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The Good Stuff – Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Steve Dveris, CEO of SD Media and Founder of Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience, and Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner of The Matheson, Valette Restaurant & Valette Wines, about the Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience.

Steve Dveris is a media sales and marketing content strategist, with 30+ years of expertise in event sponsorships such as FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, South Beach Wine & Food, Austin Food + Wine, Playboy Jazz Festival, Live in the Vineyard, Creator/Producer of Magnum Party at FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.

Steve started SD Media 30 years ago in Los Angeles and now has offices in San Francisco and Napa. SD Media's goal is to be the best independent advertising sales organization in the country with the most successful track record of selling integrated media and providing excellent customer service to our media partners and advertising clients. We have a staff of seasoned, dedicated media professionals who pride themselves on being the best at what they do and making people smile along the way.

In 2022, SD Media launched the inaugural Healdsburg Wine and Food Festival.

Dustin Valette is a renowned chef and restaurateur from Healdsburg, Sonoma County, with deep family roots in the area. After culinary school, he honed his skills in prestigious kitchens, including Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Napa and Hokus at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Honolulu. He returned to the Bay Area as executive sous chef at the Michelin-starred Aqua in San Francisco.

Valette’s first executive role was at VOX Restaurant & Wine Lounge in Nevada, but he soon returned to Healdsburg to raise his family and work at Dry Creek Kitchen. There, he built lasting relationships with local growers and winemakers, becoming known for his food and wine pairings.

In 2015, Chef Valette and his brother opened Valette in downtown Healdsburg, a community-focused restaurant. In 2021, he expanded with The Matheson, deepening his connection to the region. Chef Valette was named Chef of the Year in 2021 and continues to be a key figure in Sonoma County’s culinary scene.

Dustin also has his own wine label, Vallete Wines, utilizing renowned winemakers: Bob Cabral, Jesse Katz, Dave Ramey, and Tom Rochioli.

HW&F Event:

Highlights include a Welcome Celebration, exclusive chef-led lunches and dinners, early access to the Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting, and VIP access to the Private Reserve Lounge at The Matheson Rooftop. Plus, gain early access to the wine country’s hottest event, our Big Bottle Party, and close the weekend with a special Sunday wine-down pool party. Enjoy priority hotel booking, shuttle service, and a welcome gift bag filled with goodies for an extraordinary Wine Country weekend.

Schedule

Thursday, May 15:

  • Welcome Celebration | 6 pm - 8 pm

Friday, May 16:

  • Platinum Lunch | 12 pm - 3 pm

  • Platinum Dinner | 6 pm - 9 pm

Saturday, May 17 

  • Reserve Lounge at The Matheson Rooftop | 11 AM - 5 PM

  • Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting | 11:45 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Exclusive Pre-Party at The Matheson | 7 PM - 8 PM

  • Big Bottle Party at The Matheson | 8 pm - Late

Sunday, May 18

  • Wine-Down Pool Party at Montage | 11 am - 3 pm

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

 

MARCH NUMBERS…EARTH MONTH…APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE

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NUMBERS FOR MARCH

FIRE PREPAREDNESS

EARTH MONTH

https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025-ten-activities-events-and-resources/

THINGS TO AVOID AFTER YOU APPLY FOR A MORTGAGE

https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20250401/Things-To-Avoid-After-You-Apply-for-a-Mortgage-MEM-original.jpg

 

Sermon: April 6, 2025

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This week on the PCOR Radio Broadcast we begin with Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 and conclude with "The Power To Forgive" a sermon by Rev. Dr Cindy Alloway.

 

 

At The Table – Chef Douglas Keane

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Host Clark Wolf talks with Chef Douglas Keane of Cyrus, about his new book "Culinary Leverage: A Journey Through The Heat", the healing process of writing, what the book is about, how important music is, his educational background, mental health struggles, the story behind Cyrus, what Cyrus is today, the restaurant industry as a whole, his time in New York City and what's next for him!

 

The Good Stuff – Dry Creek Valley Winegrowers

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Lauren Fremont & Amanda Brower from Dry Creek Valley Winegrowers.

Lauren Fremont - Executive Director, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley

The Paris-native was quite the traveler from a young age. Paris to Geneva to NYC by 8 years old. Lauren studied marketing and art at UMass Amherst and immediately after graduating had the entrepreneurial bug and started a small catering company. This is where her love of wine and food really got going. In 2003 she began working in fine-dining event management for the likes of Drew Neiporent/ TriBeCa Film Festival, Thomas Keller, and Daniel Boulud. In 2009 she started her own luxury event company and expanded internationally, producing $2M+ events and earning recognition from Martha Stewart Weddings and New York Magazine. By 2019 she became the Director of Experiences at Boston Ballet, leading a record-breaking $2.5M annual galas and increasing donor engagement. Lauren made the move to California in 2022 and became the Executive Director at Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, to revitalize brand trust, secured sponsorships, and lead large-scale events.  She lives in Healdsburg with her husband, 2 feral toddler boys, dog, and cat.

Amanda Brower - PR & Marketing Manager, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley

Amanda grew up moving around frequently as a child, thanks to her father’s 30-year career in the Navy. That early experience instilled in her a deep appreciation for community and a natural love for connecting with people. She put down roots, with her mother and stepfather, in Marin County at 14 and has since called the Bay Area home, spending time between Marin, San Francisco, and Sonoma County. For the past 10 years, she’s been happily settled in Santa Rosa, with two dogs and recently became three!

With a background in Sociology and Child Development, Amanda’s career took a turn into Marketing and Advertising at The Press Democrat before she found her true calling in the wine world. Now, she’s a key part of Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, PR and Marketing Manager, and has spent the last four years also helping manage Region. in Sebastopol, working alongside longtime friend and owner, Kerry.

When she’s not immersed in the wine scene (which, let’s be honest, is rare!), Amanda enjoys a great glass of wine, quality time with friends and family, getting outdoors, scenic drives, and, of course, cuddling up with her three fur babes.

Passport to Dry Creek Valley:

Passport to Dry Creek Valley is an annual wine event in Sonoma County, California, that celebrates the region’s winemaking heritage. Launched in 1990 by the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, the event was designed to showcase the area's diverse wineries and their wines.

Over the years, Passport has evolved into an immersive experience featuring themed tastings, vineyard tours, gourmet food pairings, and live entertainment. Participating wineries create unique experiences for guests and the event has played a significant role in promoting Dry Creek Valley as a premier winegrowing region, attracting both wine enthusiasts and industry professionals. After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, the festival has continued to evolve while staying true to its mission of celebrating the valley's rich winemaking traditions.

Dry Creek Valley:

With roots reaching back 140 years, Dry Creek Valley’s history in winegrape growing is among the longest in California. Its fertile landscape attracted settlers soon after the California Gold Rush of 1849. By the late 1880s, the valley had nine wineries and 883 acres of vineyards – the majority planted to Zinfandel, for which Dry Creek is best known. Prohibition ended this first wine boom, with just two wineries remaining after its repeal in 1933, Frei Brothers and J. Pedroncelli, which is still operating today. While some vineyards continued, prunes and pears became the valley mainstay until the California wine revival began in the 1970’s, bringing a dramatic expansion of vineyards and wineries. And in 1983, Dry Creek Valley became one of the first California wine regions to be recognized as an official American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Today, nearly 9,000 acres of vineyards carpet the valley, providing exceptional fruit to over 70 wineries, the majority of which remain family-owned.

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

 

Ask The Expert: Raise The Roof with Letitia Hanke – Cultured Palate Design

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In today’s episode, Letitia Hanke, CEO of ARS Roofing and Founder and Executive Director of The LIME Foundation opens up the show talking about the "Believe in the Dream Gala" taking place on September 11th at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, and then a special exclusive announcement for April 1st!

Regular Roof Inspections

 1. Do Your Research

  • Check Reviews: Look for recent Google, Yelp, or BBB reviews.

  • Ask for Recommendations: Friends, family, and neighbors can give great leads.

  • Verify Local Presence: Choose someone with a local office and established reputation in your area.

2. Look for Licensing & Insurance CSLB.CA.GOV

  • Licensed: Make sure they're licensed to work in your state.

  • Insured: They should carry both liability insurance and workers’ comp—ask to see proof.

3. Get Everything in Writing

  • Contract should include:

    • Scope of work

    • Materials to be used

    • Timeline

    • Payment schedule

    • Warranty info

4. Don’t Automatically Choose the Lowest Bid

  • Low bids can mean low-quality materials or inexperienced workers. Choose based on value—not just price.

5. Ask About Warranties

  • A reputable contractor will offer both a manufacturer warranty (on materials) and a workmanship warranty (on labor).

6. Never Pay in Full Upfront

  • A deposit is fine (typically 10–30%), but final payment should only be due after the job is complete and you’re satisfied.

And then Amy Fanning with Cultured Palate Designs joins the show! Amy is an interior designer that does project management for her clients!