With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

That&rsquo;s all about to change. Listening to Chris Phelps talk about his first foray into making wine makes you appreciate his deep knowledge and consideration for the grape and the land.

In Episode 283 of CorkRules, Robert Tas talks to Chris about his background in wine, how his son encouraged him to start making wine, and origin story of&nbsp; <a href="https://www.advivumcellars.com/">Ad Vivum,</a> but throughout this interesting conversation, one thing is clear: Chris has an immense passion for the land, the grape, and, of course, the alchemy that happens when you bring the grape through fruition, fermentation, and finally wine.

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Wine for Body, Mind and Soul

Like so many passionate vintner&rsquo;s Chris&rsquo; path into the vineyard was shaped by fate. Originally enrolled in pre-med at Davis University, he spent a summer firefighting where he encouraged a friend, a passionate wine geek, to join him at Davis where they ran a viticulture/enology program. The tables turned when the friend later encouraged Chris to jump from medicine to wine.

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Fast forward a few years of studying and working in France and at various vineyards, including a wine ch&acirc;teau within the village of Puisseguin-Saint-&Eacute;milion in Bordeaux, and Chris is now a consultant for wineries, including Inglenook in Napa Valley, and Grounded Wine Company.

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For Chris, the joy of selecting a varietal that produces exceptional and original fruit is just the beginning. He talks passionately about finding those unique grapes, picking them at the right time, not an hour later or earlier, and how the moment of tasting the raw, as yet unfermented fruit, a few days after cold soaking, reveals the aromatics and top notes.

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Today, Chris produces small productions of select wines, usually just several hundred cases each year. The wines are selectively and directly distributed locally at wine shops and restaurants. He is the winemaker, and his son runs the business side of sales and promotion. The father-son team also run Coil Wines where they produce a Mendocino County Pinot Noir and a rare old-vine Napa Valley Chenin Blanc.

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Chris believes the secret to good wine lies in the love of the land. He spends time in the vines, getting to know them, watching how they grow so he knows when they should be harvested. Timing is key when picking grapes, the sugar content and ripe factor play a major role in the final product. And of course, good vintners know that the vitality of the terroir is, well, vital for the health, growth, and taste of the grape. He pays attention to which grapes do well in which area of the land. He takes note of the sun, water, wind, and minerals in the soil all of which play a role in the magical science that turns vine into wine.

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However, Chris also believes that wine is about more than selective wine tasting and the snobbery that may be encountered within the industry. Wine is about life, and his philosophy rings true with many wine lovers across the globe for whom the love of the juice reaches far beyond tasting notes: it&rsquo;s about sharing and pairing; it&rsquo;s about long conversations and enjoying an evening of&nbsp; convivial company.

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As Chris so eloquently states, &ldquo;Ad Vivum was the first single-vineyard wine to emerge from a unique name: Ad infers movement toward a goal with intention. Vivum is the synthesis of two Latin words &mdash; vivere (to live) and vinum (wine). Ad Vivum, is, therefore, where wine and life meet.&rdquo;

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Cheers to that, Chris, and may your wine glass be always half full.

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With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

Chris Phelps on Wine and Life

Syrah and Shiraz. Two different names for the same grape variety, but also the name of two different styles of wine. Originally from France but spread around the world today, it has found its own identity in regions far away from the original origin.

The black grape Syrah comes from the French Rhône valley and it’s still very much planted there. Here, it’s the only variety used in Hermitage and Cornas, and also used in blends with other local grapes in areas like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône to mention a few. The grape name won’t appear on the label though since in France, and in Europe in general, the origin is of more importance than the grape variety.

Decoding the wine label: Syrah or Shiraz?

Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it’s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year – the millésime style champagne.

Decoding the wine label: Millésime

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

Grace Hood

STK

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules! A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace, it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hey hey Robert happy to be here as always

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting. Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top. So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. So, Grace today we are chatting about STK - what are your initial thoughts?

GH: Yeah, so STK is one of these modern restaurant concepts that has really taken off. You can find STK&rsquo;s in a lot of major metropolises, kind of like a hipper version of Fleming&rsquo;s, no offense to Fleming&rsquo;s of course - great happy hour!

RT: Hhahaha I totally get what you&rsquo;re saying. So where would you start us?

GH: So, they have a lot of classic producers, pretty standard for steak houses. They have some personal favorites of mine on there as well. On the white side, if you&rsquo;re looking for something light, I would go with the Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc. I first had that about 10 years ago and was blown away by how much it tasted like a white Bordeaux, which arguably makes some of the finest sauv blanc in the world. Aromatic and crispy and super delicious. If you wanted a heavier style white, my choice is the chardonnay from Domaine Drouhin Oregon, or DDO as it&rsquo;s known in the industry. The Drouhins have been making wine in Burgundy forever and the daughter of the family, Veronique, is now the winemaker of their facility in Oregon. I got to meet her a few years ago and spoke perfect French to her and was just like &ldquo;yessss nailed it&rdquo; hahah

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RT: Ah oui oui madame! Love that story. Where would you steer us when it comes to reds?

GH: Oooo they have a nice red selection - lots of well-known producers, which ya know can sometimes be a relief for some people! sometimes you just don&rsquo;t want to have to go hunting on the wine list for something you&rsquo;d like to drink - sometimes you just want to see a name you know you love, order it and enjoy it, ya know? For me personally, that would be the Faust cabernet from Napa. Now usually I am not a Napa cab girl, but this was poured for me a few years ago by an advanced sommelier friend who knew I have a preference for French cab, and let me tell you he did not disappoint. Even though this cab is grown in Napa, it drinks like a French Bordeaux. It&rsquo;s still big and bold but soft and lush and just divine. I almost always order it if I see it on a menu. And then another good favorite red was on the STK menu - Numanthia, a juicy thick rich red from Spain. The bottle itself is super heavy as well so you know you&rsquo;re about to get a decadent experience in your glass.

RT: ooooo yum I love those two producers as well. Is it too early to pour a glass?

GH: You&rsquo;re not drinking already Robert? Isn&rsquo;t it 5 o clock in New York?

RT: Work first, wine later as we both say hahaha now what are we thinking for some value wines?

GH: For affordable white, I would do the Albarino from Martin Codax - cripsy, oceanic, refreshing. and for red I would pick the 2017 Provence merlot - now I know in the movie sideways, Paul Giama said he&rsquo;s not drinking any friggin&rsquo; merlot, but with all respect, merlot is absolutely delish, especially from Napa. I actually prefer Napa merlots over Napa cabernets! Don&rsquo;t snap at me I don&rsquo;t want to hear it hahah

RT: Can&rsquo;t wait to see the comments section for this one! Hahaha I kid I kid. What would be your pics for those high-ticket items Grace?

GH: Well, I mean, if you&rsquo;ve got Krug on the menu, it&rsquo;s a no-brainer. Krug is one of the most legendary champagne producers, and has one of the richer more lush mouth feels when it comes to champagne. And then I&rsquo;m gonna switch up the game here and recommend a large format bottle! They have a 2011 Belle Glos pinot from Sonoma, and that baby is ready to drink!

RT: Amazing! Thank you so much Grace for helping us navigate the STK wine list.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @corkrules and @wineswithgrace.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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End

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Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

The Prisoner Wine Company is a premium wine producer that focuses on producing unique, high-quality wines that are rich in flavor and depth. The company is known for its bold and powerful blends that are crafted using cutting-edge winemaking techniques. The Prisoner has quickly become one of the most recognized and respected wine producers in California.

Established in 1967, this classy Italian steakhouse features a chic patio, full bar & many wines.

Popina

The Atlantic Grill

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

MEET OUR SOMMELIER

Kim
Kuznitz

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The Atlantic Grill

About Kim

Want to be a featured Sommelier?

MEET OUR SOMMELIER

Kim Kuznitz

Related Episodes

#8

The Atlantic Grill

About Kim

Want to be a featured Sommelier?

Kim
Kuznitz