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…
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…
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…
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…
It’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,…
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…
Paradise Springs Winery Kirk 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…
As 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…
On 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…
What 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…
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…
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. 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….
Jon 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…
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…
My 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…
