The Sonoma Spiel
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 Country with the Sonoma Spiel, where we talk about what’s happening in and around Sonoma Valley with guests like farmers, chefs, wine makers, artists and interesting guest stars. Plus, we answer YOUR questions about visiting California’s famed wine country during our recurring feature, ”We Get Questions.” Send us a question via email (info@sonomavalley.com) or tag us on one of our pages (From Facebook to IG to TikTok) and we might just answer your question
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Everyone talks about Sonoma Plaza's history, but no one does anything about it.Until now. Jim Silverman, retired librarian (he got kicked out of library school a few times first!) and man with a plan, has launched www.SonomaPlazaHistory.com as a way for visitors to experience the unique stories of the jewel of Sonoma County: the eight-acre Sonoma Plaza.A few things he mentions includes the fact that the Plaza originally was a dusty, muddy square in the middle of town and it took time and lots of changes to make it what it is now, the story of the Chinese immigrants to Sonoma Valley (up to 30% of the population!) as part of the Gold Rush and general migration to California and their legacy of opening businesses around the Plaza, and how insurance maps from the 1800s are basically the Google Street View of today, and allow us to see what the Plaza was like in times gone by. But Jim isn't just a guy interested in Sonoma history, he's also an expert on children's literature in Gold Rush California, and details the first book ever published in California during the Spanish colonial period. And we hear about "Ho! For Elf-Land!" a tale by California writer Alice Kingsbury that details a young girl's journey to the moon. (He also had the FIRST bachelor's degree in children's literature in the United States. Put that in your giant peach and...) As befits his background as a librarian, he acts like he is on the Ready Reference desk and answers YOUR questions during our popular segment, "We Get Questions." This week he takes on: - Hi!!! We will be visiting Sonoma the weekend of October 29. We will be visiting from Minnesota. This is the weekend of the rivals Packer/Viking game. Here is our question: Can you recommend a venue-bar, restaurant, vineyard that is known to broadcast games Thanks for your time! (via text) - We are bringing a group of 35 people to Sonoma Valley in January. What kind of non-wine activities should we look at booking for them? - What are your favorite wineries in Sonoma, Glen Ellen and Kenwood areas? Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9bYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Howard Sapper didn't mean to start an award-winning electric scooter tour company. But somewhere along the way from Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh to a career as a musical community organizer, concert promoter, record label owner and early player in the New Age Music scene, he found himself with three-wheeled electric trikes that were perfect for giving tours in Sonoma Valley.
Howard stops by to regale us with stories from his life and how he enjoys being a part of the Sonoma Valley community and supporting his hometown.And then he answers your questions during "We Get Questions" including:
What will the weather be like visiting the end of February?
I need recommendations for some top reds (cabs, petite sirah’s) tastings in Sonoma area. Also, some of the best whites, Chardonnays and Rose.
What’s a good way to spend a three-day weekend in Sonoma Valley?
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Allison Coats knows a thing or two about the arts in Sonoma, as she represents some of the Valley's premier arts institutions. She stops by to talk about what's happening at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, diRosa Center for Contemporary Art, wineries like Muscardini Cellars and all the live music venues like Hopmonk Sonoma and B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille.But she's not just an expert on arts events, she can also answer YOUR questions. This Sonoma native is uniquely qualified to help out during "We Get Questions." This week she helps with:
-My 25th wedding anniversary is coming up next year. My wife keeps saying she wants to go to “wine country.” I have no idea where to begin. Our anniversary is May 29. Help! (via email)
-When is the Lighting of the Plaza this year? (via text)
- Hi! Visiting Sonoma area (from the East Coast) for the first time next month, staying in Kenwood. We’ll have 2 days to explore Sonoma & Napa and want to make the most of it. How many wineries should we realistically expect to visit in a day? Any must-sees/dos? Are drivers/transportation an easy option? We like Chardonnays, Cabs & Zinfandels, open to others. Thank you! (via Facebook)- Where in New Jersey are you from?
- How long does it take to get wine from a newly planted grapevine?
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Two guests, one good time: we're talking the 2023 winegrape harvest and the upcoming Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival with Laura McGilley of the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Bart Hansen of Dane Cellars (and the Winemakers podcast).We figure out what a "cellar rat" is, how crush is the fun but busy time in California's wine country, and some insight into the cultural importance of a salami toss. Then Laura confesses that Tiger the pig couldn't make it to the fair to be auctioned off, but don't worry, she'll be taken care off.Then they help answer YOUR questions during our segment, We Get Questions. This week:
We are visiting from Orlando. I don’t like red wines- do any of the wineries have sweeter white wines? And do wineries usually have both red and white wines or just one of the other?
Where can I get white merlot wine?
What's the best place for pizza?
I’m looking for a good place to ride bikes. Any idea?
Are there any wineries/restaurants open on Thanksgiving or the Friday after?
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival: https://valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org/Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers: https://sonomavalleywine.com/Dane Cellars: https://www.danecellars.com/Winemakers podcast: https://radiomisfits.com/podcasts/thewinemakers/
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
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
"Dead Spread," the new book from local author Bethany Browning, is set in a small wine country town of Prosperity, where the mayor (Preston Brix) was recently found deceased by a local tarot reader (Carrie Detwiler) who has a pet raven (Waggery) and a few secrets as well. Sonoma serves as a key inspiration in the book, from the stone city hall in the middle of the Plaza to the controversial duck pond to even a local character who dresses up in historical regalia and then regales tourists with tall tales of the town's past. In addition to talking books and writing and the creative arts, Browning takes a moment to help answer YOUR Sonoma questions during our "We Get Questions" segment. This week she helps us with:
We’re visiting from Miami, and I was here a long time ago on a bus tour and I remember there was something about a way to identify all the trees in the Plaza. Am I remembering this correctly?
What time of the year is not a busy or crowded month to visit?
What is a Gravenstein Apple and why should I care?
My husband and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary in early November! We are looking for a special place that comes highly recommended. We don’t eat meat, but do eat fish and my husband sometimes eats chicken.
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, text us or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers.
More information about author Bethany Browning at www.bethanybrowning.com
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
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
A little bit west of Sonoma lies the town of Petaluma, and a little bit west of Petaluma is the enchanted farm at McEvoy Ranch, where some of the world's best Olive Oil comes from. Sam and Kym give us the low down on how to taste olive oil (hint: aerate it in your mouth), what it takes to get flavors into olive oil the quality way and how visitors can learn about how olives are grown, harvested and pressed into oil. Only, don't say it's a press. "We don't press anything anymore. We have both old technology and modern technology in our mill."They also gamely answer YOUR visitor questions during our segment "WE GET QUESTIONS" including:
- Any recommendations for some slower, chill nighttime drinking and lounging spots with firepit areas?? I dunno, like night-life for people in their 30s drinking and small plates/tapas kinda thing. At like 7-8pm. (From Sonoma County Restaurants Facebook)
- I have a friend who reached out to me about options in Sonoma. They really like sweet wines. We don't. Any ideas where I can suggest they go?
- What’s the difference between fresh olive oil and the store bought stuff that’s been sitting on a shelf for a while?
Get ready to learn everything you wanted to know about olive oil - and more about Sonoma Valley- in this episode of The Sonoma Spiel!But take your time. As they say, "You plant grapevines for your children; you plant olive trees for your grandchildren."
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
World-class musicians Eric Zivian (fortepiano) and Nick Reeves (cellist) from the Valley of the Moon Music Festival stop by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk classical music, performing outdoors and why people should come watch them perform on instruments built from the actual period when the music was composed. Then Nick Reeves just happens to have a cello with him and he shows his skills, live from Studio 2 at KSVY in Sonoma Valley. More info on the Valley of the Moon Music Festival is at https://valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org. They took their best shot during our weekly segment where we answer your questions about Sonoma Valley. This week: It' my first time going to Sonoma in September and would like to know if you have to make reservations in advance for wine tastings? Either way, any suggestions for good wine tastings in the Sonoma Square area would be appreciated! I’m putting together a gift bag of Sonoma products – what kind of things should I put in there?If Billy Joel had been born in the 18th Century, would he be known for his classic hit, FortePiano Man? Barbie or Oppenheimer? Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9bYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
He says he was the king of the third-tier market, but George Webber made a grand entrance during his first appearance on stage as he lept over a small fence on the stage, knocking down the whole set, and throw out a quip that brought the house down. This small introduction to performing and theater for Webber has grown into a lifelong passion, where he brings theatrical methods to introduce audiences to the stories of Sonoma's history, from Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), Joaquin Murrieta, General Mariano Vallejo, Count Agoston Haraszthy and a few others.
Webber has opinions on history and how it has been presented and he's not afraid to share them. Dramatically.He also answers your questions during "We Get Questions" including:I live in San Francisco, and two of my friends are visiting from Minnesota. We want to go wine tasting, but not have to spend a lot of money since they are new to wine. We also want to do a picnic somewhere – any ideas?
Where is a good place for live music?
I have a group coming in for a conference. I think it would be fun to do something outdoors, at night, that involves marveling at the heavens above. Are there any places that we can do that?
I heard that the bear on the California flag is the result of a mix-up, and the original intent was for a flag with a pear. This would make us the Pear Flag Republic, and also have the secondary positive effect that encourage kids to eat locally grown fruits. Is this a true story?Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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, includingApple: 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_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNFTell your friends!
Experience Sonoma Valley
Regular and special guests from in and around Sonoma Wine Country get together for the Sonoma Spiel. Hear from chefs and winemakers and people in the know about what's happening in California's Sonoma Valley. Like wine, food and travel? Listen to the Sonoma Spiel!
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