The Sonoma Spiel

Fall 2024- The Pumpkining! Mark Bodenhamer on Sonoma Harvest and Pumpkin Tossing

Mark Bodenhamer with the Sonoma Valley Chamber is our VERY SPECIAL GUEST this week (and we actually mean it this time) and he has the updates on all things harvest and fall related in Sonoma Valley.
Mark talks about fall events like Sundays Music in the Plaza from Music in Place (free concerts), Broadway in Sonoma's finale under the stars in the "Field of Dreams" near the Montini Open Space Preserve, and the 200th Anniversary of planting winegrapes in Sonoma Valley, which will be celebrated at the 2024 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. Mark takes a brief detour to wonder about West Virginia's wine industry- what is it? Should they send us a sample? Does it come as a clear liquid in a mason jar? Send us some! Before we take YOUR Sonoma questions, Mark also waxes poetic about the best parts about the harvest season in Sonoma Valley.When he does answer your question during WE GET QUESTIONS he takes on:
What tree is that out there? - A visitor from the Plaza
I was at Jacuzzi Winery last Monday and there was an impromptu church organ concert going on in the barrel room- no audience, and just a virtuoso performer playing. What is that all about? - at the south visitor center
I'm hosting a wine pairing dinner and want to serve a charcuterie board featuring Sonoma County grown/made items. Any ideas of things I should include? I plan to visit Ovello for some meat choices and Vella for cheeses, but I'm hoping all your brilliant minds might have some other recommendations. - Sonoma County Foodies
We’re planning on visiting Sonoma Valley to take in some wineries but are completely unfamiliar with the area. We’d like to visit wineries that don’t distribute nationally.  If you can find it at Total Wine on the East Coast, we’re probably not interested. At the same time, I’d like to keep the price of a bottle to around the $40-50 mark. I’m not sure if that exists but we’re open to ideas and suggestions. - via Facebook Sonoma County Wine Imbibers
 
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
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
 

Public has strong opinions about public art: Linda Keaton from Sonoma Valley Museum of Art

For more than 25 years, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has been showcasing local and internationally-renowned artists in their intimate space on Broadway, just a half-block south from the Sonoma Plaza. 
Linda Keaton, Executive Director and Chief Curator, paints a picture of what the museum is about and why it's a great place for visitors to Sonoma. She also sketches her journey from a childhood in a farming community in the California Central Valley to a career teaching and curating art. Other topics include public art and the strong opinions the public holds of such art. 
As always, our guest answers YOUR Sonoma questions and this week she takes on:
-Planning a honeymoon in Sonoma next summer. Curious about favorite upscale restaurants? Bonus points if you can help plan a good trip there! - Sonoma County Foodies page
-When does the winegrape harvest start? When does it end? - via text
-I’m from Fort Worth, Texas where there is a daily cattle drive down the streets of the stockyards. Do you do something similar here? - from the visitor center
-We are coming up for the Broadway in Sonoma show from Transcendence Theatre Company and are thinking about dinner before somewhere, or maybe a picnic. Any ideas?
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
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 info about the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art: https://svma.org
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

Beer Pioneer: America's First Modern Microbrewery - Jane Zimmerman & New Albion Brewing Company

Many people know that Sonoma Valley has had two centuries of winegrowing. But a lot of people don't know that it was also the birthplace of the modern American microbrewery: New Albion Brewing Company.
The brainchild of Jack McAuliffe, New Albion was founded by  him and Jane Zimmerman and Suzy Stern in 1976, when a decision was made in the driveway of Jane's house in Sonoma.
With $1000 each, Jane and Suzy became partners in the "crazy and fun idea" of starting a small brewery on the edge of town in an old fruit-processing plant. Jane recounts her days schlepping a kid to school and then another younger four-year old child to the brewhouse as she helped brew the stouts and porters and ales in a 55-gallon drum that Jack welded. "It's a miracle no one got hurt!"
She recalls, "we were so enthusiastic and naive - we just did it!"
Like all of our podcast guests, Zimmerman answers YOUR Sonoma questions during "We Get Questions." This week she takes on:
-Are there any hotels or lodging options in a vineyard?
-We just got here from Wisconsin and we want to head out to Jenner, where the Russian River meets the ocean. How long does it take to get there from Sonoma?
-We’re here for an hour and want to see something historic and interesting. What do you recommend?
-Is there a way we can hire someone else to drive our car while we go wine tasting? Is that a thing?
-Hello!  My friends and I will be staying close to the Sonoma Plaza and looking for an outdoor restaurant that will accommodate our group of 8.  It is for my friend's milestone birthday! 
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
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
 

Karina's Guide to the Springs: Where to eat, drink & have fun in "The Springs" of Sonoma Valley

This week we have a very special guest, and this time we actually, actually mean it: Karina Garcia stops by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk about "The Springs," a collection of small former resort towns (Fetters Hot Springs, Aqua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs and El Verano) with great food options and places to explore.
Born in Mexico, raised in Boyes Hot Springs, Garcia details her life growing up in the neighborhood with parents who worked multiple jobs, including picking grapes at the end of summer.A proud graduate of Sonoma Valley High (Go Dragons!) and Santa Rosa Junior College (Go Bear Cubs!) and Sonoma State University (Go Seawolves!), Garcia also talks how she worked for a local Spanish-language television station (host of El Sabor de la Noche) and that eventually led to her career as part of the communications team for the County of Sonoma. She started the popular Charla Comunitaria (Community Chat) for Spanish speakers during Covid, and continued it as a way to connect with the Spanish-speaking community in the North Bay.Some of her memories of The Springs include watching Sunday soccer at Larson park and visiting with family, and then she talks some restaurants to check out in The Springs including Sonoma Eats Real Mexican Food (try to vegeterian mushroom or potato tacos,) La Hacienda (pitchers of margaritas on the patio) and Spread Lebanese Kitchen. And did you want taco trucks? We rattle through reviews of all of them... 
Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Garcia takes on:
I purchased the Plaza Tasting Pass. Do I now need to make reservations at the 3 wineries I am interested in? Are these tastings at the wineries or at the plaza? Thank you. - via text
Hi- we’ve lived in Kenwood for 25 years, but never been down here to the Sonoma Plaza. What is this city party everyone’s talking about? 
How long does it take to get from SF airport to Petaluma/Sonoma?
Where can I find a food truck in and around Sonoma Valley - especially one open later at night?
We are heading back to San Francisco Airport tonight - any recommendations for things to see and do in San Francisco along the way?
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
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

No Clouds in the Sonoma Sky - Just Sonoma Balloons! Hot Air Ballooning in Wine Country

Sean Gerrity with Sonoma Ballooning parked his colorful balloon right outside the KSVY studio and hopped off to talk about hot air balloons in Sonoma Valley.
During the podcast we find out how to become a hot air balloon pilot, that the job has its ups and downs and landings are guaranteed. We also learn about a day in the life of a hot air balloon pilot, why the hot air balloons take off at sunrise and why Sean avoids delivering babies on hot air balloons (not that much space.) Also, the first hot air balloon pilots were French farm animals. Comme c’est intéressant!
Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma.
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
 
This week he answers:
How do you avoid your wine purchases from getting hot in the car while visiting wineries all day? - via Facebook
Hi- I went to high school with your wife. We are visiting in October with another couple and want some ideas for where to stay and what to do? Got any ideas? - Suzy Sajoac from Wisconsin
I’m retiring in a few months after a long career in the public realm. I still want to stay active and use my skills for helping people and problem solving. Is it possible to become a volunteer at the Sonoma Valley Visitors Centers? - Delaware Joe B via press conference
I had heard somewhere that travelers could bring wine onto their Southwest airlines flight from SFO/OAK, as their carry on? - via email
I am looking for a winery to sight-see by my own car, with NO TASTING, as I am a driver. But to no success. I would like to walk/drive between the grapevines, take some photos, etc. - via www.SonomaVallley.com
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.
Sonoma Ballooning info: https://sonomaballooning.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

Cassidy Ranch Farmers talk flowers, shrubs and tell Florida Man about clouds

On the eve of the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon, the Sonoma Spiel podcast went to the farmers market to drag two farmers into the studio: Elizabeth Stein and Tucker Stein of Cassidy Ranch farm in Sonoma.
The married couple took over the farm in 2021 and grow both grapes as well as flowers and crops. Elizabeth recounts how her time working at Ridge Vineyards in Santa Cruz attracted her to the world of food and wine, and they both wanted to start a farm that would have the experiences they wished existed in Sonoma, including classes on how to cut and arrange flowers, pick your own strawberries and - a pickleball court. Yes - you can play pickleball at their farm. (Reserve the court ahead of time!)
Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week the Steins took on the following Sonoma questions:
"I'm looking for activities other than Train Town for grandkids, ages two and a half, six and nine. Any suggestions? Also, are there any wineries where you can take the kids? Thank you" - via email
"I am up to my eyeballs in plums. What should I do?"
"I am interested in connecting with a wine industry artisan. Somebody who makes things from wine barrels or which are inspired by the wine industry. Any recommendations?"
In the middle of the segment, Tucker Stein pulls out the uno reverse card and dares to ask us questions, including, "What's your idea for a great Sonoma Saturday?"
"We're visiting from Florida - do you guys ever have clouds here?" - at the Visitors Center
We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass
We also covered June Gloom, No Sky July, Fogust and all the months where you can visit with San Francisco's wonderful summer guest, Karl the Fog.
More details about Cassidy Ranch at www.cassidy-ranch.com
Deals and events and wine tasting passes at www.sonomavalley.com
 
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

Laugh your pickle off: Lisa Pidge on comedy, pickleball and wine

We're back on the Spiel! And this week we have a VERY SPECIAL GUEST: Lisa Pidge, from the Laugh Cellar and Crushers of Comedy and now her new gig - Pickleball and comedy!A repeat offender on the podcast, Lisa comes back to talk about what's happening with her popular comedy shows at wineries like Deerfield Ranch, Cooking With Comedians, and her new Pickleball and comedy show that supports an autism charity.As usual we riff on random topics like the roll of AI in comedy, the addictive quality of pickleball, and we try our hand at doing an ad for the Sonoma Plaza Wine Tasting Pass. (We did... ok.)Like all of our guests, she answers YOUR Sonoma questions on the Sonoma Spiel podcast. This week she answers:We are taking a tour on the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley- it departs from the Sonoma Plaza at 10 AM. Where can we park our car so we don’t get a parking ticket? Well, it's out-of-town visitor time. After 10 years, my niece drinks real wine. Her palate has matured, and we can enjoy a variety of whites. I need recommendations to go tasting for first-time relatives who like Moscato. - via Facebook on Sonoma County wine imbibers We are coming there from Kankakee, Illinois. We don’t know much about wine, just that we like sweeter wines. Do you know anything called “Bordeaux” wine? What does that mean? Where is pickleball around Sonoma? I’m visiting from NYC and run leagues in Manhattan and want to know! - via text Do you have bus schedules? Where can I find a schedule for the SMART train? We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPassGot 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

Gleaning for justice: Kelly Conrad talks Farm to Pantry in Sonoma

Kelly Conrad is with Farm to Pantry (www.farmtopantry.org), a local organization committed to rescuing food that would otherwise go wasted and getting it to people in need. "The food is out there; all we have to do is go get it. No one should be left behind." On her turn on the Spiel she dishes about working with SingleThread Farms, how visitors to Sonoma Valley can participate in harvesting crops from farms and gardens around Sonoma and help fight hunger, and her journey from Portland, Oregon to life in Sonoma Valley. Shout out to Haystack Farms in Sonoma Valley, one of their top local gleaning sites. And like all guests no the Sonoma Spiel podcast, she answers YOUR Sonoma Valley questions. This week she takes on: What is the difference between a tasting room and a winery? My daughter is getting married in Sonoma. The day after the wedding we would like to have bagels and coffee for friends on the Sonoma Plaza. Are we allowed to do that? What would you recommend?What is a wine slushie and where can I get one? We are visiting from the wine regions of Germany, so we are familiar already with vineyards. We would like to actually see some areas with scenic beauty and we only have one day. What do you recommend?We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPassIt'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