The Sonoma Spiel

Cannabis in Wine Country: Van Solkov talks education, tours and agriculture

Van Solkov of Happy Traveler's Tours came by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk cannabis growing in Sonoma Valley, how tours of farms and dispensaries serve to educate and dispel myths as well as update older traveler's about changes in the scene since the 70s and 80s. During a wide-ranging interview he also covers how he was one of the first cannabis tours in wine country and how we got into the business, transitioning from a "party bus" to an educational and refined experience like other wine tours.He also discusses how a serious bicycle accident in his 30s led him to cannabis for pain relief and balancing his career in the corporate world, which at the time in the 1980s, frowned on the practice. Part showman, part historian, part farmer, and all of the time an enthusiastic entertainer, Van offers great anecdotes and insight into this agricultural sector. Plus, Van hops into the visitor center chair and answers YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week he takes on: Who are those group of men who sit on the Plaza every Friday and what are they doing?I’m looking for a listing of wineries with their hours of operation, their addresses and what they offer- do you have such a thing?There is a tree on the Plaza with shocking pink, upright flowers that look like tulips that are blooming right now. What are those?I’m on the hunt for a good winery with farm animals. Any out there?I’m looking for recommendations on: - Wineries w/ an activity - Wineries w the best view - Winery w the best cave 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 on Happy Traveler's Tours at https://happytravelersweedtours.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/id1634467429Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9bYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF

Something's growing in Glen Ellen: Jeannie Perales of Sonoma Botanical Garden

Jeannie Perales, new director of the Sonoma Botanical Garden, put down her pruning shears and stopped by the Sonoma Spiel to talk about their new upcoming summer program of concerts and the Ribbit Exhibit that will bring whimsical frog statues to the garden. 
Perales talks about how she ended up leading botanical gardens from Florida to California, and her belief that there are four "natural therapies" for people: nature, movement, art and music. And how the botanical garden can incorporate those therapies for visitors to the sprawling land in northern Sonoma Valley. And like all of our guests, she answers YOUR Sonoma questions during "We Get Questions." This week she takes on:
I have an itinerary coming up...love any input! SALT N STONE, GLEN ELLEN STAR, Jack London bar, GOLDEN BEAR STATION, GIRL AND THE FIG... anything else in the area that I must get in? – via Facebook
Is the fahmer’s mahket open already? – Guy from Boston
I am considering a vacation to Sonoma in early March. Is there a wine pass that would cover tastings at multiple wineries? Besides wine tasting what other activities or events take place in March? – Robert from Washington, via text 
I’m visiting Sonoma Valley from Malawi, and I’m interested in permaculture – are there good places to learn about these practices in Sonoma Valley? Also, where can I see redwood trees?
 
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

Trends start in San Francisco: Lynn Bruni-Perkins from SF Travel talks creativity, culture and The City

San Francisco is an hour from Sonoma Valley and the majority of visitors to Sonoma Valley usually make a stop in "The City" before heading up to wine country. This week, Lynn Bruni-Perkins of SF Travel talks what makes San Francisco special, from the culture of social movements, Burning Man, and the technology that brought us the iPhone, to the next phase of technology like AI and self-driving cars (Waymo, for good or ill) as well as social movements coming on the horizon. She also directly answers critics who deride San Francisco, offering some common-sense ideas and points about the City by the Bay. Before she good-naturedly answers visitor questions, she opines on the fact that "Dutch crunch" bread - a northern California invention - is making it's way south to LA, and reacts to a travel blogger's contention that you should choose your next destination by your astronomical sign. (We look forward to seeing all you Taureses/Tauri soon...)And when she does answer YOUR Sonoma questions, as all our podcast guests do, she takes on:
What are all those yellow flowers in the fields?
Can I just buy tickets to Alcatraz at the wharf?
Can I get married at San Francisco’s City Hall?
Do I need a car to get around San Francisco?
Where can I find Pliny the Younger? (The beer, not the first century Roman author)
How can I get to San Francisco Airport without uber or lyft?
 
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.
To plan your next visit to San Francisco, start with the official San Francisco Travel website here: www.sftravel.comThen get your wine country details from the Sonoma Valley website: www.sonomavalley.comIt'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

Scream, chili, and pottery: Molly Spencer from Sonoma Community Center talks arts, wine and movies

Molly Spencer is with the Sonoma Community Center, a school building turned arts and culinary center complete with galleries and theater programs. She hops on the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk ceramics, chili recipes, fiber arts happy hour, ballet and a secret garden that isn't that secret because we are talking about it.She then says that yes, the movie "Scream" was filmed at the Sonoma Community Center in 1996, thanks to Santa Rosa High School backing out of the production at the last minute. Yeah, "No thanks whatsoever to the Santa Rosa city school district governing board." And like all of our Very Special Guests, she answers YOUR Sonoma questions during "We Get Questions." This week she takes on:Where is a beautiful winery? – Visitor from the UKWhat is that building that looks like a church over there? – Canadian visitor at the Plaza visitor center Looking for recommendations on wineries with tastings and paired lunches. (More than just charcuterie/snacks.) TIA!- - Facebook Sonoma County Wine Imbibers I’m going to be staying in Sonoma in March with five other gals. Would love some recs for restaurants for dinner in Healdsburg and anywhere back down to Sonoma. Also any bakeries or places to grab sandwiches or pastries before hitting the wineries would be great( prefer closer to downtown since staying down that way). We are very mixed in what we like for food but would be looking for more Italian, seafood and burgers or mix with most prices $20-40 for entrees. TIA! - Facebook Sonoma County Wine Imbibers 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

Mom took cooking classes, now he's cooking with fire: Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star in Sonoma Valley

He was inspired to start cooking because his great aunt's awful Thanksgiving dinner spurned him to action, his first restaurant job was with three Lebanese brothers in Pennsylvania, and he left Manhattan for the excitement of Sonoma Valley: Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star talks his journey to having two restaurants and a catering company in California's wine country.And like all guests on the Sonoma Spiel, he answers YOUR Sonoma questions including:
“Hello! We are planning a trip and I have a lodging question. Is there a local alternative to booking vacation home lodging that avoids using national websites like Vrbo and Airbnb? Trying to spend our dollars locally. (Via text to 707-996-1090 from Kathy)
What do you know about the Hood house? (Via phone) 
  Best places to go that offer free corkage for Sonoma county wines? Don’t mind paying corkage just interested to know what’s out there. (SoCo Wine Imbibers Facebook)
 Four of us (adults) will be in Sonoma 3/27-4/1. Are most wineries open on Easter Sunday? Are there other events (special brunches or lunches?) happening that day? (Via website form)
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
Find Ari cooking at:
Glen Ellen Star: https://glenellenstar.comPark Avenue Catering: https://parkavecater.com

Fun is Her Middle Name (Legally!): Heidi Geffen from Tiddle E. Winks on Good Times, Yiddish & Tchotchkes

Heidi Geffen founded Tiddle E. Winks just off the Sonoma Plaza as a place to find items of whimsy, fun and happiness. She stops by the Spiel to talk her journey from a rubber stamp saleswoman in LA to a sticker designer in Petaluma to the bringer of happiness to Sonoma. 
She also talks a bit about wellness and how being happy is part of the experience, and even brought in some home-made kale chips from her secret recipe. (Brewer's yeast is the secret, so saved you a click.)Like all our guests she also takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions, during "We Get Questions," including:
Any ideas for romantic and/or fun restaurants for Valentine's Day, which don't have jacked up prices?- via Facebook
Where do the ducks go in the winter? - H. Caulfield via textDo you allow weddings in the park with less than ten people and no chairs? Guests just standing? Thank you – via email
Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, text us (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
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

Food Was a Better Fit: From New York Fashion to Sonoma Cuisine - Lauren Feldman, Valley Bar + Bottle

Lauren Feldman (Valley Bar + Bottle and Valley Swim Club) joins us in the new year to talk all things food, wine, wellness and how she ended up leaving fashion for running front of the house at her restaurant, that she started with her husband Tanner and two friends.
In between running a new restaurant, Valley Swim Club which is a west coast take (vegan tartar sauce!) on an east coast clam shack, she also has a young child and teaches spinning classes at the local health club.
And like all our podcast guests, she answers YOUR Sonoma questions during "We Get Questions." This week she tackles:
A friend is doing a retreat at Westerbeke Ranch, and before I drop her back at Sonoma County Airport, we’re looking for some good places for lunch in Sonoma Valley. Any recommendations? – via email
I'm planning a visit around a concert in Santa Rosa on March 20th.  Not my first trip to Sonoma so want “off beaten trail ideas”.  Suggestions for wineries that have great white (not oaky chards), sparklers, interesting tours or settings. Other ideas for things to do as solo traveler welcome! – From Facebook
I’m bringing a group of senior couples to Sonoma for a day and looking for an activity that doesn’t require too much walking, but incorporates history, or culinary classes or nature. Ideas? - From a phone call
Oysters! Where is a good place to get oysters! - Via text
Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma.
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.Go to Valley Bar + Bottle at https://www.valleybarandbottle.com/Find Valley Swim Club at https://www.valleyswim.club/
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
 

Euphoria in Sonoma: Lisa Carlsson talks wellness in Sonoma

Lisa Carlsson with Euphoria Retreats brings people around the world to find wellness- and she even made us take some calming breaths before we started the podcast.
Then she tells us about how she approaches wellness and health and brings wellness and adventure to travelers in Sonoma Valley and beyond.
She also spends time answering YOUR questions during WE GET QUESTIONS where she helps us with:Hello. Friends are planning an event in Sonoma for Sept 28, 2024 and asked me to research if that’s a busy weekend in Sonoma, including if hotel rooms will be hard to come by. Do you have that information? 
I need a place for Birthday brunch! What do you recommend?
Where’s a good place to find a whiskey distillery around here?
 
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