(0:10 - 0:23) The podcast kicks off with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing "Wine Road," a show about the wine culture of Northern Sonoma County. They thank Ron Rubin for supporting the podcast.

(0:24 - 0:48) River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is highlighted as a sponsor, enabling the podcast to continue. Listeners are encouraged to explore their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at RiverRoadVineyards.com.

(0:49 - 1:16) The hosts introduce episode 242, a festive "Celebrate Christmas" edition, recorded on December 18th. They share their excitement for the holiday season.

(1:17 - 1:39) The hosts enjoy eggnog and holiday cheer, with Marcy joking about "Santa pauses" and Beth adjusting to not introducing a guest.

(1:42 - 2:00) Beth shares her excitement about spending Christmas with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in Cloverdale, emphasizing the importance of family during the holidays.

(2:05 - 2:23) Beth reminisces about a Nutcracker-themed children's book that her grandson loves, which still works after years of use, despite her family's mixed feelings about it.

(2:30 - 3:25) The hosts discuss the upcoming "Winter Wineland" event on January 17-18, featuring 60 wineries. It's a relaxed, fun weekend to enjoy wine tasting, with extended offers for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

(3:26 - 4:14) Beth mentions the Wine Road's ongoing auction to raise funds and teases the 50th anniversary celebration in 2026. Plans include a grand tasting event at Fopiano Vineyards, showcasing founding and long-time member wineries.

(4:15 - 5:32) The hosts reflect on the Wine Road's history, including its 40th-anniversary documentary, and share details about the 50th-anniversary celebration in November 2026, which will feature live music, appetizers, and winery interviews.

(5:33 - 6:21) Beth shares her holiday traditions, including decorating her house, baking cookies with her grandkids, and enjoying Christmas lights in Cloverdale. Marcy adds her Italian-inspired traditions, like panettone and spaghetti with meatballs.

(6:22 - 7:14) The hosts discuss holiday baking, with Beth excited about her pastry chef daughter visiting to take over the kitchen. They also mention local light displays and parades in Sebastopol and Occidental.

(7:15 - 9:00) Beth recalls a memorable Christmas trip to the San Francisco Zoo to see reindeer, which ended with a long traffic jam on the Golden Gate Bridge. The hosts agree that the best holiday memories often involve mishaps.

(9:01 - 11:34) The hosts outline upcoming Wine Road events:

• Winter Wineland (January 17-18): A weekend wine-tasting event.
• Wine Love Wine Trail (February 14): A one-day, $50 event with 40 wineries.
• Barrel Tasting (March): A chance to taste wines still aging in barrels, alongside current and library vintages.

(11:35 - 13:40) Beth highlights the Geyserville Inn as a lodging option, noting its vineyard-surrounded location, renovated rooms, and on-site restaurant. It's ideal for weddings, meetings, or a wine country getaway.

(13:41 - 15:27) Marcy introduces a "Where Am I?" segment, describing a winery in Dry Creek Valley with a scenic view, old tractors, and Rhone varietals. Listeners can email guesses to win a Wine Road picnic blanket.

(15:28 - 20:19) The hosts share a "Fast Five" recipe for snowball cookies with pistachios, adding humor and outtakes as they struggle to describe the process. The recipe includes flour, salted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and nuts. They promise to include detailed instructions in the show notes.

(20:20 - 20:23) The episode wraps up with holiday wishes and laughter over the cookie recipe outtakes.

Todays Links:

River Road Family Vineyards & Winery

Winter Wineland

Geyserville Inn

Marcy's Snowball Cookies - with somewhat clearer instructions...