Page 11 – Sonoma Magazine

Want to Explore the Best of Sonoma County? There’s a State Park for That!

September 2025

By Maci Martell

Jeremiah Kahmoson mountain biking in Annadel-Trione State Park, Santa Rosa, California. (Jerry Dodrill Photography)

As the most biologically diverse state in the country, California has a lot of ground to cover in protecting its natural treasures and resources.

Sonoma County alone has over 60 public parks, and nearly a dozen of those are managed by California State Parks. The parks are sprawled out across redwood reserves, oak woodlands, coastal regions and historic landmarks — all home to thousands of varieties of native plant and animal species and steeped in rich California history.

Check out our list of all the state parks in the county, along with a favorite trail or feature in each, and get ready to explore the depths of Sonoma nature and culture. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the scenery.

Remember to check online or call ahead for park rules and restrictions, as some parks do not allow dogs on trails or collection of plants and critters. Also, practice caution at coastal parks, where bluffs can erode and tides can be treacherous.

Sonoma Coast State Park

Over a dozen beaches and waterfront campgrounds dot the 17 miles of pristine coastline at Sonoma Coast State Park, extending from Jenner to Bodega Bay along Highway 1. Trails along the coast’s shoreline meander across picturesque headlands, rocky crags, sandy beaches and secluded coves — all with breathtaking Pacific views.

Best trail: The Pomo Canyon Trail, which follows an ancient Pomo trading route, is full of panoramic vistas scattered throughout lush grasslands, redwoods and oak woodlands. Start the 7-mile, out-and-back trail near Pomo Canyon Campground off Willow Creek Road and hike through the dense forests and verdant valleys to Shell Beach for some prime tidepooling and beachcombing. Take the Pomo Canyon Trail all the way back to the start, or turn right at a fork half-way back, down Red Hill Trail, for a change in scenery. For a shorter hike (about 3.5 miles), park a car at the Shell Beach parking lot before the trek to shuttle the group back to the campground parking lot and trailhead entrance.

Along Sonoma Coast, between Jenner and Bodega Bay, on Highway 1, 707-875-3483, parks.ca.gov

Salt Point State Park

Salt Point is full of coastal wonders that will leave a visitor awestruck — from the quarried and tafoni-sculpted sandstone crags to one of the state’s first underwater parks, Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve, teeming with protected marine life that can be seen via tidepooling or recreational diving (collecting is not permitted). Further inland from the rugged coast and kelp-laden coves, you’ll find a pygmy forest and peaceful prairies mingling among thousands of acres of mixed evergreens and grasslands.

Best trail: Don your windbreakers and set out on Salt Point Trail, which hugs the rocky coastal bluffs, offering stunning ocean views and a chance to spot sea lions sunning on rocks. Start at the visitor center parking lot near Gerstle Cove, where the first tenth of a mile is ADA accessible, and hike over a mile north to Stump Beach Cove, one of few sandy beaches north of Jenner. The 2.5-mile, out-and-back trail crosses Warren Creek and the picnic tables at the Stump Beach parking lot are ideal for a scenic lunch.

25050 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3221, parks.ca.gov

At Kruse Rhododendron State Park in Jenner. (Sonoma County Tourism)

Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve

This glorious nature reserve, nestled in Salt Point State Park off Highway 1 between Fisk Mill and Stump Beach coves, is brimming with vibrant rhododendrons among a quiet forest of oaks and conifers. The reserve was once part of a large sheep ranch established in 1880 until Edward P. Kruse donated the property to the state in 1933.

Best Trail: From the short Rhododendron Loop Trail, take the Chinese Gulch Trail (near the parking lot) and walk a mile among rhododendron shrubs under majestic redwoods. The trail connects with Phillips Gulch Trail at Kruse Ranch Road and meanders another mile back to the start. Beautiful blooms and shady trees fill each trail, which also include seasonal streams and small waterfalls — a perfect peaceful stroll.

Adjacent to Salt Point State Park along Kruse Ranch Road, 707-847-3221, parks.ca.gov

Fort Ross State Historic Park

Ocean and coniferous forests surround this historic landmark, a state park that preserves and teaches about the early 19th century Fort Ross Colony, which included Russians and Native Alaskans who settled on ancestral Kashia Pomo lands on the Sonoma Coast for exploration and trading. Fort Ross includes a campground, an underwater park (featuring the Pomona shipwreck), a Russian windmill replica, several reconstructed Russian-era buildings, the Russian-American Company Cemetery, memorial groves and a historic orchard.

Best feature: There’s plenty of history to take in while exploring the grounds of Fort Ross. The best place to start is the Historic Compound, which houses Russian-era buildings and is bordered by stockade walls. The enclosure includes the Officials’ Quarters, Fort Ross Chapel, the Old Magasin (a two-story Russian-American Company warehouse), the Kuskov House (residence of Ivan Kuskov, who founded Ross), the Rotchev House (a National Historic Landmark) and two blockhouses that served as watchtowers.

19005 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3286, fortross.org

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

The ancient redwoods in Guerneville’s Armstrong Grove tower like skyscrapers and provide cooling shade and quiet serenity to those seeking respite from the summer heat and life’s regular stresses. The park’s historic features — such as the 1940s-era Pond Farm and the Redwood Forest Theater, built in 1934 — lend to its old world charm.

The adjoining Austin Creek State Recreation Area, just northwest of Armstrong Woods, closed in 2020 due to significant hazards resulting from the Walbridge Fire. Austin Creek recently reopened its trails (except for the Gilliam Creek Trail) and the Bullfrog Pond Campground remains closed.

Best trail: The easy and wheelchair accessible Pioneer Nature Trail, which starts near the parking lot and ranger station, leads to some of the park’s most notable trees. The first is the Parson Jones Tree, the tallest tree in the grove at 310 feet. A half-mile further along the trail is the Icicle Tree, which displays mysterious burl formations. Turn here down the Armstrong Nature Trail and walk about a quarter-mile to the Colonel Armstrong Tree, which is over 1,400 years old and is the oldest tree in the grove.

17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov

Trione-Annadel State Park

Tucked behind local favorites Spring Lake and Howarth Park, Trione-Annadel opens up to over 5,500 acres of sunny meadows and cool forests, all surrounding the fishable (with a state fishing license) Lake Ilsanjo. The park is home to a number of fascinating critters — such as pygmy owls or the threatened California red-legged frogs at Ledson Marsh — and the lake is an ideal spot for a mid-hike lunch and quiet nature observation.

Best trail: The Spring Creek Trail is best on a hot summer’s day, as it traverses along its namesake creek under shady redwoods, alder birches and bay trees, leading to the placid, 26-acre lake. Access via the Vietnam Veterans Trail or the service road starting at the horse-trailer parking area in Spring Lake Regional Park. For a bit of challenge, take the steep Rough-Go Trail from the lake back to the service road.

6201 Channel Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-539-3911, parks.ca.gov

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

With a creekside campground, 25 miles of hiking trails and celestial experiences at the on-site Robert Ferguson Observatory, Sugarloaf Ridge provides around-the-clock recreation. The park organizes free, guided nature hikes and weekly native plant sales, and the observatory hosts a number of informative classes and events (like the ever popular monthly Star Parties).

Best trail: For beginners, families and waterfall-gazers, the Canyon-Pony Gate Loop is the best bet. Towering redwoods shade most of the moderate, 2-mile hike, which sees about a 400-foot elevation change while meandering through a wooded canyon, leading to a seasonal 25-foot waterfall. Start on the Pony Gate Trail near the parking lot, which eventually crosses Sonoma Creek and ends at Adobe Canyon Road. The Canyon Trail entrance will be across the road, about 30 yards downhill from Pony Gate. The waterfall will be about halfway down Canyon Trail; continue on the trail to return to the parking lot.

2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org

Jack London State Historic Park

Dedicated to one of Sonoma County’s most famous authors, Jack London State Historic Park sits on a gorgeous plot of land in the Valley of the Moon that houses historic buildings and a variety of trails through grassy meadows and evergreen woodlands. Escaping the trappings of city life, Jack London moved to the bucolic Sonoma Valley in the early 1900s, establishing a ranch and home in Glen Ellen that he would enjoy with his wife, Charmian London.

Best feature: While there are a number of hiking, biking and equestrian trails deep in the 1,400-acre park, the most informative and intriguing aspects of the estate are the buildings located right near the park entrance. The House of Happy Walls Museum contains exhibits on London’s life and writings; Londons’ Cottage displays the couple’s bohemian lifestyle; and the Beauty Ranch includes barns, silos, a smokehouse, distillery, winery ruins and the Pig Palace. About a half-mile to the left of the entrance is Jack and Charmian London’s grave site, and just south of there is the Wolf House, Jack’s and Charmian’s unfinished dream home that was destroyed in a fire.

2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-938-5216, jacklondonpark.com

Sonoma State Historic Park

Several sites scattered nearby the Sonoma Plaza comprise the city’s historic state park, which includes informative art and history exhibits located within the Chalet Museum and some of its other six notable locations. Park attractions include Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s home, Blue Wing Inn, Mission San Francisco Solano chapel, Toscano Hotel & Kitchen, Sonoma Barracks (which houses an indoor theater showing a video of the area’s history) and the Servants’ Quarters (the sole remains of La Casa Grande, Vallejo’s first home he built in the area).

Best feature: Each component of the park lends historical context to the settling of Sonoma — the birthplace of the California State Bear Flag — but if you have time to peruse only one site, check out the Vallejo Home and museum to learn about Gen. Mariano Vallejo’s local and state influence. Vallejo’s estate (called Lachryma Montis, Latin for “tears of the mountain”) includes a gothic-style Victorian home with the Vallejo family’s furnishings, a stone reservoir, a welcoming garden pavilion, and a Tudor-style warehouse that once was a food and wine storage and now serves as the park’s museum and visitor’s center.

114 E Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-9560, parks.ca.gov

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

Step into early 19th century-era ranchero life at Petaluma Adobe, where Gen. Mariano Vallejo established a prosperous agricultural empire known as Rancho de Petaluma. Laborers at the adobe complex harvested crops, raised barn animals, made leather hides and manufactured other goods for sale and trade, all of which helped support Vallejo’s military command. The state acquired the property in 1951, and now the historic state park teaches the stories of those who previously occupied the land through tours, exhibits, school field trips and authentically restored rooms.

Best feature: An optimal way to experience the park is to tour the work areas and living quarters of the brick and redwood adobe, complete with early California rancho equipment and furnishings. The tour leads through rooms where people slept on thin cots in wooden post beds and workshops with old tools where laborers made leather, candles, soap, wool blankets and carpets. Docent-led tours are available from 1-3 p.m. most weekends. The park also has an Environmental Living Program that teaches fourth grade students about the everyday life of 1840’s rancheros through hands-on experiences of making candles, weaving baskets, preparing meals in adobe hornos (ovens) and more.

3325 Adobe Road, Petaluma, 707-762-4871, parks.ca.gov

Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer Opens Appellation Healdsburg

September 2025

By Matt Villano

Three stories up at Andys Beeline Rooftop, friends Barbara Epstein, left, and Liz Loebel catch up during the formal opening of Appellation Healdsburg, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Appellation Healdsburg is how homey it feels.

Hotel registration is in the middle of the bustling Folia Bar + Kitchen, the property’s signature restaurant. Check-in occurs in front of a wet bar instead of at a traditional (and soulless) counter. Perhaps most memorably, every new guest is given a small bite or a special drink to welcome them in.

This vibe is intentional; the entire resort revolves around food and lifestyle. Its debut as the flagship property of Appellation, a new hospitality company from celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, comes just as Sonoma County’s wine harvest and tourist season peaks.

Even for Sonoma County residents who cannot, or choose not to, fork over $500 per night, the resort will offer several amenities for everyone: a restaurant, a rooftop bar, a gathering space for community events, and regular classes that will be open to the public.

At Appellation Healdsburg, guests attend the formal opening of the resort, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)

At Appellation Healdsburg, guests walk to their rooms during the formal opening of the resort, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)

Appellation Healdsburg joins Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, which opened earlier this summer as a refresh of what was formerly Wine & Roses Resort and Spa. Two other hotels will follow over the next 16 months in Morgan Hill, outside of San Jose, and Park City, Utah.

According to Palmer, every one of the Appellation resorts eventually will replicate the same laid-back approach.

“When you walk in, it will be like you’re walking into someone’s kitchen,” says Palmer, who has lived in Healdsburg for the last 20 years. “We want to greet every hotel guest with something that makes them feel right at home.”

At Appellation Healdsburg, staff at Folia Bar and Kitchen ready for the formal opening of the resort, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat) — At Appellation Healdsburg, staff at Folia Bar & Kitchen ready for the formal opening of the resort, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)

New York strip steak with jus from Appellation Healdsburg’s signature restaurant, Folia Bar & Kitchen. (Emma K Creative)

Hunsberger, who worked more than 35 years at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, agrees.

“Food connects us, people power us, and place defines us,” he says. “We didn’t want to do just another hotel company where the second and third and fourth hotel all felt the same. We wanted to do a deep dive, where every property reflects a unique destination and a unique sense of place.”

In the wine world, appellation refers to unique attributes of a geographic region where grapes are grown. Similarly, each Appellation property aims to highlight those regional distinctions.

Mixologist Elissa Jordan serves a cocktail at Andys Beeline Rooftop during the formal opening of Appellation Healdsburg, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)

A cocktail from Andys Beeline Rooftop cocktail bar at Appellation Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)

Vineyards surround the 108-room Healdsburg property, which features an extensive edible garden. It also boasts The Grange, a versatile event space designed to resemble a giant barn, and Andys Beeline Rooftop, a bar atop the hotel that offers both cocktails and commanding views of the hills in the northern part of the city. The resort sits on a bike trail that leads three miles south to the heart of town.

Rooms at Appellation Healdsburg are modern and efficient. All of them have vineyard-themed artwork integrated into the headboards. Rooms also have built-in furniture, including a special bench for a roller suitcase, and barn doors to provide privacy for the bathroom.

Finally — starting with the Healdsburg resort — Appellation will incorporate community into all its hotels. Every property will host immersive classes that spotlight local makers, artisans, and growers.

Dubbed Crafted, the hands-on classes cover topics like coffee blending, embroidery, and flower foraging and arranging. The classes will be free to guests and available to others for a small fee, and in keeping with Appellation’s food-centered focus, include light bites from chef Palmer and tastes of local wines.

Appellation Healdsburg, 101 Dovetail Lane, Healdsburg. 707-723-2000, appellationhotels.com

Taylor Mountain’s New Trails Give Hikers, Bikers More Space To Roam

September 2025

By Austin Murphy

A cyclist pedals along the Lower Colgan Loop Trail at Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Sarah Reid’s sixth grade classroom at Brook Hill Elementary in Santa Rosa had a south-facing window with a commanding view of Taylor Mountain.

Gazing daily at that 1,400-foot eminence, recalls Reid, who grew up to become a naturalist and legendary volunteer supporting parks and environmental programs in Sonoma County, “I saw it in so many different lights: in shadow, and sunlight, behind the clouds, peeking out from behind the fog.”

“I even saw snow on its peak that year.”

The latest incarnation of this beloved landmark, just south of Santa Rosa city limits, features an 8-mile network of new trails carefully cut into the northeastern flanks of the mountain, which opened its gates as a county regional park in 2013.

These new, multiuse pathways — fruits of the county’s largest park trail construction project in over a decade — open 450 previously inaccessible acres to hikers, bikers, and equestrians, roughly doubling Taylor Mountain’s trail network.

The new trails have been open to hikers since the fall of 2024. Riders of bikes and horses had to wait until spring, when the ground finally dried. The county’s Regional Parks department waited until July — after spring grasses had been trimmed back — to announce the trails’ opening.

Due in part to its proximity to Santa Rosa, the park has experienced some overuse — has been “overloved,” in Reid’s words — especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Adding the new trails creates a way for people to spread out more and reduce their impact, she says.

As the population of southeast Santa Rosa grows, says Regional Parks director Bert Whitaker, “folks are going to need a place” to be in nature. The new trail system “really does connect into the communities there.”

New trails to traverse

By following signs to the Kawana Springs Trail, a few steps north and east of the Kawana Terrace parking lot, visitors can find a pathway to the former mineral springs resort owned by the Gold Rush pioneer John Shackelford Taylor, who came to Santa Rosa in 1853.

A sign for Kawana Springs Trail at Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

A gazebo that was part of the long-shuttered mineral springs resort operated by settler John Shackleford Taylor sits at the base of Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Proceeding clockwise, visitors can head north on the Linwood Trail, a gradual climb just beyond the eastern property line of Sonoma Academy, then bend south, still gently uphill, in the generous shade of the live oaks along Cooper Ridge Trail.

That pathway joins up with the aptly named Panorama Trail, which in turn gives way, at Barn Fork, to the Colgan Highlands Trail, whose hard-earned switchbacks lead to the park’s East Knoll, offering sweeping views of Bennett Valley.

Descending from East Knoll, visitors may turn left on the Highlands Connector, which delivers them from Taylor Mountain’s new trails system to its old one, via the Sky Lupine Trail.

Or they can opt for the recently opened Colgan Creek Trail, a whoop-inducing descent through stands of various oaks, madrone, bay trees, and buckeye. That shaded, riparian corridor is distinct, says Reid, from anything “in the original parcel of the park.”

Bec Wilson, left, and Travis Havmeyer walk the Lower Colgan Loop Trail at Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat) — Bec Wilson, left, and Travis Havmeyer walk the Colgan Loop Trail at Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Tom Boss, executive director of the Redwood Trails Alliance, notes the differences between Taylor Mountain’s new pathways and those in neighboring Trione-Annadel State Park.

Unlike many of Annadel’s trails — “old ranch roads that were turned into trails” — those newly carved into Taylor Mountain “are very flowy, and don’t have a lot of rock. They’re built from scratch, built to 21st century standards to address erosion and grade,” says Boss.

“They really highlight trail construction at its best.”

Seldom do gradients on the new trails exceed 4%. There are some steeper spots, allows Reid, “But for most people, if you just take your time, it’s fairly doable.

“It’s a great extension of the original park.”

Taylor Mountain Regional Park, 2080 Kawana Terrace, Santa Rosa. socoparks.org

This article was originally published in The Press Democrat. Read the full story here.

Golden Bear Station Chef Brings NYC Breakfast Favorite to Kenwood

September 2025

By Heather Irwin

The Pork Roll at Golden Bear Station’s breakfast pop-up in Kenwood. The East Coast bacon, egg and cheese (BECSPK) roll is another favorite, along with espresso drinks. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)

California’s obsession with the breakfast burrito is well-known, but East Coast transplant Josh Smookler of Golden Bear Station in Kenwood found himself craving something more familiar. And so, his version of the BECSPK — bacon, egg and cheese on a kaiser roll (or bagel), with salt, pepper and ketchup — was born.

The griddled, foil-wrapped sandwich is a staple at most New York City neighborhood bodegas, a warm, grab-and-go sandwich beloved by the subway crowd. Think of it as an edible handwarmer.

After months of trial and error, Smookler and his wife, Heidy He, now serve their take on the classic each Wednesday through Sunday morning at their new outdoor breakfast pergola. Don’t expect to stick around, though — there are no tables or seats, and everything is served to-go.

Three weeks in, fans are already lining up for their BECSPK fix, alongside its breakfast roll sibling, the New Jersey Pork Roll, as they head to work or take in the growing crowd of people waiting for their orders.

New York breakfast sandwich — A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich — or BEC — made on a fluffy plain bagel from a local New York City bagel shop in Brooklyn, New York. Kenwood’s Golden Bear Station now serves its own version of the East Coast classic. (Getty Images / iStockphoto)

The Garden State version swaps bacon for the uniquely regional Taylor ham, paired with egg and cheese on a kaiser roll. While the salty, sweet and spiced processed pork product may seem similar to Spam to West Coasters like me, Jersey locals would likely slap you silly for that comparison.

Smookler calls it a “fermented ham” (though the FDA doesn’t officially allow it to be labeled as such); it’s cured with lactic acid and curing salts. He’s surprised to find that his pork roll has even more devotees than the classic bacon, egg and cheese.

On a Wednesday morning, Smookler carefully toasts the buns and bagels on the grill while cracking eggs one-handed, cooking them to a medium-over consistency with a jammy center. American cheese, thick slabs of bacon or ham are piled on top, then wrapped up and sliced to order. You might have to wait a minute or two, but it’s well worth it.

For Smookler, the new venture is a kind of high-low culinary adventure at his Golden Bear Station restaurant, which otherwise serves destination-worthy dishes like wood-fired Dover sole ($75 for two), dreamy cacio e pepe ($22) and Italian-Korean tteok-bokki (Korean rice cakes with pesto and Bolognese sauce, $20), as well as a splurge-worthy porterhouse steak ($205) for the table.

Owner and chef Joshua Smookler finishes and checks each plate before delivering to the tables at the Golden Bear Station Thursday, Jan. 11, 2023, on Highway 12 in Kenwood. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Though the breakfast sandwiches have only been available for less than a month, word is already spreading. Cars are steadily pulling up, even on quiet Wednesday mornings.

The BEC Kaiser is $7, the bagel version is $10, and the Pork Roll is $12. Additional breakfast items include top-tier espresso drinks ($4 – $6.50 for matcha-infused coffees), a contender for the best kouign-amann (a buttery, caramelized sugar pastry made in-house, $6) and a croissant from Acme Bread ($5). The couple plans to offer more grab-and-go breakfast items in the future.

Open 7-11 a.m. Wednesday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, Instagram.com/spkandcoffee

You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.

Top Sonoma County Restaurant Picks From a Food Critic

September 2025

By Heather Irwin

A selection of pastries and baked goods from Water Street Bistro Thursday, Aug. 29, 2025 in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

People often ask me about my favorite restaurants, and I rarely have a great answer in the moment. I can tell where I ate last, but pulling from the mental archives on demand? Not so easy. As someone who eats (and writes about) food for a living, there’s just too much to sift through.

So, I took some time to dig in and curate my can’t-miss local foodie adventure guide, broken into two parts. First up: my top picks in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. In two weeks, I’ll share part two, featuring my favorite foodie destinations in Healdsburg, Sonoma Valley and on the coast.

Let me know your favorites at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.

Sebastopol

Psychic Pie

Think outside the slice with Roman-style pizzas. A thick, sourdough crust is cut into fat rectangles with seasonal toppings like chevre with fresh lemon and herbs; potato with chile oil, mozzarella and crème fraîche; or hot coppa with Estero Gold cheese, mozzarella and hot honey. Traditionalists fear not — pepperoni and plain cheese are always on the menu. Sold by weight rather than slice, you can mix and match a few flavors. Just don’t forget the housemade ranch dressing. 980 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6032, psychicpie.com

Redwood Wine Bar

Natural wines are their calling card, but this under-the-radar restaurant turns out some truly tasty dishes. The smoky baba ganoush with warm pitas is a standout, along with seasonal salads, grilled maitake mushrooms with pistachio za’atar, and a braised lamb shank for the table. 234 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-9730, theredwoodwine.com

Almond Olive Oil Cake with tangerines, orange blossom yogurt and a drizzle of tangerine tarragon syrup from The Redwood chef/owner Geneva Melby Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat) — Almond Olive Oil Cake with tangerines, orange blossom yogurt and a drizzle of tangerine tarragon syrup from The Redwood chef/owner Geneva Melby Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Sebastopol. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Lunch Box

My ultimate smashburger, the Burger Harn, gets everything right — from a juicy patty and classic Thousand Island-style sauce to shredded iceberg lettuce, American cheddar and a dill pickle. The soft Costeaux brioche bun takes it right over the top. Plus, hoagies, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken Parmesan sandwiches and tasty fries. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com

A&M BBQ

Real. Barbecue. Long-smoked, dry-rubbed, killer sides. Sonoma County-meets-Deep South meat and three. Expect a long line and a no-frills “when we’re out, we’re out” vibe. Brisket is a specialty. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, Instagram.com/ambbqllc

A&M Barbecue — Texas Toast, cornbread muffins, pork ribs, links, brisket and tri-tip, barbecue chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and collard greens at A&M BBQ in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)

A “Roots and Shoots” bowl with sprouted lentils, roasted delicata squash, grilled celery root, trumpet mushroom conserva, chicory and apple salad, with a pomegranate, pumpkin seed tahini, and topped with Estero Gold Cheese. Photo taken at Handline in Sebastopol Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Handline

The tortillas are handmade, the oysters super fresh, the burgers are great, but I go for the veggies. Esquites (grilled corn with lime) are a summer staple. Broccolini with mushroom aioli and pickled mustard seeds is another favorite. The Roots & Shoots salad features an ever-changing lineup of seasonal vegetables, sprouted lentils, arugula, basil pesto and sesame hummus. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, handline.com

Santa Rosa

Augie’s

Approachable bistro-style French classics like hearty onion soup, braised boeuf Bourguignon with creamy potatoes and bowls of steaming mussels swimming in creamy Dijon sauce that’s begging to be soaked up with a crusty baguette. Augie’s is a truffle-buttered kiss, where the Champagne starts flowing at 3 p.m. and the skinny fries come in a gold-handled rondeau pan because they can. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com

Stark’s Steak & Seafood

If you’re craving fat steak, a ridiculously decadent burger or the ultimate happy hour, this is your spot. ‘Nuff said. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-6100, starkssteakhouse.com

Louisiana Hash with onions, bell peppers, bacon, potatoes, cheddar, eggs, herbs, mushrooms and spicy seasoning from J & M’s Midtown Cafe, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

J&M’s Midtown Café

Diner-style breakfast nirvana. Though the menu and the space are casual, the food is top-notch, including the world’s best Benedicts. Pull up a counter seat if you’re dining solo. Lunch classics like a classic tuna melt and a pastrami Reuben are standouts. 1422 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com

Dierk’s Parkside Cafe

If you know, you know. Most of Santa Rosa has spent a lazy Sunday morning or quiet lunch at chef Mark Dierkhising’s legendary cafe. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

L’Oro Di Napoli

Their Neapolitan-style pizzas have thin centers and signature charred crusts that require little more than a few toppings — the Margherita is a winner. I come for the deep-dish lasagna with layer after layer of thick pasta, Bolognese, béchamel and San Marzano tomato sauce. Sitting upstairs is cozy and intimate, perfect for a date night. The new Petaluma location (208 Petaluma Blvd. North) features an expanded menu that includes additional pasta dishes and larger entrees, such as whole branzino and steak. 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6394, lorodinapolica.com

Mitote Food Park

An immersive experience of eating and drinking in Sonoma County’s epicenter of Mexican culture. Food trucks circle a permanent outdoor patio (tented and enclosed) with home-style tacos, tlayuda, birria and tortas. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, mitotefoodpark.com

Chicken Panuchos from Yucamami, a food truck in Mitote Park specializing in Yucatecan street food, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Petaluma

Table Culture Provisions

After “scrappy beginnings,” according to the 2025 California Michelin Guide, this tiny restaurant with just a handful of seats offers one of my favorite tasting menus in Sonoma County. A mix of hyper-seasonal ingredients, French technique and a little humor, the menu reflects the personal journeys of Haitian-born Stéphane Saint Louis and his co-chef Steven Vargas. 312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com

Stockhome

A family-friendly ode to Swedish cuisine with outstanding Swedish pancakes, meatballs and mashed potatoes (with lingonberry jam, of course) and gut-busting street food like the Tunnbrod Rulle, a mashup of Smoked German sausage, mashed potatoes, ketchup, mustard, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes inside a rolled Swedish flatbread. Plus, beef kebabs. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com

Stellina Pronto

There’s (almost) always a line at this Italian bakery and pizzeria, which is saying something in sleepy Sonoma County. Michelin-quality pastries filled with hazelnuts, cream and plenty of panache are the opener for Neapolitan-meets-New York wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Limited seating. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, stellinapronto.com

Nutella cornetto filled with the creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, drizzled with chocolate ganache, and topped with whole toasted hazelnuts, at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Stellina Pronto) — Nutella cornetto filled with creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, drizzled with chocolate ganache, and topped with whole toasted hazelnuts, at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Courtesy Stellina Pronto)

Street Social

Street Social feels more like having dinner at a friend’s house than dining in a formal restaurant — and that’s exactly how owners Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier want it. It’s hard to resist chatting with fellow diners in such a convivial space. Martin’s ever-changing menu is a celebration both of season and place, inspired by what’s perfectly ripe or fresh from the ocean. Farm-to-table isn’t just a label — it’s a manifesto — and that’s why you’ll rarely find the same dish twice on the menu. 29F Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, streetsocial.social

Water Street Bistro

Sitting outside by the Petaluma River with a warm latte is about as good as it gets. This friendly, come-as-you-are French-inspired cafe also has charm and excellent bistro cuisine. Grab a croissant, quiche or kouign-amann in the morning. Lunch is a heartier proposition with seasonal salads, their signature duck confit and irresistible butterscotch pot de crème or the devilishly delicious duck egg flan. 100 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-9563, waterstreetbistropetaluma.com

For Winemaker of the Year Lise Asimont, Success Begins in the Vineyard

September 2025

By Sarah Doyle

Dot Wine winemaker Lise Asimont and her husband/co-owner Shawn Phillips walk in a Shone Farm vineyard July 22, 2025 where they source some of their grapes for their 2025 North Coast Wine Challenge Sweepstakes winners. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

When Lise Asimont of Dot Wine learned she’d been named Winemaker of the Year at the 2025 North Coast Wine Challenge, she was stunned.

As senior vice president of Foley Family Farms, Asimont spends most of her time overseeing nearly 5,000 acres across California, Oregon, and beyond.

Yet this honor was for her passion project — Dot Wine, the small Healdsburg-based wine brand she co-founded with her husband, Shawn Phillips, in 2016.

“I’m really just a farmer at heart,” says Asimont, who has a master’s degree in viticulture from UC Davis. “I make wine because it makes me a better farmer. So being named Winemaker of the Year is an amazing honor.”

Dot Wine winemaker Lise Asimont won Double Gold for three of her wines she creates at J. Rickards Winery in Cloverdale Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Asimont, who produces about 800 cases of wine each year under the Dot Wine label, was chosen as Winemaker of the Year because of her impressive showing in April at the North Coast Wine Challenge, presented by The Press Democrat. The competition is exclusively for wines produced with grapes grown in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Marin, Lake, and Solano counties. This year it received a record-setting 1,147 wine entries from 223 wineries. Four of those entries were from Dot Wine.

During the blind tasting, the judges whittled down the wines to a mere 38 finalists, which were judged again during the final sweepstakes round.

“I was completely blown away when I found out our Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Grenache made the sweepstakes round,” Asimont says. “We only entered the competition because we were curious to see how they’d stack up against the others.”

Dot Wine’s 2024 rosé of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley — which the judges compared to “a Ferris wheel of fun” – was crowned the competition’s best rosé. All three wines were awarded Double Gold (a score of 95 points or better).

“Lise is the first winemaker to have three wines end up in the final sweepstakes round,” says Daryl Groom, the North Coast Wine Challenge’s chief judge. He was “elated” to learn of Asimont’s success. “Given she’s one of the most savvy viticulturists across the North Coast and an excellent winemaker, it’s no surprise she scooped up so many awards. She also happens to be one of the kindest, most respected people in the wine industry.”

Asimont, a Filipino-American whose mother emigrated to the U.S. mainland from Hawaii, is especially proud Dot Wine’s rosé rose to the top.

“The rosé has Filipino-Hawaiian representation on the label from artist Jackie Eitel of Paradise Now in Hawaii,” she says. “To have my culture represented means everything.”

Nine years after launching the brand, Asimont has gained “a tremendous amount of perspective” that she integrates into her role at Foley. “There’s nothing like trying to sell your own wine in a challenging market to give you a sense of humility,” she says. “It gives you an entrepreneurial edge that makes you a savvier winegrower.”

Michael Beaulac, Foley’s director of winemaking, was among the judges at this year’s North Coast Wine Challenge. When he learned Asimont had landed three wines in the sweepstakes round, he teasingly asked her if she was coming for his job.

“I reassured him I wasn’t,” laughs Asimont. “I told him I’m truly at my finest — my strongest — when I’m farming wine grapes. Winemaking allows me to complete the sentence I begin in the vineyard. That’s where I’m the happiest.”

Dot Wine, 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg. 707-385-9855, dotwinery.com

Healdsburg and Napa Wine Bars Spotlighted in Wine Spectator

September 2025

By Maci Martell

At Compline restaurant and wine shop in Napa. (Compline)

In Wine Spectator’s latest issue, its editors invite readers to meet them at the wine bar — specifically, their 38 favorites across the United States, plus three international ones for good measure. The roundup features a dazzling selection of standout wine bars that provide guests with an unforgettable experience. And three of them, naturally, are in Wine Country.

As the cover story for Wine Spectator’s October issue, wine bars get the special treatment, with establishments segmented by region and given thorough reviews by in-the-know editors. The result is an itinerary-worthy lineup of places that are sophisticated yet approachable, lending to the evolution of modern wine bar culture.

Among its 10 favorite wine bars on the West Coast, Wine Spectator recommends one in Healdsburg and two in Napa. Here’s what you need to know to start planning your visit.

Healdsburg

Maison Healdsburg

After Healdsburg’s highly acclaimed Bergamot Alley closed in 2018, the town went without a single wine bar for years. There have been upscale tasting rooms and cocktail bars aplenty, but no casual hub for wine lovers. That is, until SingleThread alums Evan and Jade Hufford, along with their business partner Ryan Knowles, opened Maison Healdsburg in 2023.

“Maison is a place to truly geek out,” said Healdsburg native Aaron Romano, Wine Spectator’s senior editor of its Napa tasting department, in his review. Romano noted the wine bar’s 600-bottle list of mostly California coastal wines, along with rare bottlings and a healthy dose of global selections. Maison also pours over 40 rotating wines and sakes by the glass. Additionally, Maison offers wine seminars, blind tastings and food pop-ups featuring renowned chefs from Wine Country and beyond. 210 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, maisonwinebar.com

Napa

Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ

Founded 30 years ago in an 1880s-era building in downtown Napa, Bounty Hunter embodies an Old West theme while marrying award-winning barbecue with a 400-bottle list of mostly Californian wines. MaryAnn Worobiec, Wine Spectator’s senior editor and Napa Bureau Chief, described Bounty Hunter as “one of the original wine bars, with a formula and vibes that prove popular with locals and tourists alike after all these years.”

Bounty Hunter is for the casual wine consumers who want a side of whimsy and comfort food with their glass. It features cheeky wine flights to suit all tastes, like the “Killer Cabernet” and “Pinot Envy.” Worobiec highlighted such menu favorites as the signature beer-can chicken, wood-smoked St. Louis pork ribs and a Southern-style pimento cheese dip. 975 First St., Napa, 707-226-3976, bountyhunterwinebar.com

Compline

After veteran sommeliers Matt Stamp and Ryan Stetins opened Compline in 2017, it soon became a hot spot for excellent wine and dining. The wine bar and restaurant became a quadruple threat when the founders added a separate wineshop and tasting bar in 2022. Compline has an impressive 1,000-bottle wine list, featuring a vast international selection along with California wines.

In her review, Worobiec highlighted Compline’s “wine-friendly menu with delectable pastas … seasonal produce and shareable plates.” Plus, find “top-notch burgers,” daily rotating wine flights, a shady outdoor patio and events with visiting vintners. 1300 First St., Suite 319, Napa, 707-492-8150, complinewine.com

Find more favorite local wine bars here.

Spend A Perfect Wine Weekend in Sonoma Valley

September 2025

By Tina Caputo and Carey Sweet

A West Wine Tours Volkswagen bus stops at Marilyn’s Vineyard in Kenwood. (John Burgess / Sonoma Magazine)

Home to the historic town of Sonoma, along with charming Glen Ellen and Kenwood, Sonoma Valley has relaxed, family-friendly appeal combined with rolling vineyard landscapes and walkable downtowns. Along with Sonoma Valley’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon, the region is known for Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Taste

Hamel Family Wines

Dramatic views are always on the menu at this 124-acre estate at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, set among century-old olive trees. Book the Estate Experience for a tour of the expansive winery and underground wine caves followed by a seated tasting in the sleek Estate House, or splurge for the Chef’s Experience, featuring gourmet bites from the resident chef. Hamel’s signature wines — including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc — are shaped by volcanic soils. Reservations required. 15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. hamelfamilywines.com

Hanzell Vineyards

Hanzell Farm & Vineyards in Sonoma. (Eileen Roche/for Sonoma Magazine)

Set on a steep hillside, Hanzell is home to the historic Ambassador’s 1953 vineyard — Sonoma County’s oldest continuously producing Chardonnay site. The winery is known for its “firsts” — this was the first winery in the world to use stainless steel tanks and the first in California to use all French oak barrels — as well as its incredible, subtly oaked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery’s newly updated tasting experience includes a tour of the caves and the original 1950s Hanzell winery, which now serves as a museum. Reservations required. 18596 Lomita Ave., Sonoma. hanzell.com

More wineries worth seeking out

Sample co-fermented blends made with Rhône varieties at Abbot’s Passage. The “Shuffleboard Social” experience includes game time on the vineyard court. Reservations encouraged. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen. abbotspassage.com

Best Sonoma wineries Abbot's Passage — Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile, an experiential winery located on a historic property in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. (Abbot’s Passage)

Obsidian Base Camp tasting room in downtown Sonoma. (Obsidian Wine Co.)

Obsidian Base Camp’s Japanese garden oasis pours complex reds from an obsidian-laced vineyard in Lake County. Try the fun, experimental Rabbit Hole wines. Weekend reservations recommended. 441 First St. W., Sonoma. obsidianwineco.com

At Winery Sixteen 600 — tucked in an old farmhouse off the Sonoma Plaza — taste the Coturri family’s organically farmed wines in antique theater seats as vinyl records spin. Reservations required. 589 First St. W., Sonoma. winerysixteen600.com

Dine

Sonoma Eats Mexican Food & Café

Relish soulful Oaxacan fare in Boyes Hot Springs, where canned foods are banned and locally grown produce is everything. Founded by a former vineyard worker, Efrain Balmes, the restaurant team whips up chilaquiles and trés leches French toast in the morning, then moves on to must-have mole enchiladas and tacos for lunch. 18133 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 707-3431141, sonoma-eats.com

Enclos

A mere seven months after opening, this splurgy tasting menu destination landed not one, but two, coveted Michelin stars — as well as a Michelin Green Star for sustainable practices. On the plate, that translates to gorgeously presented dishes made with Sonoma-grown ingredients — from heirloom produce to responsibly raised meats. 139 E. Napa St., Sonoma. 707-387-1724, enclos-sonoma.com

Songbird Parlour

Dine in a plush and stylish Victorian-inspired salon at Jack London Village, where the menu reads like a love letter to Sonoma County farms and food purveyors. On Sunday nights, Songbird offers succulent, sweet-hot fried chicken at a bargain price. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen. 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com

Spread Kitchen

This casual, indoor-outdoor café from French-trained chef Cristina Topham whips up Lebanese-inspired dishes with a decidedly California spin. The dips are divine — try the hummus spiced with Aleppo pepper — as are lavash wraps ranging from classic lamb kofta to fried cauliflower drizzled with green tahini. 18375 Hwy. 12, Sonoma. 707-721-1256, spreadkitchensonoma.com

Explore

Take a break from winetasting and stroll the outdoor exhibits at Sculpturesite Gallery in Glen Ellen. (Sculpturesite Gallery)

The sculptureWALK exhibition showcases 30 outdoor statues and kinetic sculptures — crafted from metal, wood, stone, glass, and concrete — throughout Jack London Village. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. sculpturesite.com

Hitch a ride in a vintage VW bus with West Wine Tours and enjoy a relaxed day of wine tasting while drinking in Sonoma Valley’s vineyard views. Each charming Volkswagen in their fleet holds six to eight passengers, and there’s even an option to choose a color to set just the right vibe for a Wine Country cruise. 707-787-8141, westwinetours.com

Insider Tip

Stomp grapes at the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. Now in its 200th year, the weekend event is set for Sept. 25-27. valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.org

Give in to temptation at Pomme Cider Shop & Taproom. This apple-centric venue off the Sonoma Plaza is a haven for fans of natural ciders from near and far. 531 Broadway, Sonoma. pommecidershop.com

Sip Wine and Stay Cool in These Sonoma Wine Caves

September 2025

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Entrance to the wine cave at Thomas George Estates in Healdsburg. (Thomas George Estates)

Though they might seem like just another visitor attraction at a winery, wine caves do serve a specific purpose — to store wine at a steady, cool temperature as it ages to perfection. And when it’s hot outside, these underground caverns also do a great job of keeping wine tasters comfortably chilled.

Here are a few favorite carved-out hillsides where you can taste wine and stay cool in the hot days ahead.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

At Sonoma County’s second oldest family-owned winery, six generations of the Bundschu family have been busy making wine since 1858. The Underground Cave Tour is offered at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. Tour hosts guide guests through the wine cave — as well as the regenerative vineyards, weather permitting — while teaching them about Gundlach Bundschu’s family history, its winemaking and barrel-aging process, and sustainable vineyard practices. Tours last about 90 minutes. Limited to guests 13 and over. Reservations are required; reserve on Tock. $80 per person. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com

Buena Vista cave — During the Barrel Tasting and Winery Tour at Buena Vista, guests learn about the founder of the historic winery, Count Agoston Haraszthy, and try a flight of wines, including a barrel tasting in the cave. (Buena Vista Winery)

Buena Vista Winery

Founded in 1857 as California’s first premium winery, Buena Vista is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the Barrel Tasting and Winery Tour, guests learn about the founder of the historic winery, Count Agoston Haraszthy, and try a flight of wines, including a barrel tasting in the cave. The tour is offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily and lasts 90 minutes. $60 per person, $48 for wine club members. Reserve on Tock. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Benziger Family Winery

Private wine tastings and dinners in the caves are available at Benziger Family Winery. The Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting includes a visit to the caves. Tours run approximately 90 minutes and are offered at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday; and at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are required and tours are limited to guests 21 and over. $85 per person, $68 for wine club members. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000, benziger.com

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves

Bella’s Immersive Winery Tour starts next to the winery’s 100-year-old Zinfandel vines, but a majority of the time is spent underground in the wine caves. The experience ends with a seated private tasting of five wines, including small-lot Zinfandels. Allow up to two hours for the tour. $95 per person, 15% off for wine club members. Reserve on Tock. 9711 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-9171, bellawinery.com

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Complimentary cave tours are offered at noon and 2:30 p.m. daily. While exploring the 48,000-square-foot wine cave, guests learn about barrel selection and how it can impact a wine’s flavor. Reservations are required for groups of seven or more. Tours last about 20 minutes. The winery also offers an Immersive Cave Tour & Tasting Experience at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Guests will learn about the history of Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s namesake, as well as the Wetzel family, who helped shape the region’s winemaking. While exploring the cave, guests will have a chance to taste five estate wines. Tours are 90 minutes and are not available in September and October. Reserve all experiences on Tock. $45 per person. 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com

Thomas George Estates

This wine cave, completed in 2010, measures over 8,000 square feet, with nearly 2,000 square feet dedicated to hosting visitors. Guests can explore the entire cave, from production spaces with barrels and concrete vessels to the Wine Cave Library. The Single Vineyard Cave Tasting includes a seated tasting in the wine cave, tasting of six wines and a pizza for two. $75 per person, $90 per person for groups of nine or more. Reservations are recommended. 8075 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8031, thomasgeorgeestates.com

Deerfield Ranch Winery

Guests can tour this 23,000-square-foot wine cave, shaped like a wine glass, during cave tastings held daily (by reservation only). The tour lasts about an hour and includes tasting of five wines. Guests learn about the advantages the subterranean space provides for aging wine and how extended barrel aging impacts the wine. $35 per person for the Signature Tasting in the cave, $75 per person for the Reserve Tasting. Reserve on Tock. 10200 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5215, deerfieldranch.com

The wine cave at Deerfield Ranch in Kenwood. (Deerfield Ranch)

Schug Carneros Estate Winery

During the Estate Cave Experience, guides welcome guests with a glass of sparkling wine then lead them on a stroll through the cave. The tour culminates in an intimate seated tasting. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. $65 per person. Reserve online. 602 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, 707-939-9363, schugwinery.com

Kunde Family Winery

Offered November through March, the Cave Tasting at Kunde includes a tasting of the estate’s library and reserve wines along with cheese and charcuterie bites while seated in Kunde’s hillside caves. Available at noon and 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Allow two hours for the experience. Reservations are required. $100 per person; exclusive discount price for wine club members. 9825 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5501, kunde.com

Hamel Family Wines

During Hamel’s Estate Experience, guests are led on a guided tour of the winery and adjacent wine cave while learning about the estate’s volcanic terroir and biodynamic farming philosophy. The tour includes a seated tasting of single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, library Cabernet Sauvignon and other estate reds, along with a seasonal snack. Allow up to two hours for the experience. $95 per guest. Maximum six guests per party. Reserve on Tock. 15401 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com

Where to Get the Best Pancakes in Sonoma County

September 2025

By Heather Irwin

Lemon pancakes with cottage cheese and syrup from Verano Cafe Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

From ancient Romans to millennial brunchers, pancakes have long been a favorite breakfast-time tummy-warmer — and mimosa accomplice.

Pancakes are so popular, in fact, that there are several holidays that celebrate the dish. Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day, is a Christian holiday that falls between February and March and involves a feast before the start of Lent. Also in spring is IHOP’s pancake day, on which customers receive a free short stack of pancakes, a tradition the breakfast chain started in 2006. And then there’s National Pancake Day on Sept. 26, just for fun.

Chefs all over Sonoma County are whipping up their own delectable versions of the breakfast classic. Here are nine of our all-time favorites to enjoy on National Pancake Day or anytime of year.

The Classic

Dierk’s Parkside Café, Santa Rosa: Simple, fluffy pancakes served up with eggs and bacon at one of Santa Rosa’s fave breakfast spots. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com

Sleeper Hit

Fandee’s Restaurant, Sebastopol: Rich, fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes are one of my favorites, served with berries and vanilla crème anglaise. 7824 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, 707-829-2462, fandeesrestaurant.com

Acorn Cafe pancake — Acorn Cafe owner Beryl Adler’s Lemon Ricotta Hotcake with house lemon curd, ricotta, oat crumble and lemon lavender ice cream Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Best Newcomer

Acorn Cafe, Healdsburg: The Acorn Cafe, opened last year in Healdsburg’s former Oakville Grocery, features a vegan lemon ricotta hotcake on its menu, served with house lemon curd, whipped ricotta, oat crumble and topped with a scoop of lemon lavender ice cream. 124 Matheson St., 707-955-7001, Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com

Big and Buttery

Jeffrey’s Hillside Cafe, Santa Rosa: Buttermilk pancakes as big as dinner plates, served with two eggs and choice of bacon, sausage or ham. 2901 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-6317, jeffreyshillsidecafe.com

Brunch Favorite

Verano Cafe, Sonoma: Plate-size lemon pancakes are fluffed up with cottage cheese, eggs and lemon for a unique take on the traditional stack at this favored Sonoma cafe. Grab a fresh mimosa (passion fruit is a favorite) or a well-made cup of coffee while you wait. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-931-6837, veranocafesonoma.com

Paula Ledesma serves up pancakes to a family on a road trip from Georgia at the Verano Cafe Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Sonoma. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat) — Paula Ledesma serves up pancakes to a family on a road trip from Georgia at the Verano Cafe Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Sonoma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Dutch Baby German-style pancake from Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa — Dutch Baby, a German-style pancake with caramelized sugar, apples and a hint of nutmeg. Surrounded by, from left, the Sunshine with carrot, orange, ginger and turmeric; Prickly Pear Margarita; the Beet with carrot, celery, apple and ginger; and a Cafe Mocha on the menu at Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa. Photo taken Thursday, April 27, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Bavarian-Style

Brother’s Cafe, Santa Rosa: The owners behind Sebastopol’s popular Hole in the Wall opened twin restaurant Brother’s Cafe in 2022. The Santa Rosa cafe serves a similar breakfast menu to the Sebastopol outpost (all day). Don’t miss the Dutch Baby German pancake with caramelized sugar and apples. 3135 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com

Fill ’Er Up

Sax’s Joint, Petaluma: Open wide for a pancake the size of a pizza. Using a half-gallon of batter, it’s any child’s dream. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com

Pancakes at Americana. (Americana) — Pancakes at Americana, which has locations in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. (Americana)

Farm-to-Table

Americana, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa: Pancakes hot from the griddle are top-notch. Choose from classic, blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes, served with housemade vanilla cider maple syrup, whipped cream and seasonal fruit. 162 N. Main St. Sebastopol, 707-827-3309; 205 Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-755-1548, americanasonomacounty.com

Best with Your Dog

Howard Station Cafe, Occidental: This dog-friendly, locomotive-themed cafe offers stacks of buttermilk, blueberry and banana walnut pancakes. 3611 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-2838, howardstationcafe.com

Maci Martell contributed to this article.