Podcast Title: Wine Road – Episode 232 Hosts: Marcy Gordon & Beth Costa

This show is made possible by the generous financial support of River Road Family Vineyards & Winery, and Ron Rubin.

Overview: This episode is a mix of updates, wine adventures, and local highlights from Sonoma County. The hosts share personal experiences, wine insights, and community happenings, all while sipping on sparkling wine from West Wines.

Key Highlights:

1. Wine Writers Educational Tour:

   • Marcy recounts her experience on a deep-dive wine tour organized by Fred Swan.
   • The tour explored Sonoma County’s wine regions, including visits to wineries like J. Vineyards, Gary Farrell, and Fort Ross Vineyard.
   • Marcy rediscovered her love for Sonoma County, appreciating its beauty, terroir, and community.
   • The tour included seminars, tastings, and interactions with winemakers, offering a detailed look at Sonoma’s diverse AVAs.

2. Zinfandel Throwdown:

   • Beth shares her experience at Dry Creek Vineyard’s annual Zinfandel Throwdown.
   • Winemakers from the region participated in a blind tasting to crown the best Zinfandel.
   • This year’s winner was Baca Wines, with Dry Creek Vineyard and Mauritsen taking second and third place.

3. Local Gems:

   • Marcy highlights Gather, a new store in Sebastopol focused on home arts like canning, knitting, and preserving. She attended a lemon-preserving class and shared her creations.
   • Beth celebrates The Beat restaurant in Cloverdale, recently named one of Sonoma County’s top 20 restaurants.

4. Book Recommendation:

   • Marcy recommends 1000 Vines: A New Way to Understand Wine by Pasqueline Le Pelletier, praising its holistic and literary approach to wine education.

5. Upcoming Event:

   • Tickets for The Wine and Food Affair (first weekend of November) will go on sale around August 30th.

Closing Notes: Beth encourages listeners to explore Marcy’s blog (ComeForTheWine.com) for more wine stories and insights.

Podcast Title: Wine Road - Episode 231 Hosts: Marcy Gordon & Beth Costa Guest: Michael Haney, Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners

Highlights:

1. Introduction & Sponsors:

   • The podcast is supported by Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

2. Guest Spotlight:

   • Michael Haney discusses his role and the vibrant wine culture in Sonoma County.

3. Taste of Sonoma Event:

   • A premier wine event held at Kendall Jackson Wine Estates and Gardens.
   • Features over 100 wineries, world-class food, and a relaxed, joyful atmosphere.
   • Next year’s event is scheduled for June 20-21, 2026.

4. Other Wine Events:

   • Uncorked Happy Hour: Monthly tastings at Region in Sebastopol, featuring local wines and free entry.
   • Pour and Explore Program: Themed wine events showcasing 40-50 wineries at various Sonoma County venues. Upcoming focus: Zinfandel.
   • Winemaker Wednesday: Bi-weekly events at The Matheson in Healdsburg, including wine tastings and a live radio show.

5. Unique Experiences:

   • Highlights include garden tours, themed lounges, and culinary delights like Chef Tracy’s paella and Gloria Ferrer’s bubble lounge.

6. Community & Accessibility:

   • Events cater to locals and visitors, offering opportunities to explore Sonoma’s wine culture in beautiful settings.

The episode celebrates Sonoma County’s wine scene, emphasizing its events, community, and the joy of wine exploration.

Episode 230

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Craig Colagrossi, Owner and Winemaker of Colagrossi Wines

Craig Colagrosi joined us today and we chat about his winery's offerings, featuring a Montepulciano from Dunnigan Hills and plans for bottling diverse Italian varietals and Bordeaux blends.  We also cover upcoming events on the Wine Road, including the Summer Wine Trail and the release of a new book by Jack Florence on the history of Dry Creek Valley.

Wine of the Day: Colagrossi Wines 2023 Montepulciano

Links:

Colagrossi Wines

Summer Wine Trail

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 229

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Katie Ambrosi, Director of Marketing at Wilson Artisan Wineries

Katie Ambrosi joined us in the studio today, discussing Wilson Artisan Wines' diverse offerings, including 12 wineries, inns, and rental properties around Healdsburg. She highlights the unique experiences they provide, from VIP tours to live music events and wine competitions, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable visitor experiences. 

Wine of the Day: 2022 Coyote Sonoma Pinot Noir

Links:

Wilson Artisan Wineries

Gold in Your Backyard

Summer Wine Trail

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 228

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Amanda Porteous, Marketing and Program Director of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce 

Today, we were joined by Amanda Porteous, the Marketing and Program Director at the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, so we could hear about new businesses and events like the opening of Acorn Cafe, Truett Hearst Winery's tasting barn, and La Rouche, Bloodroot Ramble and Jazz Fest. Tune in to keep up to date on what's happening in Healdsburg!

Links:

https://www.healdsburg.com/

https://www.wineroad.com/wineroadambassador/

https://www.bloodrootramble.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 227

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today we were joined by Guy Davis from Davis Family Vineyards! He shares how the discovery and revival of an old Zinfandel vineyard in Sonoma County, as well as his experiences in France and with Passport Wine Club, have influenced his winemaking approach, focusing on balance and complexity. Guy also introduces the newly opened tasting room in Highlands, North Carolina, which doubles as a wine bar featuring both his wines and curated international selections, offering a distinctive experience for East Coast visitors.

Links: 

https://www.daviswines.com/

https://www.highcountrywineprovisions.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 226

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today, we're exploring the picturesque landscapes of Sonoma County, taking listeners on a journey through Healdsburg, Guerneville, and Bodega Bay. Join us on an adventure around our beautiful region!

Links: 

https://visitsebastopolnow.com/

https://www.sonomacounty.com/cities/freestone/

https://russianriver.com/

https://www.visitbodegabayca.com/about-the-bbacc

https://stayhealdsburg.com/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760256/fire--wine-backyard-pizza-by-cressler-mary/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 225

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Gio Balistreri, Owner & Winemaker at Russian River Vineyards

Today, Gio Balistreri of Russian River Vineyards joined us and brought some of Beth's favorite wine! We chat about his vineyard's community-driven efforts, including supporting local animal shelters and hosting community nights. Additionally, they celebrate multiple accolades from the North Bay Bohemian Best Of, such as Best Tasting Room and Best Wine Club in Sonoma County.

Wines of the day: 2023 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard 2022 Pinot Noir Bacigalupi Vineyard

Links: 

https://www.russianrivervineyards.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 224

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today we were joined by Oded Shakked from Longboard Vineyards! Oded shares with us his passion for winemaking, focusing on Syrah and Chardonnay and the value of supporting small, family-owned wineries. We discuss the importance of terroir and natural wine development while celebrating the cultural communal aspects of wine ~ we encourage our listeners to enjoy a welcoming experience at Longboard Vineyards.

Wines of the day: Longboard Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay, Rochioli Vineyard Longboard Vineyards 2020 Syrah, Dakine Vineyard 

Links: 

https://www.longboardvineyards.com/

https://capabunga.com/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/

Episode 223

Sponsored by: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Today we were joined by Joy Sterling from Iron Horse Vineyards, as she uncovers the magic behind their special wines, including a Lunar New Year-themed blanc de blanc. Enjoy unique experiences such as Oyster Sundays and support ocean conservation through their partnership with Heal the Bay. Discover the versatility of sparkling wine, and embrace the joy of sharing a bottle with friends and the community.

Sparkling of the Day: Iron Horse 2021 Year of the Snake

Links: 

https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/

https://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/events/

https://capabunga.com/

https://healthebay.org/

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits: The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA. http://thresholdstudios.info/