Podcasts

Episode 24: Michael Shaps, Michael Shaps Wineworks

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Michael Shaps

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Michael Shaps

From Boston to Burgundy to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Michael Shaps shares his wine journey on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country.

Michael Shaps arrived on the Virginia wine scene in 1995 and was a driving force behind growing the brands of Jefferson and King Family. He established his own label in Virginia a decade ago and has received numerous awards and accolades over the years.

Shops now spends most of his time between the vines of Virginia and his winery in Burgundy, France.

He has the largest “contract winemaking operation in the Commonwealth, he consults on numerous wine projects and he’s also bringing fun value wines to consumers by embracing a change in how some of his products are packaged. From wine on tap and wine growlers to high-end Burgundies, Shaps has a little something for every palate and every budget.

Visit Michael Shaps Wineworks:

Michael Shaps Wineworks 
1781 Harris Creek Way            
Charlottesville, VA 22902
 P: 434-296-3438                        
H: M-Sun 11 am – 5 pm

Wineworks Extended  
1585 Avon Street Extended
Charlottesville, VA, 22902
P: 434-529-6848                  
H: W-Sun 1 pm – 7 pm                
M-Tue CLOSED

Episode 23: Alan Tardi, U.S. Ambassador to Prosecco Superiore

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Alan Tardi

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It’s all about bubbles on this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country.  Our special guest this week is Alan Tardi the U.S. Ambassador for Prosecco and author of Champagne, Uncorked.

Alan is also the author of Romancing the Vine, Life, Love & Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo and he is a regular contributor for the NYT, Wine Spectator and Decanter just to name a few of his many accolades and has also worked as a chef, sommelier and consultant for many restaurants in NYC and Italy.

While Prosecco is one of the most popular sparkling wines in the marketplace, it’s easy going with lots of luscious fruit and crisp acidity, but it’s often misunderstood and doesn’t quite get the respect it deserves especially for the higher-end single vineyard selections.

On the program, we are going to take a deep dive into Prosecco region of Italy, the grape, the regions and the extraordinary value from this part of the world, plus we’ll talk about the primary difference between Prosecco & Champagne.

Episode 22: Jennifer Breaux, Breaux Vineyards

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Jennifer Breaux

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Jennifer Breaux, the VP of Sales & Hospitality and Director Education at Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County is our special guest on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. 

Breaux Vineyards is celebrating 20 years of winemaking in Virginia. What started out as three “accidental” acres of vines on the family’s property in the mid 90’s has grown into one of the largest vineyards in Virginia with more than 100 acres under vine. On the show, Jennifer shares her family’s winemaking journey, some of her favorite holiday pairings and why she thinks the rustic and elegant Nebbiolo grape is thriving at Breaux Vineyards.

Visit Breaux Vineyards:

Breaux Vineyards,
36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln,
Purcellville, VA 20132
540-668-6299

Episode 21: Holiday Entertaining Guide

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The holiday season is in full swing and I have some fabulous holiday gift ideas for the wine lover in your life on today’s show. Plus, tis the season for entertaining, I will share some of my favorite host gifts, easy entertaining ideas for quick appetizers, recipes for delicious wine cocktails and perfect pairings on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country to help take the stress out of your holiday season.  I am sharing 3 of my go-to recipes for fabulous and festive appetizers and my top 3 sparkling wine cocktail recipes, plus a delicious recipe for holiday sangria!

Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in Virginia. You can also download the Tune In App  to stream the show from anywhere nationwide or catch up on all episodes here.

 

Episode 20: Thanksgiving Pairings

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Bill Curtis, Tastings of CharlottesvilleIt’s all about holiday wines and Thanksgiving pairings on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. For some great ideas, we invited Bill Curtis, the owner of Tastings of Charlottesville on the show. Curtis opened the doors to Tastings in 1990 and was one of the first people in the country to have a fully integrated restaurant, bar and wine shop under one roof.

Tastings has been a staple in downtown Charlottesville ever since it opened its doors 26 years ago. An eclectic blend of new and old world offerings are housed in the wine shop area of Tastings just waiting to be discovered by inquisitive palates.   Curtis tries every single wine before he buys to ensure a quality selection for his customers. Over the years, he has  garnered quite the reputation as a wine guru. Here are a few of the accolades Bill Curtis has received over the years.

“William C. Curtis is a leading authority on Virginia wines.” – New York Times 

“This dude knows his wine.” – Scott Jones, Southern Living

“If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, you would probably find him at Tastings of Charlottesville.” – Monticello.org

On the show this week, we are talking about classic and outside the box Thanksgiving pairings, the evolution of quality in Virginia wine, one of his favorite bottles of Virginia bubbly and perfect hostess gifts this holiday season. When you’re in Charlottesville, make sure to stop by and visit Tastings for an exceptional wine and food experience.

Tastings of Charlottesville

502 E. Market Street
434-293-3663

Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market. You can also  download the Tune In App or catch up on all episodes here.

Episode 19: Tim Gorman, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery

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We are heading to Afton, Virginia for this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Tim Gorman, winemaker and vineyard manager with Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery shares his family’s journey of winemaking in the Commonwealth. For the Gorman’s, Cardinal Point has always been a family affair.

While stationed abroad, Tim’s parents developed a deep respect and love for German Riesling. The family’s time in Europe served as the inspiration for the family vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first vines were planted at Cardinal Point 30 years ago. What started out as a few acres in the mid 80’s has turned into a thriving business for the Gorman’s. Cardinal Point now has 15 acres of vinifera vines on the farm in Afton and a vibrant tasting room.

On the show, Tim shares his family’s winemaking journey, the risks and rewards of growing wine in Virginia and how spending time in Europe as a child was instrumental in his appreciation of great wine and great food.

Plus, we are opening up Tim’s award-winning 2014 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc. This vintage was part of the 2016 Virginia Governor’s Cup case.  Find out Tim’s favorite pairing with Cab Franc and some other great wines that deserve a place at your dinner table.

Visit Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery

9423 Batesville Road
Afton, Virginia 22920
540.456.8400

Tasting Room: Open  daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Tastings, $10 per person

Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market. You can also  download the Tune In App or catch up on all episodes here.

Episode 18: Paradise Springs Winery & Barrel-Art

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Paradise Springs Winery

Kirk WilesKirk Wiles, co-founder of Paradise Springs Winery, the first bi-coastal winery in the country is joining me in Crystal Palate’s Wine Country on this episode. What started as a small operation  in quaint Clifton, Virginia a decade ago has expanded to a second operation across the country in Santa Barbara, California. From coast to coast, Paradise Springs is taking advantage of the unique growing conditions and terroir in both locations. Kirk shares the vast history of the Virginia property and how he his bringing a taste of the Commonwealth to his tasting room in Santa Barbara. Listen to the show here and catch a new show every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV. Download the Tune in app and search for WCHV to listen live nationwide.

Paradise Springs Winery
13219 Yates Ford Road
Clifton, VA  20124
(703) 830-WINE

Tasting room is open daily

Barrel-Art

Plus, the holidays are right around the corner and Mike Prieto with Barrel-Art will be stopping by to share some great ideas for unique gifts for the wine lover in your life. You’ll find everything from custom-made adirondack chairs, personalized Lazy Susan barrel heads, riddling racks from Champagne and even wine barrel beds for your precious pooch. Mike also shares how a devastating incident several years ago would later give root to this thriving business. My interview with Mike starts at 16:50.

Barrel-Art 
Mike Prieto – Owner
mike@barrel-art.com
(757) 639-5771
Hampton, VA

Read more about Barrel-Art in a recent article I wrote for hrScene.com.

Episode 17: Jennifer Knowles, Plume Restaurant, DC

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Jennifer KnowlesAs we wrap up Virginia wine month, we are taking a jaunt to the nation’s capital to talk with Jennifer Knowles, a great advocate of Virginia wine. Jennifer is an advanced level sommelier and the wine director for The Jefferson Hotel in DC and Plume Restaurant.

Jennifer has extensive experience developing award-winning wine programs at some of the top restaurants in the country. Before arriving at Plume, Jennifer was the wine director at the Inn at Little Washington, one of the premiere dining establishments in Virginia, before landing at The Jefferson Hotel. Plume is the only Forbes 5 Star restaurant in Washington, D.C. On the show, Jennifer will share some of her favorite Virginia wines and perfect pairing ideas.  She will also discuss Plume Restaurant’s impressive Madeira program. In fact, it’s one of the most respected and diverse Madeira programs in the country.

To say that Jennifer is a passionate supporter of the Virginia wine industry, would be an understatement.  She has been a featured speaker at the Virginia Wine Summit, served on the judging panel for the Virginia Governors Cup Awards and is also involved with the Virginia Wine Council. Jennifer was recently named best Sommelier by the Int’l Academy of Gastronomy and received the 2013 Golden Goblet Award by the Association of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs.

Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market. You can also  download the Tune In App or catch up on all episodes here.

Photos courtesy of Plume, DC. 

Episode 16: Jefferson Heritage Trail & Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic

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2015 Chesapeake Bay Wine ClassicOn this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country, we’re taking a step back in time and honoring the great Thomas Jefferson by talking with Christine Vrooman, who not only owns Ankida Ridge Vineyards in Amherst, but is a Founding Member of the Jefferson Heritage Trail. From Monticello to Poplar Forest – Christine is going to tell us all about the trail, the concept of regionalism and how you can enjoy the many sights, sounds and sips offered along the Jefferson Heritage Trail.

We’ll also take a little trip down to Hampton Roads to talk about one of the largest charity auctions on the East Coast. My guest Jon Wheeler will tell you everything you need to know about the 26th annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic coming up on November 12 in Virginia Beach.

Plus, I will unveil my wine of the week that deserves a place at your Thanksgiving dinner table. Crystal Palate’s Wine Country airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market or by downloading the Tune In App or catch up on past episodes here.

 

Episode 15: History of Virginia Wine

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ankidatoastWhat started as a legal requirement nearly 400 years ago has turned into a booming business for Virginia. From the humble beginnings in Jamestown in the early 1600’s to Thomas Jefferson’s love affair and 30-year failed experiment with the fruit of the vine to the flourishing wine industry of the 21st century, we’ll span four centuries, through the winding roads, majestic landscapes and trials and triumphs of Virginia’s wine country on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. The program airs every Saturday morning at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  You can stream the show live each week on WCHV.com in the Charlottesville market or by downloading the Tune In App or catch up on past episodes here.

Episode 14: Annette Boyd, Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office

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On this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country, Annette Boyd, the director for the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office joins me to discuss Virginia Wine Month!

The celebration of all things Virginia wine has been going strong every October since 1988. With more than 250 wineries to visit from the Eastern Shore to the Blue Ridge Mountains to Appalachia, there is literally something for everyone.  Annette is sharing some great events to take in across the Commonwealth throughout the month of October.  She also shares her love of wine and how she got into the wine business. Plus, we talk about the evolution of Virginia wine and what she hopes to see for the industry moving forward. Annette was recently named the Virginia Wine Person of Year for 2016 for her many contributions to the industry. She is ecnouraging everyone to share their Virginia wine experiences this month on social media by using #octvawinemonth. So whether you visit one of the many picturesque wineries, buy a bottle of Virginia vino from your local wine shop or enjoy a great dinner paired with Virginia wine at your favorite restaurant, share your photo on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

For a full list of Virginia wineries and events, please visit www.virginiawine.org.

 

Episode 13: Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars

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Chris Pearmund, owner of Pearmund Cellars, joins me on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Chris has been a fixture in the Virginia wine scene for nearly three decades.PearmundPetitVerdot

Pearmund is located in Broad Run, Virginia, about an hour drive southwest of Washington D.C.,  It is home to Meriwether Vineyard, the oldest operational vineyard in Virginia. In addition to Pearmund Cellars, Chris has opened more than a dozen wineries throughout the Commonwealth. He has served on many wine boards over the years and is one of the staunchest advocates for the Virginia wine industry. Chris is a self-acclaimed wine geek and wine educator. He has amassed a pretty impressive selection of wine books on practically every topic you can think of. You can visit the wine library on your next visit to Pearmund Cellars.  Pearmund Cellars has received many accolades over the years including Best Winery in Virginia and Best Tasting Room in Virginia.

On the show, Chris shares his journey in the wine industry, his passion for Virginia and his latest business venture, Effingham Manor Winery. Enjoy the show! Each Saturday, you can stream a new show live on WCHV at 8:30.

Visit Pearmund Cellars:

6190 Georgetown Rd.
Broad Run, VA 20137
540.347.3475

Tasting Room Hours:

The Pearmund Cellars tasting room is open daily from 10am-6pm. Pearmund offers the following five wine tasting experiences for you and your guests.

  1. Classic
  2. It’s a Party
  3. Progressive Wine Tour
  4. Barrel Tasting
  5. The Full Monty

Episode 12: Jon & Mills Wehner, Chatham Vineyards

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Oysters Half ShellJon and Mills Wehner of Chatham Vineyards join me on this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country on WCHV to talk about the unique wine growing region of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

The Eastern Shore is probably best known for its vibrant fishing and crabbing communities. While the briny, delectable and various oyster offerings and sweet Chesapeake crab get the lion’s share of attention, there is something quite unique about the terroir here that is garnering interest across Virginia and beyond.

Jon, a second-generation Virginia wine grower, talks about the evolution of Virginia wine since the late 70’s. Jon also discusses his minimalistic winemaking philosophy and talks about his success with planting not only Chatham’s award-winning Chardonnay, but bordelais varietals on the sandy, loam soils surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Jon’s wife Mills also joins us on the program to tell us about Virginia’s Wine and Brine month that celebrates one of the most classic wine and food pairings in the world, plus she gets personal and shares what its like to raise their three children on the farm.  You can catch a new episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country every Saturday at 8:30 on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV.  Enjoy the show! You can also watch my mini-documentary on Chatham Vineyards below.

Visit Chatham Vineyards:

232 Chatham Road
Machipongo, VA 23405
757.678.5588

Tasting Room Hours

Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm Apr – Dec.
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays Jan – Mar.
Closed for major holidays.

 

Episode 11: Rachel Stinson Vrooman, Stinson Vineyards

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Rachel Stinson Vrooman with Stinson Vineyards is in Crystal Palate’s Wine Country this week. Stinson Vineyards located in Crozet, Virginia, is a family-owned operation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Father-daughter duo Scott Stinson and Rachel Stinson Vrooman take their wine-making inspiration from the “garagiste” style wineries in France.

On the show, Rachel talks about making wine with her husband Nate Vrooman of Ankida Ridge Vineyards and her father Scott, wine philosophy and working with some interesting grape varietals that you haven’t seen very much of in Virginia including Tannat and Mourvedre. Rachel is using Mourvedre to make a delicious, fruit-forward, dry, crisp and mineral-driven rosé that is garnering rave reviews from many critics.  Tune in to hear more from Rachel. You can catch a brand new show every Saturday morning on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV. Enjoy the show. Cheers!

Visit Stinson Vineyards:

Stinson Vineyards

4744 Sugar Hollow Road
Crozet, Virginia 22932
434.823.7300
info@stinsonvineyards.com

Tasting Room hours are Thursday through Sunday and Holiday Mondays 11am to 5pm.

 

Episode 10: Stephen Barnard, Keswick Vineyards

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Stephen Barnard, Keswick VineyardsMy guest this week is Stephen Barnard, winemaker at Keswick Vineyards.  A native of South Africa, Stephen developed a love for the fruit of the vine while working as a tour guide at the oldest winery in South Africa. Stephen dropped by the WCHV studios to talk about the 2016 vintage, the winemaking philosophy at Keswick, his award-winning wine portfolio and the quality revolution of the Virginia wine industry. We are also sipping and discussing his yet-to-be released 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  As Stephen says, “a conversation without wine is just gossip!” In addition to this stunning example of Cabernet Sauvignon, Keswick was awarded top billing in this year’s Virginia Governor’s Cup for Barnard’s 2014 Cabernet Franc Reserve.

You can catch a brand new show every Saturday morning on Cville 107.5 and 1260 WCHV. Enjoy the show. Cheers!