The Sonoma Spiel

By Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau

California’s Sonoma Wine Country is known as a feast for the senses - amazing food and wine, beautiful mountains and redwood forests, and charming small towns. Go deeper into the best of Sonoma Wine C... more

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1616 ratings

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FAQs about The Sonoma Spiel:

How many episodes does The Sonoma Spiel have?

The podcast currently has 107 episodes available.

The Sonoma Spiel episodes:

January 06, 2025 Wellness in Sonoma: Lori Varsames tastes super juices; talks wine, wellness and coaching
"Wine supported my France habit..."

Lori Varsames started in Vermont, studied French, ended up in France doing bike tours, learning about wine, then selling French wine, then moving to New Mexico in search of change, met her husband, and then landed in... Sonoma Valley. Not to strike it rich, but to strike it well.

This week on the Sonoma Spiel podcast, Lori talks Sonoma Wellness, especially as it relates to visiting the famed wine country in the winter. Looking for ideas? Lori has more than 100 ideas for things to do in Sonoma Valley for wellness, part of the "100 Days of Sonoma Wellness" from January to April.

She also helps us review healthy and delicious wellness juices from the fresh juice bar at Sonoma Market, using her skills as a wine taster to tell us about the citrus, kale and cardamon flavors of the nutritious beverages.

Lori is a personal and professional coach and offers some tips on how to organize yourself for the year ahead. More info about her coaching services is at https://lorivarsames.com.

Like all of our guests she answers YOUR Sonoma questions, and this week she takes on:

What kind of tree is that in front of the Visitor Center?
What fun & educational activities are there in Sonoma for families with kids?

Are there places where kids and adults can learn together about the history and science and artistry behind winemaking?
What are a couple of fun wine tasting festivals you recommend?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF

I just started a BlueSky account - can I find Sonoma Valley information there?
Which movies were made in Sonoma Valley?

...more
1h 4min
December 31, 2024Moving slow, kinda confused, & reviewing the year: Sonoma Spiel year-end wrap up with Bob Taylor
He performed the intro music, he did the outro music, he edited the podcast AND he makes sure the mics are plugged in: Bob Taylor from Sonoma TV and KSVY is our Very Special Guest (this time we actually mean it) and we review the year passed and the year ahead.
We debate whether or not chocolate chip cookies are actually Christmas cookies (no) and if Bob should eat cookies with nuts (also no, as he is allergic.) He also plugs his band, the Illegitimate AC/DC, which is available for gigs like weddings, baptisms, bar mitzvahs and all the usual places one would want 50-something men playing AC/DC. Details here: https://acdcsonoma.com/

Bob marvels at the fact that the recipes on SonomaValley.com don't have long, meaningless intros: they just have recipes. Find some wellness recipes: https://www.sonomavalley.com/food-wine/recipes-from-sonoma-valley/

And then we recap the "Top Podcast Moments" from 2024 according to our YouTube shorts channel. Did you catch them? https://www.youtube.com/@ExperienceSonomaValley/shorts

Like all of our guests he answers YOUR Sonoma questions, and this week he answered:
We love seeing the lights around the Sonoma Plaza. We want to come take some photos for a family picture - how long will they stay up?
I’m looking for Oysters. Where’s a good place to get some?
Good morning. We’re staying in Forestville, and are thinking of driving up to two hours out and then back to see some redwoods. Any suggestions on destinations for that? - via text

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Listen to Bob Taylor on Fridays on KSVY on the FM dial and also https://ksvy.org
It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
...more
54min
December 17, 2024 Water's for fighting: Photographer George Rose talks wine, water and his new book
George Rose is an award-winning photographer whose career has taken him from hard news in LA and celebrity portraits to in-house PR and photographer for some of the best wineries in California.
He stops by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to discuss the convoluted way California allocates water and how many communities rely on shipping it from wet Northern California to drier Southern California through a series of canals, rivers, pipes and aqueducts.
Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma:
"We are visiting in the winter, and we noticed that in the vineyards there are groups of people working in long lines down the rows. What are they doing out there?"
"We are looking for wineries with nice gardens - got any ideas?"
"I hear there are mountain lions in the hills above Sonoma Valley. Is this true?"
"Where can I find sweeter wines? And how do I know if a winery is making any?"
"I'm visiting Sonoma from Solvang and like to take photos - should I use my iPhone or should I use my real camera?"

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

George Rose's book "California's Changing Landscape: The Way of Water" is available here: https://store.calnatureartmuseum.org/collections/featured-products/products/californias-changing-landscape-the-way-of-water

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
...more
1h 1min
December 10, 2024 Hola Sonoma! Angie Sanchez talks Mexican handicrafts, chocolate crickets and the arts
Angie Sanchez started the Hola Vida Collective to showcase unique gifts and foods from and inspired by Mexico. Located "right next to the Red Grape (Sonoma's go-to pizza place)" the store has handicrafts and gifts and art that with a Latino flair.

"Sonoma Valley is Michoacan, Oaxaca and Jalisco," Sanchez notes, rattling off the home regions for the majority of Mexican immigrants to Sonoma.

In addition to finding out about the classes offered in the arts at her studio, Angie goes through some of her favorite items including:
Danny Trejo's coffee
Chocolate covered grasshopper snacks
Churro flavored popcorn
Oaxacan-made wool llamas

She also details the work that goes into putting on regular festivals like Mexican Independence Day in September, Cinco de Mayo, Las Posadas and Dia de Muertos.

Like all of our guests she also answers YOUR Sonoma questions, including:
Where is the best place in Sonoma County to get a grilled cheese sandwich?
What is the significance of the Sonoma Plaza- why is it a thing? - fourth grader from San Diego
I’m a fan of the recipes on your website. What lessons did you learn in collecting these recipes and what have you seen in terms of interest about them? - Monica Poling, Cultural tourism consultant, New Mexico
I saw videos online of salmon running up Sonoma Creek all the way in to town and up. Are these real?
What are some good places to get a mocktail in Sonoma Valley?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

More details about Hola Vida can be found here:
https://holavidacollective.com/es
https://www.instagram.com/vidaculturalarts
It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
...more
56min
December 05, 2024 Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza 2024 - Review!
Hey everyone - not your typical podcast this week. This is the recap of the brightest night in wine country: The Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza. Enjoy!

If you want to watch the whole show, or some of the segments, find them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsKpmmTmnfOjx5_W9mqu6xJq

Sponsors for the Lighting of the Plaza:

Sonoma Tourism Improvement District
City of Sonoma
Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau

Sonoma International Film Festival: https://sonomafilmfest.org
Pangloss Cellars: https://panglosscellars.com
Highway 12 Winery: https://www.highway12winery.com
Gehricke Wines: https://www.gehrickewines.com
Cline Cellars: https://clinecellars.com
Jacuzzi Winery: https://www.jacuzziwines.com
Beltane Ranch Winery: https://beltaneranch.com
Kunde Family Winery: https://www.kunde.com
Viansa Winery + Marketplace: https://www.viansa.com

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa: https://www.macarthurplace.com
El Pueblo Inn: https://www.elpuebloinn.com
Sparc Cannabis Sonoma: https://sparc.co
Mary’s Pizza Shack: https://maryspizzashack.com
Sonoma Clean Power: https://sonomacleanpower.org
Sonoma Botanical Garden: https://sonomabg.org
Sonoma Springs Brewing Company: https://www.sonomaspringsbrewing.com

Sonoma Market: https://sonomamarket.net
The Lodge at Sonoma: https://www.thelodgeatsonoma.com
...more
23min
November 19, 2024 On the Sonoma Farm Trails with Carmen Snyder
More than fifty years ago, forward-thinking farmers in Sonoma County created Farm Trails, the oldest organization of it's kind in the United States, dedicated to promoting local farms directly to customers. Carmen Snyder of Sonoma County Farm Trails talks about the origins of the group, their beloved Gravenstein Apple Fair and how visitors can best interact with their seasonal programs.

Farm Trails: https://www.farmtrails.org/

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week, Carmen Snyder takes on:

Are there any year-round farmers markets in Sonoma?
We are looking for Cabernet Franc?
We’ve been staying in Napa, and are on our way to San Francisco tonight, and decided to stop in Sonoma and wow - this is a great place to visit! We’re looking for a great place to grab brunch in the cute town of Sonoma.
What’s in Kenwood?
It’s late fall and we still see some grapes on the vines. What is that? - Visitors from Quebec
We have someone in our group that is under 21 - what should we do? Can they go to a winery?
We want to take a walk in a vineyard- can we do that?
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF

...more
56min
November 13, 2024 ¡Wepa! Boricua in Sonoma: Jose Luciano talks tips for Sonoma visitors & Puerto Rican cooking
Jose Luciano oversees the visitor centers operations in Sonoma Valley and knows where to eat and drink. He started his schooling at Purdue with plans of becoming a veterinarian, but took a detour into hospitality and a career with Marriott Hotels. In this edition of the Spiel he talks about the joys of fried Puerto Rican treats (alcapurrias), as well as where to eat in the Springs (Sante at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Sonoma Eats, and Spread Catering to name a few.)

Jose is also in charge of literally lighting the historic palm tree in front of Sonoma City Hall during the beloved "Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza" event each year. (The Saturday before Thanksgiving.) This year's acts include the Tri-County Pomo Dancers, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, The El Verano School Singers, The Cork Pullers and the Soul Section. Plus - it's all free.

And like all our guests, Jose takes on answering YOUR Sonoma questions. This week he answers:

There is an awful smell emanating from underneath a tree in the northeast corner of the Plaza. What is it?
Is this the Visitor Center? - received via text
We are going to the redwoods tomorrow, but want some ideas on things to see along the way. Got any ideas?
We heard that there is a bike path that runs along highway 101. What is it and how far can we ride?
I work with a guy who will sometimes - out of nowhere- loudly exclaim Wepa! What on earth does that mean and should I be concerned?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF

...more
49min
November 06, 2024 Talkin' bout K-pop Music: DJ Everest talks radio, first time voting and her amazing father
"It's very stressful and I don't know what I'm doing." Everest, DJ for Sonoma K-pop Hour, thinks this applies to both life in high school as well as being a first time voter.

While she is indeed a "very special guest star" and this time we actually, actually mean it, she is also a smart, witty and introspective young woman. In this episode she talks about her popular radio show, the Sonoma K-pop Hour, which may be the only K-pop show on the radio in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also covers what it's like suffering through her father's idea for a new band of dad's that sing and dance (Pop pop) and why J-Rock is not the same as K-pop. Exasperated, she also describes what Discord is and how it's different from reddit. And TikTok. Or something.

And she admits the she is on the school e-sports team, where they specialize in Valorant.

Like all of our guests she has to answer YOUR questions during "We Get Questions." This week she takes on:

My kids keep saying things like, “Skibidi Ohio Rizz” and I am worried that they might be in to some bad things. Should I be take away their WiFi?
We’re here from Washington, and I’m 50 years old and my teenage child keeps telling me they want a tattoo or a nose piercing. Should I let them and why or why not?
What should I make for dinner?
I’m visiting from Nevada, and I was walking around the Sonoma Plaza wondering: Who should touch the thermostat in the house?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF

...more
53min
November 01, 2024 How do you like them apples? Cider in Sonoma with Rick from Pomme Cider Shop
We're doing a pomme reading this week on the Sonoma Spiel with Rick from wine country's best cider shop - Pomme Cider. French for apple, Pomme has a selection of gluten-free ciders as well as champagnes and "pet-nat" wines.
We taste three ciders of the 125 we has available, and go through his journey from beer-lover to cider-swiller and what makes his shop special.

Rick also answers YOUR Sonoma questions during "We Get Questions." This week he answers:
We are visiting from Germany, but we’re here for an hour - what should we do?
I hear the Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza 2024 is Saturday, Nov 23. Can you let me know what time it starts and who is performing?
We are here from Canada and interested in wineries that have great vegetable gardens and farms. Any ideas?
Vegan ice cream?
We want to visit when the leaves are at peak color. When should we come?
I heard there was a place to get Walnuts from a farm - is this true and where is it? - via text

More info on Pomme Cider Shop here: http://www.pommecidershop.com

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
...more
57min
October 24, 2024 Susan Gorin Unfiltered: Some final thoughts and advice from outgoing County Supervisor
Susan Gorin has been in political office for several decades (from school board to city council to county supervisor) and is nearing the end of her elected career. What's her take on California's crazy politics where we entrust voters with multiple ballot initiatives.? What did she want to accomplish and what was she able to get done? And does she know that one guy she just ran into at the restaurant who asked if he knew her?

Susan is ready to let 'er rip as she only has a few months left in her term and she has a few things to say. But don't worry - we also make her answer some good questions from Sonoma Valley visitors during "We Get Questions."

This week Susan Gorin answers:

We are waiting to check in to our hotel, but it’s not until 3 pm. So we have four hours on the Plaza and want to taste some wine and have lunch - any ideas?
We just got into town and someone said to go look at the Mission. What is the mission? And why should we visit it?
What should we do with babies?
I’ve been quite busy in my career, a demanding job that entailed a lot of decision making and scrutiny. Now that I’m retiring I would like some ideas on things to do in Sonoma Valley that don’t require me to attend meetings, adhere to budgets or hear complaints. Any ideas?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at [email protected], text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.

It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
...more
1h 15min

FAQs about The Sonoma Spiel:

How many episodes does The Sonoma Spiel have?

The podcast currently has 107 episodes available.

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