Page 103 – Sonoma Magazine

Chef Jesse Mallgren Leaves The Madrona, Joins Healdsburg Winery

April 2023

By Heather Irwin

After nearly 25 years as the lead chef of Madrona Manor (now The Madrona), chef Jesse Mallgren is stepping down from the Michelin-starred restaurant he put on the map.

Best known for his forward-thinking menus and dedication to locally sourced ingredients, Mallgren brought a refined approach to California cuisine that made the restaurant a star long before Healdsburg became the internationally known dining destination it is today.

Mallgren will take over as executive chef of Jordan Vineyard & Winery, named one of the top 50 wineries in the world in 2022.

Chef Jesse Mallgren of Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat) — Chef Jesse Mallgren of The Madrona in Healdsburg. *+(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

“It’s better for my family and me,” Mallgren said from the Jordan kitchen on his first day of work earlier this month. He said family obligations and an increased workload contributed to his decision. When new owners reopened The Madrona last year, they added lunch and brunch services open to the public.

“Twenty-one meal services a week was just difficult to have a family with. With the staffing issues in Sonoma County, it was impossible not to be at the restaurant every moment,” Mallgren said.

“I had dinner with my family this Saturday night, which is insane. I don’t think I’ve ever done that,” said the 53-year-old father of two who started his career at Madrona Manor as a dishwasher.

Duck and prosciutto paring prepared by Chef Daniel Beal at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg. (Matt Armendariz) — Jordan Vineyard & Winery is a popular destination for its culinary experiences. (Matt Armendariz)

The dining room at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg. (Jose Manuel Alorda)

Jordan’s culinary program has long been a notable standout, using 2 acres of culinary gardens and offering everything from wine-tasting menus and casual outdoor wine club events to elaborate private dinners for colleagues and friends of owner John Jordan.

“I’m looking at dishes that are really planned out to go with the wine. There’s a lot of room for creativity. It’s just a different way of looking at food,” Mallgren said. He will replace chef Daniel Beal, who had a short stint at the winery after another brief engagement at the Farmhouse Inn.

Before Beal, chef Todd Knoll headed the Jordan kitchen for many years. Knoll took on a chef position at Bricoleur Vineyards in 2022.

Popular Culinary Series Returns to J Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg

April 2023

By Heather Irwin

New York, NY – March 30, 2023: J Vineyards presents a media dinner featuring chefs Preeti Mistry, Aaron Meneghelli, and Forest Kellog at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village. Photos by Clay Williams. © Clay Williams / http://claywilliamsphoto.com

J Vineyards & Winery has announced a second year of its groundbreaking culinary series Shifting the Lens, highlighting underrepresented cuisines and chefs.

Curated by chef Preeti Mistry, the mission of the four-part program is to expand Wine Country’s narrow vision of wine and food pairing — cheese, charcuterie, European cuisine — to include global ingredients and the culinary talents of women, people of color and international food thought leaders.

Chef Tu David Phu kicks off the series with a residency at the winery from May 11 to 21. Guests can experience his personal take on Vietnamese food — inspired by his mother — at the J Bubble Room tastings or on May 13 and 21 for a multicourse seated dinner and conversation.

J Vineyards & Winery’s “Shifting the Lens” series is curated by chef Preeti Mistry, center. (J Vineyards & Winery)

According to the website, each Shifting the Lens residency includes weekend tasting experiences in the Bubble Room as well as two special dinners where guests may partake in the five-course pairing menu and join an intimate discussion with the guest chef, winemaker Nicole Hitchcock and other winery leaders about their perspectives on food, wine and culture.

Other chefs in this year’s series include Ana Castro of Lenga Madre restaurant, named one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2022 (Sept. 14-24).

Chef Ana Castro will host the Shifting the Lens experience Sept. 14-24 at J Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (J Vineyards & Winery)

Mistry (who uses they/them pronouns) will take their Indian-inspired menu on the road to share the concept outside the Bubble Room and create “a greater platform to showcase these important conversations and experiences.”

I went to two events last year, and both were palate- and eye-opening experiences that reflect — sometimes painfully — the lack of diversity in fine dining and wine pairing. Find more details and reservations at jwine.com.

3 Artisan Producers from Sonoma Win Good Food Awards

April 2023

By Heather Irwin

A variety of apple ciders produced by Ethic Ciders include Golden Rule, Montage, Gravitude, and Scarlett. Photo taken at the Lawton’s apple farm on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in Sebastopol, California . (BETH SCHLANKER/The Press Democrat)

The Good Food Award, the blue seal of approval from the Good Food Foundation, is a big deal for artisan producers.

The Good Food Foundation celebrates sustainably made, socially conscious, credibly-crafted beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, cider, coffee, confections, drinks, elixirs, fish, grains, honey, oils, pantry items, pickles, preserves, snacks and spirits. Chosen by panels of food and drink professionals, the awards are an honest reflection of the best food and drink in America.

Ethic Ciders owners Ned and Michelle Lawton, their son Kielson, 12, daughter Remi, 9, and puppy, Luna, stand next to an apple press at their apple farm on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in Sebastopol, California . (BETH SCHLANKER/The Press Democrat) — Ethic Ciders owners Ned and Michelle Lawton, their son Kielson, daughter Remi, and puppy, Luna, stand next to an apple press at their apple farm in Sebastopol. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)

Tamara Hicks and David Jablons, owners of Tomales Farmstead Creamery in Marin County, are facing skyrocketing electric bills. (Tomales Farmstead Creamery) — Tamara Hicks and David Jablons, owners of Tomales Farmstead Creamery, won a 2023 Good Food Award for their Atika cheese. (Tomales Farmstead Creamery)

This year, Good Food Awards judges sifted through more than 2,000 entries, choosing 237 winners from 18 categories. For a complete list of winners, go to goodfoodfdn.org.

The North Coast (and a few other nearby friends) had 16 winning products, including:

Bellwether Farms: Organic A2 Whole Milk Cow Milk Plain Yogurt (Petaluma)

Ethic Ciders: Pommeau (Sebastopol)

Tomales Farmstead Creamery: Atika (Petaluma)

Wine Forest: Sea Buckthorn Shrub, Haskap Berry Shrub (Napa)

Pond Farm Brewing Co.: Dark Mast Black Lager, Devil’s Gulch Hazy IPA (San Rafael)

Pennyroyal Farm: Reserve Boont Corners, Boonter’s Blue cheese (Philo)

Humboldt Distillery: Humboldt Organic Vodka (Fortuna)

Fiocco: Canteen Meats (San Rafael)

Local Culture Ferments: Garlic + Ginger Kimchi, Golden Beet + Dill Sauerkraut (Grass Valley)

Gowan’s Heirloom Cider: Estate Gravenstein Cider, Estate Spiced Apple Cider, Classic Dry Cider (Philo)

Waterfalls and Wildflowers: The Best Spring Hikes in Sonoma

April 2023

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Abundant winter rains have set the stage for some spectacular spring hikes in Sonoma County. Gushing waterfalls, vibrant green hillsides and carpets of wildflowers in vineyards, meadows and on coastal bluffs await those who venture outdoors this season. Click through the above gallery for a few favorite springtime hikes.

Sofia Englund, Maci Martell and Dana Rebmann contributed to this article.

Behind the Scenes at the ‘Today’ Show in Sonoma County

April 2023

By Abigail Peterson

NBC’s “Today” show third hour hosts at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)

I am a huge fan of the “Today” show. Before I joined Sonoma Magazine and became editor in chief, I was an at-home parent working harvest as a side gig. And for all those years at home with my two boys, the “Today” show was my constant morning companion, kicking off the day with a sunny positivity and sense of community.

So attending the taping of the Sonoma County edition of the show at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, right in my hometown of Kenwood, was a true full-circle kind of moment. I loved the window into how the show comes together and did more than my fair share of whooping and cheering for the cameras.

Here’s some of what you might not have seen if you watched the show on TV Friday morning:

A huge team behind the scenes

The team behind the scenes was huge—more than a few dozen, including producers, assistants, camera people, and security—all wearing special Today show lanyards. My press badge made me feel extra included in all the action. Funny story: more than a few times, fellow audience members approached me to ask about this or that on the show, maybe because I had a badge. But of course, I didn’t know any more than they did!

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Local chefs in action

I was relieved to run into a couple of familiar faces right away. In the parking lot at St. Francis, I saw Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star, who was there for the food segment that closed the broadcast. (Glen Ellen Star has been on every Best Restaurants list we’ve done at the magazine since the restaurant opened.) Once inside, I spent a bunch of time with the charming Stéphane Saint Louis from Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma, who was a part of the same food segment. I saw later on Instagram that Al Roker ate at Glen Ellen Star the night before the taping—great call!

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Reporters and TV hosts taking selfies and goofing around

Press people and audience members were shepherded through metal detectors and then out onto the lawn next to the St. Francis vineyards. I was there with Sara Edwards and Dan Taylor from our sister publication, The Press Democrat, and we were next to Brent Alan from KZST Radio and Kari Hall and Marcus Washington, morning show hosts from NBC Bay Area’s Today in the Bay. Lots of people recognized Kari and Marcus and approached them for selfies, which they were super gracious about. Kari said how happy she was to be out of the studio on such a gorgeous day, and we all laughed when Marcus did a Golden State Warriors rally dance with a woman all decked out in Warriors gear.

An impressive set

The set was impressive. The main table where the hosts sat for the intro was set up on a raised stone patio just off the tasting room, with several cameras and big white scrims overhead to filter the sun and avoid harsh shadows in the bright midday light. There was a separate area on another patio set up for the cooking segment, and the walking interview with track star Allyson Felix circled the lawn where we all gathered. The vineyards were a little on the bare side given that it’s still so early in the growth season—but I heard the hosts remark several times how lush the setups and scenery looked on camera.

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A pre-show warm-up

Stephanie Mansour, one of the Today show contributors, arrived about 15 minutes before taping began to warm folks up with a stretching and cheering practice. Stephanie chatted people up about the signs they’d brought from home and asked people where they were from. Several people shouted out that they were from out of town—Arizona, Seattle, Atlanta. The producers asked us to cheer and wave our arms in the air, whooping it up with lots of enthusiasm to welcome the team. And when host Dylan Dreyer came out to shake hands and say hello, we knew the main event was about to happen.

TV pros in action, with only a couple of retakes

Taping took about two hours, which included the intro with the wine sabering, the cooking segment, the walk with Allyson Felix, the chat with the Garcia Twins, and the small business shopping segment, plus lots of waving and cheering and a few separate little intros and throwbacks. For logistical reasons, including the time difference with the East Coast, the show wasn’t taped in real time. They did the “buddy up” segment at Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor on Wednesday—that’s where the hosts did the wine blending seminar, the olive grove bathing, and the hot air balloon ride. The main taping at St. Francis was on Thursday from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it aired here in Sonoma on Friday at 9 a.m. Because it was being taped in advance, there were one or two times when we heard the crew stop and ask to do something over again. At the very beginning, for example, Al Roker stopped the intro because he said his teleprompter was lagging a bit behind. In general, it’s impressive how utterly unflappable the hosts are, just rolling with it every time!

Amazing audience costumes, great signs, lots of enthusiasm

If you ever get to go to the Today show, by all means wear a costume! If you’re going to do it, you might as well go all in. There was a woman dressed up as a bunch of grapes to fit the Sonoma County theme, and she got to be on camera a ton! People who had clever signs or who were extra enthusiastic in the crowd also got lots of attention from the hosts and camera operators—a group of school nurses with a sign about healthy living got a callout, as did a woman with a sign about how she’d made her husband into a Today show fan!

Gracious hosts and guests

I loved that the hosts and guests were extremely generous with their time. Sheinelle, Craig, Dylan, and Al (look at me, calling people by their first names, haha!) each approached the crowd at breaks in the taping to chat and shake hands. Al Roker was kind enough to take a moment with an older woman sitting near me, one of the few who needed a chair to rest in, who was attending with her two grown daughters. You could tell she was over the moon at the attention!

Fun fact

I had been prepped the week before to be a backup host for the Shop Today segment with Sonoma County small businesses. Evidently, they weren’t sure if regular contributor Jill Martin’s flight was going to land in time for her to make it to the taping, and so they asked me to be ready to go on backup. But then she did indeed make it to the winery with plenty of time, so I didn’t have to—and to be honest, it was so much more fun to be able to enjoy Jill’s banter with the hosts. She is a pro! (A shoutout to the very kind—and remarkably organized—Today show producers Kayiu Wong and Phoebe Curran, who reached out to me at the magazine and took time to chat yesterday, in the middle of a super busy production. I’m happy you had such a good time here.)

A behind-the-scenes interview

I got to spend a few minutes interviewing the hosts after taping was finished, and they came across just as warm, natural and genuinely friendly as they appear on TV.

Dylan Dreyer reflected on the beauty of driving over the Golden Gate Bridge from the airport the night before, and how, waking up in Sonoma the next morning, everything looked “more and more beautiful as it all lit up.”

Al Roker picked up on something we all appreciate about Sonoma when he remarked on how beautiful, accessible and family-friendly Sonoma feels to him.

Sheinelle Jones said everything in Sonoma had been “absolutely delightful”—and joked with me about my old-school habit of recording interviews on my laptop.

Craig Melvin talked about his dad, who worked in the postal service for over four decades, and how that reminds him of the long-term commitment of many of his NBC family.

And Al Roker also called out the Today show staffers. “It is really a team,” he said. “We are literally the tip of the iceberg, but underneath, supporting what you see at the top is this massive cohesive team.”

Thank you so much to the Today Show and to Sonoma County Tourism for making Friday’s show possible. Sheinelle, Al, Craig, and Dylan: please do come back–we’d love to share even more with you about this beautiful place we call home!

Taste Rare, Small-Production Wines at Sonoma’s Garagiste Festival

April 2023

By Sarah Doyle

Beloved by wine geeks near and far, the Garagiste Wine Festival: Northern Exposure will return to Sonoma County on Saturday, April 29, at the Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Hall.

Launched in Paso Robles in 2011, with satellite events in Sonoma County since 2018, the Garagiste Festival invites winemakers who produce 1,500 cases of wine or less per year to share their wines with consumers at the one-day event. The Northern Exposure edition will feature wines from Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and El Dorado counties, as well as Lodi, Sierra Foothills, Suisun Valley, Anderson Valley and Santa Clara Valley.

More than 40 micro-wineries will be on site to pour their limited-release wines, tiny gems that are often difficult to come by given that 90% of these winemakers don’t have a tasting room. This year, 17 new wineries are scheduled to participate, including Monroy Wines of Geyserville.

“As a virtual winery, we don’t have many opportunities to pour wine for people, so it’s easy to get lost in the crowd,” said Adolfo Hernandez, who founded Monroy Wines with his wife, Nohelia, in 2018. “The Garagiste Festival lets people to sample our wines. Once they taste them, they love them.”

Hernandez, who also works as an associate winemaker for Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa, produces about 400 cases of wine per year for Monroy Wines, which focuses on barrel-fermented cabernet sauvignon from Chalk Hill and sauvignon blanc from the Fountaingrove District.

“Barrel-fermented cabernet sauvignon is a unique, labor-intensive process, and it’s something I like to share with others,” Hernandez said. “I’m really looking forward to telling people what we’re about.”

What is a garagiste?

Coined in Bordeaux, France, in the early 1990s, the term garagiste was given to rebellious winemakers who were fed up with the region’s strict, centuries-old rules for winemaking. Rather than adhere to tradition, these adventurous men and women made small lots of uncharacteristically robust wines in garages, warehouses and anywhere else they wanted. Threatened by this novel way of making wine, the traditionalists called these turncoat winemakers garagistes. While the term was intended to insult, it became a badge of honor to those who took pride in going rogue.

The Garagiste Festival was inspired by these independent French winemakers and their determination to forge a new path.

The face behind the brand

For Ashley Holland, founder and winemaker at Read Holland Wines in Santa Rosa, the Garagiste Festival is not only a chance to connect with fellow winemakers. It’s an opportunity to share her story with consumers.

“I am often so busy that it can be difficult to get my wines in front of people,” said Holland, who launched Read Holland in 2016. “The Garagiste Festival gives me a huge advantage to make my brand come alive and tell the story I’m often too busy to tell.”

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @whiskymuse.

You Can Now Get a Michelin-Level Meal Kit Delivered to Your Doorstep

April 2023

By Heather Irwin

Strip steak from Moveable Feast offered by Ernest Restaurant in San Francisco. (Moveable Feast)

Can a Michelin-starred restaurant experience be replicated at home? Two restaurateurs are banking on the idea that it can.

During the pandemic, John Stubbs of the James Beard award-winning Jewel of the South in New Orleans and Jon Sybert of Tail Up Goat in Washington, D.C., watched as fine dining restaurants around the country struggled to stay alive.

Some turned to upscale takeout, others to elaborate outdoor dining tents, but most were forced to wait it out and hope for the best.

“During the pandemic, things were happening in the restaurant industry out of sheer necessity and survival. But no one was offering the ability to partner directly with the restaurants to provide a Michelin-level caliber,” Sybert said.

The two reached out to 10 of their compatriots, including at Compere Lapin (New Orleans), Octavia (San Francisco), Birdie G’s (Los Angeles), Roots Southern Table (Dallas), Dirt Candy (New York City) and Ernest (San Francisco) with a daring idea — bringing the restaurant experience home with semi-prepared meals delivered to diners’ doorsteps as a DIY dinner party meal kit. Their chef friends jumped at the novel idea.

In March, the duo soft-launched Moveable Feast. Similar to meal kits from providers like Blue Apron or Hungry Root, ingredients arrive in insulated boxes with detailed cooking instructions. But that’s where the similarities end.

Moveable Feast is everything you need to throw a Michelin-quality dinner party for four or 12 people. In addition to the fancy-pants food, each kit includes a printout of the menu for each guest, extensive plating instructions and multiple courses served family-style.

Moveable Feast isn’t DoorDash but a luxury experience delivered with the care and details you’d find at a fine-dining restaurant (with a price to match).

“We wanted all the little touches from the restaurant that make it unique,” Sybert said.

Sybert and Stubbs built a high-end central kitchen in downtown Napa that can reproduce each chef’s unique meal concept with local ingredients. Each chef creates a multicourse menu and detailed cooking instructions.

The chefs are compensated for their intellectual property and are equity partners in the company.

Wine Country, Stubbs said, was the perfect place to locate their central kitchen.

“The prerequisite was the produce, diversity and availability of foods, along with the longevity of the seasons. We wanted proximity to the product. There are such intrinsic benefits that belong in Wine Country,” he said.

The proof, however, was in whether the experience would translate.

“The biggest question is can we do it — offer an honest expression of that restaurant in that voice of some of the most talented people in the country?” Stubbs said.

After trying one of the meal kits from Chef Brandon Rice’s Ernest restaurant in San Francisco, the answer is yes and no.

Unboxing is one of the most fun parts of the experience. Most ingredients are beautifully packaged in reusable aluminum containers. Sauces arrive in clear bottles. One of the courses, the Dungeness crab Rangoon dip, came in a piping bag. Also included in the kit was a ring mold for perfect plating. Pre-portioned balls of chocolate-chip cookie dough were too tempting not to nibble on raw.

The meal can be refrigerated for a day or two, and the detailed instructions (and videos) outline each step, from when to start to how to decorate each dish. There aren’t any special tools needed that most people don’t already have in their kitchen.

The whole thing came together in about a half-hour or so. The most challenging part was making sure not to burn the potato terrine. Easy-peasy. And my husband was gobsmacked by the chop salad with togarishi ranch dressing, perfectly cooked prime NY strip steak (it comes sous vide; you just warm it up) and crab dip with fried wontons.

Also included were cacio e pepe profiteroles, cornbread with cultured butter and the chocolate-chip cookies that simply need to be cooked in the oven for a few minutes. It was delicious.

We also live in the Bay Area, where luxurious fine dining experiences aren’t hard to come by. But, no, our home doesn’t rival the restaurant experience. There wasn’t a beautiful dining room or accommodating waitstaff. We gobbled it up a bit too quickly.

People in places without a lot of high-end fine dining are the prime target for Moveable Feast.

“The idea is access. We want more people to have access to the talent, creativity (and) expression that happens in the restaurant and art that goes into it. That’s only available to a very few,” Sybert said.

Feasts for four are $385 and go up from there. A membership for four feasts per year is $1,400 or $3,960 for a dinner each month. Each month features a new restaurant. For details, go to moveablefeast.io.

A Modern Vineyard Farmhouse in Sonoma Offers Design Inspiration

April 2023

By Karen Kizer

A farmhouse renovated in 2016 recently sold in Sonoma for $3,850,000. The property, which includes a 3-acre Syrah vineyard and a meditation labyrinth, offers plenty of design inspiration.

Architect Paul Berger, who renovated the home, employed signature farmhouse-style design elements, including high ceilings, board-and-batten siding and a white exterior. The interior is flooded with light through numerous large windows and the airiness is balanced by rich, if not weighty, textures: wood-grain tile in the bathroom, deep grays in the cabinetry and on the walls, and many natural stone surfaces.

The yard is designed to encourage a variety of activities. An attractive dog run sits adjacent to a window-walled and carbon-covered structure that functions as an office or workout room. There’s a lounging area and a dining area on the deck by the pool, but also a walking path, cordoned off by a wall of succulents, that leads to a meditation labyrinth. The vineyard spans the length of the property and can be viewed from every spot in the yard.

Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.

The property, which is under contract, is listed with Mary and Vincent Bienek of Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – Sonoma Brokerage, 722 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-939-2230, 707-939-2231, sothebysrealty.com

Mid-Century Cottage in the Sonoma Redwoods Listed for $695,000

April 2023

By Karen Kizer

A cozy mid-century cottage at 960 Austin Creek in Cazadero just hit the market for $695,000. The updated two-bedroom, one-bath home in western Sonoma County is nestled among tall redwoods and packs a lot of style into its 792 square feet.

Dark exterior walls—with doors and windows trimmed in white—become the late 1950s dwelling, allowing it to blend with the forested setting. Interiors are warmed by stained-wood ceilings, while white walls and plenty of windows allow the dense redwoods to work their scenic magic. Skylights brighten the home all the way up to the rafters and offer a different perspective of the towering redwoods. Deep-hued cabinets, updated light fixtures and rustic textiles are design details that make the space shine.

An additional building with a single-sloped roof and walls of windows serve as a sun-drenched space to work, workout or retreat to.

Click through the above gallery to peek inside the home.

For more information on the property at 960 Austin Creek in Cazadero, contact listing agent Noel Flores, 415-730-0554, continuumrealestate.com

How to Celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County

April 2023

By Maci Martell

This Earth Day, we have much to be thankful for. The serendipitously wet winter California experienced this year has officially moved Sonoma County out of a years-long drought — and locals can reap the rewards this spring.

Vibrant flower blooms, bountiful farmers markets and hikes through lush green forests. The earth gives back in glorious ways, so it’s only fitting we pay it forward by caring for our local lands however we can.

Local cities, nonprofits and businesses have a variety of ways to honor Earth Day this year while making a positive impact. From eco-friendly festivals to volunteer work at cherished community parks, here’s how to celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County.

Events

Students for Sustainability Club Earth Day Event, April 20

The Students for Sustainability Club at Sonoma State University will host an Earth Day celebration from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, in the Seawolf Plaza and Person Lawn at SSU. There will be interactive and educational activities, including arts and crafts, a nature scavenger hunt, and a chance to meet some goats and chickens. Contact sfscclub81@gmail.com for more information.

1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, sustainablessu.sonoma.edu

Climate Action Night at SRJC, April 20

Santa Rosa Junior College will host its fifth annual Climate Action Night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on April 20 in the Bertolini Student Center. The goal of the event is to educate the public on how to take action on local ecological sustainability and climate justice. College and high school students will share information in a science-fair format and assist attendees on reaching out to elected officials to appeal for positive environmental legislation. Some topics at the event include bicycle infrastructure, textile recycling, fossil fuel divestment and a carbon capture demonstration. RSVP for Climate Action Night here.

1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, climateactionnight.com

Earth Day Vintage Clothing Pop-up, April 21-22

Healdsburg’s One Hundred Chapters Vintage Clothing will curate a vintage clothing pop-up at sustainability-minded h2hotel from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, in the hotel’s lobby. The popup in honor of Earth Day will be open to the public and will feature unique garments from various eras to add to your wardrobe.

219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-2202, h2hotel.com

Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 22

The Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Quality Program team will host a community trash cleanup event from 9-11:30 a.m. on April 22. Volunteers will celebrate Earth Day by picking up trash in Windsor to help protect local creeks and the Russian River. Meet at the corner of Victory Lane and MacFarland Way in Windsor at 9 a.m. to pick up safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags. Participants will receive a free gift and snacks. Sign up for the free volunteer event on Eventbrite.

Victory Lane and MacFarland Way, Windsor, 707-838-5385

Earth Day Creek Cleanup at Larson Park, April 22

Sonoma County Regional Parks and Rotary Sonoma Springs will host a volunteer creek cleanup day at Larson Park to celebrate Earth Day by protecting the local environment. Tools and snacks will be provided, but guests are asked to bring their own water, dress in layers and bring sun protection. The cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon on April 22. To volunteer for creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here.

329 DeChene Ave., Sonoma, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov

Earth Day Volunteering at Sonoma Garden Park, April 22

The Sonoma Ecology Center will sponsor a volunteer day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 22 at Sonoma Garden Park. The event will give the community an opportunity to get their hands dirty helping in the garden in honor of Earth Day. No experience is necessary and participants should wear closed-toe shoes and pants. RSVP for the event at sonomaecologycenter.org.

Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 7th St. E., Sonoma, sonomaecologycenter.org

Earth Day at Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, April 22

Sebastopol’s Luther Burbank Experiment Farm will celebrate Earth Day with family-friendly, nature-focused activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22. The event will include scavenger hunts, nursery and plant sales, a tree planting demonstration, a carnival photo stand, and free docent-led walks through the garden and farmstead. Contact the Western Sonoma County Historical Society at wschscommunications@gmail.com for more information.

7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, wschs.org

Earth Day at Bouverie Preserve, April 22

Prospective volunteers are welcome to Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen from 9:30 a.m. to noon on April 22 to help steward the land for Earth Day. Tasks will include trail maintenance, invasive species removal and the building of burn piles to support fuel reduction efforts. Tools and supplies will be provided, and participants should bring water bottles and wear work clothes. Register for your preferred volunteer task on Eventbrite.

13815 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-938-4554, egret.org/bouverie-preserve

Earth Day at Safari West, April 22

Sonoma’s Serengeti will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22, on the Safari West grounds. Enjoy a safari adventure and meet dozens of special guests from the Bay Area and beyond on the lawn to learn about California’s flora and fauna. The long list of speakers and presenters include the Russian Riverkeeper, Madrone Audubon Society, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, East Bay Vivarium (who will bring live snakes) and The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County (who will bring live birds).

3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com

Santa Rosa’s Earth Day Festival, April 22

The City of Santa Rosa will host its annual Earth Day Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on April 22 at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The free festival will include workshops, over 50 exhibitors, kids’ crafts and activities, a beer and wine garden, a live performing arts showcase and volunteer opportunities. Sports Basement will provide free bike parking and local buses will be free all Earth Day.

Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, srcity.org/2139/Earth-Day-2023

Healdsburg’s Earth Day Climate Fest, April 22

The City of Healdsburg and Climate Action Healdsburg will co-host a festival of free, environmentally-focused activities from 1-4 p.m. on April 22 on the Healdsburg Plaza. The Earth Day event will include free snacks, live music, kids crafts, interactive informational booths, a kids bicycle rodeo, an electric vehicle show and an Earth Protectors Parade at 2 p.m.

Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg Ave. & Matheson St., climateactionhealdsburg.org/earth-day-climate-fest

Earth Day Art Walk, April 22

Join the Laguna Environmental Center on Earth Day for an art exhibit, garden walk and outdoor picnic from 1-3 p.m. on April 22. Guests can view the center’s current exhibit, “A Laguna Field Guide” by artist Christopher Reiger, at the Heron Hall Gallery and walk around the native plant demonstration garden. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch and eat at the grounds’ picnic tables, which are nearby a children’s play area and overlook the Laguna watershed. Proceeds from the gallery and gift shop benefit the Laguna Foundation. Learn more and get a free ticket for the event on Eventbrite.

900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org

Earth Day Beer Collab Release Party, April 22

In honor of Earth Day, HenHouse Brewing Company will host a release party for its new beer collaboration with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, a dry-hopped Kölsch-style beer called Sonoma Sunshine. As part of the release, HenHouse will make a monetary donation to the Laguna Foundation, which will be tabling at the event. The release party will take place from 1-4 p.m. on April 22 at HenHouse’s Santa Rosa location.

322 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa, henhousebrewing.com

Earth Day Gardening at Fairmont, April 22

Brenda McNeill of Art of Leisure will join Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to celebrate Earth Day with a community spring garden workshop from 3:30-5 p.m. on April 22. Attendees will learn about local pollinators while assembling personal gardens using curated seed packets and recycled wine boxes. The event will include hot tea, live music and street food from Fairmont’s food truck CaliForno. Participants will be able to take their unique garden boxes home. General admission is $35. Purchase a ticket on Eventbrite.

100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont-sonoma.com

Earth Day in the City of Sonoma

Sonoma’s 53rd annual Earth Day celebration will include a Park Exploration Photography Contest and a Green Business of the Year Award to recognize a sustainable local business. No other city-sponsored events have been listed yet for this year’s Earth Day, but the City of Sonoma website has virtual learning activities for folks to test their ecology knowledge. For updates on Sonoma’s Earth Day events, check here or call 707-339-2534.

Volunteer

There are a wealth of parks, preserves and environmental organizations to volunteer at in Sonoma County, with work duties ranging from trail restoration to litter and invasive plant species removal. Here’s where you can volunteer your time this upcoming Earth Day, and any other day of the year, across the county.

Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer

Forest Unlimited: Forestville organization aiming to protect, enhance and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. 707-632-6070, f orestunlimited.org/take-action/volunteer-for-forest-unlimited

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html

LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate

Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer

Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol

Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved

Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-3356, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer

Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings.

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities

Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.

Places to buy plants, produce and garden supplies

Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to feel one with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.

MIX Garden
1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-4327, mixgarden.com

Prickett’s Nursery
Locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, prickettsnursery.com

King’s Nursery
1212 13th St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-4782, kingsflowernursery.com

Bennett Valley Gardens
2780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-569-8624, bennettvalleygardens.com

Swede’s Feeds
9140 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com

Flatbed Farm
13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen, flatbedfarm.com

Sonoma Mission Gardens
851 Craig Ave., Sonoma, 707-938-5775, sonomamissiongardens.com

Wine Country Garden Center
21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2727, winecountrygardencenter.com

Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery
19655 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-732-8019, sonomavalleynursery.com

Petaluma Bounty
1500 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-775-3663, petalumabounty.org

Petaluma Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-773-1336, rareseeds.com/petaluma-seed-bank

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma, 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
Locations in Petaluma and Sebastopol, 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com

Hidden Forest Nursery
3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol, 707-823-6832, hiddenforestnursery.com

Check out more specialty nurseries in Sonoma County.