Violet Grgich

Third-generation vintner Violet Grgich tells an incredible family wine story that spans a century that includes a world war, daring escapes, and a years-long journey to Napa Valley. Her grandfather was a winemaker in their small town in Croatia, her father came to Napa and help put the region on the world stage and started a winery, Grgich-Hills Estate, where today Violet is president. Enjoy!For more visit: Grgich.com

Third-generation vintner Violet Grgich tells an incredible family wine story that spans a century that includes a world war, daring escapes, and a years-long journey to Napa Valley. Her grandfather was a winemaker in their small town in Croatia, her father came to Napa and help put the region on the world stage and started a winery, Grgich-Hills Estate, where today Violet is president. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.grgich.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grgich.com</a>

Hugh Davies

Hugh Davies lives in the same house he grew up in at Schramsberg Winery here in Napa Valley and, in a case of history repeating itself, it’s where he and his wife are raising their own family and making world-class wines. Hugh does a great job of weaving together 150 years of stories about family and winemaking on Diamond Mountain. Enjoy!For more visit: Schramsberg.com

Hugh Davies lives in the same house he grew up in at Schramsberg Winery here in Napa Valley and, in a case of history repeating itself, it’s where he and his wife are raising their own family and making world-class wines. Hugh does a great job of weaving together 150 years of stories about family and winemaking on Diamond Mountain. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.schramsberg.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schramsberg.com</a>

Rory Williams

In 1975 John Williams arrived in Napa Valley with a return bus ticket and $40 in his pocket. He fell in love with wine and never used that return ticket – instead launching Frog’s Leap Winery. Today John and his son Rory (who also owns Calder Wine Co.) are running Frog’s Leap together and on the podcast, they discuss the joys and challenges of family business.For more visit: FrogsLeap.com and CalderWine.com

In 1975 John Williams arrived in Napa Valley with a return bus ticket and $40 in his pocket. He fell in love with wine and never used that return ticket – instead launching Frog’s Leap Winery. Today John and his son Rory (who also owns Calder Wine Co.) are running Frog’s Leap together and on the podcast, they discuss the joys and challenges of family business. For more visit: <a href="https://frogsleap.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FrogsLeap.com </a>and <a href="http://calder.securecheckout.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CalderWine.com</a>

John and Rory Williams

John Kongsgaard

John Kongsgaard grew up in Napa Valley, where his father was a beloved local judge. John says their father-son relationship was tested during the stresses of the Vietnam War and the road to healing that rift culminated in the creation of Kongsgaard’s most celebrated wine, The Judge. Today John works with his son, Alex, to keep growing beautiful fruit and making outstanding wines. Enjoy!For more visit: https://kongsgaardwine.com/

John Kongsgaard grew up in Napa Valley, where his father was a beloved local judge. John says their father-son relationship was tested during the stresses of the Vietnam War and the road to healing that rift culminated in the creation of Kongsgaard’s most celebrated wine, The Judge. Today John works with his son, Alex, to keep growing beautiful fruit and making outstanding wines. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://kongsgaardwine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kongsgaardwine.com/</a>

Delia Viader

Delia Viader came to the wine business in Napa Valley in the 1980s after living in Argentina, Switzerland, Lebanon, and France and earning degrees from the Sorbonne in Paris and MIT in Boston. Her son Alan grew up on the winery property, learning vineyard and cellar work at a young age. Today this duo runs Viader Vineyards &amp; Winery, one of Napa Valley’s best. Enjoy!For more visit: https://viader.com/

Delia Viader came to the wine business in Napa Valley in the 1980s after living in Argentina, Switzerland, Lebanon, and France and earning degrees from the Sorbonne in Paris and MIT in Boston. Her son Alan grew up on the winery property, learning vineyard and cellar work at a young age. Today this duo runs Viader Vineyards &amp; Winery, one of Napa Valley’s best. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://viader.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://viader.com/</a>

Alan and Delia Viader

Adam Lee

Adam Lee comes from a family of devout Texas teetotalers. In college, however, Adam not only tasted his first wine, he became passionate about it. He and then-wife Diane Novy moved to California and founded Siduri, making outstanding Pinot Noirs from vineyards site that ranged from Santa Barbara to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. After selling Siduri, Adam has gone on to start several exciting new wine projects. Enjoy! For more visit: https://claricewinecompany.com/

Adam Lee comes from a family of devout Texas teetotalers. In college, however, Adam not only tasted his first wine, he became passionate about it. He and then-wife Diane Novy moved to California and founded Siduri, making outstanding Pinot Noirs from vineyards site that ranged from Santa Barbara to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. After selling Siduri, Adam has gone on to start several exciting new wine projects. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://claricewinecompany.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://claricewinecompany.com/</a>

Donald Patz

Early on Donald Patz thought he’d pursue a medical career. After college, however, he landed a wine sales job and one thing led to another. By the 1980s Patz met James Hall in Napa and they created Patz &amp; Hall, a winery celebrated for outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2016, they sold the winery and Patz moved on to several exciting new wine projects – including his first venture into Cabernet. For more visit: https://donaldpatzwinegroup.com/

Early on Donald Patz thought he’d pursue a medical career. After college, however, he landed a wine sales job and one thing led to another. By the 1980s Patz met James Hall in Napa and they created Patz &amp; Hall, a winery celebrated for outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2016, they sold the winery and Patz moved on to several exciting new wine projects – including his first venture into Cabernet. For more visit: <a href="https://donaldpatzwinegroup.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://donaldpatzwinegroup.com/</a>

Elizabeth Vianna

As a kid Elizabeth Vianna lived in Brazil, Los Angeles, and Illinois, then moved back to Brazil. She entered college intent on becoming a concert pianist, then got serious about medicine but along the way found her true love in wine. Today Vianna is one of our favorite neighbors here in Napa Valley’s Stag Leap District as winemaker and general manager at Chimney Rock. Enjoy! For more visit: ChimneyRock.com

As a kid Elizabeth Vianna lived in Brazil, Los Angeles, and Illinois, then moved back to Brazil. She entered college intent on becoming a concert pianist, then got serious about medicine but along the way found her true love in wine. Today Vianna is one of our favorite neighbors here in Napa Valley’s Stag Leap District as winemaker and general manager at Chimney Rock. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.chimneyrock.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ChimneyRock.com</a>

Michael Silacci

While Michael Silacci grew up near the vineyards of Gilroy, California, it took years of travel through Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, and eventually France to discover his passion for wine. Today he can look back on nearly 20 years of stellar winemaking at Opus One, combining innovative thinking with age-old techniques to produce wines that are among the best. Enjoy! For more visit: https://www.opusonewinery.com/

While Michael Silacci grew up near the vineyards of Gilroy, California, it took years of travel through Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, and eventually France to discover his passion for wine. Today he can look back on nearly 20 years of stellar winemaking at Opus One, combining innovative thinking with age-old techniques to produce wines that are among the best. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.opusonewinery.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.opusonewinery.com/</a>

Jay McInerney

Jay McInerney burst onto the literary scene in 1984 with Bright Lights, Big City, his novel based on an era both in his life and the life of New York City. A dozen years later McInerney surprised a lot of people by turning to writing about wine. He won over many early doubters, displaying a novelist’s eye and a wine lover’s enthusiasm for profiling wines, winemakers, wine regions, and more. Enjoy! Wine books byJay McInerney:https://jaymcinerney.com/books-on-wine/

Jay McInerney burst onto the literary scene in 1984 with Bright Lights, Big City, his novel based on an era both in his life and the life of New York City. A dozen years later McInerney surprised a lot of people by turning to writing about wine. He won over many early doubters, displaying a novelist’s eye and a wine lover’s enthusiasm for profiling wines, winemakers, wine regions, and more. Enjoy! Wine books byJay McInerney: <a href="https://jaymcinerney.com/books-on-wine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://jaymcinerney.com/books-on-wine/</a>

Serving up stories of food and wine. “Mainly, I’m interested in people’s stories – where they started, their struggles, successes, and how they ended up where they’ve ended up,” says Doug Shafer.

He uses his experience and expertise to creat a very natural conversation. His guests are awesome!

Doug Shafer is a natural

Awesome podcast! unbelievable wine! Thank you Doug!

Awesome!

The Taste with Doug Shafer – Stories of Winemakers and Wine

Richard Peterson

Few people can tell the story of California wine from the 1950s to today with the flair and authenticity of Richard Peterson. Hired by Gallo in 1958, later by legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at Napa Valley’s Beaulieu Vineyard, and eventually striking out on his own, Peterson lived the highs and lows of American wine during these crucial years. He’s captured it all in his outstanding memoir The Winemaker. For more visit: richardgpeterson.com

Few people can tell the story of California wine from the 1950s to today with the flair and authenticity of Richard Peterson. Hired by Gallo in 1958, later by legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at Napa Valley’s Beaulieu Vineyard, and eventually striking out on his own, Peterson lived the highs and lows of American wine during these crucial years. He’s captured it all in his outstanding memoir The Winemaker. For more visit: <a href="http://richardgpeterson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">richardgpeterson.com</a>

Bo Barrett

In 1972 Bo Barrett was a surfer in Southern California when his father bought an old winery in Napa Valley called Chateau Montelena. After finishing college Bo started working at the winery and in this episode he talks what he learned about winemaking, vineyards, economic cycles, parenthood, and how movies, such as Bottle Shock, are made. Today Bo oversees one of the most venerated wineries in the U.S. Enjoy! For more visit: montelena.com

In 1972 Bo Barrett was a surfer in Southern California when his father bought an old winery in Napa Valley called Chateau Montelena. After finishing college Bo started working at the winery and in this episode he talks what he learned about winemaking, vineyards, economic cycles, parenthood, and how movies, such as Bottle Shock, are made. Today Bo oversees one of the most venerated wineries in the U.S. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://montelena.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">montelena.com</a>

Danny Meyer

In 1985 Danny Meyer opened Union Square Café, which became beloved in New York City for its great food and even greater sense of warmth and welcome. He’s opened many restaurants since including Eleven Madison and Gramercy Tavern, as well as Shake Shack, focusing on outstanding hospitality. Danny and Doug talk about how often the greatest success is born of past struggles. Enjoy! For more visit: ushgnyc.com

In 1985 Danny Meyer opened Union Square Café, which became beloved in New York City for its great food and even greater sense of warmth and welcome. He’s opened many restaurants since including Eleven Madison and Gramercy Tavern, as well as Shake Shack, focusing on outstanding hospitality. Danny and Doug talk about how often the greatest success is born of past struggles. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.ushgnyc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ushgnyc.com</a>

Kyle MacLachlan

Not long out of college Kyle MacLachlan was cast as the lead in the 1984 film, Dune, launching a career, that's included film and TV roles in Blue Velvet, The Doors, Twin Peaks, Portlandia, and more. In the early 2000s, wanting to reconnect with his Washington-state roots, he launched his wine brand Pursued By Bear, producing delicious Cabernet, Syrah, and most recently a Rosé. Enjoy! For more visit: pursuedbybearwine.com

Not long out of college Kyle MacLachlan was cast as the lead in the 1984 film, Dune, launching a career, that's included film and TV roles in Blue Velvet, The Doors, Twin Peaks, Portlandia, and more. In the early 2000s, wanting to reconnect with his Washington-state roots, he launched his wine brand Pursued By Bear, producing delicious Cabernet, Syrah, and most recently a Rosé. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://www.pursuedbybearwine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pursuedbybearwine.com</a>

Zelma Long is known for her pioneering work at Robert Mondavi Winery in the early 1970s, at Simi Winery for 20 years, and for mentoring young winemakers including Paul Hobbs, Dave Ramey, Geneviève Janssens, and others. She entered the U.C. Davis winemaking program in the late 1960s, established Long Vineyards, and has done groundbreaking work in South African wine. Enjoy! For more visit: vilafonte.com and cape-ardor.com

Zelma Long is known for her pioneering work at Robert Mondavi Winery in the early 1970s, at Simi Winery for 20 years, and for mentoring young winemakers including Paul Hobbs, Dave Ramey, Geneviève Janssens, and others. She entered the U.C. Davis winemaking program in the late 1960s, established Long Vineyards, and has done groundbreaking work in South African wine. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://vilafonte.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vilafonte.com</a> and <a href="http://cape-ardor.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cape-ardor.com</a>

Zelma Long

Shannon Staglin

The enterprising mother/daughter team at the heart of Staglin Family Vineyard talks about Napa in the ‘60s, the challenges and joys of establishing a winery in the 1980s, Hollywood showing up in the 1990s, and how when son and brother, Brandon, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, the family responded by creating an annual music festival that has raised $400 million for brain health research. Enjoy! For more visit: http://www.staglinfamily.com/

The enterprising mother/daughter team at the heart of Staglin Family Vineyard talks about Napa in the ‘60s, the challenges and joys of establishing a winery in the 1980s, Hollywood showing up in the 1990s, and how when son and brother, Brandon, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, the family responded by creating an annual music festival that has raised $400 million for brain health research. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://www.staglinfamily.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.staglinfamily.com/</a>

Shari and Shannon Staglin

Ray Isle

Ray Isle grew up in Houston, Texas, thinking he’d be in a band or write novels. Along the way he fell in love with the world of wine and found a way to turn that enthusiasm and excitement into a career working in wine magazines, such as Wine &amp; Spirits, and on television in countless appearances on NBC’s The Today Show.Today Ray is executive wine editor of Food and Wine magazine. In this episode he talks about the challenges of making a living writing about wine, the joy of discovering new wines, the pursuit of wine on television, and the elation and weirdness of sharing a bottle with William Shatner, the Captain James T. Kirk of Ray’s boyhood. For more visit: https://www.foodandwine.com/

Ray Isle grew up in Houston, Texas, thinking he’d be in a band or write novels. Along the way he fell in love with the world of wine and found a way to turn that enthusiasm and excitement into a career working in wine magazines, such as Wine &amp; Spirits, and on television in countless appearances on NBC’s The Today Show. Today Ray is executive wine editor of Food and Wine magazine. In this episode he talks about the challenges of making a living writing about wine, the joy of discovering new wines, the pursuit of wine on television, and the elation and weirdness of sharing a bottle with William Shatner, the Captain James T. Kirk of Ray’s boyhood. For more visit: <a href="https://www.foodandwine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.foodandwine.com/</a>

Cleo Pahlmeyer

Cleo Pahlmeyer grew up in Napa then headed to the East Coast and later to London to pursue her of love art history. By 2008 though, she’d developed an interest in the world of wine. She applied for an entry level job at her father’s winery, Pahlmeyer, where she took on more and more responsibilities, and today is Pahlmeyer’s president. For more visit: Pahlmeyer.com

Cleo Pahlmeyer grew up in Napa then headed to the East Coast and later to London to pursue her of love art history. By 2008 though, she’d developed an interest in the world of wine. She applied for an entry level job at her father’s winery, Pahlmeyer, where she took on more and more responsibilities, and today is Pahlmeyer’s president. For more visit: <a href="https://www.pahlmeyer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pahlmeyer.com</a>

Randy Lewis

Randy Lewis grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with such a love for fast cars that the local police got to know him on a first name basis. After college he turned his need for speed into a career, first racing Formula 3 in Europe and later tearing up the oval at the Indianapolis 500. In the late-1980s when he helped a friend start a Napa Valley winery, Randy discovered a new passion – growing grapes and making wine. By the early 1990s he and his wife Debbie had launched Lewis Cellars, one of Napa’s most beloved wineries. Enjoy! For more visit: lewiscellars.com

Randy Lewis grew up in Atlanta, Georgia with such a love for fast cars that the local police got to know him on a first name basis. After college he turned his need for speed into a career, first racing Formula 3 in Europe and later tearing up the oval at the Indianapolis 500. In the late-1980s when he helped a friend start a Napa Valley winery, Randy discovered a new passion – growing grapes and making wine. By the early 1990s he and his wife Debbie had launched Lewis Cellars, one of Napa’s most beloved wineries. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.lewiscellars.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lewiscellars.com</a>

Chris Carpenter

At nearly 30, Chris Carpenter moved to Napa, earned a viticulture degree at UC Davis, and went on to become winemaker at Lokoya, Cardinale, Mt. Brave, and La Jota here in the Valley and Hickinbotham in Australia. In this episode, Chris talks about what it takes to make wines of beauty and distinction on two continents. For more visit: Lokoya.com

At nearly 30, Chris Carpenter moved to Napa, earned a viticulture degree at UC Davis, and went on to become winemaker at Lokoya, Cardinale, Mt. Brave, and La Jota here in the Valley and Hickinbotham in Australia. In this episode, Chris talks about what it takes to make wines of beauty and distinction on two continents. For more visit: <a href="https://www.lokoya.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lokoya.com</a>

Lorenzo Trefethen

Brother and sister, Lorenzo and Hailey Trefethen, are the third generation of their family involved in the wine business in Napa Valley. They look back at more than a century of their historic winery and vineyard property, reflecting on the challenges of the past and present, while looking forward to carrying the winery into a successful future with heart, energy, and style! For more visit: http://www.trefethen.com/

Brother and sister, Lorenzo and Hailey Trefethen, are the third generation of their family involved in the wine business in Napa Valley. They look back at more than a century of their historic winery and vineyard property, reflecting on the challenges of the past and present, while looking forward to carrying the winery into a successful future with heart, energy, and style! For more visit: <a href="http://www.trefethen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trefethen.com/</a>

Hailey and Lorenzo Trefethen

Dave Ramey

In college Dave Ramey initially pursued an interest in literature before realizing his passion for wine. He earned a degree in enology in the late 1970s and sought out jobs in France and Australia. Back in the U.S. he worked at Simi, then Matanzas Creek, and later at Dominus before creating his own brand, Ramey Wine Cellars., one of California’s most respected wineries. Enjoy! For more visit: RameyWine.com

In college Dave Ramey initially pursued an interest in literature before realizing his passion for wine. He earned a degree in enology in the late 1970s and sought out jobs in France and Australia. Back in the U.S. he worked at Simi, then Matanzas Creek, and later at Dominus before creating his own brand, Ramey Wine Cellars., one of California’s most respected wineries. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.rameywine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RameyWine.com</a>

Mia Klein

As a teenager Mia Klein wanted to be a chef. In her first job as a cook, however, she discovered wine and a whole new path opened up for her. In 1984 she landed her first job at Chappellet. Eventually Klein became one of the busiest consulting winemakers in Napa Valley, producing wines for Spottswoode, Araujo, Viader, Dalla Valle, and others, including her own brand, Selene. Enjoy! For more visit: SeleneWines.com

As a teenager Mia Klein wanted to be a chef. In her first job as a cook, however, she discovered wine and a whole new path opened up for her. In 1984 she landed her first job at Chappellet. Eventually Klein became one of the busiest consulting winemakers in Napa Valley, producing wines for Spottswoode, Araujo, Viader, Dalla Valle, and others, including her own brand, Selene. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://selenewines.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SeleneWines.com</a>

Elias Fernandez

Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez grew up in Napa Valley, attending school with the kids of prominent winery families. Meanwhile he got a taste of agriculture working in vineyards and orchards alongside his parents and later during summers at Louis Martini Winery. He was the first in his family to attend college, where he discovered a love of winemaking – a passion he’s pursued ever since. Enjoy! For more visit: shafervineyards.com &amp; eightyfourwines.com

Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez grew up in Napa Valley, attending school with the kids of prominent winery families. Meanwhile he got a taste of agriculture working in vineyards and orchards alongside his parents and later during summers at Louis Martini Winery. He was the first in his family to attend college, where he discovered a love of winemaking – a passion he’s pursued ever since. Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="http://www.shafervineyards.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shafervineyards.com</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.eightyfourwines.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">eightyfourwines.com</a>

Lindy Novak

Beth and Lindy Novak have lots of great memories of growing up in Napa Valley including hanging out with the Shafer kids. But things got tough when their father died unexpectedly and their mother, Mary Novak, had to figure out her next steps. Fortunately Mary and her daughters created Spottswoode Estate, turning it into one of the top wineries in Napa Valley.  Enjoy! For more visit: spottswoode.com

Beth and Lindy Novak have lots of great memories of growing up in Napa Valley including hanging out with the Shafer kids. But things got tough when their father died unexpectedly and their mother, Mary Novak, had to figure out her next steps. Fortunately Mary and her daughters created Spottswoode Estate, turning it into one of the top wineries in Napa Valley.  Enjoy! For more visit: <a href="https://www.spottswoode.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spottswoode.com</a>

Beth and Lindy Novak

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