The Sonoma Spiel

Funny interviews and insider secrets from chefs, winemakers, farmers, artists and more, plus hot deals, shocking history and everything else about Sonoma Valley in California’s wine country. Plus we answer your questions during ”We Get Questions!”

The Sonoma Spiel is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Sonoma Spiel, a arts show with 100 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #170

  Military Honor on Trial: General Joseph Hooker’s Sonoma Scandal | Travis Wagner

  Aug 18, 202654 minS1

  Long before Joseph Hooker became a prominent Union general, he was stationed in Gold Rush-era Sonoma, where a bitter dispute with Army engineer and humorist George H. Derby led to accusations, arrests and two extraordinary courts-martial. Local historian and author Travis Wagner joins Tim Zahner to discuss his book, Military Honor on Trial: The Saga of Joseph Hooker and George H. Derby. Travis traces the conflict between the ambitious, notoriously prickly Hooker and Derby, a gifted satirist who wrote as John Phoenix and Squibob. Their feud involved a stolen horse, competing ideas about military authority and allegations that Hooker profited from selling Army supplies. It also drew in officers who would later become major Civil War figures, including Henry Halleck and William T. Sherman. The conversation ranges across Sonoma’s Mexican and military history, the Russian presence at Fort Ross, California’s early theater culture and a newspaper prank that changed San Diego politics. In “We Get Questions,” Travis and Tim discuss family-owned Sonoma Valley wineries, tipping tour guides, the Sonoma Plaza restrooms, the historical flags displayed around town and why locals call it the Sonoma Plaza—not the Sonoma Square. Order Military Honor on Trial: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/military-honor-on-trial-the-saga-of-joseph-hooker-and-george-h-derby Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Plan your visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Call or text: 707-996-1090 Email: info@sonomavalley.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceSonomaValley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonoma_valley/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonoma_valley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

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  Episode #168

  Gundlach Bundschu: 168 Years of Sonoma Wine with Katie Bundschu

  Aug 3, 20261h 3mS1

  Six generations, 168 harvests and one unforgettable six-wheeled vineyard vehicle: Katie Bundschu shares the story of Gundlach Bundschu, California’s oldest family-owned winery. Katie explains how Rhinefarm was established in 1858, how the Gundlach and Bundschu families came together, and how the winery survived Prohibition and generations of change. She also talks about leaving Sonoma to pursue a career in college athletics fundraising—and what eventually brought her home to the family business. Today, “Gun Bun” combines wine, history, regenerative organic farming and live music. Katie takes us inside the Pinz Excursion through the vineyards, the Donkey Bar, the winery’s amphitheater and historic Redwood Barn. She also discusses an unusually early beginning to Sonoma’s 2026 grape harvest. Over a glass of dry estate Gewürztraminer, Katie and host Tim Zahner explore library wines, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, farming at Rhinefarm and the qualities that make Sonoma Valley feel like home. During “We Get Questions,” Katie helps answer questions about the Bear Flag Revolt, finding great Chardonnay, sweet and semi-sweet Sonoma wines, visiting during the fall, dog-friendly businesses and how to convince someone to move to Sonoma. VISIT GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU Website: https://www.gunbun.com/ Tours and tastings: https://www.gunbun.com/visit/ Concerts and events: https://www.gunbun.com/events/ PLAN YOUR SONOMA VALLEY VISIT Discover wineries, restaurants, lodging and upcoming events: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass GOT A SONOMA QUESTION? Email info@sonomavalley.com , text 707-996-1090, find us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, or stop by one of our two Sonoma Valley visitor centers. LISTEN TO THE SONOMA SPIEL Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b

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  Episode #167

  Free Live Music on Sonoma Plaza | Melissa Bingham of Music in Place

  Jul 22, 202653 minS1

  Every Sunday afternoon, Sonoma Plaza becomes one of Wine Country's best live-music venues—and the concerts are free. Melissa Bingham, Executive Director of Music in Place, joins Tim Zahner to discuss Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza, featuring live music from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Grinstead Amphitheater. The 2026 series runs from June 7 through October 4, with everything from funk, jazz and bluegrass to bossa nova, zydeco, swing and Oktoberfest music. Music in Place began during the pandemic as a way to keep musicians and production professionals working. Today, the nonprofit presents free community concerts, intimate ticketed performances, youth music education programs and the MIP Cabaret series. Melissa also explains how In Place Productions helps people book professional musicians for weddings, conferences, house parties and other events—with proceeds helping support free concerts, music education and paid opportunities for artists. Then it’s time for “We Get Questions,” including: • Which Sonoma Valley wineries should first-time visitors try? • When are Sonoma’s farmers markets? • Where can you find live music around Sonoma? • Where should someone go for authentic French food? • Why doesn’t Sonoma have many stoplights? • When does the wine-grape harvest begin? Learn more about Music in Place: https://musicinplace.org/ See the Sonoma Sundays on the Plaza schedule: https://musicinplace.org/sonoma-sundays-on-the-plaza/ Book musicians through In Place Productions: https://musicinplace.org/in-place-productions/ Plan your Sonoma Valley visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com Need help planning? Call or text the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau at 707-996-1090. Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass! Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Listen to The Sonoma Spiel: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b #SonomaValley #LiveMusic #SonomaPlaza

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  Episode #166

  Postcards from Dvořák with Eric Zivian and Viola Player Rose Nellis | Valley of the Moon Music Festival

  Jul 14, 202653 minS1

  Antonín Dvořák traveled from Bohemia to Vienna, England, Russia and the United States—and the people, places and musical traditions he encountered helped shape his work. Valley of the Moon Music Festival co-founder and artistic director Eric Zivian returns to the Sonoma Spiel with viola player Rose Nellis of the Amizia Quartet. Together, they preview “Postcards from Dvořák,” a festival season inspired by the composer’s travels around the world. Eric explains how Dvořák rose from modest beginnings in Bohemia to become an internationally celebrated composer. His curiosity led him to explore music from many cultures, including African American spirituals and Native American musical traditions during his time in the United States. Rose shares what life is like as a professional chamber musician, how the internationally based Amizia Quartet rehearses and travels together, and why the viola occupies such an important place inside a string quartet. She also answers a surprisingly complicated question: Is a viola simply a large violin, or is a violin an undersized viola? One of Rose’s favorite descriptions compares a string quartet to a bottle of wine: The first violin is the label, the cello is the bottle, and the viola and second violin are the wine. Rose also performs the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3 live in the studio. The conversation covers: • Dvořák’s travels through Europe and the United States • His connections to Harry T. Burleigh and American spirituals • The difference between a viola and a violin • Fortepianos, gut strings and historical performance • The Amizia Quartet’s international rehearsal schedule • The Festival’s apprenticeship and fellowship programs • Free, family-friendly and outdoor concerts in Sonoma Valley • Why arts education matters • Sonoma picnic supplies, sandwiches, coffee and bicycle parking The conversation concludes with another round of “We Get Questions,” featuring visitor questions about picnic provisions, Sonoma sandwiches, California maps and where to park a bicycle around the Sonoma Plaza. VALLEY OF THE MOON MUSIC FESTIVAL Festival information and tickets: https://valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org/ SONOMA TASTING PASS Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass. Choose three great wineries in Sonoma Valley: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass PLAN YOUR SONOMA VALLEY VISIT Visit: https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Email: info@sonomavalley.com Text: 707-996-1090 Or visit one of our two Sonoma Valley visitor centers. LISTEN AND FOLLOW Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceSonomaValley Instagram and TikTok: @ExperienceSonomaValley

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  Episode #165

  From Las Vegas Theater Kid to Sonoma Wine Host: Chris Schreiner of Platt Vineyard

  Jul 7, 202658 minS1

  Chris Schreiner of Platt Vineyard joins The Sonoma Spiel for a conversation that starts with peaches in Sonoma Valley and winds its way through Las Vegas, theater kids, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, wine clones, toasted barrels, Sonoma Plaza tasting rooms, and the cool-climate vineyards of the West Sonoma Coast. Platt Vineyard’s new tasting salon is located just off the Sonoma Plaza on First Street West, while the vineyard itself sits far to the west near the coast, where fog, redwoods, ocean influence, and carefully planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir shape the wines. Chris explains how Platt’s fruit became highly sought after by respected winemakers, why the estate now makes wines under its own label, and what visitors can expect from a tasting. Tim and Chris also keep things friendly for newer wine drinkers, breaking down terms like “stone fruit,” “buttery Chardonnay,” “toast,” “clones,” “terroir,” and “microclimate” without making anyone feel like they need a wine dictionary. Then Chris joins the “We Get Questions” segment for a Sonoma Plaza scavenger hunt covering ducks, the visitor center, the Bear Flag Revolt, Sweet Scoops, the Sonoma Mission, General Vallejo, and more. Learn more about Platt Vineyard at https://www.plattvineyard.com/en/ Save up to 25% on Sonoma wine tastings with the Sonoma Tasting Pass: https://bit.ly/SonomaTastingPass Find more Sonoma Valley travel ideas at https://www.sonomavalley.com/ Listen to The Sonoma Spiel on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.

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