On today's show, Jessica interviews Marcus Notaro, head of wine production at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars shocked the world by winning the famed Judgement of Paris which put Napa Valley Cabernets up again the famous Bordeaux estates. It was the 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet produced by Warren Winiarski that took home the price, and it was also the very fist vintage at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Jessica and Marcus dig into all things Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, from climate of the Stag's Leap AVA to soils of the particular single vineyards. Marcus brings so much perspective having worked in Washington State at Col Solare, then moving down to Napa in 2013. Make sure to catch some of the stories towards the end of the episode that Marcus tells about his friendship with Warren Winiarski, the founder and original winemaker of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars website

Stags Leap Winegrowers Association

More info on Warren Winiarski

On today's episode, Mark chats with Matt Crafton, head winemaker at the historic Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Matt is the fifth winemaker at Montelena and has been at the helm since 2014 overseeing all aspects of winemaking, vineyard management, communication, and strategy. Matt and Mark delve into the history of this historic estate as well as the vineyards that go into the core Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The conversation weaves in elements of the Napa Valley terroir, creativity in winemaking, and various challenges that face the industry in today's wine-loving world.

Pertinent links:

Matt Crafton's Bio

Chateau Montelena's Website

Napa Valley Vintners

The Restaurant in San Miguel that Mark referenced: Naakary San Miguel de Allende

On our second episode of a two part series on Montalcino, Mark interviews Daniele Marcone the Sales Director of Capanna Winery. Capanna is located north of the town of Montalcino in the unofficial sub-region of Montosoli and is one of the more historic and traditional wineries producing Brunello.

The Cencioni family was one of the first share-cropping families to save up enough money to purchase the land they were working for generations. Throughout the years, they have followed the Consorzio and bet on the success of the territory acquiring new land and leading the way with a more traditional style of wine.

This is a must-see stop to both the winery and their restaurant if you're visiting Montalcino:

Capanna Winery Website

Capanna Suites and Restaurant

Jessica's article on the new Brunello rating system, FORMA