Jul 25 – This Week’s Show

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Guy

This weeks show I’ll be talking to Gary Hinegardner, founder of Wood Hat Spirits in Missouri.

The company produces bourbon, corn whiskey and a short list of cordials. Everything that goes into making Wood Hat Spirits comes from Missouri, from the corn to the barrels for aging.

Located in New Florence, Missouri, Wood Hat Spirits is a craft “field-to-glass” distillery renowned for its focus on heirloom corn varieties and environmentally-friendly distillation. Founded by Gary Hinegardner, the operation is famous for being one of the only wood-fired distilleries in the United States, utilizing scrap wood from a local barrel stave mill for heat. 

Wood Hat distinguishes itself through several unique elements:

  • Heirloom Corn: Instead of standard yellow commodity corn, Hinegardner (a former agronomist) grows and sources unique varieties like Hopi blue corn, Bloody Butcher red corn, and their proprietary Orange #8.
  • The “Green” Process: The distillery relies on an oil-transfer, wood-fired boiler, and geothermal/ambient cooling, producing a notably small carbon footprint. 
  • The Wood Hats: True to its name, Hinegardner—a skilled woodturner—whittles and carves realistic, paper-thin wood hats on a lathe, which are worn by him and displayed in the tasting room. 
  • Location: You can find the distillery at 489 Booneslick Road, New Florence, MO, just off Interstate 70 (Exit 175).

Good Life Guy’s  Spirits of the week:
I’ll be tasting some of Gary’s fine handy work!  I have several of his products in-studio with me.  Craft whiskey made with care.

 

 

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2024 DNA Vineyards Russian River Chardonnay
Bright citrus zest and crisp Asian pear, complemented by subtle brioche notes. On the palate, delicate fruit unfolds with clarity, framed by fresh, lively acidity. Gentle oak adds warmth and texture without masking the wine’s natural brightness. An elegant finish leaves a clean, lingering impression of harmonious balance, the hallmark of Russian River Valley Chardonnay. ABV14.6%
North Coast Wine Challange 97 – Sunset International 97

What steal…$26 at jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Rd.

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Jul 25 – This Week’s Show

Jul 18 – Tequilla & Basque Wine :-)

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Guy

My first guest is Gabriel Barcenas, owner of Rey Azquila.  Gabriel is from Wichita and has collaborated with top shelf producers in Mexico to produce this elegant example of what Tequila can be.

You’ll learn about Gabriel, his Wichita restaurant history and this ambitious journey into the spirits world. He has an interesting story, he’s a local Wichitan and working hard to get his product in to your glass or your margarita. Follow on Facebook

Gabriel Barcenas is the CEO and founder of Rey Azquila Tequila, an upcoming spirit brand crafted in Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico. Based out of Wichita, Kansas, Barcenas developed the brand with a focus on heritage, intentionality, and a patient maturation process.

The Official Launch Party is August 15th, 7-11pm
Venue 54  5025 E Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS
RSVP NOW

In the second half I’ll be talking to PhD Kerri Lesh founder and CEO of Basque Wine Inportas. Kerri is from Wichita and the company is headquartered in Kansas City. Her Basque Knowledge is amazing and her wine knowledge is even better.  It’s her hard work that is getting several small producer Basque wines on the shelves here in Kansas.

She’s stopping by the studio and we will taste a couple wines together.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Gorka Izagirre G22 2024 | Comprar por 14.25 € en Bodeboca2024 Gorzka Izagirre G22 Txakoli Berezia
100% Hondarrabi Zerratia (a prominant Basque white grape) perfect for warm summer weather. Bright, crisp and refreshing with aromatics of pear, apple and citrus. On the palate those aromas continue with the additon of white flowers, nettles and fennel seed backed by a hint of minerality from being aged on the lees for several months. A complex, smooth easy drinking wine with a soft floral, white balsamic finish. ABV12.5%

Get some at Jacob Liquor Exchange

Check out this upcoming Bourbon  event and dinner at the 9th Floor Club & Venue,  July 31 6:00-7:00 p.m.! “Whiskey Education Class” open to the public, 9th Floor membership not required. 😉

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Jul 18 – Tequilla & Basque Wine :-)

Jul 11 – The Wines of lsrael

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Guy

My guet this week is Joshua Greenstein of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (www.Iwpa.com)

Joshua Greenstein Founder & Executive Vice President, Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA)

Joshua Greenstein is a fifth-generation wine industry executive with more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and brand development. Since entering the industry in 2003, he has built a reputation for driving growth, elevating international wine regions, and connecting producers with the U.S. market.

A graduate of the University of Hartford, Greenstein began his career with Peerless Importers as a merchandiser before moving into a sales role with Gallo Wine & Liquor in New York City. He later joined W.J. Deutsch & Sons, where he served as a District Manager overseeing marketing strategy and brand development across the Metro New York region.

Over the past nine years, Greenstein has served as Founder and Executive Vice President of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), while also leading a division of Royal Wine Inc. as Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, he manages a national team, works closely with distributors across the country, and develops strategic programs and events that support a diverse portfolio of Israeli wines in the U.S. market.

Greenstein collaborates directly with more than 40 Israeli wineries—ranging from boutique producers to large-scale operations—guiding their brand positioning, communications, and market expansion throughout the United States. Under his leadership, IWPA has played a key role in elevating awareness of Israel as one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing wine regions.

Blending thousands of years of winemaking heritage with cutting-edge technology, Israeli wines today represent a unique intersection of history and innovation. Through IWPA, Greenstein continues to advance a unified voice for the category—educating trade and consumers alike, and positioning Israel as a world-class wine region.

Good Life Guy’s Wines of The week:
Several High Quality Israeli Wines from the top growing regions in Israeli

_________________________________________________________

Posted in Other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Jul 11 – The Wines of lsrael

Jul 4 – Food Photography

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Guy

Food Photography

So you like to take food photos with your phone, or maybe even a professional camera…
…you don’t want to miss this show.

My guest this week is Lauren Caris Short with her latest book “The Complete Guide to Food Photography – Hot to light, Compose, Style, and Edit Mouth-Watering Food Photographs.”

The must-have guidebook for creating great food photographs!

The Complete Guide to Food Photography is a visually stunning, eminently useful, and comprehensive resource for creating fantastic food photographs. In this book, professional food photographer Lauren Short teaches you her entire image-making process, as she covers lighting, composition, styling, storytelling, editing, and processing great food photographs.

In the first part of the book, Lauren covers the core concepts, where you’ll learn:

How to work with both natural and artificial light (as well as modifiers)• The tools, guides, and rules of composition for food photography• Techniques, tips, and tricks for styling your food so it looks its best• How to build a story with the use of backgrounds, props, and other supporting elements• Processing, retouching, and compositing techniques to finish your image

Additionally, Lauren explains the why behind her creative decisions. By understanding her decision-making process and walking through her problem-solving techniques, you’ll become better equipped to make informed creative decisions so you can excel at food photography, no matter what scenarios you encounter.

In the second part of the book, Lauren walks you through multiple case studies of complete, start-to-finish shoots so that you can see every aspect of her image-making process and understand how it all comes together. Each case study also includes a link to a full video for each shoot so that you can easily follow along.

Filled with beautiful imagery as well as behind-the-scenes photos and helpful diagrams, The Complete Guide to Food Photography is a must-have for any food photographer looking to create images that stand out from the crowd. Get a copy NOW!

Lauren Short is a British photographer living in Zurich, Switzerland, where she lives with her husband. Back in 2015, she made a U-turn from her career in tax to pursue her passion and become a full-time photographer. Lauren specialises in food photography, and she works with clients in a range of styles, from product to restaurants to editorial. In addition, Lauren runs the food photography education membership “Food Photography Academy,” as well as a blog and YouTube channel. She is passionate about sharing everything she knows with other photographers to help them develop their skills and gain a deeper understanding of photography. Follow Lauren on Facebook.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Peirano Estate “Six Clones” Merlot, Lodi California
(This wine was the wine of the week a few weeks ago, re-tasted after a week of being vaccum preserved…OMG, it got even better and deserves a 2nd look!)
Aromas of maraschino cherries, black raspberries, cran-raspberry, plum medley and a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove join together in a single sensation of olfactory bliss. The mouth is filled with an array of flavors, including spiced raspberries, plum compote and cran-raspberry juice with a lingering hint of cinnamon sprinkled over raspberry and plum sauce. Bright red fruit tannins and good acidity leave a pleasing, long lasting, soft
finish. ABV14.8%
Wine Enthusiast 92 POINTS & BEST BUY
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR WINE  90 POINTS & GOLD

Posted in Other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Jul 4 – Food Photography

Jun 27 – The London Plane Flower & Cookbook

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Guy

My guest this week is Katherine Anderson with her new book “The London Plane Flower & Cookbook.

A literary and culinary tribute to a beloved Seattle restaurant.

The London Plane restaurant and flower shop was a special place. For ten years (2013-2022), it anchored a corner in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, welcoming both locals and visitors from afar. This book remembers its heart and soul, celebrating the community of cooks, bakers, florists, servers, and beloved customers.

Katherine Anderson, in collaboration with chefs and creatives who were a part of The London Plane, organizes The London Plane Flower & Cook Book around the calendar year. Each chapter contains a reflection about life at The LP during that month, an essay about the season’s flowers, and a number of recipes from our kitchen and bakery, including some of the most popular recipes such as the Buttermilk Biscuit, Michael’s Plane Bread, Chicken Pot Pie, and our Granola. Over 150 remarkable photographs and illustrations of the place, its recipes, and flowers accompany the text.

Proudly produced and designed in collaboration with Seattle-based Marquand Books. This limited edition book is perfect for anyone who loves flowers, cooking, photography, memoirs, or cherishes the beauty that was The London Plane. Get a copy NOW!

Contributors include Danny Conkling, Dorothée Brand, Emily Dann, Honnah Weber, Isvald Klingels, Kyle Johnson, Mehdi Boujrada, Melissa Smithers, Michael Sanders, Sako Gordon, Sophie Handler, way thị sum, Yasuaki Saito, Zach Lucido, and Zarah Kahn.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Maison Tardieu Laurent – Saint Joseph – Vieilles Vignes
Only 200 cases imported, this highly rated wine is available at Jacob Liquor on North Rock Road!

Wine Spectator: 93
A sleek, meaty red, this layers fresh and steeped cherry with singed apple wood, charred bacon fat and cracked peppercorn. Green herbs offset sweet oak spice and the tannins are well-tamed, providing a cashmere frame for the silky, refreshingly savory finish. Drink now through 2030. 750 cases made, 200 cases imported.
Wine Enthusiast: 94
Irresistible juicy aromas of black cassis, bramble jam, fresh rose, violets and a touch of fresh earth fill the glass. The wine exudes freshness and purity throughout. The palate is particularly lovely, showcasing pure cherry and blackberry fruit accented by just the right amount of baking spice. Enjoy immediately or stash a few bottles in the cellar.
Jeb Dunnuck: 93
The 2020 Saint Joseph Vieilles Vignes has a terrific, granite-like minerality as well as pure blue fruits, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and complex notes of violets, sappy green herbs, and cracked peppercorns. It shows the riper style of the vintage in its texture and density, yet it has an almost cool climate-like vibe in its aromatics. It’s another beautiful wine from this terrific estate.

 
Posted in Other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jun 27 – The London Plane Flower & Cookbook