ROCKnVINO: A Pairing of Music & Wine

RNV 100:Banshee Wines | Alicia Sylvester, Winemaker

On this episode, Michelle and Coco talk with Alicia Sylvester, winemaker for Banshee Wines. Alicia shares her agricultural roots (pun intended) and how they led her to appreciate the work done by farmers across the country. After working on harvests around the globe, Alicia returned to California to work at Chateau Montelena and Sonoma Cutrer. In 2021 she took on the role of Winemaker at Banshee Wines, producing wines that taste much more sophisticated than their price point would suggest. At Banshee, Alicia can indulge in both sides of her winemaking personality: Bordeaux style, in your face, big cabs and the more nuanced Burgundian pinot noirs and chardonnays. Alicia is also hilarious, loves to attend concerts, and will occasionally indulge in some 90s country (hellz yeah Garth Brooks!) Check out Banshee Wines and their tasting room record player just steps off the Healdsburg Plaza. 

 

https://www.bansheewines.com/

RNV 99: Savor After Hours | Mark ”Swany” Swanhart

During this episode of ROCK’nVINO hosts Michelle and Coco chat with Mark “Swany” Swanhart, the creator and director of SAVOR After Hours – a wine-tasting cabaret starring Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars at JaM Cellars Ballroom in Napa. The show feels like a rollercoaster that will dazzle your senses with exciting dance sequences, emotional music selections, incredible costumes, and the best wine selections from Napa County vineyards. Swany takes you on an adventure that will make you cheer, laugh, gasp, cry, and more. The venue is expertly designed to give you a wonderful vantage point from any seat.

The show tickets start at just $44, however you can add all kinds of experiences onto your base ticket, including wine tasting, photo ops with the stars, pre-show meet and greet, and more. It runs through Labor Day weekend, so don’t delay! Get tickets now at savorafterhours.com

RNV 98: Little Saint | Alex Sarovich

During this episode of ROCK'nVINO hosts Michelle and Coco chat with Little Saint's Executive Wine Director Alex Sarovich. Little Saint is a music venue/cafe/restaurant in Healdsburg with a 100% plant-based menu. Alex shares her road to Healdsburg and how she makes wine approachable for guests at Little Saint. Whether you are stopping in for a creamy, decadent affogato (Michelle's recommendation!) or joining your pals for a leisurely brunch with wine pairings, or headed to catch a concert upstairs with small bites and a glass of vino, Alex and her team can help you pick just the right wine.

Be sure to get on the mailing list so you are first in the know to snag tickets for a very impressive list of artists, including Lucy Dacus, boygenius, or The War and Treaty. The upstairs venue is intimate and hosts incredible shows. You can also now book multi-course vegan dinners at The Second Story, Friday through Sunday beginning at 5:30pm.

RNV 97: Gerald Casale | The Fifty By Fifty

Coco and Michelle talk with Gerald “Gerry” Casale, co-founder of DEVO and proprietor of The 50 by 50 winery. Gerry talks about the foundation of the band DEVO and how it was connected to the horrific events at Kent State in 1970, when 4 of his fellow students were shot and killed by the National Guard. That event was a pivotal point in his life: it forced him to stay at the university instead of transferring to another school, and exposed him to new ideas from visiting professors. Gerry also shares how music and his success with DEVO gave him an opportunity to try great food and wine, meeting chefs like Jeremiah Tower and Wolfgang Puck who were coming up at the same time as the band. The 50 by 50 has two current releases: The 50 by 50 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016 and The 50 by 50 Carneros Rosé of Pinot Noir 2017. Each wine harmoniously combines Gerry’s love of music and wine.

RNV 96: Field Day | Naomi McLeod

Naomi McLeod is the owner of Field Day CA, a pop-up community in Sonoma County featuring amazing wineries, chefs, and outdoor spaces. Naomi brings her retrofitted school bus to wineries, orchards, and open fields to stage various events, many of which feature a musical element. Michelle and Coco chat with Naomi about her background in the arts and how she uses her experience in event planning to curate memorable experiences. Don't miss out on the June 3rd event featuring Chef Katie Powers and musician Marty O'Reilly. There are a few more events coming up this summer, and be sure to sign up for emails on her website so you don’t miss out on the next one: fielddayca.com

RNV 95: The Happys

In this episode we emphasize the ROCK part of the show during our chat with The Happys, a surf-rock tinged band based in San Francisco. Band members Nick, Alex, Brett and Eli chat with hosts Michelle and Coco while on the road between shows. We learn about their influences, how Nick works in his own struggles with mental health into his songwriting, upcoming free shows, and their guerilla marketing (hand painted signs) efforts across the country. The Happys also announce their involvement in a major summer concert series!

Check out these up and coming rock stars at TheHappysOfficial.com.  

RNV 94: Patrick Davis | Songwriters In Paradise

Patrick Davis is the founder of Songwriters in Paradise - a series of intimate songwriter showcases in the round where each songwriter shares the stories behind the songs, all paired with delicious food and wine. The SIP Napa event is April 19-22, 2023 at Frank Family Vineyards, Alpha Omega, Charles Krug, and Brasswood Napa Valley. Songwriters include Tim Nichols who co-wrote the massive hit "Live Like You Were Dying" made famous by Tim McGraw. SIP Healdsburg returns July 18-22, 2023 with performances at Robert Young, Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves, Bricoleur Vineyards, and Saralee’s Vineyard at La Crema. Songwriters include John Driskell Hopkins, one of the founders of the Zac Brown Band, as well as Kristian Bush, one half of Grammy winning country music super group Sugarland. 

 

These intimate performances are restricted to a very small audience, and help raise money for local charities, such as The Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena & Calistoga and Notes for Education. Learn more at songwritersinparadise.com

 

RNV 93 | Chef Gray Rollin - Belly Left Coast Kitchen

Chef Gray Rollin fed rock stars around the world, before launching his restaurant Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Taproom in Santa Rosa. Listen as we chat about his path to becoming a personal chef for Linkin Park, his stories of life on the road, his passion for learning more about the cultures around the world, and much more. 

RNV 92: Mitch Rice | Mersenne Wines

In this episode we talk with Mitch Rice, winemaker at Mersenne Wines. This boutique winery chose French Renaissance monk Marin Mersenne as their namesake, to represent their approach to winemaking. Marin Mersenne discovered the formula to find Prime numbers (which is still used today!) and Mersenne Wines believes in finding the perfect, 'prime' fruit to make their wines. This Renaissance man was also one of the first to describe musical harmony, and Mitch and his partner Robin Youngdahl hope to create wines that reflect a harmonious nature. Mitch shares a bottle of his Rutherford AVA Merlot with hosts Coco and Michelle, and blows us away with the complex, inviting style from this often maligned varietal. Mersenne Wines also hosts very intimate concerts for wine club members, and the next one is on April 15th with artist Rozzi. Learn more at mersennewines.com

RNV 91: Winery Sixteen 600

Hosts Michelle and Coco talk with Sam Coturri, proprietor at Winery Sixteen 600 in Sonoma. Sam's father Phil Coturri is known as the hippie grandfather of organic grape growing and his legacy is now a multi-generational practice, producing unique and delicious wines. Phil was also tuned in to the San Francisco music scene and was very close to The Grateful Dead, and artist Stanley Mouse, who provided the artwork for Winery Sixteen 600 labels. 

 

During this episode of ROCKnVINO, learn about the family history and musical connections of the Coturri family and how wine and music pair together beautifully!