Betsey Nash

Betsey Nash is the former host of a wine segment on Issues & Ideas called "The Grape Nut." Betsey moved from Burbank to the central coast to attend Poly in January of 1969, only to be greeted by a horse tied to a tree in front of the English building. "Oh no, what have I done?" Her culture shock didn't end there: there were vacant lots between the houses! People drove on the beach! And, oh look at those gorgeous green hills! A tradition that she and her roommates embraced was started when their Morro Bay neighbors brought a couple dozen chocolate chip cookies and a jug of Pesenti Pink Zinfandel over to help them get through mid-terms and finals weeks. The place became home, and her exploration of the region's wines continued.

Fast forward through 50 + years of community involvement, including as host of popular talk shows on KCBX and KVEC, penning weekly columns in The Tribune and SLO City News, announcing parades, moderating debates, and MCing dozens of non-profit events, always enjoying the wine along the way. It has been said that "Betsey never met a microphone she didn't like."

Retired after a long career in HR, the siren call of the mic might not have been enough had former radio colleague and producer of KCBX's Issues & Ideas program, Carol Tangeman, not invited Betsey to host a segment about Central Coast wines. Betsey's friends call her "The Grape Nut" because she has become crazy about wines — especially learning about our local treasure trove, their history, and the variety of people who make them.