Wed, 29 May 2024
Join Gretchen Voelcker, the owner and winemaker of Luna Hart Wines, as she takes us on a tour of Hendricks Vineyard in Ballard Canyon - a key source of grapes for her small-production, minimal intervention wines. Learn about Gretchen's passion project, Luna Hart, which she started in 2014 with a focus on unique varietals like Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Cinsault, Counoise, and Syrah. Hear how her background, from growing up on a farm to studying business and plant sciences, led her to the wine industry and the creativity she finds in making small-lot, terroir-driven wines. Discover why Gretchen chose to base her winemaking career in Santa Barbara County, citing the region's high percentage of women winemakers, entrepreneurial spirit, and diverse microclimates that allow for experimentation with a wide range of grape varieties. Gain insights into Gretchen's minimal intervention winemaking approach, including native fermentations, limited oak influence, and thoughtful sulfur use, as she navigates the challenges of producing balanced wines in the face of climate change and extreme weather events. This video provides valuable perspectives for wine enthusiasts interested in exploring the people, places, and philosophies behind some of Santa Barbara County's most distinctive small-lot wine brands. THIS IS EPISODE 106 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN SPECIAL THANKS: Chris Kern Thank you for helping with the coordination and planning of my enter Trip to Paso Robles and the Central Coast, California. EQUIPMENT: FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE WORK WITH AUSTIN: http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me or acbwine@gmail.com --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions. While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry. His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux. |