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Fine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #21 PART 2 LUCIE MORTON ON NORTON VS CYNTHIANAHere is Part 2 of my in-depth interview with Lucie Morton where we continue to discuss the differences between Norton and Cynthiana grapes. We also cover her attempt to reclaim another Virginia native grape, Cunningham which one of her familial ancestors is connected to here in Virginia. Finally, Lucie will describe her proverbial Ah Ha moment when she decided that she would produce her upcoming documentary film titled "Odessey of Forbidden wines, exile and return of American grapes." This interview is packed with many more ins...2025-04-1042 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #21 PART 1 LUCIE MORTON ON NORTON & CYNTHIANALucie Morton is the World's most preeminent Ampelographer, if not the only one still living that practices this art in the wine industry. I know, you are asking yourself what is Ampelography? Well, Lucie will explain that in some detail in this episode. In fact, this interview was filled with so many insights that I have chosen to break it up into 2 parts. In Part 1 we touch on many areas of winegrowing with a focus on American Heritage grapes and their demise and rediscovering. One of which, the Cunningham Grape, another Virginia native grape L...2025-03-1236 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #19 TOM PAYETTETom Payette is one of the veterans making wine here in Virginia. The upcoming 2025 harvest will mark Tom's 40th. While most of Tom's career has been in Virginia he has been involved some years ago on the west coast in California as a result of his position at Prince Michel. The then owner Jean Leducq owned a vineyard on Elhers Lane in Napa Valley.Tom has been recognized by numerous wine publications for his work including being named in 1999 as Winemaker of the Year by Vineyard & Winery management and more recently he was named by Wine Business...2025-02-0449 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE # 44 PART 2/DENNIS HORTON MONTAGEPart 2 of Episode #44 Montage about Dennis Horton features my interviews with Jenni McCloud, Owner and Founder of Chrysalis Vineyards who was inspired by Dennis Horton and planted the largest vineyard of Norton currently in the World. Followed by one of the most respected individual in the Virginia Wine Industry, Luca Paschina General Manager & Winemaker at Barboursville Vineyards. And last, but certainly not least Lucie Morton one of the foremost Ampelographers and Viticulturist in the world shares her thoughts about Dennis Horton. This is an action-packed Episode with plenty of stories and insights into what Dennis Horton meant to...2023-03-2952 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #44 DENNIS HORTON MONTAGE Part 1Because I never had the opportunity to meet of know Dennis Horton before he passed away, I wanted to include his story and contribution to the Virginia Wine Industry in some fashion. I was given an idea by Bruce Zoecklein Professor Emeritus of Enology at VA Tech. He suggested that I interview a handful of folks in the Virginia wine community and have them share with me their thoughts on Dennis and 1 or 2 of their favorite stories. I thought it was a terrific idea. So, for Episode # 44 I have undertaken that challenge. In Part 1 of a 2-part Episode I inte...2023-02-0736 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE # 31 JUSTIN ROSE/WINEMAKER ROSEMONT VINEYARDSRosemont Vineyards was established in 2003 by Stephan and Chandra Rose on a farm that had been in the Rose family since 1858. When Stephan retired as a successful Dow Chemical executive, he was interested in returning to the family farm and get back to land, so to speak. With the help of a family friend, he was introduced to Lucie Morton the world-famous Ampelographer and Virginia based viticultural consultant and expert. After many meetings with Lucie, she determined that it was a good location and the vineyard was planted.Rosemont has a great mix of both French American hy...2022-01-0535 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE # 30 JON WEHNER/CHATHAM VINEYARDS AT CHURCH CREEKIn 1999 Jon Wehner and his family established Chatham Vineyards at Church Creek located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Jon is a second-generation winegrower following in the footsteps of his mother and father who had a small home vineyard for over 30 years in Great Falls, Virginia. The quality of the grapes from that vineyard produced a Vidal Blanc that was the house wine at one of Washinton, C. D. areas finest restaurants for many years, L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, VA. He grew up learning the art of winegrowing from none other than world renown Ampelographer, Lucie Morton...2021-12-0838 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #14 LUCIE MORTONLucie Morton is recognized today world wide as one of the foremost Viticulturist and Ampelographer in the Wine Industry. She started in winegrowing back in 1971 when her Dad asked her to take a gap year as she was finishing up grad school to be his farm manager and look into planting vines at Morland their family farm. She never looked back. She would later go to France to gain her formal education in winegrowing. Eventually, her career would take her to California where she consulted from many clients. While in France she was fortunate to make friends with Pierre Gale...2021-04-141h 04Fine Wine Confidential PodcastEPISODE #11 ANKIDA RIDGE, CHRISTINE, DENNIS, & NATHAN VROOMANAnkida Ridge was established by Christine & Dennis Vrooman with the planting of their first vines in 2008. Lucie Morton was their vineyard consultant and she brilliantly, in my opinion, advised them to plant Pinot Noir. She believed that the southeastern facing slope at 1800 feet nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains along with the granite soils gave them the chance to be successful with the varietal. She was 100% correct. Ankida Ridge in a short period of time has been producing some high quality wines from Pinot Noir which is a rarity in Virginia at this time.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPI...2021-03-0841 minFine Wine Confidential PodcastEpisode 5 Chris Hill Virginia ViticulturistChris Hill is one of the most accomplished and noted Viticulturalist in Virginia. Many of the clients he has worked with in advising and planting vineyards are amongst the who's, who of the successful modern day Virginia winegrowers. That list includes Michael Shaps, Pollack, Barren Ridge, Veritas, King Family Vineyards, Keswick, Lovingston, and Pippin Hill Farms and Vineyards. Chris has always viewed his role as part of the winery team and stays focused on the vineyard side of the business. He was the past President of the Virginia Vineyard Association and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.In...2020-12-3040 min