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by Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
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- 1 weeks ago58 min
Bears, Bald Mountain, and Big Views at Sugarloaf State Park - John Roney Comes Down the Mountain
Head up Adobe Canyon Road and Sonoma starts to change. The valley floor drops away, the air cools off, and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park opens into one of the wildest, most beautiful parts of Sonoma Valley. John Roney joins Tim to talk about what makes the park so special: nearly 5,000 acres of protected land, about 30 miles of trails, campsites, glamping tents, redwoods, waterfalls, wildlife, and the kind of views that make you forget you’re still only about half an hour from the Sonoma Plaza. Along the way, John gets into the park’s partnership with the Sonoma Ecology Center, the volunteer energy that helps keep so much of it going, and the many ways people can experience Sugarloaf — whether that means a steep climb up Bald Mountain, a gentler walk through the redwoods, a first camping trip, a forest bathing session, or a night at the observatory under some very dark skies. There’s also plenty of talk about the wildlife up there, including black bears, mountain lions, badgers, minks, rattlesnakes, and the very real science of tracking animals through trail cams and scat surveys. Add in the Planet Walk, park living rooms, full moon hikes, the Sugar Shuttle, and the Fourth of July Bald Mountain fireworks hike, and you’ve got a mountain-sized conversation about one of Sonoma Valley’s great outdoor treasures. Learn more about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park at www.sugarloafpark.org. The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- 2 weeks ago49 min
Justin Wilson of MacArthur Place on Luxury Hospitality in Sonoma Valley
Justin Wilson of MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa joins The Sonoma Spiel for a conversation about hospitality, local character, and what makes one of Sonoma’s best-known boutique hotels feel both elevated and genuinely welcoming. Justin talks about MacArthur Place’s roots as a historic ranch and vineyard, its evolution into a luxury property just off the plaza, and the philosophy behind making it feel like a place for both visitors and locals. Tim and Justin also get into the Porch coffee shop, Leila restaurant, the spa, weddings, poolside events, Music Mondays, Burgers & Bordeaux, and the newer Som Saturdays classes that bring a little wine and cocktail education into the mix. It’s a good look at how MacArthur Place has built a distinct Sonoma identity by combining comfort, style, and a strong sense of place. Along the way, Justin shares his own path through the hospitality world, from bussing tables at 15 to working with Four Seasons and Fairmont before landing in Sonoma Valley, where he and his wife decided they wanted to stay for good. It’s a warm, wide-ranging episode about service, community, and why genuine hospitality matters. Learn more about MacArthur Place at macarthurplace.com. The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- 3 weeks ago50 min
Spring Blooms, Spirit Guides, and Sonoma Botanical Garden with Jeannie Perales
Jeannie Perales returns to The Sonoma Spiel to talk about one of Sonoma Valley’s most fascinating places to wander: Sonoma Botanical Garden. Tim and Jeannie get into the garden’s old quarry history, its pools, waterfalls, winding trails, and why it feels a lot more like a woodland adventure than a formal stroll past flower beds. They also talk about the garden’s evolution from Quarryhill to Sonoma Botanical Garden, and how its mission now includes both rare East Asian plants and California native plants. They also spend time on Spirit Guides, the colorful new outdoor exhibition of fantastical creatures from the workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles, along with the garden’s Wednesday evening programs, sunset concerts, picnics, and all the reasons this place keeps giving people something new to come back for. Along the way, the conversation heads into Jeannie’s Florida museum-and-garden background, orchids, circus history, tomatoes, and the very real truth that sometimes the person running the botanical garden does not have the best garden at home. It’s a fun, thoughtful, slightly wandering episode in the best Sonoma Spiel way. Learn more about Sonoma Botanical Garden at sonomabg.org. The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- 3 weeks ago58 min
Kim Jones and Aaron Brown on The Future Collective, Arable, and Sonoma Valley’s Future
In this episode of The Sonoma Spiel, Tim talks with Kim Jones of The Future Collective and Aaron Brown of Arable about storytelling, land, farming, housing, and the future of Sonoma Valley. Kim shares how The Future Collective grew out of a desire to bring younger community members into deeper conversations about the big issues shaping local life, from housing affordability and food insecurity to labor, mental health, and what it means to build a community that can actually sustain the people who live and work here. Aaron talks about Arable, a storytelling project exploring natural wine, cider, farming, and the people who are rethinking the relationship between agriculture, place, and community. The conversation also touches on Sonoma Valley Collaborative, the emerging Sonoma Valley Commons, heirloom apples, hybrid grapes, documentary storytelling, and the creative overlap between nonprofit work, agriculture, branding, and local identity. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging episode about what it means to care for a place — and how culture, land, and collaboration all shape Sonoma Valley’s future. Learn more: The Future Collective: thefuturecollective.org Arable / Earth and Sky Studio About The Sonoma Spiel The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- Apr 8, 202644 min
Sonoma Golf Studio: Indoor Golf, TrackMan Lessons, Group Events & Better Practice in Sonoma
This week on the Sonoma Spiel, Tim sits down with Amanda Doherty and Jason Palter from Sonoma Golf Studio to talk about Sonoma’s indoor golf scene and why it’s changing the way people practice, play, and connect. They get into TrackMan simulator technology, lessons with PGA pros, memberships, beginner-friendly practice, and how the studio creates a low-pressure space to improve your game without the long drive to a course or range. The conversation also covers private events, corporate outings, wedding weekend activities, and why Sonoma Golf Studio is a great fit for both locals and visitors looking for something active and social to do in Sonoma Valley. Plus, Tim and his guests answer a few classic visitor questions covering quirky Sonoma sights, local history, and community creativity. Sonoma Golf Studio Website: https://sonomagolfstudio.com Email: info@sonomagolfstudio.com Phone: 707-938-7248 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Plan your Sonoma Valley trip: www.SonomaValley.com Questions? Contact us at info@sonomavalley.com or text 707-996-1090. Follow Sonoma Valley on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Stop by our Visitor Centers at the Sonoma Plaza and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Watch and listen to the Sonoma Spiel on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
- Apr 3, 202650 min
Cruising Sonoma Valley in a Vintage VW Bus with Ronnie Cotter of West Wine Tours
In this episode of The Sonoma Spiel, Tim talks with Ronnie Cotter of West Wine Tours about one of the most memorable ways to explore Sonoma Valley: riding through wine country in a vintage Volkswagen bus. Ronnie shares what makes West Wine Tours special, from its fleet of colorful classic VW buses to its focus on family-owned wineries, boutique tasting experiences, and a more laid-back, off-the-beaten-path feel. They talk about some of the stops guests might enjoy, including Bartholomew Estate Winery, Winery Sixteen 600, and Anaba, along with the stories, scenery, and local flavor that make the ride part of the experience. The conversation also covers Ronnie’s path into hospitality, growing up in Sonoma, learning to drive stick, working as a farmer before becoming a tour guide, and why he enjoys helping visitors see what Sonoma Valley is really all about. Along the way there are detours into deli sandwiches, music playlists, local golf, pizza memories, and visitor questions about burgers, hostels, mashed potatoes, and hot springs. It’s a warm, funny, local episode about classic vehicles, Sonoma hospitality, and the joy of taking the scenic route. In this episode: Vintage VW bus tours in Sonoma Valley Family-owned wineries and boutique tasting experiences Ronnie’s path from farming to hospitality Bartholomew, Winery Sixteen 600, and Anaba Local stories, visitor questions, and Sonoma favorites Learn more: westwinetours.com About The Sonoma Spiel The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- Mar 26, 202647 min
Fried Chicken, Fine Cocktails, and Songbird Parlour with Kenny DeAlba
Spring has arrived in Sonoma Valley, and in this episode of The Sonoma Spiel, Tim sits down with Kenneth “Kenny” DeAlba of Songbird Parlour in Glen Ellen for a wide-ranging conversation about food, hospitality, cocktails, community, and what makes Sonoma Valley such a special place to gather. Kenny shares the story behind Songbird Parlour, the cozy and beautifully designed restaurant located in historic Jack London Village, and talks about its evolution into a full restaurant known for seasonal, farm-forward cuisine, warm hospitality, and memorable special nights like Prime Rib Wednesdays and Epic Fried Chicken Sundays. Along the way, Tim and Kenny talk about Kenny’s background in hospitality and bartending, his years working in Sonoma restaurants, his upbringing between Mexico and Sonoma, and his passion for creating experiences that make people feel at home. The conversation also takes a few fun detours into cocktail culture, motorcycle rides through Wine Country, local history, and even Napa’s mysterious “reebobs.” It’s a fun, local, heartfelt episode full of great stories and plenty of Sonoma personality. In this episode: The story behind Songbird Parlour Kenny’s journey in hospitality and bartending Seasonal California fusion cuisine in Glen Ellen Prime Rib Wednesdays and Epic Fried Chicken Sundays Sonoma Valley visitor tips and local recommendations Cocktails, community, and the joy of gathering around good food Learn more: songbirdparlour.com About The Sonoma Spiel The Sonoma Spiel is brought to you by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, sharing the people, places, and stories that make Sonoma Valley such a special place to visit. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
- Mar 17, 20261h 1m
Beer Cruises, Sonoma Secrets & UFOs | Chelsea Smith
What do beer cruises, Sonoma theater, travel planning, and UFOs have in common? Chelsea Smith. In this episode of The Sonoma Spiel, Tim chats with Chelsea Smith about her journey through travel, beer, performance, and life in Sonoma Valley. From Germany and Lagunitas to the Sonoma visitor center and local stage productions, Chelsea shares insider tips, great stories, and plenty of personality. Find out: Sonoma travel recommendations Winery and lunch ideas Boutique hotel suggestions A look at Chelsea’s hosted beer cruise on the Rhine Behind-the-scenes stories from Sonoma Arts Live And a completely reasonable amount of talk about cryptids and UFOs Visit sonomavalley.com for more Sonoma inspiration. 🍷 Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: 👉 https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Got questions about Sonoma Valley? You can email us at info@sonomavalley.com, text us at 707-996-1090 or contact us through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or just walk into one of our two visitor centers. It's Sonoma Valley's top podcast and you find it wherever you find fine podcasts, including Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
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