The Sonoma Spiel

Wine Country Concierge Explains: The Lodge at Sonoma with Laurie Noble & Evan Purslow

Think you know Sonoma Valley? Sonoma podcast host Tim Zahner will be the first to tell you… he’s “expert-adjacent.” 😄
On this episode of The Sonoma Spiel podcast, Tim hangs out with two pros from The Lodge at Sonoma who 'actually' know how the magic happens:
Lori Noble — Hospitality Coordinator & Concierge (she can build your perfect Sonoma day in about 90 seconds)  
Evan Perslow — Marketing Manager (former Vans shoe-store guy who can basically guess your shoe size on sight)
We talk concierge myths (“Do I have to pay extra?” “Is it fancy?” “Can they really get me in?”), how travelers plan trips now (spoiler: a lot of people arrive with zero reservations), and what the Lodge at Sonoma offers—from cottage-style rooms and spa vibes to on-site dining and an easy shuttle to the Plaza.
Then we jump into "We Get Questions” with quick, super-local tips on:
Best bar seating for solo travelers  
Easy 60–90 minute hikes (Sonoma Overlook Trail + more)  
Mustard flower baby photos… without trespassing  
Sparkling wine picks  
Great patios for lunch with a small group  
Where to find beer options if not everyone wants wine  
More info:
The Lodge at Sonoma: thelodgeatsonoma.comSonoma Valley events: 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

Sonoma Valley E-Bike Rentals + Self-Guided Winery Routes | Vine & Vista Tours (Dog-Friendly!)

Host Tim Zahner welcomes Jeremy Noland of Vine & Vista Tours, an e-bike rental experience based in Kenwood that’s helping visitors explore Sonoma Valley in a fun, self-guided, eco-friendly way—often with dogs along for the ride (including sidecar setups for larger pups).
Jeremy shares how the idea started, what makes their premium e-bikes different, how routes are curated with safety in mind, and the best ways to experience Kenwood and Glen Ellen by bike—wineries, parks, and great local food stops included.
In the “We Get Questions” segment, Jeremy helps answer visitor FAQs about self-guided winery biking, Sonoma food gifts that travel well, and buyout options for high-end corporate groups and private events.🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPassGot 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_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNFApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

Sonoma’s Tattooist Talks Trends, Travel Tattoos + “Sonoma Questions” | Jessie Marioni

It’s late winter in Sonoma Valley—mustard in bloom, trees blossoming, and citrus everywhere—and Tim Zahner welcomes Jessie Marioni of Rosa Grande Tattoo to The Sonoma Spiel.
Jessie shares how she became a tattoo artist, what’s changed in tattoo culture over the years, and why tattooing is as much about meaning, memory, and community as it is about art. They also talk trends, styles, and some of the most common “Sonoma visitor” tattoos.
In the “We Get Questions” segment, Jessie helps answer real visitor questions about Swiss connections in Sonoma, a (wild) idea to rebuild Jack London’s Wolf House, planning Sonoma Sips for a large group, and what happened to the famous “LOVE” sculpture near Sonoma City Hall.More info: Rosa Grande Tattoo: rosagrandetattoo.com Events + Sonoma Sips details: 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/SonomaTastingPassGot 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_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNFApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

From Sonoma to London and Back Again: The Kearsley Story of Fabrics, Linens and Craft

Host Tim Zahner (Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau) welcomes Sonoma local Heather Kearsley Wolf of Kersley for a wide-ranging conversation that blends design, entrepreneurship, history, and travel tips.
Heather recounts the origin story of Kersley—how she went from construction and interior design to launching luxury linens and textiles produced with expert makers in Italy (and later the UK), navigating retail and trade showrooms, and evolving into custom work and hospitality collections. Along the way, she shares a fascinating look at textile craft and why bedding comfort comes down to fibers, weave, and real-world use—not just thread count.
Then Heather joins Tim for the fan-favorite segment “We Get Questions,” answering real visitor questions like: • Best Italian restaurants in Sonoma• What to do if you only have a few hours in town• What the little “smoke puffs” in vineyards are (controlled burns?) • Where to buy Sonoma t-shirts locally Plus: a show-and-tell of Kearsley products (cashmere pillows, linens, and a beautifully made tote sewn right in Sonoma). 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Plan your trip + events: sonomavalley.com Don’t miss Sonoma SIPS (Feb 15–Mar 15): $15 wine tastings at 50+ wineries More info about Kearsley: www.Kearsleyhome.com Youtube: @kearsleyofficial https://heatherkearsleywolf.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/kearsleyofficial/https://www.facebook.com/KearsleyLinenshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/kearsley-linens
Blog: https://kearsleyhome.com/blogs/kearsleys-threads 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.

What Most Visitors Miss in Downtown Sonoma: California State Parks

Host Tim Zahner welcomes California State Parks’ Peter Ostroskie for a deep dive into Sonoma Valley’s state parks—especially Sonoma State Historic Park in downtown Sonoma.
They explore what visitors can see across the park’s historic sites (including Mission San Francisco Solano, the barracks, Blue Wing Inn, and more), what’s free vs. ticketed, and how the park interprets Sonoma’s layered early history. Then Peter jumps into a rapid-fire listener Q&A—covering everything from those mysterious white boxes in vineyard fields (spoiler: bees) to where to take a friend who doesn’t drink wine, plus concerts and jazz in September and ways to learn more about women’s history in Sonoma Valley (including the Women’s History Crawl).
A fun, practical, story-filled episode for locals and first-time visitors alike.Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. 🍷 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.

Brittany Lee (Cluster Funk Studios): Art Lounge, DJ Sets, and Building Community Through Conversation

Tim Zahner (Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau) welcomes Britney Lee, founder of Cluster Funk Studios, for a wide-ranging winter conversation about art, music, and community. Britney shares how her signature paint parties are evolving into the “Art Lounge”—a casual, social creative event built around original designs and creative freedom rather than step-by-step instruction.
They also dive into Britney’s journey from a first sip-and-paint experience in San Diego to building a full event setup—DJ booth, speakers, and all—plus the launch of her newest project, Conversation Club, designed to help people reconnect through in-person dialogue and long-form writing outside traditional social media.
Plus: Tim’s visitor center “We Get Questions” segment (wildlife photography, winter activities, and more) and a reminder about Sonoma Sips (Feb 15–Mar 15) featuring $15 wine tastings.
🍷 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 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 can find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNFApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3Ek3EkWQk8DObR9b

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