9/16-Larry Van Aalst & Nicole Nielsen talk to Kate MacMurray & Ray Johnson

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.

9/2 Larry Van Aalst visits with Matthew Lowe & Tucker Taylor

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.

8/19-Larry Van Aalst talks with Carolyn Stark

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.

8/5-Larry Van Aalst visits with Steve Heller & Dan Berger

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.

7/22-Larry Van Aalst talks to Chris Donatiello & Karissa Kruse

 
 
 
 
 

Chris Donatiello - Owner, C.Donatiello Winery
Owner of C.Donatiello Winery in the Russian River area of Sonoma County, Chris comes from a background of wine and spirits sales in New York. With a get back to basics approach, and a focus on Pinot Noir , Chris has kept his promise of making wine that is "a joy to drink".Chris will talk about the new releases and another project he is undertaking.

Karissa Kruse - President, Sonoma County Winegrowers
President of Sonoma County Winegrowers, Karissa uses her education at The Wharton School of Business to keep order in  this large organization. Partner in a small Bennett Valley vineyard, Karissa will tell us the thrill and trials of growing grapes in one of the best places on earth.

7/8-Larry Van Aaslt visits with Dan Barwick & Carolyn Stark

Dan Barwick - Winemaker, Paradise Ridge Winery
Winemaker for Paradise Ridge Winery is a full time job for Dan but along with working a  consulting Winemaker for a number of other wineries in Sonoma County, he also is a world traveler, and is involved with the extraordinary events at Paradise Ridge.  Located in one of the most beautiful spots in the County, the Outdoor Art Gallery , the new pizza oven , and the new outdoor theatre make for a world class wine center. Dan will be with us to talk about the new releases of his award winning wines and the special events coming up this year.

Carolyn Stark-  Executive Director, The Sonoma County Vintners Association
The new Executive Director at The Sonoma County Vintners Association is off to a great start with a unique  approach to a barrel auction which raised more than one million dollars for charity this year. The real news the Sonoma County Wine Weekend , coming up Labor Day. One of the nicest of all wine country events The Wine Weekend runs all three days of the long weekend. Exceptional food, wine, and special events make this an event not to be missed. Carolyn will tell you all about the weekend that usually sells out.

6/24-Larry Van Aalst talks with Guy Davis & Bob Cooley

Guy Davis - Owner & Winemaker, Davis Family Vineyards
Owner, Winemaker at Davis Family Vineyards , Guy is a back to the earth sort of person. Davis Family has been producing extraordinary wine for some years now and Guy is a go to for all things Sonoma . Recently featured on the TV series , A Movable Feast, the essence of Sonoma County is in the family , and the wines they produce.

Bob Cooley - Vice President of Sales, Benovia Winery
Vice President of Sales at Benovia Winery, Bob is in the company of some of the most talented wine stars in Somoma. After a long association with some of the best wineries in Northern California , Bob has found a home at a newer winery in Sonoma County. Pinot Noir , Chardonnay , and Zinfandel , the grapes Sonoma is known for, are the focus  at one of the most talked about of our new wineries.