The Grape Natio‪n‬ Heritage Radio Network

Nate Ready is a former Master Sommelier. He worked the floor at Bobby Stuckey’s Frasca in Boulder and the French Laundry in Yountville before heading north to find a small working farm in Hood River, Oregon. Hiyu Farm is a biodiverse environment where Nate grows over 100 grape varietals, fruits, vegetables and raises animals. He is a true permaculturist.

Napa Valley native, Tegan Passalacqua cut his teeth in the Rhone, New Zealand and South Africa before literally planting his roots in California. Tegan started at Zin Zen Masters Turley Wine Cellars in 2003, and is currently working as Head Winemaker and Vineyard Manager. He launched his own Sandlands Wines with wife Olivia in 2011 working with a multitude of varietals practicing vine head training and dry farming. Tegan Passalacqua is a true American Vigneron living in the heart of Lodi, California, home of his Kirschenmann Vineyard and Passalacqua Farming.

Martha Stoumen did not grow up around wine, but connected with the soil during a trip in college to Italy, studying agriculture. She was drawn to the vineyards and thus began a Vigneron’s view of winemaking. Martha received a Masters at UC Davis and went on to apprentice with some of the best winemakers around the world including Giusto Occhipinti, Didier Barral, and Chris Brocway. She started her eponymous label a few years ago and now follows her own vision of making responsibly farmed, terroir-driven wines in the land that she holds so dear in her heart, California.

Far from wine country, Maggie Harrison was born in the Midwest and pursued a career in International Relations and Conflict Resolution…well that didn’t last long. Maggie made her way out west to pursue a career in wine. She landed a job with quirky and legendary Sin Que Non winemaker Manfred Krankl, as his assistant for 8 years. Along the way she started her own small label, Liilian specializing in Syrah before a group of friends asked her to look at their property in the Eola Amity Hills of Oregon. Maggie joined them and is now the owner-winemaker at Antica Terra making gorgeous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Philippe Andre grew up around fine dining at his parent’s upscale restaurant in Evanston, Illinois. He worked every job in the restaurant, eventually hitting the floor and creating a wine program, becoming their first Somm in 18 years. After almost a decade at the restaurant, Philippe left the family business to pursue a career in wine, first traveling to Oregon, stints at Hart Davis Hart and Moet Hennessy with Southern Glazer. Philippe is now the first Brand Ambassador for Champagne Charles Heidsieck and runs the Grand Cru and consultancy.

Jean Gonon is a second-generation wine maker with the soul, knowledge and experience of many more years. Jean, along with his brother Pierre are the proprietors of Domaine Pierre Gonon in St. Joseph in the Northern Rhone of France. The purity and distinctive character of their wines, achieved through great terroirs, a strong commitment to farming and winemaking with an eye towards their ancestor’s methods, has made Domaine Pierre Gonon the Domaine in St Joseph.