15 Questions

The Rose Event – Tasting Preview

June 17, 2016

Rosé is a summer staple, and we couldn’t be more excited to share some of our favorites with you. We’ll be featuring 18 incredible wines from 2-4pm on Saturday, June 18. Feel free to drop in and taste these wonderful wines!

Check out a preview of each of this weekend’s wines below.

Chateau d’Astros

The Chateau d’Astros is light, juicy, and packed full of tropical fruit flavor. Enjoy it with spicy Thai food, grill pork chops or on its own while you watch the sunset.

Secco Italian Bubbles

This sparkling rose from Italy is made from 20% pinot noir and 80% raboso piave, a blend that gives it a delightful crispness. It has a brilliant color, rich strawberry and Italian cherry a hint of red vines.

Steele Winery Rosé of Cabernet Franc

This crisp and refreshing rose is one of the few that is made from 100% cabernet franc. It has strawberry, basil, and citrus zest on the nose, with flavors of watermelon, and tropical fruit. A bright acidic finish closes the wine on an almost tropical note.

Cote des Roses

This wine is a soft, pale, pink with a nose of summer fruits, cassis and red currant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit complete the picture. The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy. On the palate the impression is fresh and full, with great aromatic persistence and balance.

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé

Whole cluster pinot noir grapes are hand picked and pressed in a pneumatic press with a long and soft pressing, hence the coral/light pink salmon color. Cremant Rosé is made by the Champagne Methode, meaning the second fermentation takes place in the bottle. Afterwards, it stays on its lees for 9 months followed by the remuage and disgorging. The flavors display nice strawberry and wild cherry fruit, with a touch of richness on the mid palate. It’s balanced with dry, crisp acidity and complimented with a creamy texture and long finish.

Chateau de Segries Tavel

A terrific southern Rhone estate, Chateau de Segries is a perennial value that always delivers. Made from grenache, cinsault, syrah and clairette, it’s lively and fresh, with classic notes of raspberries, wild strawberries, citrus blossom, and a touch of minerality on the nose. Medium-bodied, balanced, beautifully focused and clean, it’s a classic Tavel rosé that’s worth a multi-bottle purchase.

Chateau des Deux Rocs Cabrieres Premices

Cabrières Rosé is a rosé of character, with fleshy red fruit and floral aromas. Its intense fruit and tannic backbone will make it the perfect match for spicy Mexican or Thai food.

Miraval Rosé

Vivid salmon-skin color, with fresh, incisive aromas of orange zest, redcurrant and white flowers, with hints of honey and lavender in the background. It’s silky and light on its feet, offering intense red berry and citrus fruit flavors that deepen and spread out with air.

Underwood Rosé

Drinkable, unpretentious and travel-ready, this is the perfect wine for poolside shindigs, outdoor music festivals, backyard BBQ’s with friends or anywhere that calls for serious lounging. Be on the lookout for notes of strawberry, watermelon, and peach.

Teeter Totter Rosé

This is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot with a hint of Sauvignon Blanc. It is dry but explodes in the glass with notes of red and citrus fruit. It’s a fun-drinking wine and enjoyable now. Only 224 cases were ever produced.

Hogwash Rosé

This is summertime in a glass. The 2015 Hogwash Rosé displays a pale salmon-pink color and has a beautiful and lively nose that showcases aromas of watermelon candy, red cherries, red currant and rose water. Medium bodied, it has an incredible vibrancy that combines with its great finish to create a wine that is both a very serious rosé wine but has something for everyone.

Screen Door Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir

Romantic pink in color, this rosé opens with a strong aromatic pairing of strawberry jam and lemon zest, followed closely by delicate notes of peach and plum. A bright acidity shines on the palate and highlights the lush flavors of sweet cherry. It’s Russian River Valley to the core and it was made for enjoying during hot summer nights.

Raptor Ridge Rosé of Pinot Noir

Raptor Ridge makes a distinctive style of pinot noir rose, marked by single vineyard selection and extended skin-contact. They harvest a one-acre block and allow the fruit to rest on the skins for 48 hours, giving the final product its rich cherry hues and rounded texture. The juice is then racked off to stainless steel tanks, and guided through a slow fermentation. The resulting wine is dry, deeply fruity, and suitable for any number of food pairings, such as roast chicken or moules frites.

Roederer Estate Brut Rosé

The Roederer Estate Rosé is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For color, the winemaker prepares a small portion of Pinot Noir wine with extended maceration and adds about three to five percent to the blend before secondary fermentation, imparting a subtle salmon tinge. Both the blend and addition of the small amount of red wine create a charming wine of discrete finesse.

Blackbird Arriviste

On the nose, strawberry and iris aromas meld with hints of tropical fruit. The wine showcases crisp flavors of tart cherry, red apple and cool citrus on the mid-palate, carrying clean minerality and bright acidity on to the lingering finish. The 2015 Napa Valley growing season saw near-optimal conditions, allowing for an abundance of perfectly ripe grapes with a smooth balance of acids and sugars, producing this spectacular rosé. It’s made of 34% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence

This sparkling wine has a pale salmon hue with integrated aromas of fresh raspberry jam and wild strawberries on a cream covered pastry base. The flavors are layered, round, fresh, fruity and long.

Adelsheim Rosé of Pinot Noir

This delicious wine offers aromas of fresh Oregon strawberries and raspberries, apricot, and rose petal which follow through on a rich, well-textured palate that offers juicy, ripe fruit. Though a perfect summer beverage on its own, this rosé will pair with all manner of meals, from bouillabaisse and grilled shrimp, to goat cheese, ham and poultry entrees.

Canard “Coucher de Soleil” Estate Rosé

Made entirely from whole cluster pressed Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel, this limited production blend is an elegant expression of Summertime in a glass. On the nose, a perfume of fresh wild strawberries, peaches and notes of ruby red grapefruit. A luscious mouthfeel with bright acidity and a beautifully long finish complements a wide variety of foods. This dry rosé is styled after the incredible wines of Provence, but is uniquely Napa Valley. Its soft hue is reminiscent of a pink sky at dusk which gives it the name, Coucher de Soleil, or “Sunset” in French.

Lee Edwards’ Cocktail Dinner at Table 28

June 9, 2016

By now I’m sure you’ve probably heard that Lee Edwards of Haus Alepnz is in town and hosting some amazing events. He was at South on Main for their Manhattan dinner on Tuesday and tonight he’ll be serving up some amazing drinks at Table 28! We’ve got the skinny on all of the dishes and the drinks that will be on hand. Tonight’s dinner is sold out, but you can try a few of the cocktail by coming by our shop from 4-5:30 when Lee will be on hand to give our customers a taste of amazing creations.

Check out the cocktails (and Chef Scott Rains’ amazing food) below! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for pics from the dinner!

First Course

Rocky Mountain Oysters

pickle + cocktail + sheep’s milk dressing

Second Course

Yellowfin Ceviche

watermelon + tamarind + vanilla

Third Course

Duck Fat Confit Octopus

papas + chorizo + squid ink aioli

Fourth Course

Wild Boar Chop

citrus + red onion + corn grits

Fifth Course

Grapefruit Cappelletti Custard Tart

Screen Door Cellars Tasting Preview

May 31, 2016

When Screen Door Cellars released their first 100 cases of Pinot Noir in 2012, it was the culmination of a decade of work for winemaker Bobby Donnell. Donnell moved from his native Texas to California in 2002 and eventually began working for St. Clement Vineyards. After living in Napa Valley for several years, he and his wife Shannon decided to move closer to her hometown of Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley.

It had long been their dream to open their own winery and the fertile soils of the Russian River Valley were the perfect place to grow the style of pinot noir that Bobby loved. The first vintage was released to wide acclaim, and the accolades have only piled on as the public has caught on to these handcrafted wines.

At tomorrow’s tasting, we’ll feature four of Screen Door Cellars’ magnificent wines. Check out a preview of each one below.

2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

This wine was aged for eleven months in French oak barrels. It possess a wonderful ruby color and has aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices, and toast. Additional nuanced notes of cola, cardamom, and vanilla lead to a finish of black cherry that is lingering and poignant.

2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

This wine is deeper in color than the preceding vintage. Black cherry aromas joined by blackberry and vanilla are the highlights on the nose. On the palate, confirming flavors from the nose with additional wisps of black cherry mixing with baking spice and an intriguing hint of truffle. Its finish draws the perfect balance between velvety tannis and a ripe, bright acidity.

2014 Leras Family Vineyard Pinot Noir

The fruit for this wine came exclusively from the Leras Family vineyards, which give it a unique aroma of rose petal amid the Bing cherry and spice. The taste of cola, a Russian River Valley signature in Pinot Noir, is present with the added layers of raspberry and mouthwatering acidity.

2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir

15 Questions with Bobby Donnell, Winemaker at Screen Door Cellars Winery

May 27, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

Screen Door Cellars creates small, handcrafted lots of ultra-premium wine. Screen Door Cellars is the result of the loving marriage between the bountiful promise of Northern California’s finest terrain and climate, with the dedication, pride and commitment that embodies the Texas spirit. This wine is the warm and loving arms of family and friends, of bonds strengthening, of children in the yard, of belly laughter; accompanied by the inviting clap of the porch screen door as you step into the best days of your life.

Meet Bobby on Wednesday, June 1 at our tasting from 5-7pm!

1)The hardest thing about winemaking is…

The curve balls. No matter how hard you plan, forecast, and strategize for the perfect vintage for your wine, this is still 100% agriculture. The weather determines most, if not all that we do – from the growing season to the time we harvest. I guess the hardest thing for me as a winemaker is the emotional roller coaster of the vintage year. The joy of bud break, the late nights up during frost season and the warmth/heat of harvest. Keeping a cool head and an even keel is one of the hardest thing. Winemaking is not for the faint of heart.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

My wife…girlfriend at the time. She was finishing her Master’s degree from UCD in Viticulture and wanted to work a Harvest in Napa then head to New Zealand. Knowing nothing of the wine industry, besides the product, I took an Intern position at Beringer in the Lab. I really enjoyed the people and the energy of harvest and wanted to learn as much about wine and the process as possible. After harvest, I was hired for a full-time Cellar position at St. Clement. Shannon and I put down some roots, and I dove into winemaking head first.

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career? Connecting with people. Nothing makes me happier than creating a wine that people will enjoy with their friends, and the experience and emotions that are tied to Screen Door Cellars. The idea that I can make a wine from the Russian River Valley in California and friends of mine or people I don’t even know will share a bottle with their friends across the country. It’s that personal connection that’s the best and make me want to create the best.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

The one winemaker that gave me my start and lit my fire, Aaron Pott. The other is Ben Papapietro. I remember having a bottle of 2010 “Leras Family Vineyard” Pinot Noir from Ben. I told a friend of mine, “if I could make a wine like that for the rest of my life, I would die a happy man.”

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Hunting with my father. Driving out to the Ranch and just walking and talking.

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

With 3 kids, I would have to say any current Disney/Pixar flick…

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Sirius station?

Top 3 on the dial: Margaritaville, Underground Garage, and Outlaw Country

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

Sailboat Captain

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

Jump in and do it! I have people every year during harvest come out and work for a few weeks and ask the same question. My answer is always the same. If it is something you really want to do, do it. Immerse yourself into wine. Passion is hard to fake.

10) What’s your dream vacation?

Island hopping in the Caribbean on a sailboat

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

12) Hometown?

Lancaster, Texas

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Margarita

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

Aaron Pott, he started the fire.

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

Growing. I see Screen Doors Cellars with our own tasting room in Sebastopol planting more Pinot Noir on our home ranch, ASERN. Reaching out and connection with more customers, but small enough to still have that personal connection with our fans and supporters.

15 Questions with James Morrison of Copper Cane Winery

May 27, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

James “Jim” Morrison serves as the National Sales Director for Copper Cane Wine & Provisions. He’ll be in our store on Friday on May 27, from 4-7pm.

1)Tell us a little bit about what it means to be a National Sales director and some the challenges that come with that position.

I’m the first face, voice, messenger to our retail customer regarding the Portfolio Joe Wagner is creating. I know and love wine, but do NOT consider myself a wine Expert or Master Somm, my real expertise is consulting to navigate a highly complicated route to market. Understanding the Distributor/wholesale network, different state and often within state legalities. Championing our products in an increasingly competitive landscape. Trumpeting a voice to the gate-Keepers of the industry.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

Recruited off the campus of the University of Missouri to E & J Gallo Winery. Territory sales with graduating levels of responsibility starting in Oklahoma, Moving through Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Chicago.

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career? Selling is a simple equation – “A transfer of enthusiasm”. My father taught me this early in my career. We sell more than just grape juice in a bottle, wine is an experience for people to `enjoy with people they want to be with doing activities they enjoy. People remember their first experience with a particular wine, where they were, who they were with. It’s a great Mental Paycheck to see someone “Get it” when they experience our wines.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

Joe Wagner – His passion to make something great. His Vision to build on what he was given. Chuck Wagner – The vision and discipline to start his own winery with his dad and build it into what it is today. Jim Schroeder – A manager I worked for early in my career at Gallo, he taught me how to interact with people and create relationships. Marvin Shankins – His vision for educating people about wine. Robert Mondavi – His vision for Napa, starting over after being fired from his families company and creating Napa.

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Family gatherings – Coming from a large family, my Grandmother was one of 18 children, Grandfather on of 11. Our family reunions were a festival and it was fun to see my cousins and watch my parents interact with people they loved and made time to be with. The food and drink were always at the center of every gathering. Watching my Dad tease and laugh with my uncles.

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

Books – Mark Twain “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” Malcolm Gladwell “David & Goliath” George Orwell “1984” Movies – Cool Hand Luke The Outlaw Josey Wales Shawshank Redemption

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Serius station?

Comedy Channel, NPR, Classis Vinyl

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

Tour guide – Wine Country, historic sites or interesting cities or comedian – I love to make people laugh.

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

Understand the business and logistics of the industry. While romantic, it’s really about making great product and figuring out the most efficient way to get it to the consumer. The first several years are labor intensive and not very romantic.

10) What’s your dream vacation? Traveling with my kids. We’ve been all over the world and there is still so much to see! Exploring new places, figuring out how to get around and communicate with other cultures/languages.

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Watching TV! I love to lay back on the couch and Veg-Out! But almost never do, and when I do I feel guilty about all the things I could/should be doing. I’m getting better about this with age, the guilty part that is!

12) Hometown?

Rogers AR – 16 years and just now feels like home

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Tough one – Either Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay or Jameson Irish Whiskey

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

My wife Bridget. While my father taught me work ethic and several folks have influenced experience and skill sets, my wife has made me the success I am most proud of. Always supportive, collaborative. She “Get’s” me and makes me want to continuously improve.

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

I’ve never been good at this! I believe in focusing on here and now and putting energy behind excelling at the task at hand. Competing, reacting, and growing relationships as I go. I can’t control everything, but I can control what I do, how I interact with those I come in contact with. Things happen for a reason, whatever that is, and I’ve learned that nothing is ever as good as you think or as bad as it seems. 5 years from now I hope to be doing something similar to today, loving those around me and putting energy into something that stimulates and excites me!

15 Questions with Jim Dyke, Owner of Mira Winery

May 11, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

Whether it was building a garden with his brother in the alley behind their house or riding the tractor through the fields with his grandfather, there has always been something peaceful about growing things for Jim Dyke, owner of Mira Winery. He still wonders at the beauty of the cycle that produces grapes each season and is amazed at the process that evolves the grapes into wine. One of his first jobs after a stint at the Senate Parking Lot upon graduating from the University of Arkansas was as Assistant Brewmaster at one of the first Microbreweries in the country, Capital City Brewing Company. Here, Jim answers our questions in advance of his tasting on May 18, 2016, from 5-7pm.

1)The hardest thing about winemaking is…

Working with nature and all the uncertainty that it brings.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

Making beer in WDC when I graduated from college. A number of years later I met world renowned winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez and we both thought it was an incredible opportunity to partner and do something special.

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career?

The people. The people I work with every day who are so dedicated to being exceptional. The people I meet who try/drink our product. Its never dull and so many people are so interesting.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

Steve Schweizer who owns a 40-acre vineyard in the heart of the Stags Leap District of Napa. Every year he produces exceptional grapes and every year he has different weather. And he is always calm as a cucumber.

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Playing soccer in Razorback Stadium for the U11 state championship.

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

Wedding Crashers just above the classics (Caddy Shack, Stripes, Animal House) and Unbroken (the book).

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Serius station?

Y2kountry

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

Politics

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

If you don’t have 30 years – don’t start. It’s a long haul and you have to find rewards in small sometimes hidden places.

10) What’s your dream vacation?

A beach, preferably pink sand but I am not too picky.

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Cigars

12) Hometown?

Charleston, SC but I was born and raised in Little Rock and went to the U of A so I still consider it home.

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Grey Goose Vodka

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

Gustavo Gonzalez, Mira Co-founder

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

Widely acclaimed as one of the premier producers in the world.

15 Questions with Rebecka Deike, winemaker at Ferrari Carano

April 20, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

Rebecka joined Ferrari-Carano in 2004 as an Enologist, but it all began at Humboldt State University where Rebecka studied Cellular and Molecular Biology and originally planned to be an optometrist. After graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Rebecka quickly changed her focus to winemaking. In 2000, Rebecka broke into the world of winemaking as an intern at Jordan Winery and was shortly hired on as a full-time lab technician, followed by a promotion to Assistant Enologist. After four years, Rebecka joined the Ferrari-Carano team which led to a promotion as Assistant Winemaker. By 2012, Rebecka had completed the University of California Davis Winemaking Certificate Program and was Ferrari-Carano’s Associate Winemaker overseeing the Pinot Grigio and Zinfandel Wine Programs. In early 2014, Rebecka was promoted to Associate Winemaker overseeing Ferrari-Carano’s Red Wines Programs, including Ferrari-Carano’s PreVail wines, and the mountain winery production facility in Alexander Valley.

1)The hardest thing about winemaking is…

The predicting and planning involved in choosing the perfect moment to harvest the grapes at optimal maturity with weather and logistics as variables.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

I started as a harvest intern in the lab at Jordan Winery. Love at first crush!

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career?

After all the hard work involved in making a bottle of wine, it is a good feeling to be able to relax with friends and family, sharing and enjoying a bottle of wine that I helped create.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

Rob Davis, the winemaker at Jordan winery, for his sharp mind, many years of winemaking experience, and remarkable storytelling abilities. I developed a solid foundation to build upon working under Rob’s guidance.

Don and Rhonda Carano, the owners of Ferrari-Carano. They have both worked hard to establish a successful winery and continue to work hard with a relentless pursuit to create the best wines.

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

I grew up in a small town and my dad would walk home from work for his lunch hour. During the summer, my mom, two brothers and I would walk downtown to meet him and walk home with him. Makes me feel happy remembering those times!

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

Jane Austen’s novels and, for some reason, I always enjoy watching “Tombstone” – love Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday.

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Sirius station?

Whatever the lab is listening to. The lab is right next to the winemaking office. It is quite an eclectic mix!

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

I originally planned to become an optometrist, so probably that.

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

We hire extra help in the winery every harvest, so I would recommend working as a harvest intern, as I did. If you enjoy the bustling energy in the air, long hours, and hard work during harvest, then it just might be the perfect job for you!

10) What’s your dream vacation?

I would like to travel to France with my husband to attempt some of the mountain passes that the pro cyclists ride during the Tour de France. After the ride, we would relax, eat good food, and drink some tasty wine.

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Shelby’s treats! Shelby, one of the winery’s lab technicians, is an excellent baker, specializing in cookies and cupcakes.

12) Hometown?

Cloverdale, CA in North Sonoma County. But I grew up in Humbolt County (farther north.)

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Sparkling wine! I would like a magnum of J vintage brut. My husband works there, so I could connect with his spirit in the bubbles! I cannot imagine myself on a deserted island without him!

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

Sarah Quider, Ferrari-Carano’s executive winemaker. I have worked directly with her for 15 years, following in her footsteps, (sometimes literally in the vineyard!), learning from her every step of the way. She had confidence in my abilities to elevate me to the position I am in today.

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to still be working for Ferrari-Carano, making some fabulous wines with our more recently planted vineyards, while continuing to maintain the outstanding quality of our existing selection of wines.

Want to try some of Rebecka's wines? You can now buy them online and pick them up in store!

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15 Questions with Michael Scholz, winemaker at St. Supéry

April 6, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

Michael Scholz is St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery’s winemaker. Originally from Australia, Michael is from the 6th generation to grow up on his family’s vineyard in the Barossa Valley. Michael comes to St. Supéry from Wattle Creek, a Sonoma property in Alexander Valley. Scholz is not a newcomer to the Napa Valley or St. Supéry. He previously served as the winemaker at St. Supéry from 1996 to 2001 before returning again in 2009. During his tenure, he created the distinctive style that has made St. Supéry the benchmark producer of Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. The Cabernet Sauvignons Michael created for St. Supéry garner critical acclaim from top industry publications including Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator. Enologist and consultant, Michel Rolland says, “Michael Scholz is on my list of great winemakers from around the world.”

1)The hardest thing about winemaking is…

…juggling the many different facets of the job. We spend our time in the vineyards and the cellar, but then comes the management, emails, and markets. All good, but a lot to keep up with.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

I grew up on an old family vineyard in Australia’s Barossa Valley. Surrounded by vineyards and winemakers lead me in that direction.

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career?

We create a fantastic and unique product. It’s always terrific to see a wine come together after the grapes growing and winemaking and time involved to get to the final blend.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

Michel Rolland has been an inspiring individual.

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Riding my horse in the summer around our family farm and vineyard ( and in the river – good fun)

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

The Harry Potter series was a fun read, and also the Hunger Games. Indiana Jones is a go too movie. Anything with Harrison Ford is always a good time.

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Sirius station?

Zac Brown Band

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

I joke that I would love to be a rock star, but really, a vet or a horse trainer.

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

It’s a blast. If it interests you, it is fun. Fine food and wine is a good time. If you like farming, even better.

10) What’s your dream vacation?

A Surfing Vacation, but I’m not very good at it.

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Again it’s the same theme. A fine bottle of wine, a couch and a good movie.

12) Hometown?

Nuriootpa, Barrasa Valley, Australia

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Sierra Nevada IPA – Beer

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

Michel Rolland- I starting working with him in 1996 and Rolland has had quite an impact on me.

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

We are always working to excel our brand and make better wines and in 5 years I see us continuing to do that.

Click here to learn more about our St. Supéry Wine Tasting on April 13

15 Questions with Kevin Wiles, winemaker at Raptor Ridge Winery

March 22, 2016

“15 Questions with…” is an ongoing series of interviews with some of the most interesting people in our industry.

Kevin Wiles came to Raptor Ridge in the summer of 2008, when he joined our winemaking team and worked his way up from harvest hand to cellar master to assistant winemaker. Kevin’s meticulous attention to detail and tireless passion for hard work have proven the perfect balance for the winemaking team. Kevin has also earned the respect of Raptor Ridge’s southeast distribution partners by hitting the road when he’s not in the cellar and coaching their sales teams as a proud ambassador of the Raptor Ridge brand. In what remains of Kevin’s spare time, he enjoys golfing, cooking, exploring Oregon, and rooting for his alma mater in football: West Virginia University!

1)The hardest thing about winemaking is…

All of the outside influences and actions that aren’t perceived as “winemaking,” but literally drive winemaking decisions. For example, space and logistics during harvest, being able to get a picking crew scheduled the day you’re trying to execute a pick. Having enough staff and time in a day to process all the fruit when it comes in. Making sure your bottling suppliers are on time with the production of your glass, closures, and labels and able to deliver on time. Being able to predict and schedule bottling dates 6-8 months in advance and holding to it as everyone else in the valley is trying to bottle at the same time.

2) How did you first get into the industry?

I was introduced to a very small French and Italian importer in South Carolina over 15 years ago. This coincided with me working in a wine-driven restaurant, and I jumped in feet first.

3) What’s the most rewarding thing about your career?

Taking grapes from the vineyard and getting them in the bottle. It’s amazing to get to take a “snapshot” of a specific vintage and be able to watch it progress in the bottle for years after.

4) Who are the people in your industry that your most admire?

I’ve got to say, first and foremost, Scott & Annie (Raptor Ridge Winery owners), they have given me a great opportunity to grow with Raptor Ridge. Winemakers…… Steve Doerner (Cristom) Ben Casteel (Bethel Heights) Marcus Goodfellow (Matello, Goodfellow) Dai Crisp (Lumos) Brian Marcy, Clare Carver (Big Table Farm)

5) What’s your favorite childhood memory?

I grew up in a great neighborhood where we had about 10 families on our street with kids all around the same age. Playing sports with the seasons, running around the neighborhood without a care in the world. I miss that innocence.

6) What are your favorite books or movies?

I’m a sucker for epic dramas, Braveheart, Last of the Mohicans, The Shawshank Redemption, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

7) What your most listened to Spotify/Pandora/Sirius station?

Spotify plays continuous when I’m at the winery…Ben Howard, Boy & Bear, James Morrison, Kings of Leon, Mumford & Son, Amasa Hines, Leon Bridges, Van Morrison

8) If you weren’t making wine, what career would you have?

I have no idea, I feel like I started this journey a while back, can’t really imagine doing anything else.

9) What advice would you give to people who wanted to get into the industry?

Work a harvest, then decide if it’s what you really want. I don’t think any class or book can quite prepare you for it. I think a lot of people have this romantic vision of what winemaking is and don’t realize the amount of cleaning, scrubbing, washing, sanitizing and rewashing, and well . . . you get my point.

10) What’s your dream vacation?

Bora Bora, Maldives, Bali – not in any particular order

11) What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

At the moment, it’s splitting firewood, something about a chainsaw, ax and being outdoors.

12) Hometown?

Charleston, West By God Virginia

13) If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one drink (not your own brand), what would it be?

Grower Champagne

14) What person has been most influential in building your career?

I can’t say there has been just one. I’ve had three mentors in critical times of my career that have all been greatly appreciated. I’m sure without any one of them I wouldn’t be where I am now.

15) Where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?

Hopefully right where I am at. We have some exciting releases over the next few years at Raptor Ridge, some new varietals, bottlings etc. I’m looking forward to seeing how they are received and continuing to get out in the marketplace and getting to meet new and old friends I’ve made over the years.

Join us on Friday, March 24 from 4-6pm for a tasting featuring many of Kevin’s wines. He’ll be pouring several Pinot Noirs along with some great white wines, and, of course, some rosé!