The Inside Winemaking Podcast With Jim Duane

This episode features the Steven Mirassou, who continues his family’s long legacy of making wine in California’s Livermore Valley. Our conversation traverses back and forth between Steven’s winemaking experience and an exploration of viticulture and wines from Livermore Valley. Livermore is part of California’s Central Coast, but at only 2K acres under vine it is a unique AVA nestled in the San Francisco Bay Area. Steven guides me through the vineyards of Livermore and describes how the different sites are suited to his three brands: Steven Kent, Mia Nipote, and Lineage. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Lineage Collection Steven Kent Winery, Livermore Valley Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association   This podcast is brought you by Wine Compliance Alliance. Ann Reynolds, who runs Wine Compliance Alliance has been on the podcast twice before. In Ep. 45 we discuss common compliance issues that wineries deal with and in Ep. 61 she has a solo episode where she covers the compliance items f

This episode of the Podcast is a Zoom recording with Quinn Roberts who is the Master Cooper at Tonnellerie O in Benicia, California. The Zoom platform allowed for sharing of photos to support the discussion of oak forests and coopering oak barrels for winemaking so we made the podcast into a Youtube video as well. The conversation traverses from the management of oak trees and forests, the differences in oak between France and the Midwest region of the US, timing and methods for tree selection, the processing of stave wood, seasoning, coopering, toasting and finishing barrels that are then ready to be filled in a winery. Quinn is a tremendous source of knowledge when it comes to crafting barrels to fit a full range of wine styles, especially given his deep understanding of European wines. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Tonnellerie O - Benicia, California CreativeOak.com - Oak alternative division of Tonnellerie O This episode one Youtube This podcast is brought you by  the hope that you

This episode features the father and son team crafting Cabernet franc and Chenin blanc wines led by long-time Napa Valley baller, John Skupny, who first crushed grapes for their brand, Lang and Reed, in 1993. Reed Skupny joined his father after working for several wineries in France and Napa Valley, and was the driving force to bring Chenin blanc into their small portfolio. I used to work with Reed when he was at Antica Napa Valley and I was working for Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, but had recently had the chance to get to know John. We recorded this podcast with social-distancing in mind and it leaves the audio quality a bit rough at moments, but John and Reeds’ stories are more than worth it. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Lang and Reed Napa Valley Youtube’s Lang and Reed Channel John Skupny on The Taste with Doug Shafer podcast Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Antica Napa Valley Bevan Cellars Napa Valley This podcast is brought you by Fruition Sciences. At the start of 2020 we know what is o

This episode features Ron Alvarado, who is one of the founders of Ficks Hard Seltzer. Our conversation covers Fick’s start up based in San Francisco, the early days of low-sugar mixers, the path to learning fermentation with orange juice, flavor stability in cans, the warfare of store shelf placements, and the quest to find and produce real fruit flavors in their seltzers. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Ficks Real Fruit Hard Seltzer Drizly Online Beer, Wine, and Liquor delivery   If you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show using the Paypal link. Thank you for the support!! Questions?  Comments?  Let me know what you think: jim@insidewinemaking.com The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes  

This episode’s guest is Dusty Nabor, who is based out of Ventura County in Southern California. Using fruit from Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and the Santa Rita Hills Dusty has built a set of brands and is often a resource I call when I have questions about making Grenache. In our conversation we cover Dusty’s efforts to learn winemaking, how he has used both grapes and bulk wines to build his brands, and his approach to judging ripeness on the vine. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dusty Nabor Wines - Paso Robles, Santa Ynez and the Santa Rita Hills Bolt To Wines from Karin Langer NSO Wines - No Special Occasion Coastal Vineyard Care This podcast is brought you by Wine Compliance Alliance. Ann Reynolds, who runs Wine Compliance Alliance has been on the podcast twice before. In Ep. 45 we discuss common compliance issues that wineries deal with and in Ep. 61 she has a solo episode where she covers the compliance items for starting a new winery. Winery compliance. Bring it up to winery owners

This episode features Dr. Anita Oberholster, Associate Specialist Cooperative Extension in Enology from UCDavis. Anita did her PhD at the Australian Wine Research Institute and earned her degree from Adelaide University. As extension enologist at UCDavis, Anita brings research and developments from the Dept. of Viticulture and Enology to the wine industry and continually interacts with its stakeholders. Our conversation covers Red Blotch Associated Virus, winery sanitation, and smoke taint. In order to reach the industry while we are sheltering in place the Dept of V&E has created and new program with former podcast guest, Dr Dave Block, called “Office Hours with Dave and Anita” and will be held over Zoom on Tuesdays from 2-3 PM PST. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Anita’s webpage at UCDavis Office Hours with Dave and Anita This podcast is brought you by Scott Laboratories -- For over 85 years, Scott Labs has been the leader in providing the North American wine and beverage industry wi

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what are the most essential operations in a winery during this COVID19 pandemic, which has limited all of our ability to staff the cellar. Given that I work alone in the cellar at Seavey, I asked Tyler Thomas, from Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards, to synthesize his thinking on this topic from the viewpoint of a medium-sized winemaking operation.  In the end I put in my two cents regarding the need to think about how we need to think and plan for similar reductions in capabilities during the harvest season. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards - Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria, and Winemakers that have quarantine wine for you This podcast is brought you by the hope that you are keeping safe and healthy. if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show using the Paypal link. Thank you for the support!! Questions?  Comments?  Let me know what you think

This episode is my opportunity to answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. As is my style the answers are a practical approach addressing how I would think about these situations in my own cellar. Thank you to all the people who have emailed their questions and also sent them in from my Instagram page. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Winemakers that have quarantine wine for you Principles and Practices of Winemaking book Amazon Associates link “The Bay Area is drinking 42% more alcohol than usual while sheltering in place” article by Esther Mobley in the SF Chronicle   This podcast is brought you by the hope that you are keeping safe and healthy. if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show using the Paypal link. Thank you for the support!! Questions?  Comments?  Let me know what you think: jim@insidewinemaking.com The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

This episode features Julien Fayard, who is a consulting winemaker based in Napa. Julien was raised in Provence, trained in Bordeaux, and since moving to California in 2003 has built his own brand, Azur Wines, and is now consulting for an impressive list of clients. We recorded this podcast at Covert Estate, a beautiful winery built under a hillside that Julien constructed with his business partners. Our conversation ranges from Julien’s background, native fermentations, rosé winemaking, and the key aspects of working with clients to support their projects. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Fayard Winemaking - Napa Valley Azur Wines Covert Estate - Napa Valley Nicholson Jones - Napa Valley Atelier Melka - Napa Valley ETS Laboratories Hendry Ranch Wines - Napa Valley   This podcast is brought you by the love of the good lord and my wife reading the intro. if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show usin

This episode features Patrick Rue, founder of Erosion Wine Co, who I first met when he was part of the Deep Winemaking course in August, 2019. Prior to Patrick’s winemaking venture he was the founder and brewer at The Bruery in Orange County. Our conversation covers Patrick’s founding and growth of The Bruery, their numerous products, blurring the lines between beer and wine, flavor additive management, his winemaking vision for flavor targets, aluminum crowlers, key kegs, and the two taprooms that Erosion is now opening in Napa. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Erosion Wine co - Napa Valley The Bruery - Orange County, CA Offshoot Beer Co Berkeley Fermentation Science Pulse Air Wine Cap Management Key Keg - PET wine dispensing keg   This podcast is brought you by the love of the good lord and my wife reading the intro. Please consider donating to the podcast using the Paypal link at the bottom of the Homepage. Questions?  Comments?  Let me know what you think: jim@insidewinemaking.c

This episode features Jasper Riddle, proprietor and winemaker for Noisy Water Winery in Ruidoso, New Mexico. I was able to meet Jasper when he was in town for the Unified Symposium trade show in February 2020. After being founded in 2009 Noisy Water is a winery that Jasper took from his parents’ early venture and built into a medium-sized winery that now has five tasting rooms in New Mexico. During our conversation, Jasper mentions some of the challenges in growing grapes in New Mexico but spends most of his energy describing the opportunities that he sees in his area and around the state.

This episode features Tim Colla, Winemaker for Saintsbury, in Carneros, Napa. Tim and I had the chance to talk about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production as told through the history of Saintsbury’s presence and experimentation in the Carneros in south Napa Valley. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Saintsbury, Napa Valley Chappellet, Napa Valley Seavey Vineyard, Napa Valley This podcast is brought you by Fruition Sciences. At the start of 2020 we know what is on your mind. As winemakers and winegrowers we are thinking about keeping our vines healthy while producing consistent quality yields year in and year out. However, we know that you are also considering the effects of climate change on our vineyards and wines and the improved management of our natural resources like water. We have great news. Now, we, winegrowers and winemakers, can use a compelling method that allows us to keep our vines healthy and improve yield and grape quality while also saving water and reducing costs. We are hap

This episode’s guest is Adam Casto from Gandona Winery in Napa. We had a great conversation ranging on topics from winemaking philosophy, the Antipodes (I had to google it too), and the new ways Adam would like to gather and organize both vineyard and winemaking observational data with analytical tracking. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Gandona Winery, Napa Valley Dana Estates, Napa Valley Laing Limit, work by Australian psychologist David Laing reporting that people can only pick out by smell four or less distinct smells from a complex mixture. The book The Nose Knows by Avery Gilbert covers this is more depth. This podcast is brought you by Wine Compliance Alliance. Ann Reynolds, who runs Wine Compliance Alliance has been on the podcast twice before. In Ep. 45 we discuss common compliance issues that wineries deal with and in Ep. 61 she has a solo episode where she covers the compliance items for starting a new winery. Winery compliance. Bring it up to winery owners or their staff and

This episode features Frederick Ammons, Winegrower for Rudd Estate in the Napa Valley. Our conversation covers Frederick’s education in Bordeaux, his early jobs in California, his stint at Seavey Vineyard, the building of The Napa Valley Reserve where he made wine for nine years, and his current position at Rudd Wines. We spend the majority of our time discussing philosophical and practical viticulture touching upon organic and biodynamic practices. The central role of robust ecology and biological diversity both in vineyard soils and wine fermentation is a core theme that weaves throughout all of Frederick’s work in the vineyard and in the winery. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Rudd Estate, Napa Valley Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma Valley Seavey Vineyard, Napa Valley The Napa Valley Reserve Plumpjack Winery, Napa Valley Kelli White’s, Guild Somm article on biodynamic farming. Photo of the weed crimping roller used at Hanzell Vineyard Wine yeast DNA Fingerprinting analysis from ETS L

This episode features Chris Tynan, who is the winemaker at Cliff Lede Vineyards in Napa. Chris also has his own small brand, Christopher Tynan Wines. Our conversation covers Chris’ background, high-end Cabernet production, and a couple of varietals that haven’t had much attention to date on the podcast, Sauvignon vert, and Semillon LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Cliff Lede Vineyards - Napa Valley Christopher Tynan Wines - Napa Valley Colgin Cellars - Napa Valley Blankiet Estate - Napa Valley Cain Vineyard and Winery - Napa Valley Youtube Video interview with Henri Jayer This podcast is brought you by 360viti, powered by Fruition Sciences -- You may already know them as the pioneer in sap flow sensors and vineyard monitoring. In Episode 72 of podcast Thibaut Scholasch from Fruition Sciences talked in-depth about sap flow monitoring and the viticultural services that he and his team have developed. Now, based on 10 years of vineyard measurements and data science expertise, Fruition

This episode’s guest is Chris Carpenter, who is making wines in Napa for Jackson Family Wines and is overseeing Cabernet and Bordelais varietals grown on several of Napa’s mountain AVA’s such that he has become known as a mountain winemaker. Our conversation covers the mountain wines being produced from Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain, and Diamond Mountain AVA’s, but also Cardinale, the flagship Cabernet that is a blend from throughout Napa including the valley floor. Chris describes his roots in Chicago, the path to becoming a winemaker, his site-specific approaches for tannin management and his involvement in a winemaking project in McLaren Vale, Australia. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Brands that Chris makes for Jackson Family wines Cardinale Napa Valley Lokoya Napa Valley La Jota Vineyard Co - Howell Mountain Mt Brave - Mt Veeder Hickinbotham Vineyard - McLaren Vale, South Austrailia This podcast is brought you by Wine Compliance Alliance. Ann Reynolds, who

If it were possible to have a riveting conversation about filtering wine, there are very few people I’d consider. Scott labs has such an enigmatic guru. Maria Peterson is a filtration specialist, one who has the uncommon ability to translate technical expertise into practical winery practice. This is a sponsored episode—something I arranged with Scott Labs in order to support the podcast and extend that as a technical resource for filtration, one of the most difficult aspects of commercial winemaking. My conversation with Maria covers the wine filtration technology available today with a focus on small winery production. We get out into the technical weeds discussing enzyme usage, temperature influences, filter regeneration, NTU vs. filterability, surface area calculations and basic equipment evaluations. Make sure and check out the resources; videos and articles that Scott Labs has available on their website. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Filtration Articles and Protocols from Scott Labs

Straying from the usual focus on grapes, this episode dips into cider and the opportunities to be explored from fermenting apples. Andrew Byers is the Head Cidermaker at Finnriver Farm in Chimacum, Washington (on the Olympic Penninsula, west of Seattle). I met Andrew while moderating the Creativity in Fermentation panel during the Scott Lab’s Ferment event. Even for those who might not have a specific interest in cider making, the parallels with winemaking, especially marketing, present a new perspective for winemakers and wineries seeking to tell the stories of their brands and production methods. This conversation between and myself covers all of the basics of cider production and gets deep into technical territory including phenology, chemical analysis, production logistics, physical stability, microbiological stability, and a thorough description of the process for crafting a keeved cider. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Finnriver Farm and Cidery - Chimacum, Washington Eve’s Cidery - Van

This episode features the first Oregon winemaker on the podcast. Anthony King is currently making wine for a number of small brands under as part of King Wine Consulting, he is the general manager at Carlton Winemakers Studio in Carlton, Oregon where he also produces his own brand, Ratio Wines. Anthony and I spent most of our time talking about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as he has spent his winemaking career with those varietals starting at Acacia Vineyard in Napa and Lemelson Vineyards in the Williamette Valley. Our conversation gets into the weeds on topics such as Oregon’s grapegrowing, wine acidity, and managing reduction in barrel.

This episode features Amanda McCrossin who is a sommelier, wine director, and the creator of @sommvivant. As the Wine Director for Press Restaurant in St Helena, Amanda oversees a tremendous list of Napa Valley wines and serves as an ambassador for the wines on offer and the stories of their producers. On top of Amanda’s work at Press she has leveraged her access to the valley’s wineries in order to create one of contemporary wine’s most prominent Youtube channels covering wine basics, in-depth video profiles of wineries, and her professional experiences as a sommelier. My interview with Amanda set out to understand what issues wine consumers are concerned with and the best practices for winemakers to build relationships with sommeliers and wine buyers. Make sure and check out Amanda’s library of work on both her Youtube and Instagram channels. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Press Restaurant, St Helena, Napa Valley @sommvivant Youtube channel @sommvivant Instagram Food & Wine’s Liqu