The Sonoma Spiel

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 🗣️ We Get Questions! In the fan-favorite “We Get Questions” segment, Tim and Salvador tackle real questions from visitors and locals, including: 🍷 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

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 🍸

Welcome back to The Sonoma Spiel from the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau! We kick things off fresh from a festive homecoming pep rally (electric-guitar National Anthem, tractors, the works—Go Dragons!) and welcomes returning guest Paul Giusto of Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery. We talk all things Sonoma Valley harvest—why 2025 is running a little late, what “crush” actually means, how rosé saignée works, and what happens when everything ripens at once (spoiler: 🚜🍇 organized chaos). Paul also brings a just-fermenting Pinot Noir rosé sample from Carneros and walks us through lees, jackets, presses, and why slow-and-steady seasons make beautiful wine. Plus: Sonoma Valley tasting tips, non/low-alcohol wine options, fun non-limo tour ideas (bikes, trolleys, sidecars!), where the Plaza Visitor Center moved, and a PSA on what locals do (and don’t) call San Francisco. Hint: It's not two rhyming words. What you’ll learn: What “late” harvest means and how wineries decide when to pick Crush 101: destemming, crushers vs. bladder presses How rosé is made via saignée vs. whole-cluster pressing Sonoma’s weather & why “slow and steady” = flavor depth Non- and low-alcohol wine realities (and good alternatives) The new address for the Sonoma Plaza Visitor Center (24 East Spain St) Creative wine touring ideas that aren’t limos Why locals say “the City” (and not “San Fran”) Super Bowl in the Bay Area: yes, you can (and should) day-trip to Sonoma Valley Shout-outs & mentions: Highway 12 Vineyards & Winery — Tasting barn on the Sonoma Plaza; friendly, approachable tastings + wine club exclusives. Details: www.highway12winery.com Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, Sonoma Adventures (e-bikes), West Wine Tours (VW buses), Rides By Me (motorcycle sidecars), Destination Drivers (they drive your car) 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Like what you heard? 👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and send your Sonoma questions —Tim might answer them on a future We Get Questions segment! #SonomaValley #WineCountry #Harvest #Crush #Rosé #Highway12Winery #WineTasting #TravelCalifornia #GoDragons #SonomaSpiel #Podcast

You might groan when you see it, but deep down you know you love it: Pumpkin Spice Season. Born from Starbucks’ skunkworks, this cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice sensation has become a fixture in America’s culinary calendar—and Sonoma Valley is not immune. This week, Michelle Lacy and Mark Bodenhamer return to talk all things harvest, fall, and autumn—while taste-testing pumpkin spice treats ranging from pretzels and nuts to cupcakes and even Twinkies. Along the way, we share upcoming events and dive into real listener questions in our “We Get Questions” segment: We want to bring a group of corporate professionals to Sonoma Valley for a three-day meeting in November. What can we do besides sitting in a conference room? Outside of wine tasting, what else can you do at a winery or vineyard? Are the leaves changing colors in Occidental yet? (via text) What can we do at night in Sonoma Valley? Can I smoke cannabis when I go wine tasting? We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% on tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details here. Got your own questions about Sonoma Valley? info@sonomavalley.com Text us at 707-996-1090 Connect on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok Stop by one of our two visitor centers Listen to The Sonoma Spiel – Sonoma Valley’s top podcast – wherever you get your podcasts: 🎥 YouTube 🍏 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify

Jacob Yarrow joins Tim to unpack Sonoma State’s Green Music Center: World-class halls, wildly diverse ’25–’26 season (jazz, mariachi, contemporary circus, holiday shows & more), and how the venue keeps Sonoma County listening. Fresh from moving the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau into its new HQ at the Toscano Hotel (come visit!), Tim sits down with Jacob Yarrow, Executive Director of Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center (GMC), for a lively tour of one of Northern California’s premier performing arts hubs. We learn what makes GMC special, such as the acoustically famed Weill Hall, intimate Schroeder Hall, and the indoor-outdoor lawn experience, and how the rooms themselves become part of the music. They then preview the upcoming 2025–26 season: a New Orleans-style jazz kickoff with an uptown big band vibe, mariachi and swing, adventurous new-music string quartets, and a can’t-miss appearance by a contemporary circus company from Australia. Holiday favorites return with touring ensembles and Broadway star power, plus community favorites like outdoor movie nights on the lawn. Jacob also shares how GMC partners with the Santa Rosa Symphony, supports student performances, and welcomes audiences whether they’re dressed up for a night out or dropping by post-hike. Along the way we discuss pepperoni rolls, West Virginia, marching bands, moonshine lore, and why Sonoma is sneakily packed with live music. More info & tickets: gmc.sonoma.edu Plan your Sonoma Valley trip & events: sonomavalley.com Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Jacob Yarrow takes on these important Sonoma Valley questions: We are here for two days and we don’t have a car. How can we get around and see things? We are visiting and are wondering what we should do and what is famous here? Are there any wineries that have cabernet? I’m supposed to be in Napa with a car, but instead I’m in Sonoma on foot. What should I do, and can it involve white wine? 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 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

This week, Tim sits down with Linda Keaton, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (SVMA), to preview Last West: Dorothea Lange’s California, Revisited. The exhibition pairs Lange’s iconic documentation of Dust Bowl migration with contemporary artists exploring today’s migrant labor, agriculture, climate, and community—revealing what has (and hasn’t) changed. Linda also shares how SVMA is transforming a third of the museum into a theater to present the world premiere of a stage work adapted from poet Tess Taylor’s letters to Lange—plus a slate of talks and roundtables featuring photojournalists, scholars, and farming leaders. It’s a packed season that shows how a small, scrappy museum can convene big conversations. Along the way: Sonoma Art Walk nights, how exhibitions are chosen, why memberships (and NARM reciprocity) are such a great deal, and a few beloved local bites for a quick lunch between art stops. Highlights Dorothea Lange’s legacy & why it resonates now Contemporary artists in conversation with Lange’s work Programs: immigrant workers, sociology, and sustainability in farming Building a theater inside the museum; student performances How SVMA curates, collaborates, and “punches above its weight” Visitor basics: hours, free Wednesdays, tickets, memberships & NARM Links • Sonoma Valley Museum of Art – SVMA.org • Exhibit: Last West: Dorothea Lange’s California, Revisited (opening after short changeover) • Oct 18 conversation (Eric Castro, Kin Ly/Light, Dr. Daniel Malpica) – tickets at SVMA.org • Sustainability in Farming roundtable – tickets at SVMA.org • Theater adaptation by Tess Taylor – performances Nov–Dec (including 2 free student shows) • Plan your trip: SonomaValley.com Visit SVMA Open Wed–Sun, 11am–5pm • Free on Wednesdays • General admission ~$10 • Members free (with NARM reciprocity to thousands of museums) Guest Linda Keaton — Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Former curator, art consultant, and adjunct professor of art history. Host Tim Zahner • Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau – SonomaValley.com Credits Recorded in Sonoma Valley. Theme music by Bobbo Deablo. If this episode moved you, share it, become an SVMA member, and bring a friend to Last West. Art + community = Sonoma.

Matt Leffert from Jack London Park Partners wasn't running on a trail at Jack London State Park long enough to come to the Sonoma Spiel podcast. He told us who this Jack London guy was (evidently he owned the ranch that became the park, but turns out he was also a world-famous writer and adventurer) and why the park that bears his name is really multiple parks in one. During the conversation we cover Jack and Charmian London, their innovations in farming and their fun parties and events on the ranch, where to go hiking, why pigs get their own palace, how to get poison oak (or how to avoid it) and how to participate in the upcoming trail challenge. We also cover the wonder that is in-state tuition for UC and CSU universities and learn about New Mexico chiles which are a very important part of being a New Mexican. Like all of the Sonoma Spiel podcast guests, Matt Leffert takes on real Sonoma visitor questions. This week he takes on: Where’s the post office? I’ve heard that there is a walk from Sonoma to Fort Ross called the Camino de Sonoma. Is this really a thing? I put on Shakespeare plays and would like to find a spot to host some outdoor plays in Sonoma. Got any ideas? My name is Asya and my friends and I bought sonoma valley tasting passes. We were wondering if we still had to call and reserve spaces at each place or if we could walk in? What is recommended that we should do? Thank you! Can we watch the winegrape harvest? 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 at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers. Find our more about Jack London State Park at https://jacklondonpark.com. 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

Don't call it dirt - grapes need soil. Sam Coturri comes from a long line of farmers, and the don't just grow grapes, they grow soil. His pathway to farming started when he left the family business to go to college, work in the cannabis and marketing fields, and then coming home to his calling to help run the family businesses. Their wine label, Winery Sixteen 600, specializes small batch, single vineyard wines, exclusively from certified organic vineyards. And while we taste three of his wines we also ramble (as we do) and cover The Grateful Dead, Stanley Mouse, what it's like being a top podcaster in Sonoma Valley, what the heck are tannins, Isabelle's idea for unconventional blends and why we are all harvesting grapes at night. Like all of our guests Sam takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions (and from real visitors!) This week he takes on: Are there any wineries where we can watch grapes being harvested? Are there wineries where we can have lunch? We are visiting from Virginia and saw that this is the birthplace of the CA Republic. What does that mean? I thought Texas was the only republic? I see fields of these lovely blue flowers everywhere. What are they? Are they planted or are they wild? 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 Find out more about Sam's winery at www.winerysixteen600.com. 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

Let's take a walk around Sonoma - and do some wine tasting and food pairing along the way. This week our Very Special Guest is Renee ReBell from the award-winning Gourmet Food & Wine Tours, a local company that offers relaxed walks around the Plaza to Sonoma wineries and restaurants. Like her tours, our interview is a gentle amble that covers the beginning of the winegrape harvest in Sonoma Valley (ring that bell!), how she moved from helping homeowners better their curb appeal to selling wine to starting a tour company, and even what to eat when in Tennessee. Like all of our guests she takes a moment to answer YOUR Sonoma questions and this week she answered: Where can I find some locally made ceramics and pottery? - Visitor from Alabama We’re visiting from Austin, and want to come to Sonoma for a longer visit next year. We are looking for long-term rentals that are in walkable areas. Do you have any suggestions? We’re visiting from San Francisco and just got here at 3:30 PM. Can we go wine tasting or is it too late? We just got in and want to find a cocktail or a place to get a drink while we wait for our hotel to open. Any ideas? We have our bikes with us - what are some nice places to ride bikes around here? Can we bring our actual service dog to the Plaza for the Sunday concerts? 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 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

"Unite the Bay Area Through Sport" is the motto of the Bay Area Host Committee, the region’s first long-term sports entity that partners with local teams, civic leaders, and businesses to bring world-class sporting events to iconic Bay Area venues—driving lasting economic, cultural, and social impact. This week on the Sonoma Spiel podcast, Adam Lewis of the BAHC talks about how the totality of the San Francisco Bay Area can be part of the ongoing project to bring large events to Northern California. As Adam notes, "only so many people are going to get into the stadium to see the Super Bowl or the World Cup - but the transformative power of these events should spread throughout the area." A native of Oregon, a former avid soccer player and founder of the Portland chapter of non-profit that that aims to expand access to playing soccer by providing a free alternative to the pay-to-play model of club soccer. In addition to talking logos, posters, sporting events and trying to name all the counties in the Bay Area, Adam explains how the Bay Area Host Committee has put together a resource kit for small businesses and groups to host public screenings of the games, available at their website: https://bayareahostcommittee.com/2026-bay-area-public-screening-playbook Like all of the Sonoma Spiel podcast guests, Adam takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions. This week he takes on: We received a Sonoma Valley Visitors Guide, along with a personal note from Ellie. We plan on flying into SFO from Edmonton, Alberta. Can you advise the best way to travel from the airport to Sonoma and return to SFO? - Elizabeth I’m planning a visit from American Canyon to the following wineries: Bartholomew Estate, Gundlach Bundschu, Jacuzzi In this area, will it be easy to get Uber/Lyft to travel to, around & back? - via text We just finished doing the Sonoma Valley scavenger hunt but I don’t know how to claim my prize. Where do I get my free wine glass? 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 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

Nick Ciccollela of Muscardini Cellars popped open a bottle of fabulous, limited edition wine (Contessa - get in line, people) and we were off... talking "Italifornian" wines, live music during the summer at their Kenwood tasting room for "Simmer Down Saturday," whatever happened to MTV and "Pimp My Ride," and what the wine industry can do to appeal to new customers. Nick also talks mountain biking at Annadel State Park in Sonoma Valley and confesses that he has no idea what people are talking about when they say there are off-map trails allegedly in the park. And, 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 Nick answers: Which wineries allow outside food in their picnic areas? We did the Sonoma 200th scavenger hunt but I wanted to get my name on the list to win harvest fest tickets. How do I do that? We are not big wine drinkers, but we will drink sparkling wine. Where can we get sparkling wine? What are some good trails for mountain biking in Sonoma Valley? 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. Find out more about Muscardini Cellars and their music series: www.muscardinicellars.com Get in line for Contessa, the Super Tuscan wine from Muscardini: www.muscardinicellars.com/contessa 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

Lisa Pidge, founder of the Laugh Cellar (since 2014) and actual certified pickleball pro, is back on the Spiel with updates on new comedy shows around Sonoma County during the Wine Country Comedy Fest. She talks about how she finds her comedians (this year's lineup includes Chase O'Donnell, Aiko Tanaka, Lisa Gilbert, JJ Barrows, Helen Chu, ​Vien Phommachanh, Amanda Cohen and Solange Castro) and why her wife is a great gardener. She also decries the supposed "Gen Z Stare", what it was like being a latchkey kid and the fact that there was a smoking section on her high school campus back... in... the... day. Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Lisa takes on: Best cafe to hang out on the Plaza and watch the scene? - Visitor from Colombia I was in the Sonoma Plaza and I heard a high piercing shriek coming from the trees above me. It sounded like an eagle. What is it? I was driving along Highway 12 in Kenwood and noticed large piles of what looked like branches and wood in a field all lined up. What are they doing? Hello, we are planning a trip to Sonoma to visit some wineries. I was wondering how long do most tasting last? One hour? - via text 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 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

We don't know if they're dangerous, but we do know they sound good. This year, "Liaisons" is the theme for the Valley of the Moon Music Festival. In this week's podcast we have an engaging and informative liaison with Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivyan, cellist and pianist and wife and husband, and co-directors of the popular chamber music festival that takes place around Sonoma Valley. This year they discuss "Liaisons"—a celebration of artistic and personal connections spanning centuries. "Whether you’re a devoted classical music enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this season promises to transport, inspire, and connect us all through the universal language of music." More information about the Valley of the Moon Music Festival is at: https://valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Tanya and Eric take on: Where are some good places to hear music outdoors in Sonoma? We love classical music and wine - what should pair with our listening? I'm thinking of starting a musical career: should I start with cello or piano? 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 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

Summer in Sonoma! Jump in the pool, get the BBQ going, have a Sonoma Spritz and don't forget to scream for ice cream. Luckily, Ramie Hencmann from Sweet Scoops is here to talk about her delightfully wonderful shop right on the Sonoma Plaza, making homemade ice cream with local fruits and flavors. Ramie's husband Joe has been making ice cream since he was 19, and in Ramie's words he is always thinking about new flavors. "Joe loves making ice cream. He's always thinking about the flavors, and he has the mind to think of how it all will work." And speaking of flavors, we do a tasting of three very delicious samples: vanilla, cherry wine (made with local wine) and lemon blueberry, with blueberries from Serres Ranch and lemons from the backyard trees of various friends and family. Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Ramie answers: Favorite spot and dish to get on the Sonoma Square for a late lunch or afternoon bite? We're at the Sonoma Plaza with kids for the afternoon - what should we do? Where can we cool off in Sonoma Valley? (And did you know you can DoorDash some Sweet Scoops right to your poolside? Yes - Ramie recommends it!) What's your go-to pizza from Mary's in Sonoma? 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. 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 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

Mark Bodenhamer of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce has good news for all you late-night wine tasters: the new "Friday Night Flights" wine tasting program will make sure you can find a wine tasting room open past 5 pm! And there are even restaurants pairing with them to offer corkage deals. But before we get to that, we have to talk about how proud we are of our kids for graduating high school (very) and try to remember our own high school graduations (go Santa Rosa High Panthers!) Like all of our podcasts when Mark is on, the conversation then veers to whatever else is on our mind including the Music In Place Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza concerts, the Broadway in Sonoma from Transcendence Theatre Company and the Sonoma Stompers baseball games. We then try to remember if Carole King is still alive. Is she? Yes? No? Google says... Full listing of all the events we talk about is at https://www.sonomavalley.com/events Like all our podcast guests, Mark answers YOUR Sonoma questions: I saw something called the Old Faithful Geyser is nearby. What is that and where is it? Which winery has the closest vineyards to the Plaza? What kind of cheese does Sonoma make? Best burger to eat with a view? 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 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

Fred Parker has been painting Sonoma Valley for years - vineyards, mountains, oaks and more. But he started his professional career as a photographic curator at a Southern California museum (now the Norton Simon Museum of Art.) In addition to talking about his methods and inspirations, Fred brings along his friend and patron of the arts, who is also the local small-town Sonoma lawyer, Mary Piasta. (I mean, how often does an artist get to bring along their legal counsel to a podcast? Answer: not often enough.) Find Fred Parker Fine Art at www.parkerfineart.com Get all your local legal needs met with Mary Piasta at www.hvplawoffices.com As part of the podcast, Fred and Mary both take part in the time-honored tradition of answering YOUR Sonoma questions. This week they take on: We are visiting Napa arriving Sunday June 29 and staying until Saturday morning July 5. What festivities do you recommend for July 4? - via text Hola! We are visiting soon and looking for some wineries where people can do a tasting in Spanish. ¿Tienes alguna recomendación? I see signs up and down Sonoma Valley that say walk-ins welcome. What does that mean? Bon jour - we are visiting from Quebec. We would like a sandwich, si vous plait. Where should we go? Are there any wineries open late on Fridays? 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 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

There's a new tour in The Springs at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, the Agua Rica comedic history tour, and we had such a good time at it that we forgot to write an intro for our podcast with returning guest Gretchen Schoenstein from the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon and Rose 5K. Gretchen takes a pause from running (she's now doing 5Ks, having retired from running more than 130 half-marathons) to tell us about the big race, what to expect and how to sign up. PLUS, she listens to our very practical pitch that we can replace the cancelled horse racing at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds with amateur athletes dressed up in cow and grape mascot costumes. (Want to run the race? Sign up details here: https://runnapatosonoma.com) Like all of our guests Gretchen takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions, and this week she takes on: We are looking for a recommendation for wine MAKING and/or vineyard tours. Two or three recommendations would be appreciated. - via text HELP! I’m hosting a party for my neighbors Scott and Scott, who are moving to Mexico, and want to choose some Sonoma wines for an informal party in San Francisco in my very small, kind of foggy backyard. - Your Much, Much Older Sister Lisa My grandparents used to live in Sonoma - and we have the street that they lived on- how could we find their address? Where can you go bird watching in Sonoma Valley? 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 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

Robyn Sebastiani is back on the Sonoma Spiel to talk about the Sonoma 200 anniversary celebration AND to help us make a Sonoma Spritz- the hot drink of the summer - live on the podcast. Robyn talks about the summer of celebrations of the 200 years of Sonoma winemaking, from the Sonoma Spritz month, to the scavenger hunt around Sonoma Valley and culminating in the community-wide celebration at the famous Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. And the Sonoma Spritz - made with Sonoma Valley wine and easy-to-find fresh ingredients - is a great way to taste the 200 years of history and have a great time. 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 Robyn takes on: We are visiting and need to rent a wheelchair - where can we rent a wheelchair in Sonoma? Where can I go swimming at the Russian River now? We’re from New Orleans - we’re just sort of driving around - we just hopped in the car in Sacramento and looked up Sonoma - and we noticed there are three Sonomas. So we’re looking for the one with the hills and the wineries and pretty views. Which one is that? Are there any tasting rooms that are coops where you can taste more than one winery in one place? - Visitor from Arizona 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. More information about the Sonoma 200 and all the great events celebrating it are at sonomavalleywine.com. Details about the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is at valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org. 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

The l-o-n-g-e-s-t running wine podcaster in the country just so happened to be near Sonoma Valley, so we tricked him into coming onto our podcast. Ray Fister with Life Between The Vines has done more than a thousand interviews with winemakers from around the world with a simple premise: he sets up the microphone and the camera and hits record. Everything else just comes out of conversation as it flows. "Wine shouldn't be scary," says Ray, who's background as an audio engineer and musician is paired with his love for wine in this passion project. (His website: https://lifebetweenthevines.com.) During the Spiel, Fister relates how his childhood in Cleveland and working in hospitality brought him to learn about wine, and how he's met winemakers from New York to Florida to Michigan and all over California, Oregon and Washington. Like all our podcast guests he takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions, and this time he takes on: -We had a great time wine tasting in Sonoma, and want to find some wines from where we are from in the Midwest. What’s a good way to find Midwestern Wines? And how are they different than those in California? -I’ve really enjoyed listening to the Sonoma Spiel podcast, but I want to take a deeper dive into the world of wine podcasting. Can you recommend some good wine podcasts? -I'm reaching out to request for a lodging recommendation in Sonoma & Napa . This is for a VIP group planning a trip in the area and the main purpose is to play golf as well as winery visit. The organizer is looking for a lodging with a golf course in both Sonoma and Napa. -Where can I smoke on the Sonoma Plaza? 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 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

Rod Marymor from Music In Place brings professional musicians to the Sonoma Plaza for free concerts for the community to enjoy. What started as a way to keep musicians working during the pandemic has grown to a movement bringing concerts to the people in the Grinstead Amphitheatre at the Sonoma Plaza. Rod goes over the schedule for the summer and highlights the diversity of the concerts, with performers coming from all over the Bay Area to entertain. Oh - and there will be wine, because this is Sonoma. He also promos the first "Battle of the Bands" to be held outdoors in the Sonoma Plaza, an all-day extravaganza with local teens showcasing their talents the weekend before Bottlerock. Is this the beginning of "Baby Bottlerock?" Find out! Rod talks a bit more about his days as a journeyman drummer in bands and how hard it is to make a living as a musician. But, it is rewarding if you love the work. Somewhere along the way we take a side trip to old radio and movie sounds with an impromptu foley (sound effects) demonstration. More info on Music in Place at: https://musicinplace.org Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Rod Marymor takes on: Hi, What are the dimensions of the Sonoma Plaza? Inside/outside? Thanks! - via text I’m visiting from Tucson and attending a conference in San Francisco. We’d like to come up and do some wine tasting - I like Pinot Noir, my friend likes Cabernet Sauvignon. Any suggestions? Where can I find a good strawberry stand in Sonoma? Can I order more than one visitor guide - like a box? Can I get a box of visitor guides? 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 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