Great label, love looking at interesting things while I consume. Nice Job.

Great label, love looking at interesting things while I consume. Nice Job.

Great label, love looking at interesting things while I consume. Nice Job.

Great guest. Have you ever noticed the peeps Gary brings in from Cali are just cooler cats.

QOTD: I personally am a big fan of Estate Grown wines. Just like anything there are exceptions. Nevertheless if you find a winery that has high quality estate grown wines there is often a consistent quality to them that you can trust. As a bonus there is a certain romance that the whole process from start to finish was done in one place. I don’t think that it is an accident some of my favorite wines are estate grown.

Having said that just because a wine doesn’t mean that great wines can not be purchased from a source outside of a winery. There are plenty of great wines that prove that point also. One clarifying issue with the terms, I think a lot of people confuse estate grown with estate bottled. They are two very different animals. I think the confusion takes away from what estate grown really means.

Great guest. Have you ever noticed the peeps Gary brings in from Cali are just cooler cats.

QOTD: I personally am a big fan of Estate Grown wines. Just like anything there are exceptions. Nevertheless if you find a winery that has high quality estate grown wines there is often a consistent quality to them that you can trust. As a bonus there is a certain romance that the whole process from start to finish was done in one place. I don’t think that it is an accident some of my favorite wines are estate grown.

Having said that just because a wine doesn’t mean that great wines can not be purchased from a source outside of a winery. There are plenty of great wines that prove that point also. One clarifying issue with the terms, I think a lot of people confuse estate grown with estate bottled. They are two very different animals. I think the confusion takes away from what estate grown really means.

Great guest. Have you ever noticed the peeps Gary brings in from Cali are just cooler cats.

QOTD: I personally am a big fan of Estate Grown wines. Just like anything there are exceptions. Nevertheless if you find a winery that has high quality estate grown wines there is often a consistent quality to them that you can trust. As a bonus there is a certain romance that the whole process from start to finish was done in one place. I don’t think that it is an accident some of my favorite wines are estate grown.

Having said that just because a wine doesn’t mean that great wines can not be purchased from a source outside of a winery. There are plenty of great wines that prove that point also. One clarifying issue with the terms, I think a lot of people confuse estate grown with estate bottled. They are two very different animals. I think the confusion takes away from what estate grown really means.

Great guest. Have you ever noticed the peeps Gary brings in from Cali are just cooler cats.

QOTD: I personally am a big fan of Estate Grown wines. Just like anything there are exceptions. Nevertheless if you find a winery that has high quality estate grown wines there is often a consistent quality to them that you can trust. As a bonus there is a certain romance that the whole process from start to finish was done in one place. I don’t think that it is an accident some of my favorite wines are estate grown.

Having said that just because a wine doesn’t mean that great wines can not be purchased from a source outside of a winery. There are plenty of great wines that prove that point also. One clarifying issue with the terms, I think a lot of people confuse estate grown with estate bottled. They are two very different animals. I think the confusion takes away from what estate grown really means.

The estate label doesn’t inherently have any value. I could plant some vines in my backyard and make some wine in my garage but I don’t think you’d want to drink it. Good wine is created by a talented winemaker from grapes produced in excellent vineyards managed by devoted growers. All three of these could change from one vintage to the next without having to change the Estate label! Estate wine produced in a manner where there is a long term commitment to these three factors does mean something but there are also wineries that work long term with excellent sources that produce great wine. To me a track record of producing excellent wine and constantly trying to improve is more important than where the grapes come from. However, if the estate label somehow represented that commitment then it would mean a lot!

The estate label doesn’t inherently have any value. I could plant some vines in my backyard and make some wine in my garage but I don’t think you’d want to drink it. Good wine is created by a talented winemaker from grapes produced in excellent vineyards managed by devoted growers. All three of these could change from one vintage to the next without having to change the Estate label! Estate wine produced in a manner where there is a long term commitment to these three factors does mean something but there are also wineries that work long term with excellent sources that produce great wine. To me a track record of producing excellent wine and constantly trying to improve is more important than where the grapes come from. However, if the estate label somehow represented that commitment then it would mean a lot!

The estate label doesn’t inherently have any value. I could plant some vines in my backyard and make some wine in my garage but I don’t think you’d want to drink it. Good wine is created by a talented winemaker from grapes produced in excellent vineyards managed by devoted growers. All three of these could change from one vintage to the next without having to change the Estate label! Estate wine produced in a manner where there is a long term commitment to these three factors does mean something but there are also wineries that work long term with excellent sources that produce great wine. To me a track record of producing excellent wine and constantly trying to improve is more important than where the grapes come from. However, if the estate label somehow represented that commitment then it would mean a lot!

The estate label doesn’t inherently have any value. I could plant some vines in my backyard and make some wine in my garage but I don’t think you’d want to drink it. Good wine is created by a talented winemaker from grapes produced in excellent vineyards managed by devoted growers. All three of these could change from one vintage to the next without having to change the Estate label! Estate wine produced in a manner where there is a long term commitment to these three factors does mean something but there are also wineries that work long term with excellent sources that produce great wine. To me a track record of producing excellent wine and constantly trying to improve is more important than where the grapes come from. However, if the estate label somehow represented that commitment then it would mean a lot!

Great question! I used to think it meant more than I do now. I think that there is also an “art” to be respected in the blending of various vineyard productions, grapes and even years. True, one gives up the basics of the land and the heritage of an individual grape as a result, but in the end for me it is all about ultimate delivery. If blending different vineyards, grapes, and/or years produces a wine that in the end is a “killer” then the aura surrounding estate-bottled wines fades for me.

Great question! I used to think it meant more than I do now. I think that there is also an “art” to be respected in the blending of various vineyard productions, grapes and even years. True, one gives up the basics of the land and the heritage of an individual grape as a result, but in the end for me it is all about ultimate delivery. If blending different vineyards, grapes, and/or years produces a wine that in the end is a “killer” then the aura surrounding estate-bottled wines fades for me.

Great question! I used to think it meant more than I do now. I think that there is also an “art” to be respected in the blending of various vineyard productions, grapes and even years. True, one gives up the basics of the land and the heritage of an individual grape as a result, but in the end for me it is all about ultimate delivery. If blending different vineyards, grapes, and/or years produces a wine that in the end is a “killer” then the aura surrounding estate-bottled wines fades for me.

QOTD: Absolutely. The more I drink wine, the more I am intrigued by the *combination* of winemaking and terroir (somewhereness). I.e. the wine should reflect where it is made as much as who made it. Estate Bottle *usually* means that it *should* talk to terroir.

I couldn’t agree more regarding Jeff’s caution to head-in-the-sand Californian wineries/winemakers who, at their own peril, ignore the QPR developments in Spain, southern France and Italy. One of the reasons I rarely buy Californian wine, other than Zin: I can get as good, if not better elsewhere, at much cheaper prices.

Notwithstanding my being on record as not liking WLTV “interview” episodes (low QPR info-to-time; GV’s asks a question of his guest only to interrupt him/her to give his own answer; etc.) the last two with Jeff and Sandra were very good – even though the episodes still had the perennial faults, the guests were not only informative but they had the wit and charm to shine through GV’s passive aggressive bonhomie (where, on the surface he is tries to come across as an egalitarian nice guy but, by his chronic interrupting his guests and interjecting his own opinion and answers, is really bullying his guest).

Don’t get me wrong, I love GV’s passion and drive. They are Crush-it-ly inspiring. For every criticism I may have (offered only to make a great product even better) I have 10 commendations. Atta-boy!!

QOTD: Absolutely. The more I drink wine, the more I am intrigued by the *combination* of winemaking and terroir (somewhereness). I.e. the wine should reflect where it is made as much as who made it. Estate Bottle *usually* means that it *should* talk to terroir.

I couldn’t agree more regarding Jeff’s caution to head-in-the-sand Californian wineries/winemakers who, at their own peril, ignore the QPR developments in Spain, southern France and Italy. One of the reasons I rarely buy Californian wine, other than Zin: I can get as good, if not better elsewhere, at much cheaper prices.

Notwithstanding my being on record as not liking WLTV “interview” episodes (low QPR info-to-time; GV’s asks a question of his guest only to interrupt him/her to give his own answer; etc.) the last two with Jeff and Sandra were very good – even though the episodes still had the perennial faults, the guests were not only informative but they had the wit and charm to shine through GV’s passive aggressive bonhomie (where, on the surface he is tries to come across as an egalitarian nice guy but, by his chronic interrupting his guests and interjecting his own opinion and answers, is really bullying his guest).

Don’t get me wrong, I love GV’s passion and drive. They are Crush-it-ly inspiring. For every criticism I may have (offered only to make a great product even better) I have 10 commendations. Atta-boy!!

QOTD: Absolutely. The more I drink wine, the more I am intrigued by the *combination* of winemaking and terroir (somewhereness). I.e. the wine should reflect where it is made as much as who made it. Estate Bottle *usually* means that it *should* talk to terroir.

I couldn’t agree more regarding Jeff’s caution to head-in-the-sand Californian wineries/winemakers who, at their own peril, ignore the QPR developments in Spain, southern France and Italy. One of the reasons I rarely buy Californian wine, other than Zin: I can get as good, if not better elsewhere, at much cheaper prices.

Notwithstanding my being on record as not liking WLTV “interview” episodes (low QPR info-to-time; GV’s asks a question of his guest only to interrupt him/her to give his own answer; etc.) the last two with Jeff and Sandra were very good – even though the episodes still had the perennial faults, the guests were not only informative but they had the wit and charm to shine through GV’s passive aggressive bonhomie (where, on the surface he is tries to come across as an egalitarian nice guy but, by his chronic interrupting his guests and interjecting his own opinion and answers, is really bullying his guest).

Don’t get me wrong, I love GV’s passion and drive. They are Crush-it-ly inspiring. For every criticism I may have (offered only to make a great product even better) I have 10 commendations. Atta-boy!!

QOTD: Absolutely. The more I drink wine, the more I am intrigued by the *combination* of winemaking and terroir (somewhereness). I.e. the wine should reflect where it is made as much as who made it. Estate Bottle *usually* means that it *should* talk to terroir.

I couldn’t agree more regarding Jeff’s caution to head-in-the-sand Californian wineries/winemakers who, at their own peril, ignore the QPR developments in Spain, southern France and Italy. One of the reasons I rarely buy Californian wine, other than Zin: I can get as good, if not better elsewhere, at much cheaper prices.

Notwithstanding my being on record as not liking WLTV “interview” episodes (low QPR info-to-time; GV’s asks a question of his guest only to interrupt him/her to give his own answer; etc.) the last two with Jeff and Sandra were very good – even though the episodes still had the perennial faults, the guests were not only informative but they had the wit and charm to shine through GV’s passive aggressive bonhomie (where, on the surface he is tries to come across as an egalitarian nice guy but, by his chronic interrupting his guests and interjecting his own opinion and answers, is really bullying his guest).

Don’t get me wrong, I love GV’s passion and drive. They are Crush-it-ly inspiring. For every criticism I may have (offered only to make a great product even better) I have 10 commendations. Atta-boy!!

QOTD: Absolutely. The more I drink wine, the more I am intrigued by the *combination* of winemaking and terroir (somewhereness). I.e. the wine should reflect where it is made as much as who made it. Estate Bottle *usually* means that it *should* talk to terroir.

I couldn’t agree more regarding Jeff’s caution to head-in-the-sand Californian wineries/winemakers who, at their own peril, ignore the QPR developments in Spain, southern France and Italy. One of the reasons I rarely buy Californian wine, other than Zin: I can get as good, if not better elsewhere, at much cheaper prices.

Notwithstanding my being on record as not liking WLTV “interview” episodes (low QPR info-to-time; GV’s asks a question of his guest only to interrupt him/her to give his own answer; etc.) the last two with Jeff and Sandra were very good – even though the episodes still had the perennial faults, the guests were not only informative but they had the wit and charm to shine through GV’s passive aggressive bonhomie (where, on the surface he is tries to come across as an egalitarian nice guy but, by his chronic interrupting his guests and interjecting his own opinion and answers, is really bullying his guest).

Don’t get me wrong, I love GV’s passion and drive. They are Crush-it-ly inspiring. For every criticism I may have (offered only to make a great product even better) I have 10 commendations. Atta-boy!!

Great guest, I love when the Sonoma guys represent! Hopefully Doug Stewart/Breggo will maintain quality after being bought by the Canadians (Cliff Lede). Will the industry ever get back to what it once was, farmers who make wine? Not captains of industry (Cliff Lede) who are bored of their lives and want nothing more than to impress their friends by having their name on a bottle.

Great guest, I love when the Sonoma guys represent! Hopefully Doug Stewart/Breggo will maintain quality after being bought by the Canadians (Cliff Lede). Will the industry ever get back to what it once was, farmers who make wine? Not captains of industry (Cliff Lede) who are bored of their lives and want nothing more than to impress their friends by having their name on a bottle.

Great guest, I love when the Sonoma guys represent! Hopefully Doug Stewart/Breggo will maintain quality after being bought by the Canadians (Cliff Lede). Will the industry ever get back to what it once was, farmers who make wine? Not captains of industry (Cliff Lede) who are bored of their lives and want nothing more than to impress their friends by having their name on a bottle.

Great guest, I love when the Sonoma guys represent! Hopefully Doug Stewart/Breggo will maintain quality after being bought by the Canadians (Cliff Lede). Will the industry ever get back to what it once was, farmers who make wine? Not captains of industry (Cliff Lede) who are bored of their lives and want nothing more than to impress their friends by having their name on a bottle.

This is a SERIOUSLY awesome guest! I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff & tasting thru several of his wines a couple of years ago. Totally cool dude who consistantly pumps out some great wines.

This is a SERIOUSLY awesome guest! I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff & tasting thru several of his wines a couple of years ago. Totally cool dude who consistantly pumps out some great wines.