Feb 26, 2026

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Welcome to Wine Road, hosted by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa. Thanks to Ron Rubin for supporting the podcast.

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River Road Family Vineyards and Winery sponsors the show. Visit riverroadvineyards.com to explore their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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Episode 247 features Sidney Hunter, a barrel-tasting enthusiast, sharing her experiences and tips.

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Beth introduces Sidney, a long-time customer turned friend, who regularly attends Wine Road events.

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Sidney is a passionate barrel-tasting fan, attending events with her family and enjoying the experience.

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Sidney estimates she’s attended barrel tasting about 15 times, collecting many wine glasses along the way.

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Sidney loves barrel tasting for the chance to try favorites, discover new wines, and meet winemakers.

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She values the consistency of her favorite wineries and enjoys the interactive experience of learning from winemakers and staff.

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Sidney appreciates the personal connections she’s built with winery staff and the opportunity to try exclusive tastings.

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Barrel tasting offers a unique, interactive experience. Sidney often buys futures, trusting the wine’s quality and evolution.

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Sidney explains her confidence in buying futures, often comparing current barrel samples with past vintages.

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She highlights favorite wineries like Soda Rock and Carol Shelton, praising their consistent quality and knowledgeable staff.

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She shares a story about picking up so many wine cases that her car was packed, leading to more purchases during pickups.

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Sidney and her sisters make wine events a social occasion, complete with picnics and organized plans for visiting wineries.

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Her group meticulously plans their visits, balancing favorite wineries with new discoveries, and enjoying the overall experience.

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Sidney mentions her loyalty to Wilson family wineries and her goal to visit all of them in 2026.

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She shares her love for Italian varietals at Colagrossi and highlights other favorites like Kokomo and VML for their unique offerings.

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Sidney emphasizes pacing during events, focusing on quality over quantity, and taking notes to remember favorite wines.

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Her sisters now join her for barrel tasting, each picking a favorite and a new winery to visit, with Sidney mapping out the route.

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Sidney encourages enjoying the scenery, taking breaks, and embracing the full experience rather than rushing through wineries.

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Barrel tasting is about quality, not quantity. Sidney advises taking time to enjoy the vineyards, meet winemakers, and savor the experience.

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Rain or shine, Sydney and her sisters are prepared for events, enjoying the wines and connecting with winemakers like Susie Selby.

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Sidney highlights the value of meeting winemakers and learning about their craft, making the experience educational and enjoyable.

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She recommends bringing food and chocolates to pair with wines and suggests local markets like Dry Creek General Store for supplies.

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Sidney’s enthusiasm inspires others to join her at events, and she encourages everyone to experience barrel tasting.

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Tickets for barrel tasting are $50 and include access to 60 wineries, with some offering tastings on Friday before the event starts.

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The $50 ticket celebrates Wine Road’s 50th anniversary. Sip Into the Weekend offers complimentary tastings every Thursday and Friday.

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Check wineroad.com for updated winery lists and event details. That’s a wrap for this episode!