Podcast
Vino Frankel A Taste of Sculpterra
Hosted by Sculpterra Winery · EN
Join winemaker Paul Frankel of Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles, California, as he explores the world of winemaking, tasting, and food pairings straight from the heart of the Central Coast. Each episode of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra brings stories from the vineyard and the iconic Sculpterra Sculpture Garden, blending the art, science, and joy of wine. Discover the passion behind Paso Robles wines, meet the people shaping Sculpterra’s legacy, and experience how every sip tells a story — and every visit inspires.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode #40 | World Cup Predictions, Fishing Tips & Here Comes the 4th of July!
2w ago01:10:58Tap to summarizeOn Episode #40 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Pepe Fonseca, Francisco Ramirez, and Abraham Frankel for a fun conversation covering World Cup soccer, fishing, vineyard life, and summer happenings at Sculpterra. The group discusses their World Cup predictions, favorite teams, and the excitement surrounding the tournament while Abraham shares fishing tips, stories from local lakes, and his recent trip to Disneyland. Paul also provides vineyard and winery updates, including irrigation repairs, vineyard tours, crop development, and the benefits of recent cane pruning projects. The episode wraps up with discussions about La Parrilla's Fourth of July plans, Spanish vs. Spanglish, and a fascinating look into the science of grapevine identification known as ampelography.Whether you're interested in wine country, soccer, fishing, vineyard life, or simply enjoy great conversations, this episode has something for everyone.#VinoFrankel #ATasteOfSculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #SculpterraWinery #WorldCup #Soccer #Fishing #PasoRobles #WinePodcast #CentralCoastWine #WineEducation #CaliforniaWine #VineyardLife #WineCountry #LaParrillaProduced by EZF Mediaezfmedia.com
Transcribe →Episode #39 — Faith's Italy Adventure & Paso's Railroad Legacy
3w ago01:02:42Tap to summarizeOn Episode #39 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Faith Frankel and Pablo Marlen for an engaging conversation covering Italian cuisine, Paso Robles history, vineyard updates, and upcoming events at Sculpterra Winery. Faith shares stories from her time living and cooking in Italy, Pablo explores the fascinating history of the Paso Robles Train Station and its impact on the community, and Paul explains vineyard topics including grape shatter and seasonal growing conditions. The group also discusses the upcoming Winemaker Signature Dinner, local wine events, wine education, and the unique stories that continue to shape Paso Robles wine country.Wines Tasted:🍷 2020 Sculpterra Reserve Zinfandel🍷 2021 Sculpterra Petite SirahWhether you're interested in wine, local history, Italian cuisine, vineyard life, or simply enjoy great conversations, this episode has something for everyone.#VinoFrankel #ATasteOfSculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #SculpterraWinery #ReserveZinfandel #PetiteSirah #WinePodcast #PasoRobles #CentralCoastWine #WineTasting #WineEducation #CaliforniaWine #WineLovers #VineyardLife #WineCountryProduced by EZF Mediaezfmedia.com
Transcribe →Episode #38 – Paso Almonds, Bentley Cabernet & Sculpterra Stories
4w ago01:14:28Tap to summarizeOn Episode #38 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Kathleen Bentley and Pablo Marlen for a fun conversation covering Paso Robles history, wine, and life at Sculpterra. The group tastes both the newly bottled 2024 Bentley Ironworks Cabernet Sauvignon and the award-winning 2023 vintage while discussing vineyard updates, Pinot & Paella, Sculpterra's Fourth of July celebration, and the fascinating history of Paso Robles as the former "Almond Capital of the World." They also dive into the world of Brix, grape ripeness, and share stories that connect Paso's agricultural past to its thriving wine industry today.Wines Tasted:🍷 2024 Sculpterra Bentley Ironworks Cabernet Sauvignon🍷 2023 Sculpterra Bentley Ironworks Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Gold, 93 Points)Whether you're interested in wine, local history, vineyard life, or simply enjoy great conversations, this episode has something for everyone.#VinoFrankel #ATasteOfSculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #SculpterraWinery #BentleyCabernet #CabernetSauvignon #WinePodcast #PasoRobles #CentralCoastWine #WineTasting #WineEducation #CaliforniaWine #WineLovers #VineyardLife #WineCountryProduced by EZF Mediaezfmedia.com
Transcribe →Episode #37 | 50 Years of Music with Monte Mills & Pinot Noir Tasting
Jun 601:04:48Tap to summarizeIn Episode #37 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel welcomes special guests Donna Wolfe and Monte Mills for a conversation about music, wine, art, and community.Monte shares stories from his remarkable 50-year journey with the Lucky Horseshoe Band, including memories from the Central Coast music scene and performing throughout California. Donna discusses her recent recovery from appendicitis, plans for a future John Jagger Day at Sculpterra, and Dale Evers' new book, Are You An Artist Yet?Paul also provides vineyard updates, discusses planting over 10,000 new vines, and pours two library Pinot Noirs in anticipation of the upcoming Pinot & Paella event.Wines Tasted:🍷 2021 Sculpterra Pinot Noir🍷 2020 Sculpterra Pinot NoirProduced by EZF Mediahttps://ezfmedia.com#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #PinotNoir #MonteMills #LuckyHorseshoeBand #CentralCoastMusic #PasoRobles #WinePodcast #AreYouAnArtistYet #DonnaWolfe #PinotAndPaella #WineTasting #Podcast #EZFMedia
Transcribe →Episode #36 – Dale Evers, Bruce Wallworth & Sculpterra’s Primitivo Weekend
May 2801:07:49Tap to summarizen Episode #36 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by special guests Dale Evers and Bruce Wallworth for a wide-ranging conversation about wine, art, creativity, vineyard life, and craftsmanship.This episode features stories behind Dale’s iconic sculptures, Bruce’s handcrafted Adirondack chairs made from wine barrels, Sculpterra vineyard updates, and a tasting of Sculpterra’s 2020 and 2019 Primitivo wines ahead of the upcoming Primitivo Weekend event.The conversation also dives into Dale’s artistic journey, his connection to Sculpterra, military service stories, inspiration behind the famous “Focus” sculpture, and Bruce’s experience in the tasting room and woodworking world.Wines Tasted:• 2020 Sculpterra Primitivo• 2019 Sculpterra PrimitivoSpecial Guests:• Dale Evers• Bruce WallworthProduced by EZF Media, LLCProducer: Miguel Nunez – ezfmedia.com#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #Primitivo #WinePodcast #DaleEvers #WineTasting #CentralCoastWine #PasoRobles #EZFMedia
Transcribe →Episode #35 – Mixology, Syrah & Paso Robles Hospitality with Ashley Harkey
May 2101:11:59Tap to summarizeIn Episode #35 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by special guests Ashley Harkey and Brian Kusko for a conversation covering Paso Robles hospitality, mixology, Syrah winemaking, vineyard growth, Scottsdale adventures, and Sculpterra’s upcoming Taste & Tour event.The episode features a side-by-side tasting of Sculpterra’s 2023 Syrah versus the nearly sold-out 2022 Syrah, with discussions about vertical tastings, reduction in wine, oxygen exposure during fermentation, and why Syrah remains one of Paso Robles’ most underrated varietals.Ashley Harkey shares how she built her career in hospitality and bartending while also working as a tax accountant. She talks about creating craft cocktails at Bella Sera’s Enoteca restaurant, pairing wine with Mediterranean cuisine, building lasting guest relationships, and why sparkling wine has become her favorite style to drink.Brian Kusko returns to the show with stories from the Scottsdale Reptile Show, including his first ride in a self-driving Waymo vehicle. The group also discusses upcoming Sculpterra Shorts and social media videos, internet audiences from around the world, and the growing reach of the podcast online.Paul gives updates from the vineyard and winery, including:Recent bottling operations and PORT bottling challengesVineyard growth and canopy managementTendrils and how grapevines signal active shoot growthUpcoming vine planting projects at SculpterraThe episode also previews Sculpterra’s upcoming Taste & Tour in the Garden event, featuring detailed food and wine pairings throughout the sculpture garden, including Viognier, Rosé, Figurine, and more.Additional topics include:Wine label laws and “Estate Bottled” requirementsFood and wine pairing philosophyHospitality culture in Paso RoblesBobcats in vineyardsWhy certain Spanish food names sound “cute”🍷 Wines Featured2023 Sculpterra Syrah2022 Sculpterra Syrah📍 Featured GuestsAshley Harkey – Bella Sera Hotel / Enoteca Bar LeadBrian Kusko – Media Producer & Brand Manager#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #Syrah#WinePodcast #PasoRobles #CraftCocktails #Hospitality#WineTasting #BellaSera #SculpterraWineryProduced by EZF Media, LLC
Transcribe →Episode #34 – Port Wine, Weddings & Life at Sculpterra
May 1401:07:30Tap to summarizeIn Episode #34 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Chris Diez, Hector Palafox, and Craig Pearson for a behind-the-scenes conversation about winemaking, weddings, events, vineyard life, and the art of making PORT-style wine at Sculpterra Winery.The episode begins with a tasting of the brand-new Winemaker Signature #8, a limited-production blend featuring Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Paul explains the inspiration behind the collectible etched bottles, how each one is hand-numbered, and why the wine is designed for long-term aging.Hector shares his journey into the wine industry, from growing up around vineyards to studying wine business at Sonoma State and eventually becoming Sculpterra’s assistant winemaker. The group also talks about barrel steaming, rebuilding wine barrels, harvest work, and the reality of day-to-day winery operations.Craig discusses how he got started in wine sales, his love for Grenache, helping place Sculpterra wines in local restaurants and wine bars, and why he collects bottle #17 from every Winemaker Signature release.Chris talks about balancing both the medical field and wedding coordination at Sculpterra, including recent weddings at the winery, event planning challenges, and why springtime in the sculpture gardens is one of the most beautiful times of year.Paul also dives deep into the world of PORT wine — explaining Ruby Port, Tawny Port, Vintage Port, fortification, bottling challenges, and the history of PORT production dating back to Portugal and British trade routes.The conversation wraps with stories about bears, wildlife around Paso Robles, and what makes Sculpterra such a unique place to work, visit, and experience wine culture.🍷 Wines Featured2025 Winemaker Signature #8J. Jagger Primitivo PORT#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #PortWine#Winemaking #WinePodcast #CentralCoastWine #PasoRobles#WineTasting #SculpterraWinery
Transcribe →Episode #33 – Wine, Food Trucks & the Story Behind Choco’s Mexican Grill
May 701:07:54Tap to summarizeIn Episode #33 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel welcomes José Ricardo Ponce of Choco’s Mexican Grill and returning guest Donna Wolfe for a fun conversation covering food, wine, vineyard updates, and stories behind Sculpterra.The episode begins with a tasting of the brand new 2024 Héroe Primitivo, as Paul breaks down the blend, harvest details, and how Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah help shape the wine’s flavor profile.José shares the story of starting Choco’s Mexican Grill, his move from Mexico to California, working nearly 30 years at Vons, and how his food truck became a local favorite throughout Paso Robles wine country. The group talks about family influences, the challenges of running a food truck, and why the ribeye tacos have become a customer favorite.Donna discusses wine clubs, seated tastings, art tours, and life in Santa Margarita while also sharing personal memories and stories about legendary sculptor John Jagger, including his work ethic, musical background, and iconic sculptures throughout Sculpterra.The episode also includes vineyard and winery updates as Paul discusses the upcoming bottling, planting 10,000 new Cabernet vines, flowering in the vineyard, and preparing for the growing season ahead.🍷 Wines Tasted2024 Héroe Primitivo2023 Héroe Primitivo#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #Primitivo #WinePodcast#FoodTruck #ChocosMexicanGrill #WineTasting #CentralCoastWine #PasoRoblesProduced by EZF Media, LLC
Transcribe →Episode #32 – Cabernet Franc Deep Dive & The Art of John Jagger
Apr 3001:04:50Tap to summarizeIn Episode #32 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Kathleen Bentley and Darren Brown for a deep dive into Cabernet Franc and the incredible legacy of artist John Jagger.The episode begins with a tasting of a 2025 Cabernet Franc barrel sample, where Paul shares insights into early harvesting decisions, vineyard practices like cane pruning, and how this year’s lighter crop could impact the upcoming harvest. The group discusses flavor characteristics like herbaceous notes, balance, and structure that make Cab Franc a unique and sometimes polarizing varietal.Kathleen shares her experience working in the tasting room, including what wine clubs are most popular, how guests engage with wine, and what makes a memorable tasting experience at Sculpterra.Darren dives into wine education, explaining his WSET journey and breaking down the differences between wine education and sommelier paths, while also sharing how he approaches guiding new wine drinkers.In the World of Wine segment, Kathleen presents an in-depth look at John Jagger, the legendary sculptor behind Sculpterra’s iconic artwork. From his background as an IBM engineer and bodybuilder to his globally recognized sculptures, the conversation highlights how his life experiences shaped the art seen throughout the property.The episode continues with a Nerd Out on Wine segment focused on Cabernet Franc, exploring its origins, flavor compounds like pyrazines (that signature green note), and its role in blending and winemaking across regions like Bordeaux and the Loire Valley.The show wraps up with a final tasting of the 2023 Sculpterra Cabernet Franc, comparing it to the barrel sample and highlighting how the wine evolves over time.🍷 Wines Tasted2025 Sculpterra Cabernet Franc (Barrel Sample)2023 Sculpterra Cabernet Franc📌 Hashtags#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #CabernetFranc #WinePodcast#WineEducation #Winemaking #CentralCoastWine #JohnJagger #WineTasting
Transcribe →Episode #31 – Photo Booths, Paso AVAs & Wild Turkeys with Amyl & Brian Kusko
Apr 2901:05:41Tap to summarizeIn Episode #31 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Amyl of Synergy Photo Booth and returning co-host Brian Kusko, with a pop-in from Francisco of the Hispanic Business Association.The episode opens with a tasting of 2025 Sculpterra Viognier. Paul shares vineyard updates on the April rain, playing catch-up in the field, and the upcoming planting of 10,000 new Cabernet vines.Amyl shares the story behind Synergy Photo Booth and introduces Juniper, her new AI-driven booth. Brian talks about his path as Sculpterra's videographer and the music videos he's made with his kids. Francisco drops in to invite the community to the second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration at the downtown Paso Robles Park on Sunday, May 3rd.In the World of Wine segment, Paul breaks down wine myths from WSET educator Melanie Webber, including sugar content, Champagne and wedding cake, and the difference between "variety" and "varietal." The Nerd Out on Wine segment dives into the twelve Paso Robles sub-AVAs and Sculpterra's home in El Pomar District. https://pasowine.com/paso-robles/ava/Brian leads a discussion on wild turkeys in the vineyard, and in "Makes Sense in Spanish, Doesn't Make Sense in English," Paul learns the difference between Wheaties and weenies.The episode wraps with a tasting of 2023 Sculpterra Late Harvest Zinfandel paired with chocolate, celebrating Sculpterra's new Dessert Wine Club.🍷 Wines Tasted2025 Sculpterra Viognier2023 Sculpterra Late Harvest Zinfandel#VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #WinePodcast #Winemaking#WineEducation #PasoAVAs #CincoDeMayo #CentralCoastWineProduced by EZF Media, LLC
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