Click to LISTEN

Hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa discuss upcoming events, share stories, and provide resources for wine enthusiasts in Northern Sonoma County. Here's the rundown:

1. Sponsor Shoutouts: Thanks to Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for supporting the podcast. Check out their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at riverroadvineyards.com.

2. Event Updates:

   • Winter Wineland: Recently wrapped up, offering a relaxed post-holiday wine weekend.
   • Wine Love Wine Trail: Happening on Valentine's Day (Feb 14). A $50 ticket grants access to 30 wineries with fun treats like conversation hearts and Hershey's Kisses.
   • Barrel Tasting: Celebrating its 48th year and the Wine Road's 50th anniversary. This signature event (March) allows guests to taste wines directly from barrels, meet winemakers, and purchase futures. Tickets are rolled back to $50 for the weekend.
   • 50th Anniversary Grand Tasting: Scheduled for November 6 at Fopiano Vineyards, featuring founding members, live music, and food. (UPDATE - new date September 19th).

3. Book Recommendation: Vines in a Cold Climate by Henry Jeffries explores the rise of English sparkling wine, driven by climate change and visionary winemakers.

4. Local Resource Highlight: Edible Marin and Wine Country magazine is a free, insightful guide to local food, wine, and culture.

5. Recipe Spotlight: Marcy shares a simple recipe for spiced candied nuts, perfect for Valentine's Day gifts. Ingredients include nuts, sugar, spices, egg white, and salt. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes, separate, and package with a bow.

6. Fun Moments: The hosts share laughs, personal anecdotes, and celebrate Beth's 49th wedding anniversary.

Listeners are encouraged to share photos from Winter Wineland and explore the Wine Road's events and resources. Happy Valentine's Day!

Links:

River Road Family Vineyards

Winter Wineland

Wine Love Wine Trail

Barrel Tasting

Edible Marin

Vines in a Cold Climate

Sugar and Spice Candied Nuts - a perfect Valentine gift idea!

1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (I might up this by a 1/2 tsp. next time for more of a sweet/salty balance)
Generous pinch of cayenne pepper (I swapped this with 1/4 teaspoon of hot smoked paprika)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound walnut or pecan halves or whole peeled hazelnuts
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix sugars, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated. Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven, and separate nuts as they cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.

Welcome to Wine Road, hosted by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, with thanks to Ron Rubin for supporting the podcast.

(0:24 - 0:48)
Thanks to River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their support. Explore their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at riverroadvineyards.com.

(0:49 - 0:59)
Episode 244 features Bruce Marinace, a tour driver and guide in Sonoma County.

(1:03 - 1:15)
Beth met Bruce at Alexander Valley Vineyards during their cave expansion event, leading to his podcast invitation.

(1:32 - 1:47)
Bruce transitioned from IT in Silicon Valley to wine tours in Sonoma after moving for his wife.

(2:08 - 2:23)
Bruce humorously recounts joining the Santa Rosa Mother's Club and adjusting to life as a stay-at-home dad.

(3:11 - 3:31)
Inspired by a TV show, Bruce began driving for wine tour companies, eventually joining Private Wine Drivers.

(4:23 - 4:43)
Private Wine Drivers offers intimate experiences at boutique wineries, connecting guests with winemakers.

(5:05 - 5:15)
Bruce prefers driving smaller vehicles for personalized tours and enjoys building relationships with clients.

(6:15 - 6:30)
Bruce helps clients navigate Sonoma's 490 wineries, tailoring tours to their preferences.

(7:17 - 7:25)
Bruce creates lasting connections, acting as a driver, guide, and even a photographer for his clients.

(10:02 - 10:14)
He ensures guests experience more than wineries, incorporating local food and attractions into tours.

(13:53 - 14:13)
Bruce balances education and enjoyment, tailoring tours to guests' interests and pacing the day thoughtfully.

(17:52 - 18:02)
With years of experience, Bruce curates unique itineraries, ensuring no two tours are the same.

(20:22 - 20:26)
Bruce stays updated on wineries through driver appreciation events and industry connections.

(23:47 - 24:10)
He emphasizes the importance of planning tours logistically to maximize enjoyment and minimize travel time.

(27:08 - 27:20)
Bruce often incorporates local markets, food spots, and scenic stops into his tours for a well-rounded experience.

(33:32 - 33:43)
Guests appreciate Bruce's photography skills, leaving with memorable pictures from their tours.

(37:04 - 37:10)
Bruce loves his job, meeting new people, and being part of their happy memories in wine country.

(38:05 - 38:15)
Find Bruce and Private Wine Drivers at privatewinedrivers.com or on TripAdvisor.

Links from today:

River Road Family Vineyards and Winery

Private Wine Drivers

Bruce - direct: 707 - 975 - 3773 bmarinace @ comcast.net

(0:10 - 0:23)
The podcast kicks off with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing Wine Road, a show about the wine culture of Northern Sonoma County. They thank Ron Rubin for supporting the podcast.

(0:24 - 0:48)
Acknowledgment of River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their financial support, enabling the podcast to continue. Listeners are encouraged to explore their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

(0:49 - 1:07)
The hosts welcome Caterina Balletto from Balletto Vineyards, who brings a 2019 Brut Rosé to celebrate the New Year.

(1:08 - 2:21)
Katerina describes the 2019 Brut Rosé, aged five years on the lees (yeast cells), which gives it a rich, brioche-like flavor with fruity notes. It's a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.

(2:22 - 3:11)
The hosts and Caterina discuss the wine's light salmon-pink hue and its celebratory nature. They reflect on the passion behind making sparkling wine, which isn't Balletto's primary focus.

(3:12 - 4:01)
Caterina shares the history of Balletto Vineyards, which began as a vegetable farming business by her family. Economic challenges led to a pivot to grape farming in the mid-1990s, with their first wine vintage produced in 2001.

(4:02 - 5:30)
Caterina recounts her journey back to the family business after working in finance and marketing. She initially struggled to integrate but gained valuable experience working outside the family business before returning in 2024.

(5:31 - 7:30)
She now handles various roles, including accounting, HR, and admin tasks, while learning the intricacies of running the business. Caterina emphasizes the importance of earning respect from employees and balancing family dynamics.

(7:31 - 9:00)
The hosts and Caterina discuss the pride and responsibility of being part of a family legacy. Caterina reflects on the values instilled by her parents and the joy of seeing their wine appreciated by the community.

(9:01 - 10:30)
Balletto Vineyards is highlighted as a community-focused business, supporting local events and charities. The family's regulation-sized baseball field, built for vineyard workers, is a unique feature of the property.

(10:31 - 12:00)
The conversation shifts to Balletto's event spaces, including patios and an event center, which host community gatherings, weddings, and fundraisers. The hosts praise the vineyard's welcoming atmosphere.

(12:01 - 13:30)
Caterina mentions the vineyard's dog-friendly events, like an annual dog walk through the vineyards, and their open-door policy for visitors. Reservations are optional, but special tours like the golf cart vineyard tour can be booked.

(13:31 - 15:00)
The hosts promote upcoming Wine Road events, including Winter Wineland (January), Barrel Tasting (March), and Wine Love Weekend (February). They share anecdotes about meeting podcast listeners at past events.

(15:01 - 16:30)
The episode wraps up with a look ahead to the 50th anniversary of Wine Road in 2026, featuring a grand tasting event in November. The hosts thank Caterina for joining and wish listeners a Happy New Year.

Links Today:

River Road Family Vineyards

Balletto Vineyards