Mr. Wine Guy Podcast Michael Gallagher

In Episode 152 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Michael Cruse, Owner and Winemaker of Ultramarine Wines and Cruse Wine Co. out of Petaluma, CA.
🍷
Having Michael on the podcast was amazing because I was able to learn about what it’s like to make Cali Sparkling and Petnats vs. traditional still white and red varietals that a majority of winemaker’s produce.
🍷
It was actually thanks to a Reel that I noticed on my IG page with MS Dustin Wilson tasting through Michael’s “Cruse” lineup that got me intrigued which I’m grateful I stumbled across.
🍷
In this episode Michael talks about his life growing up and in particular his time at University of Cal Berkley and how his Instructor Terry Leighton had a lot to do with inspiring a love and a passion for wine in him through the correlation of his Bio-chemistry degree.
🍷
Michael talks about his personal brand Ultramarine Wines, what it means for that brand to be recognized as California's first Sparkling cult wine, and the thought process for Michael and his business partners while creating Ultramarine in the early 2000's.
🍷
Michael goes on to talk about his other project Cruse Wine Co., what makes it different from Ultramarine in terms of Sparkling, and his Pét-Nat portfolio with Cruse and why these wines are so unique and appropriate for California's growing region.
🍷
Michael also shares what it meant to be name San Francisco Chronicles Winemaker of the Year and how that recognition has been an encouragement to him throughout the course of his career.
🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4aL2I3C
 
To follow Michael on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/crusewine/
https://www.instagram.com/crusewineco/
https://www.instagram.com/ultramarinewine/
 
To sign up for Michael's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.crusewineco.com/shop/
https://www.crusewineco.com/signup/
https://www.ultramarinewines.com/
 
To follow Michael Gallagher on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 151 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Dominic Chappellet Chief Operating Officer of Chappellet Winery out of Pritchard Hill, CA.
🍷
I’ve often spoke about how Chappellet is at the top of my list of wineries in the Napa Valley but it’s without question their contribution to viticulture and winemaking have placed them at that same level amongst so many people just like myself.
🍷
When I decided to relaunch my podcast in the earlier part of 2023, Chappellet was the first family I thought of as a potential guest on the show so I reached out to Alexa Chappellet to see about a potential interview and went from there.
🍷
Alexa was kind enough to connect me with the PR team to organize everything and before long I was chatting with Dominic Chappellet about all the things his family created in the wine industry!
🍷
In this episode Dominic talks about his Father Donn and Molly, Donn's entrepreneurial background with coffee dispensing and Molly's background in architecture, art, literature, and being a James Beard award winning author!
🍷
Dominic talks about the decision his parents made after Donn's coffee dispensing business went public to sell everything they had and move the entire family to Napa Valley to go full time in the wine industry.
🍷
Dominic went on to talk about what it was like for his family to break ground in Pritchard Hill in 1967 with the help of Architect Ed Moses and Engineer Dick Keith and the inspiration they had to choose Pritchard Hill thanks to the great André Tchelistcheff.
🍷
Dominic talks about what it was like for his family to make their 1969 Estate Cabernet, a wine that is considered today to be a unicorn wine and his mother Molly's love and passion for their Chenin Blanc.
🍷
Dominic also shares the privilege his family has to focus on the environment through their 960 module solar project, state-of-the-art water processing system, and being fully certified organic in 2012 by the (CCOF) California Certified Organic Farmers.
🍷
As I mentioned, this podcast means so much to me and what this family has done to make a massive impact on the wine industry over the course of several decades though all their hard work and commitment!
🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/4aE24oP
 
To follow Chappellet on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chappellet_winery/
 
To sign up for Chappellet's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://chappellet.com/shop/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=shop+chappellet+wines
https://chappellet.com/join/mailing-list/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=join+our+mailing+list
https://chappellet.com/join/#chappellet-wine-club
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 150 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast, I had the opportunity to sit down with Michel Gassier, Owner of Winemaker of Château de Nages and Domaine Gassier out of the Costières de Nîmes appellation of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region of France which is one of the most southernly parts of the historic Rhône Valley.
🍷
Michel kicks off the 2nd half of Season 4 of the podcast and he's also my first old-world wine guest on the show so it brings me a tremendous amount of honor and gratitude to be sharing his story and the multiple generations of his family in the wine industry.
🍷
In this episode Michel talks about his time growing up in the outdoors of the Rhône Valley, his time attending Ag school, and how thanks to his secondary education was able to opt out of a mandatory 18 month military service obligation by working at the French Embassy in Washington DC.
🍷
Michel talks about his time at Domaine Bernard and how eventually becoming President of this winery was pivotal in helping him not only earn an income while learning sales and marketing, but eventually getting his personal brand up and running, focusing soley on his own vineyards and winery (Domaine Gassier) by the end of 1999.
🍷
Michel talks about the creation of Domaine Gassier while simultaneously working at his family winery Château de Nages with his brother.  Michel goes on to say that "Château de Nages is the inherited terroir while Domaine Gassier is the chosen terroir!"
🍷
Michel also goes on to talk about the Nîmes appellation and what makes it so special, his philosophy on pruning, and Michel even educates us on some of the common misconceptions of old-world wines and even some of the cultural advantages and benefits that we all love and appreciate about this beautiful and historical terroir!
🍷
Having Michel onboard was truly and honor and a special shoutout to Leah Isenberg of Colangelo & Partners for making this interview possible from South FL to South FR! 🙏🏼
🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To follow Michel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chateaudenages/
https://www.instagram.com/domainegassier/
 
To purchase some of Michel's wines, or to sign up to learn more about Château de Nages and Domaine Gassier:
https://www.chateaudenages.com/en/wines/
https://www.domainegassier.com/en/wines/
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/domaine+gassier/1/usa
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/chateau+de+nages/1
https://www.totalwine.com/search/all?text=chateau%20de%20nages
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 149 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast, I had the opportunity to sit down with Jean Hoefliger, Owner of Jean Hoefliger Wine Consulting and Winemaker of AXR out of Napa Valley, California.
🍷
Jean was a previous podcast guest in Episode 51 and is part of a four interview lineup where I brought back a few amazing people for a new, fresh conversation as a soft launch for Season 4!  With Jean being the 4th person of the throwbacks it was great having him back but I also can't believe we're already half way though Season 4 of the podcast!
🍷
In this episode Jean talks about his time at Newton Vineyard and Alpha Omega Winery as Winemaker early in his career and how those experiences, especially woking with world-renowned Consultant Michel Rolland really had a massive impact on who he is today as a consultant himself.
🍷
Jean talks about the consulting side of winemaking and why it's so important and especially how he's personally never satisfied in his pursuits of perfection and how he "positions himself more in doubting, therefore more progression."
🍷
Jean also educates us on the importance of pruning and how he delays his pruning to play off the frost season, speeding up bud break for the vintage to come and why it's so important for him in the long run.
🍷
Jean brings so much energy and charisma to this podcast and as a mid-season finale for Season 4, you're not going to want to miss!
🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3wwX1bC
 
To follow Jean on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jean_hoefliger/
https://www.instagram.com/jhwineconsulting/
 
To purchase some of Jean's wines, or to sign up to learn more about JH Wine Consulting:
https://www.jhwineconsulting.com/about-us
https://www.axrnapavalley.com/Wine
https://www.thedebatewine.com/The-Store
https://www.harbisonestatewines.com/wine/
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 148 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with John Caldwell or "JFC"...Owner, Smuggler, and Head Dude of Caldwell Vineyard out of the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley, CA.
🍷
John Caldwell is what I would call a true pioneer in his ability to understand French vine clones back in the early 1980's and how important they would be to viticulture in other parts of the world, and especially in his vineyard in California.
🍷
The problem was, John wanted them faster than customs would allow so he smuggled them across the Canadian border, which this story in itself is something out of a movie and illustrated in such a way that John leaves you captivated and speechless all at the same time.
🍷
John talks about everything from his time growing up learning from his parents but especially his mother in her shoe business about Entrepreneurship and everything that goes into running a business successfully through hard work and commitment.
🍷
John talks about what inspired him to purchase his property in Coombsville in the early 1980's and the day he realized while digging up dirt with the Abreu brothers on his property that being a winegrower was what he was destined to be.
🍷
John also talks about his infamous smuggling story in great detail, what it's meant to him and his legacy over the years, and how those risks have offered him huge rewards over the course of his lifetime.
🍷
This is just bits and pieces of an incredible interview that I believe will go down as one of the most inspiring and captivating interviews of this season so get ready for a wild ride with the legend himself, John Caldwell!
🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3QwMDax
 
To follow John on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caldwellvineyard/
 
To sign up for John's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/discover-wines
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/the-society-of-smugglers
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/society-of-winesteins
 
To learn more about John's book, "John Caldwell's Guide for Grapevine Clones for Proffessionals":
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/products/john-caldwells-guide-for-grapevine-clones-for-professionals
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 147 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Rebecca George, Owner and Winemaker of Mojave Wines and Associate Winemaker of Brandlin Estate out of Sonoma and Napa Valley, CA.
🍷
In this podcast Rebecca talks about what it was like growing up in the Mojave Dessert, exploring nature and her surroundings in the Canyons at the base of the Eastern Sierra's, and how her love for nature and exploring easily translated to her love for vineyards and the outdoor life of winemaking.
🍷
Rebecca talks about some amazing encouragement from her stepmom, (also named Rebecca George) to enroll in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis while in pursuit of her bioscience degree and how if it wasn't for that encouragement we may know even know the Rebecca George we know today in winemaking.
🍷
Rebecca also shares some pretty incredible "pinch me" moments that she got to experience while pursuing her career in wine like getting to taste at Domaine De La Romanée-Conti (DRC), when she was in her early 20's, working at Marcassin for Helen Turley, being the Winemaker at Kelly Fleming Wines and also what it's meant to have Francoise Peschon as a mentor then and throughout her career.
🍷
Speaking of Francoise, she was arguably the person responsible for encouraging Rebecca to step out and start her own brand Mojave which pays homage to her childhood roots of the Mojave Dessert and focuses on bright acidic chardonnay's and pinot noir's.
🍷
Rebecca is also the Associate Winemaker for Brandlin Estate, a winery with a century's worth of history, elevated up in the mountains of the Mount Veeder AVA, a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley.🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3WnbyBd
 
To follow Rebecca on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rlgeorge18/
https://www.instagram.com/mojavewines/
https://www.instagram.com/brandlin_wine/
 
To sign up for Rebecca's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.mojavewines.com/acquire
https://brandlinestate.com/wines
https://brandlinestate.com/membership
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/