The Sonoma Spritz, a low-alcohol, flavor-forward cocktail created for the 200th annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival in Sonoma. (Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance)
Harvest in Sonoma County brings grapes, of course, but it also tends to usher in “Summer: The Sequel.” Often, some of the hottest days of the year don’t happen until fall is at our doorstep.
While much of the country is cuddled up with pumpkin spice lattes, we’re looking for something a little more refreshing. Make way for the Sonoma Spritz. This low-alcohol, flavor-forward cocktail was created for the 200th anniversary of harvest in Sonoma Valley, and has been popping up on menus and in tasting rooms all summer long. The fizzy sipper will be highlighted at The Great Spritz Off on Sept. 25 as local bartending pros compete to craft the most effervescent version.
Spritz cocktails, such as the Aperol spritz, have seen a surge in popularity, thanks in part to the sober-curious movement and their eye-catching presentation. The homegrown, wine-based Sonoma Spritz is no exception.
“It’s a way of making wine approachable and easy, it doesn’t have to be a formal tasting,” says Robyn Sebastiani, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, which presents the annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival.
The patio at Three Sticks Wines’ Adobe tasting room in downtown Sonoma, where The Great Spritz Off will take place. (Ken Fulk / Sonoma County Tourism)Three Sticks rosé is summertime in a glass. (Three Sticks Wines)
It’s also an easy drink to make at home for sipping on the patio while watching the sun dip a little earlier each evening.
The main ingredient in the Sonoma Spritz is rosé, an easy find at Sonoma Valley wineries, according to Sebastiani. “There are so many makers who make rosé throughout the valley, so choose your favorite.”
The other ingredients — freshly squeezed lemon juice and figs turned into jam or syrup — also incorporate the abundance of Sonoma Valley. Many have the luxury of plucking the fruit straight from a tree either in their own garden or from the tree of a generous neighbor, and if not there, they are easily found at local markets and farmstands this time of year.
The Sonoma Spritz
Makes 1 drink
1 tsp. fig preserve or caramelized fig syrup (such as Liber & Co.)
¾ ounces fresh lemon juice
¾ ounces simple syrup
3 ounces Sonoma Valley rosé wine
2 ounces soda water
Fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish
In a shaker, combine the fig preserve (or syrup), lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well, then strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with Sonoma Valley rosé and soda water. Stir gently to combine and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
The Great Spritz Off
When: 6 p.m., September 25
Where: Three Sticks Wines at the Adobe, 143 W. Spain St., Sonoma
Tuna Tostada bite with garden herbs and tatemada from the new prix fixe tasting menu at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, September 4, 2025 in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
For more than a century, the 22-acre plot of redwood-shaded land along Guerneville’s Fife Creek has been a retreat from the hubbub of daily life. Founded as the family-friendly Murphy’s Guest Ranch, it later became the iconic gay resort Fife’s, and in 2005, it again transformed into Dawn Ranch.
Despite the resort’s epic natural beauty, with sun-dappled orchards, quiet groves and dock access to the river, its on-site dining hall (and later, restaurant) was never one of its main draws.
That changed when New York City-based Bridgeton Holdings purchased the property after its flood-related closure in 2019.
The company launched a three-year overhaul of the cabins, lodge and restaurant. When Dawn Ranch reopened in 2023, it aligned comfortably with Bridgeton’s portfolio of boutique resorts, which includes Marram Montauk in the Hamptons and the Walker Hotels in Greenwich Village and Tribeca.
The restaurant soon followed suit, first reopening as Agriculture Public House and later as The Lodge at Dawn Ranch, under the guidance of co-executive chefs Ignacio “Nacho” Zuzulich and Juliana Thorpe since 2023. Both are veterans of Michelin-starred kitchens.
Brazilian chef Juliana Thorp, right, and her Argentinian husband chef Ignacio “Nacho” Zuzulich use tweezers to place the final touches on a dish in the kitchen at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Zuzulich hails from Argentina, where his family owns several well-known restaurants. Thorpe was raised vegetarian on her family’s farm in Brazil. The couple met while working at Lasai in Rio de Janeiro and later cooked at the wildly experimental Mugaritz in Spain and The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena (now closed following the 2020 Glass Fire).
After what The Press Democrat critic Carey Sweet called a “confusing” start, the duo seems to have now found their footing with cohesive tasting menu-only dinners (seven to 12 courses) that draw from their South American heritage with influences from Spain and France. And there’s a lot to love.
“When we opened, we were not ready. The first year was really tough for us,” Zuzulich admitted.
Initially, Thorpe and Zuzulich were encouraged to lean into California-inspired cuisine rather than the eclectic Brazilian, Argentinian and Basque flavors they had spent the last decade perfecting.
“When we stopped listening to everyone and started cooking what we knew, everything changed,” he said.
Handmade Spot Prawn Pasta with dende oil and charcoal grilled bread from the new prix fixe tasting menu at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)t)
The Experience
Reaching the dining room is part of a curated experience that guides diners from beneath the redwood boughs in the parking lot up a steep flight of stairs to the lodge – a tree house among the soaring groves. Inside, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams give way to a modern lounge with a marble-topped bar and oversized chairs. The dining room itself has been pared down to highlight the natural elements of the space, with warm wood tables, low banquettes, soft lighting and willow branches woven into the rafters. The natural world never feels far away, adding to its otherworldly ambiance.
The Food
Thorpe and Zuzulich serve only tasting menus in the dining room, although a smaller à la carte selection is available in the lounge. With just 40 seats, the space lends itself better to the couple’s kind of cooking: a curated parade of tweezer-perfect bites rather than a 32-ounce steak.
The seven-course “This and That” menu includes both shared and individual plates, presented in four stages. But the 12-course “All That” ($140 per person) is the best way to truly experience the breadth of Thorpe and Zuzulich’s talent. And it begins with a flurry of finger foods — five dishes in total.
To start, a selection of bites from the new prix fixe tasting menu at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
While sending out five of the 12 courses all at once may seem counterintuitive, Thorpe encourages diners to dive in, get their hands dirty and play with the textures and temperatures.
“We are constantly grabbing things with our hands and that’s how we like to eat,” she said, adding, “We want people to have fun.”
The first courses arrive on artful trays and plates and include a thousand-layer potato pavé with caviar and crème fraiche; a briny oyster topped with tiny orbs of watermelon; Brazilian dadinho de tapioca (tiny, chewy cheese bites); and a simple tuna tostada covered in brilliant garden herbs and flowers. A childhood treat inspired the “Smile,” a savory cookie sandwich of chicken pate and tomato relish.
Playfulness and childhood memories are infused in many of the dishes, making the experience light-hearted and personal.
“Eating those cookies is a fun memory from being a child. I want someone who has never eaten one before to smile,” said Zuzulich. “Food can be funny.”
Smile, a chicken pate with tomato relish bite from the new prix fixe tasting menu at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Snake River Farm Picanha, a favorite cut of beef in Brazil, with wax beans from the new prix fixe tasting menu at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
One by one, the dishes get better and better — a creamy corn pudding; spot prawn pasta in broth served with charcoal-grilled flatbread infused with rosemary smoke; and a concise slice of Mt. Lassen trout in butter sauce. The Snake River Farms picanha, a prized cut of beef (also known as culotte) beloved in Argentina, is a nod to the country’s Sunday asado tradition, where grilling meat and socializing make a leisurely, all-day event. Here, small bites of beef are grilled and served rare, accompanied by a sliver of yellow fat, roasted pepper and avocado purée.
Dessert is served on the patio, allowing diners to stretch their legs and take in the resort’s view. A trio of sweets — chewy Brazilian coconut cake, a quenelle of strawberry sorbet dotted with tiny berries, and dulce de leche cookies — is a cozy closing act.
The Wine
The Lodge at Dawn Ranch wine director Genaro Gallo Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The restaurant’s new sommelier, Genaro Gallo, has created a whimsical handwritten sommelier’s notebook that’s worth perusing. The wine pairings are stunning and include a “blind tasting,” where guests are invited to guess the varietal, vintage and origin of the wine.
The Outlook
As for Michelin aspirations, Zuzulich and Thorpe are keeping their ambitions local, for now. Just being found in remote Sonoma west county is their first order of business.
“Guerneville is not the most well-known town because of its food,” said Zuzulich. “It’s beautiful and it’s growing and we have a really big potential. But for now, we would just love to be on the map.”
Louisiana-style po’boy sandwiches are now on the menu at Cajun Po’boys, Sonoma County’s newest mobile eatery.
Founded by Louisiana native John Gasquet in collaboration with War Pigs BBQ owner Larry Hillix, the food truck brings hearty sandwiches to local breweries and taprooms, including Rincon Valley Tap Room & Bottle Shop (4927 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa) and Parliament Brewing (5865 Labath Ave., Rohnert Park).
War Pigs BBQ owner Larry Hillix, right, is partnering with Louisiana native John Gasquet on Sonoma County’s newest mobile eatery, Cajun Po’boys. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Offerings include “beef debris” (a New Orleans-style shredded beef), fried shrimp and other Cajun staples. Muffulettas (think of them as a Cajun twist on the classic Italian sub) are expected to join the menu, along with pickled okra and freshly fried, Cajun-seasoned potato chips.
A selection of doughnuts from Dutch Door Donuts. (Dutch Door Donuts)
The wiggly, squiggly-shaped doughnuts at Dutch Door Donuts in Healdsburg aren’t likely to win any beauty contests. Looking more like a flat tire than a perfect circle, these fried-to-order sweet treats may lack camera-readiness, but they make up for it with flavor and personality.
First announced in February, the highly anticipated local opening of the Carmel-based doughnut shop was delayed due to the installation of a sprinkler system – work that spanned weeks and extended into the street, necessitating the dismantling of nearby Duke’s outdoor parklet.
With the wait finally over, dozens of locals lined up early Saturday morning for a first taste of the perfectly imperfect treats, topped with glazes like chocolate, brown butter, vanilla bean and blackberry. There’s also cinnamon sugar or chocolate-dusted doughnuts, as well as fresh beignets, along with a variety of coffee and espresso drinks. A Gravenstein apple cider glaze is among the seasonal flavors worth a special trip.
They may be homely, but they’re tasty. A seasonal Gravenstein Apple Cider glazed doughnut at the newly opened Dutch Door Donuts in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Salted Brown Butter glazed doughnut at the newly opened Dutch Door Donuts in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
The doughnuts are hand-formed and fried to order, requiring a bit of patience. But, as with many good things, the wait is worth it. The dough hits the hot oil only after you order, arriving warm, squishy and ready to be dipped in coffee. Visitors can watch the process unfold at the rear of the narrow café, which once housed Scopa restaurant.
Dutch Door Donuts was founded in 2021 by a group of friends living in Carmel. Co-owners Jill Schlenker and Victoria Bunch have partnered with Kirstin Ducommun to expand the business to Healdsburg. Chef Tucker Bunch, who has since moved on, developed some of the original recipes.
Co-owner Kirstin Ducommun greets guests on opening day at the newly opened Dutch Door Donuts in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Schlenker said she and Ducommun plan to expand the menu with savory offerings, including a fried chicken and hot honey-topped doughnut, as well as beignets with caviar, crème fraîche and chives.
Prices range from $5 to $5.50 per doughnut. Beignets are $4.25 each. Families with kids may want to keep an eye out for a fairy door hidden near the entrance – one of several tucked into shops and restaurants around Healdsburg Plaza.
To find Dutch Door Donuts, look for the bright orange door just off the Healdsburg Plaza at 109A Plaza St., Healdsburg. 707-473-8283, dutchdoordonuts.com
The deck boasts views of the ocean and a nearby golf course. (Open Homes Photography)
A home in Bodega Bay, set on a grassy slope with views of Doran Beach and Bodega Head, is currently on the market. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,081-square-foot dwelling is listed for $1,850,000
Built in 1976, the renovated home has vaulted ceilings and a striking interior stained-wood cladding. Built-in features include bunk beds, an entertainment center and a kitchen pantry cupboard, all in a contrasting white. Radiant heat floors are a cozy answer to the chill of foggy days.
The Bodega Bay home’s seating and entertainment area in the great room. (Open Homes Photography)A kitchen with a stone-top island at the heart of this Bodega Bay home. (Open Homes Photography)
There are ocean views from the balcony, patio and most rooms thanks to generous windows. But the most notable feature might be the large, stone-top kitchen island, which the listing describes as a perfect spot for “prepping the catch of the day” while watching the sunset over the sea.
The home is part of the Bodega Harbour community, which includes a golf course, clubhouse and other amenities.
For more information on this home at 21158 Heron Drive in Bodega Bay, contact listing agents Adrienne Murphy, 415-215-9684, and Hilary Thomas, 707-293-4493, Compass, compass.com
A ridgetop Santa Rosa home with mountain views and a succulent garden, once featured in Sonoma Magazine, is currently listed for sale. The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home set on nearly an acre is currently listed for $1,950,000.
Sonoma Magazine highlighted the home in 2021 for its garden of stunning succulents, which the owners planted after the Tubbs Fire charred the landscape of mature oaks and grasses. The homeowners chose succulents for the desert look as well as for their low-water and fire-resistant qualities. The water-retaining plants sit in beds of decomposed granite, rather than the previous woodchip mulch.
Lounging area in great room. (Open Homes Photography)Outdoor seating around a firepit. (Open Homes Photography)
The angular home with contrasting rounded elements was designed to “capture sunrise over the eastern mountains,” according to the listing. Remodeled in 2019, the home includes limestone floors, custom windows, radiant heat, mini-splits, passive solar and natural cooling.
Residents can savor views through repeating windows and retractable NanaWall glass doors. A saltwater spa and several outdoor lounging areas are nestled in plants.
A 220-square-foot flex space, added in 2021, can be used as a workout studio or office.
For more information on this property at 3929 Rincon Ridge in Santa Rosa, contact listing agents Gina Clyde, 707-529-8504, or Lynn Ochoa, 707-933-7629, Sotheby’s International Realty, 3929RinconRidge.com
Bavarian pretzels at Tisza Bistro’s Beer Garden in Healdsburg. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Despite its name, Oktoberfest officially begins in September. The German beer festival and funfair, founded in Munich in the early 1800s, begins Sept. 20 and runs through the first Sunday in October.
Munich’s official Oktoberfest goes all out with two weeks of parades, concerts, church services and, of course, plenty of food and drink. But cities all over the world — from Qingdao, China to Blumenau, Brazil — join in on the annual folk festival fun with celebrations of their own come fall. And Sonoma County would be remiss if it turned down a chance to party, Wine Country-style.
Whether you’re a German transplant, beer bro or simply a fan of good food and camaraderie, these local spots have you covered for an awesome Oktoberfest. Próst!
Where to party
Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Sept. 20-21 this year at the Petaluma taproom. (Lagunitas Brewing Company)
Lagunitas Brewing Company
The nationally renowned Lagunitas Brewing will hold its second annual Oktoberfest celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 20-21, at the Petaluma taproom. The brewery will be serving its Lagufest Lager, released at last year’s celebration, in addition to Bavarian bites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, and mashed potatoes and gravy. There will also be live polka, Zydeco music, and yodeling and stein-holding contests (with prizes). Entry is free and all ages are welcome. Oktoberfest attire is encouraged. Reserve a spot on OpenTable. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-284-1020, lagunitas.com/taproom/petaluma
HenHouse Brewing Co.
HenHouse will hold an Oktoberfest release party all day Sept. 20 at its Palace of Barrels taproom in Petaluma. The Bavarian-style celebration will feature the release of the brewery’s Wedding Of The Century festbier, made from German malt and Hersbrucker hops. In addition to pours of the new lager, there will be custom HenHouse steins available for purchase. Sonoma County pop-up Dirty Dawgz will be on-site serving brats and pretzels. 1333 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-978-4577, henhousebrewing.com
Sebtown Strutters Oktoberfest Celebration
Sebtown Strutters, a Sebastopol jazz and Dixieland band, will celebrate Oktoberfest with a spirited performance at the Sebastopol Community Market. The free celebration will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 21, on the market’s outdoor Mel Minton Memorial Stage. 6762 Sebastopol Ave., 707-407-4020, cmnaturalfoods.com
Wisconsin Picnic
The Wisconsin Picnic of Sonoma County, a Bay Area tradition since 1939, will start at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 27, at Galvin Park in Santa Rosa. While the annual event focuses on America’s Dairyland, the festivities have all the hallmarks of Oktoberfest food and revelry. The family-friendly picnic will include live polka music, a cash-only raffle, an ice cream and spirit contest, and a potluck featuring brats, cheese, beer and more. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite Wisconsin dishes and recipes to share, and should bring their own tableware and cooler. Galvin Community Park, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, instagram.com/wipicnicsoco
A glass of beer is dispensed from a tap at Crooked Goat Brewing in Sebastopol. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat, 2016)
Crooked Goat Brewing
Crooked Goat’s Sebastopol taproom will host an Oktoberfest celebration starting at 3 p.m., Sept. 27. The event will include fall beer releases, live music from Alpen Band from 4-7 p.m., food from The Wurst caterers from 3-9 p.m. and limited edition glasses for sale. 120 Morris St., Sebastopol, 707-827-3893, crookedgoatbrewing.com
Hermann Son’s Lodge
Petaluma’s Hermann Son’s Lodge No. 26 will host an Oktoberfest celebration starting at noon on Oct. 11. The event will include a traditional Parade of Flags; dancing and music by local, polka-focused Steve Balich Band; and a performance by Bavarian folk dance group Nature Friends Schuhplattler. There will be food and drinks available for purchase (cash only). Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call 707-666-7989 for more event info and tickets. 860 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-9963
Where to eat
Tisza Bistro
With their lacquered mahogany crust scored to reveal an ivory interior, the pretzels at Healdsburg’s Tisza Bistro put the ballpark variety to shame. And these aren’t typical Bavarian pretzels, either. In a nod to his ancestors, Tisza’s owner and chef, Krisztian Karkus, makes them in the Swabian style, thick around the edge with a thinner dough in the center twist, meaning you get the best of both worlds — soft and crunchy — in each pretzel.
The pretzels are served with Tisza’s housemade weisswurst, on the Oktoberfest platter for two, or on their own with a side of whipped butter and mustard, a condiment Karkus calls an American affectation that he provides because customers demand it. His preference is for butter only. “A pretzel with butter and a hefeweizen — it’s one of the simple joys of life.”
The Oktoberfest platter also includes classic veal schnitzel, bratwurst, duck leg, potato dumpling, red and white cabbage, spaetzle with mushroom sauce and cucumber salad. The full menu features plenty of other German dishes as well, including four kinds of schnitzels, Bavarian-style bratwurst and warm apple strudel. 165 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-291-5193, tiszabistro.com
Schwäbisch-style pretzels from Tisza Bistro chef/owner Krisztian Karkus on July 4, 2025, in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)The Highland Dell Lodge in Monte Rio. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Sarah’s Kitchen at Highland Dell
For authentic German cuisine right on the Russian River, venture to Sarah’s Kitchen tucked inside Monte Rio’s Highland Dell Lodge. The menu includes bratwurst served with stoneground mustard; jaeger schnitzel (breaded and pan-fried pork tenderloin with a creamy mushroom sauce); traditional German spaetzle (soft egg noodles); potato pancakes (add apple sauce or sour cream for $1); sauerkraut braised with bacon and onion; and red cabbage braised with onion and apple in cranberry juice. There are some other Eastern European dishes on the menu as well, like Vienna-style schnitzel and Hungarian-style goulash (a beef stew with onion and bell pepper). The lodge’s Riverview Bar has some German beers on its menu alongside a list of local wines. 21050 River Blvd., Monte Rio, 707-865-2300, highlanddell.com
Road Trip
After eating around the globe and operating German restaurant Brot for a handful of years, chef/owner Crista Luedtke knows a thing or two about Bavarian eats. Her Guerneville restaurant Road Trip pays homage to global cuisine, with a few German-inspired dishes on the menu. Enjoy hot pretzels served with mustard and whipped butter, and a summer spaetzle made of buckwheat and mixed with squash, blistered cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and herb pesto sauce. A variety of local brews are available on tap, alongside a Belgian wheat beer. 16218 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-6102, eatatroadtrip.com
The Mac Daddy burger with a 7-ounce Oak Ridge patty and secret sauce from Road Trip on May 20, 2024, in Guerneville. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Weiner schnitzel with buttered potatoes and peas at Stockhome restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Stockhome
While this Petaluma restaurant specializes in Swedish and Middle Eastern cuisine, a few of its dishes are popular in Germany. Find grilled bratwurst with mustard and grilled onion on a brioche bun; Wiener schnitzel (breaded pork loin) served with dill-seasoned marble potatoes, peas and gravy; and frankfurters served with crispy onion, house mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and a side of mashed potatoes. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomerestaurant.com
Brewsters Beer Garden
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Brewsters’ lively beer garden among friends and family. Select a local brew from the draft list to accompany their salted pretzel, served with beer cheese and housemade Carolina barbecue mustard. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma ready for Oktoberfest on Sept. 25, 2024. Brewsters doesn’t have an Oktoberfest celebration on its calendar for this year, but it’s still a great location for beers, burgers and pretzels. (Crissy Pascual / Petaluma Argus-Courier)Mike Zakowski, owner and baker of The Bejkr, sells his wood-fired pretzels at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Bejkr
Award-winning baker Mike Zakowski churns out perfectly golden, wood-fired pretzels, available at the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market. 707-938-7607, thebejkr.co
Wooden Petal
This Santa Rosa pretzel shop has a dazzling selection of award-winning twists. The pretzels are available in boxes of three, eight or 15 and include such flavors as salt, herb, cheese, jalapeno and cinnamon. House dips include queso,cheese and onion, spicy sweet mustard and sweet cream cheese icing. Also find breakfast-stuffed pretzels and pretzel bun sandwiches. 4984 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-695-1880, woodenpetal.com
Owner Clare Elaine offers a wide selection of pretzels, cinnamon rolls, cookies and pretzel sandwiches at the Wooden Petal Bake Shop, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Steinhouse owner Eric Dewit, left, talks to customer Gail Vann about chocolates while offering samples at his Santa Rosa shop on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
Steinhouse
In addition to Belgian chocolates and other European confections, Steinhouse has a collection of unique beer steins for sale — so you can toast in traditional Deutschland fashion. You can also find jars of artisan mustard to complement those Bejkr pretzels. 631 Fourth St., Suite 18, Santa Rosa, 707-852-4083, steinhousechocolates.com
Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom
The downtown Santa Rosa restaurant and watering hole has Bavarian salted pretzels on its menu, served with hot honey mustard. Pair with one of the dozens of local beers on tap. 523 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-526-5787, bellyleftcoastkitchenandtaproom.com
Fogbelt Brewing Company
To accompany its selection of draft beers on tap, Fogbelt has pretzel bites on the menu at its Santa Rosa taproom. The pretzels are tossed in olive oil, sprinkled with parsley and sea salt, and served warm with a choice of beer cheese or beer mustard. 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707978-3400, fogbeltbrewing.com
Wolf House Brewing Company
The Cloverdale brewery has pretzels with beer cheese — made with its Therapy Session IPA — on its pub menu. Also find Journeyman Meat Co. brats and Angus beef burgers. 131 E. First St., Cloverdale, 844-942-2337, wolfhousebrewing.com
For more places to wet your whistle with local beers to celebrate Oktoberfest, check out some of our favorite Sonoma County breweries.
Shawn Phillips and Lise Asimont of Dot Wine in Healdsburg. (Dot Wine)
Don’t get Sondra Bernstein started on the joys of drinking wines made from the Grenache grape.
“I could go on and on about Grenache, as it’s my favorite of the Rhone varietals,” the Sonoma restaurateur and caterer said. “I love its versatility with food and the very different expressions that winemakers can create using the same variety.”
Nearly three decades ago, Bernstein opened her first Sonoma County restaurant, the girl & the fig, in Glen Ellen and later moved it to the square in Sonoma and installed the fig café at the Glen Ellen space (where Poppy is now). At each of her restaurants, the wine lists have focused on wines made from grapes native to France’s Rhone Valley: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne among them.
Now, many of Bernstein’s vino offerings are locally made, including the Grenache, an emerging darling of Sonoma red wines that’s winning fans for its unabashed, Zinfandel-like fruitiness, the spice of Syrah and Shiraz and the polish of Pinot Noir. It’s the key ingredient in what’s known throughout the world as GSMs — blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre — the grape of choice for many dry rosés and cousin to the white grape Grenache Blanc.
Glen Ellen’s new Poppy restaurant, in the former fig cafe space, currently features a 2023 Grenache Blanc from Guthrie Family Wines on its wine list. (Chris Hardy)
But it’s Grenache Noir (Grenache black) that’s capturing the palates of those seeking something new in a California red wine.
“Twenty years ago, wines made from Grenache were far and few between here,” Bernstein said. “Maybe we had three or four when (the girl & the fig) opened in 1997, though none were from Sonoma. Now we feature over a dozen wines made from Grenache and have many hundreds to choose from.”
The aroma and flavor descriptors for Grenache run a wide gamut, from lavender, Bing cherry and plum to black pepper, licorice and Asian spice.
Some Grenaches are opulent and jammy, others laser-focused, with fresh fruitiness and palate-whisking acidity, and still others earthy and brooding.
Grenache is widely planted throughout the world, including in the Central Valley, where massive yields of low-quality grapes go into jug and bag-in-box wines. It’s a niche variety in Sonoma County, with just 209 acres planted (versus 12,478 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon). The variety loves a warm, Mediterranean climate, so climate change could encourage more plantings of Grenache in future years.
There are a number of Sonoma tasting rooms that offer Grenache, in its black, white and rosé forms. Some key producers don’t have tasting rooms, yet their wines can be found on restaurant lists and in wine bars. (Two to check out: Peter Mathis Wine and The Grenachista Wine Co.)
These five wineries welcome visitors to taste Grenache and several other varieties. Check their websites for hours of operation and whether appointments are required.
Dot Wine winemaker Lise Asimont. Dot Wines’ 2024 Russian River Valley Grenache won Double Gold in the 2025 North Coast Wine Challenge. (Dot Wine)
Dot Wines
This small, family-owned winery stunned judges in the North Coast Wine Challenge earlier this year when three of its wines won Double Gold and made it to the final sweepstakes round. Among them was Dot Wines’ 2024 Russian River Valley Grenache ($35), receiving 98 points. The wine, sourced from Riversmoke Vineyard, was also rated as the best of the Grenache varietal. Developed using natural winemaking practices, the wine shines with notes of berries and summer stone fruits, with a balanced acidity. Fun fact: Dot Wines’ Grenache features artwork from winemaker Lise Asimont’s husband, Shawn.
14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 201, Healdsburg, 707-385-9855, dotwinery.com
Taste the Benovia 2021 Sonoma Mountain Grenache at Benovia Winery’s tasting room in Santa Rosa. (Benovia Winery)
Benovia Winery
Although Benovia partner and winemaker Mike Sullivan is largely known for his excellent Russian River Valley Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, he has a soft spot for Grenache.
That’s because the grape is planted in his family’s Four Brothers Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain, where volcanic soils and aromatic wild herbs lend savory notes to the Benovia 2021 Sonoma Mountain Grenache ($45).
It shows the polished side of the varietal, layered and complex, with herb and cedarwood notes accenting the bright dark-red fruit. The supple tannins are supported by crisp acidity.
Erik Miller, owner and winemaker of Kokomo Winery, has produced a Grenache Rose since 2008. (Christopher Chung)
Kokomo Winery
Erik Miller started the Kokomo label in 2004, and in 2008 partnered with grapegrower Randy Peters, who farms vines in Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast.
Zinfandel and Pinot Noir are Kokomo staples, though the 2024 Pauline’s Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Grenache Rosé ($28), 2023 Dry Creek Valley Grenache ($38) and 2023 Cuvee Red Blend North Coast ($28), with a wallop of Dry Creek Valley Grenache, show Miller’s deft hand with the Grenache grape. “Grenache has a great future in Dry Creek Valley,” Miller said. “We’ve only scratched the surface.”
4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-0200, kokomowines.com
Meeker Vineyard winemaker Lucas Meeker has a way with Grenache. The 2022 North Coast Grenache ($36) beckons with lively aromas of red plum, white peach, dried herbs and black tea. (The Meeker Vineyard)
The Meeker Vineyard
In 1977, Charles and Molly Meeker bought their first vineyard on West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg and started their winery in 1984. Charlie, a movie executive in Los Angeles, made the wines on weekends and became known for his Zinfandels and Merlots.
The Meekers sold the Dry Creek Road property (now Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves) in the late 1990s and established a new winery near downtown Healdsburg. Charlie turned over day-to-day winemaking to his son, Lucas, in 2007.
Lucas has a way with Grenache, which is quickly becoming one of Meeker’s most popular wines. The 2022 North Coast Grenache ($36) beckons with lively aromas of red plum, white peach, dried herbs and black tea. Red fruit notes on the palate transcend to a citrusy blood orange, culminating in a dry, smooth finish.
5 Fitch St., Unit B, Healdsburg, 707-431-2148, meekerwine.com
Left to right, Mick and George Unti of Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Unti Vineyards)
Unti Vineyards
George Unti and his son, Mick, founded Unti Vineyards in 1997, based on their shared love of Rhone Valley and Italian wines. Their Dry Creek Valley vineyards and wines made from them reflect their tastes, and Grenaches Noir and Blanc are particular favorites.
The 2024 Dry Creek Valley Grenache Blanc ($38) is made in a high-acid, scintillating French Chablis style. On the red side, the 2023 Dry Creek Valley Grenache ($40) has heady aromas and succulent dark-red fruit character, with mouthwatering acidity. The Grenache-Mourvedre-Syrah blend is complex, with a lingering finish. The 2024 Dry Creek Valley Grenache Noir Rosé ($38) features bright red fruits on the nose with a rich, balanced acidity and minerality on the palate.
Hiking along the Kortum Trail on the Sonoma Coast. (Jerry Dodrill)
Sonoma County has some of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the world. A hike on one of the many trails near the coast is a perfect way to take in the natural beauty and discover the unique landscapes of this region.
Eager to find the crème de la crème of trails on or near the coast, we consulted our friends at AllTrails, an outdoor recreational app with crowdsourced reviews. Here are the 10 best hikes on the Sonoma Coast, according to the site.
1. Bodega Head Trail
For an easy hike with striking views of the ocean, try this 1.7-mile loop trail near Bodega Bay. The route only takes about 40 minutes to complete. If you time your visit right, you might just witness a natural wonder. “During their spring and fall migrations, grey whales can be spotted from here,” according to AllTrails. The peak months for whale watching are January through May. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. An out-and-back portion of the trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Sunset at Bodega Head in Sonoma Coast State Park. (Glenn Lee Robinson / Sonoma County Tourism)
2. Kortum Trail: Shell Beach to Blind Beach
This 4-mile out-and-back trail is located on the coast near Jenner, beginning at the Shell Beach parking lot. It is a moderately challenging route that can be walked in just under two hours. A delight for birders, hikers and runners alike. “You will climb a small peak which provides a great view of Goat Rock,” according to AllTrails. “There are beautiful ocean and beach views along the way.” Dogs not allowed on this trail. Swimming is not advised at the beach as rip currents are strong and dangerous.
3. Red Hill via Pomo Canyon Trail
Located near Jenner, this 5-mile loop trail takes about two and a half hours to walk. The moderately challenging trail tends to be a popular hiking spot. “The best times to visit this trail are January through November,” according to AllTrails. Reviews on the site highlight the trail’s stunning coastal views, redwood forests and green hills. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
A rest stop along the Red Hill and Pomo Canyon trail loop at Sonoma Coast State Park near Jenner. (Sierra Downey / Sonoma County Tourism)
4. Pomo Canyon Campground from Shell Beach
With an elevation gain of over 1,580 feet, this moderately challenging 6.2-mile loop trail provides a solid workout along uphill meadows and steep stretches through redwood forests. “This exposed landscape of grasslands and chaparral provides plenty of sweeping vistas overlooking the mouth of the Russian River watershed out to Jenner, coastlines down to Bodega Head, and some great overlooks into Willow Creek,” according to AllTrails. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
5. Islands in the Sky Vista Loop
Located near Duncans Mills, this 3.9-mile loop trail is a moderately challenging hike that takes a little over two hours to complete. Stunning mountaintop scenery is the reward for several steep climbs in both directions. “The top opens up to a beautiful meadow where you could see the fog in the valley below,” according to AllTrails. It’s popular with hikers and runners. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
Hiking along the Kortum Trail on the Sonoma Coast. (Jerry Dodrill)
6. Kortum Trail from Shell Beach to Wrights Beach
Soak up the sun while marveling at glistening coastal views on this easy, 3.8-mile out-and-back trail. Stretching from the Shell Beach parking lot to Wrights Beach Campground and back, the hike takes between an hour and a half to two hours to complete. Plus, a few picnic tables at the trailhead and one along the way makes for a picturesque lunch on the coast. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
7. Hunters Camp to Creekside Connector Loop
Among the more woodsy hikes on the list, this 5.6-mile loop trail meanders through shady redwoods and creek beds. The moderately challenging hike takes just under three hours to complete. “One beautiful highlight of this trail is the waterfall along the Creekside Trail,” states AllTrails. Use caution during the rainy season, as the terrain can get muddy and slick. Hikers should also be aware of poison oak and mosquitos in the region. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
8. Blind Beach to Wright’s Beach via Kortum Trail
Located near Jenner, this 3.9-mile point-to-point trail is a moderately challenging hike that takes about an hour and a half to finish. The trail is open year-round, according to AllTrails, and is a popular spot for hiking, birding and wildflower peeping. Dogs not allowed on this trail.
LandPaths executive director Craig Anderson, right, leads a walk to Red Hill from Shell Beach above the mouth of the Russian River. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
9. Pomo Canyon Trail to Shell Beach
Beginning with a steep incline, this moderate, 6-mile out-and-back trail levels out after about a mile and gives way to a beautiful, fern-covered redwood grove. AllTrails recommends to “keep an eye out for wildflowers in spring and early summer,” as the sunny trail is lush with plant diversity. Not only is this hike great for birding and forest-bathing, it’s also one of the few coastal trails that allows dogs. The hike can take just over three hours to complete. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
10. Pomo Canyon Trail to Red Hill
Accessed via Willow Creek Road to Red Hill in Sonoma Coast State Park, this 3.5-mile loop trail winds through redwood and cedar forests for just over two hours. Dramatic vistas of the coastline, mountains and Russian River await at the summit. The popular hiking, birding and sight-seeing spot allows dogs.
Sonoma Developmental Center main entrance along Arnold Drive looking west from the state owned former mental institution at Eldridge in the Sonoma Valley near Glen Ellen, Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Sonoma filmmaker Carolyn Scott set out in 2023 to make a five-minute short about community members waging a local battle. The project evolved into a 25-minute documentary that has been recognized at film festivals around the world.
Small Is Beautiful tells the story of Sonoma Valley residents’ opposition to the proposed redevelopment of the 200-acre Sonoma Developmental Center campus near Glen Ellen. Since its initial release in early 2024, the film has received the Award of Merit at the 2024 Accolade Global Film Competition in La Jolla, California; competed for top honors in Environmental Awareness at the 2025 Future World Film Festival in Portugal in June; and been nominated for Best Short Documentary at the 2025 Septimius Awards in Amsterdam in September.
It’s also been selected for other film festivals in Sacramento, Colorado, and Florida. Clearly, Small Is Beautiful, about a proposed high-density, upscale housing and hotel development in a quiet and ecologically sensitive nook of the Valley of the Moon, resonates with viewers well beyond its home turf. Scott, who has produced numerous short films on environmental topics over the last two decades, said she had no idea when she took on the project — pro bono, as with all her work — that it would lead where it has. “Films have a mind of their own; they just keep moving, and developing, like any artwork,” she says. “And now it’s all over the planet.”
Scott believes Small Is Beautiful’s seemingly boundless appeal lies in its central theme: self-determination for local communities facing external mandates. The Sonoma Developmental Center plan is driven by California’s requirements for affordable housing, though just 13% of the currently proposed 930 residences will be designated affordable.
Over 250 people gathered on March 10, 2024, at the Sonoma Developmental Center to express their dissatisfaction with the current plans for developing the grounds around Arnold Drive. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
“I think this problem is universal,” Scott says. “You have development all over the world that has nothing to do with housing local communities who are on the land, who live there, who know what they want, who want to design how they live and their relationship with the natural world and the character of the land itself. People are finding resonance with that everywhere.”
Professionally edited by an industry veteran, Small Is Beautiful features captivating drone footage from Santa Rosa photographer Jim Codington and an original, award-winning score from Southern California artist Carly Miller.
Scott says her goal is to get it on PBS, as she did with a previous film, Texas Gold. “Then you’re reaching millions of people,” she says. “It’s not about money, it’s about reach. And this film is being requested by communities that are facing the same mandates.”
She already makes Small Is Beautiful available to smaller audiences: “If you get 10 people or more, the film is free for you. I’ll show up. We’ll all come. We want people to see it.”
