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 7, 2008

kenny_k
This show is now one of my favorites. I use a pile driver to get in the camera.
October 7, 2008

YoungDave
WOW- a long yet very interesting and personal show. I’m glad I had the time to enjoy it. Cheers.

QOTD: Up to Washington soon!!
October 6, 2008

Larry M
Great episode. I had heard of Charles but have never seen his product on the shelves. Hopped online and bought six bottles. I’m really looking forward to checking them out. By the way I recently visited Kinkead Ridge near Ripley, Ohio (just north of the Ohio River, fabulous location) – you favorably reviewed their Petit Verdot, which is very limited production and now unavailable. The owners are incredibly cool people who produced wine in Oregon for about 10 or 15 years and then moved back to the Midwest. When they have an open house it’s well worth visiting. Check out their website online and especially the cool punchdown video which is also on Youtube. I really respect these limited production winemakers who have such passion for what they do.
October 6, 2008

pawncop
This was a great episode. It is inspiring to watch and hear from someone who is clearly in love with what he does. Will try the wines when I can locate them.

QOTD – don’t get out much, no idea.
October 6, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
I love hearing a wine maker who is so enthusiastic about his wines and the Northwest buzz about his wines is strong though I have yet to taste them, this episode makes me want to go out and get on his list. Love that you keep bringing us small, quality producers that are accessible producers. Thanks GV and Charles Smith and as a baldy I’m definitely jealous of the hair.
October 6, 2008

Jessica
Great show Gary! QOTD: I’ve never been to the States before! Isn’t that crazy, considering I live approximately 20 minutes away from the Canadian/US border. If I ever do head down to the states, I will make sure to swing by Walla Walla, WA
October 5, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
QOTD – It is the magic of the internet. I would enjoy visiting Walla Walla, but not sure when I will actually make it there. Until then I can drink the wines. Thanks for the entertaining show.
October 5, 2008

Lynda S
next time i am in washington i am coming to walla walla. i was so impressed by the show that i went out and bought a bottle of the Boom Boom Syrah. i am excited to taste once this cold is gone.
October 5, 2008

Frankie
I was lucky enough to meet Charles about 5 years ago and had the opportunity to
spend a bit of time sampling and procuring… quite the character indeed. The wines then were extremely exciting to me at the time… and I have been drinking them ever since. The concentrations of dark fruit, as you mention numerous times, is indeed in your face…. just what I love about this project. Just make some more of these giant fruit bombs, there never seems to be enough, especially of your high-end offerings. ROCK ON and Don’t change anything about your wines, or your hair!
October 5, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: 10 in comfort, 10,000 in ecstasy.
Isn’t it a 3 hour drive to Walla Walla from Spokane? That’s the only thing that’s holding us back.
October 5, 2008

JayZee
Rock on, indeed! Great, great, great show. These are the kind of shows that keep me coming back time and again, Gary. Charles Smith is REAL. Very cool. The wine descriptions were awesome and the I had no idea the show was as long as it was because it was so enjoyable. Thank you so much!!!

QOTD: It is very difficult to explain how the Vayner-Nation all fits inside that little camera. Suffice it to say that the smell is a but ripe.

I’ve never been to Walla Walls. On my wine trip to Washington State we did the Columbia Valley, Rattlesnake Ridge and Red Mountain but didn’t quite make it to Walla Walla. We’ll stop by next trip!
October 5, 2008

Nicholas Lazarus
This has to be among the best episodes. I think it deserves a place on the home page. It’s all about the passion. And indeed, Charles can rival even Gary V’s level of passion.
October 5, 2008

apj_bobswineguy
I was in Walla Walla back in 2005. Drove up and down the highway looking for K. Alas, it was not open that day. White Sox were drilling the Astros that yr if I remember correctly. Hopefully, I will make it back up there to try again. Re-watched parts of this show w/ a glass of K-Vintners Cougar Hills Syrah 2005. It is beautiful as well. Getting the 05 Ovide in on Monday. Thanks for the tip. Can’t wait to turn on some of the guests. (they’ll think I’m a genius).
October 4, 2008

Keith
Gary, were those screwtops? Add a + to everything if they are! Great show
October 4, 2008

Dan-o
Excellent show and a real interesting guest!
There is a certain technology associated with shrinking humans so that they can fit in a TV camera.
I would love to visit Walla Walla at some point!
October 4, 2008

Achilleas in Cyprus
Excellent show – makes me feel sad though that I live so far away and can’t get these wines.
Charles was great – someone that can keep up with you!

QOTD: It’s magic !
QOTD2: Would love to visit one day.
October 4, 2008

Jaybird
Great guest, I enjoyed this episode very much
October 4, 2008

Linderelli
Charles – I’ll be back in Walla Walla by December! (hopefully) I miss the Kung Fu Girl – it’s one of my faves, and harder to come by in Wisconsin! Gary, keep doin’ what you’re doin. . . the wine world is crazy about you!
October 4, 2008

Martin C.
Gary,
Definitely one of your best shows ever! I have to be honest, the show in New York City scared me a little (too much of an edge), but this one was dead on! I would rate this a 93+.

Santé!
October 4, 2008

T. Bone
Finally had someone on who can keep up with you, GV. Think you might have bumped those scores a little higher, haha. Good for him and you, love to see the real deal, duke it out in person. Great show, I always think the guest appearances add a little something, you have that rare talk-show-host talent (that is a compliment, it’s a true skill).

The one thing that strikes me about all the awesome detail Chris gave about his wines is that any serious wine should come with an Owner’s Manual. He had so much information about what his intentions were with the wine, when you should and should not drink it, and what you should expect when opening a bottle. I’d like to point out to you professionals out there that when we “normal” folk go to a wine shop and pick up a bottle, even a $55 bottle, we have no idea what the winemaker intended. We need “care instructions.” What a cool idea. The label should read: “Don’t touch this thing for 10 years!” Or, “Made to pop tonite, don’t let it collect dust!” Any winemaker with that kind of passion should want to explain to their customers how to “handle their product.”

Anyway, great show. Love the guest episodes.
October 4, 2008

Mason
Great show! As I have mentioned many times before in my posts, I am a huge Riesling and Washington State fan, so this show was like having my birthday early this year! Loved getting to hear from Chris Smith…what a guy!

QOTD: I hope to be coming to Washington one day soon! Would love to come visit CS in Walla Walla.
October 4, 2008

Shawn_944
Excellent Show Gary!
October 3, 2008

thescrewcap
Had me at Dead Moon tattoo.
October 3, 2008

thescrewcap
Drank the riesling tonight. Exceeded expectations. I will buy more of this stuff.
-thescrewcap
October 3, 2008

JonE
Marketing and good juice. That’s the american dream. And those wax tops…I’m a sucker for that. Maybe it’s just hidden memories of chocolate dip kiddy cones.

QOTD: its very crowded in the camera