"The Good Stuff"

Virginie Boone & Karissa Kruse
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"The Good Stuff"

"The Good Stuff” with Sonoma County Winegrowers is Sonoma County’s newest podcast for all things wine, vineyards and farming. Hosted by Virginie Boone and Co-Host Karissa Kruse. Episodes will dive deep into the stories and personalities that make Sonoma County both rich in history and innovative, inviting Sonoma County’s top winemakers, grape growers, chefs, sommeliers and more to dive into topics both serious and fun.

  1. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 94: The Petaluma Gap

    12H AGO

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 94: The Petaluma Gap

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Kevin Bersofsky, Owner and winemaker of Montagne Russe Wines, and Steve Sangiacomo, Third Generation Winegrower and Partner at Sangiacomo Family Vineyards and Winery, about the Petaluma Gap and the upcoming Wind to Wine Festival on August 8th-10th!  Kevin’s path to winemaking was anything but typical. After earning a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell and designing makeup tanks for Estée Lauder, he found himself drawn to the world of wine- and soon after, faced with a surprise visit from the ATF, ABC, and Napa DA for his garage winemaking operation. That wild start gave way to Montagne Russe Wines, named after the French word for roller coaster- a fitting metaphor for his journey. Today, Kevin crafts expressive Syrah and Pinot Noir in the Petaluma Gap and has even blended his love of music into the experience with Vino & Vinyls, a record shop tucked inside his Healdsburg tasting room, featuring over 2,000 records. Steve Sangiacomo, meanwhile, represents the next generation of one of Sonoma County’s most respected farming families. Having grown up working the vineyards, Steve now co-leads operations across 1,600 acres and supplies grapes to more than 70 top wineries. From early morning frost protection runs to launching the Sangiacomo Family Wines label, Steve brings deep-rooted passion and strategic vision to the Petaluma Gap and beyond.  Together, Kevin and Steve offer a dynamic look at the Petaluma Gap's evolution, terroir, and collaborative spirit.   And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  2. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 93: Andrea Robinson

    JUL 5

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 93: Andrea Robinson

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier, Chef, Television Personality, and Author. Andrea shares her remarkable journey to becoming one of only 28 women in the world to hold the Master Sommelier title. She was the first woman ever named Best Sommelier in the U.S., currently curates wine for Delta Air Lines, and has earned three James Beard Awards. In 2004, Bon Appétit honored her as Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year.  She opens up about her roots—growing up in North Dakota, Texas, and Southern Indiana—and how her early love for cooking eventually led to an unexpected passion for wine after taking a tasting class while in college. That one class changed everything.  Andrea talks about starting her career in finance after earning economics and business degrees from Southern Methodist University, and how volunteering at a wine school in exchange for classes opened the door to a whole new world. A chance to lead a tasting for Champagne Krug sealed her fate—she left her job at Morgan Stanley the next day to follow her calling.  She also recounts her solo six-month journey across Europe, where she immersed herself in wine culture before landing a role at the iconic Windows on the World in New York City. Mentored by wine legend Kevin Zraly, Andrea became the restaurant’s first female cellar master and eventually earned her Master Sommelier diploma. She even competed in the World Championship of Sommeliers. Andrea shares insights into writing four bestselling wine and food books, including the award-winning Everyday Dining with Wine, and how she created her own stemware line, The ONE, designed to enhance any wine with just one universal shape.  She discusses the launch of her video wine course at andreawine.com, where she continues to educate thousands of wine lovers each month. Andrea also opens up about building beverage programs for top hospitality brands—from cruise lines to hotel groups—and her passion for teaching both professionals and everyday wine drinkers. Andrea reflects on her television work, having hosted over 100 episodes for Scripps Networks, including Quench on Food Network and Pairings with Andrea on Fine Living. Named a Working Mother of the Year, she’s also been featured by People, Glamour, NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, and The New York Times. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  3. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 92: Amphora Winery

    JUN 21

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 92: Amphora Winery

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Rick Hutchinson Owner, President, and Winemaker of Amphora Winery and his wife and partner, Bridget. A Sonoma County native, Rick’s winemaking journey began humbly at age 20 on the bottling line at Sebastiani Winery. A single step into the cellar—and the nostalgic scent of fermentation—transported him back to his childhood memories of canning jam with his mother, igniting a lifelong passion. From there, Rick trained under acclaimed winemakers like Doug Nalle and John Kongsgaard, developing deep roots in Sonoma’s winemaking traditions, particularly the bold varietals of Dry Creek Valley. But Rick’s story doesn’t stop with grapes. A chance pottery class led him to discover a new creative outlet: shaping clay amphorae, the ancient vessels once used to store and age wine. That intersection of art and craft became the soul of Amphora Winery, which Rick founded in 1997 with just a few tons of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah—and a vision to do things differently. Today, Amphora stands out as one of the few California wineries fermenting and aging wine in traditional Italian terracotta. From its early days in a redwood barn to its current home in the Timber Crest collective, Amphora has grown into a destination for adventurous, small-lot wines. Rick shares how his portfolio has expanded to include varietals like Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet, Teroldego, and sparkling rosé—while always staying true to his philosophy of sourcing great fruit and letting the wine speak for itself. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  4. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 91: Fat Dragon Wine

    JUN 14

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 91: Fat Dragon Wine

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dani Price, Proprietor of Fat Dragon Wines. Dani’s journey in wine spans more than 14 years building and managing two of the most dynamic corporate wine programs in the world—including her time as Executive Director of Wine for Wynn Resorts, where she led a $42 million-a-year program across four global properties. Prior to that, she oversaw the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group’s corporate wine program during a period of explosive growth. Now based in Healdsburg, Dani shares how she transitioned from the high-stakes world of luxury hospitality to running Maison du Prix, one of the world’s most respected fine wine sourcing companies, alongside launching Fat Dragon Wines, an estate-driven label that crafts Rhône varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon from their meticulously restored Dry Creek Valley vineyard. The story behind Fat Dragon Wines is as bold as its name—born from a surprise bet at the Hong Kong racetrack and brought to life on a once-abandoned 30-acre vineyard property. Listeners will hear how Dani and her husband Mike transformed the land, what it takes to build a brand from scratch, and how they’re offering a new kind of wine hospitality experience with their vineyard cottages. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  5. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 90: Sonoma County Farm Bureau

    JUN 7

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 90: Sonoma County Farm Bureau

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dayna Ghiradelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. A proud Petaluma native, Dayna takes us through her inspiring path in agriculture—from growing up on a dairy farm and participating in 4-H and FFA, to now leading one of Sonoma County’s most influential ag organizations. Her journey reflects a deep connection to the land, a passion for community, and a strong commitment to supporting local farmers and ranchers. During the conversation, Dayna shares insights from her time with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and how that experience broadened her perspective on ag education and outreach. She also speaks to the role the dairy industry played in shaping her values around advocacy, sustainability, and the importance of giving back—especially to the youth programs that helped shape her early years. Listeners will get an inside look at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s work, including the ways it champions local agriculture through policy support, education, and sustainability initiatives.  Looking ahead, Dayna shares her vision for the future of Sonoma County agriculture and how the Farm Bureau is evolving to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic ag community. From supporting a wide range of crops to empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders, she paints a hopeful and strategic picture of what’s to come. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  6. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 89: Balletto Vineyards

    MAY 31

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 89: Balletto Vineyards

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to John Balletto, President & Founder of Balletto Vineyards. John shares the remarkable story of growing up in West Sebastopol, working on his family’s five-acre vegetable farm from a young age. After his father’s untimely passing in 1977, John turned down college athletic scholarships to stay home and help his mother, Hazel, keep the farm alive. What began with a $200 budget and a flatbed Chevy truck eventually grew into the largest vegetable operation in Northern California by the mid-1990s. After devastating storm damage and shifting agricultural pressures in the late 1990s, he pivoted from vegetables to wine grapes—ultimately founding Balletto Vineyards with his wife, Terri, in 2001. Today, the winery produces 20,000–25,000 cases annually from estate fruit, and John remains deeply committed to his community and vineyard team, even building a baseball field—aptly named the “Dream Field”—for employees and their families to enjoy. In this candid conversation, John reflects on the values that shaped his journey, the turning points that defined his success, and the local relationships—including his longtime friendship with Karissa—that helped guide Balletto Vineyards from its humble beginnings to one of Sonoma County’s most respected wine labels. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  7. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 88: Senses Wines

    MAY 24

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 88: Senses Wines

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Christopher Strieter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Senses Wines. Christopher grew up in Occidental alongside childhood friends—and fellow Senses Co-Founders—Max Thieriot and Myles Lawrence-Briggs. Their families all moved to the area in the 1980s to raise their children in the countryside, instilling in each of them a deep appreciation for growing up among the redwoods and along the California coast. Though none of them initially planned to enter the wine industry, the trio later reunited around an idea that began as one of Christopher’s graduate school projects. Young and ambitious, they brought that plan to life and, using fruit from Max and Myles’ family vineyards, launched Senses Wines with just over 100 cases. Today, it has grown into a respected label specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the most renowned vineyards on the West Sonoma Coast and in the Russian River Valley. Now leading the company’s business strategy, sales, and daily operations, Christopher shares how his lifelong friendships, hometown connections, and the supportive local community helped shape the evolution of Senses Wines. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
  8. "The Good Stuff" - Episode 87: Ca’Bianca Ristorante Italiano

    MAY 17

    "The Good Stuff" - Episode 87: Ca’Bianca Ristorante Italiano

    In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Nico Diana, Co-Owner of Ca'Bianca Ristorante Italiano. Born in San Francisco and raised in Sonoma County, Nico grew up in the heart of the family business. From doing homework at the bar to bussing tables on holidays, Nico’s early years were shaped by the rhythms of restaurant life. After earning degrees in finance and international business and working in banking abroad, he returned home to take the reins as his parents stepped back from the business they opened in 1996. Now co-owner, Nico shares stories of Ca’Bianca’s nearly 30-year journey, from restoring the historic Marshall House to preserving the restaurant’s regional Italian focus. With deep gratitude for the longtime staff who helped build its legacy, Nico reflects on how family, food, and community remain at the heart of everything they do. And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

    40 min
See All (94)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

"The Good Stuff” with Sonoma County Winegrowers is Sonoma County’s newest podcast for all things wine, vineyards and farming. Hosted by Virginie Boone and Co-Host Karissa Kruse. Episodes will dive deep into the stories and personalities that make Sonoma County both rich in history and innovative, inviting Sonoma County’s top winemakers, grape growers, chefs, sommeliers and more to dive into topics both serious and fun.

Information

  • Creator
    Virginie Boone & Karissa Kruse
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    "The Good Stuff"

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