The Purist served at Kin restaurant in Windsor Monday, November 17, 2014. (Crista Jeremiason / The Press Democrat)
Russian River Brewing Company’s most coveted beer, Pliny the Younger, is here (through April 6 this year). Lines will circle the block around the Santa Rosa brewpub and the brewery’s Windsor facility.
The opening of the Windsor brewery in 2018 meant more Pliny to the people — twice as much beer was crafted for the 2019 release compared to previous years. The new location also means that the town of Windsor welcomes more visitors, who get to explore a town that’s not always included on Wine County itineraries.
For those looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences and hidden gems, Windsor is a great place to visit — with or without Pliny. In and around the Town Green area, you’ll find an eclectic mix of shops selling everything from candy to clothes, restaurants serving up international flavors and tasting rooms pouring a variety of local drinks. Click through the above gallery for a few fun things to do during your stay.
Visitors enjoy a glass of champagne at Korbel Winery in Guerneville, the oldest continually operating sparkling wine house in North America, established in 1882. That history gives Korbel the legal right to use the term “California Champagne” on its labels, even though the wines are not from Champagne, France. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Wine Country may be known as a luxury destination but some of the area’s most enjoyable activities are actually pretty cheap — you can even taste wine without breaking the bank! So load up your car, grab a couple of fivers and explore the best Sonoma County has to offer for $15 or less. Click through the above gallery for details. Did we miss one of your favorite free or cheap things to do? Let us know in the comments!
Hannah Appel, Lonnie Hayes and Ashlee Ruggels contributed to this article.
Spring is a great time to explore Wine Country, as hillsides turn an emerald green after winter rains and wildflowers blanket local pastures and vineyards. Tasting rooms also spring back to life during this time of year, upping their game by pouring new vintages and serving up new experiences.
Napa Valley has a lot in store for wine lovers right now, from an incredibly Instagrammable tasting room to a new wine shop from popular restaurant Compline. Click through the above gallery for all the details.
There’s a new hotel to check into in Healdsburg. Well, kind of.
The Villa Toscana, originally part of the Best Western Dry Creek Inn, has been renovated and rebranded into a new hotel property, The Lodge at Healdsburg, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The two hotels, located just next to one another, now operate independently with separate staff and amenities.
Owned by Sonoma native, Norman Krug, The Lodge at Healdsburg marks the debut of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in Healdsburg. Krug also owns Dry Creek Inn and Sonoma Valley Inn (both Best Western branded hotels) and is currently developing a property known as The Verano Sonoma Valley, which is projected to open in Sonoma in early 2025.
Guest rooms at The Lodge at Healdsburg feature a king bed, wood flooring, a gas fireplace, patio or balcony, Nespresso coffee machine and a small refrigerator. A handful of rooms also boast a freestanding soaking tub.
“We want to provide an upscale boutique experience with a high level of personalized service for our guests at an affordable price point,” said Bill Blum, Vice President of Development and Operations at Krug Development Corporation.
Built in 2008, the property’s Tuscan theme pays homage to the region’s notable Italian wine families, such as Seghesio, Rafanelli and Pedroncelli. Guests will notice the Italian influences in the three courtyards. Each is a little different from the other; depending on where you linger, there may be a fireplace, a fire pit or a gurgling fountain. The property also includes a heated pool, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room.
The hotel lobby is home to Alexander’s Café and Bar. Serving a small breakfast menu in the morning and bar menu in the evening, the cafe offers local favorites, including coffee from Black Oak Coffee Roasters, pastries from Costeaux French Bakery, wine from Dry Creek Vineyard and MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, and beer from Barrel Brothers Brewing Company, Fogbelt Brewing Co. and Cooperage Brewing Company.
“You’ll never see a Coors light at our bar. We only have Sonoma County wineries, breweries and even Sonoma County food,” said Andrew Gumula, General Manager at The Lodge at Healdsburg. “It even bothers me to have Coke in here. I wish I could find a local soda.”
Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the property.
Rates at The Lodge at Healdsburg start at $179. The property is pet-friendly; dogs of all sizes are welcome. 1261 Grove St., Healdsburg, 800-774-1500, thelah.com
Mushroom Cubano with a pinot noir from Bloom Carneros, formerly Kivelstadt Cellars and Winegarten, in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Kivelstadt Cellars and Winegarten is changing its name to Bloom Carneros in an effort to create a new identity for the indoor-outdoor space that quickly became a go-to brunch spot in the last year.
Executive Chef Jennifer McMurry has uplifted the food program considerably, relying on seasonal ingredients and upscale comfort food dishes including mortadella hot dogs, sweet potato tacos and a mushroom Cubano sandwich on housemade focaccia.
The new restaurant will include a dinner menu (details coming soon) from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Chef Jennifer McMurray’s vegan tacos dorados at Kivelstadt Cellars & Winegarten in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Kivelstadt Cellars & Winegarten)
The rebranding comes on the heels of a dinner series at Kivelstadt that featured dishes such as pan-seared scallops with cauliflower puree, slow-roasted short ribs, housemade pappardelle and baked Alaska. Dinner service begins April 1, with reservations now open at bloomcarneros.com.
Croissants from Quail and Condor in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Quail and Condor)
It’s time for some much-deserved butter and carbohydrate love, maybe topped with chocolate, lemon curd and whipped cream.
Bakers (or sweet-treat pushers, if you’re dieting) just want us to be happy and full of caramel with a smattering of croissant crumbs down our shirts. There’s nothing wrong with toting a pink box with a few oil stains into your office for an afternoon snack. It’s even better if you share with friends.
We’re fortunate, here in Sonoma County, to be blessed with the best bakeries in the Bay Area, selling gluten-y baguettes to cream-filled éclairs. Here’s a list of some of our favorite spots for totally worth-it baked goods throughout the area.
Read on below to learn about our favorite bakeries, and click through the above gallery for a peek at must-order treats.
An assortment of pies at the Criminal Baking Co. Pop-Up Pie Shop in the Railroad Square neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Feb. 9, 2022. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Santa Rosa
Criminal Baking Co. and Noshery: The bakery/cafe is a perfect spot to wind down over a bowl or burrito, but the Sinful Sandos are what we’re all about. The Al Capig has ham, goat cheese and caramelized onions with lemon curd and a baked egg. You can also grab a smoothie, pastry or cupcake. Or sneak over to their nearby pop-up pie shop (600 Wilson St.) for a slice or two to go. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbaking.com
Goguette: Whether made from whole wheat or rye, studded with chocolate or green olives, shaped into round sandwiches or gently folded into a 3-foot-long “pain de partage” (bread to share), the fresh, flavorful loaves here have been snatched up by locals looking for artisanal breads to complement the local cheeses and meats, vegetables and wines of the region. They’re long-fermented to give a more complex flavor and help break down gluten. Grab some of their French custard ice cream while you’re there. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com
Sarmentine: There’s no shortage of French-style bakeries in these parts, but we’re pretty fond of this Bennett Valley boulangerie. You never quite know what will show up in the case, but there’s no doubt it will be full of pastry cream, fruit, cheese or buttery laminated dough (i.e. croissants). Breads of every stripe, including crusty baguettes, are a must, along with grab-and-go baguette sandwiches. (Now with locations in Sebastopol and Petaluma.) 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa, 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Village Bakery: This is a Sonoma County classic for a reason. After a few years of ups and downs, they’ve settled into their home on Sebastopol Road with a full breakfast and brunch menu in addition to all the delicious breads and pastries we’ve come to love. 3851 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-829-8101, villagebakerywinecountry.com
Slices of toast at Della Fattoria in Petaluma. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Petaluma
Della Fattoria: What started as a simple bakery has become a signature cafe for Petaluma residents, selling desserts, fresh bread and steaming bowls of cafe au lait and coffee. 143 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-763-0161, dellafattoria.com
Stellina Pronto: A stunning Italian bakery and sandwich shop from the former owners of Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes. You’ll usually find a long line for the extensive selections of warm focaccia, buns filled with pastry cream and Italian-inspired sweets. Save room for pizzas, piadine and other hearty sandwiches. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Healdsburg
Costeaux French Bakery: This sprawling sit-down cafe is both restaurant and walk-up bakery where you can take your time over a morning coffee with a walnut sourdough baguette. Lunchtime’s sweet-savory Monte Cristo (turkey, ham and Jarlsberg cheese on cinnamon raisin bread) is a classic. Brunch is also a great time to taste some of their delicious desserts. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
Downtown Bakery and Creamery: Sticky bun heaven. Their crispy buns of goodness are the best in Sonoma County, if not the planet. While you’re there, check out the spiced doughnut muffin (part doughnut, part muffin, all delicious). 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com
Quail and Condor: Former Single Thread pastry chef Melissa Yanc creates wild-yeast sourdough and hearty dark loaves (walnut persimmon is our fave). But their sweet pastries, including sourdough and pistachio croissants and filled Danishes, are worth the trip alone. Preorder on their website, because the pastry case quickly sells out. You can also find their breads at several Healdsburg restaurants (including Little Saint), or grab a sandwich at their second shop, Troubadour. 149 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com
Bread from Quail and Condor Bakery in Healdsburg. (Emma K. Morris)Bread from Quail and Condor Bakery in Healdsburg. (Emma K. Morris(
Sebastopol
Pascaline French Bistro and Patisserie: A French baker is a dangerous thing, especially when it comes to butter. Here you’ll find the most decadent croissants and sweet Breton cake, but the fun is finding out what else Pascaline has whipped up today. The cafe sells sandwiches, salads, quiche and French onion soup. 4552 Gravenstein Highway N., 707-823-3122, pascalinebistro.com
Patisserie Angelica: This luxe Sebastopol patisserie hides in plain sight. They sell incredible cakes, French patisserie, cookies and tiny sweet treats made just for one. 6821 Laguna Park Way, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com
Macaron from Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma
Baker and Cook: Morning buns, croissants, Nutella-filled brioche doughnuts and fruit galettes are our favorite here. Freshly baked sourdough and baguettes are delicious. 18812 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com
Sweet Pea Bake Shop: This hidden gem has excellent pastries, rolls and doughnuts, but you can also grab a breakfast burrito and hot coffee for a more savory treat. 720 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-934-8797, sweetpeanapa.com
Others
BurtoNZ Bakery: Sonoma County’s very own New Zealand-style bakery features meat pies, custards, sausage rolls and bread loaves that will leave you hungry for more. 9076 Brooks Road S., Windsor, 707-687-5455, burtonzbakery.com
Les Pascals: Authentic French-style bakery and cafe popular with the bicycle set. Fresh pastries and housemade breads, along with cookies, croissants, brioche and sandwiches. 13758 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-934-8378, lespascalspatisserie.com
Marla Bakery: Starting as a popular Windsor bakery, owners Amy Brown and Joe Wolf earned fans with their homemade bagels, pastries and bread, and occasional fried chicken pop-up. Last year, the couple opened a bakery and cafe at the former Miracle Plum in downtown Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square. Best for crebble (knotted croissant dough baked with maple sugar and sea salt), as well as boules, brownies and baguettes. And keep an eye out for those Fried Chicken Frydays. 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa, 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com
A variety of freshly baked bagels from Marla Bakery. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Nightingale Bread: This cult favorite bakery is beloved by west Sonoma County residents, especially for their tasty rye, challah, Forestville French baguettes and Saturday cinnamon rolls. Preordering is suggested, as certain breads are only available on certain days. Open Thursday through Sunday. 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Red Bird Bakery: French butter is what sets apart bakers’ sweets here. Sticky buns and perfect loaves are a special treat. 556 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-521-9838, redbirdbakery.com
Wild Flour Bread: Follow your nose to where weekenders congregate around a communal table with steaming plates of sticky buns and fruit-studded scones or chase children through the garden. Don’t leave without tucking away a dense, seeded boule and an extra fougasse stuffed with savory cheese and veggies straight from the brick oven. 140 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, 707-874-2938, wildflourbread.com
Challah French toast topped with clementine marmalade and sweeter creme fraiche from Marla Bakery. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Marla, a popular bakery with a production facility in Windsor, plans to take over the space previously occupied by food and wine shop Miracle Plum, at 208 Davis St. in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, Marla co-owner Amy Brown recently announced.
Brown and her partner, Joe Wolf, sold baked goods at Miracle Plum between October and December of 2022 before the shop permanently closed in January. They hope to reopen the space as a bakery and cafe in early May.
“Gwen and Sallie (the owners of Miracle Plum) were the main reason we thought we could open a bakery in the first place here in Sonoma County. They have always been an inspiration, and we’ve always loved the space,” Brown said.
Brown and Wolf were bakery darlings in San Francisco before they moved to Santa Rosa in 2019. In 2020, they opened their production bakery in Windsor, where they’ve been selling homemade bagels, cakes and bread.
Marla also sells special dishes and seasonal meals that are announced on their Instagram page (@marla_sr) and that can be preordered via their website (marlabakery.com). Upcoming specials include fried chicken (March 11). Previous meals have included a Valentine’s picnic for two and sufganiyot (doughnuts) for Hanukkah.
The production kitchen will remain in Windsor, but the new location will have sandwiches and salads for lunch, in addition to baked goods, and perhaps dinners this summer.
A variety of freshly baked bagels and other baked goods from Marla Bakery, a pop-up weekend brunch spot, at the Spinster Sisters restaurant in Santa Rosa .(Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
“It’s always daunting to open a brick-and-mortar space, but we’ve wanted one since we moved here,” Brown said. “The place has good bones, good light and it feels like home in there.”
Stay tuned for more details about the forthcoming Santa Rosa bakery and cafe. Marla’s “roll up” window in Windsor is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, selling baked goods directly to the public. 399 Business Park Court, Windsor.
The ìRealî Hamburger (Pork) with a side of Grilled Broccolini from Vine Burgers in Santa Rosa Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
From chilaquiles to high-end burgers to Georgian cuisine, here’s what to eat right now in Sonoma County. Click through the above gallery for best dishes to order.
Luma Bar & Eatery
At Petaluma’s new waterfront restaurant Luma, which debuted in late 2022, owner Jazmine Lalicker, co-owner of The Shuckery, gives proteins a supporting role. “We’re working to move cuts of meat that typically wouldn’t sell, so they’re not going to waste.
Everyone buys duck breast, but not the wings,” Lalicker says. The petite 4-ounce servings are a side note for braised greens, mushroom gnocchi, or vegetable flatbreads. Luma’s succulent Liberty Duck wings are slow-cooked in fat and seasonings for a rich, meaty duck rillette.
Luma’s mostly meatless menu is overseen by chef and (maybe a little ironically) butcher Travis Day, who used to own Petaluma’s Thistle Meats. The revamped 3,600-square-foot interior is filled with soft organic colors, modern furnishings and a spectacular new bar as well as a heated patio overlooking the river.
The main menu is broken into sections with snacks ($8 to $10), appetizers ($14 to $22), mains ($24 to $28) and sweets ($12). Mixing, matching and sharing are highly suggested.
Favorite dishes include braised greens and beans ($28) with charred cabbage, Swiss chard and beans in broth, and pillowy gnocchi ($24) with roasted sunchokes and mushrooms.
Mixologist Alfie Turnshek heads a well-thought-out bar program with a large selection of low- or no-alcohol concoctions with fresh herbs, juices, and syrups. The refreshing Changeling includes aquavit, gin with a pineapple- vanilla infusion, Icelandic yogurt, lemon and fennel liqueur for a drink that’s remarkably refreshing yet creamy and warming. A new favorite is the Hard Aport with bourbon, rye, Port, espresso, and orange oil.
“We want people to understand that we are here to listen to them. We want to make this a place you want to go. I think Petaluma is ready for this,” Lalicker says.
50 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 707-772-5037, lumaeatery.com
Beans and Greens at Luma Bar & Eatery in Petaluma. (wool + son)
Lunch Box
Like other new brick-and-mortar restaurants that bustled into existence in 2022, Lunch Box is a well-tested pop-up concept that gained fans slowly before moving into a permanent space in Sebastopol. The concept features gourmet riffs on classic burgers, fries, grilled cheese melts, and hoagies.
A well-trodden favorite, the Burger Harn ($18), which oozes with cheddar, “fancy sauce,” onion butter, red onion and shredded iceberg, gets our nod for the ultimate bun-and-meat combination.
Kimchi Grilled Cheese ($16) is a proper bit of sandwichery, with melted Highway 1 fontina, Jack, and Cheddar cheeses, housemade kimchi, and garlic-chile aioli on Red Bird sourdough.
Thick and creamy tomato soup is a perfect soulmate for any of the grilled sandwiches, including meatball hoagies. And for prime French fry dipping, it beats ketchup any day.
Crispy fries smothered in American cheddar, onion butter, fancy sauce, peppers and green onions. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)Kraut Dog from Lunch Box. (Courtesy of Lunch Box)
Chila-Killer Cafe
The name riffs on the restaurant’s signature dish, chilaquiles, a hearty breakfast (or hangover helper) of fried corn tortillas soaked in red or green salsa and topped with eggs, cheese, crema, and pork carnitas .
They are, in fact, killer. The all-day breakfast cafe also serves classic American diner food (eggs Benedict, pancakes) as well as Mexican classics ( chorizo con papas) and cross-cultural mashups like churro French toast and espumante sparkling-wine cocktails with horchata, tamarind, or guava juice. Don’t miss the Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon and whipped cream.
5979 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park. 707-595-1779
CLOSED
Vine Burgers
Chef James Byus really doesn’t want to cook you a well-done burger at his Santa Rosa restaurant, Vine Burgers.
He will, of course. But it pains him to see his high-end, locally sourced beef, pork, and lamb turn into a hockey puck. (The lesson: Let the man do his thing.)
“I want to bring burgers up and wine down, making them both really good and approachable,” says Byus, who opened his off-the-beaten-path burger and wine spot in early 2021.
His crab cake sammy ($24) pays homage to a Maryland upbringing with seafood from Costarella in San Francisco. Excellent burgers abound here, including lamb with feta sauce ($16) and ground tuna with Cajun seasoning ($18). Byus also wants to get you excited about pairing some wine with that burger, with a well-curated lineup of pairings.
3579 Industrial Dr., Santa Rosa. 707-536-9654, vineburgers.com
The Real Hamburger (Pork) with a side of Grilled Broccolini from Vine Burgers in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
CLOSED
Piala
After months of speculation about its future and a delay linked to sexual harassment and assault accusations against co-owner Lowell Sheldon, the county’s first Georgian restaurant and wine bar has opened in Sebastopol.
Piala co-owner Jeff Berlin, a longtime Bay Area wine director and restaurateur, says he is a longtime fan of the country’s food and wine traditions. Georgian food reflects the country’s location, with its Black Sea coastline and neighboring countries Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia. The result is a delicious mashup of European, Persian, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisine. “The country is the size of Switzerland but has 22 winegrowing areas, and every village and town has its food specialties,” Berlin says.
The menu is concise, with just a handful of dishes developed by Berlin and chef Irma Hernandez. There is pkhlovani , a cheese pie with greens; soko , a mushroom dish with tarragon; ch’visht’ari, cornbread with cheese; mtsvadi , grilled pork with pomegranate and marinated onions; and khinkali, meat-filled soup dumplings.
The development of Piala stalled last year when co-owner Lowell Sheldon was accused of sexual harassment and, in one instance, sexual assault, by a dozen former employees. Sheldon denied the accusations. Several business partners distanced themselves from Sheldon, and Sebastopol’s planning department initially rejected Sheldon’s application for an alcohol license. The permit is now in Berlin’s name, and conditions bar Sheldon from drinking or serving alcohol and from directly managing employees.
“This is a passion project for the two of us, and I don’t think hiding from the issues was ever an option,” Berlin says, adding that Sheldon had chosen to confront the accusations head-on and remain involved in the project. “This is just something we both dreamed of doing,” says Berlin.
Tiffany Holbrook receives a hug from her livestock guard dog, Phoebe, at Wise Acre Farm in Windsor. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Nice work, if you can get it. Livestock guardian dogs are becoming a more common sight in local pastures and vineyards, as farmers turn to new methods of protecting valuable animals from predators. Dogs are part of the team at Beltane Ranch winery in Glen Ellen, Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma, and Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg, as well as at several local livestock operations.
John Krafft, who keeps two Maremma dogs named Katrin and Annie to protect a herd of some two dozen goats and alpacas on his rural Kenwood farm, says the dogs seem to genuinely enjoy their job, following the animals to pasture during the day and sleeping with them at night. Their role isn’t necessarily to fight predators; more often, their barking acts as a deterrent.
“They’re super-sweet dogs…they seem to understand, ‘This is my family, this is who I’m protecting,’” says Krafft.
At Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma, Scout and Radley keep watch over sheep, geese, and chickens. (Brandon Brédo)
Chris Majcherek, who cares for two livestock guardian dogs on a private ranch in Kenwood, says the will to protect is instinctual, but adds that the dogs do need training and exposure to livestock at an early age. Breeds like Great Pyrenees and Maremma were developed for this type of work hundreds of years ago.
Majcherek’s dogs are part of a layered approach to reduce the chance of harm from a coyote or mountain lion, an approach that also includes tall fencing and a sturdy barn to shut his livestock in at night. But it’s the snowy-white dogs, a striking pair of Great Pyrenees named Zoey and Zephyr, who get all the attention.
“I’m sold on them,” Majcherek says. “I just love ’em. They’re just so alert and watchful, and they really bond to the livestock. They’re happy.”
For more information on livestock guardian dogs, visit the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America, maremmaclub.com.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Kendall-Jackson)
Tracey Shepos-Cenami, a longtime executive chef for Stark Reality Restaurants and co-executive chef for Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, has been promoted to executive chef and director of culinary development for Jackson Family Wines.
Working in professional kitchens since she was 15, Shepos-Cenami gained notoriety at K-J for her wine and cheese program and cookbook, “Season: A Year of Wine Country Food, Farming, Family & Friends” (Cameron, 2018). Shepos-Cenami has been a familiar face on Food Network shows “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Guy’s Tournament of Champions,” which aired March 5.
Shepos-Cenami will appear on Food Network’s “Grudge Match” on March 18 against Guerneville chef Crista Luetke.
