Grapes & Debates

Great wine begins long before it reaches your glass. Napa Valley winemaker John Gibson of Salexis joins Grapes & Debates to discuss his philosophy of growing grapes and making wine—and the experience behind it. Adam Barringer and Joe Bates sat down with John at SoNapa Grille in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, for a conversation spanning more than four decades in Napa Valley. After graduating from UC Davis, John began his career at Chappellet in 1981. He went on to work with Warren Winiarski at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars before becoming winemaker at Vine Cliff. In 1998, he launched his own label, Salexis. Together, we explore his journey, his approach to the vineyard, and the philosophy that guides his work today. If you enjoy understanding the people and decisions behind the wines you drink, subscribe to Grapes & Debates for more conversations with winemakers and wine industry leaders. What would you ask a winemaker with 45 years of Napa Valley experience? Leave your question in the comments. Learn more about Salexis: https://www.salexiswines.com Visit SoNapa Grille: https://www.sonapa.com #GrapesAndDebates #NapaValley #Winemaking

In Episode 135 of Grapes & Debates, we’re taking the show on location to SoNapa Grille in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, where we recently celebrated our inaugural wine dinner featuring the iconic wines of Silver Oak. Adam Barringer and Joe Bates are joined by General Manager Nick Antalek and Assistant Manager Leslie Hall to taste Silver Oak wines, revisit our very first wine dinner at The Shores, and break down our 10 Steps to a Perfect Wine Dinner. From selecting the right winery and wines to designing a chef-inspired menu, coordinating the kitchen, training the service team, and creating an unforgettable guest experience, we’re sharing what really happens behind the scenes. And as we’ve learned over the years, even the best-planned wine dinners can come with a few surprises! In this episode: 🍷 Tasting and discussing Silver Oak wines 🥂 Celebrating our inaugural Silver Oak Wine Dinner at Daytona Beach Shores 📋 Our 10 Steps to a Perfect Wine Dinner 👨‍🍳 Pairing exceptional wines with a four-course culinary experience 🍽️ The challenges of executing a successful wine dinner 🎤 Stories, lessons, and a little friendly debate from the SoNapa leadership team Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a restaurant professional, or someone who simply loves a great wine dinner, there’s something here for you. Subscribe to Grapes & Debates for more conversations with winemakers, wine industry insiders, and the people who bring exceptional food and wine experiences to life.

Few winemakers have left a mark on Napa Valley quite like Robert Foley. Known throughout the wine industry as “The God of Cabernet,” Bob Foley joins Adam, Chris, and Joe for Episode 134 of Grapes & Debates to share stories from his extraordinary career in California winemaking. Our conversation takes us through his time at Markham Vineyards, his influential work at Pride Mountain Vineyards, and the creation of his own label, Robert Foley Vineyards. But this episode isn’t just about Cabernet Sauvignon. We taste our way through an outstanding selection of Robert Foley wines, starting with Chardonnay before moving into Charbono, Merlot, multiple Cabernet Sauvignon expressions, and Petite Sirah. Bob also shares his passion for music and the story behind the Robert Foley Band, proving that creativity doesn’t stop at the winery door. It’s an entertaining conversation with one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers, filled with wine, history, and stories from a life dedicated to the craft. Featured Wines: Robert Foley Chardonnay, Charbono, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon selections, and Petite Sirah. Featured Guest: Robert Foley, Robert Foley Vineyards Hosts: Adam Barringer, Chris Botting, and Joe Bates Presented by: SoNapa Grille Taste • Toast • Together.

What happens when the wines are so good and the stories so interesting that there’s nothing left to debate? On this episode of Grapes & Debates, we welcome two special guests from Gary Farrell Winery: Doug Bensonberg, Director of National Sales, and Brent McCoy, Winemaker. Together, we take a journey into California’s Russian River Valley, exploring the history of one of Sonoma County’s celebrated wineries, the distinctive character of its wines, and the philosophy behind making exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Brent shares his approach to winemaking and the importance of allowing the vineyard and its unique growing conditions to express themselves in every bottle. Doug brings his perspective on the winery’s history, its wines, and what makes Gary Farrell such a compelling name in California wine. Of course, we couldn’t have a conversation like this without tasting some wine! We work our way through the Gary Farrell lineup available in the market, discussing what makes each wine special. And while our podcast is called Grapes & Debates, sometimes the best conversations aren’t debates at all. They’re opportunities to listen, learn, and appreciate the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to making great wine. Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and join us for a fascinating conversation about wine, winemaking, and the magic of Sonoma County. Presented by SoNapa Grille, where our passion for wine country goes well beyond the glass. #GrapesAndDebates #GaryFarrellWinery #RussianRiverValley #SonomaWine #PinotNoir #Chardonnay #SoNapaGrille #WinePodcast

In Episode 132, we taste our way through Rodney Strong’s Sonoma Collection (Red Label), Sonoma County (White Label), Knights Valley (Blue Label), and Alexander Valley (Black Label) Cabernet Sauvignons. We explore what makes these wines different and how Sonoma County’s growing regions influence the final product. Then we tackle a question that’s been bothering us: Are professional wine descriptions actually helping people buy wine? Wine Spectator uses terms like ink, loam, cast iron, brambly, and iris to describe what’s in the glass. But does the average wine drinker know what those words mean? More importantly, do they care? Are wine critics educating consumers, or simply trying to impress one another? Join us for four solid Cabernets, some spirited debate, and a reminder that enjoying wine shouldn’t require a vocabulary lesson. Grapes & Debates — where great wine meets great conversation.

This one comes with some serious Napa Valley history. In 1976, Spring Mountain Vineyard’s 1973 Chardonnay was poured at the legendary Judgment of Paris, finishing fourth among the white wines in the blind tasting that forever changed the world’s perception of California wine. Now, 50 years later, we’re opening Spring Mountain Vineyard again. Adam, Chris, and Joe sit down for a vertical tasting of the 2014, 2018, and 2019 vintages, exploring how the wines differ from year to year—and using them to tackle a question every wine drinker eventually faces: How much does vintage really matter when you’re buying everyday wine? Do you need to know whether 2018 was “better” than 2019? Should vintage charts influence what makes it into your cart? Or are we sometimes giving that little year on the label way too much power? And Spring Mountain Vineyard has more than wine history behind it. If the property looks like it belongs on television, there’s a reason: it served as a filming location for the 1980s TV series Falcon Crest. The Judgment of Paris. Falcon Crest. Three vintages spanning five years. And three guys ready to debate whether vintage really matters. 🍷 Pour a glass and join us for Episode 131 of Grapes & Debates.

Is the wine industry really facing tough times—or is the mainstream media making the story bigger than it is? On Episode 130 of Grapes & Debates, Adam steps away from his usual crew and sits down with Michael Sherman of 21 Wine & Spirits Distributors and Charlie Plummer, Global Director of Sales for The Vineyard House, the family-owned Napa Valley estate of Jeremy Nickel. Together, they taste through an extraordinary lineup of wines from The Vineyard House while digging into the realities of today’s wine business. Adam puts the big question to Charlie: What’s actually happening in the industry, and does the doom-and-gloom coverage match what people inside the business are seeing? And then there’s the wine. One bottle in particular stops Adam in his tracks—the 2013 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon. Great wine, candid industry conversation, and a Cabernet Adam won’t soon forget. Pour a glass and join the debate.

Adam & Joe are joined by Nick Antelek, Managing Partner of SoNapa’s The Shores location, for a big-bottle edition of Grapes & Debates. Their good friend Kim Braddock, Central Florida Market Manager for Foley Family Wines & Spirits, came through with something special—a magnum of Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. After sampling this incredible wine, the conversation turns to a question worth debating: Are the states drinking the most wine also the happiest? The guys dig into WalletHub’s rankings of the happiest states in America and compare them with the states consuming the most wine. Coincidence? Science? Or just another compelling reason to keep the corks popping? Then things get a little more serious. With wine sales reportedly down $1.2 billion and grapes being left on the vine, the industry could use a few more heroes. So consider this your call to action: Drink good wine. Support the industry. Be a Wine Hero. 🍇 Leave No Grape Behind! 🍷

Adam and Joe are officially onsite at the newly opened SoNapa Grille in Daytona Beach Shores—and there’s only one appropriate way to celebrate: popping some Domaine Carneros Sparkling and raising a glass to opening night. From there, they dive into the September Wine Club selections from Stags’ Leap Winery, tasting and talking through the Viognier, Merlot, and Petite Sirah. Then the debate gets a little bigger. Joe brings up a news clip reporting that wine sales are down $1.2 billion, with some grape growers reportedly leaving as much as 20% of their grapes on the vine. What’s behind the slowdown? Are drinking habits changing? And what does it mean for wineries, growers, restaurants, and the future of wine? And because it’s opening night, there’s one more guest at the table: Chef Drayke makes a cameo to congratulate Adam and Joe and join them for a celebratory “toast” to a successful first night in Daytona Beach Shores. New location. Great wines. A wine industry worth debating. And a well-earned toast. Welcome to Episode 128 of Grapes & Debates.

Adam & Joe pour a glass of Roth Cabernet from winemaker Henry de Lambert—a fitting choice considering Henry also provided 14 wine barrels that have found a second life as décor in the new restaurant. From there, the conversation turns to Napa and new revelations surrounding the Pickett Fire, which devastated nearly 7,000 acres in wine country. Adam & Joe unpack what’s coming to light and what it means for a region they know, love, and talk about often. Then it’s back to Florida and the new SoNapa Shores location, including a look at the restaurant’s “social media” kitchen and the opportunity it gives the chef to get creative. With access to fresh local seafood, daily fresh-catch features can keep the menu interesting—and give guests something new to discover and share. Wine, wildfire revelations, restaurant design, and fresh catch. Just another round of Grapes & Debates.