Through The Grapevine | Culture + Hospitality

No guest this week—just the three of us circling the wagons.

In our first hosts-only episode of Through the Grapevine, we take a little time to catch up, reflect, and talk through some of the things we've been seeing in our industries and around the Livermore Valley.

We start locally with a question that's been hard to ignore lately: How many pizza and ice cream shops can one town have? Beyond the jokes, it opens up a larger conversation about small business, hospitality, what consumers are asking for, and what a growing collection of similar concepts might tell us about where the industry is headed.

Matt shares some reflections from traveling around the country and getting the opportunity to sit at the table with peers and colleagues in the CrossFit industry as a subject matter expert. We talk about what a privilege those invitations can be—and the years of work, relationships, experience, and credibility that often happen long before someone gets the call.

Jeremy also gets candid about the Tri-Valley. He's always been one of the region's biggest advocates, but advocacy doesn't mean you can't be frustrated. We talk about why greater collaboration across events, marketing, hospitality, tourism, and our overall regional ethos matters—and why sometimes being invested in a place means being willing to challenge it to be better.

And finally, we look back on our first Sunday Supper at Wingen Bakery & Restaurant. Jeremy shares some thoughts on what went right, what the night meant, and plenty of gratitude for everyone who helped bring it to life. And yes… we're already looking toward January for the next one.

No featured guest. No single topic. Just three friends and hosts checking in, sharing some perspective, and having the kind of conversation that happens when you finally get a chance to sit around the table together.

Welcome to a different kind of episode of Through the Grapevine.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

After exploring the history, legacy, and deep agricultural roots of the Livermore Valley in Part One, Nancy Calhoun Mueller returns to Through the Grapevine to look forward—and ask what it will actually take to reignite agriculture in our region.

This time, we dig deeper into the mechanics of building a more resilient agricultural future: biodiversity, regenerative land stewardship, local food systems, collaboration, and the critical role working ranches can play in keeping our open spaces both productive and healthy.

And perhaps the people best positioned to lead that next chapter are the same families who have spent generations learning from this land.

This isn't a conversation about preserving agriculture as a piece of Livermore's past. It's about recognizing agriculture as an essential part of its future—and considering how ranchers, farmers, chefs, consumers, educators, businesses, and community leaders can all play a role.

If we want agriculture to thrive in the Livermore Valley for another 100 years, what are we willing to do today to make that possible?

Join us for Part Two of our conversation with fifth-generation rancher Nancy Calhoun Mueller.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

This week on Through the Grapevine, we sit down with Nancy Calhoun Mueller—a fifth-generation Livermore Valley rancher, agricultural advocate, and steward of a family legacy that stretches back to the 1850s.

Nancy shares the story of growing up on the land, the challenges facing modern agriculture, and why she believes the future of the Livermore Valley depends on more than preserving open space—it depends on supporting the people who work it. From regenerative ranching and local food systems to agritourism, education, and community partnerships, this conversation explores what it will take to ensure agriculture remains a vibrant part of our region for generations to come.

Together, we ask a simple but powerful question: If agriculture helped build the Livermore Valley, what responsibility do we all share in protecting its future?

Whether you're passionate about food, wine, hospitality, conservation, or simply love calling the Tri-Valley home, this episode is an invitation to think differently about the land beneath our feet—and the people who care for it.

Listen now, join the conversation, and ask yourself: What role can you play in cultivating the next chapter of the Livermore Valley?

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

This week on Through the Grapevine, we sit down with Nick Martinez, founder of Downtown Pour Collective, to explore a fresh approach to strengthening Livermore's hospitality community—one intentional visit at a time.

After nearly two decades in the restaurant industry, Nick has seen firsthand the challenges local businesses face, from rising costs and staffing shortages to the impact of slow weekdays. Instead of accepting those challenges as the new normal, he created Downtown Pour Collective, a members-only community designed to connect locals with the restaurants, wine bars, breweries, and tasting rooms that make downtown Livermore such a special place.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind the concept, why becoming a "regular" matters more than ever, and how small, intentional choices by local residents can have a lasting impact on the businesses that give our community its unique character. It's a conversation about hospitality, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to show up for the places you love.

Whether you're a hospitality professional, a Livermore local, or simply someone who believes great communities are built around great gathering places, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Listen now and discover how supporting local can be as simple as raising a glass.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal #LivermoreValley #Hospitality #SupportLocal #DowntownLivermore

This week on Through the Grapevine, we welcome Brad and Ally Kurtz of Vine Farm Ridge—Livermore Valley’s newest winery making big moves on the first ridge above the valley floor.
Brad returns to the show with Ally joining for the first time, and together they share the bold vision behind reviving a neglected 14-acre site, discovering its hidden potential, and replanting it to build a vineyard that honors both California heritage and Mediterranean tradition.

From head-trained field blends to the historic Blind Boss Vineyard, the Kurtz family is carving their own path and pushing the region forward. If you’re curious about the next generation of Livermore wine and the people determined to shape its future, this episode is a must-listen.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

This week, Savannah and I sit down with Lisa Corti, owner of Butter & Batter Cookie Bar in Livermore. After 16 years in law enforcement, Lisa found healing and creativity in baking — turning it into a business that now serves her community in new and meaningful ways. We talk about her journey, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and how Butter & Batter has become both a passion and a platform for connection.

This week, I sit down with Holly and Eric Kung, the heart and soul behind Grounded Coffee in Livermore. We talk about what inspired them to open their shop, the magic of the “third space,” and how they measure the real impact of community. From sourcing local to giving back, Holly and Eric are proof that coffee can be a catalyst for connection.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

In this episode, we sit down with sibling duo Ali & Addison Westbrook, the passionate owners behind Best Budz Vintage — downtown Livermore’s freshest new shop and a bold statement in sustainable style. More than just curating killer pieces from the ‘60s through the ‘90s, Aly and Addison are on a mission to fight fast fashion, raise awareness for conscious shopping, and create a collaborative hub for the community.

We talk about the inspiration behind Best Budz, their love of all things retro, and what it means to step into the role of Livermore’s newest downtown ambassadors. Tune in for fashion hot takes, sibling banter, and a fresh perspective on how style, sustainability, and small business can intersect beautifully.

#eatlocal #drinklocal #livelocal

@bestbudzvintage on Instagram

Open Thursday - Sunday in Downtown Livermore

Yo we are back in the studio with special guest Alameda County District 1 Supervisor - David Haubert & his assistant Lindsey Knight. David and his team have been working hard to put together the world's first Global AV,A consisting of over 10 regions from all over the world from Croatia, to Chinon, to South America. After a few months of inception the Livermore Valley is hosting their first event for the Global AVA at the Martinelli Center.

June 21st - from 2PM - 5PM, we invite you to join us for a one of a kind event that will give you a chance to taste wines from all over the world. By people much like us here in the Livermore Valley, family-owned, community-oriented craftsman & women. David and Lindsey were kind enough to offer our listeners a special promo code giving you $10 off your ticket to the event!

Use PROMOCODE: WINES10

You can find tickets at: https://www.lvwine.org/event/12629/sip-around-the-world

Join us for a great day bringing together world regions here in our home - The Livermore Valley.

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