Interview

Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Sandra Bell from Bell Winery

On Thursday October 15th, 2009, Sandra Bell with Bell Winery, Yountville, California, arrived in Jacksonville. Interview conducted at The Grape at St. Johns Town Center The Bell Winemaking Team: Sandra Bell 2nd from left, winemaker Anthony Bell far left. Kris Chislett Name? SHB: Sandra Hewitt Bell KC: Occupation? SHB: Wearer of many hats for Bell Winery! [Laughs] I actually take care of 6 markets for Bell and also hospitality and marketing at the winery. KC:…

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Robert Pecota from Robert Pecota Winery

In July, 2006, Robert Pecota and his family sold their Calistoga winery and estate vineyard, established in 1978, to Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson fame. It will become the home of the high-end Atalon brand of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Pecota family has retained ownership of the Robert Pecota Winery name and all Pecota-branded wines, and has acquired another property close-by on Bennett Lane just across the Napa River from Chateau Montelena. Plans are to…

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with David Espinar from Ribera del Duero Producer Emilio Moro

If you haven’t heard of Emilio Moro, they are a HUGE name in Spanish wine, and fortunately one that you are starting to see around Jacksonville a lot more! This interview was conducted at Taverna in San Marco, on the same day as my interview with Juan Muga. Jacksonville Wine Guide: Name? David Espinar from Emilio Moro. JWG: Job description? I belong to the Board of Directors for Emilio Moro, which was formed by the…

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga (Rioja, Spain)

Ok, so, let’s start from the top…name? Juan, Juan Muga, the same as the wine. Occupation? I’m on the business side. Me and my brother, we are the 3rd generation we manage the whole company as well as the export market, and my 2 cousins manage the technical part of the winery. Zach, my younger cousin is more into winemaking, and my other cousin Jorge is more into vines. Has wine always been your career?…

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Sparky Marquis from Mollydooker Wines

On September 22nd, The Mollydooker Team consisting of Sparky Marquis-Winemaker, Janet Gawith-Sparky’s Mom, and Bryan Janssen-Mollydooker Business Development, rolled into Jacksonville, Florida straight from Southern Australia. After a left-handed handshake from all 3 and an extensive lunch, I got time for some questions for Sparky. Interview conducted at B.Bs Restaurant, San Marco, Jacksonville on Sept 22nd 2009 Kris Chislett: Name? Sparky Marquis: Sparky Marquis from Mollydooker Wines KC: DOB? SM: 3/12/1962 KC: Occupation? SM: Winemaker….

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Interview September 28, 2010

Interview with Wine Industry Pioneer Thomas Halby

So you probably haven’t heard of Thomas Halby (pictured middle in the photo), but you HAVE seen his wines before. Halby is the importer responsible bringing into the U.S. everything from Moselland Zeller “Katz” Riesling (the wine in the cat shaped bottle pictured below) to Santa Alicia wines from Chile and even Dragon Seal wines from China. Thomas Halby’s new project is a range of Napa Valley wines bearing his name, the Merlot of which…

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