Dan Berger and Alan Baker The co-founder of Cartograph Wines, Alan Baker, is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. He has been on CWC four previous times, the last time was this episode recorded on November 23. 2022. In each of his appearances we hear how he came to California from Minnesota and used to work in radio. Dan Berger brought a 2016 MacRostie Chardonnay, from Wildcat Mountain, one of the eastern areas of Sonoma Coast. Dan declares, “These wines are really bullet-proof for several years,” meaning it’s delicious and has good structure. Alan Baker and Seren ..read more

Dan and Doug Breggo Cellars and Lichen Estate owner Doug Stewart joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. Breggo means ‘sheep’ in Boontling, probably derived from the Spanish word borego. Here is another Mendocino County wine with a Boontling name. It is like Dan Berger’s brand name of his new Riesling production. That is called Bahl Fratty, which is Boontling for “good wine.” Doug Stewart is also the head of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers. They are promoting the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, May 17-19. Get your tickets early! Doug has brought several wines f ..read more

Miro Cellars owner and winemaer Miro Tcholakov joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. Miro was born and raised in northern Bulgaria. His grandfather made the family supply of wine and Miro was with him making wine since he was six years old. He came to the US in June of 1990, and has been making wine since then, having worked for Dry Creek Vineyards for about nine years then he moved to Trentadue Wines in 1999, and he is still there. He started Miro Cellars in 2001. Miro is a frequent guest on California Wine Country, his last appearance was this show of August 17 ..read more

James Byus III, owner of Vine Burgers, joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger in the studio on California Wine Country today. Before we talk to James, Dan Berger has brought a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc from his extensive person cellar. It’s a bit old for a Sauvignon Blanc but it is “tasty, interesting,” says Dan. On Monday, Dan will begin selling his own Bahl Fratty Riesling, online at the website only. There are 95 cases and bottles are priced at $38. James Byus III from Vine Burgers is in today, with hamburgers to pair with wine and craft beer. He had a lot of restaurant experience and he thought there ..read more

Dan and Raghni. Raghni Naidu of Naidu Wines is back as our guest on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. She was on CWC once before, on this episode of August 25, 2021, with Harry Duke sitting in for Steve Jaxon that day. Her story begins in India where she was born and raised. Her mother was always searching for interesting flavors in the kitchen and brought Raghni up to appreciate fine flavors. When she travelled overseas, she brought back recipe books and seeds that she planted in their kitchen garden. She moved to Melbourne, Australia to attend university. She already ..read more

Dan Berger and Clark Smith. Clark Smith returns to California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger today, to talk about pairing wine with music and other vinous subjects. His last episode was this one on December 8, 2021. He talked about his book on pairing wine with music. His website, called Who Is Clark Smith dot com, explains all about his consulting practice and his writing. His other website, called WineSmith Wines dot com, is all about his winemaking, including his use of many unusual grapes and winemaking techniques. Finally, Clark’s website about wine and music is called Pai ..read more

Mike Lucia from Cole Ranch in Mendocino County is here on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger, on a special Monday edition. His family owns the ranch and they made their first wine in November of 2019. They have been converting a lot of their acreage to alpine varieties and have been selling fruit and making wine since then. John Cole, the vineyard’s namesake, passed away last year. He started a ranch that was going to be a cattle ranch, but he slowly started planting varieties that he liked, which were Cabernet, Merlot and Riesling. In 1984 he petitioned for Cole Ranch to ..read more

Dan and Theresa Theresa Heredia from Gary Farrell Winery is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger, with two Chardonnays and a Pinot Noir to taste and discuss. She has been on the show a few times and the last time was this episode from May 19, 2021. Dan’s cellar wine is a German Pinot Gris that he has just bought, a 2020 Kracher Pinot Gris. He expected it to taste like Pinot Gris but it reminds everyone more of an unoaked Chardonnay. It’s a surprising wine, rich and oily in the mid-palette, but finishes dry. It has no oak either. Theresa has been at Gary Farrell win ..read more

Jeff Mangahas Jeff Mangahas, winemaker, actually VP Director of Winemaking at Williams Selyem, joins Steve Jaxon in the studio for California Wine Country. Dan Berger is away today. Williams Selyem is one of the most illustrious wineries in Sonoma County. This year will be their 44th vintage, specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The partners, Burt Williams and Ed Selyem started the winery in a garage in the town of Fulton. * They made a Pinot Noir in 1985 from grapes grown on the Rocchioli vineyard, and that won awards and recognition. It also started to put Russian River Valley on the ..read more

Kara and Daryl Groom with Melissa Galliani, Wine Country Radio Kara Groom of Ra Ra Wine Co. and her father Daryl Groom of Groom Wines join Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. Daryl Groom was born in Australia, where he started his wine career. He always wanted to be a winemaker. When he was 17 he went Roseworthy Academy, to the agricultural college in Australia and “sort of never looked back.” He got the job as senior white winemaker after one year, then the biggest winery in Australia, Penfolds, bought his winery and he became the head white winemaker. Then by ..read more