With Dan Petroski
New York City-native Dan Petroski is the head winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga, where he crafts finessed (and critically acclaimed) Bordeaux reds and a stellar Sauvignon Blanc. Under his own label, Massican, Dan specializes in small-production Friulian-style whites from Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay (and now Vermouth).
Interesting fact: Napa Valley has over 50% of the known geological rock formations, so does Brooklyn, NY.
Charles Communications Associates: As a child, you collected…
Dan Petroski: Star Wars figurines and comic books.
CCA: Name a book that has had the most impact on your life?
DP: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I wrote my college thesis on Charles Dickens and Social Reform.
CCA: Recall the biggest and best mistake you ever made and what you learned from it.
DP: When I was living in Italy I passed up the opportunity to write the memoirs of a Tuscan Countess. If I took the job, I would have lived the rest of my life in Italy. I love my current life, but Italy is calling again. What I lived and learned is the most often taught lesson, timing is everything.
CCA: Cabin in the woods or penthouse in the city and why?
DP: I am not a “camper,” so; my cabin in the woods is actually a penthouse in the city.
CCA: What do you think about a future with driverless cars?
DP: I was born and raised in New York City; I’ve spent more time as a passenger in a Taxi than behind the wheel of a car in California. I welcome driverless cars.
CCA: In 10 years how do you predict technology will change winemaking?
DP: No TCA! Natural cork is an ideal closure 99% of the time.
CCA: Bacon or sausage?
DP: Sausage. I am over the “everything is better with bacon” movement.
CCA: Most memorable bottle of wine you made?
DP: As for white, it would be the 2012 Massican “Gemina” (Hyde Vineyards Chardonnay); as for red, it would be the 2012 LMV Salon (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend).
CCA: If you weren't a winemaker, what career path might you have followed?
DP: I would have stayed in publishing and continued to convince everyone that magazines and newspapers are not dead!
CCA: Name one thing every person should try at least once.
DP: The Martinis I make at home.
All the Swirl is a collections of thoughts and opinions assembled by the staff and industry friends of Charles Communications Associates, a marketing communications firm with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. We invite you to explore more about our company and clients by visiting www.charlescomm.com.