In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Rick Hutchinson Owner, President, and Winemaker of Amphora Winery and his wife and partner, Bridget

A Sonoma County native, Rick’s winemaking journey began humbly at age 20 on the bottling line at Sebastiani Winery. A single step into the cellar—and the nostalgic scent of fermentation—transported him back to his childhood memories of canning jam with his mother, igniting a lifelong passion. From there, Rick trained under acclaimed winemakers like Doug Nalle and John Kongsgaard, developing deep roots in Sonoma’s winemaking traditions, particularly the bold varietals of Dry Creek Valley.

But Rick’s story doesn’t stop with grapes. A chance pottery class led him to discover a new creative outlet: shaping clay amphorae, the ancient vessels once used to store and age wine. That intersection of art and craft became the soul of Amphora Winery, which Rick founded in 1997 with just a few tons of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah—and a vision to do things differently.

Today, Amphora stands out as one of the few California wineries fermenting and aging wine in traditional Italian terracotta. From its early days in a redwood barn to its current home in the Timber Crest collective, Amphora has grown into a destination for adventurous, small-lot wines. Rick shares how his portfolio has expanded to include varietals like Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet, Teroldego, and sparkling rosé—while always staying true to his philosophy of sourcing great fruit and letting the wine speak for itself.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dani Price, Proprietor of Fat Dragon Wines.

Dani’s journey in wine spans more than 14 years building and managing two of the most dynamic corporate wine programs in the world—including her time as Executive Director of Wine for Wynn Resorts, where she led a $42 million-a-year program across four global properties. Prior to that, she oversaw the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group’s corporate wine program during a period of explosive growth.

Now based in Healdsburg, Dani shares how she transitioned from the high-stakes world of luxury hospitality to running Maison du Prix, one of the world’s most respected fine wine sourcing companies, alongside launching Fat Dragon Wines, an estate-driven label that crafts Rhône varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon from their meticulously restored Dry Creek Valley vineyard.

The story behind Fat Dragon Wines is as bold as its name—born from a surprise bet at the Hong Kong racetrack and brought to life on a once-abandoned 30-acre vineyard property. Listeners will hear how Dani and her husband Mike transformed the land, what it takes to build a brand from scratch, and how they’re offering a new kind of wine hospitality experience with their vineyard cottages.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Dayna Ghiradelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.

A proud Petaluma native, Dayna takes us through her inspiring path in agriculture—from growing up on a dairy farm and participating in 4-H and FFA, to now leading one of Sonoma County’s most influential ag organizations. Her journey reflects a deep connection to the land, a passion for community, and a strong commitment to supporting local farmers and ranchers.

During the conversation, Dayna shares insights from her time with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and how that experience broadened her perspective on ag education and outreach. She also speaks to the role the dairy industry played in shaping her values around advocacy, sustainability, and the importance of giving back—especially to the youth programs that helped shape her early years.

Listeners will get an inside look at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s work, including the ways it champions local agriculture through policy support, education, and sustainability initiatives.

Looking ahead, Dayna shares her vision for the future of Sonoma County agriculture and how the Farm Bureau is evolving to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic ag community. From supporting a wide range of crops to empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders, she paints a hopeful and strategic picture of what’s to come.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to John Balletto, President & Founder of Balletto Vineyards.

John shares the remarkable story of growing up in West Sebastopol, working on his family’s five-acre vegetable farm from a young age. After his father’s untimely passing in 1977, John turned down college athletic scholarships to stay home and help his mother, Hazel, keep the farm alive. What began with a $200 budget and a flatbed Chevy truck eventually grew into the largest vegetable operation in Northern California by the mid-1990s.

After devastating storm damage and shifting agricultural pressures in the late 1990s, he pivoted from vegetables to wine grapes—ultimately founding Balletto Vineyards with his wife, Terri, in 2001. Today, the winery produces 20,000–25,000 cases annually from estate fruit, and John remains deeply committed to his community and vineyard team, even building a baseball field—aptly named the “Dream Field”—for employees and their families to enjoy.

In this candid conversation, John reflects on the values that shaped his journey, the turning points that defined his success, and the local relationships—including his longtime friendship with Karissa—that helped guide Balletto Vineyards from its humble beginnings to one of Sonoma County’s most respected wine labels.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Christopher Strieter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Senses Wines.

Christopher grew up in Occidental alongside childhood friends—and fellow Senses Co-Founders—Max Thieriot and Myles Lawrence-Briggs. Their families all moved to the area in the 1980s to raise their children in the countryside, instilling in each of them a deep appreciation for growing up among the redwoods and along the California coast. Though none of them initially planned to enter the wine industry, the trio later reunited around an idea that began as one of Christopher’s graduate school projects. Young and ambitious, they brought that plan to life and, using fruit from Max and Myles’ family vineyards, launched Senses Wines with just over 100 cases. Today, it has grown into a respected label specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the most renowned vineyards on the West Sonoma Coast and in the Russian River Valley.

Now leading the company’s business strategy, sales, and daily operations, Christopher shares how his lifelong friendships, hometown connections, and the supportive local community helped shape the evolution of Senses Wines.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Nico Diana, Co-Owner of Ca'Bianca Ristorante Italiano.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Sonoma County, Nico grew up in the heart of the family business. From doing homework at the bar to bussing tables on holidays, Nico’s early years were shaped by the rhythms of restaurant life. After earning degrees in finance and international business and working in banking abroad, he returned home to take the reins as his parents stepped back from the business they opened in 1996.

Now co-owner, Nico shares stories of Ca’Bianca’s nearly 30-year journey, from restoring the historic Marshall House to preserving the restaurant’s regional Italian focus. With deep gratitude for the longtime staff who helped build its legacy, Nico reflects on how family, food, and community remain at the heart of everything they do.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Art Murray, Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Flambeaux Wine.

A New Orleans native and environmental attorney, Art Murray shares how his love for food, family, and connection led him to Healdsburg—where just three visits were enough to fall in love with a vineyard and start a new chapter in Dry Creek Valley. With roots in Louisiana, a place known for its rich and diverse food and wine heritage, and a name inspired by the torchbearers of Mardi Gras, Flambeaux Wine blends Southern spirit with Sonoma County soul.

Art reflects on how launching Flambeaux became his way of “passing the torch”—creating something lasting to share with his four daughters and the broader community. What began with just 400 cases has grown to over 2,000 annually, with a focus on small-lot Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Rosé. For Art, wine is about more than what’s in the glass—it’s about connection, from harvest to hospitality.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!

In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Anne Moller-Racke, Winegrower & Proprietor, and Hannah Gropman, Estate Director of Blue Farm Wines.

A pioneer in Sonoma County viticulture, Anne moved from Germany to California in the early 1980s, rising through the ranks at Buena Vista Carneros and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Carneros AVA.

Anne shares her journey from vineyard manager to founder of the renowned Donum Estate and, later, Blue Farm Wines—a boutique winery producing small-lot, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay rooted in precision, elegance, and place. Hannah, who grew up on the Blue Farm property, reflects on her decision to return home after college and immerse herself in the family’s winemaking legacy.

Together, they explore how generational passion, thoughtful farming, and a deep connection to Sonoma County continue to shape Blue Farm’s story.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!