The podcast begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the show and expressing gratitude to their sponsor, Ron Rubin, for supporting the podcast. They also thank River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their financial backing, which allows them to keep sharing stories and sipping wine.

Just like in elementary school...we talk about what we did on our summer vacation :-)

The episode, number 236, focuses on recapping their summer adventures in Sonoma County and beyond.

Richard Ross, their engineer, kicks things off by sharing his first-ever road trip in an electric vehicle through the Eastern Sierras. He recounts stops at South Lake Tahoe, Bridgeport, Bodie ghost town, Mono Lake, and Mammoth Mountain, highlighting the beauty of the snow-covered Sierras and the challenges of finding EV chargers in remote areas. Along the way, he enjoyed local wines, quirky dining experiences, and even visited the Western Film Museum in Lone Pine.

Beth shares her summer highlights, including frequent trips to Eureka to visit family, where she enjoyed the zoo, a stunning dahlia garden, and local wine.

Marcy on the other hand, attended major events like Taste of Sonoma, the Sonoma County Fair (featuring the chaotic and hilarious Corgi races), and the Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol, which showcased local apples, cider, and artisan goods. She describes the fair’s expanded layout, bustling crowds, and delicious treats like apple fritters. Marcy reflects on her summer filled with wine-related activities, including the Big West Wine Fest, which focused on natural wines, and the Sonoma County Fair’s grape stomp. She also enjoyed beach picnics, hiking at Jenner Headlands, and participating in a summer reading program, where she read 15 books.

The hosts also discuss their efforts to deliver updated Wine Road maps to local wineries, with Beth noting the beauty of driving through Sonoma County’s wine regions.

They highlight Guerneville’s Dawn Ranch as a charming lodging option surrounded by redwoods, perfect for weddings or family reunions.

Marcy shares her experience taking a pickling class in Sebastopol, adding to her growing list of homemaking skills, and encourages listeners to explore similar workshops.

The episode wraps up with a shoutout to Ron Rubin for sponsoring another year of the podcast, ensuring they can continue sharing their love for Sonoma County wine and culture.

The hosts encourage listeners to visit the region, sip Sonoma wines, and enjoy all the unique experiences the area has to offer.

Mentions:

Dawn Ranch

Gravenstein Apple Fair

Gather in Sebastopol

Taste of Sonoma

Sonoma County Fair

Big West Wine Fest

Jenner Headlands

Western Film Museum in Lone Pine

Bode (Ghost town)

Special Thanks to...

Ron Rubin / River Road Family Vineyards & Winery - for their financial support

Richard Ross / Threshold Studios - for the amazing sound engineering

In this episode of Wine Road, Marci Gordon and Beth Costa chat with Tom Buckley, the General Manager of Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa and a new board member of The Wine Road.

They kick things off by thanking their sponsors, Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, for keeping the podcast going.

Tom shares the rich history of Hotel La Rose, a boutique hotel located in the historic railroad district of Santa Rosa. Built in 1907, the hotel boasts unique architecture with stone brought in from eastern Santa Rosa. The property features 29 individually designed rooms in the main building and a charming carriage house with balconies, patios, and a courtyard that’s perfect for group gatherings. Its central location makes it a great spot for visitors, with restaurants, shops, and even the train station just steps away.

The conversation highlights the hotel’s outdoor venue, which is ideal for weddings and events, and the convenience of the nearby SMART train, which brings visitors from the Bay Area. Tom reflects on his journey in hospitality, his love for the boutique hotel experience, and the importance of connecting with guests. He also praises Grossman’s, the Jewish deli located in the hotel, for its delicious food and bakery offerings.

Beth and Tom discuss the many reasons people visit Sonoma County, from wine tasting to exploring the coast, redwoods, and local attractions like Safari West. They also touch on the idea of hosting a Farmer’s Market at the hotel’s outdoor venue and the popularity of events like the Pliny the Younger beer release.

The episode wraps up with Beth’s “hidden winery” segment, giving listeners clues about a winery in Dry Creek Valley known for its fumé blanc, and a reminder to check out the Harvest Wine Trail, featuring 30 wineries and unique harvest experiences. Tom encourages everyone to visit Hotel La Rose, calling it the perfect base for exploring Sonoma County.

In this episode of Wine Road, hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa (0:00-0:24) introduce the show and thank sponsors Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their support.

They welcome Crystalyn Hackett, owner of Spicy Vines, as their guest (0:49-1:00). Crystalyn shares her excitement about being on the show and introduces a spiced wine she brought, which ties into her personal story and the origins of Spicy Vines (1:23-2:55). The wine, described as "Christmas in a glass," is a blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Carignan, and Petite Syrah, infused with holiday spices and a hint of brandy, evoking cozy, festive feelings (2:05-2:33).

Crystalyn recounts her journey, starting with her time as a competitive equestrian in Germany, where she realized her entrepreneurial aspirations (3:08-4:46). After traveling and brainstorming ideas, she returned to California and created her first spiced wine, inspired by a drink she had in Germany (6:00-7:16). Despite having no prior experience in the wine industry, she spent a year perfecting the formula and navigating regulatory challenges to define and legally categorize "spiced wine" (8:03-9:22).

Crystalyn explains how she built Spicy Vines from scratch, starting with events in San Francisco and eventually partnering with her now-husband, Doug, who became the winemaker (10:29-11:19). Together, they expanded their portfolio to include Zinfandel, Syrah, rosé, and other varietals, focusing on high-quality, small-batch production (12:12-13:07). Their Healdsburg tasting room, opened in 2016, offers a lively atmosphere with live music, wine cocktails, and charcuterie (13:13-14:22).

Crystalyn emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming, fun experience for visitors and wine club members, offering customizable memberships and personal touches like follow-ups and curated shipments (17:00-24:41). She also teases plans to launch her own podcast to share inspiring stories and connect with others (24:42-25:35). The episode wraps up with details about Spicy Vines' unique "winning cork" promotion and upcoming events, including their harvest release party and annual "Taste of Pine Mountain" event (25:36-27:00). The hosts close by encouraging listeners to visit Spicy Vines and keep it spicy (29:33-30:05).

LINKS:

Spicy Vines

The Gables Inn - the lodging property featured today

Wine & Food Affair - tickets to on sale today

Frick Winery - our last mystery "where am I winery"

Sponsor:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Credits:
The Wine Road podcast is mixed and mastered at
 Threshold Studios Sebastopol, CA.
http://thresholdstudios.info/