"The Good Stuff"

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 how digital is changing sports marketing diving into the struggles and issues you face in the sport and event sponsorship space.

Rich has over 30 years in Sports/Media Sales & Management, Event/Sponsor Activation Management, Fundraising, Management, and Business Ownership. He has a B.A. in Communications/Advertising from the University of Washington with additional professional certificates from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. Rich used to own his own wine shop in Washington state, and has served as a board member of Easterseals Oregon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy for individuals living with autism and other disabilities.

Oakview Group (OVG), established in 2015, is a leading professional sports and real estate company specializing in the development and management of sports and entertainment venues. With headquarters in Denver and regional offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, London, and Toronto, OVG has a global presence. The company has developed notable venues, including Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm; UBS Arena in New York, home of the NHL’s New York Islanders; Moody Center in Austin, Texas, hosting the University of Texas Longhorns basketball teams; and Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, home of the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. OVG has also expanded its influence by acquiring trade publications such as Venues Today and Pollstar and has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability signing The Climate Pledge, striving for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Acrisure Arena, located in Greater Palm Springs, California, is a premier entertainment venue that opened in December 2022. Spanning over 300,000 square feet, the arena has a seating capacity of approximately 11,000, featuring modern suites and four premium hospitality clubs. It serves as the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and includes the adjoining Berger Foundation Iceplex, which functions as a year-round community gathering space and training center for the team. In partnership with Live Nation, the world's largest event promoter, Acrisure Arena hosts a diverse array of events, including concerts, sports, and family shows, attracting over one million visitors annually.

The Silvercrest Compound at Acrisure Arena is an exclusive outdoor VIP space. It features a full bar, a variety of food options, and recreational activities including a 9-hole mini golf course, pickleball, half-court basketball, and bocce ball. The Silvercrest Compound opens 90 minutes before puck drop for Coachella Valley Firebirds games and remains accessible until the end of the second intermission.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds are a professional ice hockey team based in Coachella Valley, California. As the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, they compete in the AHL's Pacific Division. The team began play in the 2022–23 season, with home games at Acrisure Arena.

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 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 entrepreneurial business and a love for the land are at the center of both his personal and professional lives. James became an accomplished classical pianist and bagpiper, as well as a dedicated sportsman. He excelled at competitive swimming and water polo and today is still a daily Masters swimmer.

James attended the University of Redlands in the 1980s and later earned dual B.S. degrees in Business and Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Encouraged by his father to blaze his own trail, James designed a custom work/study program to pursue his true passion: wine. In the mid-1990s, he began honing his craft in Sonoma County, particularly in Pinot Noir, starting as a harvest intern at Quivira Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley in 1994.

With over 28 years in the wine industry, James has produced more than 100 wines, consistently earning 90+ point scores from major publications. His wines are celebrated for their balance, varietal expression, and commitment to sustainable farming. James produces wine in small batches, by hand, using traditional old-world techniques and minimal intervention.

James founded MacPhail Family Wines in 2001, becoming part of a wave of boutique Pinot Noir wineries. Despite early success, challenges arose, including a 2008 wildfire in California’s Anderson Valley that caused smoke taint, as well as the impact of the global financial crisis. In 2011, James sold the brand to Hess Collection to focus on winemaking, continuing to produce Pinot Noir for Hess under the Sequana label until its discontinuation. As a consulting winemaker, he worked with over 70 vineyard sites across California for brands such as The Calling, Sangiacomo, We Know Jack, and his own Tongue Dancer Wines, co-founded with his wife, Kerry, in 2012. In 2023, they re-acquired MacPhail Family Wines from Hess.

James' expertise spans multiple wine regions, including Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Oregon, and Santa Barbara. Throughout his career, he has crafted wines from renowned regions such as the Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and Oakville. His wines have garnered numerous accolades, including coverage on the cover of Wine Spectator (December 2006), a spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 (2017), and Wine Enthusiast Top 100 selections in 2018 and 2022. He has also earned numerous "Cellar Selection" and "Editor's Choice" honors over two decades.

The Calling Wine

The Calling sources premium fruit from top vineyards, using classic winemaking techniques. The Chardonnays are barrel-fermented in French oak with wild yeasts, undergo full malolactic fermentation, and age sur lie for 11-12 months. Red wines ferment with wild yeasts, undergo extended maceration, and age in a mix of French, Eastern European, and American oak, tailored to each varietal.

Sangiacomo Family Wines

Sangiacomo Wines is a family-owned winery known for high-quality, single-vineyard wines from Sonoma County’s top vineyards. Specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery emphasizes sustainability and meticulous vineyard management, producing wines with balance, elegance, and complexity.

Tongue Dancer Wines

Founded by James and Kerry MacPhail in 2012, Tongue Dancer Wines focuses on small-scale production of exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery emphasizes quality and creativity, crafting wines with memorable taste and texture, and exploring the full potential of these grapes.

We Know Jack!

We Know Jack! produces high-quality, small-lot wines from Sonoma’s Rockpile AVA, specializing in Zinfandel and other bold varietals. With James MacPhail as the consulting winemaker, the winery emphasizes sustainable farming and wines that showcase the rugged terroir with bold, expressive styles.

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 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 cultivated her link to the world of wine. Kylie pursued her academic interests by earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from The University of Arizona, and a certificate in Agriculture Leadership and Innovation. After graduation, she chose to return to her roots at Dutton Estate Winery, driven by her lifelong passion for wine.

Kylie began her professional journey in the cellar, working closely with the winery’s consulting winemaker, Bobby Donnell, as a Harvest Coordinator for three years. She further broadened her experience by interning for a harvest in New Zealand and obtained a Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis and returned to Dutton Estate Winery as Assistant Winemaker for another three years. Today, Kylie serves as the Vice President of Winemaking and Production at Dutton Estate Winery. Kylie works alongside her sister, Kyndall, and together they oversee the winery’s daily operations. They deeply value their agricultural heritage, dedicating themselves to caring for the land and producing outstanding wines.

Dutton Estate:

Dutton Estate Winery is a family-owned and operated winery nestled in the Green Valley AVA of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley. Founded by Joe and Tracy Dutton in 1995, the winery is renowned for producing a diverse range of high-quality wines.

Today, Dutton Estate Winery is led by the sixth generation of Dutton women and sisters, Kyndall Dutton, our winemaker, Kylie Dutton, and Karmen Dutton (who recently returned to school). The “Sisters” are mentored by the stewardship of their parents, Joe and Tracy, with the steadfast mission to pursue forward with the legacy of agriculture and winemaking, taking immense pride in passing on our agricultural traditions and crafting wine from our nurtured land to ensure sustainability for our next Dutton generation. Together, the family not only produces 5,000 cases of wine annually but also provides custom crush services for several premium wineries in Sonoma and Napa.

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 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 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Akiko’s artistic sensibilities were shaped by her grandmother, a master of Kodo, the Japanese art of appreciating fragrance. This tradition of “listening to scents” profoundly influences her approach to winemaking, where she seeks to tell the story of the land and the vintage through each bottle.

After earning her master’s degree in Italian Renaissance art history from Stanford in the mid-1990s, Akiko traveled throughout Europe and as far as South Africa to explore the great winemaking regions of the world. She and her husband, Ken Freeman, established Freeman Vineyard & Winery in 2001, driven by a shared dream of crafting expressive cool-climate wines.

Under the mentorship of acclaimed winemaker Ed Kurtzman, Akiko honed her craft and assumed full responsibility for winemaking in 2010. She now oversees every aspect of Freeman’s production, from organic vineyard farming—including the estate’s Gloria and Yu-ki vineyards—to blending and bottling. Her refined palate and vision have elevated Freeman wines to exemplify the best of New World Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Freeman Vineyard & Winery

Freeman Vineyard & Winery was founded by Ken and Akiko Freeman in 2001, but the seed was planted 16 years earlier. In 1985, while crewing a yacht on its way to the Caribbean, Ken was forced by Hurricane Gloria to head to port near his hometown of Scarsdale, N.Y., where a friend happened to be hosting a party. This was where Ken saw Akiko, newly arrived in the United States from Japan, and their love story began.

While the couple was initially brought together by a hurricane, they were also bound by a shared passion for refined, cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Driven by the firm belief that California is capable of producing wines every bit as complex and compelling as those of Burgundy, they explored more than 300 properties before choosing a site on which to build their dream. Their search ultimately led them to western Sonoma County, with its steep hillside terrain and cooling ocean breezes.

From the first vintage, the Freeman style went against convention. While others pushed the limits of ripeness, Akiko and consulting winemaker Ed Kurtzman sought balance and refinement. Today, the winery is defined by those same pursuits, with Akiko at the helm as winemaker, and Freeman is recognized internationally as one of California's most acclaimed small producers.

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 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 learn about farming and fermentation from his father.

In 1993, Watkins received a bachelor's degree in sociology and management from the University of California, Davis. After a brief stint working for an environmental consultant in San Francisco, Watkins again felt the call of the wine country. He continued his hands-on winemaking training, working in the cellars and labs of Buena Vista Winery and Hartford Family Winery in Sonoma County, as supervisor of red wine fermentations at Carmen Vineyards in Chile, and as assistant winemaker at S. Anderson Vineyards in Napa. Watkins then returned to UC Davis, where he rounded out his practical knowledge by completing a master's degree in enology in 1999. Watkins went on to produce stellar wines over the next 7 years as winemaker and General Manager for Carmenet Winery and Moon Mountain Vineyard before joining Laurel Glen Vineyard in 2011. Randall is Laurel Glens winemaker currently, and makes wine for his family brand Watkins Family Wines.

Throughout his winemaking experience, Watkins found that grapes from hillside vineyards produced red wines of incredible richness, depth, and concentration. After making Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards in Sonoma, Rutherford, Stags Leap, Red Hills, Mendocino, Monterrey, and Chile, Watkins discovered that his favorite big red wines were consistently from vineyards located in the Mayacamas Mountains.

Laurel Glen uses grapes from their estate vineyard in the Sonoma Mountain AVA. It was originally planted to mixed red varietals by German Immigrants at the end of the 19th century, and replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1968 by Carmen Taylor, just prior to the modern proliferation of vineyards in California. In 1977, Ms. Taylor sold the property to Patrick Campbell (Laurel Glen founder), who would become one of Northern California’s winemaking pioneers and a leading industry figure. Campbell took cuttings from the three acres of Cabernet vines planted by Taylor to develop the 14 acres comprising our vineyard today.

Shortly after Patrick Campbell purchased the vineyard in 1977, he started to expand it. He took cuttings from the existing Cabernet Sauvignon vines, grafted them to St. George rootstock and increased his Cabernet vineyard from three acres to fourteen. Eventually, this became the Laurel Glen clone which was certified as a unique clone by the University of California at Davis. Today, the vineyard is planted exclusively to this clone of Cabernet Sauvignon, uniquely well suited to the cooler conditions of the Sonoma Mountain AVA.

Laurel Glen Vineyard was purchased by the current ownership in 2011, a small group of wine lovers led by industry veteran Bettina Sichel. Bettina immediately appointed viticulturalist Phil Coturri to manage the vineyard. A true pioneer and leader in organic and biodynamic farming in California, Coturri started using exclusively organic farming practices in 2011. Laurel Glen Vineyard received certification from CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) in 2014. They use minimal inputs and plant numerous cover crops every year to enhance biodiversity, minimize soil erosion, control weeds, fertilize the soil without chemical inputs, and improve the structure and microbial activity of the soil.

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 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 more than 250 wine clients making wines. Sharon, Rebecca, and their sister Cynthia Faust created Breathless Wines in honor of their mother, Martha, who had a rare lung disease that literally left her breathless. Now, with winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster, Breathless Wines is producing award-winning sparkling wine. 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 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, who has taken on the role of winemaker, while Andrew's wife, April, manages viticulture and hospitality. Their other son, Sam, followed his own path and works in biomedical research. With the whole family involved, Nalle remains a true family operation, dedicated to crafting expressive, balanced wines. Today, you might find Doug on the golf course, consulting with Andrew on the upcoming vintages, or visiting with guests in the tasting room.

Located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, Nalle Winery is surrounded by century-old vines planted by the Henderlong family in 1927, which contribute to the estate's distinct Zinfandel. Known for producing wines with lower alcohol levels and balanced acidity, Nalle avoids the overly jammy style typical of many California Zins. Their Dry Creek Zinfandel has become a benchmark in the region, complemented by small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and their unique proprietary Cabernet/Zinfandel blend.

The winery's primary fruit source, the Henderlong Ranch Vineyard, is a historic, dry-farmed site just steps from the winery. Alongside it, the Sibary Vineyard, planted in 1999, also contributes to the estate's winemaking. Both vineyards are dry-farmed and recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society, preserving a heritage of sustainable viticulture that adds character to every bottle.

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 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 the Winery & Vineyard, located at Bell Mountain on Chalk Hill Road.

After exploring over 100 locations, they discovered Bell Mountain Ranch located at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, overlapping the Russian River Valley where several dozen acres of Merlot vines were sitting unmanaged. The beauty of Bell Mountain spoke to them and Medlock Ames was born. That was 1998 and the deep commitment to preserving Bell Mountain and being a vocal supporter for the kind of light-touch farming practices that being organic means has been a part of their values ever since.

Bell Mountain Ranch spans 338 acres along Chalk Hill Road, with 44 acres planted to vines. The ranch also features 650 olive trees, an orchard, and a garden for seasonal vegetables and flowers, embodying a dedication to land preservation since day one. A wildlife corridor threads through the vineyards, guiding animals safely through the property and into the adjacent 3,000-acre Pepperwood Preserve wildlife sanctuary.

Medlock Ames is deeply committed to sustainability, using innovative alternatives to pesticides, harnessing solar power for their winery and offices, and digitizing HR, finance, and tasting room operations to eliminate paper use. They partner with suppliers for electronic invoicing, reducing their carbon footprint, and maintain a wildlife corridor to support local wildlife. In collaboration with Pepperwood Preserve, they work to identify and protect the distinct ecosystems on their Bell Mountain Ranch property. The winery is functional and elegant, with caves dug into the ground to maximize natural insulation (cellar temperature is between 55°F–65°F), solar arrays that supply electricity, and an array of creative experiences, like their Immersive Sound Experience.

Last November, Medlock Ames Winery became one of a select few wineries worldwide to receive Regenerative Organic Certification, founded by the creators of Patagonia. With a philosophy of minimal intervention and traditional techniques, we craft wines exclusively from our own vines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sparkling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Rosé, Dessert Wine, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce just a few hundred cases of most wines and release them only once ready to drink.

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 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 perched in Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg, amidst the 12 acres of prime benchland vineyards of Timber Crest Farms. Erik started the winery in 2004, naming it after his hometown of Kokomo, IN, and decided on a Coastal Cypress Tree as a logo to signify his move out west. Kokomo currently produces over a dozen different varietals and several single vineyards designates which are farmed by his partner in the winery, grower Randy Peters. Kokomo Winery focuses their terrior-driven wines on the three distinctive appellations of Sonoma County - Russian River, Dry Creek & Alexander Valleys. Kokomo Winery has been making its mark in Sonoma County, unfailingly earning 90+ ratings, Best of Class and Gold Medals across all varietals.

Erik would then go onto establish Breaking Bread Winery in 2018 as a creative outlet fueled by his passion for simple, natural and enjoyable wines. The winery is dedicated to crafting natural wines through sustainable and organic farming practices, employing whole-cluster fermentation and utilizing native yeasts and bacteria.

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 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 cleared forty acres by mule, building the foundation of a legacy that would continue for generations. Glenn shares stories of his own connection to the vineyard, including learning to plow with a mule at just four years old—continuing a family tradition that lasted until 1968. Today, Glenn and Laurie carry on the legacy, farming old vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah and crafting Puccioni Vineyard wines that reflect the vineyard's storied past. The Proctors share a personal touch, recounting how they met through an online love story, along with insights into their careers and education. Listen in to discover how generations of tradition, from sacramental wine during Prohibition to modern-day viticulture, have shaped Puccioni Vineyards into a symbol of Sonoma County's rich agricultural history. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.