Wine Road Podcast – Episode 247 – Sidney Hunter

Sidney in the cellar at Barrel Tasting in 2024…making her “futures” orders.

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(0:10 – 0:23)
Welcome to Wine Road, hosted by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa. Thanks to Ron Rubin for supporting the podcast.

(0:24 – 0:48)
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery sponsors the show. Visit riverroadvineyards.com to explore their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

(0:49 – 1:03)
Episode 247 features Sidney Hunter, a barrel-tasting enthusiast, sharing her experiences and tips.

(1:04 – 1:19)
Beth introduces Sidney, a long-time customer turned friend, who regularly attends Wine Road events.

(1:20 – 1:36)
Sidney is a passionate barrel-tasting fan, attending events with her family and enjoying the experience.

(1:39 – 1:54)
Sidney estimates she’s attended barrel tasting about 15 times, collecting many wine glasses along the way.

(1:54 – 2:23)
Sidney loves barrel tasting for the chance to try favorites, discover new wines, and meet winemakers.

(2:23 – 3:26)
She values the consistency of her favorite wineries and enjoys the interactive experience of learning from winemakers and staff.

(3:26 – 4:12)
Sidney appreciates the personal connections she’s built with winery staff and the opportunity to try exclusive tastings.

(4:12 – 5:09)
Barrel tasting offers a unique, interactive experience. Sidney often buys futures, trusting the wine’s quality and evolution.

(5:09 – 6:23)
Sidney explains her confidence in buying futures, often comparing current barrel samples with past vintages.

(6:23 – 7:23)
She highlights favorite wineries like Soda Rock and Carol Shelton, praising their consistent quality and knowledgeable staff.

(7:23 – 8:11)
She shares a story about picking up so many wine cases that her car was packed, leading to more purchases during pickups.

(8:11 – 9:08)
Sidney and her sisters make wine events a social occasion, complete with picnics and organized plans for visiting wineries.

(9:08 – 10:16)
Her group meticulously plans their visits, balancing favorite wineries with new discoveries, and enjoying the overall experience.

(10:17 – 11:09)
Sidney mentions her loyalty to Wilson family wineries and her goal to visit all of them in 2026.

(11:11 – 12:29)
She shares her love for Italian varietals at Colagrossi and highlights other favorites like Kokomo and VML for their unique offerings.

(12:29 – 13:19)
Sidney emphasizes pacing during events, focusing on quality over quantity, and taking notes to remember favorite wines.

(13:20 – 14:22)
Her sisters now join her for barrel tasting, each picking a favorite and a new winery to visit, with Sidney mapping out the route.

(14:22 – 15:19)
Sidney encourages enjoying the scenery, taking breaks, and embracing the full experience rather than rushing through wineries.

(15:20 – 16:54)
Barrel tasting is about quality, not quantity. Sidney advises taking time to enjoy the vineyards, meet winemakers, and savor the experience.

(16:54 – 17:54)
Rain or shine, Sydney and her sisters are prepared for events, enjoying the wines and connecting with winemakers like Susie Selby.

(17:54 – 19:15)
Sidney highlights the value of meeting winemakers and learning about their craft, making the experience educational and enjoyable.

(19:17 – 20:30)
She recommends bringing food and chocolates to pair with wines and suggests local markets like Dry Creek General Store for supplies.

(20:30 – 21:03)
Sidney’s enthusiasm inspires others to join her at events, and she encourages everyone to experience barrel tasting.

(21:03 – 21:49)
Tickets for barrel tasting are $50 and include access to 60 wineries, with some offering tastings on Friday before the event starts.

(21:49 – 23:00)
The $50 ticket celebrates Wine Road’s 50th anniversary. Sip Into the Weekend offers complimentary tastings every Thursday and Friday.

(23:00 – 24:08)
Check wineroad.com for updated winery lists and event details. That’s a wrap for this episode!

Posted by Beth Costa

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