Welcome to the Valentine’s & Presidents’ Day Weekend edition of the “SoCal Restaurant Show.” “When proprietor and winemaker Ettore Biraghi of Ettore Organic Winery first laid eyes on Mendocino, he knew it immediately to be an ideal terroir for the production of pure, organic, and low-intervention fine wines. Establishing his vineyard and winery in Hopland (along with winemaker Sofia Rivier,) he took his place in the centuries-long history of one of California’s most dramatic winegrowing regions—one whose future is as promising as its past is historic. Expressing the best of Mendocino’s complex terroir, Ettore wines channel the soul of their abundant natural surroundings—and are only produced from organic, hand-harvested, and estate-grown grapes. From aromatic and elegant Chardonnay to deeply rich Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Ettore Biraghi (along with winemaker Sofia Rivier) brings his Old World Italian style. Winemaker Sofia Rivier is an international agronomist whose career spans from Argentina to Switzerland and currently Mendocino County, USA. Just as she relishes the fine complexities of a wine’s palate, she also reveres the vibrant cultures and art of the world. As such, she continually desires to expand her understanding of the wine industry.” Sofia Rivier joins us to pull the cork on all that is Hopland’s Ettore Winery including a full service restaurant and Tasting Room in the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles. Celebrity Chef Katie Chin is an award-winning cookbook author, spokesperson, food blogger and the Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. She joins us to talk about the tradition of Lunar New Year and her one-woman show, “Holy Shitake.” “Katie’s acclaimed one-woman show, “Holy Shiitake! A Wok Star is Born,” returns to the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks on February 21st.” “Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, California, founded in 1925 produces around 40,000 plus cases annually under their flagship brands, Guglielmo Private Reserve, Tre and the oldest label, Emile’s. Although the winery has grown, they still abide by the family philosophy to produce natural, quality wines to share with family and friends.” The current generation of the Guglielmo Family overseeing the family legacy is George Guglielmo as Winemaker and President and his Brother, Gene, as Partner and Vice President. “Guglielmo Winery is situated within one of the larger American Viticultural Areas (AVA) of the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay with the specific designation of Santa Clara Valley. Their vineyards are comprised of around 50 acres planted to Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Carignane, Grignolino, Sagrantino, and Cabernet Sauvignon.” Winemaker George Guglielmo joins us to pull the cork on all that is Guglielmo Winery. For our concluding segment at 11:45 a.m. our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (located in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries. This week Chef concludes his multi-part discussion of “Kitchen Hacks” that actually work from someone who cooks for a living. Picking up the concluding conversation with the proper way of seasoning before cooking. All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!
