Best Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau Podcasts (2025)

1
You get a medal! You get a medal! Everyone gets a medal at the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon! 52:46

6d ago52:46

52:46

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, havi…

1
Spritz-O'Clock! Celebrating Sonoma 200 Years of Winemaking with Robyn Sebastiani 49:06

14d ago49:06

49:06

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 cul…

1
Vine Life: King of Wine Podcasts "Life Between The Vines" crashes the Sonoma Spiel 1:01:50

28d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

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. Ever…

1
Free Summer Concerts in Sonoma: Rod Marymor Talks Sunday Performances on the Sonoma Plaza 59:03

1M ago59:03

59:03

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 h…

1
Max Pond : Chocolate Maker and Football Coach Talks The Chocolate Cow and Friday Night Lights 49:48

1M ago49:48

49:48

Cows make chocolate, right? Otherwise why would one of the favorite chocolate stores in Sonoma be called "The Chocolate Cow?" Known for shaved ice, ice cream, gelato, hot chocolate, truffles and an incredible candy selection, the Chocolate Cow is a must-stop for visitors to the Sonoma Plaza. In this episode we learn about the types of chocolate, ho…

1
A Bohemian in Sonoma: Daedalus Howell on alt-weeklies, live music, indy films and the news biz 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

Daedalus Howell is the editor of the North Bay Bohemian, "an award-winning alternative newsweekly serving Sonoma & Napa counties." And he's a poet. And a self-taught filmmaker. And an author. And a musician, because that's a thing in Sonoma. Some quick notes we pick along the way: Philip Marlowe, the fictional, hard-boiled noir detective, was born …

1
Sonoma in Style: Malia Anderson on fashion, style and the challenge of wine country casual 56:42

2M ago56:42

56:42

It's always fun when Malia Anderson of Style my Malia riffs on fashion, image and style. Malia roundly rejects the "Costco Dad" look as as a "personal look," while extolling her youthful desire to be Dominique Devereaux from Dynasty. (And really, who wouldn't?) In a free-wheeling conversation we talk about when to wear cut-off jeans ("jorts"), how …

1
Swimming in Sonoma Valley: Sonoma Splash talks cooling off, exercise, community and fun 56:49

2M ago56:49

56:49

Splish splash in Sonoma- we're talking about the new Sonoma Splash Aquatic Center in Sonoma Valley with Jane Hansen and Allyson Etherington. Tidbits include that Allyson's mom is a long-distance open water swimmer who took photos of other swimmers while swimming away from Alcatraz (and recently swam the Maui channel,) that Jane has been swimming fo…

1
Maui in Sonoma: The Crossover Podcast Event of the Year! 52:50

2M ago52:50

52:50

There's no physical bridge between Maui and Sonoma, but there is a spiritual one. Our friends from the Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau just happened to be in the San Francisco Bay Area to talk about why you should go visit Maui now, and we tricked them into coming onto the podcast. (We told them they would be our Very Special Guests, and This Tim…

1
Almost spring! Steve Ledson on Kenwood, Ledson Winery, and not sleeping much 50:17

3M ago50:17

50:17

Rancher, hay baler, contractor, winemaker... if Steve Ledson sat in our podcast studio any longer he probably would have admitted to several other jobs he has had over a varied life in and around the Sonoma Valley. This week on the Sonoma Spiel podcast he talks about growing up in the northern Sonoma Valley area of Kenwood and exploring the woods t…

1
ACTION! Sonoma International Film Fest with Ginny Krieger 49:51

3M ago49:51

49:51

Ginny Krieger with the Sonoma International Film Fest is back on the Sonoma Spiel podcast (three-peat!) to talk about the upcoming film festival (March) and the more than 100 films showing during the big event. Like all the SIFF events there is a curious culinary component and this year it's a fiesta of Italian cooking with "Marcella's Italian Dinn…

1
"My chateau is made of tin." Paul Giusto (Highway 12 Winery) on Sonoma Sips and winemaking 57:08

3M ago57:08

57:08

You can't swing a cat without knocking over a baby sheep in Sonoma Valley in Spring - and Paul Giusto, a three time repeat guest, is back on the Sonoma Spiel to talk Highway 12 Winery and Sonoma Sips. While we get the important words out of the way - namely the ones we aren't supposed to say on the radio- we then dive into winemaking, what it's lik…

1
Sonoma Speaker Series: Big Thoughts in a Little Town. Kathy Witkowicki Tells All 52:37

4M ago52:37

52:37

Kathy Witkowicki stumbled into setting up a wildly successful public speakers program when she failed at being retired (life got boring) and Gavin Newsom couldn't make it to an event, but his interesting, film-making wife could. The outcome was the Sonoma Speakers Series, an all-volunteer organization that puts together a world-class program with e…

1
Consider the Foodie: MFK Fisher, Celebrity Chefs, Crab Feasts and more with Clark Wolf 1:07:11

4M ago1:07:11

1:07:11

Of course we started the podcast with a report from our trip to the Sonoma Farmers Market, because this week we had a very special guest - and this time we actually mean it- Clark Wolf, the energetic, food-obsessed, speaking-a-mile-a-minute food consultant and radio show host. And cheesemonger. And writer. Clark rips rapid-fire into tales about Ig …

1
Sonoma's Award-Winning Visitor Center Volunteers: Dennis & Diane 52:56

4M ago52:56

52:56

Dennis & Diane Mitchell won the Sonoma County "Visitor Center Volunteers of the Year" award and in spite of that pedigree, still came on the Sonoma Spiel podcast. Though they haven't been volunteering for a long time (two and a half years), they have deep experience working in the wine industry, starting in the Livermore Valley. But wait, they've a…

1
Run from Napa to Sonoma with Gretchen! Half-marathons, wine in the plaza and coffee fiends 1:02:30

5M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

The Napa to Sonoma Half-Marathon is one of the top runs in the United States, and includes the half-marathon and a 5K fun run, in addition to a food and wine celebration. Local runner Gretchen Schoenstein talks about the race and the route that takes runners from the vineyards of Napa (where you might see a hot air balloon!) past rustic barns to th…

1
Wellness in Sonoma: Lori Varsames tastes super juices; talks wine, wellness and coaching 1:03:02

5M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

"Wine supported my France habit..." Lori Varsames started in Vermont, studied French, ended up in France doing bike tours, learning about wine, then selling French wine, then moving to New Mexico in search of change, met her husband, and then landed in... Sonoma Valley. Not to strike it rich, but to strike it well. This week on the Sonoma Spiel pod…

1
Moving slow, kinda confused, & reviewing the year: Sonoma Spiel year-end wrap up with Bob Taylor 53:37

5M ago53:37

53:37

He performed the intro music, he did the outro music, he edited the podcast AND he makes sure the mics are plugged in: Bob Taylor from Sonoma TV and KSVY is our Very Special Guest (this time we actually mean it) and we review the year passed and the year ahead. We debate whether or not chocolate chip cookies are actually Christmas cookies (no) and …

1
Water's for fighting: Photographer George Rose talks wine, water and his new book 1:00:17

6M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

George Rose is an award-winning photographer whose career has taken him from hard news in LA and celebrity portraits to in-house PR and photographer for some of the best wineries in California. He stops by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to discuss the convoluted way California allocates water and how many communities rely on shipping it from wet Northern…

1
Hola Sonoma! Angie Sanchez talks Mexican handicrafts, chocolate crickets and the arts 56:00

6M ago56:00

56:00

Angie Sanchez started the Hola Vida Collective to showcase unique gifts and foods from and inspired by Mexico. Located "right next to the Red Grape (Sonoma's go-to pizza place)" the store has handicrafts and gifts and art that with a Latino flair. "Sonoma Valley is Michoacan, Oaxaca and Jalisco," Sanchez notes, rattling off the home regions for the…

1
Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza 2024 - Review! 22:58

6M ago22:58

22:58

Hey everyone - not your typical podcast this week. This is the recap of the brightest night in wine country: The Lighting of the Sonoma Plaza. Enjoy! If you want to watch the whole show, or some of the segments, find them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsKpmmTmnfOjx5_W9mqu6xJq Sponsors for the Lighting of the Plaza…

1
On the Sonoma Farm Trails with Carmen Snyder 55:38

7M ago55:38

55:38

More than fifty years ago, forward-thinking farmers in Sonoma County created Farm Trails, the oldest organization of it's kind in the United States, dedicated to promoting local farms directly to customers. Carmen Snyder of Sonoma County Farm Trails talks about the origins of the group, their beloved Gravenstein Apple Fair and how visitors can best…

1
¡Wepa! Boricua in Sonoma: Jose Luciano talks tips for Sonoma visitors & Puerto Rican cooking 48:43

7M ago48:43

48:43

Jose Luciano oversees the visitor centers operations in Sonoma Valley and knows where to eat and drink. He started his schooling at Purdue with plans of becoming a veterinarian, but took a detour into hospitality and a career with Marriott Hotels. In this edition of the Spiel he talks about the joys of fried Puerto Rican treats (alcapurrias), as we…

1
Talkin' bout K-pop Music: DJ Everest talks radio, first time voting and her amazing father 52:17

7M ago52:17

52:17

"It's very stressful and I don't know what I'm doing." Everest, DJ for Sonoma K-pop Hour, thinks this applies to both life in high school as well as being a first time voter. While she is indeed a "very special guest star" and this time we actually, actually mean it, she is also a smart, witty and introspective young woman. In this episode she talk…

1
How do you like them apples? Cider in Sonoma with Rick from Pomme Cider Shop 56:39

7M ago56:39

56:39

We're doing a pomme reading this week on the Sonoma Spiel with Rick from wine country's best cider shop - Pomme Cider. French for apple, Pomme has a selection of gluten-free ciders as well as champagnes and "pet-nat" wines. We taste three ciders of the 125 we has available, and go through his journey from beer-lover to cider-swiller and what makes …

1
Susan Gorin Unfiltered: Some final thoughts and advice from outgoing County Supervisor 1:14:58

7M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

Susan Gorin has been in political office for several decades (from school board to city council to county supervisor) and is nearing the end of her elected career. What's her take on California's crazy politics where we entrust voters with multiple ballot initiatives.? What did she want to accomplish and what was she able to get done? And does she …

1
Longer stays in Sonoma: Cemeteries of Wine Country with Carolyn Fulton 47:54

8M ago47:54

47:54

While most of our guests on the Sonoma Spiel podcast are well-versed in what to do during a three to four-day visit to Sonoma Valley, this week's guest has customers that stay a bit longer. Forever, even. Carolyn Fulton got her start working in restaurants in Healdsburg after high school, and has had stops at Agilent and others before she came to t…

1
Adopt a pet in Sonoma? Yes! Kittens and puppies and more! Jody Purdom from Pet's Lifeline tells all 41:58

8M ago41:58

41:58

Come take a few rounds on the diurnal swing - it's hot during the day, it's cool at night; harvest action is ripping along at a frenetic pace, and the Valley is abuzz with activity! What can calm us down? A kitten. Or a puppy. So Jody Purdom from Pet's Lifeline is on the podcast this week talking about how to adopt a pet in Sonoma Valley, the impor…

1
Lebanese Spread in Sonoma: Cristina Topham talks yacht chef life, French cooking and bad bosses 47:01

8M ago47:01

47:01

We forgot to write down our introduction when we first thought of it, so our intro is about our lack of intros. Luckily we didn't sweat it too much, because Chef Cristina Topham of Spread Kitchen in Sonoma is a laid-back very-special-guest on the Sonoma Spiel. So laid-back she won't follow the recipes exactly as written (sorry, Grandma!) but rather…

1
Vintage Festival: Grape Stomping, Water-Fighting, Wine Tasting Celebration with Robyn Sebastiani 44:56

9M ago44:56

44:56

The smell of harvest is in the air: open top fermenters, grapes being crushed and even the "Sonoma aroma" of fertilizer on the fields. And with harvest comes the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, when Sonoma Valley comes together to celebrate the hard work of the year's vintage. Robyn Sebastiani of the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers details al…

1
Harvest time! Ryan Budlong and Bernie the Dog from St. Francis Winery in Sonoma 48:38

9M ago48:38

48:38

Bernie the rescue dog brought Ryan Budlong with St. Francis Winery to the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk about the Blessing of the Animals, how to take a Vineyard Adventure through their estate to learn about how their grapes are grown and why their culinary garden is now the culinary farm. While Bernie stays pretty quiet, Ryan also details the amazi…

1
Fall 2024- The Pumpkining! Mark Bodenhamer on Sonoma Harvest and Pumpkin Tossing 47:51

9M ago47:51

47:51

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 "F…

1
Public has strong opinions about public art: Linda Keaton from Sonoma Valley Museum of Art 43:45

10M ago43:45

43:45

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.…

1
Beer Pioneer: America's First Modern Microbrewery - Jane Zimmerman & New Albion Brewing Company 54:12

10M ago54:12

54:12

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 …

1
Karina's Guide to the Springs: Where to eat, drink & have fun in "The Springs" of Sonoma Valley 46:27

10M ago46:27

46:27

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 Boy…

1
No Clouds in the Sonoma Sky - Just Sonoma Balloons! Hot Air Ballooning in Wine Country 54:32

10M ago54:32

54:32

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…

1
Cassidy Ranch Farmers talk flowers, shrubs and tell Florida Man about clouds 46:32

10M ago46:32

46:32

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 V…

1
Laugh your pickle off: Lisa Pidge on comedy, pickleball and wine 54:32

11M ago54:32

54:32

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 ne…

1
Gleaning for justice: Kelly Conrad talks Farm to Pantry in Sonoma 48:08

12M ago48:08

48:08

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…

1
From Ohio to Sonoma: Broadway Performers Preview "Broadway in Sonoma" with Amy Miller and Tony Gonzalez 49:35

1y ago49:35

49:35

Returning Very Special Guest star Amy Miller brought fellow Buckeye Tony Gonzalez to the Spiel to preview the BRAND NEW season of Transcendence Theatre Company's summer series, and to detail how the new location - just steps from the historic Plaza - make this a truly magical moment for "Broadway in Sonoma." During a rather raucous chat we cover th…

1
Dash the Sloth! Plus Safari West Foundation with Classroom Safari 55:40

1y ago55:40

55:40

Safari West Foundation provides funding for programs like an "animals in hospitals" program for children who are hospital-bound, as well as a program that brings children to the Safari West, a 400-acre preserve with giraffes, gnus, lemurs and all manner of amazing African animals who are in conservation programs. The Foundation also focuses on educ…

1
Talking Stars in the Valley of the Moon: Robert Ferguson Observatory's Stephanie Derammelaere 1:02:59

1y ago1:02:59

1:02:59

Not many places have a professional-level, volunteer-run observatory open to the public. But not many places have the Robert Ferguson Observatory. Luckily, Sonoma Valley does. Executive Director Stephanie Derammelaere explains the mission of the observatory, how it came to be, why Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a good place to see planets and stars …

1
Mustafa has No Chill: Sonoma restaurants, hikes and adventures with NoChillMustafa 1:02:38

1y ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Mustafa Tolosa always "goes to eleven" - the local restaurant reviewer started off taking photos of his steak while on a date with his wife, and from there it has grown into a Wine Country go-to spot for locals looking for the low-down on food trucks, restaurants and more. "I'm not a food critic - I'm a highlighter. I like to highlight things," say…

1
Author's Festival Returns: Amy Tan, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Grann et al in Sonoma talking ideas 42:53

1y ago42:53

42:53

The Sonoma Valley Author's Festival is in it's seventh year in Sonoma, and founders Ginny and David Freeman come to the Sonoma Spiel and share their passion for books and the ideas expressed within. As Ginny notes, "It's an ideas festival - it's small and curated and intimate." This year we find out that among the many author's attending includes h…

1
Natural Sonoma: Caitlin Cornwall on ecology, native plants, bad idea trees & waterfalls 59:36

1y ago59:36

59:36

Caitlin Cornwall of the Sonoma Ecology Center returns to the Spiel to give her review of the eclipse (thumbs up), talk redwoods as yard trees in dry valley floors (thumbs down, usually) and encourage us to create diverse ecosystems with native plants in your front yard to get the best birds. She also details the upcoming events at Sugarloaf State P…

1
Some Blue Nun, a green valley and Laurel Glen Vineyards: Bettina Sichel 56:42

1y ago56:42

56:42

Bettina Sichel got her start with Blue Nun, one of the most famous wines of the past 100 years and the one that put German wine on the map (and which her great grandfather started) and is now with Laurel Glen Vineyards in Glen Ellen. Specializing in (and famous for) cabernet sauvignon, the winery is now branching out to rose and sauvignon blanc. Wa…

1
Hello Girls! Maeve Smith directs musical theater, sells wine & talks World War One 57:01

1y ago57:01

57:01

Maeve Smith is the director of Sonoma Arts Live's latest musical, "The Hello Girls," which details the story of American women who answered the call to be switchboard operators for the US Army Signal Corps during World War I. They had to speak French, know how to operate specialized communications equipment and serve near the front lines - and yet …

1
Exploring the trails of Cheese: The Straus Siblings (Vivian & Michael) talk the California Cheese Trail 53:24

1y ago53:24

53:24

They grew up on a dairy farm in West Marin, where the fog rolls in and grassy hills meet the rugged beaches of the Pacific Ocean, and now they are the force behind the California Cheese Trail. Vivian and Michael Straus left Marin for Portland (Vivian) and an ashram in India (Michael) but then came back to help save the family ranch and raise the pr…

1
I'm on a community... radio: KSVY at 20 years with James Marshall Berry and Bob Taylor 47:46

1y ago47:46

47:46

From Kenwood to Carneros, to Santa Rosa and Petaluma and Napa and more - coming to you LIVE and IN YOUR HEAD at THOUSANDS OF WATTS of RADIO POWER - it's KSVY-FM! Bob Taylor and James Marshall Berry talk two decades of Sonoma radio and reminisce about how it connects community, provides a crucial link during times of duress and is a true taste of So…

1
Beau Bridges, chef Susan Feniger, Ethan Hawke, Luc Besson & Sonoma International Film Festival 51:20

1y ago51:20

51:20

Ginny Krieger from the Sonoma International Film Festival is back on the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk all things film, food and wine. But this time, she's brought Carl Spence, artistic director and film fan, who gives the rundown on some of the major U.S. premiers of films at one of the best film festivals in the country. As always our guests answe…

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Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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