Freddy Lopez grew up in Sonoma, worked in his father's vineyard as a kid, and then left Sonoma for a more glamorous life. Then came home and helped to found the family wine label. It's a fun chat, also touching on Freddy growing up as a gay kid in a Mexican American family AND in rural farm country. Mike chats about his theatre days in Spokane and having his makeup done by a renowned drag queen. Also, of course, a couple of delicious wines are tasted.

Reach out to Freddy, taste his wines for yourself!

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Wines discussed this episode:

2025 Lopez Family Vineyards Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley

2024 Lopez Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc, North Coast, Mengels Vineyard

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Mike chats with Master of Wine candidate Tian Lewis via Zoom from Houston. Master of Wine is the highest rung on the "serious wine geek" ladder! Tian is also a regional manager for Twin Liquors, a very large family-owned group of wine and liquor stores thoughout the Lone Star State. The guys geek on all of it, plus get political...will Texas turn BLUE??? Hear the scuttlebutt from Texas. Oh, and they taste a few wines.

Wines Discussed this episode:

2024 Quintodecimo Fiano di Avellino Exultet Fiano di Avellino DOCG

2024 Lopez Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc, North Coast

Send Mike a TEXT (click here) he may use it on a future episode!

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

Mike drives to the northern reaches of Sonoma to the Rockpile AVA on Rockpile Road to speak with Jack Florence Jr, one of the first people to plant Zinfandel in what has become one of the state's premier areas for Zin. Hear what inspired Jack to plant his vineyard, and how he just kept planting more as people started to catch on. It's a fun conversation!

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Wine Discussed This Episode:

2024 Florence Vineyard Zinfandel "Jack's Reserve" Rockpile, Sonoma County

2021 Florence Vineyard Petite Sirah, Rockpile, Sonoma County

Send Mike a TEXT (click here) he may use it on a future episode!

Support the show

IMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!