Tegan Passalacqua of Turley and Sandlands

"I love the Europeans for believing that their wines can't be emulated, but if that's a truth, Americans need to have that too. Zinfandel is the one grape that California does better than anywhere else in the world. And I'm proud to say that just as a Burgundian should be able to say that about Pinot Noir." – Tegan Passalacqua

This week's guest is Tegan Passalacqua, the legendary winemaker for Turley Wine Cellars and founder of Sandlands. As a leading historian on old-vine California viticulture, Tegan discusses his mission to protect centuries-old vineyards from being lost to modern industrial development. He shares the story behind purchasing Lodi’s historic Kirschenmann Vineyard planted in 1915 and tracks how the Sierra Nevada's unique granite snowmelt created deep, sandy soils that shielded these ancient, own-rooted vines from succumbing to phylloxera.

At a time when some vineyard owners are abandoning their vines for cash crops, Tegan provides an optimistic view of California. He speaks about his work preserving pre-Prohibition Cinsault, championing new Lodi-grown Assyrtiko, and planting unexpected varieties in previously undeveloped regions. The episode ends with a look back on the personal challenges of pursuing his passion and the essential communal purpose of wine.

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Skurnik Wines & Spirits

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