Today, we’re diving into the harrowing tale of the Donner Party as they ventured into the treacherous Sierra Nevada mountains and reached Truckee Lake, a pivotal moment in their tragic journey. We'll explore the challenges they faced, the decisions that led them to this crucial stop, and the lessons learned from their experiences.

But that's not all! We'll also uncork a fascinating discussion on how food and drink shaped the social interactions and morale of the group during these difficult times. We'll even touch on the role of wine in history, highlighting how it has been a source of comfort and community throughout the ages.

So grab your favorite beverage and settle in as we blend history with a touch of culinary exploration. Let’s get started!

Pour yourself a generous glass and settle in, because this episode uncorks one of the strangest, most unsettling family sagas to ever drift out of the California foothills. The Hammer family’s story is part true crime, part tragic legacy, and part “wait… what?”—the kind of tale that leaves you swirling your wine just to buy your brain a moment to catch up.

We’ll wander through generations of secrets, disappearances, conflict, and the eerie lore that seems to cling to the Hammer name like dust on an old ranch gate. With every sip, we peel back another layer—examining the rumors, the records, and the baffling twists that make this family’s history feel almost mythic.

Expect unexpected turns, messy human choices, and the kind of head-tilting moments that pair beautifully with a bold red… or maybe something stronger.

So grab your wine, settle in, and get ready to be Buzzed & Baffled as we dive deep into the haunting legacy of the Hammer family. Cheers—if that’s the right word for this story.

Grab a glass and settle in as we uncork one of the most unbelievable true-crime stories in American history. In this episode, we dive into the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping—when a school bus full of children vanished, triggering a nationwide panic and a rescue story that’s stranger than fiction. We break down the chilling plan, the improbable escape, and how a small town was forever changed. Pour yourself something bold, because this case goes deep underground… literally.