My guest this week is Jeff Morgan, one of the most dynamic and interesting winemaking personalities in Napa Valley. Jeff will be in Wichita for the American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) National Conference hosted by the Wichita Chapter of AIWF and in conjunction with the 18th Annual Midwest Winefest. He is also hosting one of the two Winefest Dinners on April 19th at the Eaton Hotel. Learn more about the dinner and make reservations at www.midwestwinefest.com
Jeff Morgan – Winemaker, Peter Paul Wines, LLC, in his own words:
Jeff Morgan
“I believe I’m the only commercial winemaker who’s also a professional wine (and food) writer. I started out as a cellar rat in New York’s Long Island in 1988. In 1992, I began a 7-year stint with Wine Spectator, finishing as West Coast Editor. Moved to Napa in October 1999. Co-founded the only New World winery dedicated to rose (SoloRosa) in 2001; co-founded Covenant Winery (with Napa vintner Leslie Rudd) in 2003. And now make wine for several other wineries, including Peter Paul, under the aegis of M Square Wine Consultants, owned and operated with winemaker Daniel Moore.
Still writing, too. Since 2001, I’ve written seven cookbooks including: Dean & Deluca, PlumpJack and Domaine Chandon along with continuing journalistic pursuits for such publications as The Wall Street Journal and Wines & Vines. I also teach at the CIA’s Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies in my spare time.”
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2009 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY
Intensely structured, with ripe, bold tannins, the wine displays a rich core of cassis, blackberry, anise and chocolate. It finishes long with great elegance. This is a single vineyard wine made in a full-bodied style, still tightly wound, yet drinking beautifully now. It also has great cellaring potential.