Summer in Sonoma! Jump in the pool, get the BBQ going, have a Sonoma Spritz and don't forget to scream for ice cream. Luckily, Ramie Hencmann from Sweet Scoops is here to talk about her delightfully wonderful shop right on the Sonoma Plaza, making homemade ice cream with local fruits and flavors.

Ramie's husband Joe has been making ice cream since he was 19, and in Ramie's words he is always thinking about new flavors. "Joe loves making ice cream. He's always thinking about the flavors, and he has the mind to think of how it all will work."

And speaking of flavors, we do a tasting of three very delicious samples: vanilla, cherry wine (made with local wine) and lemon blueberry, with blueberries from Serres Ranch and lemons from the backyard trees of various friends and family.

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma.

This week Ramie answers:

Favorite spot and dish to get on the Sonoma Square for a late lunch or afternoon bite?

We're at the Sonoma Plaza with kids for the afternoon - what should we do?

Where can we cool off in Sonoma Valley?

(And did you know you can DoorDash some Sweet Scoops right to your poolside? Yes - Ramie recommends it!)

What's your go-to pizza from Mary's in Sonoma?

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.

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

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

Mark Bodenhamer of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce has good news for all you late-night wine tasters: the new "Friday Night Flights" wine tasting program will make sure you can find a wine tasting room open past 5 pm! And there are even restaurants pairing with them to offer corkage deals. But before we get to that, we have to talk about how proud we are of our kids for graduating high school (very) and try to remember our own high school graduations (go Santa Rosa High Panthers!)

Like all of our podcasts when Mark is on, the conversation then veers to whatever else is on our mind including the Music In Place Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza concerts, the Broadway in Sonoma from Transcendence Theatre Company and the Sonoma Stompers baseball games.

We then try to remember if Carole King is still alive. Is she? Yes? No? Google says...

Full listing of all the events we talk about is at https://www.sonomavalley.com/events

Like all our podcast guests, Mark answers YOUR Sonoma questions:

I saw something called the Old Faithful Geyser is nearby. What is that and where is it?

Which winery has the closest vineyards to the Plaza?

What kind of cheese does Sonoma make?

Best burger to eat with a view?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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

Fred Parker has been painting Sonoma Valley for years - vineyards, mountains, oaks and more. But he started his professional career as a photographic curator at a Southern California museum (now the Norton Simon Museum of Art.) In addition to talking about his methods and inspirations, Fred brings along his friend and patron of the arts, who is also the local small-town Sonoma lawyer, Mary Piasta.

Find Fred Parker Fine Art at www.parkerfineart.com

Get all your local legal needs met with Mary Piasta at www.hvplawoffices.com

As part of the podcast, Fred and Mary both take part in the time-honored tradition of answering YOUR Sonoma questions. This week they take on:

We are visiting Napa arriving Sunday June 29 and staying until Saturday morning July 5. What festivities do you recommend for July 4?

- via text

Hola! We are visiting soon and looking for some wineries where people can do a tasting in Spanish. ¿Tienes alguna recomendación?

I see signs up and down Sonoma Valley that say walk-ins welcome. What does that mean?

Bon jour - we are visiting from Quebec. We would like a sandwich, si vous plait. Where should we go?

Are there any wineries open late on Fridays?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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

There's a new tour in The Springs at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, the Agua Rica comedic history tour, and we had such a good time at it that we forgot to write an intro for our podcast with returning guest Gretchen Schoenstein from the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon and Rose 5K. Gretchen takes a pause from running (she's now doing 5Ks, having retired from running more than 130 half-marathons) to tell us about the big race, what to expect and how to sign up. PLUS, she listens to our very practical pitch that we can replace the cancelled horse racing at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds with amateur athletes dressed up in cow and grape mascot costumes.

(Want to run the race? Sign up details here: https://runnapatosonoma.com)

Like all of our guests Gretchen takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions, and this week she takes on:

We are looking for a recommendation for wine MAKING and/or vineyard tours. Two or three recommendations would be appreciated. - via text

HELP! I’m hosting a party for my neighbors Scott and Scott, who are moving to Mexico, and want to choose some Sonoma wines for an informal party in San Francisco in my very small, kind of foggy backyard. - Your Much, Much Older Sister Lisa

My grandparents used to live in Sonoma - and we have the street that they lived on- how could we find their address?

Where can you go bird watching in Sonoma Valley?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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

Robyn Sebastiani is back on the Sonoma Spiel to talk about the Sonoma 200 anniversary celebration AND to help us make a Sonoma Spritz- the hot drink of the summer - live on the podcast. Robyn talks about the summer of celebrations of the 200 years of Sonoma winemaking, from the Sonoma Spritz month, to the scavenger hunt around Sonoma Valley and culminating in the community-wide celebration at the famous Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival.

And the Sonoma Spritz - made with Sonoma Valley wine and easy-to-find fresh ingredients - is a great way to taste the 200 years of history and have a great time.

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma.

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass

This week Robyn takes on:

We are visiting and need to rent a wheelchair - where can we rent a wheelchair in Sonoma?

Where can I go swimming at the Russian River now?

We’re from New Orleans - we’re just sort of driving around - we just hopped in the car in Sacramento and looked up Sonoma - and we noticed there are three Sonomas. So we’re looking for the one with the hills and the wineries and pretty views. Which one is that?

Are there any tasting rooms that are coops where you can taste more than one winery in one place? - Visitor from Arizona

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.

More information about the Sonoma 200 and all the great events celebrating it are at sonomavalleywine.com.

Details about the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is at valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org.

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

The l-o-n-g-e-s-t running wine podcaster in the country just so happened to be near Sonoma Valley, so we tricked him into coming onto our podcast. Ray Fister with Life Between The Vines has done more than a thousand interviews with winemakers from around the world with a simple premise: he sets up the microphone and the camera and hits record. Everything else just comes out of conversation as it flows. "Wine shouldn't be scary," says Ray, who's background as an audio engineer and musician is paired with his love for wine in this passion project. (His website: https://lifebetweenthevines.com.) During the Spiel, Fister relates how his childhood in Cleveland and working in hospitality brought him to learn about wine, and how he's met winemakers from New York to Florida to Michigan and all over California, Oregon and Washington. Like all our podcast guests he takes a turn answering YOUR Sonoma questions, and this time he takes on: -We had a great time wine tasting in Sonoma, and want to find some wines from where we are from in the Midwest. What’s a good way to find Midwestern Wines? And how are they different than those in California?

-I’ve really enjoyed listening to the Sonoma Spiel podcast, but I want to take a deeper dive into the world of wine podcasting. Can you recommend some good wine podcasts?

-I'm reaching out to request for a lodging recommendation in Sonoma & Napa . This is for a VIP group planning a trip in the area and the main purpose is to play golf as well as winery visit. The organizer is looking for a lodging with a golf course in both Sonoma and Napa.

-Where can I smoke on the Sonoma Plaza?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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

Rod Marymor from Music In Place brings professional musicians to the Sonoma Plaza for free concerts for the community to enjoy. What started as a way to keep musicians working during the pandemic has grown to a movement bringing concerts to the people in the Grinstead Amphitheatre at the Sonoma Plaza. Rod goes over the schedule for the summer and highlights the diversity of the concerts, with performers coming from all over the Bay Area to entertain. Oh - and there will be wine, because this is Sonoma.

He also promos the first "Battle of the Bands" to be held outdoors in the Sonoma Plaza, an all-day extravaganza with local teens showcasing their talents the weekend before Bottlerock. Is this the beginning of "Baby Bottlerock?" Find out!

Rod talks a bit more about his days as a journeyman drummer in bands and how hard it is to make a living as a musician. But, it is rewarding if you love the work.

Somewhere along the way we take a side trip to old radio and movie sounds with an impromptu foley (sound effects) demonstration.

More info on Music in Place at: https://musicinplace.org

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma. This week Rod Marymor takes on:

Hi, What are the dimensions of the Sonoma Plaza? Inside/outside? Thanks! - via text

I’m visiting from Tucson and attending a conference in San Francisco. We’d like to come up and do some wine tasting - I like Pinot Noir, my friend likes Cabernet Sauvignon. Any suggestions?

Where can I find a good strawberry stand in Sonoma?

Can I order more than one visitor guide - like a box? Can I get a box of visitor guides?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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

Cows make chocolate, right? Otherwise why would one of the favorite chocolate stores in Sonoma be called "The Chocolate Cow?"

Known for shaved ice, ice cream, gelato, hot chocolate, truffles and an incredible candy selection, the Chocolate Cow is a must-stop for visitors to the Sonoma Plaza. In this episode we learn about the types of chocolate, how to hand-dip treats, what it takes to run a candy store in a wine country town and why it's always important to have plenty of fresh, cold water for visitors.

In addition to learning about the importance of fresh chocolate (especially a 65% dark), the trends of Dubai Chocolate (and how the trends have come and gone - salted caramel? Spicy chocolate?) and why pistachios are having their moment, we talk Sonoma Valley football.

Go Dragons! Max is the coach of the Sonoma Valley High School football team and has led the team to a winning season recently. (Go Dragons!)

Every week our podcast guests answer YOUR questions about wine country and visiting Sonoma, this week Max Pond of Chocolate Cow takes on:

We would like to visit both Sonoma and Napa Valleys in one day. How can we do that?

Are there any wineries that have tours of how they make wine, but we don’t have to taste the wine. We aren’t really wine drinkers, but we are interested in learning about it.

We heard that you can do a walking tour of the Sonoma Plaza - can you tell me more about that?

I have a friend from Colorado visiting who likes to go hiking and I don’t have any weekend plans but I can’t have her sleeping on my couch for two days doing nothing what should we do?

We are visiting Sonoma soon and like to play bocce. Where can we find some bocce ball courts?

We Get Questions is brought to you by the Sonoma Plaza Tasting Pass: Save up to 25% off tasting fees and choose three great wineries around the historic Sonoma Plaza. Details at 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.

More info about The Chocolate Cow: https://thechocolatecow.com/

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