Welcome to Crystal Palate's Wine Country, a wine and lifestyle program hosted by award-winning journalist and sommelier, Crystal Cameron-Schaad. Subscribe to Crystal Palate's iTunes channel to stay up to date on Crystal's latest episodes. Interested in becoming a podcast sponsor? Contact Crystal via email or give us a call at (757) 264-5373. We look forward to relaunching our podcast in the fall of 2022. In the meantime, enjoy some our episodes about Virginia's growing and dynamic wine scene.
Past Episodes
Episode 39: Lee Hartman, Bluestone Vineyard
We are exploring the Shenandoah Valley AVA on this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Central and Northern Virginia often get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Virginia wine, but the Shenandoah Valley is also showing great promise for the fruit of the vine. In fact, the Shenandoah Valley AVA is home … Read more…
Episode 38: Jefferson Vineyards
We are going back to the beginning of Virginia viticulture to explore the history and legacy of Thomas Jefferson and Phillip Mazzei. My guests this week are Attila Woodward, the co-owner of Jefferson Vineyards and Chris Ritzcovan, the winemaker at Jefferson. The Woodward family has been at the helm of Jefferson Vineyards for three generations. Attila … Read more…
Episode 37: Katie DeSouza, Casanel Vineyards
We are exploring Casanel Vineyards & Winery in Loudon County, Virginia on this week’s edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. It’s a family owned and operated vineyard & winery in the heart of Leesburg in the Middleburg AVA.The winery opened for business in 2008 and specializes in small lot hand crafted wines. Casanel winemaker Katie … Read more…
Episode 36: Monticello Wine Trail Festival Preview
The Monticello Wine Trail Festival has become the premiere spring wine event in Central Virginia. The festival features three fun-filled days of exploring the very best wine and food the region has to offer. From exclusive tours with the winemaker to a sparkling brunch and a grand tasting event, this festival offers something for everyone. Stephen Barnard, the … Read more…
Episode 35: Jason Knight, Saudé Creek Vineyards
We are taking the show on the road this week for a visit to Saudé Creek Vineyards in Lenexa, Virginia. Saudi Creek is a member of Virginia’s Colonial Wine Trail which is also home to Williamsburg Winery, New Kent Winery and James River Cellars. The Colonial Wine Trail runs along the I-64 corridor east of Richmond. … Read more…
Episode 34: Patricia Hodson, The Retreat at Veritas
Veritas Vineyards & Winery is a popular spot in the heart of Central Virginia wine country. The first vines were planted in 1999. Over the past two decades, the Hodson family has created a thriving businss and a cozy getaway for visitors near and far. Veritas has a beautiful rustic tasting room complete with cozy … Read more…
Episode 33: Joe Dombroski, New Kent Winery
On this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country, we are headed to the Colonial Virginia Wine Trail for an interview with Joe Dombroski at New Kent Winery in New Kent, Virginia. If you are not familiar with New Kent, it’s one of the few vineyard properties southeast of Richmond. The Dombroski family purchased the property in … Read more…
Episode 32: Cathy Hughye, Enolytics
Cathy Hughye, author and co-founder of Enolytics is my guest on Crystal Palate’s Wine Country this week. I caught up with Cathy at the 2017 U.S. Bev X in Washington D.C., Cathy was a featured speaker at this year’s conference hosting a discussion entitled, What Big Data Can Do For You. On the show, Cathy discusses the power … Read more…
Episode 31: Andrew Hodson, Veritas Vineyards & Winery
Andrew Hodson, owner of Veritas Vineyards & Winery in Afton, Virginia joins me in studio for this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. Andrew & Patricia Hodson opened the doors to Veritas nearly 20 years ago. The operation is truly a family affair with each one of their children playing a vital role in the … Read more…
Episode 30: Jay Youmans MW, Virginia Governor’s Cup
Our special guest today is Jay Youmans. Jay is a Master of Wine, Certified Wine Educator, Advanced Sommelier, owner of the Capital Wine School in Washington, D.C., and the judging director for the Virginia Governor’s Cup. The Virginia Governor’s Cup, now in its 35th year, is considered one of the most rigid wine competitions in the … Read more…
Episode 29: Nicole Abiouness, Abiouness Wines
On this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country, I am talking with Nicole Abiouness of Abiouness Wines. Nicole is a Virginia native turned California winemaker who is getting quite a reputation for her Pinot Noir. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to learn more about this elegant and … Read more…
Episode 28: Brad Hansen, Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery
Brad Hansen, the winemaker and GM from Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery is joining me in studio this week. Prince Michel is located off Route 29 in Leon just south of Culpepper and they have been a mainstay on the Virginia wine scene since the early 80’s. Brad is an esteemed winemaker compiling more than … Read more…
Episode 27: Norton, The Real American Grape
We are taking the show on the road to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond this week to celebrate the legacy and cotributions of Dr. Daniel Norton and The Real American Grape. This episode is all about the Norton grape and how many in Virginia are trying to preserve its rich history. While … Read more…
Episode 26: Stephanie Wright, Lovingston Winery
Stephanie Wright, with Lovingston Winery stops by the studio for this episode of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. The winery is located in Lovingston, Virginia. It’s a lovely 45 minute scenic drive south of Charlottesville. Stephanie discussed her family’s wine growing adventures in Georgia before they settled in Virginia wine country. We are also talking about … Read more…
Episode 25: #winestudio
We are talking #winestudio on this edition of Crystal Palate’s Wine Country. My guest this week is Tina Morey, a pastry chef turned sommelier who is changing the way people think about and consume wine. #Winestudio is a twitter-based beverage education program that engages industry professionals, winemakers, bloggers and wine lovers from around the world. … Read more…
Episode 24: Michael Shaps, Michael Shaps Wineworks
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 … Read more…
Episode 23: Alan Tardi, U.S. Ambassador to Prosecco Superiore
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 … Read more…
Episode 22: Jennifer Breaux, Breaux Vineyards
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 … Read more…
Episode 21: Holiday Entertaining Guide
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 … Read more…
Episode 20: Thanksgiving Pairings
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, … Read more…
Episode 19: Tim Gorman, Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery
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 … Read more…
Episode 18: Paradise Springs Winery & Barrel-Art
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 … Read more…
Episode 17: Jennifer Knowles, Plume Restaurant, DC
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 … Read more…
Episode 16: Jefferson Heritage Trail & Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic
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 … Read more…
Episode 15: History of Virginia Wine
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 … Read more…
Episode 14: Annette Boyd, Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office
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 … Read more…
Episode 13: Chris Pearmund, Pearmund Cellars
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. … Read more…
Episode 12: Jon & Mills Wehner, Chatham Vineyards
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 … Read more…
Episode 11: Rachel Stinson Vrooman, Stinson Vineyards
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 … Read more…
Episode 10: Stephen Barnard, Keswick Vineyards
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 … Read more…
Episode 9: Claude Thibaut, Thibaut-Jannison
Champagne Master Claude Thibaut of Thibaut-Jannison dropped by the WCHV studios to talk about sparkling wine production in Virginia. Born and raised in the vineyards of Champagne, Claude shares his winemaking journey from France to California to Virginia. Often referred to as the king of sparkling wine in the Commonwealth, Claude discusses what it’s like … Read more…
Episode 8: Diane Flynt, Foggy Ridge Cider
It’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy our educational journey through Virginia’s beautiful wine & cider country. That’s right, we are adding cider to our tour today with a stop in Dugspur Virginia with Diane Flynt, owner of Foggy Ridge Cider. Dugpsur is nestled in the Blue Ridge Plateau – roughly a three hour … Read more…
Episode 7: Matthieu Finot, King Family Vineyards
On today’s show, we are talking terroir, orange wine and perfect pairings with international winemaker Matthieu Finot from King Family Vineyards in the heart of Virginia’s wine country. Born in France, Finot has worked in some of the most esteemed wine regions including the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Provence. He also worked in Italy and … Read more…
Episode 6: Tina Morey, #WineStudio
On this episode, Tina Morey, the mastermind behind #winestudio joins me in studio. Tina is a pastry chef turned sommelier and is changing the way people approach wine with her #winestudio digital education platform on Twitter on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 p.m. EST. For Tina it’s all about exploring the culture of wine from well-known … Read more…
Episode 5: Wine 101
Have you ever wondered when the first wine was produced? On this episode, I get back to the basics by discussing the history and origins of the fruit of the vine. Plus, I have some great wine 101 tips on how to properly store your wine and how to achieve the ideal serving temperature that … Read more…
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