Perched on a 56-acre lot on Sonoma Mountain, this modern estate resembles a piece of functional art. Designed by Santa Rosa architect Robert Zinkhan, it features rounded corners, earthy hues that blend into the hillside and a playful mix of geometric patterns.
The 5,500-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bath home is currently listed for $6,900,000. The property could serve as a working farm, recreational area or equestrian facility – stables, a cottage and a dock on the pond are already in place.
The rounded shape of the main building is repeated throughout the home, from a custom-made, formal table to a curved 13-foot credenza, a circular driveway and swirl detailing on the front door.
More artistic design elements can be found throughout the home. The main bedroom has built-in cabinetry with graceful crane-like brass lighting fixtures. The library offers a handsome grid of shelving and a rolling ladder. There’s a meditation room and natural stone bathrooms. More tranquility-inducing elements are found in the yard’s modern fountains and pool area. Artfully placed large succulents and agave plants, along with manzanita and oak trees, create lush patterns in the landscape.
Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
A 1930s home in Petaluma’s historic Oakhill Brewster neighborhood has hit the market for $849,000.
The two-bedroom, one-bath bungalow at 591 Kent St. features signature design elements of the early 1900s — arched doorways, original oak floors, rubbed bronze fixtures. Walls in warm hues and pared down styling create a sense of spaciousness in the 1,017-square-foot dwelling. The simplicity allows the architectural details to shine, while modern light fixtures accentuate the vintage backdrop.
A detached office space features reclaimed barn-wood floors, custom cabinets and a Murphy bed. The surrounding yard has pavers, Meyer lemon trees, olive trees, a front arbor and a new backyard fence. Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
For more information, contact listing agent Rob Sullivan with Vanguard Properties, 707-772-9171,591kent.com
At Flatbed Farm in Sonoma Valley. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)
Why we garden
Paul Martinez is Sonoma’s gardener philosopher, supplying best-quality plants at his Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery (open to the public, sonomavalleynursery.com) , and spreading enthusiasm for gardening to visitors from all over. “Gardening is experiential. We can’t wrap ourselves up in fear—we have to seize the day. Try things out. Observe our work and learn from our mistakes,” he says.
Martinez revels in the beauty and rewards of planting season, providing a message of calm reassurance. “It’s all instinct,” he explains.
“Intrinsically, working in the garden touches something inside of us and makes people feel at peace.” He encourages gardeners to focus on the wonder of being in the garden and witnessing moments that make us happy. “When we go out there and grow a flower, we feel on top of the world. The best gardeners are the homeowners who just love their yard.”
At Flatbed Farm in Glen Ellen. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)At Flatbed Farm in Glen Ellen. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)
5 best Instagram accounts for Sonoma gardeners
Feather Flower Farm: Farmer-florist Sierra Bannister’s swoon-worthy blooms and arranging tips. @featherflowerfarm
TerraVesco: Regenerative farming advice and practical tips to improve soil health. @terrathrive_
UC Master Gardeners Sonoma: Links to informative articles, local seminars, and garden calendars. @sonomacountymg
The Botanical Bus, a bilingual health clinic reaching out to Indigenous and Latino communities in Sonoma County, provides local farmworkers with garden boxes of medicinal herbs and leads plant-based wellness workshops. thebotanicalbus.org
Backyard wine
Want to try growing grapes on a small scale? Grapevines Galore in Dry Creek Valley is the public arm of industry source Grey Creek Viticultural Services. It sells beautifully healthy, ready-to-plant varieties of both winegrapes and yummy table grapes like Flame and Perlette. Grapevine-specific planting advice, too— mid-March through April is ideal for our area. grapevinesgalore.com
My favorite gear
Jude Crawford of cut-flower operation Zannah Farms in Santa Rosa starts thousands of blooms from seed each year. Her go-to tool for transplanting tiny, newly-sprouted seeds from seed-starting trays into larger containers is an inexpensive triangular painter’s palette knife from an art supply store. Who knew? About $8 at Art & Soul Sebastopol, artandsoulsebastopol.com
Jude Crawford of Zannah Farms. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)
Fire-wise gardening
The truth is, all plants burn. But you can protect your property and be more fire-wise by clearing a ring of defensible space around your home, choosing fire-resistant plants, and removing fire-prone trees and shrubs like juniper, cypress, and Monterey pine.
Fire-resistant plants have an open growth habit, don’t contain flammable resins and oils, and don’t accumulate large amounts of dead wood, stems, or leaves. Here are a few good picks for Sonoma gardens:
Trees: California redbud and coast live oaks
Succulents: Agaves and aloes
Shrubs: Cistus (rockrose) and salvias
Ground covers: Sedum and dymondia
Perennials: Penstemons and coreopsis
A raised-bed cutting garden
This cutting garden, which fits a standard 4-by-8-foot raised bed, is packed with easy-to-grow blooms that will provide a bounty of cut flowers all summer.
‘Cut and Come Again’ Zinnias: A rainbow of flowers bloom endlessly all summer. Sow directly from seed or plant nursery starts.
Cosmos Binpinnatus: A mix of pink, crimson and white flowers hovers over 4-foot-tall ferny foliage. Sow directly from seed.
‘Color Palette Cupid’ Sweet Peas: Sweetly scented pastel flowers decorate a 10-inch cascading bush of blooms. Sow directly from seed.
‘Cup of Sun’ Nasturtiums: A mounding variety boasting cheery golden flowers and waterlily-shaped leaves. Sow directly from seed.
‘Lemon Queen’ Sunflowers: A cinch to grow and appealing to pollinators. 5 to 7 feet tall. Sow directly from seed or plant nursery starts.
Those amazing master gardeners
What a gift to have a free, local resource like the Sonoma County Master Gardeners. A program run by UC Cooperative Extension, the Master Gardeners offer classes and seminars, run information booths at farmers markets and other events, answer gardening questions via email, and write advice columns for our sister publication, The Press Democrat. Their spring garden tour is May 13. Information desk: 707-565-2608. sonomamg.ucanr.edu
My favorite gear
Gardeners always need their pruners—but how do you keep from losing them? Try a holster, says garden designer Kier Holmes. Felco makes one that clips to a waistband or feeds through a belt. About $15 at local garden centers, including Friedman’s Home Improvement and Sonoma Mission Gardens.
Photo by Eileen Roche.
Swap out your lawn
In Healdsburg, Cotati, Rohnert Park, and several other Sonoma communities, “Cash for Grass” rebate programs offer incentives to replace your resource-guzzling lawn. To boost biodiversity and create a healthier ecosystem, here are five things that patch of lawn could become instead:
• A pollinator-friendly garden bursting with native plants.
• A cutting garden for homegrown bouquets.
• A foodscape of veggies to feed your family.
• A succulent garden top-dressed with gravel.
• A natural meadow of no-mow fescue dotted with wildflowers.
Classic Sonoma pairings
These three power couples characterize the Wine Country vibe—and are relatively drought tolerant to boot.
‘Iceberg’ roses + ‘Grosso’ lavender: Classic-style shrubs for sunny spots.
California poppies + blue lupines: Vivid colored, pollinator-friendly wildflowers to grow from seed.
Olive trees + rosemary: A mix of soft, tone-on-tone greens. ‘Little Ollie’ dwarf olives fit smaller spaces.
Forni Farm and Nursery in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Favorite specialty nurseries
A rosy glow — Russian River Rose Company: It’s a spectacle as a 2-acre display garden bursts with hundreds of types of roses and irises. Owners Michael and “Rosy Jan” Tolmasoff also distill rose water and rose oil. 1685 Magnolia Dr., Healdsburg. 707-433-7455, russian-river-rose.com.
Second-generation expert — Momiji Nursery: Owner Mike Umehara learned horticulture from his father, the longtime curator of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo. The expertise he lavishes on his Japanese maples really shows. 2765 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa. 707-528-2917, momijinursery.com
Strongest starts — Flatbed Farm: A perfect Saturday morning: grab coffee from the cart, then browse garden gifts and healthy seedlings grown on site. 13450 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen. flatbedfarm.com
Made for the shade — Hidden Forest Nursery: Mike Boss rescued the former Sonoma Horticultural Nursery and preserved its nearly 50-year-old garden full of rare rhododendrons and azaleas. Treat yourself to a forest bath as you meander the shady acres. 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. 707-823-6832, hiddenforestnursery.com
Colorful flowers bloom at MIX Garden in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Hidden Forest Nursery (Karen Kizer)
Healthy veggies — Mix Garden: When April (or even May) rolls around and you think you’ve missed your window for unusual tomatoes, eggplants, and melons, this spot will help you out with healthy starts ready to go. 1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707433-4327, mixgarden.com
Tools of the trade — Harmony Farm Supply: All the tools, soil amendments, and drip irrigation supplies for smart gardens, plus quality plants and advice. 3244 Gravenstein Hwy. North, Sebastopol and 5400 Old Redwood Hwy. N., Petaluma. 707823-9125, harmonyfarm.com
Full service — The Nursery at Emerisa Gardens: This is the public facing front of Emerisa’s robust plant starts business, with all sorts of locally adapted veggies and flowers ready to plant in 4-inch pots. 555 Irwin Lane, Santa Rosa. emerisagardens.com
Only the best olives — The Olive Tree Nursery: This specialty spot propagates its own trees from cuttings, focusing on varieties for oil or to cure for eating—Frantoio and Leccino from Italy, Arbequina and Manzanillo from Spain. Meticulously pruned olive bonsai, too. 908 Rockwell Rd., Cloverdale. geyservilleolive.com
Indulgent eye candy — Cottage Gardens: This jewel box of a nursery has both big statement beauties— roses, clematis, and rhododendrons— and healthy veggie starts, plus trellises, arbors, fountains, and garden art. 3995 Emerald Dr., Petaluma. 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com
Small Santa Barbara Daisies bloom at Cottage Gardens of Petaluma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)A clematis blooms at Cottage Gardens of Petaluma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Straight from the farm — Forni Farm and Nursery: Peter Forni closed his beloved Calistoga nursery in 2018. His daughter Miranda brought the magic to the other side of the Mayacamas, with a carefully chosen collection of homegrown veggie starts. 4000 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa. 707-5955404. fornifarm.com
Sustainable screening — Bamboo Sourcery Nursery & Gardens: Jack and his beanstalk have nothing on this beautiful demonstration forest of fast-growing bamboo varieties from around the world. Carefully stewarded choices and great advice. 666 Wagnon Rd., Sebastopol. 707-8235866, bamboosourcery.com
Going native — California Flora Nursery: This spot was spreading the virtues of native plants decades before drought and climate change made such picks trendy. Something for every spot in the garden (and every microclimate), from grasses and perennials to trees. 2990 Somers St., Fulton. 707-528-8813, calfloranursery.com
A look back: Luther Burbank, Sonoma’s ultimate gardener
The artist Frida Kahlo perhaps best captured the earthy spirit of Luther Burbank, depicting the great plant breeder as a hybrid himself—a man grafted onto a tree trunk whose spreading roots feed from his own remains. Burbank laid down roots in Sonoma County in 1875, using proceeds from the sale of his Burbank potato, the parent of the russet, still the country’s most widely grown spud.
Burbank was a self-taught horticultural scientist who saw Sonoma as an agricultural Eden and developed more than 800 varieties of plants at his nursery and home here, including 113 different types of plums and 50 different lilies, plus Shasta daisies, plumcots, and spineless cactus.
An unlikely celebrity, he was regarded as one of the great inventors of the time alongside titans like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, both of whom traveled to Santa Rosa to see Burbank at work.
Though his legacy is complicated by questions about his advocacy for eugenics, Burbank’s memory still looms over our county, a place he deeply loved and called “the chosen spot.” Visit his Santa Rosa home and gardens on a self-guided tour; lutherburbank.org for info.
Picks for pollinators
Try these long-blooming lovelies that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds will adore. The Sonoma County Beekeepers Association has more tips for locally adapted, bee-friendly plants at sonomabees.org.
• Borage
• Buckwheat (Eriogonum)
• Coneflower (Echinacea)
• California milkweed (Asclepias)
• New England aster
• Penstemons
Pollinators, such as butterflies, are an important ally in helping your garden thrive, at Sonoma Garden Park in Sonoma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
“Why I love native plants”
A nurseryman for over 40 years, Phil Van Soelen founded (and later sold) California Flora Nursery, which specializes in native plants from California.
At his Sebastopol home, Van Soelen created a native plant garden to celebrate living in what he calls our “biodiversity hot spot.” He says native plant species attract and support insects and birds—and well-chosen and well-placed natives, once established, use little water. Other plants native to Mediterranean climates, such as those from southern Europe and South Africa, mix in well alongside.
“I love the ever-changing progression of growth, blossoming, and dormancy of California natives and their deep synchronicity with our climate,” says Van Soelen. calfloranursery.com
Phil Van Soelen’s garden.
Best spring plant sales
We love the neighbor-to-neighbor, grassroots feel of a good old-fashioned plant sale.
Petaluma Bounty Farm Sale: Heirloom edibles and flowering plants that grow well in Sonoma. April 23 by appointment. 55 Shasta Ave., Petaluma. petalumabounty.org
Sonoma Garden Park Sale: Drought-tolerant native plants and pollinator-friendly picks. April 8. 19996 Seventh St., E., Sonoma. sonomaecologycenter.org
Food For Thought Benefit Sale: Veggies, native plants, and more to raise funds for those with serious illnesses. April 22 and 23.6550 Railroad Ave., Forestville. fftfoodbank.org
Santa Rosa Garden Club/Redwood Empire Rose Society: Two sales in one, with healthy plants lovingly raised by club members. April 22. 2050 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. santarosagardenclub.com
Healdsburg Garden Club Sale: Succulents, perennials, shrubs—even garden gear and flower arrangements. April 29 and May 13. West Healdsburg Plaza near the farmers market. healdsburggardenclub.org
SRJC Shone Farm Sale: Everything for the summer garden, from SR JC horticulture students. April 29. 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville. shonefarm.santarosa.edu
Edible Flowers: They may have been around for a while, but edible flowers never seem to wilt on Instagram. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Eat your blossoms
Make food feel fancy with edible flowers. They’re a perfect pick for home gardeners, as they’re expensive to buy and forgiving to grow, even in a small space or container.
• Peppery blooms like nasturtiums and borage taste wonderful mixed into salads.
• Delicately flavored rose petals and violas are beautiful on cakes.
• Rosemary, bee balm, scented geraniums, and many other herbs have tiny flowers to collect by the handful.
• Use daylilies like squash blossoms. Stuff a whole flower, separate the petals and use in a salad, or stir-fry mature buds.
• To incorporate the petals of larger blooms like calendula and dandelion, break the bloom apart with your fingers and discard the nub at the center.
My favorite gear
Scot Medbury, current director of the Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen loves the funny-looking Grampa’s Weeder, which has an extra-long handle and a sideways foot pedal for leverage to tackle deep-rooted weeds like teasel and thistle throughout the garden. It’s his constant go-to. grampasweeder.com
Succession planting 101
Get growing earlier in the spring with succession planting, a way to maximize production during seasonal transitions. There are several ways to do it. One way is to plant a quick, early-season crop like radishes in the same spot as something that’s slower to mature, like carrots, so one crop is done by the time the other takes off. Grow lettuce with tomatoes, and enjoy salad until your tomatoes get going later in the summer. Other good combos include early beets with green beans and lettuce with garlic.
Another tip is to stagger smaller plantings of the same crop, every 2-3 weeks, to extend the harvest season. And pick varieties of veggies like beans, squash, and tomatoes with different maturity dates, from early to late, to extend the harvest. With planning, you can have fresh veggies virtually year-round.
Rows of vegetables grow in a greenhouse of the culinary garden at Stone Edge Farm in Sonoma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Herbal tisanes
A tisane is an herbal tea, fresh from the garden and without the caffeine. Rinse a few small handfuls of herbs (ones grown without pesticides), then steep in boiling water with a bit of honey for a refreshing drink that speaks to season and place. Herbs to try include all kinds of mint, thyme, lemon verbena, and basil. Add in thin slices of fruit or citrus peel for even more flavor, and enjoy your cup.
The Community Seed Exchange in Sebastopol offers free, locally grown seeds and veggie starts to the community, focusing on high-producing staple food plants (dried corn, beans, favas) well adapted to west county conditions. communityseedexchange.org
Favorite public gardens
• Kendall-Jackson Estate Gardens
• Kruse Rhododendrons State Natural Reserve
• McEvoy Ranch
• Matanzas Creek Winery
• Sonoma Botanical Garden
Test your soil
Find out more about the fertility and health of your soil with a soil test. The results will help you better understand your soil’s character (sandy, loamy, clay); its ability to retain water; whether your soil is lacking important nutrients plants need to grow; and how to correct those deficiencies with soil amendments. Soil tests are good to do when you’re establishing a new garden, and every few years as your garden grows and changes. To test, gardeners often mail soil samples to an outside laboratory.
Local experts recommend the soil testing services at Logan Labs. The company’s website has simple videos on collecting a sample (you don’t need any special tools), packaging and sending it for analysis, and interpreting your results. Testing starts at $25. loganlabs.com
Photo by Rebecca Gosselin
Five great lavender picks
Santa Rosa’s Bees N’ Blooms centers around a stunning lavender maze created out of concentric circles planted in different varieties. The display of shape, form, and color is a wonder to visit in May and June ( beesnblooms.com ). Here are owner Susan Kegley’s five favorite lavenders for Sonoma gardeners. For best growth, she advises full sun, good drainage, and slightly alkaline soil.
• ‘Folgate’: An English variety in brilliant, intense purple.
• ‘Royal Velvet’: Another English type that is good for culinary use.
• ‘Melissa’: A pale, powdery purple variety that tastes a bit spicy.
• ‘Grosso’: The classic French pick, primarily planted for oil production.
• ‘Gros Bleu’: Tall with a bluish cast and an unusual shape to the flower spike.
Free water-saving design plans
The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, working with the Sonoma Ecology Center, Daily Acts, and local landscape architect Ann Baker, developed eight different template designs for water-wise suburban Sonoma landscapes. Get a look at the different options at savingwaterpartnership.org.
My favorite gear
“I’m a bit of a tool snob,” admits Colby Eierman of Stone Edge Farm, who loves his welded steel broadfork. It gently loosens soil without disturbing its structure and is fun to use—stand on the bar and wiggle back and forth to sink the tines into the soil. meadowcreature.com
What’s a grafted veggie?
Grafted fruit trees aren’t new, but grafted veggies? This trend physically combines two different plants (a rootstock and a fruiting variety) into a single plant optimized for higher yields. Grafted tomatoes and other veggies also promise better resistance to diseases and drought—but they are more expensive. Are they worth it? Fionuala Campion, owner of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, is an enthusiastic supporter of heirlooms, so you won’t find them at her nursery. But some studies did find these new grafted veggies are more prolific. If you try them this year, remember to plant with the graft above the soil. Available at Friedman’s Home Improvement.
Eat in the garden
Get inspired to grow at one of these Sonoma restaurants.
Barndiva, Healdsburg: Dine under a ceiling of leafy plane trees trained into a dome, surrounded by garden art. barndiva.com
Farmhouse Inn, Forestville: Redwood-shaded paths wind past roses and lush ferns. farmhouseinn.com
Folktable, Sonoma: Eat inside or out, then wander through the adjacent gardens. folktablerestaurant.com
Barndiva restaurant in Healdsburg.
John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa: Lush settings at one of the region’s first destination resorts. vintnersresort.com
The Madrona, Healdsburg: Tall palms and flower-studded meadows at a newly updated resort. themadronahotel.com
Salt & Stone, Kenwood: Dine by a large waterlily pond right next to vineyards leafing out. saltstonekenwood.com
Sunflower Caffé, Sonoma: Locals brunch in a leafy courtyard with bubbling fountains. sonomasunflower.com
The Spinster Sisters, Santa Rosa: Raised beds overflowing with herbs and flowers in the laidback outdoor dining room. thespinstersisters.com
Found! A free, comprehensive calendar detailing which veggies to start when in our climate, developed as part of a discontinued, decade-old initiative called iGrow Sonoma. Go to igrowsonoma.org, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on “year-round growing guide.” Download before it disappears.
Harvest for the hungry
The Harvest for the Hungry Garden, farmed by volunteers on land donated by Christ Church United Methodist in Santa Rosa, harvests over 25,000 pounds of produce annually for Sonoma residents in need. New volunteers are welcome. harvestgarden.org
Lettuce harvested at the culinary garden at Stone Edge Farm for EDGE restaurant in Sonoma. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
New soil amendments
This spring, two new products can help make your garden healthier and more biodiverse. They’re targeted additions that are generally applied in small amounts to freshly dug planting holes.
Biochar: A charcoal-like substance made by burning organic material (often forestry waste) at high temperatures under low-oxygen conditions. Improves water retention and microbial activity in your soil and reduces the need for fertilizer but doesn’t offer a significant boost in nutrients. Where to buy: Sonoma Compost Co., sonomacompost.com
Mycorrhizae: These friendly microscopic fungi have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, allowing the roots to take up more nutrients and water from the soil. They help plants grow better root systems, reduce root diseases, and reduce the need for water and fertilizer. Where to buy: Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery, harmonyfarm.com
Four lesser-known culinary herbs
Stone Edge Farm’s Colby Eierman oversees a 16-acre garden with over a hundred different heirloom vegetables, including plenty of culinary herbs to stock the kitchen at Edge, the farm’s sister restaurant in Sonoma (stoneedgefarm.com).
• Tulsi basil. While Eierman still plants plenty of the standard ‘Genovese’ basil, he loves the flavor of this variety.
• Chervil. Eierman calls this short-lived, cool-season French herb “finicky,” but says its delicate flavor is hard to substitute. He enjoys it fresh in salads and in Green Goddess-style dressings.
• Huacatay. Also known as Mexican marigold, this shrubby perennial has a unique scent that combines cilantro and citrus notes and is a staple of Peruvian cooking.
• Nepitella. A perennial wild herb from Tuscany that combines the aromas of mint, oregano, and basil. “We’ve planted this strongly flavored herb so much around the farm that you can taste it in our honey—no joke,” says Eierman.
Shared gardens
Living in a smaller space doesn’t mean you have to be sidelined from the sport of gardening. Community gardens, part of the sharing economy, are proliferating throughout the county, offering beds where you can grow your own food and flowers, usually for a small annual fee.
Dyes made from garden plants are having a moment. Rose petals, geraniums, and coreopsis can be boiled to create delicately hued silks for scarves and pillowcases. Crushed blueberries make a rich lavender hue. Even certain veggie scraps yield interesting colors: onion skins dye fabrics yellow, and avocado pits and shells make a rusty pale pink. (Many of the same plants can be used to dye Easter eggs, too!)
Alisha Bright of Fiber Circle Studio in Petaluma runs classes on natural dyes and other fiber crafts. She leads a workshop on plant printing on March 26 in Petaluma. fibercirclestudio.com
Veggies from Kendall-Jackson culinary gardens in Santa Rosa. (Kendall-Jackson)
Right-size your veggie garden
“I always try to talk people out of their gardening stress,” says Sara McCamant, who runs the food gardens at Ceres Community Project in Sebastopol, a program that provides healthy meals for those with cancer, diabetes, and other health issues.
McCamant is passionate about making the most of her space, advocating for plants that are nutrient-dense and produce over a long period of time.
“I think people need to match their gardens to what they love to eat. Every household needs just one good zucchini plant, not six.” She recommends kale and chard, which can be harvested for 10 months, plus garlic, onions, parsley, and beans. Peppers if you like hot sauce. Tomatoes for slicing and canning, but not so many that the fruit goes to waste.
McCamant teaches the teen volunteers at Ceres how to build and care for the soil. She tills as little as possible, adds a few inches of compost at planting time, and keeps the soil well covered with mulch. “Trust the soil,” she reminds her students. “It gets richer because you’re growing in it.” ceresproject.org
“Carmen” is a tale about the sister of a priest in rural Malta. When he dies, she masquerades as the new priest. From the confession booth she dispenses sage advice, empowering women to live in this life rather than wait for the next. Donations soar, and she uses these funds in unorthodox ways. (Ben King)
The 26th Sonoma International Film Festival kicks off Wednesday, March 22, with five days of films from all over the world, discussions with directors and actors, food events, parties and more.
With so many extraordinary screenings at this year’s Sonoma International Film Festival, it’s hard to select the 10 best, so this list goes to 12.
Based on interviews with Festival Director Ginny Krieger and Artistic Director Carl Spence, here are some of the most compelling programs, many featuring appearances by filmmakers and actors.
“The biggest excitement is when filmmakers descend on Sonoma,” Krieger said. “It just brings such a tremendous vibe to our town. It brings a wealth of talent. The town just bustles.”
One highlight is the Chefs and Shorts dinner featuring Martin Yan of “Yan Can Cook” fame.
The dinner pairs short films with an innovative five-course dinner, with each course riffing off a film. Other participating chefs include Michael Howell, Emily Lim and Ruby Oliveros. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Hanna Center.
The festival is truly international, with the 110 films coming from 32 countries. Eight feature films are making their U.S. premieres, including one that is making its world premiere.
This year the festival will employ four screens at Prime Cinemas, about 2 miles from downtown Sonoma.
Most attendees purchase festival passes, Krieger said, but you can buy tickets to single screenings. Some films show twice during the festival, which runs March 22-26.
“Jules” starring Ben Kingsley is the opening-night film, a comedy about an older man whose life is turned upside-down when he receives a surprise visitor. “It’s about finding purpose in life at any age,” Spence said. Kingsley, director Marc Turtletaub and several other stars will attend the screening at Sebastiani Theatre. The 90-minute film also shows at Sonoma Memorial Veterans Hall. The post-film conversation will be live-cast there. Both screenings are at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.
“Two Many Chefs” is a haute-cuisine comedy about a young chef and his amnesiac father who reconnect in pursuit of a third Michelin star, fine dining’s Holy Grail. “It’s a big-budget Spanish film,” Spence noted. 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25, both at Veterans Hall.
“The Grab” spotlights how resources are being acquired worldwide, threatening food and water security, especially in the developing world. One example: Saudi Arabia’s purchase of land in rural Arizona where there’s no limit on how much groundwater can be pumped, even if it drains the wells of local farmers. It’s directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (“Blackfish”), and the film’s primary investigator is Nathan Halverson, a former reporter for The Press Democrat. 7:15 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Prime Cinemas.
“The Beasts” focuses on a brooding French couple in a Galician mountain town, “but the locals are not sure why they’re there,” Spence said. It’s a classic culture clash: The couple seeks salvation in a place found by accident after a drunken bender, but one local says: “I wish you’d woken up in a different village.” 10:15 a.m. Friday, March 24, at Andrews Hall and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Prime Cinemas.
“Last Dance” is the U.S. premiere of this Swiss film about a man whose wife dies suddenly. To honor her, he fills the role she played in an avant-garde theatrical dance performance. 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, and 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25, both at Veterans Hall.
“Big Giant Wave” considers how music makes us human and connects people by transcending boundaries. This documentary travels from Canada to Italy, from Sweden to Mexico. Scientists and artists consider music’s essential role in our lives. 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, both at Prime Cinemas.
“Ajoomma” is about a widow in Singapore who pursues her dream of visiting South Korea. Mrs. Lim, who is called “Auntie,” is an avid fan of Korean soap operas and has convinced her son to take her on a tour of Seoul. When the son backs out of the trip, Auntie decides to go alone on the Secrets of the Stars tour, which sounds fine until the bus accidently leaves her behind. 4:15 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Prime Cinemas and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Andrews Hall.
In “Joyland” a Pakistani film that won the Cannes jury prize, a theater manager falls in love with a transgender star. Variety calls it a “luminous Pakistani crowd-pleaser” that’s “tartly funny and plungingly sad” in which “taboo desires emerge tentatively into the open” but “there’s no identified villain or oppressor, just an uncertain world.” 12:30 Thursday, March 23, at Veterans Hall.
“Carmen” is a tale about the sister of a priest in rural Malta. When he dies, she masquerades as the new priest. From the confession booth she dispenses sage advice, empowering women to live in this life rather than wait for the next. Donations soar, and she uses these funds in unorthodox ways. “This film electrified me,” Spence said. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Veterans Hall.
“A Stage of Twilight” stars the engaging Karen Allen as a woman whose husband has been diagnosed with a terminal condition. They grope for ways to navigate the abyss of impending death and do their best to support one another along the way. Allen is slated to attend the screenings. 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, and 1:15 p.m. Saturday, March 25, both at Prime Cinemas.
“The Eight Mountains” is one of two closing-night films. It’s a tale of two boyhood friends, one from the city, the other from a remote mountain village, who have chosen different paths as adults. Both seek to escape the legacies of their fathers. This Italian film won the Cannes jury prize. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Veterans Hall.
Foodies shouldn’t miss “The Art of M.F.K. Fisher,” about the legendary author who spent her last years in Glen Ellen and whose writing celebrated the enjoyment of sharing a fine meal. The film includes comments from author Anne Lamott, food critic Ruth Reichl and Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters; 1 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Andrews Hall.
The films above are just a sampling. Among the other great ones are “Final Cut,” a zombie thriller where the horror becomes real, and “Master Gardener” starring Sigourney Weaver.
Krieger suggests perusing the schedule, watching a bunch of trailers and making your own list of top films and events. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Michael Shapiro’s latest book, “The Creative Spark,” is a collection of interviews with writers and musicians, contact him via: michaelshapiro.net
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
