Situated in the Stags Leap District of Napa, Clos du Val was established by American businessman John Goelet with the purchase of 150 acres of land in 1972. He based this purchase on the words of French winemaker Bernard Portet, who said, “This area is perfect for growing grapes.” Clos du Val, which means a small vineyard in a small valley, strives to create estate-style wine by using Napa Valley grapes and traditional European techniques.
EPISODE SYNOPSIS: We welcome Peter and Rebecca Work from Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard. Since leaving the corporate world behind after 9/11, they have owned and operated their vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and have created gorgeous bio-dynamically crafted wines that further solidify Sta. Rita wines reputation as a hallowed ground for wine. Today we discuss their history as a family, along with their transition into the wine business and borderline-mystical approach to growing and cultivating their wine. GUEST BIO: Peter and Rebecca work originally hailed from Denmark and Alaska, and they met in California while working for Price Waterhouse. After tiring of corporate life, they founded Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard with the help of their son, an experienced winemaker. Eschewing the ‘factory’ practices of 95% of farms, they grow bio-dynamically in a holistic approach to the land and create very fine wine indeed. ADD’L LINKS: www.ampeloscellars.com www.tastingroom.com EPISODE BREAKDOWN: 00:07 Welcome to the Winedown 00:49 Introducing Rebecca and Peter Work 03:24 Booze News (rising whiskey prices, millennial market influence, and wine packaged in cups.) 16:07 Tasting the Ampelos, “Just grapes!” 17:11 The fermentation process and temperature tasting. 17:52 Peter’s background: “What does a Dane know about making wine?” 18:38 Peter and Rebecca’s history in the corporate world and their transition to wine. 20:12 “The way this whole thing started,”– Moving to Sta. Rita Hills …
EPISODE SYNOPSIS For today’s show we get to explore the appellation that is Santa Rita Hills, and we are lucky enough to have Wes Hagen to do it with! Over the course of an hour Wes shares his contagiously passionate outlook on just about every facet of the world of wine. His haughty, no-bull insight comes through quickly as he shares his unique approach to farming and making wines in the region. Get ready for a great episode! GUEST BIO Wes Hagen has essentially been running the show at Clos Pepe since 1998 producing and celebrating world-class Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Besides producing sensational wine Wes researched and wrote the petition that established the Sta Rita Hills American Viticultural Area with help from other local wine personalities and has written for several publications including WineMaker Magazine, ‘Burgundy-Report’ and WestCoastWine.Net. Wes is a tireless advocate for his brand and the region, and we are lucky to have him share some of the stories and philosophies behind his success. ADDITIONAL LINKS, ETC. www.clospepe.com www.winemakermag.com www.westcoastwine.net www.burgundy-report.com/ EPISODE BREAKDOWN 00:00 Show Intro 01:18 Audience question answered 01:45 Intro for Wes Hagen 02:55 Clos Pepe’s 2009 Prerelease Brut Rose sparkling wine. 03:50 What makes you want to make sparkling wine? 04:40 How did you acquire a passion for wine making? 07:15 How did you transition from growing up in Palos Verdes to becoming entrenched in the …