"The Good Stuff"

In episode 108 of "The Good Stuff" hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Jenifer Freebairn, VP of Marketing and Sales at Lasseter Family Winery, whose non-traditional path into wine has become a story of passion, creativity, and purpose. 

From a foundation in music and storytelling to shaping the voices of iconic Sonoma County wineries, Jenifer has built a career around connection. She now helps share the vision of John and Nancy Lasseter, whose love for Sonoma County and the historic community of Glen Ellen inspired them to restore their estate, farm organically, and craft expressive R...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Joe Pozzi, lifelong Sonoma County rancher, and owner of Pozzi Ranch. 

From growing up on his family’s multi-generational ranch to becoming a leader in regenerative agriculture and local wool production, Joe’s story reflects the deep agricultural roots, innovation, and stewardship that define Sonoma County.  

Tune in today to hear how Joe continues to cultivate a legacy of care for the land—and for the community that calls it home. 

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Heidi Bridenhagen, Director of Winemaking at MacRostie Winery.

Tune in as Heidi discusses her journey from growing up in an agricultural community in Wisconsin to discovering her passion in Sonoma County’s wine industry. 

From her early days working in cellars, labs, and bottling lines, to shaping programs for Sonoma-Cutrer and now leading MacRostie’s renowned Pinot Noir program, Heidi’s story is a testament to dedication, craftsmanship, and the vibrant community that makes Sonoma wi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Carolyn Bordes, founder of Bordes Wines in Sonoma  

Tune in as Carolyn shares her journey from equestrian in New England to Sonoma County vintner, her passion for hospitality and food pairings, and the inspiration she finds working alongside her daughters in their family business. 

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Erica Larson, COO of Larson Family Winery, and Hayden Puryear, DTC Manager at Larson Family Wines.

Tune in as Erica and Hayden discuss the unique history of her family's property in Sonoma, which includes a ghost town and former home to the Sonoma County Rodeo, and share their journey's into the wine industry and what the Larson Family Motto "We drink what we can and sell the rest" means to them.

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to John Hamel, Winemaker and Director of Winegrowing at Hamel Family Wines. 

Tune in as he shares his passion for organic and biodynamic farming, and how a deep connection to the land guides his approach to crafting wines with intention and vision. 

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Matt Taylor, Winemaker at Mascarin Family Wines.

A third-generation Sonoma County native, Matt has deep roots in the region and a profound connection to the Sonoma Coast AVA. Known for its diverse microclimates and rugged terrain, the Sonoma Coast inspires his work, shaping wines that capture both intensity and nuance.

For Matt, viticulture is more than a professionit’, s a calling. He believes the foundation of every exceptional wine begins in the vineyard, where tho...

In this episode of “The Good Stuff” presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Shelly Rafanelli, winemaker at A. Rafanelli Winery in Dry Creek Valley.

Shelly shares the story of her family’s deep roots in Sonoma County, and making connections through wine. She reflects on her journey to becoming a winemaker, carrying forward her family’s legacy, and the dedication it took to help build A. Rafanelli into the winery it is today.

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Mike Sullivan, winemaker and Co-owner of Benovia Vineyards. 

Mike talks about growing up in Sonoma County, his early interest in the wine industry, and taking the leap to co-found Benovia Winery in the Russian River Valley.  Mike reflects on a few of his "WOW" wine moments over the years and key learning experiences that shaped him into the winemaker he is today.

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Bill Nachbauer, owner of Alegria Vineyards.  

Bill shares how he and his wife Betsy made the leap from a career in law and public policy to farming grapes in Sonoma County, where Bill's family roots stretch back to the 1860s. Bill recalls the moment in 1989 when he first saw Alegría Vineyards and knew it was the place to build a future. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of those early years, the lessons learned as a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Jen Berman, General Manager, and Phillip Dube, Winemaker at North Coast Wine Co., to discuss North Coast Wine and the Outerbound wine label. 

Phillip shares his unconventional journey from practicing law on the East Coast to winemaking across continents—from South Africa to Australia to California. He opens up about the moment he knew it was time to leave the courtroom for the vineyard.

Jen, with a background in biochemistry and nearly 20 years in the i...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Mark Stark, Executive Chef & Co-Founder, and Terri Stark, Hospitality Director & Co-Founder of Stark Reality Restaurants.

The husband-and-wife team provide a behind the scenes look into Stark Reality Restaurants, a collection of eight locally loved restaurants in Sonoma County. They opened their first, Willi’s Wine Bar, in 2002, introducing the small plates concept to Santa Rosa. Over the next two decades, they steadily expanded their footprint across Sonoma County. 

Listen in to hear about their jour...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Jack Florence, Founder of Florence Vineyard and Author of Dare to Dream.

Jack shares his story of trading a career in nuclear engineering for a life among the vines in Sonoma County. Originally from New York, Jack spent over two decades in the nuclear energy industry, often traveling to Asia. But after missing Easter with his family due to a work commitment in South Korea, Jack and his wife Fran knew it was time for a ch...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Karen Francis Degolia, Owner of Limerick Lane Cellars. 

Karen shares the early days of bringing Limerick Lane back to life in the 1990s, working alongside Tom Collins to revive long-dormant vineyards. She shares what it was like to walk through the property for the first time in decades, the emotional pull of returning to land rich with history, and the foundational work that went into rebuilding the estate.

Karen’s career path took her from w...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Kevin Bersofsky, Owner and winemaker of Montagne Russe Wines, and Steve Sangiacomo, Third Generation Winegrower and Partner at Sangiacomo Family Vineyards and Winery, about the Petaluma Gap and the upcoming Wind to Wine Festival on August 8th-10th! 

Kevin’s path to winemaking was anything but typical. After earning a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell and designing makeup tanks for Estée Lauder, he found himself drawn to the world of wine- and soon after, faced with a s...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier, Chef, Television Personality, and Author.

Andrea shares her remarkable journey to becoming one of only 28 women in the world to hold the Master Sommelier title. She was the first woman ever named Best Sommelier in the U.S., currently curates wine for Delta Air Lines, and has earned three James Beard Awards. In 2004, Bon Appétit honored her as Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year. 

She opens up about her...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Rick Hutchinson Owner, President, and Winemaker of Amphora Winery and his wife and partner, Bridget.

A Sonoma County native, Rick’s winemaking journey began humbly at age 20 on the bottling line at Sebastiani Winery. A single step into the cellar—and the nostalgic scent of fermentation—transported him back to his childhood memories of canning jam with his mother, igniting a lifelong passion. From there, Rick trained under acclaimed winemakers like Doug Nalle and John Kongsgaard, developin...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dani Price, Proprietor of Fat Dragon Wines.

Dani’s journey in wine spans more than 14 years building and managing two of the most dynamic corporate wine programs in the world—including her time as Executive Director of Wine for Wynn Resorts, where she led a $42 million-a-year program across four global properties. Prior to that, she oversaw the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group’s corporate wine program during a period of explosive growth.

Now based in Healdsbu...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dayna Ghiradelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.

A proud Petaluma native, Dayna takes us through her inspiring path in agriculture—from growing up on a dairy farm and participating in 4-H and FFA, to now leading one of Sonoma County’s most influential ag organizations. Her journey reflects a deep connection to the land, a passion for community, and a strong commitment to supporting local farmers and ranchers.

During the conversation, Dayna...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to John Balletto, President & Founder of Balletto Vineyards.

John shares the remarkable story of growing up in West Sebastopol, working on his family’s five-acre vegetable farm from a young age. After his father’s untimely passing in 1977, John turned down college athletic scholarships to stay home and help his mother, Hazel, keep the farm alive. What began with a $200 budget and a flatbed Chevy truck eventually grew into the largest vegetable operation in Northern California by the mi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Christopher Strieter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Senses Wines.

Christopher grew up in Occidental alongside childhood friends—and fellow Senses Co-Founders—Max Thieriot and Myles Lawrence-Briggs. Their families all moved to the area in the 1980s to raise their children in the countryside, instilling in each of them a deep appreciation for growing up among the redwoods and along the California coast. Though none of them initially planned to enter the wine industry, the trio later reunited around...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Nico Diana, Co-Owner of Ca'Bianca Ristorante Italiano.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Sonoma County, Nico grew up in the heart of the family business. From doing homework at the bar to bussing tables on holidays, Nico’s early years were shaped by the rhythms of restaurant life. After earning degrees in finance and international business and working in banking abroad, he returned home to take the reins as his parents stepped back from the busi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Art Murray, Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Flambeaux Wine.

A New Orleans native and environmental attorney, Art Murray shares how his love for food, family, and connection led him to Healdsburg—where just three visits were enough to fall in love with a vineyard and start a new chapter in Dry Creek Valley. With roots in Louisiana, a place known for its rich and diverse food and wine heritage, and a name inspired by the torchbearers of Mardi Gras...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Anne Moller-Racke, Winegrower & Proprietor, and Hannah Gropman, Estate Director of Blue Farm Wines.

A pioneer in Sonoma County viticulture, Anne moved from Germany to California in the early 1980s, rising through the ranks at Buena Vista Carneros and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Carneros AVA.

Anne shares her journey from vineyard manager to founder of the renowned Donum Estate and, later, Blue Farm Wines—a boutique winery producing small-lot, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Amy Chenowith, Winemaker & Owner of Chenoweth Wines, and her son Charlie “CJ” Chenoweth, Vineyard Operations Manager and sixth-generation farmer of Chenoweth Vineyards.

Amy shares her journey from growing up in Guerneville with no roots in wine to co-founding a vineyard management company with her husband Charlie and eventually diving into the craft of winemaking and launching a brand of her own. CJ, raised on the family ranch, knew early on that he wanted to follow in the fa...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Prema Kerollis, Co-founder & General Manager of Three Sticks Winery.

Prema shares how her journey with Three Sticks began in 2000, when she started working closely with Bill Price III at Texas Pacific Group. At the time, Three Sticks was Bill’s small, boutique passion project — a way to craft exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to share with friends and family. Drawn by her passion for hospitality and strong business sense, Prema quickly became a key part of the wi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Steve Dveris, CEO of SD Media and Founder of Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience, and Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner of The Matheson, Valette Restaurant & Valette Wines.

With more than 30 years of experience in media and event sponsorship, Steve shares how the idea for Healdsburg Wine & Food was born and how, in partnership with Sonoma County Winegrowers, it has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated festivals. Dustin, a Healdsburg native and visionary chef, brings his pass...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Lauren Fremont, Executive Director, and Amanda Brower, PR and Marketing Manager for the Dry Creek Valley Winegrowers.

Lauren and Amanda share their unique journeys—from Lauren’s international event production experience to Amanda’s passion for community and marketing in the wine world—and how those paths led them to their key roles supporting Dry Creek Valley’s vibrant winegrower community.

They dive into everything you need to know about this year’s Passport to Dry Creek...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Bret Munselle, Owner/General Manager of Munselle Vineyards, Sonoma County Winegrowers Board Chair, Pilot Farmer – John Deere SmartApply, & Century Club Member.

Bret Munselle shares the story of his family’s nearly 150-year legacy in Alexander Valley, tracing the journey from founding some of the region’s earliest wineries to becoming pioneers in sustainable farming. Bret reflects on his own path—from studying at UC Davis, to working at American AgCredit, and then returning to join the family bus...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk about the Minnesota WineFest with Nick Engbloom – Sr. Director of Development with Community Partnerships, University of Minnesota Foundation 2026 USA Games Board Member, Elizabeth Patty – Associate Vice President for Development with Medicine and Health at the University of Minnesota Foundation, Blythe Brenden - Founder of the Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation & Grape Stomp After-Party Sponsor, and Sarah Worrell & Kai Worrell – Co-Chairs of the Event.

Hear from the passionate team behind WineFest No. 28: A Toast to Children’s Health—a premier fundraiser su...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with George Martinelli, Owner & Farmer at Martinelli Family Winery & Tessa Martinelli Gorsuch, Estate Director at Martinelli Winery & Vineyards.

George Martinelli and his niece Tessa grew up immersed in Sonoma County’s rich agricultural heritage. George, born and raised in Sonoma County, started driving tractors and managing apple crews by age 10, learning viticulture alongside his father and working closely with family across vineyards and the family winery. Tessa grew up on the family’s Bondi Home Ranch vineyard in Sebas...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jane Portalupi, Owner of Portalupi Wine.

Jane Portalupi, co-founder of Portalupi Wines, has been instrumental in shaping the winery's vision and success. She was born and raised in a small coastal town in Northern California and attended Western Washington University for College, getting a degree in Marketing. She first met her husband, Tim Borges, as a child. Their paths crossed again in 2001, leading to their marriage and the inception of Portalupi Wines in 2002.

With a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Chris Hanna, President of Hanna Winery.

Chris Hanna is the President of her family’s winery, Hanna Winery, based in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. Growing up on the home ranch, she began making small batches of wine with her father, winery founder Dr. Elias S. Hanna, in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Christine joined Hanna Winery full-time in 1991, starting in public relations and marketing before assuming management in 1993. Under her leadership, the wi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Tim Bell, Director of Marketing for Dry Creek Vineyard.

Tim Bell, Director of Winemaking at Dry Creek Vineyard, has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. He graduated with honors in winemaking at UC Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that inform his stylistic choices in creating delicious blends. Early in his career, Tim worked at...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Dan Kosta, Founder & Owner of Convene By Dan Kosta.

Dan Kosta has over 20 years of experience in the Sonoma County wine industry, very well known as a premium pinot noir and chardonnay producer.

A native of Sonoma wine country, Dan’s exposure to wine began in childhood, inspired by his father, who owned a wine shop and had a passion for vino. His lifelong love of food and wine guided him to a career in t...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with David Milner, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Donelan Family Wines.

David was born and raised in Northern California in Fairfield and discovered his passion for wine while studying Wine Business Strategies at Sonoma State University. His interest was sparked by his roommate, who worked at a local winery and often brought home wines to taste. The fermentation bug bit David while he was taking an undergraduate brewing class. He continued to hone his skills over bat...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Meghan Murphy, Sustainability Manager at Bundschu Company.

Meghan Murphy serves as the Sustainability Manager for the Bundschu Company, a role she began in July 2020. She oversees sustainability initiatives across multiple of their brands, including Gundlach Bundschu Winery and Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile. Meghan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Sociology and holds a Master’s in Global Sustainability and Climate Change from the University of South Florida.

Meghan’s achievem...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Sean Sundberg, Business Integration Manager at John Deere.

Sean Sundberg serves as the Business Integration Manager at John Deere, where he plays a pivotal role in integrating innovative technologies and sustainable practices into the company's agricultural solutions. His expertise bridges the gap between advanced machinery and practical applications for farmers.

Background with John Deere/Pilot Program:

In the summer of 2023, John Deere participated in the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) Farm of the Fu...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Allison Jordan has served as Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance since 2007, where she is responsible for leading the award-winning California Sustainable Winegrowing Program and Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. She joined Wine Institute in 2003, and now serves as Vice President, Environmental Affairs for Wine Institute, a department she established in 2007 to address wine industry environmental and sustainability issues at local, state, federal and international lev...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Rich Franklin, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena & AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Rich Franklin serves as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena & AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. In this role, he oversees corporate partnerships for both OVG, Acrisure, and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. He is also a co-host of ‘The Inches Sponsorship Sales Podcast,’ a podcast that looks at...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Owner & Winemaker, MacPhail Family Wines & Tongue Dancer Wines | Winemaker, The Calling, Sangiacomo Family Winery, and We Know Jack!

James MacPhail grew up just north of San Francisco in Marin County where, since the 1880s, members of his family have been pillars of the local business community. Between the dairy farm in western Sonoma County and the building materials, electronics and propane businesses in Marin County, James was raised with a strong work ethic. A passion for entrepre...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Kylie Dutton, Vice President of Winemaking at Dutton Estate Winery.

Kylie Dutton, the middle daughter of Joe and Tracy Dutton, with an adventurous spirit, is reflected in her pursuit of making the best wines possible from her family’s vineyards. Kylie developed a passion for winemaking early on. Surrounded by the aromas of wine and the taste of ripe fruit from the vines, Kylie has always had a deep connection to the land. This early exposure cult...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Akiko Freeman, Founder, Owner, and Winemaker of Freeman Vineyards & Winery.

Born in Tokyo, Akiko Freeman first came to the United States in 1985 as an exchange student. Shortly after she met Ken Freeman, her now husband and partner in Freeman Vineyard & Winery. Today she has become a celebrated winemaker at Freeman Vineyard & Winery in Sonoma County. Akiko’s passion for wine was inspired by her grandfather, a professor at Tokyo University, who introduced her to the elegance of Pi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Randall Watkins, Winemaker for Laurel Glen Vineyards.

Winemaker Randall Watkins grew up on a vineyard located in the foothills of Taylor Mountain in Sonoma County. His father was a small-scale winemaker, creating rustic Zinfandel and crisp Chardonnay in a barn on their property with the help of friends who were paid in wine. Beginning when he was only 10 years old, Randall participated in the annual harvest and grape crush, and as he grew older, he continued to...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Sharon Cohn, co-owner of Breathless Wines. Sharon talks about her path to starting a sparkling wine brand with her sisters. She has had all kinds of adventures, from a post in the Air Force, to becoming a dental hygienist (where she met her husband Bruce Cohn), owning a Massage Envy shop, and being a managing partner for the BR Cohn Olive Oil Company. Her sister Rebecca Faust founded Rack and Riddle, a custom crush facility that works with mo...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff," presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Doug Nalle, Zinmaster, Original Winemaker Emeritus and founder of Nalle Winery.

Doug Nalle, who earned his master's in Enology from UC Davis in 1979, founded Nalle Winery with his first vintage in 1984. An innovator by nature, Doug's vision for Nalle Winery was brought to life with his wife and partner, Lee Henderlong, whose parents owned a historic Zinfandel vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, the Henderlong Ranch. Today, Doug continues to consult on vintages with his son, Andrew, wh...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ames Morison, Co-Founder of Medlock Ames Winery.

Medlock Ames was founded by college best friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison. After sharing a love for wine as roommates in college and later as roommates in New York City, they decided to pack their bags and move to California to join the wine industry. Medlock Ames consists of two properties: the Historic Healdsburg Tasting Room, situated at the intersection of Route 128 and Alexander Valley Road, and th...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Erik Miller, Founder/Owner/Winemaker of Kokomo & Breaking Bread Winery.

Erik Miller is the founder and winemaker of Kokomo Winery, located in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Originally from Indiana, Miller attended Purdue University, where he earned a degree in business. After briefly working in financial planning, he realized the career lacked the excitement he sought. His long-time passion for wine and the culinary world led him to pursue a career in winemaking.

Kokomo is p...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Glenn and Laurie Proctor, owners of Puccioni Vineyards.

In this episode, they dive into the rich history of Puccioni Vineyards with Glenn Proctor, the great-grandson of Italian immigrant Angelo Puccioni, and Laurie Proctor, his wife and business partner. Angelo arrived in the U.S. in 1889 and, after working at the Italian Swiss Colony, planted his roots in Dry Creek Valley, where he established Puccioni Ranch in 1904. Over seven years of hard work, Angelo and his family cl...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Kerry Thedorf & Johan Eide, Co-Founders of Region. & Sampl.

Region is a unique and innovative wine bar concept located in both Sebastopol & San Luis Obispo. Founded by Kerry & Johan in 2020 in the heart of the Barlow Sebastopol, Region. was the first of its kind in Sonoma County. The second location opened in 2022 at the Hotel San Luis Obispo, a property owned by the Piazza Hospitality Group, which owns properties in Sonoma County as well. Region. uniquely offers a se...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Andrew Smith, Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures for Sonoma County. Andrew first got interested in nature and agriculture by working in his family's garden and doing landscaping. With over a decade of public service experience in regulatory roles, Andrew is dedicated to finding solutions for compliance issues faced by both agricultural and non-agricultural pest control practitioners. He shares some of the strangest things that he has found in packages making their way to Sonoma County. He...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Sharon Cohn, co-owner of Breathless Wines. Sharon talks about her path to starting a sparkling wine brand with her sisters. She has had all kinds of adventures, from a post in the Air Force, to becoming a dental hygienist (where she met her husband Bruce Cohn), owning a Massage Envy shop, and being a managing partner for the BR Cohn Olive Oil Company. Her sister Rebecca Faust founded Rack and Riddle, a custom crush facility that works with mo...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Kimberly Charles, President and Founder of Charles Communications Associates, and one of the founders of Come Over October along with wine journalist Karen MacNeil and PR expert Gino Colangelo. Kimberly shares the details of Come Over October, an initiative created to promote the social benefits of drinking wine. She says wine is a communal beverage and it should be shared and celebrated with friends and family. Many companies have joined the campaign, including Jackson Family Wines, Wine Enthusiast, and...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Chris Crispo & Audrey Bush of Bush Crispo Vineyards, located in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, a family-owned estate with a history spanning three generations of the Bush Crispo family. Together, they manage the 13.5-acre property which is split between Pinor Noir & Chardonnay. The vineyard was certified sustainable in 2015, a milestone that reflects the family's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. And finally, Virginie & Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with David and Alan Ramey, father and son duo from Ramey Wine Cellars. David started Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996 after going to France to learn during a harvest season, and working for Simi and Matanzas for a while. Alan and his sister Claire joined the family business in 2013, and became co-presidents in 2021. The strong core of long-time employees makes this transition to the next generation an easy one. And finally, Virginie, Karissa, David, and Alan share their Tuesday Night wi...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Phillip Staehle, founder and winemaker at Enkidu Wines. Phillip grew up in Lake County with older brothers and sisters who exposed him to wine. With an early appreciation (and collection!), Phillip decided to major in Political Science, as one does. He worked in restaurants during college, gaining an education in the "School of OTJ." (On The Job) He became a wine buyer, then a cellar rat, and also worked with his brother on a wine packaging business. In 2003 he...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Professor Emeritus George Day at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Chair of the Ag Sustainability Center. Professor Day was one of Karissa's professors when she attended Wharton for her MBA, and the two have a mutual admiration. After her rigorous studies at Wharton, Karissa eventually found her way to Sonoma County and became the Executive Director of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She realized that there was an opportunity to help winegrowers learn how to innovate a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff," presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jim Pratt, Owner of Cornerstone Certified Vineyard, Jose Cervantes, Operations Supervisor at Cornerstone, and Susan Ramirez from Cornerstone. Jim started his career in Sonoma County after getting a degree in botany. He worked with Richard Kunde at Sonoma Grape Vines, which was a very influential time in Jim's life. Jim met Jose while in Oregon and in 1999, Joes began working with Jim. Jose's strength in a leadership role led him to be selected for the Sonoma County Winegrowers Le...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Winemaker Erich Bradley. He shares his background, with a foundation in academics. Erich studied math and philosophy, and after some time in chilly Chicago, realized he needed to head back West. His parents bought a home and vineyard in Kenwood, and that is where he learned about winemaking. The timing was right to get lots of winemaking experience with some of the biggest names in the Sonoma Valley, including Arrowood Winery. The fruit grown on the hillsides and r...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Vicky Farrow, proprietor of Amista Vineyards, and Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker at Amista Vineyards. Vicky and her husband Mike followed their dream of owning a vineyard and making wine in Sonoma County. While their vineyards are of course the main ingredient to making their wide selection of wines, friendship is also a key component - it's even in their name! The name "Amista" is roughly translated as "making friends" in Spanish, plus it puts them at the top of lis...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Karen Bianchi-Moreda, owner of Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery. Karen talks about her family history and legacy of cattle and dairy ranching in Sonoma County, stretching back nearly 100 years. She works with her son Joe to collaborate on their business, each finding their strengths in different aspects of the company. You can visit their café/cheese shop in the charming town of Valley Ford to get delicious meals, cheeses, and yummy Jersey Milk Soft Serve (YES PLEASE) as wel...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Debra Mathy, Proprietor of Dutcher Crossing Winery in Dry Creek Valley. Debra shares her journey to becoming the proprietor of Dutcher Crossing, buying it in 2007. Many visits to wine country with her father helped her understand more about the industry and make valuable networking connections. She loves cycling, and that is why there is a vintage penny farthing bicycle in her logo. (She also has a bike with a sidecar for her dog!) Under Debra's ownership, the portfolio for...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse and GM Ed Thralls of Dutton-Goldfield Winery. Under the direction of owner/winemaker Dan Goldfield, Melissa is extensively involved in all aspects of Dutton-Goldfield's winemaking, as well as overseeing the management of their custom crush clients. She shares her journey to becoming a winemaker, which includes some fascinating detours, like driving a tour bus in Alaska! She has worked at some of the most esteemed wineries in California, including La Crema, J Vineyards & Winery, and SI...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Mark Mazzoni, Founder/Co-Owner, Winemaker, and Vineyard Manager of Zialena Winery. Mark's family has deep roots in Sonoma County: Giuseppe Mazzoni planted vineyards here in 1905. A traveling salesman asked to put up a billboard on the side of the family's barn, and you can still see the ad for "Dr. Pierce" on the side of the building. Mark learned about farming and taking care of grapes by working with his grandfather, and in 2012 he worked with his sister Li...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jennifer Beretta, 4th generation dairy farmer. Jennifer is passionate about agriculture and maintaining the industry for generations to come. She is a board member of the California Cattle Council, and current member of the American Farm Bureau Leadership Class (PALS - Partners in Advocacy Leadership.) Her experience during the PALS program has given her insight into the common threads in all ag industries, and an understanding of the importance of advocating for the family farmer as farming operations g...

On this special episode of "The Good Stuff" with host Virginie Boone and co-host Karissa Kruse, we are excited to re-run our very first episode! Virginie and Karissa delve into why it's important to always drink "The Good Stuff" in life and discuss Sonoma County Winegrowers' recent partnership with the San Francisco Giants at their Cloud Club suite. Guests John and Diane Bucher share their Cloud Club experience, and Master Sommelier for the Giants, Evan Goldstein, offers his perspective on wine and baseball, along with a few ballpark food pairings. Don't miss this nostalgic and informative episode!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Stephanie Wycoff, General Manager of Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery. Stephanie shares her story and prior experience in sales, marketing, and operations that paved the way to her current position, including working direct to consumer and experience in management at Seghesio Family Vineyards. She earned her Business MBA through SSU's Wine Business Institute. Stephanie says that the Russian River Valley is so important to the Gary Farrell story. They also dive deeper into the AVA with the concept of...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Dan Rotlisberger, Vineyard Estate Manager for Robert Young Estate Winery. Dan is a fifth generation Alexander Valley farmer and board member for Sonoma County Winegrowers. Dan is also the great grandnephew of Robert Young's late wife Gertrude. He learned how to be a farmer from his grandfather, who Dan says was one of the hardest workers he ever knew. Prior to his role at Robert Young, Dan worked as a Senior Viticulturist at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management - a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ben and Yolanda Papapietro of Papapietro Perry Winery. Ben and Yolanda talk about their interest in wine and how it went from hobby winemaking in their garage to becoming serious home winemakers in San Francisco, to their eventual partnership with Bruce and Renae Perry and a move to Sonoma County. Each step along the way deepened their appreciation for getting the best fruit and making the best wine possible with it. And now their avid club members share in...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with brothers Steve and Mike Sangiacomo, third generation winegrowers and partners at Sangiacomo Family Wines. Steve and Mike share the story of their grandfather's journey to Sonoma County from Genoa, Italy and how the family farmed their land over the years, eventually moving to grape growing in 1969. They started Sangiacomo Family Wines in 2016, focusing on the expression of the land in each bottle of wine. When you book a tasting, you get a chance to visit the vineyard and se...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Rachel Thralls, Sommelier and Wine Educator for Sonoma County Winegrowers, and Wanda Cole-Nicholson, Advanced Sommelier and 3rd year returning sommelier for the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience. These talented women chat about the role of sommeliers in communicating all aspects of a wine to their audience, be it customers at a restaurant, television viewers, or fellow somms. Wanda talks about her experience in various roles as a sommelier and her love for learning more about wine. They also ch...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ana Keller, Estate Director of Keller State in Petaluma. Ana shares the story of her Mexican heritage and her father’s journey to buying land in Sonoma County and planting grapes there in 1989. Ana worked for decades with her father, and started the family winery in 2010. She was part of the hard working group that realized the unique characteristics of the land and the wind in Petaluma, and helped to get designation for the Petaluma Gap AVA. Ana is...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ryan Zepaltas, GM and Winemaker for Copain Wines. Ryan was determined to be a professional skateboarder at a young age, and stayed with his cool aunt in Sonoma County to be closer to the thriving skateboarding scene in the Bay Area as a young man. To make money while finessing his skills, he worked at La Crema during harvest and got hooked! He went to work a harvest in New Zealand, and returned to continue working at La Cr...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Bernie and Mark Orsi, father and son from Orsi Family Vineyards. Bernie shares the story of how his family came to grow grapes in Sonoma County and how they selected Italian varietals as a way to connect to their family heritage. There is something about the climate and topography that really works well with these grapes, making it easy to get the best characteristics from each varietal. Visiting the tasting room at Orsi Family Vineyards is a great wa...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Denise Trione, Sales and Marketing Director at Trione Vineyards and Winery, as well as her husband, Kris Hicks, Vineyard Manager for Vimark Vineyard Management and Trione Vineyards and Winery. Denise and Kris talk about their developing relationship that also dovetailed nicely into their family winery. The Trione Family has been growing grapes in Sonoma County for decades, and Denise decided that she wanted to make Trione wines with a small portion of the grapes, instead of selling all of...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Steve Dveris, CEO of SD Media and Co-Founder of the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience, which is happening May 16-19, 2024. This multi-day event celebrates the makers behind the magic! The spotlight is aimed at the region’s makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world. The goal of the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience is to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and deep connection to the agri...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Chef Matt Horn, legendary chef and restauranteur behind Horn Barbeque, Kowbird, and Matty’s Old Fashioned. Chef Horn will be preparing delicious West Coast barbecue as part of a special lunch at Dutton Ranch at this year’s Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience. Chef Horn shares his journey to cooking his own version of barbecue, influence by family recipes, Texas barbecue and the Black South, as well as California cuisine. A few tickets are still available for the Friday...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President of Pedroncelli Winery and 3rd generation family owner. Julie shares the story of her family’s journey to the area and buying the winery west of Geyserville in 1927 (during Prohibition!), spending the next few years growing and harvesting grapes for home winemakers. Once Prohibition ended in 1933, visitors would come to the winery to purchase wine by the gallon to take home. The winery changed hands in 1963 to the 2nd generation, who operated it until...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Steve Dutton (Karissa’s husband), President of Dutton Ranch Corp, and Jordan Dutton, Steve’s daughter and the Winery Relations and HR Assistant at Dutton Ranch. Steve and Jordan talk about their family history in Sonoma County. They also talk about the H-2A program which they use to employ seasonal agricultural workers. The process is involved, but over the years, the Dutton family has been able to retain workers, some for decades, and they find it is mutual...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Justin Seidenfeld, Senior Vice President of Winemaking and Winegrowing at Rodney Strong Vineyards. Justin shares his inspiration as a winemaker, to always “surprise and delight.” He is committed to innovations, while also honoring the history of Rodney Strong’s legacy in Sonoma County. He has installed an automatic Brix checking system that allows the winemaking team to precisely monitor sugar levels and integrate that info into apps to streamline the process. Justin says the grapes grown in Sonoma County a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Kathleen Inman, Owner and Winemaker of Inman Family Wines. Kathleen shares the love story that started her journey growing winegrapes and learning how to make wine. She met her husband on her first day working at a small tasting room in Napa. That began a series of letters and a budding long-distance romance. Inman Family Wines began in 2000, and features Pinot Noir, a Rosé of Pinot Noir called Endless Crush, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Kathleen is also committed to...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Paul Sloan, Vigneron and Owner of Small Vines Wines. Paul talks about his early experience with wine and how that led him to pursue winemaking in California. Paul decided early on that his style leaned more towards an old-school French style of winemaking, and he really wanted to grow only the highest quality fruit with very low yields, not typical of sprawling California Vineyards. He spaces his rows much closer to each other to achieve this goal. The re...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Rickey Trombetta, owner of Trombetta Family Wines. Rickey shares stories about growing up in Santa Rosa and they way agriculture shaped Sonoma County. She talks about how she got into wine, working out the basics as a home winemaker and learning from Paul Hobbs and mentor Carmine Indindoli. Rickey shares an great story about her daughter Erica, at the age of 10, sniffing out incredible notes from a glass of rich red wine – a glimpse into Erica’s future as the...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, and author of Wine and the White House: A History. Fred shares the details on how he came to write this book that is fascinating for both wine lovers and history buffs. How did our first presidents use wine during the early stages of our country for diplomacy? How prominent are wines from Sonoma County at the White House? When did the US decide to only serve Am...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk about the some very special programs at the Sonoma County Winegrowers, including the Leadership Academy and the Employee Recognition Program. Guests are Valerie Pearce, Director of Programs at SCW, Tyler Klick, Co-Owner of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, and Yolanda Cruz, 2023 Vineyard Employee of the Year. Yolanda is the first woman to win this honor, and is also a Vineyard Supervisor at REVM, leading teams of women workers. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Laura Saini, General Manager of Saini Vineyards and George Christie, Co-Founder and Partner of Saini Vineyards. Laura shares the long history of the Saini family in Sonoma County as winegrowers, and their more recent move to make their own wines. They have been growing grapes in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys for over 100 years. George talks about his partnership with the Saini family as well as how he established the Wine Industry Network, to help wine country bus...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Kathryn Hecht, Founder and Executive Director of AVFilm, and Alan Baker, AVFilm Board Member and Co-owner of Cartograph Wines. AVFilm began in 2015, when community members founded a local film society with a focus on educational outreach, screenings, and an annual film festival. This year the AVFilm Festival is April 26th through May 5th. Get details online at avfilmpresents.org. Alan is a transplant from Minnesota, moving to California in 2005. Alan has a background in public radio, and loves stor...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with two visual storytellers, photographer Will Bucquoy and videographer Bruce Le. Both men have chronicled the stories of people in Sonoma County for years. Will Bucquoy is often at Sonoma County Winegrowers events, and he also takes photos of vineyard workers. Their portraits are proudly displayed in the offices at SCW. Bruce Le has been capturing the stories of winegrowers for SCW for years, and especially loved travelling to Washington DC with vineyard workers to tell their story. And final...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Steve and Alex Kanzler, father and son at Kanzler Vineyards. Steve is the founder, and Alex is the winemaker. The Kanzler family purchased their vineyard in 1994, planting 15 acres of wine grapes in 1996. The family supplied grapes to winemakers like Kosta Browne and Lynmar Estate. Alex took on the role of winemaker in 2011. The Kanzlers have a Farm Stay experience on their property and are opening a tasting room this year! And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Ni...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Andy Peay, owner of Peay Vineyards. After a few years on Wall Street as a financial analyst, a dinner with Andy’s brother Nick (lamb paired with a cool climate Syrah!) set him on his path into the wine business. Andy worked on harvests, and enrolled in classes. He also spent time working in retail shops. He and Nick were on a quest to find land to grow cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Together, the brothers pur...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Steve Dveris, CEO of SD Media and Founder of the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience, which is happening May 16-19, 2024. This multi-day event celebrates the makers behind the magic! The spotlight is aimed at the region’s makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world. The goal of the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience is to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and deep connection to the agri...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jim Rickards, owner of J. Rickards Winery, winegrower and SCW Board Member. Jim built his vineyard operation from the ground up, all while working full time as an ICU nurse. He has used environmentally sustainable vineyard practice from Day 1, and he grows some of Sonoma County’s most outstanding crops of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah – just to name a few. Jim shares his philosophy and wines with Virginie and Karissa, including a special pre-release sample of the d...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Gail Dutton, matriarch of the Dutton family, and Mel Sanchietti, third generation farmer. Gail and her husband Warren met Mel as young farmers and formed a lifelong friendship. We hear stories of what farming was like in the 1960s (lots of French Prunes!) and how each family transitioned to grapes. Mel had a 35-year career with Korbel Winery as vice president of vineyard operations, and his son Mark is caring on the Sanchietti farming tradition. Gail’s sons and...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Joy Sterling, CEO and Partner of Iron Horse Vineyards. Joy’s sparkling personality shines in this delightful conversation! She shares stories about her family, why there are always two bottles of bubbles in the refrigerator at all times, what foods pair with sparkling wine, and more. Joy also tells us about the special cuvees used to raise funds for resilience efforts, the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and the Marine Mammal Center. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesda...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with executive wine editor at Food and Wine, Ray Isle. Ray is one of the wine world’s foremost writers and speakers. He has been writing about wine, spirits, and cocktails for 20 years, regularly appears on national television and in other media, and speaks at wine and food events around the globe. He shares details about his new book, The World in a Wineglass: The Insiders’ Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now. And finally, Virginie and Karissa...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Scott Beattie, author of Artisinal Cocktails. Scott shares the details of how he got interested in using fresh ingredients in cocktails and using chef techniques to create truly delicious drinks. We learn about his background working at Cyrus, and where he is currently creating delicious beverages at Barn Diva. You can learn to create cocktails with fresh ingredients by taking a class at Barn Diva! In the final minutes of the show, Scott wows us by whipping up th...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Aniysa Fritz, Proprietor and Experience Manager at Lynmar Estates. She shares her experience refocusing the customer experience at Lynmar Estates by remodeling the tasting room, expanding the gardens, creating a private events program, and exploring food and wine pairings with Executive Chef David Frakes. Aniysa talks about her experience as an educator and how that influenced her decision to take over the TED Talks in Sonoma County. (Fun fact – The Good Stuff show got its name from Karissa’s TED...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Taylor Serres, Company Director and Winemaker at Serres Ranch. Taylor’s family goes back generations in Sonoma Valley, on land operated by the Serres family since 1924 where it originally operated as a dairy and row crop farm. Her parents began planting grapes on the property in the early 1980s, and Taylor took interest in that side of the family business after spending five years working outside of the family. The Serres family also owns a popular blueberry operation, a ra...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Tucker Taylor, Director of Culinary Gardens for Kendall-Jackson at Jackson Family Wines. Tucker was always interested in growing things and ended up transforming the gardens at the French Laundry in Yountville. He then was hired on in 2013 to take over the gardens at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens in Santa Rosa. Tucker grows unique items for the KJ culinary team to use in tastings and dinners, as well as produce for upscale restaurants throughout the Bay Area. He...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Amy Gutierrez, award-winning broadcaster and author, about wine, baseball, and enjoying the Good Stuff! Amy G recently helped Sonoma County Winegrowers tell the stories of Sonoma County grape growers to Giants fans and Karissa shares some exciting news about the future of this relationship. Amy G talks about how many feel intimidated about baseball and think if they don’t know everything about the sport, they can’t fully engage in the enjoyment of the game. The same could...