Episode 454 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and features an interview with winemaker Maggie Harrison. Maggie is a partner in Antica Terra as well as the winemaker for that winery in Oregon. Maggie also makes the Lillian wines from California fruit.
Maggie Harrison has worked for several years with both California and Oregon fruit. What is the difference between the two? Maggie answers that question, taking up the climate of the areas as well as the respective cultures. It turns out that she sees big contrasts, and also implications for the winemaking. Maggie hones in on her work at the blending table in this interview, and inside her blending approach are many of her thoughts on winemaking in general. She feels that if Oregon offers wide vintage variation that she should respond by blending for attributes and families, rather than huing to a specific vineyard or wine upbringing. Maggie wants flexibility for the winemaking, and the chance to draw together the symmetries that she feels are important for good wine. Her take on blending is a counterpoint to the approach found at many other wineries today, and perhaps her method is increasingly worth thinking about as climate change brings more unpredictable outcomes for the weather. Maggie contends that increasing the differences on the blending table also increases the opportunities.
Listen to this episode:
I’ll Drink to That is the world’s most listened-to wine podcast, hosted by Levi Dalton. Levi has had a long career working as a sommelier in some of the most distinguished and acclaimed dining rooms in America. He has served wine to guests of Restaurant Daniel, Masa, and Alto, all in Manhattan. Levi has also contributed articles on wine themes to publications such as The Art of Eating, Wine & Spirits magazine, Bon Appetit online, and Eater NY. Check out his pictures on Instagram and follow him on Twitter: @leviopenswine
