Wine Road Podcast - Episode 241, Jamie Peterson, Peterson Winery

(0:10 - 0:23) The hosts, Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, introduce the "Wine Road" podcast, supported by Ron Rubin, focusing on Northern Sonoma County wines. (0:24 - 0:48) Acknowledgment of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their financial support, highlighting their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. (0:49 - 0:57) Introduction of guest Jamie Peterson, second-generation winemaker at Peterson Winery. (1:00 - 1:22) Jamie shares his "desert island wine," a 2020 Zinfandel from their Bradford Mountain Vineyard, which includes Petite Syrah for added depth. (1:23 - 1:51) Discussion of the vineyard's history, its location in Dry Creek Valley, and the challenges of the 2020 fires. (1:52 - 2:12) Jamie explains the blending process of Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, emphasizing the wine's fruity and spicy profile. (2:13 - 2:39) Details about Bradford Mountain's geography and the resilience of the vineyard during the 2020 fires. (2:42 - 3:00) The hosts admire Peterson Winery's distinctive labels, designed with local fauna and flora themes. (3:00 - 3:32) Jamie shares the story behind the labels, featuring wood carvings of mountain lions, reflecting the vineyard's environment. (3:32 - 4:11) Jamie recounts his journey into winemaking, starting with his father Fred Peterson's grape-growing background and the winery's evolution. (4:12 - 5:14) Jamie describes his role as winemaker, blending decisions with his father, and managing marketing and operations in their small, family-run winery. (5:15 - 6:09) The organic growth of the winery is discussed, from Fred's grape-growing roots to producing 5,000 cases annually, focusing on Zinfandel and other varieties. (6:10 - 7:21) Jamie explains their mix of estate-grown and purchased grapes, with plans to focus more on estate production for better control and cost management. (7:21 - 9:00) Jamie reflects on his initial lack of interest in winemaking, his travels to Australia and New Zealand, and how those experiences deepened his appreciation for the craft. (9:00 - 10:27) Jamie shares how working abroad gave him a new perspective on winemaking and led to his full-time role at Peterson Winery in 2002. (10:32 - 12:07) Jamie discusses balancing vineyard work, winemaking, and marketing, emphasizing his love for the sensory aspects of winemaking. (12:10 - 13:37) The hosts and Jamie talk about the winery's vast portfolio of 20 wines, their focus on quality over quantity, and the importance of offering something for every palate. (13:38 - 15:35) Jamie highlights the aging potential of their wines, the benefits of screw caps versus corks, and their approach to barrel aging and minimal intervention. (15:59 - 17:09) Peterson Winery's tasting room schedule and its location among other wineries in Dry Creek Valley are discussed, making it a great stop for visitors. (17:09 - 18:46) Jamie mentions upcoming events like the Holiday Wine Trail and Winter Wineland, as well as the winery's plans to close briefly for the holidays. (18:46 - 20:48) Jamie shares his favorite local activities, including visiting the coast, hiking, and exploring thrift stores, as well as supporting local restaurants. (20:48 - 22:01) Jamie talks about involving his children in the winery, fostering their interest without pressure, and their creative contributions like designing labels. (22:02 - 24:01) The hosts and Jamie reflect on the challenges and rewards of running a family winery, including working with the next generation and maintaining traditions. (25:00 - 28:40) A winemaker answers a listener's question about determining grape harvest timing, explaining the process of testing sugar levels, acidity, and grape maturity. (29:02 - 31:40) Beth shares updates about the Wine Road auction, new Wine Road Ambassadors, and encourages listeners to explore Sonoma County and support local wineries. (31:41 - 33:01) Jamie provides contact information for Peterson Winery and invites listeners to visit and enjoy their wines. The episode concludes with a toast. Links to explore River Road Family Vineyards & Winery Peterson Winery Holiday Wine Trail Winter WINEland Wine Road Ambassadors