What’s Cooking on Wine Highlights Napa’s Historic Vineyards, Exclusive Tastings and Upcoming Wine Dinners

The nationally syndicated radio program What’s Cooking on Wine returned this week with a series of live broadcasts from several iconic California venues, offering listeners an in-depth look at Napa Valley’s historic vineyards, award-winning wines, and upcoming culinary events.

The Show’s Broadcast and Featured Guests

The show, produced by Michael Horne and Nicole Nielsen (on assignment), aired live from the Roost Chris Steakhouse in Pasadena and later from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. A regular Wednesday evening slot (6 p.m. – 7 p.m. PT on CRN1) and a Monday-night repeat (6 p.m. PT, 9 p.m. ET) were promoted, with full re-airings throughout the week on affiliate stations such as KABC 790 in Los Angeles.

Featured Guests and Winery Spotlights

Cyrus Hazard, Executive Vice President of Crocker and Star Winery, discussed the revival of a 19th-century vineyard in St. Helena. The property, originally purchased by Charlie Crocker in 1971, was restored from an old-vine Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon site into a modern, sustainably farmed estate. Hazard highlighted the winery’s historic “hourglass” location on Napa’s valley floor, accessible via Dowdale Lane just north of Highway 29.

Pam Star, the legendary winemaker who joined Crocker and Star after a tenure at Spotswood in the early 1990s, was credited with introducing the estate’s flagship Stone Place Cuvée (a blend of old-vine Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) and the Estate Cabernet Franc launched in 1997. The winery’s current portfolio also includes Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Wine, Malbec Blend, and the RLC (Rock Lone Clay) Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tony Lombardi, founder of Lombardi Wines, shared his journey from a Safeway grocery background to establishing a boutique label. He emphasized the Petaluma Gap terroir, noting the region’s long hang-time, wind-driven acidity, and “Pinot Noir for cab-drinkers” profile. Lombardi’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc earned a 2004 Wine Spectator Top 100 placement and has been served at the White House on multiple occasions.

The program also featured Mike Gehry, who co-hosted the segment and promoted the show’s podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and SoundCloud under the title “What’s Cooking on Wine with Nicole Nielsen and Michael Horne.”

Wine Highlights and Scores

2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Lombardi received scores in the 90s across major wine-review publications.

Crocker and Star’s Stone Place Cuvée and Estate Cabernet Franc continue to sell out quickly each January, reflecting their cult status among collectors.

Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir was praised for its balanced tannins and suitability for food pairings, while the Gaps Crown Vineyard (owned by Bill Price) supplies premium fruit for Lombardi’s limited-release bottlings.

Martella Vineyard Chardonnay, produced in a Chablis-style with “racy juicy acidity,” earned 92-93 points from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and Andrew Frick.

Tasting Rooms, Ordering, and Contact Information

Crocker and Star operates a private, appointment-only tasting room. Reservations can be made via www.crockerstar.com or by calling 707-967-9111.

Lombardi Wines sells directly through LombardiWines.com, with limited-edition releases announced via their mailing list.

Both wineries encourage early orders, noting that flagship wines often sell out within days of release.

Upcoming Events

The show announced the Tastemaker Series wine dinners at Ruth’s Chris locations nationwide, with sold-out events in Pasadena and additional tickets available at other Ruth’s Chris venues via RuthsChris.com.

A Moët & Chandon Champagne Dinner is scheduled for early November, priced at $130 per person (tax and tip included).

The Woodford Reserve Dinner (featuring spirits) will take place in October, followed by holiday-season offerings such as a Thanksgiving family-style dinner and a Halloween-themed dinner at Ruth’s Chris.

Podcast and Digital Presence

Listeners were reminded to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to support algorithmic visibility. The show also promoted a free mobile app, accessible by dialing #250 on a cell phone and entering the code CRN.

Overall, What’s Cooking on Wine delivered a comprehensive look at Napa Valley’s heritage vineyards, highlighted the craftsmanship behind award-winning wines, and provided listeners with actionable information on tasting experiences and upcoming culinary events.