"The Good Stuff"

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 supporting pediatric healthcare advancements at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. Since 1995, WineFest has raised over $25 million for groundbreaking research, care, and education, and this year’s event is set to carry that mission even further.

Sonoma County Winegrowers is proud to be this year’s featured wine region partner, bringing wines from across the region to share and celebrate throughout the four-day event. Tune in to hear what’s in store and the inspiring story behind WineFest’s legacy.

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 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 Sebastopol, surrounded by generations of winemakers. She pursued a degree in Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, including studies in Switzerland, and gained experience at wineries throughout Sonoma before returning home in 2020 as Estate Director for Martinelli Winery & Vineyards.

Together, they share the story of their family’s iconic vineyards, including the legendary Jackass Hill — known for its steep slopes and historic significance — and reflect on what it means to carry a legacy that’s been growing in Sonoma County since the 1880s. They dive into their roles in the family business, the evolution of their vineyards, and their vision for the future.

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 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 background in retail marketing, Jane brought a strategic and customer-focused approach to the winery. Her passion for Italian heritage and winemaking traditions, inspired by her grandmother Marina Portalupi, has been central to the winery's philosophy. Marina, who immigrated from Piemonte, Italy, to Northern California, instilled in Jane the belief that wine is meant to be enjoyed regularly with friends and family. Portalupi calls themselves "Cal-Ital,” honoring Italian and California roots through their wines.

Under Jane's leadership, Portalupi Wines has expanded its portfolio to include Italian varietals such as Zinfandel, Barbera, Pinot Noir, Charbono, and Vermentino, they also have rosé, sparkling, and a liquore. In 2011, they opened a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg, offering visitors a chance to experience their unique Cal-Ital wines firsthand.

Before Portalupi, there was Luna Park Grocery—Jane Portalupi’s Nonna's beloved neighborhood store in San Jose. There, her Nonna bottled her homemade wine in milk jugs, sharing it with family, friends, and visitors just like she would have a warm meal.

Portalupi’s Vaso di Marina collection (Vaso di Marina Rosso & Vaso di Marina Bianco) was inspired by the milk jugs Jane Portalupi’s grandmother used to bottle wine at her grocery store. Beginning this year, 2% of all sales from Portalupi’s Vaso di Marina product line will directly benefit Farm to Pantry, supporting their mission to serve local communities in need.

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 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 winery expanded from 1,000 to over 50,000 cases, establishing national distribution and a thriving direct-to-consumer program through two tasting rooms and three wine clubs. She shifted the winery’s focus to Russian River Sauvignon Blanc, a consistent award winner now making up more than half of Hanna’s production and newly available in kegs. She also transitioned the winery to an estate-based model, marketing Hanna’s vineyard fruit to other top wineries and launching the acclaimed Reserve, Elias, and Bismark Mountain tiers, highlighting small-lot, high-quality estate wines.

The Winery: Hanna Winery produces outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 250 acres spanning the cool Russian River Valley, sunny Alexander Valley, and rugged Mayacamas Mountains, the winery remains dedicated to crafting wines that reflect Sonoma County’s diverse terroir. The recent addition of Chris’ home ranch on Bradford Mountain in Dry Creek Valley further strengthens its estate-driven approach.

The winery’s roots trace back to Dr. Elias Hanna, a pioneering cardiac surgeon who sought refuge in the countryside. In 1985, his family pastime evolved into a business with the founding of Hanna Winery. Chris embraced this legacy while steering the winery toward innovation, championing estate-grown vineyards when the industry favored purchased fruit. Recognizing the potential of Russian River Sauvignon Blanc early on, she positioned Hanna Winery at the forefront of the category.

Today, Hanna Winery is built on a foundation of vision and resilience. Chris has cultivated a team of like-minded innovators, including winemaker Jeff Hinchliffe, who prioritizes sustainability, ensuring the winery’s legacy for generations to come.

Beyond Wine: Christine is the author of The Winemaker Cooks: Menus, Parties, and Pairings (Chronicle Books, 2010), which was a finalist for Best American Cookbook by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Her recipes have been featured in Food & Wine, Savor Magazine, The Tasting Panel, Imbibe, California Home+Design, and the television show In Wine Country. She also teaches cooking classes nationwide, including at Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Central Market Cooking School.

Christine has played a pivotal role in the wine industry, serving as past President of Sonoma County Vintners, where she helped reposition the organization’s marketing strategy. She also chaired the Sonoma County Showcase and Auction, directing Taste of Sonoma, one of the region’s premier food and wine events.

In addition to her industry leadership, Christine is an Adjunct Professor in the Wine Studies department at Santa Rosa Junior College. She is the incoming Board Chair at Sonoma Academy, Treasurer at The Healdsburg School, and a past President of the Board of Trustees for the Alexander Valley Unified School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature, a master’s degree in creative writing, and has completed postgraduate studies in business, viticulture, and enology.

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 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 Freemark Abbey, helping to shape the wine style and vineyard program. Later, he became the Director of Winemaking at Kunde, gaining critical acclaim for his Sauvignon Blancs, Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons. Tim joined the winemaking team at Dry Creek Vineyard starting in 2011, bringing in more than 20 years of winemaking experience to the team.

Away from the winery, Tim spends time outdoors with his family as much as he can, usually somewhere involving bodies of water. His other interests include music of all kinds and good food (and wine!). On weekends Tim can be found grilling up the tastiest burgers on the west coast.

Dry Creek Vineyard was founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, a visionary who defied convention to establish the first new winery in Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition. Inspired by his travels in France and determined to bring world-class winemaking to Sonoma County, Dave planted Sauvignon Blanc despite industry skepticism, sparking a viticultural renaissance in the region. His pioneering spirit laid the foundation for a family-owned winery that remains deeply committed to the land and community.

In the late 1980s, Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, and her husband, Don Wallace, took on leadership roles, ushering in a new era of innovation and sustainability. As other family wineries sold to corporate buyers, they doubled down on quality, reducing production while refining their estate-driven, terroir-focused wines. By 2011, they had assembled a powerhouse team, including acclaimed winemaker Tim Bell, and expanded their sustainably farmed estate to 185 acres.

Family owned and sustainably farmed for over 50 years, Dry Creek Vineyard remains a benchmark for Sonoma County winemaking, proving that independence and integrity are the keys to enduring success. Today they own 185 acres of estate vineyards that are 100% certified sustainable all in the Dry Creek Valley.

Wine for sailors? Dry Creeks logo has a sailboat as the design, as the family has been avid sailors since 1972 and wanted to combine a Love for Wine with a Passion for Sailing! “Since 1982, sailboat imagery has graced our labels, capturing the spirit of the high seas and our passion for the sport. We believe that the art of winemaking and the skill of sailing have a lot in common. Like winemaking, sailing is fun, adventuresome, and daring. Like sailing, the art of winemaking demands skill, discipline, and plenty of help from Mother Nature."

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 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 the restaurant industry, where he applied skills developed early on to excel in roles across a series of world-class restaurants. Dan progressed from back waiter to waiter, bartender, maître d’, operations manager, and ultimately wine director at the renowned John Ash & Company in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. It was there, in 1997, that Dan and his business partner, Michael Browne, founded Kosta Browne Winery. As a founder, Dan led marketing programs, managed sales, and oversaw a nationwide distribution network.

After co-founding Kosta Browne with Michael Browne in 1997, Kosta’s name became synonymous with Pinot Noir as he traveled the world sharing his award-winning wines. His exploration of the grape continued with AldenAlli, which he founded in 2013 as a collaboration with celebrity Chef Emeril and his wife Alden Lagasse.

Dan's accomplishments and contributions to the American wine industry are numerous. From industry volunteerism to children's advocacy philanthropy, Dan continues to leverage his network for giving back to community through Convene. S

About Convene: Founded August 2022

Founded by Dan Kosta and crafted in partnership with winemaker Shane Finley, Convene embodies over fifteen years of collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence. Focused on creating exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blends from cool-climate regions, Convene sources its fruit from California’s most renowned winegrowing regions, from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands AVAs.

Winemaker Shane Finley, recognized for his global expertise and meticulous craftsmanship, has played an integral role in Convene’s journey. With experience spanning Australia’s Barossa Valley, France’s Northern Rhône, and California’s Russian River Valley, Shane brings a world of skill to the table. His partnership with Dan Kosta dates back to the early days of Kosta Browne.

**Convenes tasting room is located within Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg

 About DK Wine Group:

DK Wine Group, launched in 2021 and founded by renowned vintner Dan Kosta, serves as the parent company for several wine labels, including Convene and DK Grail. Dan also has a wine brand called Admire, that focuses on Pinot Noir.

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 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 batches of home brewed beer with a few friends, and it left David looking for a new challenge. He had a stint in cheesemaking, but wine would eventually become his real passion.

In 2009, while David was working in a tasting room and completing his bachelor's degree in Wine Business Strategies, he produced his first batch of wine in his carport after convincing a local grower to give him a half ton of grapes. After graduation, he took a full-time job working in the cellar for a small pinot producing winery, who rented out custom crush space to clients.

After some time, David made his way over to Napa County and worked with two of the Valley's most respected estate wineries; the Eisele Vineyard and Groth. David returned to Sonoma County to take a production supervisor role at a family-owned biodynamic winery and then at Benovia, a small estate winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley.

In 2017, David joined Donelan Family Wines as the Cellar Master. Not long after his arrival–and under the guidance of Joe Nielsen, Former Head Winemaker and now Advisor at Donelan Family Wines–David was promoted to Assistant Winemaker. In 2019 David became the Head Winemaker of Donelan Family Wines. Today his title is: Director of Winemaking and Viticulture.

David’s winemaking philosophy of “...trusting your gut in making wines that clearly show where they come from,” will portray just that. He believes the goal is not to change what or how things have been done, but to understand and embrace the process through the lens of a given vintage.

About Donelan: Donelan Family Wines is a boutique winery in Sonoma County, celebrated for crafting exceptional Syrah. Their portfolio also includes Grenache, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Viognier, reflecting their commitment to producing elegant, small-batch wines. The winery is family-owned and operated by Joe Donelan, the founder, alongside his sons Tripp (Director of Sales) and Cushing (Director of Marketing).

Joe Donelan’s wine journey began in the late 1980s at Toppers Restaurant on Nantucket, where he and his family were introduced to fine wines by the restaurant’s sommelier, Michael Fahey. This sparked a lifelong passion that led him to California, where he started bottling wines in 2000 under the name Pax Wine Cellars. In 2009, Pax evolved into Donelan Family Wines.

Known for their meticulous vineyard sourcing, the Donelan team collaborates with top growers in Sonoma County to ensure each wine expresses the unique character of the region.

The Vineyards: Donelan has vineyards stretching from the Mendocino Coast AVA to Bennett Valley AVA. They have at least 7 Vineyard sites, their most well-known being their Obsidian Vineyard located in the Knights Valley AVA.

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 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 achievements include being named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40, recognizing her as a tastemaker shaping the future of the drinks industry. Her leadership has been pivotal in guiding the Bundschu family’s ranches to organic farming and achieving Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) status for 304 acres at Rancho Agua Caliente and Rhinefarm vineyards, both located in Sonoma Valley.

Meghan’s passion for sustainability was sparked in Haiphong, Vietnam, where she witnessed both the beauty of vibrant agriculture and the harsh reality of pollution from Western garbage barges. This experience fueled her dedication to regenerative agriculture, which she sees as a way to cultivate stronger vines and resilient ecosystems. By shifting the focus from just grape production to nurturing the entire vineyard ecosystem, Meghan has revolutionized the company’s winegrowing approach.

The Bundschu Company is the Bundschu family’s parent organization overseeing various ventures. The company is dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and preserving its legacy while fostering new opportunities in agriculture and hospitality. They have ownership over Gundlach Bundschu Winery, GUNBUN, Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile, Huichica Music Festival, and Bundschu Winery and Vineyard Service.

History of the Bundschu Family: A Century Club Family

The Bundschu family has been farming in Sonoma County since 1858, establishing a remarkable six-generation legacy on Rhinefarm as the oldest family-owned winery in California. It began with Jacob Gundlach, who planted the estate’s first vineyards after a journey from Germany, farming their first grapes in 1860. Notable figures like Charles Bundschu joined in 1868, contributing to innovations like grafting disease-resistant rootstocks to defeat Phylloxera, and championing California wines internationally.

Through hardships from the 1906 earthquake to Prohibition, the family persevered, rebuilding their winery and replanting vineyards multiple times. The modern era saw revitalization under Jim Bundschu, with the reopening of the Gundlach Bundschu Winery in 1973. In 2016, the family expanded their legacy by creating Abbot’s Passage.

Today, the sixth generation (including siblings Jeff, Katie, and Rob, Jeff’s wife Liz and Rob’s wife Zeynep) continues the family tradition, earning accolades for sustainable and organic farming practices, including Regenerative Organic Certified® status and being honored with one of Wine Enthusiast’s top 100 wines of the world in 2023.

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 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 Future Strategic Summit, marking the start of a promising collaboration. As the partnership evolved, in March of 2024, John Deere became an integral part of SCW's innovative Farm of the Future initiative--a living lab for the future of agriculture and a hub for accelerating innovation.

Through this initiative, John Deere, and local dealer, Belkorp Ag, collaborated with six pilot farmers across Sonoma County: Bevill Vineyard Management - Duff Bevill & Matt Vogensen, Sangiacomo Vineyards – Steve & Mike Sangiacomo, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management – Tyler Klick & Kevin Barr, Dutton Ranch – Steve & Joe Dutton, Serres Ranch – Taylor Serres, and Munselle Vineyards – Bret Munselle. These pilot farmers implemented the SmartApply Intelligent Spray Control System with the goal of reducing crop protection material usage and lowering operational costs.

After the first year of the program SCW, John Deere and the pilot farmers gathered to discuss the SmartApply technology and discovered that across the 2200 acres the technology was piloted on, farmers saw about a 30% reduction in material cost. Looking ahead to 2025 we are continuing our partnership with John Deere and the pilot program using SmartApply technology.

SmartApply

The SmartApply technology assists growers in transforming their farming operation by using sophisticated LIDAR (light detection and ranging technology) technology that senses the presence of individual grapevines and automatically adjusts spray volume based on foliage density and stops spraying between vines to optimize protection.

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 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 levels.

Allison is also a founding partner in two restaurants, Giordano Bros. in San Francisco, and Monk's Kettle Terra Linda in Marin County. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at University of California Berkeley, a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College, a Certificate in Wine Business Management from Sonoma State University, and WSET Level 2 from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She is a fellow with the German Marshall Fund's Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program.

The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) was founded in 2003 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable farming and business practices within California’s wine industry. The CSWA works to enhance environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility across the industry. Its key initiatives include providing resources, training, and certification for wineries and vineyards to adopt sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact, enhance vineyard and winery efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability. The organization is known for developing the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, a comprehensive guide that outlines practices for sustainable viticulture and winemaking.

CSWA launched Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) in 2010 after a three-year development period in collaboration with a broad stakeholder group. Offering third-party verification and greater transparency, certification is based on the well-established Code of Sustainable Winegrowing workbook (the Code) and includes a rigorous set of standards. A review by SCS Global Services, a leading third-party auditor, confirmed that Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing adheres to international best practices in certification. The development was led by the Sustainable Winegrowing Joint Committee, comprised of approximately 50 grower and vintner members of Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers, and sustainability certification standards experts. Since its inception and continuing today, CCSW and the Code have undergone regular revisions and updates with time allowed for peer-review, stakeholder input and public comment.

The Wine Institute is the trade association representing California’s wine industry, established in 1934. It advocates for California wineries and wine grape growers on issues related to legislation, regulations, marketing, and trade. The organization’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of the California wine industry at the local, state, and federal levels, including engaging in policy advocacy, economic development, and public relations efforts.

The Wine Institute also manages several initiatives focused on improving the wine industry’s environmental impact, most notably through its support of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), which helps wineries adopt sustainable practices. The organization is influential in shaping public opinion, driving industry innovation, and ensuring that California wines remain a significant player in the global market.

The California Green Medal recognizes the leadership of wineries and vineyards committed to sustainability and is presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vineyard Team. Four Green Medals are presented in the following categories: Leader, Environment, Community and Business.

Two of the four winners were from Sonoma County in 2024. Gloria Ferrer won the environment award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Environmental Stewardship through maximized environmental benefits from implementing sustainable practices. Vino Farms also won the business award, given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.

FIVS (International Federation of Wine and Spirits), founded in 1951, is a global organization representing the wine, spirits, and beer sectors on public policy issues. In 2017, it adopted a "triple bottom line of sustainability," focusing on economic, social, and environmental factors. FIVS advocates for sustainability and other global issues, offering a collective voice for the industry. It has developed common principles for sustainable winegrowing, aiming to create adaptable frameworks for regions worldwide.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!