Archives: Episodes

The Good Stuff – 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!

Kevin Bersofsky’s dad was a “rocket scientist,” who designed control systems for ballistic missiles and spy satellites. As a kid, Kevin was challenged to “think deeper” and not just settle for an easy answer. Taking that cue, he went on to graduate from Cornell with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. One of his first jobs was to design make-up mixing tanks for Estee Lauder, but he didn’t find satisfaction in this as a career. After being introduced to a garagiste winemaker, he decided to pursue winemaking and began making Syrah. Life as a winemaker almost came to an end when he was paid a visit by the ATF, ABC, and the Napa DA after a neighbor complained about his garage-shop operation. Now he owns Montagne Russe Wines, so named because of the roller coaster ride he’s taken by choosing to be a winemaker.

Montagne Russe/Vino and Vinyls Record Shop

Montagne Russe was not the original name of the garage winery.  It was “Three Balls In” which was a bocce ball reference.  No one got it.  Montagne Russe (Russian Mountain) is the name the French gave to roller coasters.  The Russians brought fancy ice sleds to Paris, the Parisian were very literal, and hence from there on, in Latin-speaking countries a roller coaster is called a Russian Mountain.  If you visit our tasting room in Healdsburg, we have the poster from the 1977 movie “Roller Coaster” from 9 different countries. He describes a rollercoaster as the perfect metaphor for describing the winemaking process and starting his own winery.

It all started when owner and winemaker of Montagne Russe, Kevin Bersofsky, began his own personal record collection at the tasting room.  As it grew, everyone kept asking to buy his records... And so began the idea of creating a record shop inside the tasting room.

Vino & Vinyls offer a collection of over 2,000 vinyl records, and they range from $5 to $40 each: with everything from Miles Davis, to the Eagles, to Taylor Swift. There is something for everyone.

Steve Sangiacomo is a third-generation partner at Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, located in Sonoma, California where his family has farmed since 1927. He grew up on the ranch and began learning the ropes from his father and extended family at a young age. As far back as he can remember, he clamored to tag along with his father and uncles during early morning frost protection after which he enjoyed a special treat — doughnuts. He took to the fields early and recalls jumping off a tractor to race to seventh-grade orientation. In his early 20s, he began learning the family business from the ground up and in his 30s he and his brother Mike took over the reins.

Today Steve shares responsibility with his brother for managing the family’s 1600 acres of vineyards as well as grape sales to more than 70 premium wineries, many of whom vineyard-designate their wines with the Sangiacomo name. He also oversees his family’s own newly-released wine label, Sangiacomo Family Wines. He flat out loves his job, particularly the wide variety of responsibilities spanning the agricultural, strategic, and operational aspects of the business.

He has lived his entire life in Sonoma Valley with the exception of his college years at St. Mary’s where he studied business and economics and an internship at the Xerox Corporation. He never wavered, however, in his desire to return to the ranch. Steve is a board member of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Association, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation, and the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

 

Ask The Expert: Dr. Walter Tom – Happy Faces

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Dr. Walter Tom of Dr. Tom Cosmetic Surgery talks with Karina Lozano, Surgical Liaison, about happy faces! The two discuss key characteristics of a happy face, including "smiling eyes",  periorbital skin crinkling or "crows feet", nasolabial folds around the nose, the lower face and available treatment options.

Learn more and schedule a consultation by visiting DrTomCosmetic.com.

 

At The Table – Sonoma County Farm Fest

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Host Clark Wolf talks with Dayna Ghirardelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, about the 2nd Annual Sonoma County Farm Fest. In addition, the two discuss what's been a great grass season around the county, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau itself, the "Love of the Land" event, farm animals being featured at the Sonoma County Fair, who makes up the farm bureau, what makes a good farmer, what makes Sonoma County different than other regions and the growth of farmer's markets in the area.

 

WEEKLY MARKET NUMBERS, JUNE MARKET UPDATE, MORTGAGE RATES, PRICE REDUCTIONS

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THE WEEKLY MARKET NUMBERS

JUNE MARKET YEAR OVER YEAR

EMERGENCY PREP HELP FOR SENIORS

NEXT EVENTS IN SANTA ROSA, JULY 17 & 31

https://www.emergencyprephelp.org/

MORTGAGE RATES

PRICE REDUCTIONS

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO

https://www.happeningsonomacounty.com/

CHECK OUT

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealEstateHour

https://www.youtube.com/@sonomacountyrealestatehour

To reach Allison and Stephanie off the air

Call or Text 707-799-3617

Email: normanhometeam@gmail.com

 

PEACH HEAVEN…7/5

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Steve with Father and Daughter team John and Emily Ash

GUEST

Gayle Sullivan

Dry Creek Peach and Produce

2179 Yoakim Bridge Rd

Healdsburg, CA 95448

707-433-8121

 

 

The Good Stuff – 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 Robinson is a leading wine educator and one of only 28 women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier—the first woman designated as Best Sommelier in the United States. Andrea is currently Sommelier for Delta Air Lines, the winner of three James Beard awards, and Bon Appétit magazine as Wine and Spirits Professional of The Year in 2004.

Andrea Robinson was born in North Dakota and raised in Texas and Southern Indiana. From a young age, she had a deep appreciation for cooking and food. While attending college, she took a wine tasting class at a restaurant in Dallas, Texas—a pivotal moment that sparked her passion for wine.

Robinson earned degrees in economics and business from Southern Methodist University and began her career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. During this time, she volunteered at a local wine school, helping with tasks like pouring wine and cleaning glassware. In exchange, she took free classes and built connections within the wine industry. A turning point came when she led a tasting for Champagne Krug. Inspired, she resigned from Morgan Stanley the very next day to pursue a career in wine.

In 1990, Robinson embarked on a six-month journey through Europe by train and on foot, staying in hostels and immersing herself in wine culture. Upon returning to the U.S., she began working in the wine department at Windows on the World in New York City, where she was mentored by renowned wine expert Kevin Zraly. She eventually became the restaurant’s first female cellar master and went on to earn her Master Sommelier Diploma. She also competed in the World Championship of Sommeliers.

Andrea has written four top-selling wine and food books, including Everyday Dining with Wine, which won the prestigious IACP cookbook award. She has also created a ground-breaking wine stemware series called The ONE, which optimizes the tasting experience with a single, precision shape.

As host of her own online video wine course at andreawine.com, Andrea shares her knowledge with thousands of consumers and professionals each month. She has developed innovative beverage and hospitality training programs for Norwegian Cruise Line, Marriott, Starwood, Hilton Hotels, and Darden Corp. Andrea also speaks regularly to the travel trade, dozens of major corporations, consumer wine groups and top hospitality schools.

Andrea has hosted more than 100 episodes of her own ground-breaking television series’ for Scripps Networks, including the Food Network’s Quench, as well as Simply Wine and Pairings with Andrea on Fine Living network. She was featured on Working Mother magazine’s cover as a Working Mother of the Year, and she has been profiled in People, Glamour, Elle, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today show, CBS This Morning, The New York Times, Food & Wine magazine, and numerous others.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!