🎙️ Always Drink the Good Stuff! Podcast – Featuring Larry Schaffer of tercero wines & The Rhone Rangers 🍷
This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Larry Schaffer — Owner & Winemaker of tercero wines and President of the Board of Directors for The Rhone Rangers. Larry’s knowledge and passion for Rhône varietals is matched only by his commitment to educating and inspiring wine lovers everywhere.
We dive into Larry’s unique journey from a career in music and business to becoming one of Santa Barbara County’s most respected voices in Rhône-style winemaking. He shares why he fell in love with grapes like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier — and what makes these varieties so perfectly suited to the diverse microclimates and soils of the Central Coast.
Larry is also a lifelong music lover — especially iconic 1970s rock. 🎸
In this episode, he draws fascinating parallels between music and wine:
how rhythm and structure create harmony in a blend, how solos (or single-varietal wines) need the right balance to shine, and how every vintage has its own “album identity.” His love of music reveals how creativity, instinct, and emotion play a major role in winemaking — not just science.
Some highlights from our conversation:
🍇 Why Rhône varietals are gaining serious momentum in California
🌬 Santa Barbara County’s unmatched conditions for coastal-influenced wines
🌱 The importance of vineyard relationships and honoring terroir
🌡 How winemakers are adapting to climate change
🍽 Wine + food pairings that create unforgettable experiences
🎶 The crossover between 70s rock, storytelling, and crafting wines that resonate
Larry’s perspective is thoughtful, humble, curious — always asking questions, always learning, and always striving to make wines that speak authentically of place. His energy is contagious, and this episode is equal parts educational and just plain fun.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction to the video and guest Larry Schaefer
0:38 – Larry’s background in the wine industry
1:51 – Transition from music to wine and the motivation behind it
3:31 – Larry’s philosophy on wine-making and personal expression
7:20 – Introduction of Larry’s winery, Tercero, and its meaning
8:01 – Overview of the varietals produced by Tercero
10:30 – Discussion on educating consumers about lesser-known varietals
12:50 – The role of events and marketing in promoting unique wines
16:06 – Challenges faced by Santa Barbara County wines in the market
19:50 – Larry’s approach to wine distribution as a one-man show
24:14 – The story behind Larry’s Pinot Noir production
30:15 – Discussion on consumer trends and preferences in wine
36:21 – The importance of personal relationships in the wine industry
39:11 – The role of the Rhône Rangers organization and its mission
43:12 – Upcoming events and outreach efforts by the Rhône Rangers
47:13 – Closing thoughts on wine enjoyment and personal connections
54:14 – Conclusion and how to find Larry’s wines online
🎧 Tune in on Spotify also https://open.spotify.com/show/3oMpZAKJPwzXc8E0PxciO0?si=97d6db11c7c6418e — and be part of the story.
@tercerowines @tercerowines4118 @rhonerangers7412
📦 Explore tercero wines at tercerowines.com
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Stepan Baghdassarian