In this episode you’ll meet Jerry Lohr, the founder of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines. They’re a major player. The brand is found in nearly every grocery and liquor store across the country.

J. Lohr produces 1.7 million cases annually and is 20th on the list of the largest U.S. wine companies. The family-owned and operated winery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. During their half-century of business, philanthropy has played a role in their operations. This year, they chose to go nationwide with one impressive charitable initiative that will award a nonprofit organization $5000 in each of the 50 states! It’s called 50 Years, States and Ways of Giving.

Additionally, consumers are invited to nominate which organization receives the donation! In this interview, you’ll hear more details about their summer campaign, we’ll talk about their commitment to sustainability and the family dynamic. (In their case, there’s no drama. It’s quite healthy). While you listen, think of which nonprofit you’d like to nominate. Go ahead and pick up a bottle of J. Lohr to enjoy while you listen!

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine

Music on this podcast is composed by Marscott

On The Wine Road Podcast is sponsored by Sonoma Clean Power

In this episode I celebrate this year’s Sonoma County Barrel Auction. The theme for the
weekend is Never Before, Never Again wines. On May 2nd I was invited to the Tasting Preview
event attended by trade, media guests, partners, and participating vintners. This year’s auction was the 10th anniversary of the Barrel Auction. Over $400,000 was raised during the auction at MacMurray Ranch the following day. Congratulations to Sonoma County Vintners! In addition to having the chance to taste some of the 63 wine lots - that is, only a fraction of the 63 - I snagged five wine producers to talk about their Never Before, Never Again wines. We’ll discuss the special varieties and blends they created for the auction that contributed to the event's success.

My guests included Justin Hirigoyen from Twomey, Alan Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars, David Hejl of Domaine Della, and Shauna Rosenblum and Trestor Goetting of Ridge Vineyards. Join us in the courtyard of Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg, CA for the conversations.

Find other interviews, wine trivia, and news at OnTheWineRoad.us

On The Wine Road Podcast is brought to you by Sonoma Clean Power.

The closing theme is "Course Grind," written and performed by Marscott

Additional music is sourced from APM Music

For today's episode, I'm reaching back to August of 2020. Clément Pierlot is the chef de cave (winemaker) of historic Champagne Pommery in France. I found it interesting that the Champagne house known for creating the Brut style of bubbly is now making a sparkling wine from California grapes. It turns out, Louis Pommery California Sparkling is harvested and made just up the freeway from me in Sonoma County. It was a topic worth pursuing. That led to another interview with a fellow Vranken-Pommery winemaker, Bruno Maillard. He crafts rosé in Provence and Carmargue/Languedoc, the world’s foremost regions for the light refreshing pink wine. You’ll hear from these Frenchman and learn about the incomparable heritage of the largest winegrower in Europe, Vranken-Pommery.