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Blair Guthrie is the winemaker for Stewart Cellars, Slingshot Wines, and Guthrie Family Wines in Napa Valley.
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Born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand, Blair began his studies in Graphic Design, before realizing wine was his true passion and calling. He returned to school, earning a post-graduate degree in Oenology and Viticulture then followed his heart to California to become a harvest intern at Paul Hobbs’s Crossbarn. Little did he know his heart would not only lead him to wine, but it would also lead him to the love of his life, Caroline Stewart.
Both adventurous spirits, they moved to South Australia, where Blair was assistant winemaker at BK Wines. Once their adventurous spirits were satiated, they returned to California to settle down and focus on Stewart Cellars and raising their family.
I met up with Blair at the Stewart Cellars tasting room in Yountville, which I highly recommend you visit, especially if you are able to do a library tasting in what they call their Nomad Room. It is a gorgeously designed space with art on the walls, dark leather furniture, books galore that range from coffee table books about the designer Tom Ford to old copies of Hemingway. It is a room that has so much life, so many stories. A place where you can go to relax and enjoy some beautiful Napa wines. If you can’t stop by, take a look at the space at StewartCellars.com
In this episode, Blair and I chat about his story and how he got into wine as a kiwi in New Zealand to coming to Napa, working with the amazing winemaker, Paul Hobbs, and how he approaches making wines at price points ranging from $16 to $175 per bottle. We also dig into the artistry of winemaking, some of the science behind it all, and most importantly, throughout the episode Blair and I taste through eleven plus wines, which he gives insight as to how he made them, the tasting notes on them, and all of the little details that go into making fantastic Napa wines.
In this episode we mention…
Guthrie Family Wines
Stewart Cellars
Slingshot Wines
Hollis Wines
The Nomad Room at Stewart Cellars
Brendon Keys, BK Wines
Michael Gross
Paul Hobbs, Consulting Winemaker
Chad Stock of Craft Wine Co.
Sandlands Wines
Jolie Laide Wines
Wind Gap Old Vine Grenache
Ridge Vineyards
Wines We Tasted…
2014 Guthrie Family Wines, Bellbird, Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
2014 Stewart Cellars, Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
2016 Stewart Cellars, Sonoma Mountain, Rosé of Pinot Gris & Pinot Noir
2016 Stewart Cellars, Carneros Sauvignon Blanc
2015 Guthrie Family Wines, Chateau Guthrie, Napa Valley GSM
2014 Stewart Cellars, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
2016 Slingshot Wines, North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Guthrie Family Wines, Archival, Petite Sirah
2013 Stewart Cellars, Napa Valley Merlot
2014 Hollis Wines, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
FOLLOW BLAIR ON…
STEWART CELLARS WEBSITE
GUTHRIE FAMILY WINES WEBSITE
STEWART CELLARS INSTAGRAM
GUTHRIE FAMILY WINES INSTAGRAM
