"The Good Stuff"

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 purchased land on the Sonoma Coast, planting their first grapes in 1998. A family business, Peay Vineyards continues to focus on soil health and fish-friendly farming, as well as delicious wines. 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 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 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 delicious 2023 Sauvignon Blanc. 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 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 grandchildren continue the farming legacy with Dutton Ranch, Dutton Estate and Dutton-Goldfield. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

PLUS! A bonus segment with more great stories exclusive to the podcast!

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 Tuesday Night wine picks (bubbles of course!)

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 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 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 three amazing cocktails. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine (and cocktail!) picks.

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 Talk!) Anisya continues to teach Wine Business courses at nearby Sonoma
State University, consult with several global humanitarian relief organizations and lecture worldwide on
humanitarian logistics. 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 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 ranch, and a construction business. Taylor worked hard to get the vineyards certified sustainable and fish friendly. She spearheaded the family’s efforts to release their own wines, and the first vintage was released in 2021.

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 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 also uses the gardens to demonstrate sustainable practices and educate the public with garden tours.  Another new aspect of his work with KJ is training two truffle hunting dogs to search for truffles on property inoculated with truffles. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.