerick Lane

Wine for Normal People

Wine Soundtrack - USA

New York Style Guide

Ana Keller

Keller Estate

Jason Haas

Mick Unti

Kathleen Inman

Jake Bilbro

Stu Smith

Andrew Jones

David Ramey

Vanessa Conlin

Matt Iaconis

Madeline Puckette

Jane Anson

Alan Baker

Alloro Vineyard

OwlTail

Once known as The Boreen, an old Irish word meaning a small, unpaved country road, Limerick Lane has been home to small farms and vineyards for more than a century. The Del Fava family planted our oldest currently producing vineyard in 1910. Without the benefit of modern scientific methods now used to determine the best soils and sites, the Del Favas were the first to recognize the rare potential of this small, enclosed microclimate just south of Healdsburg.  In the mid-1970’s, the Del Fava family sold to brothers Michael and Tom Collins. Like the Del Favas, the Collins brothers saw the potential inherent at Limerick Lane. They brought tremendous passion and enthusiasm to the property, overseeing the planting of twenty-five acres of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Grenache--the iconic Collins Vineyard. In addition the Collins brothers replanted and improved the existing vineyards, creating demand for their grapes at preeminent wineries De Loach, Chateau Souverain, Ravenswood, Davis Bynum and Gary Farrell.By 2009, Mike Collins was ready to sell, but was unwilling to see the beautiful old vines and all his hard work absorbed into a corporation or fall into the hands of investors just out to make a quick buck. Instead, he approached Jake Bilbro and asked if Jake would like to buy Limerick Lane Cellars and the Collins Vineyard. Jake, a member of a family renowned for principled vineyard stewardship and sustainable winemaking, grew up in the business at Marietta Cellars, founded by his father Chris in 1978. The chance to own Limerick Lane--a place from which his father, among others, had sourced exceptional fruit--was so exciting Jake spent two years pitching nearly every bank in California. One day before harvest began in 2011, a local bank in Healdsburg finally agreed to give him the loan.  Only the third owner in the estate’s 106-year history, Jake brings modern farming and winemaking techniques to the inimitable fruit that only the historic Collins Vineyard can produce and creates wines that live up to the heritage that preceded him--wines noted not only for their exceptional balance and elegance, but with a specific sense of history and place as well.

Once known as The Boreen, an old Irish word meaning a small, unpaved country road, Limerick Lane has been home to small farms and vineyards for more than a century. The Del Fava family planted our oldest currently producing vineyard in 1910. Without the benefit of modern scientific methods now used to determine the best soils and sites, the Del Favas were the first to recognize the rare potential of this small, enclosed microclimate just south of Healdsburg. In the mid-1970’s, the Del Fava family sold to brothers Michael and Tom Collins. Like the Del Favas, the Collins brothers saw the potential inherent at Limerick Lane. They brought tremendous passion and enthusiasm to the property, overseeing the planting of twenty-five acres of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Grenache--the iconic Collins Vineyard. In addition the Collins brothers replanted and improved the existing vineyards, creating demand for their grapes at preeminent wineries De Loach, Chateau Souverain, Ravenswood, Davis Bynum and Gary Farrell. By 2009, Mike Collins was ready to sell, but was unwilling to see the beautiful old vines and all his hard work absorbed into a corporation or fall into the hands of investors just out to make a quick buck. Instead, he approached Jake Bilbro and asked if Jake would like to buy Limerick Lane Cellars and the Collins Vineyard. Jake, a member of a family renowned for principled vineyard stewardship and sustainable winemaking, grew up in the business at Marietta Cellars, founded by his father Chris in 1978. The chance to own Limerick Lane--a place from which his father, among others, had sourced exceptional fruit--was so exciting Jake spent two years pitching nearly every bank in California. One day before harvest began in 2011, a local bank in Healdsburg finally agreed to give him the loan. Only the third owner in the estate’s 106-year history, Jake brings modern farming and winemaking techniques to the inimitable fruit that only the historic Collins Vineyard can produce and creates wines that live up to the heritage that preceded him--wines noted not only for their exceptional balance and elegance, but with a specific sense of history and place as well.

Limerick Lane - Jake Bilbro

This week I talk to Jake Bilbro, award-winning winemaker and winegrower of Limerick Lane Cellars in the Russian River of Sonoma. We discuss his family's history in Sonoma, how he came to own Limerick Lane, and his winemaking philosophies. A fascinating look at a young, famed small producer who represents the heart and soul of Sonoma.  Some show notes:  Limerick Lane is a 30-acre estate in the northeast part of the Russian River valley in Sonoma County, California The vineyards were originally planted in 1910. Much of it is old vine Zinfandel and field blends of varietals interspersed with Zin, Syrah, Grenache and other grapes.  Jake is a 4th generation winemaker and winegrower -- his passion and positivity is contagious!  He makes outstanding rosé, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Rhône blends.   He's also participating in the Sonoma Underground event of small producers that I've co-founded!     *Note -- the podcast was recorded in the tasting room of Limerick Lane, so there is ambient noise. I apologize for imperfect sound.   Thanks to our (delicious) sponsor, HelloFresh: A meal kit delivery service that shops, plans and delivers your favorite step-by-step recipes and pre-measured ingredients so you can just cook, eat and enjoy! Delivered right to your door, with a variety of chef-curated recipes that change weekly, this is a new way to eat and cook! We love it!  For $30 off your first week of HelloFresh, visit www.hellofresh.com and enter WINE30. You won't regret it! 

This week I talk to Jake Bilbro, award-winning winemaker and winegrower of Limerick Lane Cellars in the Russian River of Sonoma. We discuss his family's history in Sonoma, how he came to own Limerick Lane, and his winemaking philosophies. A fascinating look at a young, famed small producer who represents the heart and soul of Sonoma.  Some show notes: <ul> <li>Limerick Lane is a 30-acre estate in the northeast part of the Russian River valley in Sonoma County, California</li> <li>The vineyards were originally planted in 1910. Much of it is old vine Zinfandel and field blends of varietals interspersed with Zin, Syrah, Grenache and other grapes. </li> <li>Jake is a 4th generation winemaker and winegrower -- his passion and positivity is contagious! </li> <li>He makes outstanding rosé, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Rhône blends. </li> </ul> He's also participating in the <a href="http://www.undergroundwineevents.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Sonoma Underground event</a> of small producers that I've co-founded!   *Note -- the podcast was recorded in the tasting room of Limerick Lane, so there is ambient noise. I apologize for imperfect sound. Thanks to our (delicious) sponsor, HelloFresh: A meal kit delivery service that shops, plans and delivers your favorite step-by-step recipes and pre-measured ingredients so you can just cook, eat and enjoy! Delivered right to your door, with a variety of chef-curated recipes that change weekly, this is a new way to eat and cook! We love it!  For $30 off your first week of HelloFresh, visit <a href="http://www.hellofresh.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.hellofresh.com</a> and enter WINE30. You won't regret it!

Ep 216: Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane in Sonoma, CA