"The Good Stuff"

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Palmer Emmitt, Owner and Winemaker of Judge Palmer Wines. 

Tune in to hear Palmer’s unconventional path to Sonoma County winemaking—from competitive downhill skiing, to studying film at NYU, to a career in Hollywood, before ultimately finding his way to Sonoma County and earning his MBA from Sonoma State with an emphasis in wine business.  

His journey is a testament to the diverse paths that can lead to wine, and the creativity and curiosity that continue to shape Sonoma County’s winemaking community. 

This week, Karissa sits down with Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine, for a special “on-the-road episode” recorded during the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, where the two connected between events for a conversation about wine, storytelling, and the people who make the industry so fascinating.  

Tune in as Ray shares how a graduate school fellowship brought him to the Bay Area and sparked a lifelong passion for wine, leading him from harvest work in the Santa Cruz Mountains to a career that combined his love of wine and writing. The conversation explores the stories behind the bottle, the evolution of wine language and tasting descriptors, and the trends capturing consumers’ attention today — from chilled red wines to crisp whites and a growing sense of adventure in the glass.  

Most importantly, Ray reminds us of something at the heart of wine culture: wine is fun.  

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Paul and John Hawley of Hawley Winery in Healdsburg.  

Tune in as this father-and-son duo shares the story behind Hawley Winery, the rewards of running a family operation, and John’s remarkable journey through Sonoma County’s wine industry. From helping expand Kendall-Jackson’s early presence in the region to his work at Clos du Bois during the rise of California barrel-fermented Chardonnay, the conversation offers a fascinating look at the people and moments that helped shape modern Sonoma County winemaking.  

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Scott Rich, Winemaker and Co-Founder of Talisman Wines in Glen Ellen. 

Tune in as Scott shares his journey of falling in love with viticulture and winemaking — from his early days working in agriculture and horse ranches as a teenager, to a career in environmental planning and research, and ultimately blending his passions for science, farming, and wine into the creation of Talisman Wines. 

With a deep respect for the land and a commitment to crafting wines that truly reflect both terroir and the growers behind each vineyard, Scott and his wife Marta have built Talisman Wines around authenticity, site expression, and thoughtful winemaking. 

Don’t miss this conversation exploring the people, places, and passion behind Sonoma County wines. 

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Bill Guadagni, fourth-generation farmer and winemaker at Guadagni Family Wines in Dry Creek Valley. 

Tune in as Bill shares his family’s journey from Italy to Sonoma County in the late 1800s, and how growing up in Dry Creek Valley surrounded by dedicated farmers shaped his path into winegrowing and winemaking. He also reflects on the unique balance of science and artistry that makes winemaking such a meaningful and rewarding career. 

A proud member of our Sonoma County Winegrowers Century Club, Bill’s story is rooted deeply in Sonoma County history and the generations of farming that continue to define the region today. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! 

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Duskie Estes, Chef, Farmer, Rancher and Owner of Black Pig Meat Co in Sonoma County.  

Tune is as Duskie shares her perspective on the power of farm-to-table cuisine in Sonoma County, gives a preview of the upcoming Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience, and reflects on what it truly means to live with “no limits”—from river rafting in Yosemite National Park and biking through Italy, to returning to law school to advocate for farm workers. 

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! 

This week, hosts Karissa Kruse and Virginie Boone sit down with Michael Muscardini, founder of Muscardini Cellars, for a conversation rooted in passion, heritage, and the spirit of Sonoma Valley. 

Tune in as Michael shares his journey from general contractor to winery owner, building his dream from the ground up after purchasing land in Sonoma County and founding his winery in 2005. Inspired by his Italian roots and his grandfather’s homemade winemaking in San Francisco, Michael reflects on discovering his love for growing and crafting wine and the tight-knit comunity of Kenwood.   

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse are joined by Kenneth Juhasz, Sonoma County Winemaker & Founder of Auteur Wines. 

Tune in as Kenneth shares his journey into winemaking — from growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, to discovering wine through the culinary world and ultimately dedicating his life to the craft. His story is one of going with the flow of life and embracing the magic of dreaming big. Kenneth details his start at Donum Estate and the recent opening of Auteur’s new tasting room in the Russian River Valley - this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 

Episode 131 of The Good Stuff airs today from 1–2 p.m. on KSRO 103.5 FM / 1350 AM! 

This week features a special on-the-road episode, as host Karissa Kruse sits down with Jason Brantley, Vice President of Small Ag & Turf Production Systems, and Sean Sundberg, Business Integration Manager at John Deere, during a visit to their headquarters in Illinois. 

Tune in as Jason shares his journey with John Deere — from his early days in marketing and customer service to helping expand the business into new markets — and his passion for advancing innovative technologies that are shaping the future of agriculture, including here in Sonoma County.

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse are joined by Steve Dveris, Director of the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, and Domenica Catelli, third-generation steward of Catelli's Restaurant in Geyserville and a featured chef at this year’s event.  

Tune in as they share what’s in store for the 2026 Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience (May 14th - 17th) - from standout culinary moments and new event highlights to the incredible lineup of chefs, wineries, and experiences that make this one of Sonoma County’s premier celebrations of food, wine, and community.