The Sonoma Spiel

Kenwood’s Comeback: Hamilton Family Wines, Local Tours & Winter-Perfect Sonoma Valley

Tim Zahner welcomes Lindsay and Greg Hamilton of Hamilton Family Wines in Kenwood for a conversation about Sonoma Valley’s winter beauty, Kenwood’s small-town revival, and the Hamiltons’ path from garage winemaking in Berkeley to launching a winery after losing their home in the 2017 fires. They dig into what makes Kenwood special, the village’s new energy (including eye-catching roadside sculptures), and ways to experience the area beyond a standard tasting—like PushPak electric trike tours that end with a wine tasting and charcuterie.
Plus: kid-friendly tasting tips, label/appellation decoding, winter experience ideas, and a wild scavenger hunt question you have to hear.
Hamilton Family Wines: hamilton.wineSonoma Valley info + deals: sonomavalley.com
 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

Wellness in Sonoma Valley: Classes, Hikes & Yoga Tips | Jes Williams (Sonoma Spiel Podcast)

Happy New Year from the Sonoma Spiel! Tim kicks off “circle back week” with a wellness-focused episode featuring very special guest Jes Williams of Sonoma Yoga—and yes, this time we actually mean it.
Jes shares how Sonoma Yoga (formerly Yoga Community) has been a Sonoma staple for over two decades, how the studio found its home at the Lodge at Sonoma, and what’s new for 2026—including popular hybrid classes like Yoga Flow 40/20, Yoga Sculpt, and fitness-forward options that still keep yoga’s deeper purpose intact. 
We also talk about yoga as a practice (not perfection), mindful movement in a distracted world, guided meditation hikes on the Sonoma Overlook Trail, and outdoor/community yoga possibilities.
Plus: a rapid-fire “We Get Questions” segment covering Safari West, real humans answering texts (not bots), Friday Farmers Market confusion, low-key Sonoma recommendations, and… where to buy local jam.
Info:
Sonoma YogaWebsite: sonoma-yoga.comEmail: hello@sonoma-yoga.comText: 707-935-8600
(Classes are open to locals + visitors; mats/props provided.)
 
Plan your Sonoma Valley trip
Events, deals, and seasonal info: sonomavalley.com
Wellness season + Sonoma Sips (Feb 15–Mar 15): $15 wine tastings at 40+ wineries.
 
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more Sonoma Valley stories, local tips, and visitor Q&A.
 
🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
 

Best Sonoma Questions and End-of-Year Episode (2025) | Sonoma Podcast Guest: Bob Taylor

Welcome to the final Sonoma Spiel Podcast episode of 2025 — we’re closing out the year, cleaning off absolutely none of our desks, and rolling straight into 2026 with a very special guest… and this time we mean it: Bob Taylor of Sonoma TV.
Bob is the Executive Director of KSVY (Voices of the Valley), the nonprofit community radio + TV station right here in Sonoma, and the behind-the-scenes wizard who helps make a lot of our local recordings happen — including events like the Sonoma Plaza Tree Lighting, Lighted Tractor Parade, and more.
In this end-of-year edition, Tim (Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau CEO) and Bob:
✅ Share favorite highlights from 2025 in Sonoma Valley (music, festivals, community events, and more)
✅ Talk about what they’re hopeful for in 2026 (hint: more live music, more community energy)
✅ Dive into an extended “We Get Questions” segment — answering real visitor questions
✅ Discuss the Toscano Hotel (new SVVB home) and yes… whether it’s haunted 😄
✅ Debate important topics like: Where exactly does Sonoma Valley begin and end? and What’s “the Mission” in Sonoma?
 “WE GET QUESTIONS” — INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE
Are there redwoods in Sonoma Valley?
Is the Toscano haunted? (and… can I just come in for the old building smell?)
Where is Sonoma Valley — and am I in it right now?
Is the Sonoma Valley Tasting Pass for one person or two?
What is Mission San Francisco Solano and why is it special?
Where can I get coffee near the Sonoma Plaza?
How do I volunteer with the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau?
Is there a fee to enter Sonoma Valley? (😆)
Gluten-free bakery options in Sonoma Valley?
When do the Plaza lights come down?
What to do in Sonoma Valley in winter / rainy days
When day do the mustard flowers bloom?
BottleRock shuttle between Napa & Sonoma? (we try!)
 
📍 MORE LOCAL LINKS
 
🌐 Plan your trip + events + offers: SonomaValley.com
📻 Listen to KSVY + learn more: KSVY.org
🏢 Visit KSVY in person: 680 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA
 
🎉 Coming Up in 2026:
🍷 Sonoma Sips (Feb 15 – Mar 15) — $15 wine tastings
🎬 Sonoma International Film Festival
⛵ Yacht Club events
👗 Trashion Fashion
…and plenty more — check www.SonomaValley.com for updates.
 
👍 If you enjoyed the episode please rate us! 
And tell us: What was your favorite Sonoma moment of 2025 — and what are you most excited for in 2026?
 
Happy New Year, Sonoma! 🎆🍷

Visit California? As long as you're going to Experience Sonoma Valley, too. With Ryan Becker.

This week Ryan Becker of Visit California is in the hot-seat for a wide-ranging, and often hilarious conversation about tourism, travel and what it really takes to promote one of the most diverse destinations in the world. We also tried to goad him into saying bad things about Florida, but he doesn't. A true gent, he.
Ryan shares his journey from a 15-year career in journalism to helping lead marketing efforts for Visit California, the state’s unique, privately funded tourism organization representing more than 18,000 hospitality businesses. Together, Tim and Ryan dig into why tourism promotion matters, how travel drives economic development, and why “people will just show up” is one of the biggest myths in destination marketing.
Along the way, they explore:
* How Visit California markets an incredibly diverse state (without overwhelming travelers)
* Why long-term tourism marketing matters more than ever
* The real economic impact of tourism on California communities
* How AI is changing trip planning—and what it gets right (and wrong)
* California road trips, visitor guides, and iconic ad campaigns
* The role governors, celebrities, and cultural storytelling play in destination branding
* Friendly debates on tacos, Napa vs. Sonoma, sparkling wine, and fish tacos
We also answer real visitor questions about traveling with a baby, holiday visits, shopping in Sonoma Valley, and how Sonoma compares to Napa for first-time visitors during "We Get Questions."
Whether you’re in tourism, marketing, hospitality, or just love traveling California, this episode offers behind-the-scenes insight, practical takeaways, and plenty of laughs.
 
Learn more about Visit California: www.visitcalifornia.com
 
Plan your Sonoma Valley trip: www.sonomavalley.com
 
🎧 Subscribe to the Sonoma Spiel Podcast for more conversations about travel, tourism, community, and what makes Sonoma—and California—so special.
 
🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

Winter in Wine Country: Fairmont Sonoma’s Swiss Chalets & Hot Springs Magic

The persimmoning has begun in Sonoma Valley!  Host Tim from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau kicks off this week’s Sonoma Spiel with fall fruit fever and a deep dive into Sonoma’s own winter wonderland — the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
Tim sits down with Devon Hawkins to talk geothermal hot springs, the spa “bathing ritual,” the Watsu pool, and the cozy Swiss Chalets (fondue, alpine fries, hot toddies) — aka Tahoe vibes without the chain controls.
In This Episode:
Persimmon season explained
The Fairmont’s 100-year wellness legacy & geothermal pools
Watsu therapy and day-pass “bathing ritual”
Swiss Chalets: alpine pop-up dining, perfect for groups & date nights
Holiday highlights: Thanksgiving buffet, lobby tree, New Year’s party
Devon’s path in luxury hospitality (Napa roots ➜ Sonoma)
Side tangents: Toblerone, tiki bars, tattoos & more
Listener Q&A: cioppino picks, where to fish, biking to Napa, bus to Healdsburg
 
 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
🧖‍♀️ Links & Info
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa — fairmont.com/sonoma
Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau — sonomavalley.com
 
🗓️ Event Shout-Outs
 
Holiday in Carneros (Nov 16) • Sonoma Plaza Lighting (Nov 22) • Sip & Shop + Lighted Tractor Parade (Nov 29) • Sonoma Arts Live’s Scrooge: The Musical (holiday run)
 
#SonomaSpiel #SonomaValley #WineCountry #FairmontSonoma #SwissChalet #SpaDay #HotSprings #SonomaHolidays #Persimmons #VisitSonoma #sonoma

How to Feed 400 People in a Cave (and Other Sonoma Stories) with Chef Ari of Stella Kenwood

Tim from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau sits down with chef/restaurateur Ari Weiswasser (Stella Kenwood, Glen Ellen Star, Park Avenue Catering) for a lively tour of Sonoma’s newest roundabout and the region’s food scene.
What you’ll hear
Why Stella Kenwood is Cal-Italian: wood-fire grill, lamb ribs, tomahawks, Denver cut
House pasta program (fresh/extruded semolina, gluten-free) + what a burrata bar really is
Farm-driven cooking from the Glentucky family farm (Thumbelina carrots, eggplant, peppers)
Inside large-format catering (150–400+ guests, caves, timelines, logistics)
Thanksgiving: Glen Ellen Star takeaway packages (serves 4 or 8) with donation matching; Stella open 11am–6pm
Kenwood’s mini-renaissance & Ari’s hints at future projects
Quick hits: running, sauna/cold-plunge, horse-friendly parks, yes you can milk a buffalo, plaza lighting timing, and what to bring to Thanksgiving (chic salad + crisp white)
🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
 

Burgers, Brunch, and Mezcal Magic with Salvador Chavez of Picazo Café

It’s a perfect fall day in Sonoma—made even better with a milkshake with espresso (yes, really). This week, Tim sits down with Salvador Chavez, owner of Picazo Café and founder of La Luna Mezcal, for an energetic, wide-ranging conversation about food, family, and finding your own flavor in business.
Salvador shares how his family’s corner café in the Springs neighborhood evolved from a humble deli into one of Sonoma Valley’s best breakfast and lunch spots—known for its legendary burgers, funky building layout, and all-day brunch menu. He recounts the trial-and-error path from cold-cut sandwiches to handcrafted burgers and chicken & waffles, and how family teamwork (and the occasional kitchen fire) helped shape Picazo’s character.
They also dive deep into his other passion: mezcal. From his roots in Michoacán to building La Luna Mezcal, Salvador explains how true mezcal is made—from roasting agave in earth pits to winning international awards—and what makes it different from tequila. It’s part crash course, part entrepreneurial masterclass, and all Sonoma flavor.
Episode Highlights
The origin story of Picazo Café and the famous Picazo Burger
How a backyard grill turned into a local landmark
The evolution from deli sandwiches to brunch, flan French toast, and “Señor Krispy” chicken sandwiches
Building La Luna Mezcal from seed to bottle—literally
Agave, smoke, and science: why mezcal isn’t tequila
Family, community, and keeping the Springs spirit alive
🗣️ We Get Questions!
In the fan-favorite “We Get Questions” segment, Tim and Salvador tackle real questions from visitors and locals, including:
“Is there a barber shop around here?” (Turns out, a lot!)
“We like cool coffee shops—any recommendations?” (Sal shares his top Sonoma picks, from Picazo’s espresso to Café Scooteria and Pillow Fight in Kenwood.)
“How many rooms are in the Toscano Hotel?” (Depends on the year you ask.)
“Is this Vallejo?” (Well… there’s a Vallejo, but maybe not the Vallejo.)
“Where can we stay with our cat—right meow?” (Fur-friendly hotel tips included.)
 
🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
 

Sonoma Spiel: Craft Cocktails & Community with Liz Takeuchi-Krist of The Starling Sonoma

Fall in Sonoma means harvest, friends—and great drinks. Tim sits down with Liz Takeuchi-Krist, co-owner of The Starling, a beloved neighborhood cocktail bar in Sonoma, to talk about building a welcoming, safe space (yes, even for solo guests) and the magic behind a truly great drink. Liz shares her path from Chicago music venues and wine auctions to bartending at the girl & the fig and finally opening The Starling, plus why the bar’s name gives grape growers a playful wink.
Expect plenty of practical tips: how to mix a White Negroni (and batch it for parties), why clear ice matters (and how to make it at home), the case for bitter elements, and The Starling’s house-made goodness—from tonic syrup to fermented ginger beer. We also dig into spirit-free options that feel adult, the legend of “Joji’s Old Fashioned” with candy-cap mushroom bitters, and crowd-pleasers like the Black Walnut Manhattan, Bacon Bourbon Sour, and Bourbon Blossom.
Beyond the bar: happy hour and Martini Monday deals, live music and events (burlesque on Halloween!), hosting wedding after-parties, plus local tips for easy hikes and bike paths. Oh—and what grape-stomping actually feels like.
🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley:
👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
More on the Starling at www.starlingsonoma.com
 
Episode highlights:
 
* The Starling’s “coffee-house vibe” and hospitality ethos
* White Negroni 101, batching, and clear-ice hack
* House-made mixers, fermented ginger beer, and spirit-free spritzes
* Candy-cap mushroom bitters in an Old Fashioned
* Happy hour, Martini Mondays, live music, and private events
* Quick recs: Sonoma Mountain & Sonoma Valley Regional Park, Plaza bike path
 
Pull up a stool—this one’s equal parts neighborly and nerdy (in the best cocktail way). 
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, 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
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
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