The wineinstitute.org was founded in 1934 and now represents over 1000 member wineries from every wine region of California. They have done an excellent job over the years of marketing their wines with their popular annual touring road shows that are presently on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In their place they have cleverly started some impressive wine webinars called Behind The Wines hosted by the insightful educator Elaine Chukan Brown. They have held 7 enlightening episodes so far on every Tuesday starting at 10 am Pacific time with 6 more already scheduled with details set out below. Definitely are in depth and worth tuning in to enjoy. Episode 6 featured Randall Grahm founder & winemaker at Bonny Doon Vineyard for Rhone varieties and his innovative new experimental landscape of unusual special grape varieties with his “Popelouchum” project with first fruit harvest this year. Episode 7 had the fascinating story of Paul Draper with Ridge Vineyards on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA tasting the delightful warmer 1984 vintage (structured 1985 will age longer) with 7% merlot at traditionally low alcohol of 12.9. Both pioneers also talked about the importance of ingredient labeling on wine bottles. The good thing is that all episodes can be referenced on the You Tube Channel for California Wines with additional info on questions and answers not addressed during the live session. Outstanding wine education material! Well done series. Look forward to these upcoming sessions:
May 26, Episode 8 –
Carole Meredith and Steve Lagier, Lagier Meredith
Special guest: Anthony Truchard, Truchard Vineyards
In the eighth episode of the series, Elaine will speak with Carole Meredith and Steve Lagier, husband and wife owners of Lagier Meredith Vineyard in the Mt. Veeder AVA of Napa Valley. The two have lived there since they bought the property in 1986, first planting vines in 1994 and producing their first commercial wine in 1998. Carole and Steve have no employees and do the vineyard work and winemaking themselves.
June 2 – Ep. 9 – Zinfandel
Tegan Passalacqua, Turley and Sandlands
June 9 – Ep. 10 – Chardonnay
Stephane Vivier, Stony Hill
Michael McNeill, Hanzell Vineyards
June 16 – Ep. 11 – Pinot Noir
Sarah Wuethrich, Maggy Hawk
June 23 – Ep. 12 – Sparkling
Nicole Hitchcock, J Vineyards and Winery
June 30 – Ep. 13 – Cabernet Sauvignon
Rodrigo Soto, GM, Quintessa
Rebekah Wineburg, Winemaker, Quintessa
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