Jimi Good grows food at Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen, but around October, well all know him as “the pumpkin guy.” Jimi joins The Sonoma Spiel to tell the story of Pumpkin Day, including how a harvest gathering with pumpkins and fresh-pressed cider acquired a trebuchet.

The conversation wanders through Oak Hill Farm’s history, Jimi and Melissa Bucklin’s approach to farming, New Mexico green chiles, winter squash, and a beloved fingerling potato. Jimi also joins Tim for “We Get Questions,” answering visitor questions about Sonoma Valley.

Find Oak Hill Farm, its Red Barn Store hours, and event information at https://www.oakhillfarm.net/. Plan a Sonoma Valley visit at https://www.sonomavalley.com/.

Come hungry: Sonoma Magazine dining editor Heather Irwin returns to The Sonoma Spiel for a lively conversation about Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County restaurants, food trends, and the people behind the plates.

Heather and host Tim Zahner sip milkshakes from Smash while talking about Spread Kitchen’s dirty fries, burgers at Little Lou’s, Swiss Hotel’s back patio, and the pleasures of discovering a restaurant you’ve overlooked for years.

Is brunch really dead? Heather makes the case for the “brunchería,” where Mexican-inspired breakfast dishes, family gatherings, and mimosa flights keep the brunch spirit alive. We also discuss early dinner reservations, later dining, and why Sonoma’s farms and local ingredients remain at the heart of its food scene.

Heather shares the story of founding Sonoma Family Meal after the 2017 wildfires and its evolution into culinary training. She also explains why her food writing focuses on people and stories—and why supporting local journalism matters.

In “We Get Questions,” we tackle seafood stops, restaurant ideas for a group of 10, and a wine-country outing that begins with the ferry and SMART train before meeting a local driver.

One question remains: Where are the great nachos? Send us your recommendations!

Read Heather’s work: https://www.sonomamag.com/ https://www.pressdemocrat.com/

Plan your visit and find Sonoma Valley restaurants, events, lodging, and special offers: https://www.sonomavalley.com/

Explore the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

The Sonoma Spiel is hosted by Tim Zahner, CEO of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.

What makes a hotel feel like part of its hometown? For Kendall Comfort, General Manager of Sonoma Valley Inn, it starts with the people.

This week on The Sonoma Spiel, Kendall joins Tim Zahner for a conversation about growing up in Sonoma, building a hospitality career, and helping visitors feel at home in wine country. Approaching 30 years with the same hotel, she shares how a front desk job became a career spanning meetings, events, and hotel management.

Kendall takes us behind the scenes at Sonoma Valley Inn, discussing its family ownership, walkable location near Sonoma Plaza, and place within Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. We also talk about guest reviews, communicating special requests before arrival, and the joys—and occasional surprises—of welcoming travelers with pets.

In “We Get Questions,” we tackle Thanksgiving visits, quieter-season travel, ferry connections for a Sonoma trip, California state park careers, stops in Forestville, and ideas for a Sunday in Sonoma. There’s also an unexpected detour into Kendall’s love of horses.

Expect practical travel ideas, local stories, and a few very memorable animal encounters.

IN THIS EPISODE • Travel inspiration from Rick Steves • Kendall’s journey from front desk to general manager • Staying near Sonoma Plaza and exploring on foot • Family ownership and Hilton’s Tapestry Collection • Making your hotel stay smoother through communication • Thanksgiving travel and quieter-season opportunities • Ferry travel and onward connections to Sonoma • Forestville stops and Sunday activities • Horses, hospitality, and hometown connections

Plan your visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com/

Explore the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

Send us your Sonoma questions: Call or text 707-996-1090 Email info@sonomavalley.com

The Sonoma Spiel is presented by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau. Follow the podcast for more conversations with the people who make Sonoma Valley special.