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🌲 Wine on the Edge: Domaine Anderson’s Cool-Climate Vision

Darrin Lowe, winemaker at Domaine Anderson, shares the story of crafting exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from California’s northernmost wine region—Anderson Valley. Nestled near the coast and defined by its cool maritime climate, the valley offers ideal conditions for delicate, acid-driven wines. With vineyards at elevations up to 600 feet and just 25 miles from the Pacific, Darrin explains how this unique terroir, once scouted by the Louis Roederer Champagne family, provides the foundation for Domaine Anderson’s still wine program, which began in 2009 as a complement to their renowned sparkling wines.

🌿 Farming with Purpose: From France to Philo

Darrin's winemaking roots trace back to his upbringing in Healdsburg and his education in Bordeaux, where he studied enology and developed a respect for Old World technique. His experience at wineries like Flowers and Grgich Hills sparked a passion for biodynamic and organic farming—principles he’s implemented at Domaine Anderson. Today, 50 acres of their estate are certified organic, with two-thirds also biodynamic. Darrin discusses the impact of dry farming, cover crops, and sheep grazing, emphasizing how soil health and biodiversity create wines of elegance, complexity, and balance.

🍷 The Style and Soul of Anderson Valley Chardonnay

Darrin’s winemaking philosophy focuses on restraint, terroir expression, and continuous evolution. He favors low-alcohol, lightly oaked Chardonnays and Pinots that reflect their cool-climate origins rather than chase big, bold California stereotypes. With a tasting room nestled in Philo and a growing wine club, Domaine Anderson welcomes visitors to experience a slice of Napa’s past in a quieter, more rustic setting. Darrin's love for Chardonnay, combined with his humility and technical depth, paints a portrait of a winemaker rooted in tradition but always reaching for the next level.

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A Legacy Rooted in Wine and Family

The episode kicks off with lighthearted banter and a warm welcome to the first Inside the Bunghole episode of 2025, featuring Michael Keenan of Keenan Wines in Napa Valley. Michael shares the multigenerational story of his family's vineyard, which began when his father, Robert Keenan, was inspired by his father-in-law's wine collection and purchased the Spring Mountain property in 1974. At the time, Napa was far from the food and wine mecca it is today, but Robert had a vision of producing first-growth quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Spring Mountain’s ideal east-facing slopes and abundant water supply made it the perfect location. Michael reminisces about the winery’s origin, including its ghost winery roots (the property housed a winery from 1890–1930) and the early Bordeaux varietals they were the first to plant on that specific land.

From Wandering Seeker to Reluctant Winemaker

Michael’s personal journey into winemaking wasn’t direct. After high school, he traveled the world, became a vegetarian, and meditated in India before returning home in 1977. Initially working the harvest temporarily, he pursued a career in carpentry and general contracting for over 20 years. A family dispute later separated him from the winery, but after the death of his stepmother and reconciling with his father, Michael took over operations in 1998 with one condition: total control. Over time, he reestablished the winery’s reputation, embraced a restrained, old-world style of winemaking, and distanced himself from overly ripe Napa wines, aligning more with French techniques that emphasized balance, savoriness, and complexity.

Craft, Chemistry & the Keenan Identity

The conversation shifts into the mechanics of winemaking—Michael explains his preference for mostly neutral barrels and minimal oak influence, likening barrel use to salt in cooking: essential but never overpowering. He also criticizes the use of additives like MegaPurple, which mask a wine’s true characteristics and require toxic stabilizers. As the discussion continues, Michael shares stories about label design rooted in family history, his deepening pride in the winery over time, and the upcoming 50th vintage celebration. Notably, the Tribute wine—a 50/50 blend of Bordeaux clones—symbolizes both a viticultural and emotional milestone, coinciding with his father's passing and marking a profound evolution in both the vineyard and Michael’s stewardship.

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Welcome to Season 5! Who would have thunk?! We start this season off with a bang as we are interviewing Angela Mondavi...not only an accomplished 4th generation wine maker, from an iconic family in American viticulture, but she is an ass kicking entrepreneur, with several businesses under her belt, of course they pertain to the family business of making AMAZING wines. The Mondavi family has a checkered past where 1/2 the family pursued winemaking under the family name of Mondavi, while the other half stayed true to their beginnings at their historic Charles Krug winery in Napa Valley.

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James and Pam had an amazing time at the 2024 Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival, put on by Hocker Productions. Join them as they look back on the interviews with some great wine families, wine experts they met and discovered there. Make sure to visit palmspringsfoodandwine.org if you are planning a visit to Palm Springs in the fall. This event is a MUST if you are going to be in the area. The foodies (and winos) will not be disappointed! Great guest speakers, celebrity chefs, and of course some beautiful wines, mostly boutique wines that are hard to find, but well worth the search! As Michael Green said, "I can't separate a glass of wine from the people I shared it with."

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Have you ever thought about a career where drinking wine was actually a necessary part of your job description? Well, look no further! Scott Halterlein, who is a wine rep for Breakthru Beverage Group, one of the very top distributors in the US, gives us the ins and outs, ups and downs of what it takes, besides a liver of steel, to become a successful beverage distributor. A very fun show, learning about some of the career choices you have if you want to break into the adult beverage industry! It's not all fun and games and debauchery!

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The tasting room of Auteur wines is exquisitely unique...a beautiful, quaint bungalow purchased from the 1915 Sears and Roebuck catalog and restored at its current location in the heart of downtown Sonoma, a little slice of history!

What is better than this nostalgic location are the wines that Auteur Wines is producing! Specializing in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, we tasted wines from sixteen vineyards that they source their grapes, throughout the coastal climate of Northern California. Auteur specializes in small-batch wines that highlight the terroir. Join us as we taste and chat with Angie, the Director of Sales and Marketing. She gives us a history lesson on Sonoma and gives us insight into the sustainable winemaking efforts of Kenneth J. Next time you are in Sonoma, definitely call for an appointment, 707-938-9211, and get transported by the wistful surroundings and the beautiful wines of Auteur!

www.auteurwines.com
FB: Auteur Wines
Insta: @auteurwines
x: @auteurwines

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On our recent road trip to Sonoma, we had an enchanting visit to Three Sticks tasting home, the 1842 Vallejo Casteñada Adobe in downtown Sonoma. We were equally captivated by the charm and history of the downtown area, and the amazing wines of 3 sticks! We got to sit down with Director of Winemaking, Ryan Prichard who is known for crafting distinctive estate pinot noir and chardonnay wines that showcase Three Sticks’ iconic Sonoma County vineyards. You can really taste the terroir from the very unique locations where Three Sticks grows their grapes!

Prichard was named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the Maestros of Chardonnay in 2022. But we think he nailed them ALL!

This episode is part wine appreciation, part wine education, and what an amazing teacher! Thank you, Ryan for an incredible experience!

Find out more about their wine club and wines at:

threestickswines.com
FB & Insta: @threestickswines

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Meet Matthew Villard, the passionate owner and winemaker behind MCV. He is on a mission to create a name for Petite Sirah wines, and doing a great job at it! His love for wine blossomed around the family dinner table, fostered by his European-minded parents' perspective on alcohol. Matt pursued his wine education at the University of California, Davis.

This is truly a family affair, Mathew, along with his wife, Teresa and his sons, are often times found in the tasting room in Paso. Make sure to check in to their wine club as they host some great events, with pairing unusual menus with his unique wines. His passion for the Petite Sirah grape is evident, infusing each bottle with his unwavering commitment to quality.

From vine to glass, Matt's dedication shines through in every sip of MCV wine.

www.mcvwines.com
Insta: @mcv_wines

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