STEVE AND DAVE…HOUR 1…8/30

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To start every Saturday morning Dennis with the Farmers Market Update

https://thesantarosafarmersmarket.com/

Then phone calls 9-11 at 707-636-1350

Or email 24-7 at steve@ksro.com

 

The Good Stuff – Benovia Winery

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Mike Sullivan, Winemaker and Co-Owner Benovia Winery.

Mike is a fifth-generation Californian who grew up in Sonoma County and started working in Dick Arrowood’s cellar at Chateau St. Jean at the age of 18. While pursuing his enology degree at Fresno State, Mike also spent his summers farming at Four Brothers, his family’s vineyard. Soon thereafter, Mike served as assistant winemaker under the legendary Helen Turley at Landmark Vineyards, and then at Chappellet. Mike garnered numerous honors—including recognition by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate as “Wine Personality of the Year”—as head winemaker at Hartford Family Winery before partnering with Joe and Mary to found Benovia in 2005.

As a winemaker, Mike listens. He listens to the vineyard, to what the grapes are saying, to nature unfolding each year, and to the wine during fermentation. “At Benovia I only have one job: to create wines that capture the essence of this place and this time, and for me, no wine reflects its place and time more than Pinot Noir.”

When he isn’t making wine, Mike serves on the board of Russian River Valley Winegrowers, travels to wine regions that inspire him, and indulges his personal weakness for Burgundy, grower Champagne, and Rieslings from Alsace and Germany.

Benovia Winery

Benovia Winery is a special, small production family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, specializing in balanced, elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is highly sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Built from a foundation of farming excellence and winemaking experience, Benovia began in 2005 with passion, fueled by discovery, experimentation, precision and creativity. With a portfolio of highly acclaimed and award-winning wines crafted from three estate vineyards planted to 70 acres of vines that have evolved and matured, Benovia now enjoys its place among the lofty ranks of Sonoma’s elite boutique wineries.

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

 

Ask The Expert: Recovery Radio With Dr. K – Overdose Awarenss Month & International Awareness Day

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In this episode, Dr. K & Chris Geiger of Center Point DAAC, talk about Overdose Awareness Month (August) and the International Overdose Awareness Day (August 30th) gathering happening here in Santa Rosa. In addition, the two discuss the services Center Point DAAC provides to assist those on the road to recovery!

Center Point DAAC of Santa Rosa has been serving Sonoma County since 1969, offering free or low‑cost addiction treatment for Medi‑Cal members. Their Dr. Sushma D. Taylor Recovery Center provides medically supervised detox and long‑term residential care, plus outpatient and specialized programs for teens, families, and individuals facing court involvement—all backed by mental‑health counseling and medication‑assisted treatment. For support with substance use recovery, visit cpdaac.org or call (707) 544‑3295.

 

ROCK’nVINO – Sac Song and Wine Series

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During this episode of ROCK’nVINO, hosts Coco and Michelle talk with Randi Moody, the organizer of the Sac Song and Wine Series.

The series, now in its third season, brings Nashville songwriters to perform chart-topping hits and discuss the inspiration behind their music, a concept inspired by a friend of Moody’s and launched in May 2023. These intimate concerts are truly special, and those who attend appreciate the storytelling and engaging experience that is unlike any other concert event. Moody has a background in radio and spent over a decade producing events in Napa. The Sac Song and Wine Series is held at Miners Leap Winery - a "mom and pop winery" with meticulously landscaped grounds and a stage designed for beautiful sunsets. You can choose from GA lawn passes, or VIP tickets, which include a glass of wine and charcuterie. The upcoming September 19th event will feature Sarah Buxton and Jerry Flowers, and the October 10th event will feature Charles Esten and Kelly Archer. The series also benefits local charities. Details at sacsongandwineseries.com

ROCK’nVINO is sponsored by American AgCredit.

 

HOUR 1…KATE FREY…8/23

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GUEST: Kate Frey

the Fetzer/Valley Oaks 5 Acre Culinary Garden---Hopland

Dennis with the Farmers Market Update

https://thesantarosafarmersmarket.com/

 

The Good Stuff – Alegria Vineyards

In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Bill Nachbauer, Owner of Alegria Vineyards.

Bill grew up in Vallejo, but his Sonoma County roots are deeper than our Zinfandel vines’. In 1868, great-great-grandparents on his mother’s side settled in Windsor, less than three miles south of Alegría Vineyards. At about the same time, great-great-grandparents on his father’s side settled near Petaluma. In the 1890s, one of Bill’s grandfathers was working in vineyards in the Napa Valley.

After college and law school at UC Berkeley, Bill went to Washington, DC, where he met Betsy, then in graduate school at George Washington University. Bill worked as a lawyer in DC for six years before returning to San Francisco where he practiced law for another ten years. Betsy worked in public policy in DC and Virginia. In San Francisco, she was, for many years, the Public Policy manager at Bank of America.

Bill enrolled in viticulture classes at Santa Rosa Junior College while he was looking for a vineyard, and discovered what became Alegría Vineyards during a class field trip in 1989. He is very “hands on” and did much of the work to reinvigorate the old vineyard, design, and plant the new blocks. He works in the vineyards every day. In 1994, Betsy and Bill decided to make wine from their Alegría Vineyards and they established ACORN Winery, which they operated for almost 30 years.

Our focus now is only to grow great grapes for other wineries. Our experience as winemakers helps us understand what winemakers are looking for.

Bill is a past president of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association and served on the boards of the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group and the Russian River Valley Winegrowers as well.

Today, we continue to find alegría as we enjoy living in the middle of our vineyards, enjoying the Russian River Valley climate and continuing a long tradition by sustainably growing premium quality grapes.

Acorn Winery

ACORN winery started when Bill and Betsy Nachbaur bought Alegría Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Bill traded in his law books for books on viticulture, pruning shears, and a tractor. In the early years, he was in the vineyards every day, with Betsy helping on weekends. Within a few years she joined Bill full time.

Bill and Betsy started off selling all their grapes to other wineries who produced highly prized Alegría Vineyard-designated wines. Then in 1994, they began making their own wine, establishing ACORN Winery with its first release in 1996, the 1994 Sangiovese. It is fitting that one of the first wines to be released under the "new" ACORN is an Alegría Vineyard Sangiovese.

In 2024 the Nachbaurs joyfully sold the ACORN brand to Melissa Moholt-Siebert, the founder and owner of Ancient Oak Cellars. The long-time friendship and shared values between the two winery-owning families provided a natural and exciting opportunity for both.

Historically, every ACORN wine was made from grapes grown at Alegría. With Melissa's ownership, other family-farmed, field-blend vineyards are being added. Each wine is still a field blend, following the ancient tradition represented in the mixed planting of the original 135-year old Alegría vineyard. Every wine is made by co-fermenting multiple varieties. The wines are blended from the day they are picked. This is what sets ACORN wines apart.

After 35 years, Bill and Betsy still find alegría living in the middle of their vineyards, enjoying the cool Russian River Valley climate. They will continue to farm the vineyard that was their first love, selling grapes to Melissa for ACORN, as well as a number of other award-winning wineries.

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