Jun 14 – Hollerhorn Distilling

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Guy

My guest this week is Karl Neubauer, founder (along with wife Melisa) and distiller at Hollerhorn Distillery in Naples New York.  Karl and the distillery were featured on CBS Sunday Morning a few months ago.  While we were in Ithaca NY and the Finger Lakes recently we took the short drive to the distillery to sample these fine spirits and enjoy a gourmet lunch. Karl calls all his spirits “Tree Spirits” an homage to the local Maple Syrup used to produce them.

Using exceptional quality local Maple syrup Karl produces some of the best Bourbon and other spirits that I have ever tasted. They are working on being able to ship product and I will be working with my distributor friends to see if and when Hollerhorn seeks distribution, Kansas is on the top of the list! Follow Hollerhorn on Facebook.  Visit www.hollerhorn.com and learn more.

If ever in upstate New York, plan to visit.The restaurant is amazing! The menu is creative  and the food was expertly presented by the distilleries talented kitchen crew, with Executive Chef, Steve Frank at the helm. Chef Frank utilizes local ingredients to create a menu that will appeal to your adventurous tastes, while still giving a nod to the joys of comfort food.  Add this to some top-shelf crafted “Tree Spirits” and you have a most memorable afternoon.

John Says:
“Hollerhorn was built on a dream, sweat equity, sheer passion, and a belief that small-town life doesn’t have to feel small.   Do you enjoy high-quality spirits, tasty food, live music, and sharing that experience with the people you love? So do we! At Hollerhorn, our Spirit Room is more than just a tasting room, it is about creating an elevated experience.  A place to live better. A place to celebrate with old friends and maybe make a few new friends. A place for a special date night or a casual weeknight hang out. A place to bring out-of-town family and friends. A destination. It is not by chance that we chose Naples, New York as the location for our Distillery and Spirit Room. It is our great fortune to live in the Finger Lakes Region, and the Naples Valley is the crowning jewel. It is a quaint historic village surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, lush farmland, a thriving arts and music scene, and an incredibly supportive community. We are so proud to be a part of it!”

“We strive to create the highest quality spirits that reflect the beauty and integrity of this region.  Each spirit is hand-crafted and bottled with pride right here in Naples! Let’s see how big our little town can feel!”

Do you enjoy high-quality spirits, tasty food, live music and sharing that experience with the people you love? So do we! At Hollerhorn, our Spirit Room is more than just a tasting room, it is about creating an elevated experience. A place to live better. A place to celebrate with old friends and maybe make a few new friends. A place for a special date night or a casual weeknight hang out. A place to bring out-of-town family and friends. A destination.  Watch the CBS Sunday Morning segment on Hollerhorn

Hollerhorn Distilling – 8443 Spirit Run, Naples, NY, 14512,  (585) 531-244
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Good Life Guy’s Wine spirits of the Week:
Some primo Bourbon and other spirits from Hollerhorn.  While all the “Tree Spirits” tasted were phenomenal, this was my favorite; Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is a big, oily, luscious bourbon with notes of brown sugar, caramel, burnt orange, and vanilla.  If you like Bourbon, no matter where it’s produced or what the mash bill was, this is a very special spirt.  I just wish it was available locally.  🙂
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Jun 7 – John Esh from Goot Essa Cheese

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Guy

My guest this week is John Esh from Goot Essa Cheese. From Amish country in Pennsylvania, this family produced artisanal craft cheese offers the finest quality, freshest ingredients directly from the farm.

The Esh family produces numerous varieties of natural cave-aged artisan cheeses in the traditional European style with milk from 6 nearby Amish farms. Their baskets of cheeses and condiments make beautiful and delicious gifts. www.gootessacheese.com

Goot Essa began in 2001 as a six-family cooperative. Our goal has always been to use our cheesemaking expertise to ensure every generation has the means to stay on the farm.

John says:
“We work our fields in the traditional way – with horses and manpower instead of machines. Every member contributes to the good of the farm, the family, and in turn, the whole community. Our farms are small, allowing each acre and animal to be cared for with love and respect for nature.”

Goot Essa’s small-batch approach to cheesemaking ensures our products are flavorful and unique. We want you to experience food fresh from the farm, processed at the peak of flavor. In the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, “Goot Essa” means “good food” or “good eating.” It’s only natural we named our group Goot Essa, because we want to share our love for handcrafted, European-style cheese with you — so you can share it with friends and family.  Follow Good Esa on Facebook!

Later in the show I’ll tell you all about Formaticum Cheese storage bags and storage papers.
Cheese storage bags maintain freshness and flavor longer—all in a quick, easy-to-use bag. The material is porous enough to let cheese breathe while retaining ample humidity to prevent it from drying out. Reuse the same bag for the same type of cheese until butterfat stains become visible on the paper, then switch it out for a new one. Made in France and designed for cheese storage, bags are perfect for quick cleanup of leftovers and make a great gift for cheese lovers.  Formaticum is on Facebook!

Good Life Guy’s Wine of The Week:
2023 La Cheteau Lorie Valley Les Chataignieres Vouvray
The 2023 growing season in Vouvray was marked by unique climatic conditions. The year began with a mild winter, followed by a warm and dry spring, which prompted early bud break and flowering. However, a sudden frost in late April posed challenges, leading to some crop loss in certain vineyards. Despite this setback, the summer brought consistent warmth and sunshine, allowing for even ripening of the grapes. A temperate autumn with cool nights allowed for extended hang time, contributing to the development of complex flavors and balanced acidity in the wines. These highly favorable summer and autumn conditions yielded grapes of excellent quality.

Tasting Notes:
100% Chenin blanc fermented in stainless with no oak or ML. Ripe pear, crisp green apple, and hints of flower blossoms on the nose, with nuanced minerality that brings elegance and bright tension to the palate. The mouth feel is rich and rounded with crisp acidity balanced by a tasty sweetness on a full-bodied palate.  Serve this with an array of fine cheeses, spicy Asian food or with desserts.  ABV11%
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May 31 – Pizza on a Plank

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Guy

My first guest this week is Dina Guillen with her new book “Pizza on a Plank – Make Wood-Fired Pizza on your Grill.”

Learn how to make the perfect pizza with an underused method that will convince your tastebuds that you’re at a fancy pizzeria.

Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. But homemade pizza rarely hits the crispy-chewy-charred trifecta—and that’s because many of us don’t own a wood-burning oven. By employing one brilliant, simple trick—cooking pizzas on a wooden plank—you can transform your gas or charcoal grill into an appliance that rivals any pizza oven.

Pizza on a Plank offers an easy-to-follow introduction to plank grilling, including where to buy food-safe planks, the best methods for soaking and seasoning them, gas vs. charcoal plank-grilling techniques, how to pair different woods (such as hickory, cedar, alder, and mesquite) with their ideal pizza toppings, and much more. More than 40 inventive savory and sweet pizza recipes—plus doughs and sauces—will have you eagerly firing up the grill. Includes mouthwatering full-color photography.

Dina Guillen is an expert in plank-grilling and the author of two cookbooks on the topic. She has appeared on Martha Stewart Living Radio, the local television affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX, and in The Washington Post, Cooking Light, The Good Life radio show and more. She lives near Sacramento, CA, with her family.

  • Later in the show I’ll be chatting with Dustin Kuhn all about the Wichita Air Capitol COSMOPOLITAN annual Golf tournament at Crest View Country Club June 9th. Learn more at: www.facebook.com

 

  • I’ll be sharing the what, where, when about the 4th Annual AIWF DecantICT event at the Wichita Marriott June 8th. Wichita’s premier wine & spirits event!  www.aiwfwichita.org

 

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Juggernaut Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 
The nose offers notes of cherries, raspberries, ripe strawberries, caramelized brown sugar with an element of earth and subtle black tea leaf.  Plush red fruits, red plum, rich viscosity and lingering vanilla bean and baking spices with a soft, round mouthfeel on the palate.  Aged 12 months in a variety of new and used French oak. ABV14.5%


Perfect with Pizza on a Plank or…
Grab a bottle or two from Jacob Liquor Exchange and join us!

AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Gold & Best of Class  |  2024 Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Challenge
Gold, 92 points  |  2024 Sunset International Wine Competition
2021 Juggernaut Russian River Pinot Noir
DOUBLE GOLD, 99 points ~ Best of California

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May 24 – Easy Everyday

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Guy

My guest this week is Jessica with her latest book “Easy Everyday.”

The beloved blogger and author of The Pretty Dish makes meal prep simple with 100 recipes that offer what we all want: more time to enjoy a delicious meal with our loved ones.

“I’m (selfishly) so glad Jessica Merchant has used her endless talent for creating unfussy, airtight recipes for accessible meals in a new cookbook for us because I immediately want to make everything.”—Deb Perelman, author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

Jessica Merchant, creator of the popular recipe and lifestyle site How Sweet Eats, gets asked almost every day by fans: How do I put food on the table in a way that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t make me stressed and anxious? In Easy Everyday, Jessica unlocks the secret to efficiently getting meals on the table that are nutritious, delicious, creative, and low maintenance. She’s realized that although we’re asking for stress-free ways to cook meals, we’re ultimately asking for a happy table, a place to create memories with our loved ones over a delicious meal.

All 100 recipes keeps the reader out of the kitchen and spending more time with the people they love. Meal planning tips and tricks abound, with ingredients chosen for ease of preparation, versatility, and leftover quality. Jessica shares her ten-minute meal prep strategy to create easy, healthy, satisfying meals, lunches, and snacks to have throughout the day, such as Crispy Baked Breakfast Quesadillas, Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cups, Cherry Jalapeno Chicken Salad, Lemon Spaghetti with Roasted Chickpeas and Cilantro Lime Sheet Pan Fajitas.

Featuring gorgeous photos and helpful advice, Easy Everyday makes meal prep quick, fun, and delicious.  Get a copy Now!

Jessica Merchant is a full-time recipe developer and writer who happens to be crazy passionate about all things food. She is the author of Everyday Dinners, The Pretty Dish, and Seriously Delish, and details her adventures in and out of the kitchen on her popular blog How Sweet Eats, which is read by millions. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something fun and easy for a Tuesday night

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May 17 – Charleston Taylor Winery

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Guy

My guest this week is Texas winemaker/proprietor of Charleston Taylor Winery, Jared Broach.

Texas Hill Country is quickly becoming one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in the U.S.—and just an hour outside Austin, Charleston Taylor Estate Winery & Black Chapel Brewing Co. is leading the charge.

Located in Johnson City, along the famed 290 Wine Trail, this new family-owned destination blends bold Texas wines, Italian-inspired cuisine, immersive experiences, and even a bit of mystery.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, or scouting for the latest must-visit destination in Texas Wine Country, Charleston Taylor Estate offers a fresh, elevated take on what Hill Country hospitality can be.

Check out www.charlestontaylor.com   Follow on Facebook!

What Makes It Special:

  • Haunted Well Tours – Explore the estate’s mysterious 1800s well, shrouded in legend.
  • Immersive Italian Cooking Classes – Learn hands-on techniques paired with estate wines.
  • Blenducation: The Blending Party – Guests craft their own custom wine blend in a bottle they take home.
  • Well Aged Tastings – A rare chance to taste wines aged inside the property’s historic well.
  • Bubbles & Barrels Flights – Sparkling or barrel-aged tasting flights guided by the estate’s experts.

With over 6,000 square feet of space—including a 4,800 sq. ft. brewhouse, expansive patios, and scenic views—this Hill Country destination is ideal for families, weekenders, and wine-curious travelers. The on-site Black Chapel Brewing Co.serves fresh craft beer straight from the tanks, rounding out the estate’s wide appeal.

Founded by Whitney and Jared—a husband-and-wife duo who named the winery after their children—Charleston Taylor Estate is a reflection of heart, heritage, and Hill Country pride. They planted their first vines in 2022 and are already making waves with estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and plans for Sangiovese, channeling their passion for Italian wine culture into every pour.

Good Life Guys Wines of the Week:
A couple of wines from Charleston Taylor Estate

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