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Fruity notes, citrus accents and a woody finish. If those descriptions sound familiar then you know about the artistic pursuit of making wine. From Mihila Kawna Wines in California to the Native Vines Winery in North Carolina several tribes are getting into the business and they’re producing some of the best-tasting wine money can buy. We will explore the history of wine making and where the practice is spreading in Native America today.
Guests:
Loretta Barrett Oden (Potawatomi) -Potawatomi chef from Oklahoma, creator and host of “Seasoned with Spirit: A Native Cook’s Journey,” an Emmy award-winning PBS mini-series, and food editor for Native People Magazine
Thomas Baldonado (Mescalero Apache) – Regional Manager for Cedar Band Corporation Beverage Company which is the creator of Twisted Cedar Native American Wine
Marshall McKay (Yocha Dehe-Winton Nation) – Chairman Emeritus of the Yocha Dehe-Wintun Nation and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles
Break music: Gold Skies (Neon Natives Remix) (song/single) Neon Natives (artist)
My uncle, Ray Combs (Tlingit), was one of the top commercial winemakers in California, back in the 60’s and 70’s.
One of his innovations was making huge batches of sparkling wine in repurposed liquid oxygen tanks from a decommissioned Nike missile base!
That is a great story and connection to the Native role in wine making in California.
Thank you for sharing,
Twisted Cedar Native American Wines.