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Q: How did you discover your love for wine?
A: I grew up in Colorado and wasn’t introduced to wine until I traveled through Europe during college. It opened my eyes! The food and wine culture “across the pond” is incredible; I was instantly drawn to it. At the time I didn’t have a discerning palate, so everything seemed incredible. I returned to Colorado, needed extra pocket money, and started working in restaurants. This continued my exposure to the wonderful world of fermented grape juice, and I was hooked. I wanted to learn as much as possible and dove head first into sommelier certification coursework. I had an unquenchable thirst to learn!
Q: How did you and Brion, founder of B Wise Vineyards, hook up?
A: Brion was involved in the restaurant business and owned Trios, in Denver. He comes from the natural gas industry, so Trios was really a side project rooted in his love for food and wine. He grew up on an apple farm, his father a winemaker. Food and wine is in his blood. In 2002, when Brion discovered the B Wise property, it all came together. He purchased our vineyard on Red Mountain, in Sonoma, and because we had become close, sharing a passion for wine, we were a natural fit to work together. I instantly agreed to move to California and help him start B Wise.
Q: Why Sonoma and not his home state of Washington or Napa Valley?
A: When Brion began seriously shopping for a place to fulfill his dream, Napa just wasn’t the right choice. It had become entirely over saturated. Northern California was clearly the best place to plant his beloved Bordeaux varietals, and Sonoma, with its warm microclimates, is better than any other place in the U.S. for Cabernet and Merlot.
Q: What is so unique about your property within Sonoma?
A: I could go on about soil type, our incredible terroir, and more. Sonoma has a proven track record for success with Cabernet and Merlot. But the truth is, the property was just gorgeous – completely picturesque. As for winemaking, the property gets lots of sun exposure with its hillside vineyards, while remaining several degrees cooler than other regions of Sonoma and Napa. This allows our grapes to ripen evenly, producing really balanced wines.
Q: Many people picture life working for a winery as romantic. Is it as dreamy as they envision it?
A: It’s not all fun and games! We at B Wise understand what hard work is all about and know the wine biz is no exception. Brion didn’t want to just be an investor…growing up on a farm, he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He works daily with the vineyard crew with an incredible energy and spirit. Brion wants to be involved every step of the way, in every aspect of the winemaking process.
Q: Your signature wine, Trios, named after Brion’s Denver-based jazz and wine bar, has received solid scores on Cork’d… A: Yes, we’re proud of the scores! Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah blends are a new phenomenon. So many wineries always look to the Bordeaux style as the type to model their wines after. Cabernet can often have a little “dip” in flavoring and mid palate. By blending in Syrah, we pick up the mid palate while gaining tannin structure and aroma. Rather than do what everyone else is doing, we want to blend grapes to produce a complete wine - one with the best possible results. Why follow what everyone else is doing?
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