A Very Cool Winemaker Visits the Thunder Show

A Very Cool Winemaker Visits the Thunder Show – Episode #549

October 1, 2008

Charles Smith of K Vintners shares his wine philosophy and tastes 4 of his Washington state wines with Gary Vaynerchuk.

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Comments on this episode(220) Leave a comment ›

“[...] Gary V. had Charles Smith on WLTV last year and they tasted the …” by VINEgeek » Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2008
“awesome guest…. definitely some stuff i gotta try…” by nnothing
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Kung Fu Girl Riesling
2007 Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 K-vintners OvideColumbia Valley Red Meritage
2006 K-vintners Morrison Lane SyrahWashington Syrah

Links mentioned in todays episode.

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220 Responses

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October 3, 2008

Cap'n Pease
Looking forward to trying the KungFu Girl Riesling this evening!
October 3, 2008

thescrewcap
BIG K fan, even bigger now, hi Gary!, and now I’m on my way back to Lurkville.
-thescrewcap
October 3, 2008

Rolf Lydecker
Lables are striking. I’d have to be like the rest of the country and buying just on that…
October 3, 2008

Jeff R
Glad to see Charles was on this show. Great winemaker/owner – great reputation – excellent wines. Very good show – it was a pleasure viewing this. The time went by quick.
October 3, 2008

Justin Viger
This is my favourite episode ever.
October 3, 2008

Roberto
oh man, Gary this is one for the ages, I just finished today and this was a good one… gonna go out and try to buy all those wines for sure…

This one deserves a listing next to the main screen, with Ellen and the others…

kudos!!!
October 3, 2008

Murso
p.s. Dead Moon, a trio, rocked kinda like early, raw Zepplein.
October 3, 2008

Murso
Comparing Charles Smith to Sammy Hagar is like comparing Charles Smith Wines to Yellowtail, or some other inconsequential rubbish. His simplest efforts, the House Red and White are quite substantial and enjoyable. If he’s doing stuff like biodynamic, and limiting to 1.5 T/acre, and sharing sources w/ names like Cayuse, etc., I strongly suggest you pay closer attention to, and support his efforts. I have only recently seen more of his wines available here in Ohio, and can’t wait to have more. On another, mixed ‘note’, if I ,sadly, can’t make it to the Super Tasting at Wine Lib., a happy consolation is that my club has Pierced Arrows (ex- Dead Moon) playing on Mon., the 13th!
October 3, 2008

brainpain
GV: Great show and great marketing from the Sammy wanna be. GV, you will smell anything!
QOTD: The next time I am in Walla Walla… whenever the hell that will be… I will stop in for a rockin’ good time!
October 3, 2008

J Crazy
We have an awesome importer over here, Orca-International, that imports a lot of those wines including the Kung Fu Riesling. I was fortunate enough to try it and I agree it’s an awesome blend. Don’t forget what Randy is doing in Santa Cruz with his Pacific Rim Dry Riesling, too.

God, good wine is…well…good.

And big ups to K Vinters. They pump out awesome shizz.

QOTD: As soon as I get north of Oregon.
October 3, 2008

JW
I love the fact that Charles’ hair line is as receded as it is, and yet, it is full enough to sprout as it does. ahhhh….the good old days
October 3, 2008

Ice
This was one of the best episodes I have seen. This is around my 100th episode I believe. QOTD: A coworker of mine lives in Walla Walla and I hope to get to visit there very soon.
October 3, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
Best show yet???!!!! It had everything…almost. Sports, laughter, sadness, family. and wine. Fairly new to the Vayner Nation (but I did go back and watch episode #1. Also, great hands on the episode out in the wind and snow). I carry the Cougar Hills Syrah on the list and it is one of the best buys on our menu. Syrahs in general don’t move well (my fault). I opened one last month w/ a regular and we loved it. What gives? Gary, are you seeing good sales on American Syrahs? One last negative – hate the wax tops and so do most servers. I find myself clicking on winelibrary more & less on winespectator.
October 3, 2008

craig paddock
OMG!! I played a show in Crested Butte, CO. one time and there was a man named “BIG HAPPY” that did too much X. WELL, basically this guy looks exactly like big happy. So, I enjoyed every second of the show. I laughed a lot while drinking Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee 05′. I work at http://www.cbwines.com in nola and we sell the kung fu, though I haven’t tried it yet….shame…on me… I know, but I fear new world labeled wines; hence i will have to get over my fear now and at least try it doing my best not to hate it. What can I say?…. It’s not my fault I’m biased, I’ve just had sooooooooo much great burgundy this year…so, I have trouble getting into new stuff. PEace and Chicken GRIzeace.
October 3, 2008

Bobo36
Great show. thought it was Sammy Haggar at first. The side-show bob haircut is wonderful. QOTD: because we are all linked by web cameras.
October 2, 2008

wallasquared
Charles is the biggest idiot known to walla walla wineries….get a clue people….cocaine is a hell of a drug.
October 2, 2008

Rowland
Riesling underrated? NOT! Please, Riesling might as well be a Bordeaux varietal.
October 2, 2008

E dog
It s great to see people like Charles in the wine world ! Cool, relaxed and passionate about his vino !
October 2, 2008

Jonathan Bray
Fantastic to see Charles getting out there glad you had him on the show Gary. His wines are fantastic and once you go to K and step into the darkened candle lit wine cave and do barrel sampling while the glass is vibrating to “the cult” booming out from the large sound system you know that Charles has something very cool going on.

We import a ton of wines into Canada and I have to say that I have never experienced a winemaker that nails so many of his wines.

We are proud to sell his wines up here. The world needs more winemakers like Charles. You rock mate

Cheers
October 2, 2008

Rick D
Charles rocked the house. This may be the most enjoyable episode I’ve seen since I began watching a year ago. You can see the fun he is having making vino. Love his outlook.

Got on their mailing list already.
October 2, 2008

JudeMurphy
Oh God! I’ve been stuck inside this camera for months now! Someone help me! ; )
Great show!
October 2, 2008

Murso
K vintners Rules! Nice Dead Moon tat Chuck! Fred and Toody Rock too.Gotta go to work, and will post tomorrow
October 2, 2008

Boise Bubblehead
Having been to Walla Walla multiple times, El Jefe is one of my favorites (mmm); also, the Viognier is good if you like that varietal.
October 2, 2008

Greg B
Big G, Great show Bro! I’ve had their “K” Viognier and it was real good. Hey, If I heard you right, you said you were a Big GL fan. NIce, Hal Jordan is my Favorite of all time. “In brightest day Baby! Keep doin what you do G. I love it.

QOTD: I can’t wait to do a Walla Walla trip. Love The Wine there.
October 2, 2008

OzJeff
This is a great episode – I couldn’t get the smile off my face. Charles Smith really knows his stuff and knows his wines. The point about Cab-Shiraz blends often being just an attempt to correct for deficiencies in one or other varietal is so true, just as it’s true that the great Cab-Shiraz blends I’ve tasted haven’t done that.

Cheers all,
OzJeff