Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we have a conversation with Peter Devison, the winemaker behind Devison Vintners, as he shares how he moved from Vancouver's dining scene to becoming a winemaker in Washington. Peter discusses his winemaking education in New Zealand and the experience that led him to Washington. He explores the challenges and successes of launching his own label and working as a consultant for other wineries. 

We talk about the potential of white wine production in Washington, touching on the unique terroir shaped by geological events like the Missoula floods. Peter also offers insights into native fermentation techniques and the distinctive characteristics of the Rocks District in Walla Walla.

Winemaking Class Offers and Show Notes for all episodes at https://www.insidewinemaking.com/

Resources from this Episode

Devison Vintners - https://www.devisonvintners.com/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

In this episode, we discuss contemporary winemaking with insights from industry pioneer Britt Richards. Britt Richards of Head High Wines shares her inspiring journey from early influences to hands-on experiences at Fresno State and various esteemed vineyards, highlighting the balance of science and art in crafting exceptional wines. We explore the complexities of producing high-quality Chardonnay, emphasizing the importance of fruit quality and minimalist winemaking techniques. We also cover the challenges of creating affordable yet premium wines and dive into innovative trends such as skin-contact white wines and de-alcoholized wines. 

Winemaking Class Offers and Show Notes for all episodes at https://www.insidewinemaking.com/

This episode is sponsored by Innovint. Finally, a user-friendly software built with winemaking in mind. InnoVint helps wineries of all sizes grow, make, and sell wine more efficiently. See how our vineyard tracking, wine production, and inventory management solutions can help your wine business thrive. https://www.innovint.us/

Resources from this Episode

Head High - https://www.headhighwines.com/ 

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

Join me as I bring back viticulturist Fritz Westover to unpack questions from our dedicated Inside Winemaking community. Listen in as we discuss the intricacies of vineyard management, sustaining vineyard health and productivity over time, and the crucial steps involved in preparing a vineyard for replanting, with a particular focus on the nuances of soil health. 

Whether you're looking to increase your planting density or enhance soil fertility with innovative practices like biochar, this episode provides guidance for growers facing these universal challenges. We also answer questions on the significance of vine spacing, the challenges of procuring quality vine material, and the cutting-edge world of biological pruning wound protection. 

Resources from this Episode

• Westover Vineyard Advising: https://www.vineyardadvising.com/
• Virtual Viticulture Academy:  https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/
• Fritz’s Online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/is-grape-growing-right-for-you/
• Ep. 164: Fritz Westover - Westover Vineyard Advising: https://www.insidewinemaking.com/#/164-fritz-westover-westover/

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

The folks who put on the City of Riesling invited me to their events this past June in Traverse City, Michigan.  I was able to record this podcast featuring the team behind Washington state's Eroica Riesling, produced by Ste Michelle Wine Estates.  Bob Bertheau is the head winemaker for Chateau Ste Michelle and Ernst Loosen is the proprietor of the Dr Loosen wines in Germany's Mosel Valley.  Since 1999 they have had a partnership focused on an iconic Riesling from Washington called Eroica.  More than just a discussion of the Eroica partnership, Bob and Ernst take me through the challenges and technical evolution that encompasses both Washington and Germany.  

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Eroica Riesling, Washington State
• Dr Loosen, Mosel Valley, Germany
• Chateau Ste Michelle - Washington State
• J Christopher Wines, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Telmo Rodriguez, Rioja, Spain
• City of Riesling, Traverse City, Michigan

This podcast is brought you by HomeBrewIt.com -- Providing winemaking supplies for the hobbyist and small to mid size wineries

• Everything from small amounts of wine chemicals and shrink caps, to stainless steel tanks, presses, and commercial bottle fillers
• Largest selection of Winexpert Wine Kits on the web
• Real pricing, meaning we don't hide our shipping costs in the price of an item!
• Family owned and operated for over 20 years
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• Use the code INSIDEWINEMAKING2018 at HomeBrewIt.com/inside-winemaking and get 10% off purchases of winemaking equipment

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

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The folks who put on the City of Riesling invited me to their events this past June in Traverse City, Michigan.  I had a great time, was introduced to the many of the people who are at the helm of Michigan's viticulture, got to taste a lot more than just Riesling, and recorded six podcasts with winemakers from around the world.  This episode features Sean O'Keefe, Bryan Ulbrich, and Jay Briggs, three winemakers based in Traverse City.  These guys have been prominent in the skillful handling of Vinifera and modern winemaking that is demonstrating that wines from this special place within Michigan are world-class.  Halfway through the episode, Bob Bertheau from Chateau Ste Michelle in Washington state, slips in and widens the prospective of high-latitude winemaking.  

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Mari Vineyards - Traverse City, Michigan
• Left Foot Charley - Traverse City, Michigan
• 45 North Vineyard and Winery - Traverse City, Michigan
• Chateau Ste Michelle - Washington State
• City of Riesling, Traverse City, Michigan

This podcast is brought you by Tin Sheets Consulting -- a full service wine industry consulting firm that specializes in:

• Small winery business strategies
• Winery Start Up
• Winemaking
• Direct-to-Consumer business optimization
• Marketing and Branding
• Website and social media marketing

Tin Sheets is offering a free 30 min consultation for all new customers

"We recognize the varied nature of our clients needs and are happy to work with you to craft an affordable plan that fits your goals and needs."

• Learn more at www.tinsheets.com
• Contact us via e-mail - [email protected] or call 719-239-7071

"Tin Sheets Consulting was created as a result of our desire to help small businesses find the tools and solutions to reach their full potential. In 2009, we took over a struggling family business and through the implementation of new systems and fresh ideas, grew it to be profitable, and ultimately, successfully sold in 2016. Throughout our journey as small business owners, we discovered that what we enjoyed most about our work was designing the plans and developing the processes and systems to facilitate change and growth. Once we’d achieved this in our business, we realized that we wanted to help others find the same success.

As former small business owners, we understand the difficulties, obstacles, and sleepless nights that are part and parcel of owning your business. Drawing from our experiences and others that we’ve worked with, our mission is to provide you with the resources to reduce your stress and focus on what matters most, the growth and success of your business."

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

And Stitcher Radio Too

This episode features Josh Jacobsen, who I met when he signed up for the forthcoming Deep Winemaking immersion trip in Napa this coming August.  Formerly of Facebook, Josh agreed to help walk me through all the important aspects of creating ads in a manner that would be specific for wineries.  Josh provides an incredible insight into creating, tracking, and evaluating the messages and costs that a winery could use on Facebook and Instagram ads.  

This ended up being a very technical podcast, not in the usually enological way, but as a guide for winemakers venturing into targeted marketing.  Josh patiently talks me through all the steps involved in creating a focused ad campaign, and the show notes include links to all the relevant tools within Facebook's Ad Manager platform.  For the portion of the Inside Winemaking audience that has any interest in social media marketing, this will be played on repeat. 

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Facebook links - Organization
  • Business Manager (hub to house FB/IG assets - pages/ad accounts & respective employee permissions, etc.
• Facebook links - Campaign Management
  • Ads Manager (where you create advertising campaigns/ad sets/ads)
  • Ads Reporting (where you monitor performance, this is a sub-section within Ads Manager)
  • Facebook Events Manager (to create a Pixel for website tracking, this is also a sub-section within Ads Manager)
  • Facebook Pixel Helper (to confirm your Pixel is working)
• Facebook links - Advertising Examples
  • Facebook Success Stories (Case Studies)
• Facebook links - Advertising Resource
  • Facebook Creative Hub (hub where you can create advertising mockups)
• Facebook Training
  • Facebook Blueprint (free online courses, 'certification' costs $)
• Facebook Campaign Management Resources
  • Facebook Marketing Partner Directory (agencies that specialize in social platforms)
• Brehm Vineyards - Josh's grape supplier
• Josh's contact [email protected]

I

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

And Stitcher Radio Too

This episode features Michael Evans, who is the co-founder of the Vines of Mendoza in Argentina's Uco Valley.  After falling in love during a trip to Mendoza in 2004 Michael found a local partner and created a place for individual owners to build a wine starting right from vineyard plantings.  Under the guidance of full vineyard staff and consulting winemaker, Santiago Achaval, owners can choose the varietals and winemaking style in order to build their own personal wine.  Vines of Mendoza has grown to 1,500 acres and now features The Vines Resort and Spa, which includes the restaurant Siete Fuegos directed by acclaimed chef, Francis Mallmann.  Michael has an infectious passion for winemaking and the beauty of Mendoza, which made for a great podcast.  

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Vines of Mendoza, Argentina
• The Vines Resort and Spa, Mendoza Argentina
• Achaval Ferrer, Mendoza Argentina
• Contact Michael Evans by email [email protected]

I will be at City of Riesling in Traverse City, Michigan on June 10 and 11th.  If you love Riesling, please come check out the trade and consumer events that this event has to offer.  David Bos is billing City of Riesling as "The best white wine on earth in one of the prettiest places on earth."  

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal, Bitcoin, and Ethereum links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

And Stitcher Radio Too

This episode features Frederic Panaiotis, Chef de Cave for the Champagne house, Ruinart, which was founded in 1729 and lays claim to being the oldest maison in Champagne.  Frederic was on a press tour in the US and I had a chance to record this podcast with him in San Francisco.  Chef de Cave translates to Chief Winemaker, which is the post that Frederic serves at Ruinart.   As both a holder of tradition, and innovator Frederic is leading the technical team at Ruinart.  What i learned from our conversation is that this historic Champagne house is anything stagnant.  

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Ruinart, Champagne
• Veuve Cliquot, Champagne

I will be at City of Rielsing in Traverse City, Michigan on June 10 and 11th.  If you love Riesling, please come check out the trade and consumer events that this event has to offer.  David Bos is billing City of Riesling as "The best white wine on earth in one of the prettiest places on earth."  

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal, Bitcoin, and Ethereum links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

This episode features Gabrielle Shaffer, who is the viticulturist and winery relations manager for Stagecoach Vineyard.  AT 600 planted acres across 175 distinct parcels, Stagecoach is one of the largest and most important vineyards in the Napa Valley.  Gabrielle works with 90 different winemakers, who are purchasing grapes from Stagecoach.  Gabrielle also has her own brand, Gamling and McDuck, which she founded with her partner, Adam McClary.  Gamling and McDuck, which features Chenin blanc and Cabernet Franc, is opening a tasting room in downtown Napa.  

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Stagecoach Vineyard
• Gamling and McDuck

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal, Bitcoin, and Ethereum links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

And Stitcher Radio Too

This episode features Thibaut Scholasch, founder and VP of Research and Development for Fruition Sciences.  Our conversation gets deep into the weeds of technical viticulture.  Fruition Sciences provides four technical vineyard services that track novel parameters within grapevines.  Thibaut discusses those services chronologically as they are pertinent during the growing season and describes how viticulturists and winemakers can utilize the data to optimize inputs such as irrigation and Nitrogen fertilization.  Thibaut has also created the Vintage Report seminar that is an annual gathering "connecting terroir and innovation."

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Fruition Sciences 
  • Physiocap
  • Dualex Nitrogen tracking
  • Sap flow
  • Multiplex Color/Anthocyanin tracking
• Vintage Report

This podcast is brought you by Hanna Instruments.  Makers of edge and Halo Wine pH meters, these tools are purpose built for winery environments.  The edge Wine pH meter is rich in features including using digital electrodes that can be swapped out anytime to switch to a different parameter, built in rechargeable battery, two USB ports, datalogging, automatic calibration, and Hanna’s exclusive calibration check feature that will alert the user to potential problems during calibration including when to clean the electrode and when the buffer might be contaminated. The edge Wine pH meter is a versatile pH meter for winemaking that be used as a benchtop, portable and even a wall mount to conserve space.

• Edge pH meter from Hanna Instruments
• HALO Wireless pH meter from Hanna Instruments

if you learn something from the collection of podcasts at Inside Winemaking, please considering donating to support the show.  Paypal, Bitcoin, and Ethereum links at the bottom of the Inside Winemaking homepage.  Every small donation is helpful.  

The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes

And Stitcher Radio Too