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podcast· 1h 52m· Ep 39IWP Ep39 Evan Lewandowski - Ruth Lewandowski Wines
IWP Ep39 Evan Lewandowski - Ruth Lewandowski Wines I recently spoke with Evan Lewandowski of Ruth Lewandowski wines. Evan started the winery over 10 years ago and since then has been making some amazing natural wines. We run through many of his current releases, getting fun back stories and history of the vineyards and blends while also hearing how he got his start, some of his influences, potential Utah vineyards and the things he really loves in a wine. The spring release for some of these wines just opened this week so get them while they're hot. Find the wines at www.ruthlewandowskiwines.com and follow what else they are up to at instagram.com/ruthlewski Follow the podcast at www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - ww
- podcast· 1h 18m· Ep 38
IWP Ep38 Thomas DeBiase - Jupiter Wine Co.
IWP Ep38 Thomas DeBiase - Jupiter Wine Co. Today I’m speaking with Thomas DeBiase of Jupiter Wine Company. We sat down on rainy day at the beautiful Idlewild tasting room in Healdsburg. Thomas and his business partner Michael Richardson started Jupiter in 2020 to not only produce low intervention wines but to give back to the community. They work with a fun variety of Italian varieties including Vermentino, Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Tocai Fruilano, give the wines a try. We discuss the start of the winery, drink through and learn more about their vineyard sources, farming and inspiration and a bit about the Las Vegas Tiki Bar scene. Jupiter is a relatively new winery but making great wines while also trying to give something back. I especially love the Tocai Fruilano and the Montepulciano. It’ll be fun to watch them goow and evolve even more. You can find the wines online at Jupiterwineco.com and follow them on instagram @jupiterwineco . Follow the podcast at www.instagram.com/
- podcast· 1h 24m· Ep 37
IWP Ep37 Chris Brockway - Broc Cellars
I recently spoke with Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars in Berkeley. Chris has been making Natural Wine for over 20 years, starting Broc with a single Barrel in 2002 and continuing to grow since then, working with a large variety of grapes and regions. In 2023 they purchased Fox Hill vineyard after 10 years of working together and have now taken over the farming. We discuss how Chris got started, The natural wine scene at the time, some of his more iconic Broc wines, collaborations, and purchasing a farm, not just a vineyard. Broc is making a real delicious and diverse array of natural wines. The Fox Hill wines are especially interesting and the Love wines you can find in larger distribution than most other natural wines, in bottles and cans. The tasting room is a great place to hang out if you are in the area and grab some of the smaller releases. You can follow them on instagram.com/broccellars and find all theirwines on the website at www.broccellars.com , Like Chris mentioned they als
- podcast· 1h 16m· Ep 36
IWP Ep36 Steven Kent Mirassou - Steven Kent Winery
IWP Ep36 Steven Kent Mirassou - Steven Kent Winery. I recently spoke with Steven Kent Mirassou of Steven Kent winery at his tasting room in Livermore. Steven is the 6th generation in his family to make wine. They trace their California wine roots all the back to the Pellier Brothers in the 1850’s. We discuss his family, how he made his way back into wine, living and making wine in Livermore, its vineyards and of course Cabernet Franc. You can find the Steven Kent wines at Stevenkent.com and follow them on instagram.com/skwinery. The tasting room on Vasco road is a great place to track down the wines also.I hope you enjoy. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast
- podcast· 52:14· Ep 35
IWP Ep35 The Alhambra Valley 1850-1915 - Experimentation, Education, Conservation - Strentzel, Swett and Muir - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep35 The Alhambra Valley 1850-1915 - Experimentation, Education, Conservation - Strentzel, Swett and Muir. This episode is about family and Friends in a small valley in the golden age of Pomology. They all are named John somewhat confusingly and all are referred to as the “Father” of something, John Swett’s son Frank is also a large part of the episode. Although Strentzel and Muir aren’t best known as winemakers, Strentzel was trained in it and did make wine and his agricultural work was ahead of its time and still informs what is happening today. Muir is our connecting point between the 2 families. When we get to the Swetts, - viticulture and winemaking will be the focus and they were well respected and known. Their work informs us today as well, especially if you grew up in California. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast furth
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 34
IWP Ep34 Jared Brandt and Connor Bockman - Donkey and Goat
IWP Ep34 Jared Brandt and Connor Bockman - Donkey and Goat I recently spoke with Jared Brandt and Connor Bockman of Donkey and Goat. Jared is of course one of the founders of the winery and Conor is the Director of Winemaking. Located in Berkeley California the winery celebrates it’s 20th anniversary this year. The natural wine landscape in California has changed a lot since Donkey and Goat started. We discuss some of things that have changed, how the winery started, the growers they work with and how they keep the winery fresh after 20 years. You’ll hear my discussion with Jared and then with Connor after. There really is a great community in this Gilman wine district that has grown up around them, stop on by and check it out. They have a First Fridays event and on March 7 you have a chance to try the wine Jared made when he was away for Donkey and Goat- a Chardonnay, Greco and Fiano blend- should be fun to try. You can find the wines at https://www.donkeyandgoat.com and follow what e
- podcast· 36:32· Ep 33
IWP Ep33 Short Stories on California Wine 1 - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep33 Short Stories on California Wine 1. Usually we have an interview or one subject running throughout an episode. This episode will be a little different. Doing research for episodes I often come across stories and people who can’t fill a full episode but the stories of both are fun and unusual and deserve to be heard. Sometimes these older publications just have weird and random columns, sections or sometimes it's just a sentence, nearly all of these I’m collecting will be Pre-Prohibition. Some of these I’ll read the article just how it’s written- and others will be more original. “40,000 Gallons of Wine Seized” “George” “Judge Lorigan on Cabernet Pfeffer” “John L. Beards Productions” “1897 St. Helena Harvest Festival” Letters From California - “A Visit To San Pedro Winery” “The Label Was There” Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podc
- podcast· 1h 17m· Ep 32
IWP Ep32 Ryan Stirm - Stirm Wine Co.
IWP Ep32 Ryan Stirm - Stirm Wine Co. I recently spoke with Ryan Stirm of Stirm Wine Company in Watsonville. Since his first vintage about 10 years ago, Ryan has become really well known for his multiple Rieslings from the central coast and working with great vineyards like Kick On Ranch and Wirz. He’s also perhaps the foremost producer of Cab Pfeffer, working with the Siletto family vineyards as well as Gimelli vineyard, originally a part of the historic El Gavilan vineyard. He makes wonderful Zins from Wirz also. We discuss how he got started and some of his most exciting moments in winemaking. Ryan is very open and thoughtful when discussing the in and outs and challenges and pleasures of running a small winery and I think you’ll really enjoy what he has to say. You can find Ryan's wines at https://www.stirmwine.com and follow him on instagram at http://instagram.com/stirmwineco Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questio
- podcast· 49:01· Ep 31
IWP Ep31 Julia Ornelas-Higdon - The Grapes of Conquest
IWP Ep31 Julia Ornelas-Higdon - The Grapes of Conquest I recently spoke with author Julia-Ornelas-Higdon about her book The Grapes of Conquest - Race, Labor, and the Industrialization of California Wine, 1769–1920. Julia is an associate professor at Cal State University Chanel Islands and this is fascinating book if you’re interested in the history of California and California Wine especially Pre-Prohibition. It looks at this history from a different perspective than what we normally hear about and is hidden from most of the glossy histories. We learn more about the plight of the Native American Indians, Mexican and Chinese workers that made the early wine industry possible. The large German and French vineyards of southern California and the professionalization of the industry are covered as well. This book takes a real academic but readable approach and what I especially enjoyed is that it concentrates more on the early Southern California wine history, which we don’t hear as much as
- podcast· 1h 14m· Ep 30
IWP Ep30 Tyler Stacy - Commune Regional Wines
IWP Ep30 Tyler Stacy - Commune Regional Wines. Tyler runs commune with his wife Emily and together they are making wines from places they love. These are well made, bright and textured wines from California that go great with food and family. We talked at the Haarmeyer/ Harbor winery in West Sacramento where Commune is based. These are amazingly food friendly wines made from unique sources in small quantities, you should try them. You can find the wines at communeregionalwines.com and follow what they are up to at instagram.com/communeregionalwines on instagram. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or Spotify at - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matt-wood4/suppor
- podcast· 12:12
Indie Wine Podcast Trailer 2
New Episode Next Week! 2nd trailer for the Indie Wine Podcast. In this trailer you’ll hear short excerpts from some of the first 29 episodes. Many of our episodes are interviews with smaller independent winemakers, people who I think are making great wine from carefully farmed fruit. I’ve also spoken with some of the farmers growing those grapes. Authors, Sommeliers, Merchants and some episodes on California Wine History round out the current crop of episodes. These are all folks worth supporting either directly or through your local wine shop. I hope you enjoy the clips and stay to check out some of the full length episodes. In order of appearance: EP07 Adam Sabelli Frisch, EP17 Hank_Beckmeyer, EP21 Daniel Callan, EP22 Sabrina Tamayo, EP09 Chuck Mansfield, Ep27 Ed Kurtzman, Ep29 Mission San Jose and Fremont Wine History, EP20 Shaunt Oungoulian, EP13 Mokulmne Glen Vineyards, EP14 Adam Saake Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with
- podcast· 47:22
IWP Ep29 Mission San Jose and Fremont Wine History - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep29 Mission San Jose and Fremont Wine History Today we’ll be looking at the history of grape growing and winemaking in the Mission San Jose and Fremont area of California. We are going further back and following this area beginning with the Pre Mission Period, the Missions then the Rancho Period, the Gold Rush and the American Period. Vineyards were planted early here and the area was a powerhouse of agriculture for a time. We’ll revisit some of the names from the other episodes on early California wine today also. This is a story of changing times, new groups replacing old groups and that cycle continuing and what parts of history we learn and what gets discarded along the way. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or
- podcast· 22:37· Ep 28
IWP Ep28 The Life and Writings of Angelo Pellegrini - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep28 The Life and Writings of Angelo Pellegrini. Today we are talking about Angelo Pellegrini, the great Italian American author. If you aren’t familiar with the name, his books to me are classics of food and wine based literature. If you enjoy the writings of MFK Fisher, Jacques Pépin, Julia Child, James Beard etc. then his books are right up your alley and have more of a wine tilt to them also. He captures the immigrant experience and a changing world and the books are wonderful to read. Scroll to the bottom for links to most of his books. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or Spotify at - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matt-wood4/support t
- podcast· 48:21· Ep 27
IWP Ep27 Ed Kurtzman - Sandler, August West, Mansfield-Dunne
IWP Ep27 Ed Kurtzman - Sandler, August West, Mansfield-Dunne. I recently sat down with Ed Kurtzman of Sandler wines, August West and Mansfield- Dunne wines to talk about his long and distinguished career in California wine. Besides the 3 wineries I already named he’s made wine for Roar, Testarossa, Freeman and Fort Ross. He produces much of his wine out of the August West facility in San Francisco which also hosts other labels and winemakers working out of the facility. Ed is super knowledgeable about wine and noticed in about 2 seconds that the carpet in the lobby of the studio was corked. We discuss how he got his start and going off on his own as a consultant, how he likes to treat Pinot Noir and the other grapes he works with or would like to work with. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcas
- podcast· 30:16· Ep 26
IWP Ep26 Hilgard and the Experiment Stations part 2- The Other Stations - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep26 Hilgard and the Experiment Stations part 2- The Other Stations. This is Episode 2 of a 2 part series about Professor Eugene Hilgard from the University of California and the Experimental Stations that he spearheaded in the late 1800’s. This episode will be concentrated on the other stations of note that the university worked with at the time. The Southern Coast Station near Paso Robles, the San Joaquin Station near Tulare, The Berkeley Central Station, and the Western and Eastern Santa Clara County Stations in Cupertino and Mission San Jose respectively. If you haven’t listened to episode 24, it’s worth listening to that episode before moving on to this one. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreo
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 25
IWP Ep25 Kevin Ferguson - "Rain on the Montebello Ridge" and Gemello Winery History
IWP Ep25 Kevin Ferguson - "Rain on the Montebello Ridge" and Gemello Winery History. Kevin is the grandson of Mario Gemello, the late winemaker of the Gemello Winery, which produced great Cabernets and Zins in Mountain View for a half of century - well before the tech boom of the past 40 years, back when this area was still the Valley of the Hearts Delight and Silicon Valley was a glimmer in the eye. Ferguson is writing a book about the winery and his bond with his grandparents. It’s called Rain on the Monte Bello Ridge, a memoir about health, aging and winemaking. Follow along with Kevins Substack at gemello.substack.com or https://www.instagram.com/gemellowinery and if you are in the Bay Area, he sometimes does speaking engagements. Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're li
- podcast· 49:01· Ep 24
IWP Ep24 Hilgard and the Experiment Stations part 1 - Jackson - Historical Episode
Historical Episode IWP Ep24 Hilgard and the Experiment Stations Ep 1 - Jackson. This is Episode 1 of a 2 part series about Professor Eugene Hilgard from the University of California and the Experimental Stations that he spearheaded in the late 1800’s. Today we will be focussing on the background of the stations, how they came to be, what they hoped to accomplish and dive in deeper to the Foothills Experimental Station near Jackson in Amador County. When the next part is published we will discuss the other stations. Link to photos - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BDYzmRgFpDcemxeMAAopy4RJNSRYfgrn?usp=sharing Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or Spotify at - https://
- podcast· 49:00· Ep 23
IWP Ep23 Terah Bajjalieh - Terah Wine Co.
IWP Ep23 Terah Bajjalieh - Terah Wine Co. I recently connected with Terah Bajjaliejh of Terah Wine Co. We discussed her worldwide education both in schools such as Montpellier in France and the harvests she's done including Australia, New Zealand, France and Oregon. Starting a winery during the pandemic and being a mentee for other women in the industry through working with Batonnage and other organizations. She also gives us some info on her vineyards and wine making style. I hope you enjoy. You can find Terahs wines at www.terahwineco.com or follow her on instagram at www.instagram.com/terahwinecompany Follow the podcast www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or Spotify at - https://podcasters.
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 22
IWP Ep22 Sabrina Tamayo - Ruby Blanca Wines
IWP Ep22 Sabrina Tamayo - Ruby Blanca Wines. I recently sat down to talk with Sabrina Tamayo of Ruby Blanca wines in Oakland. Sabrina is now on the 3rd vintage of Ruby Blanca, making wine in Richmond and working with mostly Italian varieties including Ribolla Gialla, Barbera and Nero D'Avola. Sourcing grapes from Lodi, Sonoma and Mendocino these are great food wines. We discuss Sabrina growing up in Miami and Colombia, bouncing back and forth from New York and California to work harvests, working with the 280 project, hybrid grapes, and art. I hope you enjoy. You can find the wines at Rubyblancawines.com or follow on instagram.com/ruby_blanca_wines Follow the podcast instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePo
- podcast· 1h 32m· Ep 21
IWP Ep21 Daniel Callan - Slamdance Koöperatieve Wine
IWP Ep21 Daniel Callan - Slamdance Koöperatieve Wine. Today We’ll be talking to Daniel Callan of Slamdance Koöperatieve wines based in Paso Robles. Daniel along with his partner Anna and Freddie they dog stopped by on a recent trip to Northern California. We talked about Daniels experience working harvests in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as in Paso Robles. One of the larger influences on Daniel is old California and more specifically Pre Prohibition and the blended wines many of the wineries made. We’re talking the California Burgundies, Clarets, Hocks. A blended wine that shows terroir of the region is what Daniel is after and at least for the time being, he’s sticking with this 1 wine. We also discuss the wine press and the cellar by Rixford and Daniels fermentation techniques. I hope you enjoy the conversation. You can follow Daniel instagram.com/slamdancekooperatievewines on Instagram and ask your local shop for the wine. You won't regret it. Follow the podcast h
- podcast· 1h 17m· Ep 20
IWP Ep20 Shaunt Oungoulian - Les Lunes and Populis Wines
Indie Wine Podcast episode 20 - Shaunt Oungoulian - Les Lunes and Populis Wines. Shaunt and Diego Roig started Les Lunes and Populis in the tradition of the french vignerons with who they trained. Leasing and farming many of their vineyard sources and using a very light touch in the winery, only adding some sulfer. Both graduated from UC Davis and we talk about that as well as how they find vineyards, working in France, some unusual techniques for less extracted wines, their new winery and how they pass on some of the knowledge they have gained. You can find their wines at https://www.lesluneswine.com or http://www.populiswine.com and on instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesluneswine. Follow the podcast https://www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate
- podcast· 1h 02m· Ep 19
IWP Ep19 Sebastian Erggelet - Erggelet Brothers
Indie Wine Podcast episode 19 - Sebastian Erggelet - Erggelet Brothers. Sebastian Erggelet along with his brother Julian, make up Erggelet Brothers. They recently built a new winery in Brentwood, in the heart of Contra Costa County and are making really balanced, classically styled, lower intervention wines from Mataro, Carignane, Zinfandel and Malvasia. Everything coming from within a few minutes of the winery. They have also been planting a new vineyard at the farm the winery sits on, concentrating on grapes they feel will work well in the Contra Costa conditions. As Sebastian mentions, there isn’t a historical precedent for certain white varieties in the area. We discuss growing up in Germany, ending up in California and making wine in Contra Costa amongst other topics. You’ll hear a little tour of their new vineyard before we go inside to sit down and a little bit more at the very end. You can find their wines at erggeletwine.com and on instagram https://www.instagram.com/erggeletb
- podcast· 44:21· Ep 18
IWP Ep18 Chik Brenneman - Baker Family Wines
Indie Wine Podcast episode 18 - Chik Brenneman - Baker Family Wines. Chik has had a varied and successful career since making the move to wine. From working at smaller family run wineries in the Sierra Foothills to working at the giant Woodbridge production facility and managing wine making at UC Davis to now partnering with Dusty Baker at Baker Family Wines in West Sacramento. We hear Chik discuss all these moments in his career as well as what he looks for in a vineyard, how he goes about making a blend and more. You can follow Chik at https://www.instagram.com/baker_family_wines and find the wines at www.bakerfamilywines.com. Follow the podcast https://www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or
- podcast· 1h 07m· Ep 17
IWP Ep17 Hank Beckmeyer - La Clarine Farm and Ecstatic Truth Wines
Indie Wine Podcast episode 17 - Hank Beckmeyer - La Clarine Farm and Ecstatic Truth Wines. Hank has been making natural wines longer than most in California. Based in El Dorado County, his wines are as good as ever. Hear about how Hank's interest in wine started in Germany, making wine and farming in El Dorado, moving from Biodynamics to Fukuoka farming and dealing with climate issues the last couple harvests. You can follow Hank on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/LaClarineFarm and https://www.instagram.com/EcstaticTruthWines and find the wines at and www.laclarinefarms.com and www.ecstatic-truth-wines.com Follow the podcast https://www.instagram.com/indiewinepodcast or email indiewinepodcast@gmail.com with questions, comments or feedback. If you'd like to support the podcast further, please tell your wine friends about it and rate the podcast wherever you're listening if you like what you hear or donate on Patreon at - https://www.patreon.com/IndieWinePodcast or Spotify at - ht