"The Good Stuff"

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers [https://sonomawinegrape.org/], hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Sharon Cohn, co-owner of Breathless Wines [https://www.breathlesswines.com/]. Sharon talks about her path to starting a sparkling wine brand with her sisters. She has had all kinds of adventures, from a post in the Air Force, to becoming a dental hygienist (where she met her husband Bruce Cohn), owning a Massage Envy shop, and being a managing partner for the BR Cohn Olive Oil Company. Her sister Rebecca Faust founded Rack and Riddle, a custom crush facility that works with more than 250 wine clients making wines. Sharon, Rebecca, and their sister Cynthia Faust created Breathless Wines [https://www.breathlesswines.com/] in honor of their mother, Martha, who had a rare lung disease that literally left her breathless. Now, with winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster, Breathless Wines is producing award-winning sparkling wine. 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 Doug Nalle, Zinmaster, Original Winemaker Emeritus and founder of Nalle Winery [https://www.nallewinery.com/]. Doug Nalle, who earned his master's in Enology from UC Davis in 1979, founded Nalle Winery with his first vintage in 1984. An innovator by nature, Doug's vision for Nalle Winery was brought to life with his wife and partner, Lee Henderlong, whose parents owned a historic Zinfandel vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, the Henderlong Ranch. Today, Doug continues to consult on vintages with his son, Andrew, who has taken on the role of winemaker, while Andrew's wife, April, manages viticulture and hospitality. Their other son, Sam, followed his own path and works in biomedical research. With the whole family involved, Nalle remains a true family operation, dedicated to crafting expressive, balanced wines. Today, you might find Doug on the golf course, consulting with Andrew on the upcoming vintages, or visiting with guests in the tasting room. Located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, Nalle Winery is surrounded by century-old vines planted by the Henderlong family in 1927, which contribute to the estate's distinct Zinfandel. Known for producing wines with lower alcohol levels and balanced acidity, Nalle avoids the overly jammy style typical of many California Zins. Their Dry Creek Zinfandel has become a benchmark in the region, complemented by small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and their unique proprietary Cabernet/Zinfandel blend. The winery's primary fruit source, the Henderlong Ranch Vineyard, is a historic, dry-farmed site just steps from the winery. Alongside it, the Sibary Vineyard, planted in 1999, also contributes to the estate's winemaking. Both vineyards are dry-farmed and recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society, preserving a heritage of sustainable viticulture that adds character to every bottle. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers [https://sonomawinegrape.org/], hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ames Morison, Co-Founder of Medlock Ames Winery [https://www.medlockames.com/]. Medlock Ames was founded by college best friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison. After sharing a love for wine as roommates in college and later as roommates in New York City, they decided to pack their bags and move to California to join the wine industry. Medlock Ames consists of two properties: the Historic Healdsburg Tasting Room, situated at the intersection of Route 128 and Alexander Valley Road, and the Winery & Vineyard, located at Bell Mountain on Chalk Hill Road. After exploring over 100 locations, they discovered Bell Mountain Ranch located at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, overlapping the Russian River Valley where several dozen acres of Merlot vines were sitting unmanaged. The beauty of Bell Mountain spoke to them and Medlock Ames was born. That was 1998 and the deep commitment to preserving Bell Mountain and being a vocal supporter for the kind of light-touch farming practices that being organic means has been a part of their values ever since. Bell Mountain Ranch spans 338 acres along Chalk Hill Road, with 44 acres planted to vines. The ranch also features 650 olive trees, an orchard, and a garden for seasonal vegetables and flowers, embodying a dedication to land preservation since day one. A wildlife corridor threads through the vineyards, guiding animals safely through the property and into the adjacent 3,000-acre Pepperwood Preserve wildlife sanctuary. Medlock Ames is deeply committed to sustainability, using innovative alternatives to pesticides, harnessing solar power for their winery and offices, and digitizing HR, finance, and tasting room operations to eliminate paper use. They partner with suppliers for electronic invoicing, reducing their carbon footprint, and maintain a wildlife corridor to support local wildlife. In collaboration with Pepperwood Preserve, they work to identify and protect the distinct ecosystems on their Bell Mountain Ranch property. The winery is functional and elegant, with caves dug into the ground to maximize natural insulation (cellar temperature is between 55°F–65°F), solar arrays that supply electricity, and an array of creative experiences, like their Immersive Sound Experience. Last November, Medlock Ames Winery became one of a select few wineries worldwide to receive Regenerative Organic Certification, founded by the creators of Patagonia. With a philosophy of minimal intervention and traditional techniques, we craft wines exclusively from our own vines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sparkling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Rosé, Dessert Wine, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce just a few hundred cases of most wines and release them only once ready to drink. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers [https://sonomawinegrape.org/], hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Erik Miller, Founder/Owner/Winemaker of Kokomo [https://www.kokomowines.com/] & Breaking Bread Winery [https://www.breakingbreadwines.com/]. Erik Miller is the founder and winemaker of Kokomo Winery, located in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Originally from Indiana, Miller attended Purdue University, where he earned a degree in business. After briefly working in financial planning, he realized the career lacked the excitement he sought. His long-time passion for wine and the culinary world led him to pursue a career in winemaking. Kokomo is perched in Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg, amidst the 12 acres of prime benchland vineyards of Timber Crest Farms. Erik started the winery in 2004, naming it after his hometown of Kokomo, IN, and decided on a Coastal Cypress Tree as a logo to signify his move out west. Kokomo currently produces over a dozen different varietals and several single vineyards designates which are farmed by his partner in the winery, grower Randy Peters. Kokomo Winery focuses their terrior-driven wines on the three distinctive appellations of Sonoma County - Russian River, Dry Creek & Alexander Valleys. Kokomo Winery has been making its mark in Sonoma County, unfailingly earning 90+ ratings, Best of Class and Gold Medals across all varietals. Erik would then go onto establish Breaking Bread Winery in 2018 as a creative outlet fueled by his passion for simple, natural and enjoyable wines. The winery is dedicated to crafting natural wines through sustainable and organic farming practices, employing whole-cluster fermentation and utilizing native yeasts and bacteria. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers [https://sonomawinegrape.org/], hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Glenn and Laurie Proctor, owners of Puccioni Vineyards [https://www.puccionivineyards.com/]. In this episode, they dive into the rich history of Puccioni Vineyards with Glenn Proctor, the great-grandson of Italian immigrant Angelo Puccioni, and Laurie Proctor, his wife and business partner. Angelo arrived in the U.S. in 1889 and, after working at the Italian Swiss Colony, planted his roots in Dry Creek Valley, where he established Puccioni Ranch in 1904. Over seven years of hard work, Angelo and his family cleared forty acres by mule, building the foundation of a legacy that would continue for generations. Glenn shares stories of his own connection to the vineyard, including learning to plow with a mule at just four years old—continuing a family tradition that lasted until 1968. Today, Glenn and Laurie carry on the legacy, farming old vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah and crafting Puccioni Vineyard wines that reflect the vineyard's storied past. The Proctors share a personal touch, recounting how they met through an online love story, along with insights into their careers and education. Listen in to discover how generations of tradition, from sacramental wine during Prohibition to modern-day viticulture, have shaped Puccioni Vineyards into a symbol of Sonoma County's rich agricultural history. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks.