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ISO The Good Life Show - Food, Wine, Travel & Lifestyle

Bio: Mike Wreyford, AKA Mike the Wine Guy, is a wine educator, writer, radio show host, and lifestyle expert. Mike is the host & producer of “The Good Life” Show, a popular radio talk show, on air since 2011. As one of the most “casually authentic” wine experts in the industry, Mike Wreyford, AKA “Mike the Wine Guy,” has blazed his own trails and made it his life’s passion to educate, inform and entertain his audience with his extensive knowledge and passion for wine, and the lifestyle that goes with it. His weekly radio program and podcast, “ISO the Good Life” has become a must-listen for travel conscious wine enthusiasts and curious foodies alike. With countless hours of Live Radio, and 1,000+ interviews, Mike’s show has earned a reputation for being informative, entertaining, and uniquely original. As a native Californian, Mike’s adventurous lifestyle and world travels have undoubtedly influenced his approach to wine and food. His dedication to bringing an “all of us” approach to his topics has earned him a loyal following of listeners who appreciate his ability to make even the most complex subjects accessible. In addition to his radio program, Mike is known for his involvement in charitable events and fundraisers, including the highly successful “World of Wine” tasting events which he has been instrumental in developing and hosting since 2011. Mike’s talent for uncovering the stories behind the wine and food he covers is unmatched. His loose yet thoroughly prepared style of interviewing guests allows him to dig deep and discover the true passion and journey of each guest. With his extensive network of contacts throughout California, the West Coast, and beyond, Mike is able to develop unique story ideas that captivate and inspire his audience. As a dedicated professional and wine expert, Mike Wreyford is undoubtedly a name to watch in the industry, and his commitment to bringing the best of wine and food to his audience is unwavering.
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Now displaying: April, 2017
Apr 30, 2017

Purple Line Urban Winery is a small family owned winery born out of our long romance and passion for good wine. My name is Kate (Owner/Tasting room manager) my husband’s name is George (Owner/Winemaker/cellar rat) and this is our story.

Our story begins a few years ago when George decided that we needed to build a wine cellar in the basement of our 1865 Victorian home in the historic district of Oroville. George doesn’t do anything half way and once he gets an idea in his head he is as tenacious as a bull.  So the wine cellar was built. Now we need to fill it up. Ok we can do that…we belong to wine clubs from many regions and surely that will fill the cellar. With our thoughts into filling the cellar we ventured out into the country side on one beautiful Sunday afternoon to do a little wine tasting in our region.  We met the people making the wine, we talked to the people tasting the wine, we smelled the wine fermenting in the oak barrels.

That is the day we fell in love with the craft of making wine, with its intrigue and romance.

Then before we knew it we were helping at the local wineries and learning to make wine from the winemakers. Our innocent flirtations quickly evolved to a full-fledged love affair, as passionate and all-consuming as any love affair can be. We were hooked! What made us want to grow our passion into a serious business are the people and the camaraderie that develops because of the wine.  

The stars aligned and the signs were all around us pointing the way.

We jumped – heart, soul and pocket book – into the wine industry and Purple Line Urban Winery was born. After a few character-building moments (ok, more like questioning our sanity moments), encouragement and guidance from industry winemakers and mentors, and timely opportunities (funny what following the signs will do sometimes), we found ourselves standing in a cold, rundown, warehouse with a leaky roof in downtown Oroville.. Amidst the dust and darkness, we thought “Perfect” Just like our love affair with wine has been a journey that at times has seemed like one challenge after another….. This is the perfect setting to share our passion for wine with you. Our grapes will be sourced from mostly local vineyards in our North Sierra Region. We will crush, ferment, press and bottle the wine ourselves in our cellar.  Thus, the name “Urban Winery”.

We will take advantage of so many incredible grape varietals grown in our North Sierra Foothills region and hand craft them into our wine using time honored traditional methods right here in our fully functioning winery 

In the fall of 2013, (when all the stars aligned) we opened the doors to our tasting room and cellar in the Old Warehouse.  We call it “Warehouse Chic” and we introduce the wines of Purple Line Urban Winery to you.  We are different, we are edgy, but we make great wine. 

Be a “ part of History”  come out and see us and help promote the wines, art, music and food of our region. 

So begins the next chapter of our story… We looking forward to meeting you every step along the way…

Apr 30, 2017

Gianni is our miller and overviews all aspects of production in Apollo Olive Oil. He learned his craft the old fashioned way on a traditional stone mill.  His skills were further refined by working with state-of-the-art machinery. Having trained intensively with Marco Mugelli both in Italy and here, he is one of the most progressive millers in America. He is dedicated to the art of extracting the highest quality of flavors and nutrients that the olives contain. 

Apollo Olive Oil was founded in 1999, with the first commercial production of about 800 bottles two years later.  Since then friends and family, who have known each other for decades, make up the backbone of Apollo Olive Oil, working together in a way that defines our company.  Each of us became a partner in the company at different times – the Stefanini family – Gianni and Diana, in 2002, and Steve McCulley in 2005.

Apr 30, 2017

Before founding Grey Fox Vineyards in 1996, the Arrigoni and Cecchi families spent much of their free time pursuing their passion for flying small planes. It was on these getaways that conversations turned to dreams of planting a vineyard and building a winery. Bruce's family had a tradition of making wine at home and Gary had a good chemistry background. A seed was planted and it began to take hold.

They all sought out viticulture courses at U.C. Davis and committed themselves to a new passion--winegrowing. While Bruce, Gary and Jeanne are involved in the vineyard and winery operations, Pat is busy handling sales and wine tasting events. Their goal is to create high quality wine by constantly overseeing and improving their vineyard to produce great fruit.

Come visit Grey Fox and share in the fulfillment and pride of this incredible endeavor. Taste the premium wines and you'll understand why winemaking has become their ultimate passion.

Apr 16, 2017
    Light has more than two decades of experience in wine industry  communications. Prior to forming Nancy Light Public Relations in 2003, she  was Vice President of Public Relations for Robert Mondavi for seven years,  acting as chief communications strategist and managing public relations  programs for the company and its portfolio of 16 wineries and labels.  Light  was responsible for communications programs for the launch of ten new labels,  including international joint ventures, during a period of intense growth and  expansion in the US and key export markets.  She also managed press activity  for family and key company executives and served as spokesperson on  promotional, business and industry issues.      This direct experience augments the broad view of the industry that Light  gained as Wine Institute Communications Director and in her previous positions  as Account Supervisor for Shelly Berman Communicators, a public relations and  advertising agency, and as Public Relations Manager for Kobrand Corporation in  New York, where she started the company's first in-house PR department in the  1980s.      Wine Institute is a public policy advocacy group representing  637 California wineries and affiliated businesses responsible for more than  80 percent of the nation's wine production and 90 percent of U.S. wine  exports.  Light replaces Kari Birdseye who departs the organization and plans  to remain in the wine industry.     
Apr 16, 2017

Justin's love for broadcasting started on his 8th birthday when his parents gifted him a microphone and a speaker set that year.  After several years of hosting mock radio shows in his kitchen, Justin landed his first big gig as a weekend radio DJ on JR 93.7FM in Scranton, Pennsylvania during his senior year of High School.

While bouncing his way through radio and television markets in Pennsylvania, Justin attended West Chester University pursuing his  Communications degree. After successfully running the campus radio station and creating the first ever campus news show at WCU, Justin began looking for his first "real job."

During Winter break of his Senior year, Justin set up his camcorder in his basement, grabbed his iPad (a product he knew inside and out) and started talking. That tape would lead to an audition, interviews and eventually Justin's first National Gig.

Since 2014, Justin has been one of QVC’s resident electronics experts presenting a wide array of products - from shredders to hoverboards, computers to drones and everything in between. He has represented some of the biggest brands on air: Apple, Energizer, Segway, Rosetta Stone and HP are just a few of the companies that have trusted him to represent their products.  

Justin’s overall goal is to “take the tough out of tech” for the viewers and does so through his highly energetic and highly engaging presentations. Painting a picture of how customers will use technology in their everyday life is a skill that Justin demonstrates every time he goes on air. Justin has established a trust with the QVC customer because he is relatable across all audiences.  

In November 2015, Justin launched the first ever drone to appear on QVC. Since that initial airing, he has sold over 14 million dollars worth of drones, coining him the nickname “The Drone Dude.”  

Aside from appearing on air, Justin has a highly active and engaging social media presence that reaches thousands of people every week. Whether it is posting about upcoming airings or sharing helpful tech tip videos, Justin’s reach goes far beyond just television screens.

When you pair Justin’s expertise of electronics and his charismatic personality, the outcome is an on air guest who delivers the messages brands want their customers to hear.

Justin currently lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania but doesn't seem to ever sit still. Follow him on social media and try to keep up with his crazy adventures that take him all over the world.

Apr 16, 2017

Through my company, Global Organic Designs - Discovering Earth's Science & Spirit (GOD-DESS), I have been providing education, presentations/demos and articles since 2001. My topics include cooking, home entertaining, decor/design, travel, indoor gardening, simplification, organization, prioritization, and others. I always emphasize earth-friendliness and cost-savings.I moved from Chicago to Portland, Oregon, in 2014. Since moving, my emphasis has expanded to include food and wine pairings, since I now live in the middle of world class wine country. My approach with pairing is to start with the wine, seek its emergent properties, and then design food to go with it. There are a number of techniques that can be used to achieve a perfect, or near-perfect, pairing, rather than merely an adequate/average pairing.

Bret S. Beall, MS, PhD (Cand) is the CEO and founder of Global Organic Designs – Discovering Earth’s Science & Spirit (GOD-DESS).   He offers private consultations, group presentations, demonstrations of all kinds, and articles on a wide range of topics that help people live fantastic lives with minimal time, effort or money.  He has used his rigorous scientific training to synthesize psychology, sensory input, and logic, which he has applied to global cuisine, décor, lifestyle concepts, indoor gardening and travel planning to provide customized services for each individual in an easy-to-understand, easy-to-create and easy-to-maintain style. 

Bret’s background is as diverse as his educational lifestyle service offerings.  He was born in California’s San Francisco Bay area, and his family often took vacations to the seashore and to the redwood forests, where he first felt the great interconnectedness of all life.  His family later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he continued his environmental interests (including growing houseplants).  Soon, his family relocated to a farm in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri.  He and his family raised cattle, ducks, geese and rabbits, and he worked on a neighbor’s pig farm, all of which allowed him to witness the cycle of birth, life and death firsthand.  His family grew a variety of produce, precipitating his learning about growing, preparing and preserving food.  It was also at this time that Bret truly began developing his talent in art, design and esthetics. 

Apr 16, 2017

Julie Davidson is the very very, funny author of From Conception to Confusion: A humorous collection of stories from a mom who’s trying to keep her sanity intact, her house clean, and her husband and kids from finding her stash of good chocolate.

Between bribing her kids with the giant Starbucks cookies to being ridiculously overwhelmed by third grade math homework, Julie created a series of essays relating to the journey of motherhood. Julie has found that her words resonate with countless other parents in their quest to navigate parenthood-even before the baby is born.  Some might say Julie's lowering the bar of motherhood, but Julie prefers to say she's just holding the bar down so others can join her. is.

Apr 16, 2017

Diane Lang has dedicated her career to helping people turn their lives around and is now on a mission to help them develop a  sustainable positive attitude that can actually turn one into an optimist, literally. A therapist and educator/coach of Positive Psychology, she has seen that it can provide a strong foundation for finding great happiness and is gratified that it is becoming a mainstream method of treatment.


A parent herself, Lang has taught Positive Parenting to parents and written extensively on the benefits of using it with even the youngest children. She has also spoken or conducted seminars on postpartum depression, striving for balance versus having it all and practical tips on interviewing, networking and dressing for success and is the author of “Baby Steps: the Path from Motherhood to Career.”


Diane is a Therapist and Life coach in NJ. Her clinical experience includes treating patients with different forms of mental illness, physical and emotional abuse and relationship issues. Lang is also an Adjunct in Psychology at Montclair State University, her college work includes mentoring students for individual career counseling and personal issue advisement.


As an expert in her fields of therapy, Lang has been featured in the Daily Record, Family Circle, Family Magazine, Working Mother Magazine and Cookie Magazine, seen on NJ 12 TV, Good day CT, CBS TV, Style CT, The Veira network and the national television program “Fox & Friends”. She has also participated in a reality based Internet show, ourprisoner.com, hosted Generation X-tinet and appeared in various educational videos including Columbia books.


Lang has an M.A. in Counseling and a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the New York Institute of Technology. Diane has her Positive Psychology coaching certificate from Wholebeing Institute. Diane’s latest book is: Creating balance & finding happiness.

Apr 16, 2017

Pascale Naessens is a best-selling culinary author in Belgium. She has since become a leading voice for pure and healthy eating. A number of her books have already been translated into French, English, German and Chinese.

She’s also an acclaimed ceramic artist whose collection of kitchen tableware titled ‘Pure by Pascale Naessens for Serax’ has enjoyed considerable international success. Housewives and top restaurants (Pure-C, Bouvy and the world-famous Hakkasan restaurant in London) serve their food on plates and dishes designed by Pascale Naessens.

No one imagined that a cookbook could cause such a stir
Pascale Naessens’ cookbooks have helped create a real culinary movement: people are once again free to enjoy their food, and still stay slim and healthy.

They are attracted to her romantic way of cooking because the delicious and simple recipes are uncomplicated and easily accessible. Young and old, everyone is enthusiastic. It’s said that ‘Pascale taught her nation to eat healthily’.

It’s evident that her cooking and her lifestyle appeal to a broad public as demonstrated by the many Facebook communities where fans of ‘Pascale’s pure kitchen’ share experiences and recipes, often accompanied by photographs of recipes served on plates from Pascale’s ‘Pure’ collection.

Having completed her studies in Economic Sciences, at the age of 18, Pascale Naessens traveled the globe as an international fashion model. After five years of assignments in Paris, Milan, Madrid, Hong Kong, China and Tokyo, she returned to Belgium where she began a television career with the Belgian broadcasting corporation VTM, first as a presenter then hosting a series of home and lifestyle shows before collaborating on the sailing program, Jambers Odyssee (Jambers’ Odyssey).

In addition to architecture and interior design, her other passions include health and cooking. Having dealt with her own eating problems, she delves deeper into this subject. Her travels to the Far East inspired her, and she became a qualified health consultant specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. She practices tai chi and is a certified shiatsu therapist. She is also a qualified restaurateur and has taken a number of culinary courses ranging from macrobiotic cooking to classes in top restaurants.

Her first book, in which she explains her food philosophy, was published in 2010. Her focus is on a natural way of eating, more a lifestyle than a diet. The book was an instant success. She has since published six books and each one of them has reached number one on the Belgian best sellers list and they all continue to be top sellers. This achievement merely reaffirms her position as Belgium’s best-selling author.

She also writes culinary articles and columns for several lifestyle magazines, which include interviews with scientists who offer opinions on health and diet. She is a highly sought-after speaker on healthy eating.

                                                                                                                  
While making a documentary in Tunisia, Pascale became fascinated with ceramic pottery after meeting a local ceramist named Sabiha Ayari. She then embarked on her own studies with ceramic artist Bie Van Gucht for several years and attended numerous courses on ceramics, glazing and firing techniques. She created ceramic tableware in her own workshop and then took her prototypes to Serax. This collaboration resulted in the ‘Pure’ ceramic tableware line, which has become an international success. Housewives and top restaurants alike serve their food on Pure plates and Pure dishes designed by Pascale Naessens.

Her passion for interior design was nurtured during the making of her television program Huis & Thuis (House & Home). For 10 years she interviewed architects and visited Belgium’s most beautiful homes. This passion is evident in the styling of her cookbooks, for which she is solely responsible. Her love for the interplay of lines is reflected in her work as ceramic artist, but it’s also incorporated in her new challenge: furniture design. Her new furniture line, characterized by its distinctive oval shapes, has been widely praised.

Both talents are a natural complement to her cookbooks, the common theme is: Pure. Because seeking to live a worthwhile and pure life is the basis of Pascale Naessens’ world.

In her new book Pure and Simple, Pascale Naessens shares her method for staying happy, healthy, and fit, with a lifestyle that embraces natural, unprocessed foods, delicious meals, pleasure, and health.

Apr 15, 2017

Hiya! I’m Heidi Siefkas (pronounced Seef-kas). Although I’m originally from small-town Wisconsin (you betcha), I hang my hat in South Florida. However, as an adventurer, I’m rarely home for long. In fact, you’re best bet is to find me in Cuba. Also I’m a speaker, the creator of the mantra Look Up, and author of three inspirational, non-fiction books When All Balls Drop, With New Eyes, and Cubicle to Cuba.

Heidi Siefkas was a happily married, globetrotting professional who seemingly had it all—until a tree limb in New York's Hudson River Valley struck her down, breaking her neck and leaving her unconscious. Suddenly, life as she knew it stopped. She lost her independence. She lost her career. She watched her marriage disintegrate as she confronted a trail of devastating lies about her husband's double life. She had lost all that mattered, but she was a survivor. She fought to restore her health, repair her broken heart, and rebuild herself. Along the way, she gained clarity about her core values, ultimately coming to a deeper understanding of what it means to have it all. Through down-to-earth, short vignettes, When All Balls Drop shows us how it's possible to look up in spite of pain, deceit, and loss. Heidi's memoir—rich with hope and humor—inspires anyone who's had to confront tragedy and reassess their life in the wake of life-altering events.

Heidi Siefkas lost her health, her career, and her marriage after she was struck by a one-thousand-pound tree branch. While she made great strides in her physical and emotional recovery in the months that followed—an arduous process that she chronicled in When All Balls Drop—Heidi wasn't content to merely survive her setbacks. The time was right to build a new life. One she could live on her own terms. But what would a redesigned life look like? In her quest for answers, Heidi returned to her childhood home in Wisconsin, dove into the South Florida dating scene, revisited old flames in New England, sold her first home, jumped out of a plane, and traveled alone to South America. Every leg of her journey provided a healthy dose of perspective. With New Eyes is full of mishaps and bold decisions, all seasoned with sassy humor. Through her signature down-to-earth vignettes, Heidi inspires you to conquer your fears, head for adventure, and become the captain of your own ship.

 

Apr 15, 2017

​​I was born and partly raised in a small town in Southern Italy and lived there for most of my younger years. My parents and our region in Southern Italy really helped me appreciate our food, culture and all its bounty. My dad was a produce merchant so our home was always filled with unsold deliciousness that always found its way to the table.  My dad had several specialties that he liked to showcase and my mom always had a delicious meal waiting for my sister and I for when we returned home from school. Food has always been very prominent in my household, just like any other Italian household. We discuss dinner while eating lunch and tomorrow’s lunch while enjoying dinner!!
 
We lived  in a small town built on traditions and customs that I still value today. I have fond memories of walking to church on Sunday mornings and smelling the delicious aromas coming from people’s homes. Sauces, meatballs, fried peppers and a fresh pot of brewing espresso always bring me back home. How funny it was to walk to church and be able to tell what everyone would be having for lunch that day! 

After our move to the States, we were able to travel back and forth during the summers and this process really allowed us to maintain our Italian way of life. We frequently brought back authentic Italian ingredients, particularly the dried spices such as oregano and rosemary.  Things haven't changed all that much now and we still travel back whenever possible. It's such a blessing to still have our home there and be able to go back and forth. And yes, we still bring some spices! Nothing like roasted potatoes with Italian rosemary or a tomato salad with real oregano! 
 
Today, I teach cooking at several local Adult Education Centers in the Boston area as well as private classes in clients’ homes or my own. I also lead, plan and organize culinary tours to Italy. I am convinced more people should have experiences like mine. Authentic meals, the best espresso a Euro can buy, and the joy that can only come from traveling to Italy. What a thrill it is for me to bring people back to my native land. On our tours we participate in regional cooking classes, walking culinary tours, wine tastings and cultural excursions. No foodie or food enthusiast should miss the tours as it's the best way to learn about the Italian culture, lifestyle and cuisine.

I am a proud member of the National Italian American Foundation, Italian Sons and Daughters of America and the National Organization of Italian American Women.  

Apr 15, 2017

I’ve spent the last year or so of my life traveling near and far (but mainly far) – all the time while employed by a massive Fortune 100 company. In the last year I made it to 27 countries – most for work, some for pleasure – armed only with the camera on my cracked iPhone 4S to record these incredible places, and a meager attempt at an Instagram account (follow me! @kurlington).

I’ve explored small wondrous villages in rural China, made it to the North Korean border, and driven through the mountains of Oman – white sand beaches in Abu Dhabi, rainforest hiking in Colombia, night clubs in Roppongi Hills of Tokyo, and even dove in the Red Sea in forgotten Saudi Arabia. In the same waking breath, I’ve stayed in a luxurious 5 star resort, and shared a dorm in a hostel with sand flies. Flown across the world 1st class, and two days later found myself on a 6 hour bumpy bus ride in the Guatemalan mountains with a Mayan woman on my lap. Presented in boardrooms, and been invited for tea under a dock. I live a life of dichotomy – of dual purpose – and would not have it any other way.

Apr 15, 2017

Hired by Jess Jackson in 1992 as Winemaker for some of our smaller and international vineyards, Randy was handed his most prestigious assignment in 1997 - Winemaster for Kendall-Jackson Winery.

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Randy became interested in wine during a three-year stay in Chile, while on sabbatical from college in the early 1970s. His stay inspired a cross-country trek through Chile's vast wine-growing regions. On his return to the United States, he entered Ohio State University to study crop production with a specialty in Viticulture and Enology and received his degree in 1975.

After six years as a vineyard manager and Winemaker in Ohio and upstate New York, Randy moved to California to become associate Winemaker at De Loach Vineyards in Sonoma County. He was promoted to Winemaker and Vice President in 1991. The wines produced during his tenure were consistent gold medal winners at wine competitions.

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