3/5-Larry Van Aalst visits with Sue Straight

Sue Straight - "The Wine Wench"
Sue ,"The Wine Wench" is one of the best know advocates in the Northern California wine industry. Sue will be here to tell us about the Winter and Spring events that should not be missed. The upcoming Pinot Summit is  at the top of the list of special happenings. Taking place in March the Summit has some of the best Pinot Noirs in the world available to taste. Listen to The Sonoma Wine Report to find out you might win tickets to this great day in San Francisco.

2/19-Larry Van Aalst talks with Tom Simoneau, Mike Martini & Ray Johnson

Tom Simoneau - "The Wine Guy", owner of Simoneau Vineyards
Tom ,"The Wine Guy" is owner of Simoneau Vineyards , and has a radio show on KSRO in Santa Rosa. Tom is a central figure in Northern California Wine Country and was recently a Judge at The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. We will be talking about new releases and the weather affecting the 2014 vintage.

Mike Martini - Taft Street Winery
Mike Martini - Mike is a principle in Taft Street Winery, and former Mayor of Santa Rosa Ca. Mike will be with us to talk about the upcoming Wine Road Tasting , happening the first two weekends in March. One of the biggest wine events on earth the barrel tasting is not to be missed.

Ray Johnson -Director, Wine Business Institute
Ray is Director of Wine Business Institute , at Sonoma Stete University. Ray is also a Director of The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and is just back from the public tasting this last weekend in San Francisco. The largest judging of American Wines in the world , and one of the largest public events in the wine industry is a huge task , Ray will give us an inside look at what it takes to put this together.

2/5-Larry Van Aalst talks with Debra Del Fiorentino / Jil Child & Chris Smith

Debra Del Fiorentino / Jil Child- Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine
The two pivotal workers at Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine , Debra and Jil are in charge of all the sponsored Wine Competitions. We will talk about the upcoming East Meets West tasting to be held Feb. 19.

Chris Smith - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Northern California's premiere Wine Country newspaper, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat has a local columnist  , Chris Smith who is perhaps the most read of any of the papers features. Chris has his finger on the pulse of Sonoma County , and will be here to talk about his favorite places and things to do on your visit.

1/22-Larry Van Aalst visits with Bill Smart & Scot Covington

Bill Smart - Director, Communications at Dry Creek Vineyard

Director of Communications at Dry Creek Vineyard, Bill was one of the judges at The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The largest competition of American wines held anywhere was recently held in Cloverdale California, the public tasting will be at Fort Mason in San Francisco Feb. 15.

Bill will be with us to talk about what it is like being involved with such a huge tasting, and also tell us about the big winners from Dry Creek Vineyard.

Scot Covington - Winemaker, Trione Winery

Living the dream in Sonoma County , Scot is the Winemaker at Trione Winery in the Alexander Valley. Known for their "only the best" approach to wine, Scot will be with us to talk about what it's like to win a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition , and have us taste the wine live on the show.

1/8-Larry Van Aalst talks with Carl Brandhorst & Dan Barwick

Carl Brandhorst - President, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association and Board Member, American Wine Society

As President of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association and Board Member on the American Wine Society , Carl is in the Movers and Shakers category in the wine business. Among his long list of credentials , Carl is a certified wine judge , and will be flying in from the East Coast to be part of The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

We will have a chance to talk about the big competition , and get a perspective from an East Coast luminary.

Dan Barwick -  Winemaker, Paradise Ridge Winery

Winemaker for Paradise Ridge Winery , Dan is a favorite at CRN Studios.

Just nominated to be voted top Winemaker in a CRN poll, Dan will tell us what it takes to make the list. We will talk about new releases , and how record setting dry weather will treat the 2014 vintage.

12/25-Encore Broadcast Larry Van Aalst visits with Miro Tcholakov & Brenda Chatelain

Miro Tcholakov - Winemaker, Trentadue

Being Winemaker for Trentadue , and his own brand Miro Wines , is a  non stop proposition . Along with his other responsibilities , Miro is an officer with the largest Petit Syrah organization in the US. We will be talking about the 2013 harvest , and how someone from Bulgaria hit a home run as a Winemaker in Alexander Valley.








Brenda Chatelain - The Smoked Olive

A great friend of CRN, Brenda is a principal in The Smoked Olive. Although it is hard to describe , and must be tasted to be appreciated , smoked olive oil is one of Somoma Countys ' exceptional products. Garnering some great press , the olive oil and smoked brown sugar is a treat that shouldn't be missed. Brenda will give us the breaking news about the first dedicated shop for The Smoked Olive, and how to find it on the net.

12/11-Larr Van Aalst visits with Christopher Silva & William Seppi

Christopher Silva - President & CEO of St. Francis Winery
Being President / CEO of St. Francis Winery would be more than most of us could handle. Chris is not only in that enviable position but is also one of the young Wine Industry notables who gives tirelessly to his job and community. St Francis is one of the most well know of the Sonoma Valley Wineries and the world wide acclaim is what we will discuss , along with finding out about  the new winemakers.

William Seppi - Costeaux French Bakery
Having won both local and national honors , Costeaux French Bakery is a Sonoma County treasure. Located in Healdsburg , the bakery is a must visit for all those touring the local Wine Country. Will is General Manager and one of the family who made Cousteaux into a favorite spot in our area. We will talk about the Holidays and his role in the big San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition coming up in January.