A renovated ranch house just blocks from the Sonoma Plaza has hit the market for $2,450,000. The 1,600-square-foot home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms and has undergone a stunning transformation from its original 1950s design.
The renovation is the work of Claudia Merkle and Nancy Shipe, who enhanced the dwelling with “beauty and warmth” in mind, while committing to functionality.
Design details, from artful choices of light fixtures and flooring to handmade cabinetry, give the property a bespoke look. White walls make the dwelling look sleek and expansive.
“I like to use light colors in older homes,” says Merkel, who also removed walls in the kitchen and main bedroom to create a sense of spaciousness. Black interior accents and exterior trims offer high-contrast modernity, while stained woods warm up the look.
The property comes with plenty of amenities that encourage outdoor living: a fireplace, a kitchen and wet bar, a handmade fountain, and a large trellis. A no-mow lawn, made up of native grasses, is a drainable, breathable low-water alternative to turf. Low-water plants, like olive trees and pollinator-attracting salvia, dot the property.
Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
For information on this home at 19910 Seventh St., contact Trecia Knapp,415-515-1823, trecia@treciaknapp.com, with Sotheby’s International Realty, 2001 Lombard St., San Francisco, TreciaKnapp.com
A meticulously renovated 1940s home is available on a tree-lined street on the east side of Sonoma. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on .3 acres and has fresh finishes and opened-up living spaces, creating an airy, tranquil and elegant dwelling. It is listed for $3,495,000.
The 2,312-square-foot home at 770 Austin Ave. was renovated by Sonoma interior designer Rebecca Henley of Rebecca Lynne Residential Design. Henley was committed to preserving the integrity of the original home which, she says, was one of the first to be built on Austin Avenue. She purchased the property from members of the family who built the home. Her goal was to “keep its cottage style but update it for today.”
The property includes a detached 1,100-square-foot garage — a draw for Henley whose father was a car collector.
With a mix of handmade cabinets and the latest design touches — like handmade blue tile in the kitchen and bathrooms and wide oak-plank floors throughout the home — this house is refreshed and ready for the next family to make its own memories here.
Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
For more information about this home at 770 Austin Ave., contact listing agent Jeff Lokey, 559-647-1195, 707-934-2351, Compass Real Estate, 135 W Napa St. Suite 200, Sonoma, 559-647-1195 compass.com
Rebrand of The Sea Ranch Lodge, Sea Ranch, CA Oct 6th and 7th 2020
Sure, there are garlands to be hung and latkes to be fried, but there’s also a special sense of serenity that accompanies the holiday season in Sonoma County. From a weekend getaway to the coast, to meandering through a forest of redwoods, to basking in the glow of twinkling lights, these ten close-to-home jaunts offer joyful, relaxing respite.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Coastal Getaway
There are moments when the Sonoma Coast almost doesn’t seem real. One twist of Highway 1 reveals craggy cliffs, while the next unveils windswept meadows and sandy beaches fringed by churning seas. No matter how many times you’ve done the drive, the sheer immensity of it all remains staggering.
Roll down your window. Take a deep breath. The rest of the world might be hustling, but there’s no reason to be in a hurry in these parts. Losing cell signal and getting lost in the fog only adds to the list of wonderful reasons to come here.
If you need a break during the winding journey, consider stretching your legs at Jenner Headlands Preserve, where even the views from the parking lot are stellar. But as you wind along, it’s when you hit the Sea Ranch that you’ll truly feel that all your troubles are out of sight.
Lodging options are blissfully scarce along this stretch of the coast. Weekend vacation home rentals at the Sea Ranch, known for their natural forms and weathered-wood facades, are an excellent option for those looking to get lost in the beauty for a weekend. Settle into your seaside digs, maybe scope out the perfect spot to bundle up in a blanket to watch the sunset or sunrise, then get outside and get moving.
The Sea Ranch. (Carlos Chavarría)Coastal redwoods tower in a way that makes humans feel very small and very serene. (Carlos Chavarría)
Sonoma County Regional Parks maintains a network of trails in the Sea Ranch; hiking any one of them can instill a sense of calm. For dramatic views of the Pacific that will keep you happily on the move for hours, layer up and set out on the Bluff Top Trail. You can take it as far as Gualala if you’re motivated.
The Shell Beach Trail offers a delightful snapshot of the coastal enclave’s beauty. Less than threequarters of a mile each way, the trail weaves through pines and alongside a meadow with ample opportunities to see birds and deer. Somewhat surprisingly, you won’t find seashells scattered about Shell Beach, but if the tide is down, you can easily lose an afternoon tide pooling. Have a seat on a driftwood log and admire the landscape. You might catch sight of a seal or sea lion, and although peak whale season officially begins in January, you never know when a returning visitor might be lured back into town.
The Sea Ranch. (Carlos Chavarría)The Sea Ranch. (Carlos Chavarría)
Later, make the most of the sweeping seascape in a cozy corner of the recently remodeled Sea Ranch Lodge, a gathering spot for locals and visitors. Grab a cup of coffee from the cafe or a book from the general store, then settle into one of the wooden Adirondack chairs that look out at rocky cliffs that stretch for miles. If a storm rolls in, the fireplace in the solarium will keep you warm. There’s even a record player and collection of LPs to choose from—though you’ll never top the moody sound of the serenading surf outside.
Bluff Top Public Access Trail: 40101 Highway 1, The Sea Ranch. 707-785-2377, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
The Sea Ranch Lodge: 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch. 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
The 1960s-era main building, the centerpiece of Sea Ranch community life, includes a redesigned restaurant, a new café, and expansions to the bar, lounge, and general store. (Carlos Chavarría)Ocean view through a fence at The Sea Ranch Lodge. (The Sea Ranch Lodge)
O Holy Night
There’s something magical about welcoming the start to the season at downtown Sonoma’s Mission San Francisco Solano. The annual holiday open house at the surrounding state historic park centers around a bonfire in the courtyard of the nearly 200-year-old barracks, crafts, storytelling, and live music in the lobby of the old-timey Toscano Hotel.
The tradition of candlelight caroling at the historic mission began in 1986 but evokes a feeling of times long ago. Though plans for this year’s candlelight service inside the Mission’s main chapel are still taking shape, in years past, tickets for the popular service could be purchased in person at the Mission on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
For many longtime Sonoma locals, it wouldn’t be Christmas without the old-school warm feelings this evening imparts.
December 10. Mission San Francisco Solano and Sonoma State Historic Park, 114 East Spain St., Sonoma. 707-938-9560, sonomaparks.org
Over the River and through the Woods
It’s the quieter season along the Russian River, as summer splashers give way to misty mornings and a peaceful solitude. As we cross fingers for winter storms to bring needed water back to the ecosystem, take a day trip to explore the river’s byways.
Begin along River Road on the deck at Farmstand, the new casual eatery at Farmhouse Inn, and treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza topped with goodness the likes of maitake mushrooms, black truffle-leek cream, and goat cheese.
Consider a post-pizza stroll at nearby Sunset Beach River Park to rack up some steps while soaking in photo-worthy views of Hacienda Bridge and hillsides covered with towering redwoods. From here, you may be able to spot steelhead trout running upstream, especially after a heavy rain.
End your serene ramble along the river with a sparkling wine tasting at Korbel Champagne Cellars, where the historic brick buildings, excellent bubbles, and early winter color in the vineyards make for a serene holiday getaway.
Farmstand, 7871 River Rd., Forestville. 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com
Korbel Champagne Cellars, 13250 River Rd., Guerneville. 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Farmstand, the new, more casual gathering spot at Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn. (Aubrie Pick)
All Is Bright
Squeeze the most out of the holidays with a visit to Sonoma Botanical Garden for the Glen Ellen landmark’s first-ever indoor, living botanical exhibition, From East to Zest. The garden’s propagation greenhouse was spiffed up for the show and will be filled with hundreds of rare specimen citrus trees in flower and in fruit. Decorated by Mother Nature herself, the citrus trees brim with vibrant colors and calming scents.
“I think to go into the greenhouse and to be surrounded by all these fragrant fruits, it just feels like an extraordinary plant spa,” says Scot Medbury, the garden’s director. “Plants are such a wonderful common ground for everybody.”
Hold onto the feeling of calm even longer by heading outside to explore the nearly 70-acre garden, with steep trails up the hill topping out at views of the Sonoma Valley.
Meander along the new California Trail to learn about native plants, picnic, and watch for frogs near the ponds.
12841 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen. 707-996-3166, sonomabg.org
At Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen. (Beltane Ranch)At Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen. (Beltane Ranch)At Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen. (Beltane Ranch)
Silent Night
Find solitude and comfort with an overnight stay in a guesthouse just steps from the vines, now in their post-harvest season of changing colors and dropping leaves. Here are five favorite vineyard cottage retreats: The owners at Forestville’s Enriquez Estate Wines turned an old milk barn into a two-bedroom Wine Country retreat. 5960 Eastside Rd., Forestville. 707-347-9719, enriquezwines.com
DeLorimier Winery has a guest house and two suites surrounded by 17 acres of estate vineyards. 2001 Hwy. 128, Geyserville. 800-546-7718, delorimierwinery.com
Powered by solar energy, the Reeve Wines Villa boasts four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and can sleep eight adults. 4551 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg. 707-235-6345, reevewines.com
Beltane Ranch (above) boasts a handful of rooms with perks like clawfoot tubs, French doors, and seemingly endless views. 11775 Sonoma Hwy., Glen Ellen. 707-833-4233, beltaneranch.com
Pezzi King houseguests can soak in vineyard views while soaking in the hot tub. The estate guest house features four bedrooms with ensuite baths and a full kitchen. 412 Hudson St., Healdsburg. 866-4734309, pezziking.com
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Like something out of a Hallmark movie, the holidays are the hap-happiest season of all in smalltown Geyserville. Those dreaming of a white Christmas might have their wish granted at the top of Geyser Peak, northeast of town—when a rare spot of winter weather arrives, it’s one of the few places around to pack a snowball.
But even if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with some snowflakes, it’s hard not to feel festive while strolling the narrow ribbon of businesses that shape Geyserville’s tiny downtown area. Each weekend in December, Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home makes shoppers’ lives a little sweeter thanks to its hot chocolate bar and seemingly endless supply of apple cider.
A delicate dusting of snow on Geyser Peak outside Geyserville. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)Grilled radicchio at Diavola.
Nearby, the expert mixologists at Geyserville Gun Club Bar & Lounge mastered the art of making spirits bright long ago.
And don’t miss the traditional Japanese hoshigaki display of drying persimmons at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. The orange fruit, strung up above the bar in garlands for all to see, is striking as it dries. Eventually, the dried delicacy finds its way onto the menu in dishes like winter Brussels sprouts with butternut squash, pancetta, and pomegranate seeds.
The window seats at Diavola are the perfect place to grab a bite, stay warm, and watch the Geyserville Tractor Lighted Parade go by.
Always the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, this year parade’s is set to light up the town on November 26.
Geyserville Lighted Tractor Parade, Saturday, November 26, 5:30 p.m. visitgeyserville.com
All Is Calm
Have the weight of the season lifted off your shoulders at Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary in the tiny west county town of Freestone. The unique cedar enzyme bath experience at Osmosis, based on Japanese tradition, is the only one of its kind in the U.S.
Find your zen as you’re enveloped in a tub full of comfortably warm, finely ground cedar and rice bran.
The aromatic, full-body compress provided by the cedar relieves soreness and boosts metabolism, bringing you to a state of dreamy, blissful solace. After your cedar bath, enjoy a tea service overlooking the pond and explore acres of exquisitely maintained Japanese-style gardens.
Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary in Freestone. (Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary)
Getting the cedar enzyme bath ready. (Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary)
So This Is Christmas
“Traversing through the redwoods on the Bohemian Highway in December is magical,” says Barbara Gonnella, who owns the landmark Union Hotel along with her husband, Frank. “Upon climbing to the summit of Occidental, lights glimmer through the woods inspiring a nostalgic sense of Christmas.”
There isn’t a bad time of year to hop in the car for a road trip to Occidental—the community’s charm is woven into its foundation. But the celebration shines even brighter throughout the holiday season. Whether it’s walking under the shade of towering redwoods at the Grove of Old Trees or along the darling, two-block long stretch that makes up downtown, Occidental has a way of reminding guests that life doesn’t have to be exceedingly busy to be fulfilling.
Shop for gifts at the local artisan marketplace at Altamont General Store, then reward yourself with a visit to the historic Union Hotel, where come December, the comforting scents of fresh redwood and bay greens meld with the aroma of thousands of gingerbread cookies, minestrone soup, and hot apple cider. Gingerbread stars fill the wood-paneled café, and mistletoe hangs in the saloon. Familyowned and operated since 1925, it’s here that families, friends, and visitors gather to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Impromptu holiday songs often fill the air on weekends and holidays when Barbara Gonnella’s daughter, Gien, takes a seat at the hotel’s beloved piano. Snap a photo in front of the 12-foot Christmas tree, then gather around the courtyard fire pit with a bowl of ravioli or giant meatballs to watch the sun set over the west ridge of town.
Grove of Old Trees, 17599 Fitzpatrick Lane, Occidental. landpaths.org
Linen napkins and handmade wares for sale at The Altamont General Store in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
The Boho Bowl at The Altamont General Store in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
Away In a Manger
Whether it’s feeding hay to a contented cow, or providing belly rubs for a sweet pig, a visit to Charlie’s Acres nonprofit farm animal sanctuary can warm your heart in a way you didn’t realize you needed this holiday.
“We often hear from our visitors that stepping onto our sanctuary with over 150 rescued farm animals gives them a chance to take a deep breath and relax,” says founder Tracy Vogt.
The chorus of animal voices make for a light-hearted, tranquil afternoon getaway. It’s nearly impossible not to smile ear-to-ear as you watch cuddly and sometimes (OK, often!) muddy farm animals living their best lives. A visit here is a respite from the commercialization of the holidays—a perfect outing for families in search of memorable moments.
After winding your way around the farm, settle in at one of the picnic tables for a glass of wine or juice and a beautiful vegan cheese and charcuterie platter. The farm animals make for great company. If you’re lucky, you might even meet Charlie the Chihuahua, the farm’s namesake and Vogt’s very first rescue a decade ago.
Piglets relaxing in the evening sun in their enclosure at Charlie’s Acres. (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)One of the rescued debeaked chickens now living the good life at Charlie’s Acres. (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)
O Christmas Tree
Get outside and into the holiday spirit at one of Sonoma County’s family-owned, you-cut Christmas tree farms. Whether you’re hunting for an 8-foot beauty or are more of a Charlie Brown tree fan, it’s a rosy-cheeked, rejuvenating way to spend an afternoon in nature.
Larsen’s Christmas Tree Farm: From saws and measuring poles, to helpful “lumberjacks” and tree stands, this farm has everything you’ll need. 391 Marshall Ave., Petaluma. 707-762-6317, facebook.com/PetalumaChristmasTrees
Celesta Farms: Dog biscuits are waiting for those four-legged friends joining the hunt for the perfect tree. 3447 Celesta Court, Sebastopol. 707-829-9352, celestafarms.com
Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm: Santa Claus is known to stop by every weekend, in case you still need a Christmas card photo! 961 Chapman Lane, Petaluma. 707-763-4678, littlehillschristmastree.com
Photo by Kim Carroll.Photo by Kim Carroll.
Garlock Christmas Tree Farm: Along with the perfect tree, there are hay rides, farm animals, and handmade wreaths for sale. 2275 Bloomfield Rd., Sebastopol. 707-823-4307, facebook.com/garlocktreefarm
Pronzini Ranch: This farm has two Petaluma locations, but only the Adobe Road spot has you-cut trees. 3795 Adobe Rd., Petaluma. 707-778-3871, pronzinifarms.com
Winemaker Bibiana Gonzales Rave also has a passion for coffee. Along with her husband, Jeff Pisoni, she produces fair-trade coffee Shared Notes at their Pisoni production facility in Rohnert Park. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Bibiana González Rave is naturally high energy, nearly shimmering with joy at her many passions: family, Sonoma wines, and her new Shared Notes coffee, imported from her native Colombia. It helps, she says with a laugh, that she adores the coffee of her home country, sipping up to 10 cups a day.
“Colombia is one of the most predominant producers of really high-quality coffee in the world, and that’s what we drink all the time,” Rave says. “When I grew up there, it was really common that you would just show up at your friend’s house, knock on the door, and there was always a pot of coffee brewing.”
At Rave’s combination winery and coffee roastery in Rohnert Park, she points out a giant slab of redwood, destined to be made into a communal table for an eventual café, where she will serve a full slate of French press coffee made from the single-farm-sourced beans. For now, customers can purchase Shared Notes coffee at the winery and online.
Rave recommends guests enjoy the coffee “soft.” That means made with a filter and poured over or dripped, rather than pressurized espresso-style. Soft brews, she explains, allow you to appreciate the nuances of the fine, medium-roast beans—“cherry, cocoa, caramel, citrus, mild acidity… not burned, bitter beans like so many dark-roast American coffees.”
Winemaker Bibiana Gonzales Rave in the barrel room at the Pisoni wine production facility in Rohnert Park. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)Shared Notes coffee is available at the winery and online. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Rave, who oversees three different labels, including Cattleya, Alma de Cattleya, and Shared Notes wines, says adding coffee to the mix was a natural evolution. “Coffee actually is very similar to wine in many ways,” she explains. “It really is an expression of terroir, so all coffees from all different countries are really different, and like wine, quality is measured by acidity.” The name Shared Notes salutes the collaboration between Rave and her husband, Jeff Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards.
How does the winemaker enjoy her holiday? Rave and Pisoni, who have two young sons, celebrate by opening their home for a traditional Colombian celebration, the Day of the Little Candles, on December 7. “I started this tradition here in Sonoma, where we light thousands of candles in our backyard,” she says. “It’s how we start Christmas in Colombia, and it’s so beautiful. Everyone lighting candles together brings this amazing love and energy.”
Moules Marinieres with Steamed PEI Mussels, Tomato Buerre Blanc served over Fries at Oyster, a new restaurant in The Barlow in Sebastopol. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
RESTAURANT CLOSED
Dungeness crab season has been delayed for a fourth year in the Bay Area, leaving us pining for crustaceans at our holiday tables.
But while the mighty Dungeness may be on hold, Oyster restaurant chef and owner Jake Rand is casting a wide net to bring sustainable, locally available seafood choices to his new Sebastopol restaurant.
Oyster is Rand’s new 400-square-foot, Parisian-style seafood cafe at The Barlow. The open-kitchen restaurant is neatly laid out to include nine counter seats and a variety of outdoor tables for al fresco dining. Rand plans to expand into an adjoining space for additional seating. He also owns Sushi Kosho across the street, which is focused on Japanese cuisine including sushi, poke, chicken karaage and Wagyu beef short ribs.
At Oyster, oysters are, not surprisingly, a highlight of the menu. They’re served raw, baked and fried. The rest of the menu leans on sustainable shellfish, fish, prawns and octopus, all approved by the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch as “Best Choices” for eating.
Much of the seafood on the menu is aquafarmed — controlled cultivation of fish and other seafood in water — that sometimes gets a bad rap as polluting or toxic.
Rand hopes to educate consumers about bivalves’ specific benefits for local marine habitats. He said filter feeders like oysters, mussels and clams help keep ocean water clean, sequester carbon and help protect shores from erosion.
“I think ocean farming sometimes falls into a negative context,” Rand said. “If people heard more about the parallels between sustainable agriculture and positive ocean farming, I think it might shift some opinions.”
Baked oysters from Oyster restaurant in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Octopus with smashed fingerling potatoes at Oyster restaurant in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
As anyone forced to eat oily sardines or pickled herring knows, sustainability doesn’t always mean deliciousness. At Oyster, Rand doesn’t have to compromise.
Dishes like chile-dusted calamari with a kicked-up rémoulade sauce, a hearty oyster po’boy sandwich with a creamy lemon slaw or seared scallops with brown butter are familiar yet luxurious.
Rand doesn’t skimp on housemade sauces either. Tartar and cocktail sauces are served here, but flavored aiolis and other sauces are better bets. Prices can be steep but well worth the expense for cracking-fresh seafood, often from nearby waters.
“Sustainability is an easy choice, especially in our geographic area, and it is just the logical approach for this type of restaurant concept,” Rand said.
Best Bets
Baked Oysters Dynamite, $26: Plump oysters are baked with creamy tobiko (flying fish roe) aioli and generous bits of bacon. Think potato skins with a pedigree.
Spanish Octopus a la Plancha, $26: Tender bites of octopus sit atop smashed fingerling potatoes. The pool of earthy black garlic aioli underneath is the real surprise, hidden beneath the crisp spuds. Just as I thought the dish needed a little extra flavor boost, voilà, the black gold appeared.
Captain’s Platter, $62: If you’re dining with a friend or three, this mounded plate includes fried oysters, scallops, calamari, duck fat fries and three kinds of sauce. This is the kind of dish you’d expect at the coast but rarely find.
Crisp Skin “Tai” Snapper, $38: The mild white fish is flaky, with smoked chile oil that gives the cross-hashed skin a snappy bite. But the green Thai herb sauce steals the show, adding a sweet-sour-citrus zing.
Local Albacore Tuna Carpaccio, $18: Raw sliced albacore tuna — with light pink flesh rather than the ruby flesh of bluefin — has a slight metallic twang more often found in leaner cuts. It’s covered with threads of yuzu aioli and fried capers and is a beauty to behold.
Bubbles and wines: French Champagne and other bubbles highlight the wine list. You’ll also find about 40 wine selections, mostly whites from Spain and California, and a handful of natural wines.
Oyster is located at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., Suite 130, in Sebastopol and is open from 2 to 9 p.m. daily. Information is online at Instagram.com/oyster_sebastopol.
Skewers at Piala restaurant in Sebastopol. (Piala)
After months of speculation about its future and a delay linked to accusations against local restaurateur Lowell Sheldon, Sonoma County’s first Georgian restaurant and wine bar, Piala, has opened in Sebastopol.
Piala co-owner Jeff Berlin, a longtime Bay Area wine director and restaurateur, is a fan of the Eastern European country and its cuisine.
“I have long loved the country, the food, the wine and the people. I’ve made several journeys there,” he said.
Berlin has worked at several European restaurants in the Bay Area, including Oakland’s À Côté, which has a Mediterranean focus and features a lengthy list of Eastern European wines.
At Piala, the menu is concise, with just a handful of dishes. There is Pkhlovani, a cheese pie with greens; Soko, a mushroom dish with tarragon; Ch’Visht’ari, cornbread with cheese; and Mtsvadi, grilled pork with pomegranate and marinated onions.
Piala restaurant in Sebastopol features Georgian cuisine and wines. (Piala)
Georgian food reflects the country’s location, with a coast on the Black Sea and neighbors of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. The result is a delicious mashup of European, Persian, Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.
Berlin helped develop recipes for Piala with Chef Irma Hernandez and plans to add more dishes to the menu in the coming months, including Khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread, and Khinkali, meat-filled soup dumplings.
“It’s a good starting point for showing some of my favorite Georgian food, and we’ll add specials,” he said.
The food and wine of Georgia also reflect the country’s long and sometimes bloody relationship with its northern neighbor Russia — 20% of its territories remain occupied by Russia, and it was a Soviet-ruled country for decades, up until 1991. Georgia’s bustling cities are modern and cosmopolitan, but, according to Berlin, its cuisine isn’t widely known outside its borders.
“There’s so much Georgian cuisine. It’s mostly unknown to Americans. The country is the size of Switzerland but has 22 winegrowing areas, and every village and town has its food specialties,” Berlin said. (Georgia has many ancient vineyards and is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world; some consider it the birthplace of winemaking.)
“It was a pilgrimage that took me there, but once you try the food, it’s a no-brainer, Berlin said. “I fell in love with the people and the land, and it was (a) pretty immediate thought that I would open a Georgian restaurant one day.”
But the development of his Georgian restaurant stalled when Piala co-owner and Sebastopol restaurateur Lowell Sheldon was accused of sexual harassment and, in one instance, sexual assault, by a dozen former employees.
Sheldon denied the accusations. Several business partners distanced themselves from Sheldon, and Sebastopol’s planning department rejected an alcohol license for Piala, submitted by Sheldon.
The planning department eventually approved the alcohol permit in July, with the conditions that the license would bar Sheldon from drinking or serving alcohol at Piala and from directly managing emploees, The Press Democrat reported. (The alcohol permit is now in Berlin’s name.)
“This is a passion project for the two of us, and I don’t think hiding from the issues was ever an option,” Berlin said, adding that Sheldon had chosen to confront the accusations head-on and remain involved in the project.
“This is just something we both dreamed of doing,” he said.
Details: Open noon to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; no reservations. 7233 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol; 707-861-9186, pialanaturalwine.com
Bonfire Serenade at Flora Luna Apothecary in Petaluma features apple cider, fig balsamic reduction, FloraLuna Old Fashioned Syrup and Bacon Faux-bacco Bitters with aromatics from fresh sage, and Free Spirits alcohol-free Bourbon. (Phaedra Achor)
Phaedra Achor is a lot like the Monarch butterflies that adorn the labels of her award-winning FloraLuna cocktail bitters and syrups — always ready for a beautiful transformation.
A former massage therapist with a culinary bent, Achor started out blending extracts of barks, roots and botanicals in her spare time to create cocktail bitters. She launched Monarch Bitters in 2017, and then rebranded a couple of years later as FloraLuna. In 2019, she opened FloraLuna Apothecary & Trading Co. in downtown Petaluma as a retail showcase for her elixirs, adding botanical teas and other natural products to the lineup.
Now, Achor has reinvented the shop as The Apothecary by FloraLuna, Sonoma County’s first alcohol-free cocktail lounge.
Tucked between Vine & Barrel Wines and Ethical Clothing on Kentucky Street, the diminutive, jewel-box space has a cozy, speakeasy feel — minus the bathtub gin. The Apothecary seats just 18 guests, including small lounge areas on the sidewalk and in the adjoining hallway.
For Achor, launching a zero-proof bar in wine-soaked Sonoma County was a risky undertaking — but one whose time had come.
“I had a sense of the sober-curious movement coming out of the pandemic, and a lot of people in their 20s are choosing to not have alcohol in their lives,” she said. “There’s definitely been a shift in consciousness, so I thought I could create a little niche in Petaluma. My mixers show just as beautifully in nonalcoholic cocktails as they do in spirited ones.”
The Bonfire Serenade cocktail features apple cider, fig balsamic reduction, Flora Luna Old Fashioned Syrup, Bacon Faux-Bacco Bitters with aromatics from fresh sage, and Free Spirits alcohol-free Bourbon. (Phaedra Achor)
Achor also received a push from mandated pandemic shutdowns, which hobbled the initial momentum of her newly opened apothecary.
The shop managed to hang on through the reopening phase, she says, but it never quite bounced back. A few months ago, she took stock of her business and realized that another shift was in order. With FloraLuna cocktail bitters and syrups in distribution across the state, it was time to pivot to a concept that would showcase and support her core products.
Once the idea of a nonalcoholic cocktail lounge took root, Achor went all in on the concept and began developing recipes. Though she had experience creating craft cocktails with alcoholic spirits, this was her first foray into alcohol-free drinks.
“It’s a very different approach,” she explained. “Nonalcoholic spirits don’t have the same density and mouthfeel, so there were a lot of holes to fill.” Fortunately, the richness and complexity of her elixirs did the trick, adding flavor and dimension to the drinks.
Achor arrived at eight cocktails for The Apothecary’s opening menu, including No Strings Attached — a blend of alcohol-free mezcal, tonic syrup, lemon coriander shrub, jalapeño and smoked bitters — and Midnight Mantra, made with nonalcoholic bourbon, cardamom clove syrup, coffee banana cordial and coffee cocoa peppercorn bitters. All selections are priced at $12.
Along with sipping cocktails in the lounge, shoppers can purchase drinks-to-go in glass jars, along with FloraLuna elixirs, shrubs and zero-proof spirits to mix into cocktails at home. Stay tuned for branded cocktail kits, complete with recipes.
Open 4-8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. 122 Kentucky St., 707-387-6766, floralunaapothecary.com.
Beef, squash and maitake are plated for service at Cyrus in Geyserville. (Chad Surmick/The Press Democrat)
Click through the above gallery for a sneak peek inside the new Cyrus restaurant.
The California Michelin Guide has tapped the recently-opened Cyrus in Geyserville as one of 37 new restaurants on the radar of Michelin inspectors.
The announcement of the guide’s latest round of “New Discoveries” offers a preview of restaurants usually considered too new for Michelin stars but still worthy of note. Star rankings for the 2023 California Guide will be announced Dec. 5 during a live ceremony at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It’s an event that most restaurateurs and food lovers anticipate all year as favorite eateries either get chosen – or sometimes snubbed – by the international restaurant guidebooks.
“Celebrated wine country chef Douglas Keane has returned to the fore with his re-launch of Cyrus in Geyserville. Dinner is an ebullient experience that progresses from canapes and Champagne in the lounge to small bites in the kitchen and concludes with substantial compositions in the dining room,” read the Michelin announcement.
Chef Doug Keane at Cyrus in Geyserville on Thursday September 8, 2022. (Chad Surmick / Press Democrat)
Cyrus reopened in September after a 10-year hiatus and several false starts for co-owners Douglas Keane and Nick Peyton. The original restaurant, located at the Les Mars Hotel in Healdsburg, closed in 2012 after a dispute with owner and wine magnate Bill Foley. (Read the review of the new Cyrus.)
“We hope that these regular revelations and updates to the selection throughout the year will provide opportunities to highlight the profession and invite everyone to discover and support the restaurants around them,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.
Other new California restaurants selected for the “New Discovery” distinction include Oakland’s buzzy Hi Felicia; and Ken, Osito, Yuji and Itria restaurants in San Francisco. Los Angeles and Southern California restaurants, which in previous years had limited inclusion by the Guide, received 30 Michelin nods. Earlier this year, The Matheson in Healdsburg was named a New Discovery by the California Michelin Guide. (New Discoveries are featured on guide.michelin.com)
The complete list of New Discoveries, with Michelin inspector notes, follows.
AMA Sushi (Montecito): It’s worth going all in on the omakase to sample the chef’s artistry, which begins with a trinity of bites from soba noodles and fried eggplant to sesame tofu.
Asterid by Ray Garcia (Los Angeles): The evolving menu draws from seasonal local produce and Latin American, Asian and European influences with Chef Garcia’s distinctive Angeleño point of view.
Bar Le Côte (Los Olivos): Slide in to one of the booths or banquettes and settle in for a meal that is an ode to the sea and is best enjoyed with shared plates.
Bird & Buffalo (Oakland): Picnic tables gift-wrapped with colorful plastic tablecloths and unhurried, nonchalant service readily evoke the casual roadside restaurants scattered throughout Thailand — and happily, so do the multifaceted, punchy flavors.
Caboco (Los Angeles): This airy, industrial-chic space welcomes guests with a well-rounded menu of deeply flavorful and thought-provoking modern Brazilian dishes.
Camphor (Los Angeles): Camphor plates seriously good French fare with a sprinkle of spicing from India and Southeast Asia. Creative cocktails, including the refreshing Saint-Germain, complete the experience.
Chulita (Venice): Tacos are served all day at this spot where Oaxacan-style, California-influenced Mexican food rules.
Cyrus (Geyersville): Celebrated wine country chef Douglas Keane has returned to the fore with his re-launch of Cyrus in Geyserville. Dinner is an ebullient experience that progresses from canapes and Champagne in the lounge, to small bites in the kitchen, and concludes with substantial compositions in the dining room.
Damian (Los Angeles): Housed within a repurposed warehouse with polished concrete, exposed brick and pendant lighting, Damian has that industrial chic look down pat, and the menu speaks to a kitchen that is rooted in the nuances of Mexican cooking.
The Dutchess (Ojai): This quirky concept features a bakery/cafe by day and a trendy Burmese restaurant by night. Come hungry, as this heartfelt menu is brimming with snacks, salads, curries and large plates designed for sharing.
Ember (Arroyo Grande): Its inviting industrial-rustic interior is the perfect setting for their heartfelt and down-to-earth cooking. You’ll likely never tire of the contemporary menu filled with comforting favorites.
The Hatch (Paso Robles): It’s all hail to the bird at The Hatch. This downtown Paso Robles restaurant reveres the rotisserie and roasted chicken is indeed the must order.
Hatchet Hall (Los Angeles): This is open-flame cooking, rendered with a Southern twang and seasonal focus thanks to an abundance of local product.
Hi Felicia (Oakland): The transformation of a popular underground supper club into a fully formed brick and mortar may sound like a familiar tale, but rest assured that there’s nothing formulaic about this East Bay iconoclast, whose name is a clue to the kind of exuberant irreverence diners should expect.
in bloom (Paso Robles): Executive Chef Kenny Seliger and Executive Sous Chef Ron Frazier take the now-classic Californian menu and give it a clever update (sweet parsnip cannoli, anyone?) at in bloom. Their cooking is confident, and their dishes really come alive.
Itria (San Francisco): This welcoming, easygoing retreat draws in a lively crowd with Italian cooking that’s appealingly modern. Chef Daniel Evers employs a confidently uncomplicated approach, bringing a light touch to classic flavors and allowing simplicity to shine.
Ken (San Francisco): The city has its share of intimate omakase counters, but few offer quite as much cozy charm as this six-seat gem in the Lower Haight.
Kingfisher (San Diego): A striking central bar provides the perfect perch for thirsty guests to wet their beaks with a terrific assortment of inventive cocktails, which serve as excellent complements to the mouth-watering menu of inspired Vietnamese cooking.
Kinn (Los Angeles): Chef Ki Kim delivers something special with Kinn and his experience in upscale restaurants informs the menu, which features dishes retooled with a Korean bent.
Kodō (Los Angeles): Off-menu specials, such as the Japanese sea snail, are especially memorable, while sea bream and octopus are impeccable. A steaming bowl of little neck clams, garlic and butter is dreamy.
LA Cha Cha Chá (Los Angeles): This sister spot to Mexico City’s Terraza Cha Cha Chá delivers on its name with its upbeat atmosphere. The menu is refreshingly uncomplicated yet inventive with a round-up of botanas, platos principales and well-crafted desserts.
Les Petites Canailles (Paso Robles): Meals begin with a warm gougère before moving on to a selection of hearty appetizers. The menu features several entrées, though most eyes land on the perfectly cooked steaks.
Matū (Beverly Hills): The inviting ambience is elevated by a visible kitchen with views of the action, and the warm, courteous wait staff rounds out the experience.
Meteora (Los Angeles): Chef Jordan Kahn means to cast a spell with his highly inventive cuisine, which defies neat categorization, making use of ancient cooking techniques like hot stones and live fire while utilizing a uniquely modern tapestry of eclectic, global ingredients.
Nate’s on Marsh (San Luis Obispo): Nate Long is the consummate host and the service is exceptionally warm, though it certainly doesn’t hurt that the menu is loaded with classics and riffs on favorites that will have you coming back for more.
Osito (San Francisco): Chef Seth Stowaway puts his heart, soul, and even his nickname (osito means “little bear”) into this rustic, lodge-like spot where live fire cooking takes center stage. Warmth radiates from the central hearth and from the supremely hospitable staff.
Peasants FEAST (Solvang): It may seem impossible to be even more charming than its Solvang surroundings, but peasants FEAST doubles down, and delivers. This daytime-only café from Michael and Sarah Cherney spotlights the seasons on its sandwich-driven menu.
Pizzeria Bianco (Los Angeles): Those who think Los Angeles can’t compete with New York when it comes to pizza obviously haven’t been to Pizzeria Bianco. There is a reason long lines snake through ROW DTLA and queue up at the takeout window with diners hankering for a taste of Chef Chris Bianco’s pizza.
Ramen & Tsukemen TAO (Buena Park): This unassuming spot in an easy-to-miss location in an open-air mall belies the wondrous steaming bowls found within.
Rebel Omakase (Laguna Beach): As its name suggests, omakase is indeed the name of the game here, and with its seasonal, ever-changing fish selection, you’re sure to have a unique experience at each visit.
Saffy’s (Los Angeles): From the hitmakers behind Bavel and Bestia comes this breezy space awash in shades of Starburst pink and orange marmalade. Lamb and pork kebabs cooked on long metal skewers are the main event, but appetizers easily hold their own.
San Laurel (Los Angeles): Expect modern Californian dishes with Spanish leanings from a talented team put together by visionary chef, José Andrés.
Sushi Kaneyoshi (Los Angeles): Great care is taken with every detail, whether it’s the quality of ingredients or the artful plating — some of the dishes are handmade by Chef Yoshiyuki Inoue.
Valle (Oceanside): The name is a reference to the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, Mexico’s premier viticultural region, which furnishes the restaurant’s wine list, and serves as inspiration for Chef Roberto Alcocer’s refined, modern expression of Mexican cuisine.
Yangban Society (Los Angeles): Katianna and John Hong are behind Yangban Society, a DTLA multihyphenate that is equal parts deli, mini-mart and restaurant offering a multicourse prix fixe featuring straight-up comfort food with Korean flair.
Yuji (San Francisco): Specializing in kappo cuisine, the 12-course menu similarly reflects the seasons, featuring a progression of dishes spanning a series of delicate bites, both hot and cold, and culminating in a hearty dish of steamed rice (which might be enriched with hairy crab or a similar delicacy), paired with pickled and savory miso soup.
Yunomi Handroll Bar (Los Angeles): Chef David Movsisian’s Yunomi Handroll is located on a stretch of East 3rd Street that has become a hotbed of terrific restaurants and nightlife, and this cool, inviting spot is certainly keeping up with its neighbors.
Traditional Native American dancers perform during an Indigenous Peoples Gathering at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2021
Long before European settlers arrived in North America over five hundred years ago, Indigenous peoples lived all across the continent.
European colonization had devastating effects on Native populations, who were killed and forced from their ancestral lands. After the United States was founded, massacres, forced migration and discriminatory policies toward Native populations continued and then intensified in the 19th century, including The Trail of Tears, a series of forced displacements of approximately 100,000 American Indians.
These traumatic experiences have had a lasting impact on Native Americans, who continue to be disproportionately affected by high rates of poverty, unemployment and health disparities, as well as racism and discrimination.
But the Native American story is not just one of loss. It is a story of persistence and courage. It is a story of the preservation of rich traditions and cultures. It is a story of land stewardship and deep knowledge of the natural environment. It is a story of great achievements and profound contributions to this country.
Celebrating Native American heritage
In the early 1900s, anthropologist and historian Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, of the Seneca tribe, proposed a day be dedicated to “First Americans.” The president of the Congress of the American Indian Association, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, that declared the second Saturday of May as American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Native Americans as citizens.
New York was the first state to adopt American Indian Day in 1916, and other states followed suit enacting days to honor Native Americans. But it wasn’t until 1990 that President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month,” now more commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month.
The month is “a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people,” according to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
Native American dancer Laila McCloud, 8, of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians at Fort Ross State Historic Park, during the Bicentennial celebration of Fort Ross. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
One way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month is to learn more about the Native American tribes and traditions in the area where you live.
The sprawling lands of Sonoma County encompass the territories of several Native communities, including the Miwok, Wappo, Pomo, Wintun and Patwin tribes. The rich heritage of Indigenous peoples in the county can be seen everywhere, from the pristine woodlands and waterways to the traditional artwork and cultural sites.
The Coast Miwok tribe covered a large area, from Sonoma to Bodega Bay, including the entirety of Petaluma, which the Miwok collectively called Peta Lumaa. The Kashia Pomo territory also covered parts of Bodega, along with other areas of the coast, such as Fort Ross and Stewart’s Point. In the northern end of the county, in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, lived the Central Wappo, whose ancestral homelands also included the idyllic Pepperwood Preserve.
The Southern Pomo territory encompassed what’s now the Highway 101 corridor, from Cotati and Rohnert Park, throughout Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, and into Healdsburg and Cloverdale. Traveling further north into Geyserville and across Alexander Valley, the Western Wappo established two settlements that became the basis of Sonoma County’s name: Tsi’mitu-tso-noma, on the east bank of the Russian River, and Tekanan-tso-noma near the Geysers.
There are a handful of museums where you can learn more about the legacy and culture of local Native groups.
Santa Rosa Junior College has a Multicultural Museum with a vast collection of traditional Native American art, including baskets, pottery, sculptures, textiles and jewelry. The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, also in Santa Rosa, offers various exhibits on the history and culture of the state’s Native tribes, as well as a museum store featuring food, clothing, jewelry and more from Native vendors. The center also provides Native youth programs and heads a Tobacco Prevention Project. In Novato, situated on the site of a former Coast Miwok settlement, there’s the Museum of the American Indian, which hosts events and exhibits highlighting Indigenous peoples all over the Americas.
Historic Native sites can be seen all around the county, including Tolay Lake Regional Park south of Petaluma, which was known as a spiritual healing center and is stewarded by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. From Miwok Beach in Bodega Bay to Trione-Annadel State Park, Indigenous influences and preservation has graced the bountiful lands of Sonoma County.
To honor and celebrate the rich heritage of Native tribes in Sonoma County, visit art museums, Native American-owned businesses, and local events held throughout November.
Sonoma State University events
The Native American Heritage Month celebration at SSU kicked off this month with a virtual reading group discussion on “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson, an award-winning author and Mdewakanton descendent, on Nov. 1 and a communal luncheon on Nov. 3 to “discuss the importance of celebrating Native American Heritage Month” over lunch. The rest of the month’s events include insightful presentations, discussions and a pizza night. (Note: Find links to Zoom events on SSU’s Native American Heritage Month event page.)
Eco-Kincentric Collaborations with the Center for Environmental Inquiry
Dr. Enrique Salmón, professor and head of the American Indian Studies Program at Cal State University, East Bay, will lead a virtual discussion on the ecological connection between humans and nature and how to enhance that bond. The talk will also illustrate some of the ways the Center for Environmental Inquiry is collaborating with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria at SSU’s Fairfield Osborn Preserve on Sonoma Mountain. The Zoom discussion will be held from 1-2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Native & Indigenous Pizza and a Show
The university’s HUB Cultural Center will host a pizza night with a showing of Reservation Dogs, a comedy show following the lives and exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the HUB Cultural Center, and all are welcome to attend.
History of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Matthew Johnson, a tribal citizen of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and a cultural resources specialist for the tribe, will present the history and culture of the local Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo groups, from pre-colonization to present day. The presentation will be held over Zoom from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.
Indigenous Experiences in the Realm of Academia
Trelasa Baratta, lead curriculum developer at nonprofit Redbud Resource Group, will discuss in a virtual lecture how Native American tribes in California survived genocide, forced assimilation and removal from their lands. The discussion will “explore modern Native identity, reconnection with traditional knowledge-holders through literature, and looking ahead at what the future may hold for Native communities.” The Zoom event will be held from 1-2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.
So You Want to Talk About Place: Decolonizing & Indigenizing “Race Talk”
Mary Churchill, professor of Native American Studies (as well as American Multicultural Studies, Women and Gender Studies, and Liberal Studies), will host a lecture to discuss the 2018 book “So You Want to Talk About Race” by bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo and share perspectives on decolonizing and indigenizing “race talks.” The lecture will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Student Center Ballrooms.
Sonoma County Library events
The county’s libraries will be celebrating and paying tribute to Native people and their culture this month with virtual and in-person author talks along with a documentary panel discussion. The Sonoma County Library’s Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month event page includes information on events as well as a resource of books (for every age) “written by, for, and about Native American and Indigenous people.” Thanks to a resource sharing agreement, a Sonoma County Library Card grants you access to both the Lake County Native American Collection and the Mendocino First American Collection.
In-Person Author Talk with SSU’s Dr. James Mestaz
The Rohnert Park-Cotati Library will host an author discussion with Sonoma State history professor Dr. James Mestaz, who will discuss his first book “Strength from the Waters: A History of Indigenous Mobilization in Northwest Mexico.” The book examines the history of environmental and social connection to water access through the lens of the Mayo people of Sinaloa, Mexico. The in-person talk will be held from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library meeting room.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga with children’s author Traci Sorell
In a virtual book reading and discussion, Traci Sorell, a Cherokee Nation citizen and award-winning children’s author, will share her book “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga,” about a Cherokee family celebrating community and expressing gratitude. Recommended for ages 4-8. This Zoom event will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. Registration is required.
Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World virtual panel discussion
The library will host a virtual panel discussion on the documentary “Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World,” featuring two people involved in the making of the film. “Inhabitants” follows five Native American tribes across varying ecosystems as they restore their traditional land management practices to combat climate change and revive ancient relationships with the land. Panelists include producer and advisor Ben-Alex Dupris, of the Colville Confederated Tribes, and advisory board member Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, of the Hopi Tribe. The virtual discussion will be held from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Virtual Author Talk with Nicole Eustace
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Nicole Eustace will host a virtual conversation to discuss her book “Covered with Night: A Story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America.” The virtual talk, which includes a Q&A with the author, will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec 14. Register here.
Santa Rosa Junior College hosts a series of events during Native American Heritage Month, including one hosted by SRJC’s Intercultural Center on Nov. 15. More upcoming events an be found on the SRJC website: intercultural.santarosa.edu/native-american-history-month
Traditional Pomo Food Demonstration: Acorn Mush, Salmon, Seaweed & Tortillas
SRJC Native American Studies faculty member Lori Laiwa Thomas (Pomo, Coast Miwok, Huchnom) will lead a traditional Pomo food demonstration in the Santa Rosa Intercultural Center in Pioneer Hall, room 380. The event is free and open to all, following current SRJC Covid guidelines, and will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
The Sonoma Community Center will host instructors Elise Gonzales and Alicia Retes as they teach a pair of family-friendly culinary and art classes honoring Native American traditions, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
The culinary class, from 11 a.m. to noon in the center’s Rotary Kitchen, will teach about “the three sisters,” a Native American agricultural tradition of growing and cooking corn, beans and squash together to create a colorful, nourishing dish. The art class, from 12:30-1 p.m. in room 110, will see Native American storyteller Alicia Retes perform her version of The Three Sisters using handcrafted husk characters and instruments in an interactive performance and sing-along. The event is meant for families and tickets are $10-$75.
Graton Resort & Casino: Hotel, casino and restaurants, owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. 288 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park, 707-588-7100, gratonresortcasino.com
River Rock Casino: Casino and eateries, owned and operated by the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. 3250 Highway 128, Geyserville, 1-877-883-7777, riverrockcasino.com
Fry Bread Shop: Eatery serving fry bread, Indian tacos and the original “Rez Dog,” owned by Derek Muro of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria. 521 W Ninth St., Santa Rosa, 707-694-7405, facebook.com/frybreadshop
NativeGirl40: Retail shop selling bags, wallets and prints, owned by Violet Wilder of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria. 1007B W. College Ave., Suite 246, Santa Rosa, 707-508-5797, facebook.com/nativegirl40bagsandpouches
Native Riders: Clothing store and gift shop selling handmade accessories, unique knives, leather booties, painted mugs, incense and more. 851 Gravenstein Hwy S., Sebastopol, 707-829-8544, facebook.com/people/Native-Riders/100063868039441
Lucid Luck: Online clothing store, by Cloverdale brothers Matthew and Michael Molina, selling T-shirts, hoodies and accessories. lucidluck.com
Revolutionary Mystic: Psychic medium and astrology reading services, plus candles, oils, crystals and tarot cards, owned by Mētztli Wolf. revolutionarymystic.com
Sonoma County is getting ready for the holiday season and, with it, plenty of visitors.
Several new (or newly renovated) hotels have opened their doors in the past year, including The Madrona in Healdsburg and four renovated Russian River properties: The Stavrand,Dawn Ranch,The Highlands, and Mine + Farm, The Inn. Now, two new inns can be added to the list and many local hotels also offer something a little special right now, from in-room Fender guitars to updated restaurant menus.
Here’s what you need to know about Sonoma County’s hotel scene right now. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the properties.
New hotels to check into
Boho Manor
Formerly known as the Village Inn & Restaurant, this Russian River hotel has been renovated with an Art Deco flair. Two new rooms have been added to the property, which now has 14 rooms in total, and a former storage space has been turned into a speakeasy with live jazz on Saturdays. A new riverfront lounge area boasts a hot tub and fire pits.
20822 River Boulevard, Monte Rio, 707-865-2304, bohomanor.com
Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Rosa Wine Country
Located off Highway 101, about 10 minutes south of the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport and 10 minutes north of downtown Santa Rosa, this new 100-room hotel features complimentary breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly rooms are available.
3815 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-522-6201, hilton.com
New hotel offerings and updates
Fender guitars and brunch at Dawn Ranch
There’s a new way to play during a stay along the Russian River. Guests at Guerneville’s Dawn Ranch can rock out with Fender acoustic guitars. The instruments, which include the Redondo, Malibu and Newporter from Fender’s California series, are available in select rooms or on loan for the hotel’s campfires. Complimentary access to Fender Play, Fender’s online learning platform, also is available, for beginners and experienced players alike.
Dawn Ranch’s onsite farm-to-table restaurant, Agriculture Public House, kicked off brunch services Nov. 5. Brunch favorites like avocado toast and chicken and waffles, along with dishes such as the Power Bowl and Breakfast Poutine, are served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The cozy restaurant with a fireplace also will be offering a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu ($65) with dishes like Pumpkin Safe Arancini, Warm Butternut Squash Soup, Arugula Fig Salad, Honey Mustard Slow Braised Turkey and Grilled Portabello. Make reservations by emailing dining@dawnranch.com.
Dawn Ranch reopened its doors in April, following an extensive renovation of its guest rooms. The hotel, which dates back to 1905, features 53 cabins as well as river access, an apple orchard believed to be more than 120 years old, and two rare dawn redwood trees, which gave the property its name. The hotel organizes a variety of activities, including creative art workshops, yoga and meditation groups, bird watching excursions and kayaking on the river.
16467 California 116, Guerneville, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com
A Fender guitar in a room at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. (Courtesy of Dawn Ranch)
A new menu at Flamingo Resort
There’s a new chef in the kitchen at Flamingo Resort’s poolside Lazeaway Club. Chef Chris Ricketts is putting his twist on the restaurant’s Cal-Pacific menu; think dishes like Loco Moco, a ground beef patty on coconut rice with an over-easy egg, and bibimbap with grilled Kalbi beef short ribs, kimchi, coconut rice, eggplant, carrots, bean sprouts, fried egg and a sweet gochujang sauce (the dish arrives at the table sizzling.) If you can, save room for the pineapple upside-down cake.
Flamingo Resort, popular for its midcentury style, emerged from a $20 million renovation in 2021. The property has retained its retro charm, but rooms and public areas have been updated with a fresh new look. Set on 10 acres, the resort features 170 rooms and suites located in five two-story buildings. Guests will find fun retro touches in their rooms, like mint green Trimline telephones and matching tea kettles. The pool and spacious inner courtyard continue to serve as the social hub of the hotel property, which recently got a new cocktail lounge and live music venue, Vintage Space.
Bibimbap at Lazeaway Club at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Flamingo Resort)
New Captain’s Quarters at The Lodge at Bodega Bay
The waterfront property formerly known as Bodega Bay Lodge is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation. The Lodge’s largest accommodation, known as The Captain’s Quarters, was stripped to the studs for a complete redesign. It boasts a bedroom with a king bed and private balcony, a living area with a fireplace, two queen-sized Murphy beds, a sundeck with coastal views, and more. The property’s Coastal Bodega Bay Rooms, with fireplaces and spa-like bathrooms, also got a face lift.
Nestled atop a hill overlooking Bodega Bay, this coastal hotel has 83 modern rooms — most of them overlook the bay, where you can see coastal birds, fishermen in their boats and, if you’re lucky, a whale or two. The property is minutes from downtown Bodega Bay, with seafood shacks, surf shops and cafes. The property has a heated bayside pool, a hot tub and a full spa for those looking to relax after a busy week. Watch the sunset from the fire pit, followed by dinner at Drake’s Sonoma Coast Kitchen. Don’t miss the local clam chowder.
The living area in The Captain’s Quarters at The Lodge at Bodega Bay. (Courtesy The Lodge at Bodega Bay)
‘Every Stay Gives Back’ program at The Stavrand Russian River Valley
The former Applewood Inn and Spa changed hands in early 2020 and caught the world’s attention when it opened as The Stavrand Russian River Valley early this year and, shortly thereafter, was named among the best new hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.
The relative newcomer has now joined Kind Traveler’s “Every Stay Gives Back” program. Launching in early 2023, the program will enable guests to donate $2 per night to local nonprofit Farm to Pantry, a gleaning organization that rescues unharvested produce from farms and backyards across Sonoma County and distributes it to people in need. The Stavrand will match every donation up to $4 per night.
Located just a 10-minute walk from downtown Guerneville, the registered historic landmark features 21 renovated rooms in three buildings. Along with a garden, the Chef’s Meadow at The Stavrand also is home to fruit trees, many of which date back to the 1920s when they were planted by the property’s original owner, Ralph “Rooster” Belden.
