What's Cookin' on Wine : Sonoma Wine Report on CRN

 Jean Arnold Sessions - Executive Director, The Sonoma County Vintners Association  When it came time to select the New Executive Director of The Sonoma County Vintners Association, Jean was the clear choice. Accepting the position after a unanimous vote by the Directors, there is no question that the Association is in the best possible hands. We talk about what it takes to run a very influential organization in the California Wine Country, and the challenge of hitting the ground running with the Wine Country Weekend coming up for Labor Day.  Dennis Martin - Former Chief Winemaker, Fetzer Vineyards  After taking Fetzer Vineyards to being a world class winery as the Chief Winemaker, Dennis retired this year. Everyone in the industry knows what a great Winemaker, and exceptional guy Fetzer lost. Being a Wine Judge, and traveling, Dennis is as always very involved in the Northern California wine game. We talk about the changes the past few years have brought, and what he thinks the direction will be in the future.

 Jude Affronti - Executive Chef, FountainGrove Inn  New to The Steakhouse at Equus, Jude is the Executive Chef. The FountainGrove Inn took a different direction and re branded Equus Restaurant with a new identity, and as an upscale Wine Country Steakhouse, Jude fits right in. We learn about what it takes to run one of Sonoma County's most recognized food and beverage spots, and at the same time deal with the big changes.  Timo Marshall - Co-Founder, Spirit Works Distillery One of the big success stories in the Sonoma Wine Country is Spirit Works in Sebastopol. Located in the trendy Barlow Center, Spirit works is getting rave reviews from all who have tried the vodka, gin, and whiskey. Timo the owner and distiller has a book worthy story about how he found his dream in Northern California, and tells us about the ins and outs of making world class spirits.

 Ray Johnson - Dean of the Wine Business Institute, Sonoma State University Not only is Ray Dean of the Wine Business School at Sonoma State University, Ray is also an author, world traveler, and one of the Directors of The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. We talk about the recent ground break for the new Wine Spectator Learning Center at Sonoma State, and what it means to the Wine Industry in California. George Christie -  CEO, Wine Industry Network George has his finger on the pulse of all things wine. George was recently at the celebration for the Learning Center at Sonoma State, and will give an industry perspective of what we can expect in the coming years.

 James Caudill - Director, Public Relations & Hospitality, The Hess Collection Winery A long time pro in the wine business, Jim has been with the big names, Jackson Family, Brown Forman, The Hess Collection and many more. We talk about a veterans perspective of the new trends in the industry and what he thinks is in store in the coming years & The new association with Westwood Anadell Gap Vineyard will be announced. Ben Cane - Head Winemaker, Westwood Wines Originally from Australia, Ben is the Winemaker at Westwood Vineyards in Sonoma County. With only a few vintages released, Westwood hit it out of the park winning the sweepstakes award at The North Coast Wine Challenge last month. The best of the best was the Westwood Pinot Noir and it won the award by the largest margin in the history of the competition.

 Steve Falk - Chief Executive Officer, Sonoma Media  Steve is the Publisher of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Northern California's most important Wine Country newspaper. With a background on the East Coast and on the set up team for USA Today, Steve came to the San Francisco Bay Area and was President of The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, before moving to being publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle. Being the visionary he is, the Chronicle sponsored what has become The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world. Four yeas ago the idea for The Best of the Best Wine Competition came to light. The North Coast Wine Challenge came into being, and now has a reputation for having the very best wines, judges, and is thought of as the Best of the Best. We talk about the recent competition, and the Public Tasting coming up.  Daryl Groom - Owner/Winemaker, Groom Wines After making his mark on Australian wines, Daryl came to California and took the position as Winemaker at Geyser Peak Winery. Awarded Winemaker of the Year by a number of Journals and organizations, Daryl started Groom Wines in Australia, and was nicknamed The Flying Winemaker. As he travels and consults, he has also taken the position of Head Judge for The North Coast Wine Challenge. Many years as a Judge, and tasting some of the best wine made on earth gives him the perspective to be part of The Best of the Best. We talk about the Competition, and the Colby Red project he partners with his son.

Jesse Katz - Founder and Winemaker, Devil Proof Vineyard Jesse comes to his new venture with some impressive credentials. Having worked for some impressive properties, and being part of a family known world wide for it's involvement in the wine/vineyard industry, The new Devil Proof  wines are what he says are the best he has ever done. We talk about starting a big venture at such a young age, and the costs and benefits of being one of the new wave of Winemakers.

 Dan Berger - Wine Columnist, Vintage Experiences  Respected Wine Author, Judge, and the Director of the new Dan Berger Wine Competition, Dan talks to us about what's the newest in the world of wine. We touch on the Dr. Richard Peterson book, Winemaker and get a look at what the 2016 vintage may be like. Also on the show, A recap of The North Coast Wine Challenge, perhaps the Best of the Best Wine Competition in California. The event, put on by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

 Darren LaShelle - Content Manager, KRCB Television One of only a few PBS auctions in the U.S. featuring wine as the theme. The KRCB Wine Auction takes place in April this year, and runs for two weekends. Managing Senior Producer, Darren LaShelle has a monumental job with a live TV format. Your chance to bid on some unique items is just around the corner as the wineries in Northern California make available some special lots, not normally seen. Winery stays, special bottles, tours, lunches and dinners, are just some of the things up for bid. Tune to KRCR in The Bay Area, or check in on the internet to support  PBS, and find a treasure for yourself.  Cyrille Hanson - Manager/Buyer, Wilibees Wines & Spirits Cyrille is the Wine Buyer for Wilibees, one of the most fashionable places for your wine, bar, and market  needs. When you are in The Northern California Wine Country, check out Wilibees for tastings, education, food events and a most impressive staff. With locations in both Petaluma, and Santa Rosa, you will find a specialty market that is beyond compare. We talk with Cyrille about the workings of a high end retail outlet, and her choices for some of the best wines around.

Aaron Costa - President, Healdsburg Vino Tours If you are coming to Sonoma, and looking for a great tour and Tour Guide, look no farther. Aaron Costa the principle in Healdsburg Vino Tours, is the newest, and one of the best in the business. New to the tour game, but not new to wine, Aaron will arrange everything for you, and customize your day to your specifications. We talk about the best of time in the Wine Country, and give tips on what you should ask for to have a perfect day. Dan Barwick - Winemaker, Paradise Ridge Winery One of the biggest supporters of CRN in all of Sonoma County, Dan is a regular guest on The Sonoma Report. Mike Horn of the What's Cookin Today Show, is a big fan of the wines Dan produces at Paradise Ridge Winery. With a large assortment of award winning wines, and one of the most beautiful spots in the county, Paradise Ridge is a "must visit" when in Sonoma County. We talk about the recent releases, and the outlook for the 2016 vintage.

 Lee Hodo - Owner, Four Tier Communications A veteran in the wine business, Lee is also the owner of Four Tier Communications. We talk about the newest trends in wine and in specific, the Toad Hollow portfolio.  Neil Bernardi - Vice President, Duckhorn Wine Company, Winemaking Neil works with the Migration label. A busy life as a young father, and his duties at Duckhorn, he is also a Professional Wine Judge. We talk about the responsibilities involved in working for a business with world wide recognition, and what he thinks may happen with the 2016 vintage.

Beth Costa -  Executive Director, The Wine Road  As the Executive Director of The Wine Road, Beth is in charge of  the most events ever this year. The biggest event by far, The Wine Road Barrel Tasting to be held the first two weekends in March. The largest tasting  in the world, Wine Road will bring together tasters and principles in Sonoma County.  We talk about the best way to approach the event, and Beth's ideas about a perfect weekend. Miro Tcholakov - Winemaker, Trentadue Winery Mr. Tcholakov is always on the go. Deeply involved in Rhone wines and sitting on boards and panels all over, the Wine Road Barrel Tasting is one more of the things on Miro's mind. We talk about the new vintages, the 2016 possibilities and the recent awards won at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Katie Wetzel Murphy - Owner & Brand Ambassador, Alexander Valley Vineyards  Alexander Valley Vineyards began in 1962, located in the heart of the Alexander Valley, it is known for a wide variety of award winning wines. Katie is Owner/Brand Ambassador, and has wide ranging responsibilities . We talk about the winery, taste some of the new releases, and find out about a very special winery event coming up in the near future. Jennifer Higgins - Winemaker, Lambert Bridge Winery  After a very impressive background in the industry including stints at Simi, Clos du Bois, and Lancaster, Jennifer has found a home at Lambert Bridge Winery.  Producing some of the finest wines in Sonoma County. Lambert Bridge is located in a beautiful spot just outside of Healdsburg California. We try the wines, and talk about the outlook for the 2016 vintage.

Dan Kosta - Partner, Kosta Browne Winery The respected partner in Kosta Browne Winery, and good friend of CRN, Dan has a new project just launched and will be with us to give the details. AldenAlli is the new label and the involvement with one of Americas most famous Chefs is the big news. We talk about all of the aspects of wine in Dan's life, and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition that took place the first week of January . Ray Johnson - Director, The Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University Ray has a major responsibility at The Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University , along with that, Ray is an author, world traveler, and Wine Judge. We talk about the big project at the university, and the results from the Chronicle Wine Competition.

 Carl Brandhorst -  President, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Carl is in the studio with us as he visits for The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Carl represents some of the best wines made in the eastern U.S, and will be here as a judge for the largest competition of American wines in the world. We will talk about the differences in styles of wines on the two coasts, and across America.  Chris Morano -  Chief Concierge, The FountainGrove Inn  As Chief Concierge at The FountainGrove Inn located in Santa Rosa California, Chris is the man who can put you on the right track to a fun, and interesting visit in Sonoma County. Chris tells us about the big award he just accepted, and all aspects of visiting Sonoma's Wine Country. We will also get a preview of The Steakhouse at the Equus Restaurant.

Remy Martin -  Brewer & Partner, Fogbelt Brewing Company Remy comes from a noted background in Sonoma County. Son of a Master Winemaker, Remy with a partner, opened Fogbelt, and is already getting accolades in what is a hot spot for beer making in Santa Rosa. Remy tells us the ins and outs of starting a brewery, and offers his choices of favorite beers. Kelly Comstock Ferris - General Manager, Comstock Wines Comstock Winery is in the Dry Creek Valley. Kelly is the lead of one of the newest of the Sonoma County wineries. Kelly has a keen insight into focused business, and fine wines. We talk about the mix between the good life in Sonoma County, and the hard work getting established.

William Seppi - General Manager, Costeaux French Bakery The best of the best in Sonoma County is brought to life at Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsberg. Winning the National Bakery of the Year Award is just one aspect of how they got the reputation they have. Will Seppi is the second generation to take the helm, and has been noticed by his community for his efforts in making The Northern California Wine Country what we all appreciate . Pastries, tortes, cookies breads, and one of the greatest cafes around make this a must visit when in Sonoma County. We talk about the holidays, and the involvement in The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Costeaux has. Scotty Gross - Sales,  Classic Wines of California Scotty is a veteran in the wine business. Working for Classic Wines of California , Scotty holds the title WSET II  for his involvement in wine education. We talk about finding a special wine for a holiday feast, and a great Champagne for New Years.

Christopher Sawyer - Long time Sommelier Chris recently has branched out as a Journalist, Consultant , and is involved in all aspects of wine. We talk about his involvement in the choice of wine for the White House Thanksgiving dinner , and the upcoming holiday events in Northern California Wine Country. Nancy Walker - Partner at Stephan & Walker  Nancy has long been  involved in the business of wine. One of three partners in Stephan & Walker, she consistently wins top awards at wine competitions. Our conversation is about making a sweepstakes winning late harvest wine, and what to look forward to in the 2015 vintage lineup.

Chris Smith - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat  The Santa Rosa Press Democrat is at the top of the list for California Wine County Newspapers. Chris is the doyen of writers for the paper covering all aspects of Wine Country life. We will talk about the terrible fire in Lake County and our prospects for ending the dry spell . As the best resource about local happenings, Chris will also give us the story on what to do when visiting Sonoma County during the Fall and Holiday season.  Also, I have an update on the changes in the Equus Restaurant and The FountainGrove Inn. 

Jon Phillips - Owner & Winemaker, Inspiration Vineyards  Inspiration Vineyards is one of the boutique wineries in Sonoma . Jon, the Owner/Winemaker comes to winemaking after a very successful career in the IT industry. Having established Inspiration Vineyards, a Urban Winery, Jon has gone on to win accolades from the press, and many awards in wine competitions. We will talk about the 2015 vintage , and what to do this time of year in Northern California .  Bob Peak - Partner & Teacher, The Beverage People  The Beverage People is without a question the most successful wine, beer, vinegar, and cheese making supply house north of San Francisco. Bob is a partner and teacher for the shop and has his thumb on the pulse of what is happening in the world of homemade fermented staples.  We will talk about the perfect holiday gift for the wine, cheese, vinegar, and beer fan.

Mike Martini - General Manager, Taft Street Winery  As a principle in Taft Street Winery , one might think that Mike has more than enough on his plate. President of The Harvest Fair Board of Directors , and being the past Mayor of Santa Rosa are just a couple of the extras he has taken on. Mike will be with us to talk about the recent harvest , and what he believes the 2015 vintage promises. Chris Morano - Chief Concierge, FountainGrove Inn  As Chief Concierge at The FountainGrove Inn, Chris is in charge of making your stay as memorable as possible. Tickets to a concert, private winery tours, special events, these are just a sample of what he can arrange. We will talk about the often overlooked Sonoma County attractions , and how a Concierge can make your trip something special.

LARRY AND NICOLE ARE BROADCASTING LIVE FROM TASTE OF SONOMA AT THE BEAUTIFUL MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS, HEALDSBURG Immerse yourself in the food and wine culture of Sonoma County at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards. Kate MacMurray invites you to enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the historic MacMurray Estate Vineyards property while sipping and savoring the very best of Sonoma County’s rich wines and delectable cuisine. With more than 200 wineries pouring thousands of wines, and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings, Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for oenophiles and foodies alike. Informative and entertaining wine seminars, lively cooking demonstrations and so much more make for an enchanting afternoon enjoying the best of Sonoma County living. Named one of the “10 Best Wine and Food Events in the United States” by Celebrated Living magazine, Taste of Sonoma is a coveted ticket — Get yours before they sell out! SONOMAWINECOUNTRYWEEKEND.COM KATE MACMURRAY - MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS RUSSIAN RIVER HERITAGE MacMurray Estate Vineyards is deeply rooted in Sonoma County. Our namesake vineyard, MacMurray Ranch, has been a farmstead since the 1850s, farmed by the Porter family until actor Fred MacMurray bought the ranch in 1941. Fred embraced the rancher’s lifestyle, raising prize-winning cattle and farming crops here for decades, while his children rode horses through the hills. Fred’s daughter—the actress, screenwriter and activist Kate MacMurray—retains an indelible tie to the estate, helping us share the heritage of our namesake vineyard, historic property and celebrated wine. CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR & ESTATE WINEGROWING Transformed into a world-class vineyard in 1996, MacMurray Ranch quickly became one of the Russian River Valley’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir vineyards.  Today, MacMurray Estate Vineyards has grown to encompass estate vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast, but we continue to honor our roots and the history of the MacMurray Ranch. The original buildings have been faithfully restored, and the 1,500-acre property is home to old-growth oaks, Redwood trees and indigenous wildlife. Winemaker Boyd Morrison and his team craft our collection of Pinot Noir wines, beginning with our home vineyard and extending to several estate vineyard sites throughout the Russian River Valley and the Central Coast. WWW.MACMURRAYESTATEVINEYARDS.COM GINA GALLO - SONOMA, GALLO FAMILY VINEYARDS OUR FAMILY Since brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo began to turn their dream into reality over 80 years ago, the roots of the Gallo family tree have extended deep into the Winery. Today their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren work in the Winery, carrying on the family tradition and values – a strong work ethic, a drive for perfection and a focus on quality. The Gallo family still believes family ownership is the most effective way for the Winery to continue as a world leader in the wine industry. Today, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world's largest family-owned winery and the largest exporter of California wine. PASSION FOR QUALITY Since its inception, the hallmark of E. & J. Gallo Winery’s founders has been their unwavering commitment to quality. By taking the utmost care in each and every step of the grape growing and winemaking process, E. & J. Gallo Winery has consistently delivered outstanding wines for every occasion and price. The Winery continues to be at the forefront of the winemaking industry by researching and determining the very best regions to grow grapes, using the most effective techniques for grape growing, and lastly, employing the best ways to craft world-class wines. BIO Gina Gallo followed the footsteps of her grandfather Julio Gallo to find her calling as winemaker for Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve. Today she creates award-winning wines from grapes grown by her brother Matt Gallo. For Gina, a career in winemaking was inevitable. During high school she worked summers at E. & J. Gallo Winery, and after college she joined the company full time in the sales department. She was drawn to the creative process of making wine, and years later she began studying at the acclaimed Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis. At the Winery, she apprenticed under 30-year veteran Marcello Monticelli. Gina is immediate past president of the International Wine & Spirit competition. GALLO.COM RACHEL VOORHEES OF RODNEY STRONG – TALKING ABOUT THE SOMMELIER PROGRAM Our story begins more than 50 years ago, when a celebrated American dancer named Rod Strong settled in Sonoma County to pursue a second lifelong creative passion: winemaking. Rodney Strong Vineyards was the 13th winery bonded in the newly discovered Sonoma County wine industry. A trio of winemaking paths crossed when Rick Sayre joined the team as Winemaker in 1979, and again when the Klein Family, 4th generation California farmers, purchased the winery in 1989 and initiated a renewed commitment of modern artisan winemaking. Through the years, Rodney Strong Vineyards has earned the reputation for critically acclaimed Single Vineyard and Reserve wines, stand out Estate releases and best-in-class Sonoma County varietal wines. BIO Rachel Voorhees is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, where she graduated at the top of her class. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by Old World wine collectors, Rachel found a passion for wine and food early in life and credits her father for her palate and her mother for her culinary skills. Rachel studied at the International Culinary Center in 2012 where she continued to hone her wine pairing skills and wine knowledge. She was the food & wine writer for BevMo! and Wine.com before coming to Rodney Strong in December 2013. Rachel’s focus is to educate people about wine, Sonoma County and Rodney Strong Vineyards. She travels throughout the country entertaining key members of the trade, conducting classes and seminars and sharing the wonders of wine and food. After receiving her B.A. in Communications and Psychology from Vanderbilt University, she continued her education at Notre Dame de Namur where she received her Masters of Education. She is currently studying for her Certified Wine Educator and Advanced Sommelier credentials. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time with her two children, creating unique food and wine pairings and gardening. WWW.RODNEYSTRONG.COM CHEF MATT LOWE FROM KENDALL JACKSON CULINARY TEAM TALK ABOUT PAIRING  A FAMILY LEGACY Being a family-owned winery absolutely affects our winemaking. It affords us the luxury to take the long view. We can take risks and grow our grapes in mountain and hillside vineyards- even though it is more difficult for both the farmer and the vine. But grapes grown on mountains have more character and more flavor—and that’s why we grow them there. As a family-run business, we can put the long-term interests of future generations above short-term financial gains. Our success will be measured by generations of family, rather than by numbers on quarterly reports. We can't just be thinking about today, or tomorrow, or this quarter, or this year. We have to take the long view—100, 200 years—and think of future generations and the environment in which they'll live. There are some special places where you just want to be, to live. And among those places are the coastal maritime, cool hills and mountains of the California coast. I’m at peace and spiritually satisfied when I'm in the mountains and hills and benches of California—the very places where the best grapes thrive. The land gives us what we need. It gives us our shelter, our food, our clean air—all of the things we need, except for one: family. Taste is everything here at Kendall-Jackson. And we don't just mean the wines. The Kendall-Jackson Wine Center is a culinary destination for foodies and wine lovers from all over the country, and the creative force behind the Wine Center is our team of culinary adventurers: our chefs. BIO Matt has been a member of Kendall-Jackson’s culinary team for many years.  A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America Matthew has worked in the kitchen, gardens and cellars of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates for nearly a decade. He brings to the table a wide variety of cooking experience from restaurants, healthcare, catering and corporate dining. Matthew specializes in vegetable dishes and the Kendall-Jackson culinary gardens offer an endless palette of seasonal produce and herbs to draw from. WWW.KJ.COM KARISSA KRUSE – PRESIDENT, SONOMA COUNTY WINEGRAPE COMMISSION - TALKING ABOUT SONOMA AND SUSTAINABILITY The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006 as a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW has oversight by California Department of Food and Agriculture which supports producer regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. In January 2014, SCW committed to becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019. BIO Karissa Kruse is President of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. Karissa joined Sonoma County Winegrowers as Director of Marketing in September 2012 and was named President for the organization on May 1, 2013. Karissa earned a BS in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. She has over 17 years of experience in various aspects of marketing, brand management, strategic planning and business development. Karissa has worked for companies such as General Mills, Universal Studios, Mattel and Dairy Management, where Karissa worked for seven years on behalf of dairy farmers nationally. She is a partner in a small winery, Argot Wines, and the owner of a 25 acre parcel in Bennett Valley, with five acres planted to grapes. Karissa is on the Advisory Committee for Wharton’s Initiative on Environmental Leadership and on the boards of the Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Foundation, Ag Trust Committee and Viticulture Advisory Committee and a member of Leadership Santa Rosa Class 29.  Kruse was selected as a NBBJ Women in Business 2014 Honoree and 40 under Forty Award recipient in 2012.  

Kate MacMurray - MacMurray Estate Vineyards While the exceptional MacMurray Ranch Vineyard is home to some of California’s most renowned Pinot Noir vines, for Kate MacMurray, it is also a place of long-held, cherished memories. The MacMurray family farmed crops and raised cattle on this ranch for many years, taking an active role in the local agricultural community. Kate grew up hiking and riding her horse through the ranch’s majestic rolling hills. Ray Johnson - Director, Wine Businees Institute at Sonoma State University Ray Johnson is the Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He also writes about wine from his home in Sonoma County. Ray has been writing about wine, food and the destinations where these passions intersect since 1980. He joined the wine business in 1986, leading tours for the public and trade at the historic Christian Brothers’ Greystone Cellars in Saint Helena, California.

A special Heirloom Tomato Festival Report Matthew Lowe- CIA Graduate & Kendall-Jackson Gardens CIA graduate and ten years experience with the Kendall-Jackson gardens, makes Matt the pro to know at the KJ hospitality facility, just north of Santa Rosa. Matt will bring us some new releases and tell us what  to expect at the upcoming   Heirloom Tomato Festival. Tucker Taylor -  Head Gardner, KJ Gardens Head Gardner at the KJ gardens , Tucker is a miracle worker. With more than 175 different tomatoes and a wealth of other fruits , herbs, and vegetables , the gardens are a master work of the man who has a world wide reputation for excellence. We will talk about this years growing season and taste some of the bounty.

Carolyn Stark - Executive Director, The Sonoma County Vintners Association As a new Executive Director of The Sonoma County Vintners Association, Carolyn has hit the ground running with the upcoming Sonoma County Wine Weekend. We will be talking about what I believe to be the best of Northern California's  wine events. Friday to Sunday of Labor Day Weekend the Vintners Association hits it out of the park with lunches, dinners , and The Taste of Sonoma , held at MacMurray Ranch. Carolyn will tell us the available tickets and have one of the participating Winemakers stop by to give us the inside take on this great party.

Steve Heller -  Owner, Heller Estate Vineyards As the owner of Heller Estate Vineyards , Steve has a very busy life. Now as the leader of the vineyard owners in the new FountainGrove AVA, Steve has all that more to do getting the word out about the newest AVA in Sonoma County. We will talk about the history of FountainGrove ,and the area in the eastern part of the County , know for great grapes. Dan Berger - Author , Newspaper Writer, Professional Wine Judge & Wine Competition Organizer Author , Newspaper Writer, Professional Wine Judge , Wine Competition Organizer , and a man of many other talents , Dan will be with us to talk about the Central Coast Wine Competition. The new FountainGrove AVA is also on the slate of what happening on wine for this discussion.