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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Theresa Heredia, winemaker, 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 […]

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. His last time on this show was this episode of October 6, 2021. 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 […]

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 […]

Greg La Follette is back on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. He is now the winemaker at Marchelle Wines. Greg has been on CWC several times before, the most recent is this episode from May 25, 2022 when he came in with his label at the time, GLF Wines. Greg’s special guest is Shari Gherman, co-founder & President of the American Fine Wine Competition. Participation in their competition is by invitation, and […]

Dan Berger is the featured guest on his own show today, to tell Steve Jaxon about Bahl Fratty Riesling, his new wine label. When Dan Berger first discovered fine wine early in his career as a journalist, it was an encounter with Riesling that got his attention. Today we get to hear about his first attempt to make a Riesling to his own demanding standards, and Steve Jaxon gets to taste some of it. Dan Berger […]

Today’s episode of California Wine Country features Carol Shelton with Harry Duke and Dan Berger. Steve Jaxon has the day off. Carol Shelton has been on California Wine Country several times, the last was this May 31, 2023 episode about her wines other than Zinfandel. Carol Shelton Wines is on its 24th harvest and Carol has been in the business for 47 harvests. She was one of the first women to graduate in winemaking at UC […]

Janice MacDonald is here to talk about Mendocino Sparkling and Oysters festival on California Wine Country with Harry Duke sitting in for Steve Jaxon, and of course with Dan Berger. Janice is the Festival and Events coordinator for Visit Mendocino. Janice seems to enjoy what must be a pleasant and easy task, promoting and describing Mendocino County to people. In Mendocino there are cool climate wines growing in the Anderson Valley and the warmer climate wines […]

Dennis McCarter, founder and winemaker of McCarter Cellars, joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country. To begin, Dennis talks about how he got started in wine, which happened when he joined his first wine club where they made some wine. He was born and raised in Santa Rosa and started making wine at home with five gallons of Barbera in his garage. Then he studied on his own and kept on making wine. […]

Our guest today on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger is Martha Barra from Barra of Mendocino, the vineyards and winery. Martha was on CWC one other time, on this episode of November 18, 2020. Barra of Mendocino is and always has been an organic farm, even before certifications existed. Their tasting room is located about 10 miles north of Ukiah. Redwood Valley Vineyards is the vineyard estate which is about 5 miles from […]