"The Good Stuff"

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with executive wine editor at Food and Wine, Ray Isle. Ray is one of the wine world’s foremost writers and speakers. He has been writing about wine, spirits, and cocktails for 20 years, regularly appears on national television and in other media, and speaks at wine and food events around the globe. He shares details about his new book, The World in a Wineglass: The Insiders’ Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Scott Beattie, author of Artisinal Cocktails. Scott shares the details of how he got interested in using fresh ingredients in cocktails and using chef techniques to create truly delicious drinks. We learn about his background working at Cyrus, and where he is currently creating delicious beverages at Barn Diva. You can learn to create cocktails with fresh ingredients by taking a class at Barn Diva! In the final minutes of the show, Scott wows us by whipping up three amazing cocktails. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine (and cocktail!) picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Aniysa Fritz, Proprietor and Experience Manager at Lynmar Estates. She shares her experience refocusing the customer experience at Lynmar Estates by remodeling the tasting room, expanding the gardens, creating a private events program, and exploring food and wine pairings with Executive Chef David Frakes. Aniysa talks about her experience as an educator and how that influenced her decision to take over the TED Talks in Sonoma County. (Fun fact – The Good Stuff show got its name from Karissa’s TED Talk!) Anisya continues to teach Wine Business courses at nearby SonomaState University, consult with several global humanitarian relief organizations and lecture worldwide onhumanitarian logistics. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Tucker Taylor, Director of Culinary Gardens for Kendall-Jackson at Jackson Family Wines. Tucker was always interested in growing things and ended up transforming the gardens at the French Laundry in Yountville. He then was hired on in 2013 to take over the gardens at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens in Santa Rosa. Tucker grows unique items for the KJ culinary team to use in tastings and dinners, as well as produce for upscale restaurants throughout the Bay Area. He also uses the gardens to demonstrate sustainable practices and educate the public with garden tours.  Another new aspect of his work with KJ is training two truffle hunting dogs to search for truffles on property inoculated with truffles. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Amy Gutierrez, award-winning broadcaster and author, about wine, baseball, and enjoying the Good Stuff! Amy G recently helped Sonoma County Winegrowers tell the stories of Sonoma County grape growers to Giants fans and Karissa shares some exciting news about the future of this relationship. Amy G talks about how many feel intimidated about baseball and think if they don’t know everything about the sport, they can’t fully engage in the enjoyment of the game. The same could be said about casual wine drinkers. But Amy G sees a connection between these fans of baseball and wine, and wants everyone to feel comfortable, regardless of expertise. She also talks about her podcast Girl, How’d You Get That Gig? And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Samantha Cole-Johnson, Senior Editor US for Jancis Robinson. Sam shares her path to becoming a wine writer. She has a insatiable curiosity and loves to learn everything there is to know about the wine industry. She spent multiple seasons taking part in harvest, and finds that there is so much more insight when you start from the beginning of a grow and stay all the way through harvest. Sam loves to share the stories of growers, winemakers, and producers. Sam and Virginie compare notes on what it is like to judge wines. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Jenny Hemmer, Executive Director of Guild Somm and Sommelier and Wine Educator Rachel Thralls with Sonoma County Winegrowers. How do somms learn about wines and wine regions? This show dives into the education and outreach, facilitated by organizations like Sonoma County Winegrowers and Guild Somm, that helps sommeliers become familiar with our region. There are special programs like Top Somm, Master Classes, and Sip & Learn that all offer interesting ways to taste wines and get the sense of place for Sonoma County. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Mark Hanson, co-founder and CEO of Bricoleur Vineyards, and his Executive Chef, Thomas Bellec. Mark Hanson decided to become a family farmer and winegrower after a successful career as an entrepreneurial software and private equity executive in the Bay Area. With Bricoleur, Mark knew he wanted to focus on the experience of wine and food together, and so he brought in Chef Thomas Bellec to highlight seasonal foods from the garden, paired with delicious wines. Chef Bellec’s experience spanning nearly 2 decades with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts prepared him for this role at Bricoleur Vineyards. Chef Bellec starts with the wine and through tasting the wine, he develops pairings and menus. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Honore Comfort, Head of International Marketing for the Wine Institute. Karissa and Virginie talk with Honore about how they met and bonded over their roles in the wine industry, especially in terms of making a commitment to sustainability and how to achieve those goals. Honore served as executive director of Sonoma County Vintners previously, and also grows and makes her own wine, with a focus on unique Italian varietals. As Sonoma County and California wines in general become more and more recognized for quality and innovation, Honore forges ahead to share our strengths with other wine regions and wine connoisseurs around the world. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.