"The Good Stuff"

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 see the through line from grape to glass.  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 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 chat about their experiences meeting grape growers at the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience and how vital that is to get a full picture of the terroir of Sonoma County and its multiple AVAs. Rachel and Wanda talk about pairing lesser known varietals with sweet and savory snack foods, as well as a lightning pairing challenge round with Virginie and Karissa. 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 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 also passionate about sustainability and the biodiversity of eco-systems. She plants milkweed to encourage Monarch butterflies to visit her property, and recalls the wonderful memories of going to see Monarchs when she lived in Mexico City. 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 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 Crema before joining the team at Siduri. He was encouraged to also work on his own label while making wine with at Siduri and developed his own style. In 2018, Ryan became the winemaker at Copain Wines, focusing on vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. He also loves to make special blends that are like “wrapping your arms around Sonoma County.” 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 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 way to learn more about the family, and taste interesting wines that you may not find anywhere else! 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 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 the fruit to other winemakers. Kris manages about 700 acres of grapes, including those grown by Trione and for other clients. Because of the expansion into vineyard management, they have been able to employ 60 workers year-round. Denise is very proud of their new winemaker, John Duckett, who joined Trione in 2022 after their 17th vintage. 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 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 agriculture of Sonoma County as it relates to the rest of the world. Also joining Steve is Chef Duskie Estes, owner of Black Pig Meat Co and Executive Director of Food To Pantry. A major portion of proceeds will benefit the Sonoma County Winegrower’s Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos, supporting vineyard workers. Learn more and get your tickets by clicking here.

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 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, May 17th Horn Barbecue Lunch at Dutton Ranch, which include private vineyard tours. Steve Dveris, Founder of the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience shares some of the amazing a la carte events that are still available on the weekend of May 16th through May 19th, like the Garden to Table luncheon at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, Guy’s Big Bottle Party at the Matheson in Healdsburg, Bollywood Night at La Crema Winery, and the “Maui at the Matheson” fundraiser dinner.  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 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 2010, when ownership was transferred to the 3rd generation, including Julie. Over the years, generations of winemakers have made wine with grapes grown by the Pedroncelli family, and generations of visitors have come to buy 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 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 mutually beneficial. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.