Tag Western Pennsylvania

Interview: Dr. Richard Lynn, Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill

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I recently had the good fortune to hear from Dr. Richard Lynn, owner of Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. I appreciate him taking the time from his busy schedule, especially now during the high winter inpatient census and resulting elevated workload, to update me on the status of his vineyard. Rick is also the vintner who oversees the large and diverse plantings surrounding his winery. On a very cold day, a few years ago, he took me out to a block of his Marquette vines that I believe are the largest planting of this cold-hardy hybrid grape variety in Pennsylvania. I was working on an article and had asked him to show me how he pruned his dormant grape vines so they would produce high-quality fruit. We discussed the attributes of the Saperavi grape and how it might be a good complement to the other varieties he was growing. It has been a minute since that frigid winter day in his vineyard, and since then, Rick has added Saperavi to his lineup of grapes along with some other notable additions. With those memories fresh in my mind and a curiosity as to where things stand now, I asked him to bring me up to date on his vines and the near term outlook for his vineyard. 

wpawinepirate: 

How is your Saperavi program progressing, and what other varieties are you planting?

Dr. Rick Lynn:

“My Saperavi story is probably not the one you want to hear, but it’s not over yet.  After our initial trial planting of Saperavi, we had a small harvest 2 years ago and just did a simple fermentation and spent little time tuning it.  It was pretty good, and I think I still have a few bottles left. In the meantime, we have (?wisely) expanded our vineyard areas to be able to produce most of our wine from what we grow here. That required planting blocks of Riesling, Kerner, Sauv Blanc, Cab Franc, and Chardonnay.  This was our 2nd harvest of Riesling in 2025. We had small harvests of Chardonnay from the trial planting and just planted a larger 2A block in 2025.  We had temperatures in the vineyard of -13ºF last winter and did not expect many vinifera buds or vines to survive the insult.  Surprisingly, we had a reasonable harvest of Riesling and Vidal Blanc, and dribbles of Chardonnay, Kerner, and Sauv Blanc, back to the Saperavi. We planted a large block in 2023 and 2024, and the cold event last winter killed at least 30-40% of the vines. I was very surprised that the Saperavi was so selectively affected by the cold event. Possibly, they moved more slowly into the maximal stages of dormancy than the other vinifera.  Most of them were on 3309 roots, and some on Riparia, and I don’t have the data to determine if that was a discriminating variable. Our larger block was half from Wiemer and half from Eric Amberg. My Saperavi replants for 2026 have now been ordered from Eric Amberg and will be on 3309.”

Thank you, Rick, for sharing your candid insights with us. We all look forward to visiting Greendance Winery and Sand Hill Berries. 

greendancewinery.com  sandhillberries.com

Photo Credit: Greendance The Winery At Sand Hill

Narcisi Winery: Tuscany in Southwestern Pennsylvania

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Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania just eight miles north of Pittsburgh you can find a little piece of Tuscany. A visit to Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia is like taking a quick trip to Tuscany without having to use your passport. 

This family owned and operated winery and restaurant is built on the knowledge of generations of Italian winemakers and traditional family recipes.  Whether you are dining alfresco on the patio under the canopy of grapevines or strolling the grounds and vineyards, you can’t resist being swept up in the Italian ambiance of your surroundings. 

A diverse menu of wines ranging from their “Flagship” red “Stella” that is a take on a “Bordeaux blend”, through a nice lineup of reds, whites, blushes, rosés, and fruit wine, guarantees that there is something to satisfy anyone’s taste. 

In addition to the patio and outdoor wine and pizza bar that features a wood-fired pizza oven, you can also dine in the beautifully appointed restaurant. 

If you are in the mood for a beer they have you covered with a beer garden featuring a diverse selection of beers on draft or bottled. As you enter the beer garden area you pass between towering plantings of hop vines that enhance your experience. Check out the raised bed vegetable gardens. next to the beer garden. 

Entertainment is always front and center at Narcisi Winery. A bandstand and lawn play host to live music on a regular schedule. 

If you want or need a break to escape your normal day-to-day routine, I suggest you explore this little taste of Tuscany in Southwestern Pennsylvania. 

narcisiwinery.com 724-444-4744 Photo Credit: Narcisi Winery

A Winelovers Guide to Western Pennsylvania Wineries Part 3

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This is Part 3 and the final installment in my series featuring Western Pennsylvania wineries. All the wineries from previous posts will be included for reference or if you are new to my blog. I invite everyone to subscribe for free to this blog using the subscription box at the top of this page. You will receive an email when I publish a new article. Thanks. 

Pennsylvania is home to more than four hundred wineries and over fourteen thousand acres of vineyards. Some of the very best are located on the western side of the state. The wineries are as unique as the wines they make. The following suggestions are just a starting point. The real fun comes in exploring all this region has to see and do.

Driving twenty-three miles south of Pittsburgh will bring you to Silver Mark Cellars. It is an urban-style winery in the charming town of Canonsburg. They offer an award-winning wine list complemented with food, beer, and liquor. All of their wines are handcrafted in-house from start to finish. http://silvermarkcellars.com 724-416-7447

Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Westmoreland County near Acme we find Stone Villa Wine Cellars. Guests can relax on the manicured lawn surrounding a tranquil lake while listening to live music. Stone Villa Wine Cellars offers a portfolio of wines ranging from classic to unique blends that are sure to satisfy everyone’s tastes. As always, the tasting bar is free. http://stonevilla.com 724-423-5604

Situated on the remaining three acres of the old “Martz Family Farm” in Delmont stands a barn originally built in the 1860s that now serves as the home of Red Barn Winery. Red Barn Winery makes sweet and dry wines from grapes sourced from several regions. It also offers Pennsylvania beers and spirits, food, entertainment, and special events. http://redbarnwinerypa.com 724-461-4331

Thistlewaite Vineyards only use the French hybrid grapes they grow in their five-acre vineyard to produce their wines. They age their wine in Pennsylvania White Oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. When you are in Jefferson stop by the tasting room for a complimentary wine tasting. http://thistlegrape.com 724-883-3372

Edgewood Winery and Event Center in Spring Church is a one-stop shop for all your entertainment needs. They sell their wines by bottle or glass, have a food menu sure to please everyone, an event calendar full of live music, and plenty of options for your special event. http://edgewoodwinery.com 724-478-4373

I hope you enjoyed reading these articles as much as I enjoyed researching and writing them. Please use these suggestions to start your journey to discover the constantly evolving community of wineries in Western Pennsylvania. Cheers!

Photo Credit: L to R Silver Mark Cellars, Red Barn Winery, Thistlewaite Vineyards

We’re off to see “The Castle”. The Vinoski Winery is located in the magnificent Rostraver mansion Jay and Sherry Lustig built. Jay was the long-time manager of The Rolling Stones, financial advisor to Prince Rupert Loewenstein, and later became a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Walt and Roxanne Vinoski bought the sprawling property in 2017 and turned it into the breathtaking home of the Vinoski Winery. They offer two wine tasting options: $10 for 5 sweet wines or a Premium tasting for $20 that includes their dry California wines. Check their website for the event calendar which is always full of concerts and events. http://vinoskiwinery.com 724-872-3333

Let’s not forget about our friends north of Pittsburgh. The next stop is the picturesque Tuscan-inspired winery and restaurant of Narcisi Winery. A short ten-mile drive north of the city will bring you to Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia. Set on an enchanting property, this Italian-themed winery and restaurant will satisfy anyone’s longing to spend a “Bella Giornata” (Beautiful Day) in Tuscany.  http://narcisiwinery.com  724-444-4744

Any time of year is a good time to take a leisurely drive to Glades Pike Winery near Somerset on Pa State Rte 31. It will take you past several notable attractions for the outdoor enthusiast.  The Seven Springs and Hidden Valley ski resorts plus Laurel Hill and Kooser state parks are easily accessible from Glades Pike Winery. Glade Pike Winery makes a diverse selection of wines that will intrigue any wine aficionado. Malbec, Baco Noir, and Tempranillo are some of the unusual wines offered that are not readily found at other local wineries. http://gladespikewinery.com 814-445-3753 

The Original Pittsburgh Winery is an urban winery and as such it can make its wines year-round because they source their grapes from vineyards in California and Chile. Swing by the winery on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District to taste their wines, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy live music in an intimate setting. http://pittsburghwinery.com  412-566-1000

Guests at Ripepi Winery & Vineyard in Monongahela can enjoy a tranquil ten-acre vineyard from the Tuscan-inspired winery as you savor a glass of their estate-made wine.  Owner/winemaker Rich Ripepi founded his landmark winery in 1987. Today it is a family legacy he shares with his winemaker/sommelier daughter Janelle Ripepi D’Eramo and winemaker son Dr. Daniel Ripepi. They host a fun “Happy Hour” event every second Friday of the month. http://ripepiwine.com 724-292-8351

Traveling to Mount Pleasant you will find Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill. Greendance Winery is part of the Sand Hill Berries, a small family-owned business that specializes in different types of berries, especially raspberries. You might recognize them from their raspberry specialty desserts booth at festivals. The winery and its grounds are set in the idyllic Laurel Highlands countryside. Stop by anytime to enjoy the rural ambiance but if you visit on a summer weekend you will be treated to live music as you unwind with a bottle of their wine. http://greendancewinery.com 724-547-6500

Up we go into the Allegheny Mountains to Chalk Hill where we arrive at Christian K. Klay Winery. A visit to Christian K. Klay Winery and its adjacent Ridge Runner Distillery is sure to include wine, spirits, and beautiful vistas. http://christianklaywinery.com 724-439-3424

Bella Terra Vineyards in Hunker is easily accessible and has ample parking plus plenty of inside and outside areas making it a favorite meeting place for friends and family. Check their website for the many special events on the calendar. http://bellaterravineyards.com 724-635-3658

If you are looking for a twist on your usual night out then the City Winery is the place for you. Unlike the other wineries mentioned, City Winery is on Smallman St in Pittsburgh’s “Strip District”. It is a winery, restaurant, and event center that promotes live music, comedy shows, and wine events. http://citywinery.com/pittsburgh 412-246-1000

Wooden Door Winery is located in a painstakingly renovated 1896 church in Vandergrift. Explore their diverse lineup of wines while sampling a menu of appetizers and lighter fare in the spacious tasting room or the al fresco seating during the warmer weather. http://woodendoorwinery.com 724-889-7244

A Winelovers Guide to Western Pennsylvania Wineries Part 2

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This is Part 2 in my series featuring Western Pennsylvania wineries. All the wineries from previous posts will be included for reference at the end of each post. If you are new to my blog, Welcome and I invite you and everyone to subscribe to this blog for free using the subscription box at the top of this page. You will receive an email when I publish a new article. Thanks. 

Pennsylvania is home to over four hundred wineries and over fourteen thousand acres of vineyards. Some of the very best are located on the western side of the state. The wineries are as unique as the wines they make. The following suggestions are just a starting point. The real fun comes in exploring all this region has to see and do. 

We’re off to see “The Castle”. The Vinoski Winery is located in the magnificent Rostraver mansion built by Jay and Sherry Lustig. Jay was the long-time manager of The Rolling Stones, financial advisor to Prince Rupert Loewenstein, and later became a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Walt and Roxanne Vinoski bought the sprawling property in 2017 and turned it into the breathtaking home of the Vinoski Winery. They offer two wine tasting options: $10 for 5 sweet wines or a Premium tasting for $20 that includes their dry California wines. Check their website for the event calendar which is always full of concerts and events. http://vinoskiwinery.com 724-872-3333

Let’s not forget about our friends north of Pittsburgh. The next stop is the picturesque Tuscan-inspired winery and restaurant of Narcisi Winery. A short ten-mile drive north of the city will bring you to Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia. Set on an enchanting property, this Italian-themed winery and restaurant will satisfy anyone’s longing to spend a “Bella Giornata” (Beautiful Day) in Tuscany.  http://narcisiwinery.com  724-444-4744

Any time of year is a good time to take a leisurely drive to Glades Pike Winery near Somerset on Pa State Rte 31. It will take you past several notable attractions for the outdoor enthusiast.  The Seven Springs and Hidden Valley ski resorts plus Laurel Hill and Kooser state parks are easily accessible from Glades Pike Winery. Glade Pike Winery makes a diverse selection of wines that will intrigue any wine aficionado. Malbec, Baco Noir, and Tempranillo are some of the unusual wines offered that are not readily found at other local wineries. http://gladespikewinery.com 814-445-3753 

The Original Pittsburgh Winery is an urban winery and as such it can make its wines year-round because they source their grapes from vineyards in California and Chile. Swing by the winery on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District to taste their wines, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy live music in an intimate setting. http://pittsburghwinery.com  412-566-1000

Wooden Door Winery is located in a painstakingly renovated 1896 church in Vandergrift. Explore their diverse lineup of wines while sampling a menu of appetizers and lighter fare in the spacious tasting room or the al fresco seating during the warmer weather. http://woodendoorwinery.com 724-889-7244

Photo Credit: Vinoski Winery, Narcici Winery, and Wooden Door Winery 

Scroll down after photos for wineries listed in Part 1

Guests at Ripepi Winery & Vineyard in Monongahela can enjoy a tranquil ten-acre vineyard from the Tuscan-inspired winery as you savor a glass of their estate-made wine.  Owner/winemaker Rich Ripepi founded his landmark winery in 1987. Today, it is a family legacy he shares with his winemaker/sommelier daughter Janelle Ripepi D’Eramo, and winemaker son Dr. Daniel Ripepi. They host a fun “Happy Hour” event every second Friday of the month. http://ripepiwine.com 724-292-8351

Traveling to Mount Pleasant you will find Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill. Greendance Winery is part of Sand Hill Berries, a small family-owned business specializing in different types of berries, especially raspberries. You might recognize them from their raspberry specialty desserts booth at festivals. The winery and its grounds are set in the idyllic Laurel Highlands countryside. Stop by anytime to enjoy the rural ambiance but if you visit on a summer weekend you will be treated to live music as you unwind with a bottle of their wine. http://greendancewinery.com 724-547-6500

Into the Allegheny Mountains, we go to Chalk Hill where we arrive at Christian K. Klay Winery. A visit to Christian K. Klay Winery and its adjacent Ridge Runner Distillery is guaranteed to include wine, spirits, and beautiful vistas. http://christianklaywinery.com 724-439-3424

Bella Terra Vineyards in Hunker is easily accessible and has ample parking plus plenty of inside and outside areas making it a favorite meeting place for friends and family. Check their website for the many special events on the calendar. http://bellaterravineyards.com 724-635-3658

If you are looking for a twist on your usual night out then the City Winery is the place for you. Unlike the other wineries mentioned, City Winery is on Smallman St in the “Strip District” of Pittsburgh. It is a winery, restaurant, and event center that promotes live music, comedy shows, and wine events. http://citywinery.com/pittsburgh 412-246-1000

These are only a few suggestions to pique your interest. I will add new wineries for you to try in future posts. I urge you to do a little research on the Internet and I’m sure you will be surprised by the number of interesting options that you will discover in your area. Have fun and always drink responsibly. Cheers!

Days of Wine and Cheeses: Finale

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Parmigiano-Reggiano is called by some “The finest cheese in the world.” Parmigiano-Reggiano is made in Italy from raw cow milk under strict adherence to a prescribed procedure. To harden the young cheese’s rind, it is left in brine for three weeks or more before being allowed to age from twelve months to three years. A wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano weighs eighty-five pounds and goes from an ivory paste color when young to an amber gold when mature. Don’t cut this cheese, use a blunt knife that will break it into chunks thus preserving its signature texture. You will need a medium to full-bodied red to pair with this cheese. Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel would be a great pairing.

Original Blue is a raw cow milk aged blue cheese made by the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company and is the only blue cheese made in California. The morning milk is taken directly from the milking parlor to the cheesemaker where it is cultured, coagulated with rennet, and inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti. As the cheese ages, it develops the characteristic blue-gray veins that give blue cheese its name and distinctive taste. Pair a French Pinot Gris or dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes of New York. I have also found Champagne is an excellent pairing because it cleanses your palate. 

Manchego is Spain’s most famous cheese. It is made from raw or pasteurized sheep milk but most of Manchego today is made on an industrial scale using pasteurized sheep milk. You can find year-old Manchego at cheese shops in the U.S.  This aged version of Manchego has a firm dry interior that is ivory to light yellow in color. It is best served with something sweet to contrast its tangy salty bite. Quince paste is usually served as the sweet accompaniment. Manchego pairs well with a Rioja from its homeland of Spain. Think tapas on a beautiful evening in Barcelona when selecting a wine.   

I hope you enjoyed my posts on pairing wine and cheese as much as I enjoyed writing them. Cheers!

Photo Credit: Gourmetfoodstore.com, PointReyesCheese.com, and almagourmet.com

Days of Wine and Cheeses

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You may have surmised from the name of this blog and my social media handle (wpawinepirate) that I am a Jimmy Buffett fan, a Parrothead, if you will. I have been a member of the Phlock for a long time, making some good friends and beautiful memories along the way. Jimmy’s lyrics “Warm summer breezes and French wine and cheeses” from his song “He went to Paris” was the inspiration for a series of posts I will be writing about wine and cheese pairing

I will never forget the first time I tasted Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam. It was at their shop in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Mt. Tam is a triple cream bloomy rind American recipe cheese made from pasteurized organic pasture-based cow milk that is produced by farm partners using sustainable farming practices. Mt. Tam is made in Marin County near San Francisco, as if you had any doubt it was a California product after that lead-in. Cowgirl Creamery describes their Mt. Tam as “At room temperature, features a dense fudgy core enveloped in an evolving pudgy creamline.” This cheese is both creamy and buttery but also displays earthy flavors. http://cowgirlcreamery.com Mt. Tam pairs well with sparklers like Prosecco and Cava or a California Chardonnay that will cleanse your palate. Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut or Trefethen Family Vineyards 2018 Chardonnay Oak Hill District Napa Valley work nicely with Mt. Tam.

Staying on the coast of California, my next cheese is Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove Chevre in rural Humboldt County. Humboldt Fog is a unique soft-ripened goat cheese. It is made from high-quality goat milk sourced from local farms. This is a pasteurized goat milk cheese. The quality of the milk used in the making of Humboldt Fog is reflected in its clean and balanced flavors while muted acidity and salt levels prevent the potent goaty taste that turns some people off to goat cheese. http://cypressgrovecheese.com Enjoy Humboldt Fog with the iconic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Cloudy Bay, or Sokol Blosser Redland Cuvee Estate Willamette Valley 2018, a medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Oregon.           

I will be exploring cheeses from America’s Heartland and the East Coast in my next post.                                  

Review: Ménage à Trois “Silk” Soft Red Blend 2020

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A few posts ago I wrote about mass-produced and widely distributed wines. To prove I just don’t “Talk the talk but walk the walk” I bought a bottle of Mènage à Trois “Silk” Soft Red Blend 2020 to review. This is one of the offerings from the immensely popular Ménage à Trois label of  Folie à Deux. Ménage à Trois is a St. Helena California winery. Mènage à Trois “Silk” Soft Red Blend 2020 is a blend of separately fermented Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Petite Sirah with a light oak flavor from the time it spent in French and American oak. “Silk” Soft Red Blend is a ruby red color in the glass with muted floral aromas followed by flavors of cherry and spice with both medium body and acidity. If you like a sweet light-bodied wine this wine is NOT for you. If you like a big California Cab this wine is NOT for you. If you want a red wine that is right down the middle in its body, fruit flavors, acidity, and economy priced then this wine is one you should take a close look at. I paired it with grilled steak and it was an acceptable match. I purchased it for $13.99 in Pennsylvania but it can usually be found for around $10-$15. http://menageatroiswines.com  

Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill Harvest Update

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I recently checked in with Dr. Rick Lynn at Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill in Mount Pleasant Pennsylvania to see what was happening at his winery and vineyards. 

Greendance is home to one of the three young Saperavi plantings in Western Pa. and I was eager to hear how his young vines were progressing. Rick told me: 

“We had some early to mid-season powdery mildew on only the Saperavi and on none of others that included Kerner, Riesling, and Cab Franc, I personally used the same spray program on all and they were all in the same location.   This reduced the Saperavi crop but the plants recovered and ended the year appearing healthy. There was not a large enough quantity to make a reasonable sized batch. We had about 40# of Cab Franc with good ripening stats as were the Kerner numbers.”

I am patiently awaiting next year’s Saperavi harvest that will hopefully provide ample fruit to produce Greendance’s first vintage of Saperavi. I am also curious how Rick will be able to integrate Saperavi’s signature acidity and dark color into his wine making style to yield new and completely unique blends. 

Unlike the humans that tend to them, grape vines can’t contract Covid19 they only respond to the influences of their environment. I asked Rick to share his thoughts on this year’s harvest:

“Our overall hybrid harvest this year, as for everyone else, was exceptional and in the range of 15T. We had 2T+ of Petite Pearl and 3T+ of Frontenac Gris/Frontenac Blanc. Our farm red blend is Frontenac and Chambourcin and there were plenty of them.  Our wine for American grape lovers is Niagara softened with Louise Swensen and Aldamiina.

I addressed the recent stretch of sub-zero temperatures that had overspread the region and he had this assessment:

“Concerning of course but only for the trial vinifera planting and not the hybrids. This is a better test year for their graft and bud survival. The advantage this year is a gradual but full opportunity for deep dormancy and then steady cold to keep them there up to this point and probably at least for the next 2 weeks.” 

Every year has its own challenges and 2021 was no different but winemakers always find a way to meet those challenges and craft wines that express the very best each year has to offer. I look forward to tasting the 2021 releases from Rick and his team at Greendance Winery. For more information about Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill  please visit http://www.greendancewinery.com Photos Courtesy: Greendance The Winery at Sand Hill

Watching V is for Vino Wine Show

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Have you seen the wine and travel show V is for Vino? If you haven’t, I strongly recommend that you add it to your must see list. This show isn’t just about the wine and winemakers of a region but is an immersive experience into how the food, wine, and culture of a region are all intertwined. V is for Vino delivers it’s viewers several options to interact with the show. It offers the wines featured in each episode for sale so you can be drinking them along with the host as you watch. You can also become a member of the VINO VIP CLUB for exclusive perks, like early access to new episodes, virtual tastings with the host, and discounts on wine plus much more. V is for Vino has plenty of entertaining and informative content making it perfect for both the novice and seasoned wine lover. 

I recently had the opportunity to ask the show’s host/creator Vince Anter to tell my readers about his wine journey and the story of V is for Vino. I want to thank Vince for taking the time from his busy schedule to work with me on this project. 

My name is Vince and I’m a certified sommelier and the producer and host of the wine and travel show V is for Vino. Each episode, I host the show in a new wine region, so wine lovers can really be transported to where their wine is made! You learn about the place, the grapes, meet a local winemaker, and learn how to cook dishes from a local chef that pair perfectly with the wine featured in the episode. We also always try to explore as much of the local culture as we can, and meet people who can really tell the story of the places we visit. For instance, in the Finger Lakes we went ice fishing , and in Mexico we went to the local seafood market in downtown Ensenada. Wine is as much about the place and people around it as it is the beverage itself, and the goal of the show was always to capture that. Then, you can actually buy the wine from the episode on our website. I tell people it’s like the Anthony Bourdain of wine: and you can actually drink the wine along with us! 

I started the show in 2016. I had come out to LA in 2010 to be a rock star, but as it turns out, a lot of other people had the same idea. During the 5 years spent pursuing music, I paid my way through gigs with bar and restaurant jobs and discovered a love for wine. I spent a year becoming a certified sommelier, which was one of the most challenging things I’d ever done; it involved many textbooks and flashcards. I decided I wanted to find a way for people to learn and understand more about the wine in their glass without having to pick up a book. And thus, V is for Vino was born. Video content is everywhere now, and I knew the timing was right for a video-based wine company. I’ve always been a fan of Alton Brown, Anthony Bourdain and Dinner’s, Drive-ins and Dives, so I decided to model my own show as a hybrid of the three. I knew I could host the show myself, as I was used to being in the spotlight from my days with my band, and I learned how to interact with all walks of life from my time bartending. Plus, I’ve always loved teaching, so this whole idea came very naturally to me.

So many people put their heart and soul into their wine and cooking, and it’s so awesome to be able to tell their stories. I think we’re unique in the sense that no one is getting as in-depth into the stories behind the wine as we are. And, we’re even turning non-wine lovers into fans: I try to break down topics plain and simple so that everyone can enjoy wine! Wine isn’t this mystical beverage that only snobs can understand and I think, I’m helping contribute to busting those perceptions! People often say that show helped them learn more about wine than years tasting in tasting rooms, and that’s always one of the best compliments I can receive; I want wine to be as accessible as any other beverage out there!  

We’re currently filming season 4 of the show, and most of our upcoming episodes are in Europe, which has been a blast. It should come out by May 2022. The best way to see the first 3 seasons is on https://visforvino.com/ for free! They can also be seen on Amazon Prime (paid), Roku, and YouTube. One of the best parts of the show is you can purchase the wines from the episodes at https://visforvino.com/buy-wine so you can order before you watch, and drink with us as we taste the wines on the show! We also have a virtual VINO VIP CLUB that has a TON of benefits, including behind the scenes content, full length interviews, raffles and giveaways, virtual tastings and events, and discounts on wine! It’s only $5 and really helps you get more out of the show; we work hard to over-deliver on value for our VIP members! https://visforvino.com/vino-vip-club/  Cheers, and I hope you enjoy the show! -Vince 

All photos courtesy: V is for Vino

I Regret Nothing!

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After seeing how well a couple of my posts on Instagram (@rich_wpawinepirate_ ) were received I realized a lot of people were just as curious as I was about the wine they sell on QVC. I posted a bottle pix of Kevin O’Leary’s Malbec and Rosé. Like me, everyone had seen his wines being presented and wondered after listening to him hype the virtues of his wine if they might be an interesting wine to try. I know all too well the risks of buying “processed wines” as they are now being called. You might remember them as “industrial wine.” With that being said, this type of wine is widely distributed, readily available, and enjoyed by millions.

I ordered the Kevin O’Leary Fine Wines Reserve Series Malbec Argentina 2020 and the Kevin O’Leary Fine Wines Reserve Series Rosé Vintage 2019, to be exact. O’Leary wine is sold as groupings or as three bottles of a single variety. The wine arrived promptly, well-packed, and cost about $15 a bottle when purchased from QVC.

The Malbec has a light/medium body and wasn’t overly dry with “middle of the road” acidity. This wine is best suited for an evening of grilling on the deck with family and friends. Rosé was my favorite. It is a very drinkable wine with a lighter body and a touch of sweetness. The most noticeable feature of this Rosé is its inviting vivid color. Kevin mentioned in his sales pitch that it is a blend of seven grape varieties and you can taste that because no one variety stands out, it is truly a blend.

If you are feeling adventurous and want to try some of “Mr. Wonderful” wine I would suggest starting with his Rosé. It is not a serious wine and can be enjoyed either alone as you relax at the end of the day or paired with lighter fare on a picnic in the country. You don’t have to over think these wines.