Barrel Tasting w/ Howard Fletcher

Join Howard and John Sporing, owner of a Life Well Drunk, a business that provides wine experiences around the world. He is also the creator and host of Wine Uncensored on YouTube.

About John Sporing:

John Sporing is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Advanced certified, and continues to work on his diploma in wine and spirits (DWS). So, that is why Howard thought he was someone you should meet. Enjoy!

Connect with John Sporing & A Life Well Drunk on:

Website: https://alifewelldrunk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALifeWellDrunk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alifewelldrunk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alifewelldrunk

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website: https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard and Tolga Baki, owner and master brewer of Hillsborough Brewing. He is also the owner of Belly Love, a craft brew pub in Leesburg, VA.

About Hillsborough Brewing:

Hillsborough Brewing is located on the grounds of Hillsborough Vineyards, which is owned and operated by Tolga’s family. The Baki family began their dream by planting each vine by hand in 2003 after which, the first wines out of the tasting room the following year. Howard’s guest, Tolga, assisted in the development and marketing of the vineyard and later turned his own brewmaster skills into reality by adding amazing craft beers to the tasting room line-up.

Connect with Hillsborough Brewing on:

Website: https://www.hillsboroughwine.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillsboroughWine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillsboroughwine/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hillsborowine

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website: https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletchDC

BTP_CabooseBrewing_Show Notes

Join Howard as he speaks to Matt Furda, Head Brewer of Caboose Brewing of Vienna and Merrifield, Virginia. Matt’s favorite Caboose beer is their Mexican Style Lager, Bienvenidos. He’s excited to create fun one-off beers, especially wild-fermented sour beers. So, if you like innovative flavors and want to learn more about how it is done, this is the show for you.

About Caboose Brewing:

The McLaughlin and Greer families made the leap into the brewing world on May 5, 2015 when they opened Caboose Brewing Company and Caboose Tavern in Vienna, VA. The name comes from the historic red caboose in Vienna as well as the W&OD railroad line that winds through the picturesque town. Just as the nationwide Rails to Trails system has embraced the remnants of the industry to build something for the community, Caboose too, has revitalized the skeletal remains of our industrious past to bring a unique spark back to the community. Fast forward a few years, and you have the restoration of another relic of the past transformed into Caboose Commons. This new model opened its doors in September, 2018, and launched a coffee house/ brewery hybrid that awakes with the early birds and carries on into the evening offering the same community and upholding the same values that have inspired Caboose from its inception.

Connect with Caboose Brewing Co. on:

Website: https://caboosebrewing.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caboosebrewing/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caboosebrewing/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CabooseBrewing

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website: https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard and Nancy Deliso, co-owner and Marketing Guru of 868 Estate Vineyards, as they talk about the story of how three families who share a passion for wine came together in 2012 to open an award-winning vineyard, winery, and restaurant on the Loudoun County Wine Trail.

About 868 Estate Vineyards:

Three families in pursuit of a shared passion joined forces to create 868 Estate Vineyards on the Loudoun County Wine Trail.The adventure began when Peter Deliso, Wendy Charron and Carl DiManno, all with a strong interest in amazing wine and hospitality experiences, decided to take the bold step to open a premier vineyard and winery. The group began the long search throughout Northern Virginia for the right combination of soils, beautiful views, and friendly neighbors.

Three years later (2012), their dream became reality when Peter Deliso, Wendy Charron and Carl DiManno, together with their families, established 868 Estate Vineyards on 120 acres of forests, orchards and gardens on Harpers Ferry Road. In the tasting room, they pour a variety of wines including Pinot Grigio, Rose’, Chardonnay, Merlot, Bordeaux blends and others. They have over 22 acres of vines planted and produce over 4,000 cases of wine per year.

Connect with 868 Estate Vineyards on:

Website: https://868estatevineyards.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/868EstateVineyards/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/868estate/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/868estate

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website: https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletchDC

BTP_Show Notes_Lost Creek Vineyards & Winery

IN THIS EPISODE, Howard speaks with Aimee Henkle, co-owner of the Vineyards & Winery at Lost Creek. Aimee’s passion for wine and love for business, Virginia, and Loudoun County inspired her and her husband Todd to purchase Lost Creek Vineyards and Winery in 2012.

She is also the President of the Loudoun Wineries Association. Her goal is to show how great Virginia wines can be. And, she is doing just that. This is a good one. Download and listen!

Connect with Lost Creek Vineyards & Winery on:

Website: https://www.lostcreekwinery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostcreekvineyard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostcreekwinery/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wineatlostcreek

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard as he has a conversation with Jim Law, the founder and winemaker of Linden Vineyards in Linden, Virginia. They discuss the evolution of Virginia wine culture, wine as an agricultural product, Jim's patient and classic method of Old World winemaking and much more!

About LInden Vineyards:

One of Virginia’s premier wineries, Linden Vineyards is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 60 miles west of Washington DC. The entire wine production of 4,000 cases comes exclusively from three distinct vineyard sites. Linden is best known for single vineyard bottlings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Bordeaux variety red blends.

Connect with Linden Vineyards on:

Website: https://www.lindenvineyards.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linden-Vineyards/

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard and Melissa Schulte, General Manager of Black Ankle Vineyards, as they talk about her story on getting into the wine industry in Maryland. We also discuss how the changing face of wine culture in the state has deepened her appreciation of their customers – especially in the midst of Covid restrictions. Melissa also shares some advice for anyone who’s interested in delving into a winery as a business.

About Black Ankle Vineyards:

Ed Boyce and Sarah O’Herron, owners and founders of Black Ankle Vineyards, were wine drinkers and wine lovers long before they decided to give grape growing and winemaking a try.

For Ed, it started with a special bottle of wine one Thanksgiving: a 1979 Mouton Rothschild (incidentally, the critics consider this vintage very disappointing for Mouton!); for Sarah, it evolved as she grew up in a family in which drinking wine was part of every special occasion.

After years of simply appreciating wine, they began to wonder about the differences in the wines they were drinking. The wine enthusiasts were fascinated by the questions of why certain wines made foods taste better, while others seemed to overwhelm the drinker, why some wines revealed layers of subtlety and nuance, while others seemed to show all their stuff in the first sip, and what went into making wines of different styles and character.

The more they learned about what goes into making a bottle of wine, the more fascinating the whole process became to them. After much “happy research” and travel around the world, they decided to try their hands at making the kinds they liked to drink right here in Maryland.

I’d say they succeeded.

Connect with Black Ankle Vineyards on:

Website:https://www.blackankle.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/blackankle/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackanklevineyards/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/blackanklevines

Catch Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard andBeth Erickson,President and CEO of Visit Loudoun, as they spend an episode chatting about the craft beverage industry in Loudoun County.

In this episode you will learn:

• Locals, Businesses, and Officials – Shaping the Loudoun County Wine Scene.
• Runningcraft brewery beyond wineand the secret sauce of each craft breweries.
• Clusters of wine experiences in Loudoun County.
• Why craft beverage is a beautiful experience no matter what.
• Craft beverage moving forward – SupportingLocal!

AboutVisit Loudoun:

Visit Loudoun is the destination marketing organization (DMO) for Loudoun County and its incorporated towns. The organization is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive destination marketing program designed to attract visitors to the region who in turn generate economic, employment taxes for the region. Visit Loudoun also works with the industry to implement a county-wide tourism destination development strategy.

Visit Loudoun is committed to the diverse and culturally rich community we serve and to ensuring that Loudoun County is a welcoming destination.

To be a "must visit" destination supported by a community that recognizes the economics and quality of life benefits that come from sharing our home with visitors. Loudoun County will be the preferred east coast destination for lovers of artisanal, epicurean, and culturally rich experiences.

To stimulate the sustainability and enhancement of Loudoun County's economy and quality of life by advocating for smart destination development and marketing an exceptional experience to travel consumers worldwide.

Connect withVisit Loudounon:

Website:https://www.visitloudoun.org/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/VisitLoudoun/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/visitloudoun/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/VisitLoudoun

CatchBarrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard andKenny Borkmann,Master Brewer of Brookeville Beer Farm, as they spend an episode chatting about Kenny's history in the business and the craft beer industry in Maryland.

AboutVisit Brookville Beer Farm:

A European style beer hall with an iconic steeple top and circular bar, Brookeville Beer Farm in Montgomery County, MD has been a staple for locals since July of 2016.

Connect withVisit Brookeville Beer Farmon:

Website:https://www.brookevillebeerfarm.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/brookevillebeerfarm/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brookevillebeerfarm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brookevillebeer

CatchBarrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC

Join Howard Fletcher and his conversation with Jeff Ramirez, co-founder and Chief Beer Officer of Denizens Brewing Co. In this role, Jeff is responsible for all aspects of beer production, both for taproom and wholesale consumption. In addition to brewing over 150+ beers to-date and developing a popular core lineup, making Denizens one of the most popular craft breweries in Montgomery County, Maryland.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Jeff has brewed his entire professional life having previously worked in breweries in the Philadelphia, PA area and Boulder, CO.
• Jeff's experiences at the Siebel Institute and World Brewing Academy and how they shaped his brewing style.
• How Jeff found himself starting the first legal craft brewing business in Montgomery County, Maryland.
• Jeff successfully established an extensive barrel aging program at Denizens.
• And much more!

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You can find Denizens Brewing Co. on:

•Website:https://www.denizensbrewingco.com/

•Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/citizensbrewco/

•Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/denizensbrewing/

You can find Barrel Tasting with Howard Fletcher on:

•Website:https://barreltastingpod.com/

•Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BarrelTastingPod

•Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/barreltastingpod

•Twitter:https://twitter.com/fletchDC