The Rocks of Rotie Cellars

On the first episode of 2018, we catch up with Maddie Richards, Sales Director, of Rotie Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington.  We talk about what makes Washington State unique and such a good value, and the relatively new AVA (wine region) of the Rocks of Milton-Freewater.  Rotie was started by geologist Sean Boyd in 2007 with the first year of fruit coming from their estate vineyard in 2013.  But, they're already making waves with their Rhone blends that reference the various styles coming from the Rhone, France.  Check out all the good stuff here!

Rotie Cellars' vineyard in the Rocks of Milton-Freewater

Vineyard is a hybrid of head trained but then canopy is attached to a trellis wire.  Look at those galets!

Bob Lindquist and the Window to the Pacific

Bob Lindquist founded Qupé in the early 1980's and quickly made a name for himself in the Central Coast for Chardonnay and the Rhone varieties of Syrah, Grenach, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier.  In this episode, Bob gives a glimpse into California in the early days as well as how the Central Coast is a special place for grapes.  He's doing something right when a 10 year old Marsanne-Roussanne blend is as fresh as a button and as complex as a marriage.  Enjoy!

Jeremy Fouquet from Brotte Family Wine breaks down the Southern Rhone

Jeremy Fouquet, export manager with the Chateauneuf-de-Pape Producer, Maison Brotte, comes on the show to speak about the Rhone Valley and all the different properties owned by the Brotte Family.  He grew up in the Southern Rhone in a family of chefs, and now travels telling the story of one of the most popular Chateauneuf producers!

Texas vs The World: Live blind tasting of Syrah!

Another Bottle Down invites the Texas Wine Journal to do Texas Syrah head to head with the world.  Lost Oak Winery Shiraz just garnered the top score of Syrah from the Texas Wine Journal, but now let's see how it stacks up to other Syrah around the world.  Big thanks to Daniel Kelada, Jen Beckman, Tim Drake, Josh Fritsche, and Miguel Lecuona for all their insightful and colorful comments!