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The Sonoma Spiel: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
California’s Sonoma Wine Country is known as a feast for the senses - amazing food and wine, beautiful mountains and redwood forests, and charming small towns. Go deeper into the best of Sonoma Wine Country with the Sonoma Spiel, where we talk about what’s happening in and around Sonoma Valley with guests like farmers, chefs, wine makers, artists and interesting guest stars. Plus, we answer YOUR questions about visiting California’s famed wine country during our recurring feature, ”We Get Questions.”
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago1h 3m
Thanksgiving Wines & Welcoming Guests with Wine Educator Lesli John
What wine belongs on your Thanksgiving table? Wine educator and hospitality consultant Lesli John joins Tim Zahner to explore four Sonoma wines, share holiday hosting advice, and take the intimidation out of wine tasting. The lineup includes Anaba Picpoul Blanc, Sosie sparkling Syrah, Sangiacomo Roberts Road Pinot Noir, and Sosie’s Rossi Ranch Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blend. Lesli explains acidity versus tannin, why tasting-room hospitality matters, and why enjoying wine doesn’t require knowing all the terminology. Expect a sparkling-wine surprise, Thanksgiving food traditions, and an introduction to the “car cellar.” In “We Get Questions,” we discuss winery lodging, scenic tasting experiences, Sonoma Valley fall colors, and nearby redwood trees. Find Lesli: https://leslijohn.wine Explore Sonoma Valley: https://www.sonomavalley.com Send your questions: info@sonomavalley.com | 707-996-1090
- 2 weeks ago52 min
Public Tubas, Massive Sculptures & Utility Boxes as Canvas: Connie Schlelein on Making an Art Scene Seen
What happens when you put a piano in the Plaza, turn utility boxes into canvases, and start imagining sculpture trails through wine country? Connie Schlelein, chair of the City of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission, joins Tim Zahner for a lively conversation about Sonoma Valley’s creative side. A longtime arts educator and advocate, Connie shares how public art helped shape Loveland, Colorado, and what those lessons could mean here. We talk about Peter Hassen’s Cycles 3 sculpture, the Plaza piano, art on loan, and the possibilities for turning reclaimed grapevines into community creations. Along the way, we celebrate Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Community Center, Art Escape, and the people who make Sonoma an arts destination. In “We Get Questions,” we tackle RV camping near Sonoma, wineries with views and caves, where to find chilaquiles, and Halloween trick-or-treating around the Plaza. Expect big ideas, local recommendations, and a surprisingly spirited discussion about tubas. Plan your visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com Learn about the commission: https://www.sonomacity.org/cultural-fine-arts-commission Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Questions? Text 707-996-1090 or email info@sonomavalley.com.
- Oct 7, 202654 min
Feeling Like A Local: Kendall Comfort on 30 Years at Sonoma Valley Hotel
What makes a hotel feel like part of its hometown? For Kendall Comfort, General Manager of Sonoma Valley Inn, it starts with the people. This week on The Sonoma Spiel, Kendall joins Tim Zahner for a conversation about growing up in Sonoma, building a hospitality career, and helping visitors feel at home in wine country. Approaching 30 years with the same hotel, she shares how a front desk job became a career spanning meetings, events, and hotel management. Kendall takes us behind the scenes at Sonoma Valley Inn, discussing its family ownership, walkable location near Sonoma Plaza, and place within Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. We also talk about guest reviews, communicating special requests before arrival, and the joys—and occasional surprises—of welcoming travelers with pets. In “We Get Questions,” we tackle Thanksgiving visits, quieter-season travel, ferry connections for a Sonoma trip, California state park careers, stops in Forestville, and ideas for a Sunday in Sonoma. There’s also an unexpected detour into Kendall’s love of horses. Expect practical travel ideas, local stories, and a few very memorable animal encounters. IN THIS EPISODE • Travel inspiration from Rick Steves • Kendall’s journey from front desk to general manager • Staying near Sonoma Plaza and exploring on foot • Family ownership and Hilton’s Tapestry Collection • Making your hotel stay smoother through communication • Thanksgiving travel and quieter-season opportunities • Ferry travel and onward connections to Sonoma • Forestville stops and Sunday activities • Horses, hospitality, and hometown connections Plan your visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Explore the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Send us your Sonoma questions: Call or text 707-996-1090 Email info@sonomavalley.com The Sonoma Spiel is presented by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Follow the podcast for more conversations with the people who make Sonoma Valley special.
- Sep 30, 20261h 8m
Bruncherias & Where Else to Eat in Sonoma: Restaurant Discoveries with Heather Irwin (plus Milkshakes!)
Come hungry: Sonoma Magazine dining editor Heather Irwin returns to The Sonoma Spiel for a lively conversation about Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County restaurants, food trends, and the people behind the plates. Heather and host Tim Zahner sip milkshakes from Smash while talking about Spread Kitchen’s dirty fries, burgers at Little Lou’s, Swiss Hotel’s back patio, and the pleasures of discovering a restaurant you’ve overlooked for years. Is brunch really dead? Heather makes the case for the “brunchería,” where Mexican-inspired breakfast dishes, family gatherings, and mimosa flights keep the brunch spirit alive. We also discuss early dinner reservations, later dining, and why Sonoma’s farms and local ingredients remain at the heart of its food scene. Heather shares the story of founding Sonoma Family Meal after the 2017 wildfires and its evolution into culinary training. She also explains why her food writing focuses on people and stories—and why supporting local journalism matters. In “We Get Questions,” we tackle seafood stops, restaurant ideas for a group of 10, and a wine-country outing that begins with the ferry and SMART train before meeting a local driver. One question remains: Where are the great nachos? Send us your recommendations! Read Heather’s work: https://www.sonomamag.com/ https://www.pressdemocrat.com/ Plan your visit and find Sonoma Valley restaurants, events, lodging, and special offers: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Explore the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass The Sonoma Spiel is hosted by Tim Zahner, CEO of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.
- Sep 24, 20261h 2m
Jimi Good of Oak Hill Farm: Pumpkins, Produce & a Trebuchet
Jimi Good grows food at Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen, but around October, well all know him as “the pumpkin guy.” Jimi joins The Sonoma Spiel to tell the story of Pumpkin Day, including how a harvest gathering with pumpkins and fresh-pressed cider acquired a trebuchet. The conversation wanders through Oak Hill Farm’s history, Jimi and Melissa Bucklin’s approach to farming, New Mexico green chiles, winter squash, and a beloved fingerling potato. Jimi also joins Tim for “We Get Questions,” answering visitor questions about Sonoma Valley. Find Oak Hill Farm, its Red Barn Store hours, and event information at https://www.oakhillfarm.net/. Plan a Sonoma Valley visit at https://www.sonomavalley.com/.
- Sep 15, 20261h 2m
Behind the Bell of the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley with Paul Hendricks
What does it take to drive a trolley full of wine tasters around Sonoma Valley—and keep everyone informed and entertained along the way? Paul Hendricks of the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley joins The Sonoma Spiel to talk about his 11 years as a trolley driver and guide. His unconventional journey includes living in Germany, working around the Los Angeles music scene, studying improv in Chicago and leading international travelers on multiweek adventures through America’s national parks. Paul explains how the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley combines local history, winery visits, lunch and plenty of humor. He also shares advice for new wine tasters, discusses the appeal of Sonoma’s family-owned wineries and answers practical visitor questions about shipping wine home, evening dining, nonalcoholic options, children at tastings and tipping a tour guide. Learn more or reserve a tour: https://sonomavalleywinetrolley.com/ Plan your Sonoma Valley visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Save up to 25% with the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Questions about Sonoma Valley? Email info@sonomavalley.com or text 707-996-1090.
- Sep 9, 20261h 7m
Sonoma Pumpkin Spice Episode 2026: The Revenge of AllSpice + Fall Preview | Michelle & Mark
Pumpkin patches, grape stomps, haunted wineries—and a pumpkin-spice taste test nobody asked for! Michelle Lacy of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Mark Bodenhamer of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce join Tim Zahner for a lively guide to fall in Sonoma Valley. Discover seasonal events, harvest experiences, fall hikes, Halloween celebrations and pumpkin patches around Sonoma, Glen Ellen and Kenwood. The group also shares recommendations for restaurants, breakfast, coffee, pastries and the best places to see fall colors. Meanwhile, Tim challenges Michelle and Mark to sample an increasingly questionable assortment of pumpkin-spice coffee, pretzels, rice cakes, snack cakes and protein bars. Plan your Sonoma Valley getaway: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Learn more about the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce: https://sonomachamber.org/ Save up to 25% on wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass The Sonoma Spiel is produced by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Visit one of our two visitor centers, email info@sonomavalley.com or text 707-996-1090 for personalized recommendations. Listen and follow: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- Sep 4, 202620 min
BONUS! 2026 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Guide with Robyn Sebastiani
The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival returns September 24–27, 2026, and Robyn Sebastiani of the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance joins Tim Zahner with everything you need to know. Sonoma’s signature harvest celebration includes a communal Harvest Dinner around City Hall, dueling pianos, a 5K and one-mile fun run, the Blessing of the Grapes, the historic grape stomp, a free daytime festival, live music, local artisans, family activities and the Sonoma Valley Grand Tasting at the historic Sonoma Barracks. Robyn also explains the festival’s “Year of Community” theme, its support for local nonprofits and student scholarships, limited-edition Sonoma Valley wines and the Lighted Tractor Parade coming after Thanksgiving. Festival details and tickets: https://valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org/ Plan your Sonoma Valley getaway: https://www.sonomavalley.com/
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About The Sonoma Spiel
California’s Sonoma Wine Country is known as a feast for the senses - amazing food and wine, beautiful mountains and redwood forests, and charming small towns. Go deeper into the best of Sonoma Wine Country with the Sonoma Spiel, where we talk about what’s happening in and around Sonoma Valley with guests like farmers, chefs, wine makers, artists and interesting guest stars. Plus, we answer YOUR questions about visiting California’s famed wine country during our recurring feature, ”We Get Questions.”
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