Wine Road Podcast - Episode 252, Savannah Esslinger
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Release Date: 05/07/2026
Wine Road Podcast - Episode 260: Susie Selby, Owner & Winemaker, Selby Winery
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Episode Summary Who is Susie Selby, and what does it take to build an independent winery in Sonoma County? In this episode of the Wine Road Podcast, Katie Ambrosi sits down with Susie Selby, owner, winemaker, and sole proprietor of Selby Winery in downtown Healdsburg, California, for a wide-ranging conversation about winemaking, harvest in Sonoma County, the evolution of Healdsburg, and more than 25 years of making wine under the Selby label. Susie shares the story of founding Selby Winery with her father in the late 1990s and continuing the winery after his unexpected death just a few years...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 259: Savor Sonoma at Graton Resort & Casino: Carey Sweet on AYA, Live Fire & Vine & Sonoma County Wine
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Savor Sonoma at Graton Resort & Casino: Carey Sweet on AYA, Live Fire & Vine & Sonoma County Wine Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast Host: Katie Ambrosi Guest: Carey Sweet — longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer and Public Relations Manager at Graton Resort & Casino Episode Summary What’s new at Graton Resort & Casino, and what can wine and food lovers expect from Savor Sonoma Live Fire & Vine? In this episode of the Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast, Katie Ambrosi sits down with longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer Carey Sweet...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 258: Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg Wine When and Where Podcast Guest: Mark Orsi, Orsi Family Vineyards What Italian grape varieties grow in Sonoma County? Why are grapes like Sangiovese, Barbera, Aglianico, Negroamaro and Sagrantino finding a home in Northern California? And where can wine lovers taste Italian varietal wines from dozens of California producers in one place? In this episode of the Wine When and Where Podcast, we sit down with Mark Orsi of Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, to explore Italian wine in Sonoma County, the...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 257: Em In The Kitchen - Emily Haws, Les Dames d'Escoffier and more
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Show Notes, Guest: Emily Haws, Brand Strategist & Em in the Kitchen Recorded at: Foppiano Vineyards and J Vineyads in Healdsburg, CA In this episode, host Executive Director, Katie Ambrosi sits down with Emily Haws — brand strategist, foodie extraordinaire, and the woman behind the beloved social handle @EmintheKitchen — to talk about her deep love of food, her journey into the wine world, and her work helping bring the Wine Road's historic 50th Anniversary Gala to life. What we cover: How Emily's passion for food began (blackberries, church, and getting in trouble) Her background...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 256: Beth Costa Retires & Welcomes Katie Ambrosi
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
After an incredible run hosting the Wine Road Podcast, Beth Costa is stepping into retirement and passing the microphone to Wine Road's new Executive Director, Katie Ambrosi. In this special episode, Beth reflects on her years with Wine Road, the evolution of the organization, and the relationships she's built throughout Sonoma County's wine community. She also shares why she's excited about the future and officially introduces Katie as the new host of the podcast. Katie talks about her passion for storytelling, supporting Wine Road members, and her vision for continuing to connect listeners...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 255, Beth, Marcy & Richard!
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10 - 0:23) The podcast begins with a warm welcome from hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, who introduce the show as the go-to resource for wine enthusiasts exploring northern Sonoma County. They acknowledge Ron Rubin for his support in keeping the podcast alive and thriving. (0:24 - 0:48) The hosts express gratitude to y for their financial backing, which allows them to continue recording and sharing stories. They highlight the winery's offerings, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, encouraging listeners to explore their website. (0:49 - 1:35) Celebrating...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 254, Bret Munselle
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
The podcast begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the episode and thank their sponsor, Ron Rubin and for supporting the show (0:10-0:48). They welcome guest Bret Munsell of , a family friend with deep ties to the Alexander Valley wine community (0:49-1:15). Bret shares his family's 150-year farming legacy in Alexander Valley, starting with his great-great-grandfathers in the 1870s and 1880s, who initially focused on vineyards and wineries before diversifying into crops like prunes, hops, and dairy. By 1972, the family transitioned entirely to wine grapes...
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Wine Road Episode 253, Beth Grossman
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the show (0:10-0:23) and expressing gratitude to sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for supporting the podcast (0:24-0:48). They welcome guest Beth Grossman, a long-time listener and wine enthusiast visiting from Arlington, Virginia, who has been exploring Sonoma County since 1994 (0:49-1:16). Beth shares her journey of discovering wine country, starting with a wedding trip in Bodega Bay, which led to visiting 23 wineries in four days—a pace she humorously advises against...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 252, Savannah Esslinger
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10-1:-01) The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing Episode 252 of Wine Road. They thank sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards for supporting the show and highlight the featured guest, Savannah Esslinger, owner of Imagine Wine Country Marketing and president of Taste Route 116. (1:01-7:09) Savannah shares her journey from working in Sonoma County restaurants to entering the wine industry, starting at Harvest Moon Winery, where she gained hands-on experience in winemaking and hospitality. She discusses the origins of Taste Route...
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Wine Road Podcast - Episode 251, Virginie Boone
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10 - 0:48) The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the show and thanking sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their support (0:49 - 1:14) They welcome their guest, Virginie Boone, a celebrated wine writer and podcast host for "The Good Stuff" with Karissa Kruse, and discuss her extensive contributions to wine publications. (1:14 - 1:49) Virginie reflects on her experience as a guest on their show and the benefits of co-hosting, which allows for diverse perspectives and shared responsibilities. (1:50 - 11:48) The...
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(0:10-1:-01) The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing Episode 252 of Wine Road. They thank sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards for supporting the show and highlight the featured guest, Savannah Esslinger, owner of Imagine Wine Country Marketing and president of Taste Route 116.
(1:01-7:09) Savannah shares her journey from working in Sonoma County restaurants to entering the wine industry, starting at Harvest Moon Winery, where she gained hands-on experience in winemaking and hospitality. She discusses the origins of Taste Route 116, which began as "8 at the Gate," a group of wineries collaborating to promote each other and create events for wine enthusiasts.
(7:09-20:39) Savannah highlights the group's evolution, including its rebranding to Taste Route 116 and the introduction of community-focused events like wine and cheese pairings, spring celebrations, and the upcoming Grill 116 summer event on Father’s Day weekend. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration among wineries and the effort to keep events affordable and engaging for attendees, ensuring a memorable experience while supporting local businesses. Savannah also shares her passion for promoting Sonoma County beyond wine, working with local food vendors, caterers, and even non-wine businesses like Mamadio's Philly Cheese Steaks and HVAC companies.
(20:39-31:00) The conversation touches on Savannah’s role in marketing for the Apple Blossom Parade and Festival, showcasing her dedication to community engagement. The hosts and Savannah discuss Sebastopol’s charm, its vibrant local businesses, and favorite spots like Retrograde Coffee and Redwood Wine Bar, reflecting the area's unique appeal. The episode concludes with a look at Taste Route 116’s future plans, including expanding partnerships with restaurants, breweries, and cideries, and enhancing transportation options for visitors, all while maintaining the collaborative spirit of the wine community.