Mar 19 – Home Design & Justin Vineyards

My first guest is renowned designer Stephen Saint-Onge.  Stephen has a very real sense of what everyday families want and need from their homes. As a father, husband, and homeowner, he knows that a home needs to do more than look nice to function for a family.

noplacelikehomeMixing traditional American style with modern comfort and convenience, No Place Like Home walks you through Stephen’s tried-and-true process for finding design inspiration in unconventional places—like films that may spark an idea or conversation about a style that you’re drawn to—and guiding you to build a personal “Look Book” that helps you define your unique wants and needs. Drawn from his varied experiences from the many room makeovers he’s done on television and in magazines, as well as the work he’s done with private clients in their real-life homes, his hands-on design knowledge and time-saving tips empower anyone to live by his credo that “good home design has the power to change lives.”

More than just beautiful photographs, No Place Like Home is a useful tool for anyone looking for creative direction on making a home truly livable and inviting. The first section helps you approach design by defining your style and determining your goals and budget; introduces creative tools and tricks that can have a big impact on a room; and educates you on various materials, furnishings, and accessories. The second section walks you through each room of the home, revealing secrets that Stephen has discovered in working with hundreds of families through the years. It includes not just living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, but also home offices, kids’ rooms, and multipurpose spaces.

Full of creative advice, design tips, and renovation ideas, No Place Like Home shows real families how to create beautiful spaces that work in the real world.

Then it’s Master Somielier Joe Spellman representing Justin Vineyards and Winery.  Justin is one of the wineries that will be featured at this years Midwest Winefest AIWF winemaker dinners.  See the menu and learn more at; www.midwestwinefest.com

justin bottles

JUSTIN Winery is a family owned and operated winery making estate grown and produced wines. The property was founded in 1981 by Justin and Deborah Baldwin when they planted their 160 acre property to the major Bordeaux varietals and created their Estate vineyard.

The winery is located in the Paso Robles appellation of California’s Central Coast. The region’s first grapes were planted in 1779 by Franciscan missionaries and today are home to the third highest concentration of wineries in the United States.

Their desire is to make world class wines that reflect the unique soils and climate of their California Central Coast property. Emphasis is placed on making Bordeaux-style blends and single varietals, combining Old World tradition with New World techniques.

Justin Mission Statement: “To belong in the company of the finest wines in the world.”

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:  The Wines of Justin

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Mar 12 – Dusted Valley & Boomtown wines

My guest this week is Chad Johnson of Dusted Valley and Boomtown, two great Washington labels.  www.dustedvalley.com

dustedvalley logoChad Johnson is a little bit of what we call a “late bloomer.” After graduating from high school and subsequently being kicked out of college (twice), he headed out to California to live a vagabond lifestyle. Working in the hospitality industry, he gained an appreciation and then a passion for the wonders of food and wine. It soon became clear that it was time to wander to a university and get a degree. He returned to his Wisconsin roots, attended UW-Stout and studied Food Science and Chemistry. 10 years and four institutes of higher learning later, he finally graduated with 172 credits and a BS. While attending college he met and fell in love with his beautiful bride Janet. Chad subsequently worked in the bakery and pork industries specializing in quality control and research and development before shifting careers into sales for a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical firm.

Chad’s wife Janet brings home the bacon and is the only one left in corporate America. Janet, we feel your pain. They are also proud parents of the tasting room Schnoodles, Caesar and Cleo.

Dusted Valley was founded on the notion that when family pulls together the American Dream can turn into a living reality. Hey, we’re just a proud bunch of farm-raised Wisconsin Cheese-heads, and what goes well with cheese? You guessed it – wine. It’s all about the wine…

We don’t exactly remember when the idea of Dusted Valley came about. We’ve all had many inspiring experiences with wine and wonderful food, surrounded by incredible friends and family. We’re sure you can think of a few times that this fermented pleasure represented a little taste of heaven. Thus began the quest for the best fruit and estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and beyond.

So, in 2003 the Braunel and Johnson families moved to Walla Walla and became the 52nd winery to “hang the shingle” and call Walla Walla Valley home. Today, our family is producing spectacular wines from its 4,000 case operation. We are vineyard focused and farm four diverse vineyards totaling nearly 100 acres in the Walla Walla Valley. In addition, Dusted Valley has begun a unique barrel project using extra-tight-grained Wisconsin Oak harvested from the very land we grew up around!

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:
It’s all about Dusted Valley and Boomtown

boomtown logo
Pickup some of each at Jacob Liquor on N. Rock Road and Join us!

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Mar 5 – History & Mystery of Wine

This week I’ll be telling you all about a great event next Tuesday March 8th at the Airport Hilton.  It’s a night of Education, Sophistication & Celebration that benifits Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre and yours truly will be the wine host for the evening.  

Tuesday, March 8, Hilton Wichita Airport
“The History & Mystery of Wine Presentation” – 5:30 p.m.
Wines of Louis M. Martini Wine Dinner – 6:30 p.m.
Cost • $95 • Seating Limited
Learn more about this event and make reservations NOW!

dr engelFirst up is Dr. Elliot Engel with an interesting and fun look at the  History & Mystery of wine, the topic he will be presenting at the Hilton on March 8th.  Dr. Engel is a renowned author and lecturer who has thousands of fans world-wide who are professed lovers of literature, humor, and enlightening entertainment.  

In the second half Michael Martini, winemaker and proprietor of Louis Martini winery will be joining me to talk about this storied and historical family winery, the vineyards and wines he produces and the wines that will be served at the Orpheum event March 8th. 

Mike MartiniMike Martini grew up in his father and grandfather’s vineyards, learning first-hand what it takes to make world-class wines. When he wasn’t in school in rural St. Helena, he was working at the winery, or out riding horses. Today, St. Helena has grown up, and Mike rides a motorcycle, but he still gets up every day to make Cabernet Sauvignon that will make his family proud.  A graduate of the world-renowned winemaking program at U.C. Davis, Mike worked alongside his father before taking over the reins as winemaker in 1977. He continues to develop his own strong personal style, creating wines that are balanced, complex, and well-suited to accompany foods.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:

Louis M. Martini 2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
l martini alex cab label90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc from the Alexander Valley aged for 16 months in new and used French, American and Hungarian oak barrels with a mixture of medium and medium plus toasting levels to add flavor and complexity.    Dark ruby color with opulent aromas and flavors of dried cherries, tobacco, leather, cedar, and vanilla. The layers and intensity of flavors evolve into a plush, lingering finish with velvety tannins.

We’ll also be tasting and talking about the other Martini wines served at the event dinner March 8th, which include; the Sonoma, Napa and Monte Rosso Cabernets!

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Feb 26 – Pre-empted This Week

DANG!  No show this week, but I’ll be back with more food, wine and fun in March 🙂

Tune in to KNSS 1330 for Live WSU Shocker Basketball coverage

The Good Life Wine of the Week;
2008 Sebastiani Unoaked Chardonnay

sebastiani chardThis wine has a beautiful light golden color. The 2008 version shows clove-like spice, green apple and minerality, true to the Chardonnay varietal. Although not overly rich, it has more complexity and texture than most unoaked versions thanks to low yielding Chardonnay vines grown in Russian River Valley. Enjoy with your favorite appetizers at the start of the meal or with sautéed white fish and shrimp salads!  Critical acclaim: “Pale gold hue. Forward aromas of orange blossom and banana peel. Creamy flavors of peach and vanilla with a crisp, lively edge of orange zest. Lengthy, well-structured finish with a defined mineral influence.”  90 Points – The Wine News

Click here to see Guy’s video review

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Feb 19 – This Week’s Show

Come join me at the Woman’s Fair Friday for the Ladies Night wine tasting and Saturday from Noon-1:00 p.m. for the LIVE broadcast

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Friday February 18, 5:30 p.m. – I’ll be doing a Wine Seminar and Tasting at the cooking stage.  It’s titled “Hard to pronounce, Easy to Love – Unusual grapes that make great wine!”  I’ll tell you all about 5 great global new-world wines and we’ll taste them together.  The wines to be tasted:
 

  • NV LaMarca Prosecco – Italy
  • 2009 Höpler Grüner Veltliner – Austria 
  • 2009 Yasa Old Vines Macabeo – Calatayud Spain
  • 2009 Gysler Silvaner Halbtrocken – Rheingau/Rheinhessen  Germany
  • 2009 Fetzer Gewürztraminer – California

This tasting is FREE with the cost of your admission.  All wines served are available at Jacob Liquor Exchange, Rock & 29th St., Some are available by the glass at Century-II throughout the weekend!

Layout 1Saturday’s LIVE broadcast from the KNSS booth will feature many of the food related vendors and what they will be doing at this years Women’s Fair. I’ll be talking to Chris Brown about all the festivities going on this weekend and to some of the chefs who will be doing cooking demostartions at the cooking stage.

Good LIfe Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something special for the Women’s Fair 🙂

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