"The Good Stuff"

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Cameron Mauritson, a seventh-generation Sonoma County winegrower and a key figure in the Rockpile AVA.  Tune in as Cameron reflects on growing up in a multigenerational farming family, the evolution of the Mauritson farming operation over time, and why farming in Sonoma County remains both a challenge and a calling. 

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Dana and Ted Seghesio, legendary Sonoma County vintners and the duo behind Solo Nostro Wines.  Tune in as Dana and Ted share the story of how they met, reflect on the Seghesio family’s deep farming roots in Sonoma County, and what it means to build a small, family-run label that’s truly theirs alone - “solo nostro”.   

Tun in this week as hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Joe Bartolomei, Sonoma County winegrower and founder of the beloved Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.   Hear Joe's story of purchasing a piece of land and old building with his sister Catherine, and how he transformed it into a Bed & Breakfast and defining the hospitality and authenticity that made Farmhouse Inn and Restauran...

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Danny Bernstein, agtech leader and CEO of Reservoir Farms.  Tune in as Danny shares the story behind the recently launched Reservoir Farms Sonoma — the nation’s first on-farm robotics and automation hub for viticulture, located in the heart of Sonoma County — and how Reservoir has allowed his  experience in Silicon Valley’s tech indus...

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Tom and Mary Stubbs of Stubbs Vineyard in Marin County.   Tune in to hear Tom’s story of growing up on a small farm in England, to coming to the United States and rediscovering his love of agriculture. Tom and Mary share their unique journey into the wine industry, leaving San Francisco to raise their family in West Marin and “living...

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Justin and Karin Warnelius-Miller of Garden Creek Vineyards in Alexander Valley.    Tune in to hear their stories about growing up working in agriculture in Alexander Valley working, and reconnecting as adults to build Garden Creek Winery together.  A story of hard work, dedication, and appreciation for the land – Karin and Justin tea...

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Michael and Kara Busselen of Woodhawk Vineyards in Alexander Valley.  Tune in to hear their story of pivoting from careers in PR to following their dream of growing winegrapes and making wine.  In this episode, the Busselen's share how they fell in love with winemaking and Sonoma County and how their passion for lifelong learning, hos...

Tune in as Emily shares her journey from growing up on a farm in Oregon to discovering her passion for agriculture—ultimately leading to her role as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor at Analy High School. You’ll also hear from Riggs, Vineyard Manager at Emeritus Vineyards and a recent honoree in Wine Business Monthly’s Sonoma County 2025 Wine Industry Leaders list, whose deep Sonoma County...

This week, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse welcome Healdsburg Bubble Bar owner Sarah Quider.   Tune in to hear Sarah’s inspiring journey — from discovering her passion for winemaking and rising to Winemaker at Ferrari-Carano and SVP of Winemaking for Foley Family Wines, to finding community in Healdsburg and opening the doors to her very own Bubble Bar and wine club.  

In episode 109 of “The Good Stuff,” hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with brothers Parke and Scott Hafner of Hafner Vineyard.  Learn how Scott and Parke's parents, Dick and Mary, felt drawn to life in Sonoma County,  relocating from Berkley to pursue their dreams of farming. Dick and Mary would go on to  purchase a prune orchard in the 1960’s which today is now a vineyard and winery...

In episode 109 of “The Good Stuff,” hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Aaron Piotter, Winemaker at Quivira Vineyards, whose deep Sonoma roots and lifelong connection to the land have shaped his thoughtful approach to winemaking Born and raised in Sonoma County, Aaron’s journey into winemaking is as unique as his wines — from developing an acute sense of smell and flavor through s...

In episode 108 of " The Good Stuff " hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Jenifer Freebairn, VP of Marketing and Sales at Lasseter Family Winery, whose non-traditional path into wine has become a story of passion, creativity, and purpose.  From a foundation in music and storytelling to shaping the voices of iconic Sonoma County wineries, Jenifer has built a career around connection...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to  Joe Pozzi,  lifelong Sonoma County rancher, and owner of Pozzi Ranch.  From growing up on his family’s multi-generational ranch to becoming a leader in regenerative agriculture and local wool production, Joe’s story reflects the deep agricultural roots, innovation, and...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to  Heidi Bridenhagen, Director of Winemaking at MacRostie Winery. Tune in as Heidi discusses her journey from growing up in an agricultural community in Wisconsin to discovering her passion in Sonoma County’s wine industry.   From her early days working in cellars, labs, a...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to C arolyn Bordes, founder of Bordes Wines in Sonoma    Tune in as Carolyn shares her journey from equestrian in New England to Sonoma County vintner, her passion for hospitality and food pairings, and the inspiration she finds working alongside her daughters in their fami...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Erica Larson, COO of Larson Family Winery, and Hayden Puryear, DTC Manager at Larson Family Wines. Tune in as Erica and Hayden discuss the unique history of her family's property in Sonoma, which  includes a ghost town and former home to the Sonoma County Rodeo, and shar...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to John Hamel, Winemaker and Director of Winegrowing at Hamel Family Wines.    Tune in as he shares his passion for organic and biodynamic farming, and how a deep connection to the land guides his approach to crafting wines with intention and vision.  

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Matt Taylor, Winemaker at Mascarin Family Wines . A third-generation Sonoma County native, Matt has deep roots in the region and a profound connection to the Sonoma Coast AVA. Known for its diverse microclimates and rugged terrain, the Sonoma Coast inspires his work, sha...

In this episode of “The Good Stuff” presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse sit down with Shelly Rafanelli, winemaker at A. Rafanelli Winery in Dry Creek Valley. Shelly shares the story of her family’s deep roots in Sonoma County, and making connections through wine. She reflects on her journey to becoming a winemaker, carrying forward her family’s legacy...

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 of  Benovia Vineyards .   Mike talks about growing up in Sonoma County, his early interest in the wine industry, and taking the leap to co-found Benovia Winery in the Russian River Valley.  Mike reflects on a few of his "WOW" wine mo...

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 shares how he and his wife Betsy made the leap from a career in law and public policy to farming grapes in Sonoma County, where Bill's family roots stretch back to the 1860s. Bill recalls the moment in 1989 when he firs...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to  Jen Berman, General Manager, and Phillip Dube, Winemaker at North Coast Wine Co. , to discuss North Coast Wine and the Outerbound wine label.  Phillip shares his unconventional journey from practicing law on the East Coast to winemaking across continents—from South Afri...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Mark Stark, Executive Chef & Co-Founder, and Terri Stark, Hospitality Director & Co-Founder of Stark Reality Restaurants . The husband-and-wife team provide a behind the scenes look into Stark Reality Restaurants, a collection of eight locally loved restaurants i...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Jack Florence,  Founder of Florence Vineyard and Author of Dare to Dream . Jack shares his story of trading a career in nuclear engineering for a life among the vines in Sonoma County. Originally from New York, Jack spent over two decades in the nuclear energy industry,...

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the  Sonoma County Winegrowers , hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to  Karen Francis Degolia,  Owner of Limerick Lane Cellars .  Karen shares the early days of bringing Limerick Lane back to life in the 1990s, working alongside Tom Collins to revive long-dormant vineyards. She shares what it was like to walk through the property for the fi...