Ep25 - Concannon Vineyards: 1963 Petit Syrah
Originally uploaded by GuyandGirl.
Here’s a quick photo of the original bottle of Petite Sirah, from Concannon Vineyards. (listen to episodes 25 & 26 for an interview with Jim Concannon) I thik the original price was about $1.75. Shoulda bought some back then!
Episode 26 - Concannon Vineyards (part 2)
This episode of A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle wine podcast has us visiting the Concannon Vineyard in Livermore, California. This is part 2 of our interview with Jim Concannon. In case you missed the first episode, Jim Concannon’s grandfather James Concannon started the winery, in 1883. Not only is the Concannon winery known as ‘America’s First Irish Winery’ but the founder James Concannon was actually born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1847. Pretty cool. Listen as Jim talks about the early days, when the Concannon Winery used to ship wine directly to Vatican city. Concannon has also been very proactive in the community and has struggled (much as their vines do in the rocky soil) to ensure that the property has been set aside in a trust to preserve it for future generations. The Concannon family is also starting a wine museum, and we will return later this year when the construction is complete and the museum is open. Until then, however, we hope you enjoy the second installment of our interview.
Our musical guest today is Joseph K, and the song is Out of Time. When we first heard this song, it reminded us of Jack Johnson, yet Joseph has a style that is all his own. (It doesn’t hurt that he is originally from Santa Cruz, just down the road from us) We hope you like it, and if so, check out his website and drop him a line. www.jkmusic.us.
Concannon Vineyard
4590 Tesla Road
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: (800) 258-9866 / (925) 456-2505
Fax: (925) 456-2511
Google Map
Leave us some feedback! We now have voicemail, simply call 408-627-7796 and let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. If you prefer email, you can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com.
Cheers!
-A Guy & a Girl
Episode 25 - Concannon Vineyards
Happy St. Patricks Day! This episode of A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle wine podcast has us visiting the Concannon Vineyard in Livermore, California. We talk to Jim Concannon, whose grandfather and family patiarch James Concannon started the winery, in 1883. Not only is the Concannon winery known as ‘America’s First Irish Winery’ but the founder James Concannon was actually born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1847! Talk about luck of the Irish! We spent a couple of hours with Jim, and the stories that he told were so rich, colorful, and passionate, we simply turned on the recorder and enjoyed his stories. (Due to the length, we decided to split this up in two parts, and this is part 1) While we do sample some wines during our conversation, we don’t talk about them in great detail. We promise to return soon and concentrate on the wines themselves. If you are intrigued by the history of wine, then this is the podcast that you have been waiting for.
Originally planted with premium Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapevine cuttings from France’s legendary Chateau Y’Quem, Concannon later imported the first cuttings from the hybrid Petite Sirah vine developed in 1880 by French viticulturist Francois Durif. James Concannon would become good friends with Archbishop Alemany, a powerful figure in the Catholic Church and a man whose influence would help shape the future of the winery. Archbishop Alemany suggested that James develop a line of sacramental wines for use in church services. It was a suggestion that proved to be a tremendous blessing, as during prohibition, the winery was able to continue production as they were suppliers to the Church, while many other california wineries were lost during those 13 years. James Concannons’ grandsons (Joseph and James) would later make the decision to be the first to varietally label Petite Sirah from their 1961 vintage (released in 1964). Later in the 1970’s, Concannon’s vine clone 7 and 8 (a Cabernet Savignon clone) were planted in Napa, and as a result, the Concannon name has roots in the success of many winemakers that have followed.
It seems that once you visit, you may have a hard time leaving!
Early in the morning and late at night, our lab technician will feel a cold breeze coming into the room and see a figure outside of the window where my father had his office in the 1920s,” said Jim Concannon of Concannon Winery. “The lights go on and off regularly almost every day for no reason. None of the electricians can figure out why, because all of the wiring is in perfect condition,” he continued. “One of our employees came into the winery in the morning, and all of the corks from the previous day’s partial bottles in the tasting room were lying on the bar top. We have a burglar alarm, so no one could have gone in there. I think it is the ghost of my grandfather, James Concannon, looking over us. - Wine Institute
Musical guest today is Bloody Irish Boys, and the song is Drunk Tonight
In our opinion, this is a must visit on your wine travels throughout California.
Concannon Vineyard
4590 Tesla Road
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: (800) 258-9866 / (925) 456-2505
Fax: (925) 456-2511
Google Map
Leave us some feedback! We now have voicemail, simply call 408-627-7796 and let us know if you like what you hear, have suggestions, or would like us to review a particular winery. If you prefer email, you can drop us a line at guyandgirl@gmail.com.
Cheers!
-A Guy & a Girl
Episode 24: Wine Blogging Wednesday #19 (When in Rhone.)
OK Guys & Girls, it’s a new month, it’s Wednesday, that must mean.The next episode of LOST! Well, that isn’t really the case, as it happens to be a re-run anyway. Rather it is time once again for Wine blogging Wednesday! the theme for this month is When in Rhone, and is hosted by Jathan over at Winexpressions.com. Although Jathan wanted us to check out some exotic Rhone Varietals, I took this occassion to go and visit a local wine shop here in Willow Glen (a Suburb of San Jose, CA) called the GrapeVine and asked them a few questions about Rhone varietals and sampled a two different wines. I won’t give it all away here in the blog, but I did sample a French blend as well as a California 100% Syrah. Listen to the episode for all the wonderful details and won’t you come a take a quick trip with me to the Rhone region of France..
Musical Artist is Butterfly Catchers and the song is Morning. Check them out!
The Grapevine is located at:
1389 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-293-7574
Fax: 408-293-7012
http://www.grapevine-wg.com
store hours
Tues - Fri: 12pm - 9pm
Sat: 10am - 9pm
You can check out all the results from WBW#19 by visiting the following link
- The Guy
guyandgirl@gmail.com
Subscribe to our Wine Podcast at iTunes or Yahoo!
Episode 23 - Book Reading by Kermit Lynch
Hey there Guys & Girls, in today’s episode of A Guy, a Girl and a Bottle we listen to Kermit Lynch, as he reads a few pages of from his new book, Inspiring Thirst, Vintage Selections from the Kermit Lynch Wine Brochure. (You may remember on Episode 19 of A Guy, a Girl, and a Bottle wine podcast, Joe interviwed Kermit at his store in Berkeley California.) Kermit presented to the public back in December on behalf of Vintage Wine Merchants, and we recorded that session. Kermit’s writing and reading style are very witty, and show a rare side of the wine industry. If you like what you hear, you can purchase an autographed copy of the book directly from Kermit at http://www.kermitlynch.com/pgbooks.html#1
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