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    The Good Stuff – Fat Dragon Wine

    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.

    14 years building and managing two of the largest and most diverse corporate wine programs in the world quickly turned Dani into a leading expert on fine wine. Today she oversees Maison du Prix’s day-to-day business and operations and the couple's wine brand, Fat Dragon, which launched late 2024 and produces a selection of world-class wines all produced from estate fruit farmed on their vineyard property in Healdsburg, California.

    Her most recent corporate stint was spending 7 years as the Executive Director of Wine for Wynn Resorts where she built and scaled the original wine program and oversaw what would become a $42 million a year operation that comprised a team of 24 world class sommeliers and wine managers servicing 29 dining outlets, 11 bars, 5 nightclubs, room service, special events, and banquet operations throughout 4 resort properties in Las Vegas and Macau.

    Prior to Wynn, Dani spent more than 6 years as the Director of Wine for the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group where she established and ran the $30 million a year corporate wine program during a time of hyper growth as the company expanded from 11 to 17 locations under 8 unique brands.

    Over the years, Dani has been featured in prestigious publications including Food & Wine, Robb Report, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Vegas Seven, Las Vegas Review Journal, and Las Vegas Sun News. She has lent her time and expertise to charitable organizations including James Beard Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and institutions including The Golden Door, a health and wellness resort. Dani currently serves on the Dry Creek Valley Winegrowers board.

    Fat Dragon Wines:

    The idea for Fat Dragon Wines was sparked in 2008 during a business trip to Hong Kong. While attending a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti tasting at the historic Happy Valley Racecourse, Dani snuck away to place a bet on a long-shot horse named Fat Dragon—with 44-to-1 odds. The horse won, and although Dani spent her winnings that same night, she returned home and told Mike the story. His immediate reaction: “That’s a great name for the wine brand we’ve always dreamed of.”

    Fast forward to 2018, when the couple discovered a rare 30-acre property just outside Healdsburg, California, with 16.5 acres of neglected vineyard land but tremendous potential. They completely overhauled the site—installing new infrastructure, drilling a new well, and replanting with two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhône varietals like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre.

    Their first commercial crop came in 2022, and the inaugural vintage was bottled in spring 2024. Today, Fat Dragon Wines produces estate-grown, world-class wines on their Healdsburg property, which also features two luxury farm stay cottages nestled within the Syrah vineyard block, overlooking Dry Creek Valley.

    _______

    Luke Stanko is the winemaker for Fat Dragon, Luke Stanko is the winemaker behind Fat Dragon Wines, an estate-driven winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. A Michigan native, Luke's passion for agriculture and craftsmanship led him to study horticultural science at Michigan State University, followed by specialized training in viticulture and enology at Brock University.

    At Fat Dragon, Luke focuses on Rhône varietals—including Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre—crafted from estate-grown fruit. His approach emphasizes balance, site expression, and thoughtful farming practices. In addition to his role at Fat Dragon, Luke serves as Director of Winemaking and Operations at Grand Cru Custom Crush in Windsor, California. He also contributes his expertise to several boutique labels, including West of One Wines, Copper Six Wines, and Bellacana Vineyards.

    Maison du Prix Wines:

    Founded in 2012 by Dani and Mike Price, Maison du Prix Wines began as a trusted source for close friends and industry colleagues to access expertly curated, fine and rare wines. As word spread, it evolved into one of the world’s most respected buyers and sellers of collectible wines.

    The company serves thousands of clients worldwide, helping individuals and collectors buy or sell exceptional bottles and wine collections—regardless of size. Their expertise ensures a smooth process, with a strong emphasis on provenance and quality.

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

     

    At The Table – Dawn Ranch

    Host Clark Wolf talks with Chefs Juliana Farias Thorpe & Ignacio Zuzulich, as well as Sommelier Genaro Gallo, from Dawn Ranch, about what brought them to Sonoma County, influences that went into Dawn Ranch, what's on the menu, wine offerings/pairings, the new upcoming menu concept, what they ate growing up and what their excited about as summer approaches.

     

    Sonoma County Focus: Petaluma Elks Lodge No.901

    Host Jeff Woodworth talks with Wayne Wilson of the Petaluma Elks Lodge No.901, about who the Elks are, how the Elks Lodge came to be and what community initiatives they support! The two discuss the Elks national support of Veterans, the American Legion, youth activities and scholarships. In addition, they touch on the major state projects for helping disabled children and more localized causes they get behind, including the "Mentor Me" program, Sonoma Family Meal & their partnership with the Petaluma Leghorns & support of the new Petaluma Community Sports Complex!

     

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    The Good Stuff – Sonoma County Farm Bureau

    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.

    Dayna Ghirardelli is a lifelong advocate for agriculture and the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Raised on her family's dairy farm in Petaluma, California, she developed a deep-rooted connection to farming from an early age. Her active participation in 4-H and FFA, where she showed dairy cattle and raised market lambs, further solidified her passion for the industry.

    Dayna attended Tomales High School and went on to study at Chico State University. After earning a degree in animal industry from Chico State University, Ghirardelli began her career with the University of California Cooperative Extension, serving as the dairy program representative for Marin and Sonoma counties. In this role, she assisted dairy farms with ranch planning, environmental regulations, and compliance. She later worked as a consultant, helping local dairy farmers with water quality permits and transitioning to organic practices.

    Ghirardelli spent 12 years at Clover Sonoma, a Petaluma-based dairy processor, where she advanced to the position of producer relations manager, working closely with 30 dairies across Northern California. In 2020, she joined the California Milk Advisory Board as director of producer relations, focusing on industry advocacy and farmer outreach.

    In 2022, Ghirardelli returned to her roots by becoming the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. In this role, she leads efforts to advocate for and protect the region's agricultural community, addressing challenges such as water preservation, drought, and regulatory measures.

    Notably, she spearheaded a robust campaign against Measure J, a proposed regulation on concentrated animal feeding operations, highlighting its potential economic impact on local farms. Ghirardelli's leadership emphasizes the importance of connecting food production with consumers and fostering resilience within the agricultural community.

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

     
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