Glen Ellen residents Lauri and Tim Dorman, who lost their ranch home in the 2017 Nuns Fire, found a key source of recovery and resilience in their three adult children.
Just days after the fire, the family all spread out around a big table at the home of their oldest daughter in Marin. Working from a cluster of laptops, the couple’s children kicked off the long insurance process and notified the couple’s many friends. “The kids didn’t want us to have to tell that story over and over,” explains Lauri.
“This is what we trained for as a family,” says Tim, noting how fortunate they were to have their kids’ support. “And their technology!” laughs Lauri.
The couple brought plenty of professional skills to the process of rebuilding. Lauri, a former operations director at a large catering company, found meaning in managing small details. “Give me a spreadsheet, and I’m in hog heaven,” she says. “In many ways, that’s how I got through.” Tim, an executive and leadership coach, is steeped in the art of listening.
Lauri Dorman, a passionate home cook, enjoys the new kitchen. The Japanese tansu chest replaces an antique lost in the fire, which the family had purchased while living in Japan for Tim’s job. (Eileen Roche)
In mapping out their own plan of reinvention, he says they were guided by an overarching sense of purpose, a plan to figure out how to recapture their joy. “When you lose everything, life hands you a blank canvas,” he explains.
Early on, they met with an architect to discuss rebuild options. They soon decided a custom “stickbuilt” home wasn’t affordable or fast enough for the timeframe they had in mind. Instead, they settled on a prefab Breezehouse by Blu Homes—a modern structure with open views through large windows.
A year and a half after the fire, the home’s three main modules, with nearly all interior elements already in place, including appliances, cabinetry, and tilework, arrived on trucks at their lot in Glen Ellen. The entire Dorman family gathered alongside friends and neighbors to watch as a crane lowered the modules onto their new slab foundation—a process that took just a couple of hours. As the crane operators worked, family and friends celebrated with glasses of wine and a special playlist of songs centered around the theme of home.
The layout of the new home fits well with how the Dormans like to spend their time. A large deck overlooks the yard, where they garden and keep honeybees. In the large dining area just off the kitchen, a new table was custom-built from a salvaged oak tree.
“We needed something with some soul,” Lauri explains. “Nearly everything in the house is brand-new.” In decorating, they say they didn’t want to replicate the possessions and furniture they once had, which included antiques and other finds from years spent living abroad. Instead, they now find meaning in new pieces, like the handmade quilt that sits at the end of their bed, a gift from a colleague of Tim’s brother. Or the desk in the office, which their son and a friend fabricated from a backyard oak that was in the path of the fire. The heavy oak grain enfolds long, gray burn marks.
A fire-scarred oak still stands in the new backyard. (Eileen Roche)Making applesauce with one of “the grands,” as Lauri calls her grandchildren. (Eileen Roche)
Outside, the couple sees meaning in nature’s resilience. Their small collection of olive trees is a mix of ones they planted anew after the fire and three others that burned, were cut down to stumps, and, to the couple’s surprise, regrew beautifully. A half-charred oak still survives, as does a treasured Gravenstein apple tree that Lauri harvests each year to make applesauce with her grandchildren.
The resilience of these trees isn’t lost on the couple. “If the oak can recover,” Tim says, “so can we.”
They credit friends and neighbors with bolstering their resilience. Early on, Lauri’s friends from the local beekeeping group coordinated housing.
Another friend blanketed their entire neighborhood in over 5,000 daffodil bulbs—a sign of hope in that first difficult spring after the fire. The gratitude came full circle during a special service at Kenwood Community Church, where their son spoke to the congregation, thanking them for their support of his parents.
In the early weeks after the fire, Tim recalls thinking it would have been easier for the couple to pack their bags and start a new life somewhere else. But that changed as they saw friends in their community stand “shoulder to shoulder” with them. “We made a full commitment to the people who were fully committed to us,” Tim says. “We were overwhelmed by the intensity of it.”
Much of the family’s renovation budget was put to an expanded kitchen where they cook big Sunday meals together. (Eileen Roche)
Editor’s note: Terry Sanders is a candidate for the hotly contested District 4 seat on the Santa Rosa City Council. The other candidates for this seat are incumbent Victoria Fleming, small business owner Henry Huang and Scheherazade “Shari” Shamsavari, a retired health and education professional. The story was reported in early June 2022, before the height of the campaign season. It originally appeared in the print magazine’s special resilience section, focusing on stories of families building new lives after the 2017 wildfires.
The story of how the Sanders family found home after the 2017 fires is one of resilience. Terry Sanders, a retired Oakland firefighter and musician, and his wife Debra, who works with foster youth for the county’s office of education, lived with their 16-year-old son Isaac in a series of rentals for months while trying to figure out how best to rebuild their former Fountaingrove home.
Their tentative rebuild plans took a turn when friends told them about a historic home in Santa Rosa’s McDonald Avenue neighborhood. The home, a landmark Art Deco/Tudor Revival owned for over 50 years by county supervisor Helen Rudee and her family, was going up for auction, and the Sanders family decided to put in a bid. Terry, who knew the neighborhood well after staying with friends around the corner after the fire, remembers thinking it wasn’t likely that anything would come of their bid. And anyway, he and Debra weren’t entirely sure the look of the home was their style. “It looked like a church,” Terry says. “But then when it came on the market, and this all happened, we were just so excited.”
The Sanders home in the McDonald Avenue neighborhood in Santa Rosa. (Eileen Roche)Debra, Terry and Isaac Sanders. (Eileen Roche)
The family fell head over heels for the house. Realizing it was really theirs was an emotional moment, after long months in rental houses as they negotiated with their insurance company. “Debra and I sat down here, and we said to Isaac, ‘This is your home now. This is your neighborhood. Take a stroll, feel it out,’” Terry recalls. “No more trips to the storage unit, no more any of that, because we’re home.”
A young family moving into the old Rudee place was big news within the tight-knit McDonald Avenue neighborhood. In the large front window facing the street, Terry and Debra propped up a giant teddy bear, one that had belonged to Isaac as a child and which they had saved from the fire, with a note saying how excited they were to meet their new neighbors, just as soon as they could. The giant teddy bear is now a neighborhood landmark in its own right, and is dressed up in special outfits for holidays—or for San Francisco 49ers football wins.
The staircase. (Eileen Roche)The sunroom. (Eileen Roche)
The Sanders family is just the fourth family to live in the house, which was built in 1931. They hold a deep-rooted respect for the home’s long history, a respect which has been a hallmark for the family through a series of renovations since they arrived at the home in late 2018. “The thing that was important to us was to make sure that anything we did needed to look like it had always been here—the baseboards, the light switches, all the old wood,” says Terry. “We had to let the house speak to us; we had to fit in with it. That was the guiding principle.”
Terry and Debra say they love how they’re able to keep their family life in the home simple and old fashioned. They can rest and read on an traditional sleeping porch off the guest bedroom upstairs or do puzzles in the sunroom off the living room downstairs. “This is another great thing about the house— it’s all analog. There’s nothing digital here. None of that. There’s no coffee maker—we boil water on the stove, and we pour it over,” Terry says.
The great room. (Eileen Roche)
Allowances made to the home’s long history sometimes made necessary updates more complicated.
“We’d hear, ‘If you just let us take all the plaster out, then we can put in the new wiring,’” Terry remembers. “And I’d say, ‘No way. That’s hundred-year-old plaster, man. You need to figure out a different way.’” Plaster and wood were eventually preserved, as was the distinctive flame-colored tile on the home’s exterior—a tile that helps ground the Tudor home squarely in the 1930s Art Deco era, when humble craftsmanship was elevated to high art. “Back in the day, there was no Lowe’s, no Home Depot. Someone made that tile. They had to fire it and make it,” says Terry. “I mean, I have the actual original blueprints for that tile, which I think is the coolest thing.”
The majority of the work the family did, in addition to modernizing plumbing and bathrooms, went into a large new kitchen at the back of the house. Now Sundays are family days, and Debra’s elderly father, who recently moved into a home just five minutes away, comes over so the family can cook a big meal together in the bright, airy space.
And Thursday nights are once again band nights. Terry has played in a Sonoma County blues band with a few friends for over a decade, and they practice in a separate band room out near the carport. Isaac, also a gifted musician, plays on a baby grand piano in the living room that was given to the family after their old piano was lost in the fire. “We’ll come back from a walk in the neighborhood and just sit outside for a few minutes, listening to him playing piano,” Terry says.
The renovated sleeping porch upstairs. (Eileen Roche)Thursday nights are band nights. (Eileen Roche)
Debra and Terry say now that the family is settled, and now that her father is living just a couple minutes away, they can draw strength from each other in new and different ways. “And that means that we are able to provide that strength to others. When you have found stability like this, it makes it easier for you to be that anchor of stability for someone else who may need someone to lean on for just a little bit,” says Terry. “You know what I mean? ‘When you’re not strong, I’ll be your strength. I’ll help you carry on.’”
Resources
Builder: McIntosh Builders, Santa Rosa, 707-573-3947
Sonoma County may be world-famous for its wines, but it is also a popular destination for wellness activities. From Zen-inducing hotels, spas and hikes to nourishing meals from local restaurants, there’s something for every stressed-out soul in search of a reinvigorating getaway. Click through the above gallery for some of our favorite Wine Country wellness spots.
Trousseau Gris. Arneis. Nero D’Avola. The names roll off the tongue heftily, with a hint of swagger and a suggestion of the Old World. In a country where just three varieties of winegrapes—Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon—account for three-fourths of the yearly crop, there’s a thrill in discovering these other flavors and histories.
For many winemakers, the allure lies in seeking out pockets of nearly-forgotten fruit, vines that have survived the ups and downs of evolving industry trends. Darek Trowbridge of Old World Winery honors a family heirloom when he works with the rare Abouriou vines his grandfather planted a century ago. For others it’s about broadening horizons. “You wouldn’t listen to the exact same music every single day, or eat the same food, or drink the same drink,” says Scott Schultz of Jolie-Laide Wines. “Why limit yourself to just a few grapes?”
And for nearly all, it’s a call to action—a response to warmer temperatures and hope in finding new varieties to cultivate, ones with the potential to thrive in a changing climate.
Sam Bilbro of Idlewild Wines. (Leigh Ann Beverly)
The Winemaker
Sam Bilbro, Idlewild Wines
Sam Bilbro’s passion for wines from Italy’s Piedmont region could be the wine industry’s answer to climate change in Northern California. As winemaker and owner of Idlewild Wines, Bilbro was happy to discover Piedmont grape varieties grow exceptionally well in areas of Northern California, where many have less mildew pressure, lower water needs, and naturally high acidity that can balance the sugar of a hot growing season.
“Most of the wines out there are tied to market demand; that’s why many people are less inclined to experiment with new grapes,” says Bilbro. “But we need to refocus what we’re planting because of climate change. And weather isn’t just getting warmer—there is more variability. Someday, we might get more rain in the summer or colder winters. We need more diverse plantings in the vineyards because we need to hedge our bets.”
For Bilbro, that means working with grapes like Arneis, Barbera, Freisa, Grignolino, and Favorita, which he sources from Mendocino’s Yorkville Highlands, Russian River Valley, the North Coast, and beyond. Now, other wineries are asking whether he has any fruit to sell or advice on what to plant.
“If we’re talking about planting new varieties so we can adapt to climate change, I think we also need to talk about diversity in the vineyard, healthy soils, fungi— and even treatment of our labor force. It’s encouraging to hear people talking about change in the wine industry. But it’s really about creating a much healthier system overall.”
Idlewild Wines, 132 Plaza St., Healdsburg. 707-385-9410, idlewildwines.com
Rare Vineyards to Know
Sherry Martinelli Vineyard
Location: Russian River Valley | Variety: Abouriou | Size: 4 Acres
Planted 80 years ago by pioneering vintner Giuseppe Martinelli, this venerable block of head-pruned Abouriou vines is now meticulously cared for by Martinelli’s great-grandson, winemaker Darek Trowbridge of Old World Winery.
Trowbridge was excited to work with the uncommon variety, which is thought to have origins in the Lot-et-Garonne region of southwest France. No one knows exactly how the 4 acres of Abouriou ended up in Sonoma County, but Trowbridge suspects his Italian immigrant great-grandfather planted it as part of a field blend.
“At first, I had no idea what the heck it was,” Trowbridge says. “DNA testing pointed to Blue Portuguese, but it’s nothing like that grape. It’s a big, burly, rustic grape with deeply concentrated skins. And it’s gamey—almost like Lambrusco—with distinct cherry flavors.” His current Abouriou release, the 2014 Luminous, is for sale through his website.
The TTB, the government agency that taxes and regulates alcohol sales, officially recognizes Abouriou as “Early Burgundy,” and, much to Trowbridge’s chagrin, they insisted he list that name on the label. But that won’t stop him from experimenting with the exceedingly rare family heirloom.
Old World Winery, 850 River Road, Fulton. 707-490-6696, oldworldwinery.com
Jack’s Filling Station on Broadway in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)Jack’s Filling Station on Broadway in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune)
Miracle Plum: 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa. 707-708-7986
Bottle Barn: 3331-A, Industrial Dr., Santa Rosa. 707-528-1161
Spotlight on Fiano
Fiano is considered one of the finest white wines of Italy, where it’s best known in the Campania region, in the appellation of Avellino. The variety dates back more than 2,000 years, and wine historians believe it was cultivated in ancient Rome. The medium to full-bodied wine is redolent of flowers, pear, honey, and hazelnuts, with surprisingly crisp acidity and minerality.
Commentators Dan Berger and Steve Jaxon are joined on their show by some of Sonoma County’s most influential winemakers. Gain insight on new, rare, or historical grape varieties growing in the region and people bringing positive change to the industry. Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. on KSRO or through podcast apps.
Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
More of What’s Next…
Arneis, Italy/White: Native to Italy’s Piedmont region, Arneis is nicknamed “little rascal” due to its fussiness in the vineyard. Brought back from the brink of extinction in the 1960s, the grape produces floral, full-bodied white wines with notes of pear, apple, and apricot. Who works with it? Seghesio Family Vineyards, Healdsburg. seghesio.com
Lagrein, Italy/Red: In 1370, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV sang the praises of this robust grape from Alto-Adige, which nearly disappeared in the 1970s. It produces hearty, deeply-hued wines with black cherry, blackberry, black pepper, and fresh acidity. Who works with it? Imagery Estate Winery, Glen Ellen. imagerywinery.com
Cabernet Pfeffer, France/Red: The origin of the Cabernet Pfeffer grape was shrouded in mystery until recent genetic analysis revealed it’s a variety also called Mourtaou. Exceedingly rare, the bright, peppery grape is now grown primarily in San Benito County. Who works with it? Bedrock Wine Company, Sonoma. bedrockwineco.com
French Colombard, France/White: A cross between Chenin Blanc and Gouais Blanc, French Colombard originated in southwest France, where it’s used primarily in Cognac and Armagnac. The fruit has bright acidity with nuances of tart green apple, melon, and peach with a hint of almond. Who works with it? Meadowcroft Wines, Sonoma. meadowcroftwines.com
Biancolella, Italy/White: Biancolella is grown primarily on the island of Ischia off Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where coastal influences and volcanic soils produce an aromatic wine with great minerality, ample acidity, and flavors of white stone fruit and almond. Who works with it? Unti Vineyards, Healdsburg. untinvineyards.com; Orsi Family Vineyards, Healdsburg. orsifamilyvineyards.com
Nerello Mascalese, Italy/Red: Commonly found on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Nerello Mascalese has been compared to Pinot Noir for its juicy, red fruit and vibrant acidity, with dried herbs and spice on the finish. Aeris Wines in Healdsburg is the first to grow this variety in California. Who works with it? Aeris Wines, Healdsburg. aeriswines.com
Malvasia Bianca, Italy/Greece/White: Believed to be of ancient Greek origin, Malvasia Bianca is part of a family of Malvasia grapes that have been grown in Italy since the Middle Ages. Used for sparkling, dry, and dessert wines, it is intensely floral with ripe tropical fruit notes, pear, and bright acidity. Who works with it? Edaphos by Ernest Vineyards, Windsor. edaphoswines.com
Saint Laurent, Austria/Red: Indigenous to Austria, Saint Laurent is a rare red variety potentially related to Pinot Noir. Ricci Vineyards in Los Carneros is believed to be the only commercial grower of the variety in the United States. It’s a dark, fruity wine with cherries, blackberries, and spice. Who works with it? Ricci Vineyards, Los Carneros. riccivineyards.com
Nero d’Avola, Italy/Red: The most widely planted grape in Sicily, Nero d’Avola is a droughttolerant, heat-loving grape with great potential in California. Deep in color, it is used to produce two wine styles: One is fresh and juicy with flavors of plum and red fruit; the other is dark and dense with notes of deep raspberry and cacao. Who works with it? Martha Stoumen, Sebastopol. marthastoumen.com
Ribolla Gialla, Italy/White: Ribolla Gialla is believed to have originated in the Friuli region of Italy, where it was first documented as early as 1289. In great decline post-phylloxera, the grape has seen a resurgence as winemakers embrace its bright acidity and flavors of citrus, peach, and apple. Who works with it? Preston Farm & Winery, Healdsburg. prestonofdrycreek.com
Rare Vineyards to Know
Red Ranch
Location: Alexander Valley | Variety: Saint Macaire | Size: 1/2 Acres
Saint-Macaire, an obscure red grape native to Bordeaux, is grown in just two spots in the United States, including this half-acre parcel at Hanna Winery in Alexander Valley. Planted from budwood sourced from O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery in Napa, the Saint-Macaire vines produce deeply dark fruit with firm tannins, high acid, and distinct aromas of Kalamata olive, sarsaparilla, and ginseng.
“The grapes are completely different than anything else I’ve come across,” says Hanna winemaker Jeff Hinchliffe, who planted the 600 vines in 2010. “Its color is completely off the charts and the high tannins almost remind me of a Petit Verdot.” Hinchliffe is also struck by how early Saint-Macaire ripens and its ability to retain acidity in the heat, an important consideration with a changing climate. He is planning to expand the planting in the future.
“It’s really unique because it doesn’t have any distinct fruit characters that are easy to pinpoint,” says Hinchliffe. “But it offers deliciousness with a different twist.”
Winemaker Matthew Niess of North American Press. (Rachel Bujalski)
The Winemaker
Matthew Niess, North American Press
With little resistance to a variety of pests, fungal diseases, temperature fluctuations, and drought, Vitis vinifera is a curious grape species to grow in North America. But all European grape varieties— from Albariño to Zinfandel—are Vitis vinifera, the most commonly cultivated grape species in the world. “There is so much diversity on the grape spectrum to play with,” says Matthew Niess, winemaker at North American Press, who works with native hybrids instead. “We have at least 20-30 native species in the United States alone. Why aren’t we making wine with these?”
When Niess set out to answer this question, he found no one to talk to. So he decided to start experimenting on his own. While an assistant winemaker at Radio-Coteau, he came across nearly an acre of Baco Noir, a hybrid of Vitis vinifera and Vitis riparia, an indigenous North American species. The owner let Niess manage the vineyard, and in 2020 he used the fruit to make 85 cases of a 100% Baco Noir wine he calls The Rebel.
“When people talk about disease-resistant fruit, this is what they’re talking about,” says Niess. “These vines evolved to grow well here, so they’re naturally disease resistant. I don’t have to spray them at all. Ever.”
Not only that, Niess discovered the naturally high acid content of Baco Noir meant he didn’t have to worry as much about balancing the high sugar levels that can come in a hot growing season.
Today, Niess owns an experimental vineyard in Dry Creek Valley planted to 40 grape varieties—all hybrids of traditional European Vitis vinifera and native North American species. “I think grape breeding is going to become much more important moving forward,” says Niess. “Beyond a shadow of a doubt, these hybrids are more robust, and many are drought tolerant. Overall, they’re going to be a more sustainable option.”
A color mutation of the red Trousseau grape from the Jura in eastern France, Trousseau Gris used to be more common in California, when it was often misidentified as Gray Riesling. Today, only two vineyards continue to cultivate this rare variety in California, including one in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Trousseau Gris is a light, refreshing wine with notes of summer peach, melon, and natural acidity.
Three to try:
Two Shepherds 2021 Trousseau Gris, Russian River Valley ($32)
Pax 2021 Trousseau Gris, Russian River Valley ($30)
Zeitgeist 2021 Trousseau Gris, Russian River Valley ($32)
Winemakers Jenny and Scott Schultz of Jolie-Laide Wines in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Scott and Jenny Schultz)
The Winemakers
Scott and Jenny Schultz, Jolie-Laide Wines, Healdsburg
Winemaker Scott Schultz was blown away when he discovered most wine drinkers limit themselves to just a handful of varietals. Originally from Chicago, where he worked at a number of high-end restaurants with diverse wine lists, he was taken aback by the monotony of many California wine drinkers.
“You wouldn’t listen to the exact same music every single day, or eat the same food, or drink the same drink,” he says. “Why limit yourself to just a few grapes? It’s a big wine world out there.”
At Jolie-Laide Wines in Healdsburg, Schultz and his wife and business partner, Jenny Schultz, focus on what they like to drink: fresh, minimally manipulated wines with grapes uncommon in the New World, like Trousseau Gris, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Cabernet Pfeffer, and Melon de Bourgogne.
Sourcing uncommon varieties can be like a game of hide and seek, and Scott and Jenny often find themselves traveling to small, far-away vineyards to obtain fruit. But maybe that’s part of the draw—it’s like a treasure hunt for winemakers.
“When we first started making these wines, many people looked at us sideways,” says Scott. “But we work hard to keep our wines tasting fresh and clean so that often appeals to people. For those who keep an open mind, they’re often pleasantly surprised when they try our wines. Now there are many people who like them.”
Grower Peter Fannuci specializes in Trousseau Gris. His family have been growing in Fulton for over 4 decades. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)Grower Peter Fannuci specializes in Trousseau Gris. His family have been growing in Fulton for over 4 decades. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Rare Vineyards to Know
Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard
Location: Russian River Valley | Variety: Trousseau Gris | Size: 10 acres
Peter Fanucchi’s Trousseau Gris vineyard is highly prized among a select few Sonoma County winemakers who are lucky enough to call dibs on the only significant planting in the United States. Native to the Jura region of eastern France, Trousseau Gris is a color mutation of Trousseau Noir, which produces clusters in a rainbow of hues: midnight purple, mottled lime green, orange red, and dusty plum. And unlike other varieties, macerating the juice on its skins doesn’t make a rosé.
But for Sonoma winemakers like Pax Mahle, William Allen of Two Shepherds, Mark Porembski of Zeitgeist Cellars, and Scott Schultz of Jolie- Laide, that’s a moot point. Each is drawn to the rare varietal’s unique personality—a personality that each winemaker defines in his own way.
Planted in 1981 by Peter Fanucchi’s father, Arcangelo, the 10-acre Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard is now managed entirely by Peter. Yielding about 6 tons per acre, the highly coveted vines produce fruit for about 10 different winemakers who each clamor for their annual share.
“It’s getting harder and harder to be a small grower like me,” says Fanucchi, who also grows old-vine Zinfandel. “I’m the one driving the tractor and doing all the work. But I love working with nature, and with this size vineyard, I’m able to switch gears easily and do what nature demands.”
Grower Peter Fannuci specializes in Trousseau Gris. His family have been growing in Fulton for over 4 decades. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Uncommon Blends
Some rare grape varieties find balance in the comfort of others. Some of our favorite rare-varietal blends:
Unti Vineyards 2021 Petite Rosé (Mourvedre, Fiano, Falanghina) $22, untivineyards.com
Rare Vines for Study
At Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm in the Russian River Valley, viticulture students work with 52 different rare grape varieties, from Catawba to Dolcetto to Muscat Orange, on the property’s 1-acre educational vineyard.
The Teaching Vineyard at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Spotlight on Aglianico
Aglianico is considered one of southern Italy’s most esteemed red grapes. Grown primarily in the regions of Campania and Basilicata, the dark red fruit produces a robust, savory wine with generous acidity that’s built for aging. Food pairings include rich meats like beef stew or game, pasta puttanesca, and roasted mushrooms.
Four to try:
Unti Vineyards 2018 Aglianico, Dry Creek Valley ($50)
Orsi Family 2018 Aglianico, Dry Creek Valley ($44)
Ryme 2021 Aglianico Rosé, Clarksburg ($26)
Sonoma County Wine Library
The Sonoma County Wine Library is a hidden gem for those seeking to expand their knowledge of rare grape varieties grown locally, with wine artifacts and over 5,000 specialty books, including one that dates to the 15th century.
Location: Dry Creek Valley | Variety: Falanghina | Size: Less than 1 acre
Indigenous to the Campania region of southern Italy, Falanghina is a white grape believed to have origins in ancient Rome, where it was used in a popular wine known as Falernian. While it’s extremely rare outside Italy, Falanghina is well suited to the warm, dry climate of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, which is where Dick Handal and Lisa Denier planted it in 2011. Handal had spent a lot of time in Italy and yearned to plant an Italian varietal in his home vineyard. He’d always enjoyed the bright acid and full flavor of Falanghina and thought it could handle the hot climate of western Dry Creek.
“I initially struggled to figure out how the vines wanted to be trellised and pruned,” says Handal, who sourced the budwood from UC Davis’s Foundation Plant Services. “But it was a great learning experience and well worth it. It’s an extremely rare variety that thrives in the heat and grows huge clusters and a vigorous canopy that helps prevent sunburn.”
In 2016, the winemakers at Arnot-Roberts began working with Dick Handal’s Falanghina, resulting in a wine with surprisingly fresh, bright acidity given the hot climate. Recently, the Handal-Denier vineyard was sold to new owners, who have renamed the location Juice Beauty Farm, and say they’re excited to continue to explore the potential of this antique variety now gaining all sorts of new fans.
Ryme Cellars in Forestville. (Courtesy of Ryme Cellars)
The Winemakers
Ryan and Megan Glaab, Ryme Cellars
When an unexpected ton of Aglianico grapes became available in 2007, winemakers Megan and Ryan Glaab jumped at the chance to work with the uncommon Italian variety.
“We had no idea what we were doing at the time,” says Megan Glaab, who runs Ryme Cellars with her husband, Ryan. “But we’ve always been drawn to southern Italian varieties like Aglianico. It has such a compelling structure, with spice, dark fruit, and acid that holds its integrity in the heat. It’s what we like to drink.”
That Aglianico would become the catalyst for the launch of Ryme Cellars, a Sonoma County winery that focuses primarily on Italian varieties uncommon in California, like Vermentino, Fiano, and Ribolla Gialla.
“There are at least 600 Italian grape varieties, and I find it very exciting to learn and explore a new flavor profile,” says Megan. “In the tasting room, we commonly host guests who want to try something new. I think people get sick of tasting the same wines all the time.”
Megan Glaab says she’s witnessed a big push among winemakers who want to work with less common wine grapes and hopes to see plantings continue to diversify.
“The variety makes Sonoma County even more interesting,” she says. “And as the planet warms up, it would be really nice to have new grapes to explore.”
Ryme Cellars, 6450 First St., Forestville. 707-820-8121, rymecellars.com
What’s Old Is New
The Mission Grape
The Mission grape was the first cultivated European species in North America, where it was brought to Mexico from Spain during the 16th century. About 200 years later, it was introduced to California by Spanish missionaries who used the hardy, drought-resistant grape to make sacramental wine.
While only 400 acres of Mission remain planted today, the grape has begun a quiet resurgence as consumers and winemakers continue to look to heritage grapes for something “new.” In Sonoma County, Scribe produces two Mission wines: a still and a sparkling, both served lightly chilled.
Scribe Winery in Sonoma produces two Mission wines: a still and a sparkling, both served lightly chilled.
Spotlight on Valdiguié
In 1980, DNA testing revealed the “Napa Gamay” growing in California was actually Valdiguié, a red grape once cultivated extensively in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. With bright red fruit and healthy acidity, Valdiguié is often vinified into rosé or fresh, Beaujolais-style wines that are served with a slight chill. That said, wines of greater concentration exist, too.
Three to try:
Joseph Swan 2019 Valdiguié, Sonoma County ($30)
Martha Stoumen 2019 Collaboration Valdiguié, Mendocino County ($45)
Cruse Wine Co. 2020 Monkey Jacket, North Coast ($25)
An Answer to Climate Change?
As weather patterns become more unpredictable and the climate continues to warm, a growing number of California winemakers believe untried, hybrid, and indigenous grape varieties could be the answer. Winemaker Sam Bilbro of Idlewild Wines is working with certain Piedmontese varieties that need less water, like Aglianico and Sagrantino, as well as others that maintain acid during a hot growing season, like Barbera, Arneis, and Fiano.
“Fiano can hold acid better than any Chardonnay can,” says Bilbro. “If it comes in with acidity, you don’t have to manipulate it as much in the cellar.” He also finds some Italian varieties have lower mildew and farming pressure, which means there is less need for spraying.
“More weather variability is coming,” says Bilbro. “We need to be planting grapes that allow us to work with nature rather than against it.”
Winemaker Vanessa Wong heads out to the vineyards to check on ripening, a daily chore at harvest. (Kim Carroll)
“Organization is most of this job; cleaning is the other half,” jokes winemaker Vanessa Wong of Peay Vineyards. Her office exposes the truth: There are stacks of thick binders with meticulously coded tabs, color-patterned charts, and towers of sticky notes and logbooks tracking the infinite, minute details of winemaking, from press fractions to punchdown schedules to fermentation temperatures.
One binder focuses on the ripening status of what seems like every cluster of the fog-enshrouded, 53-acre hilltop estate vineyards in Annapolis, 4 miles from the coast, which she manages with her husband, Peay winegrower Nick Peay. A separate log details intricate daily sanitation schedules—everything from scrubbing floors to sanitizing empty tanks and steaming barrels—at their boutique winery in Cloverdale.
Vanessa Wong and Nick Peay of Peay Vineyards. (Kim Carroll)The Wong-Peay home in Healdsburg. (Kim Carroll)
Now in her 35th vintage, the Healdsburg resident says such obsessiveness is simply a way of life. They are lessons she’s learned through a storied career, including stints at Peter Michael Winery in Calistoga and France’s Château Lafite-Rothschild. Her signature wines—elegant, aromatic Pinot Noir (her goal, she says, is to make it “hedonistically pleasing”) and Chardonnay that sings with beautiful citrus and mineral notes—attest to the rigor of her daily practice.
Running a tight ship is absolutely necessary to survive the grueling time that is harvest season, she insists. “Nick and I work together, and I told him, if you calculate it, for the time harvest takes you away from your kids, every six years, you miss out on a year of your child’s life,” she says of their two children. “It’s like being in the military.”
5:45 A.M.
Wake up. Coffee!
6 A.M.
I leave home to make the hour-and-a-half drive over Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road to our vineyards. I visit every day to take cluster samples and taste the grapes from each block, making audio notes on my phone. Nick usually leaves with a load of fruit while I’m there, and I’ll call the winery to let them know how much is coming and where to put it.
11 A.M.
I drive back to the winery, wishing there was a human drone to pick me up. It’s such a winding, skinny road to the Sonoma Coast.
12:30 P.M.
I process grape samples, do all my analyses, taste the juice, transcribe my vineyard notes, log all the data. Then I study the weather and historical forecast, calculate grape tonnage, and review my Brix charts. I always tell our crew, ‘Don’t ask me what we’re picking tomorrow before 2 o’clock,’ because it will make me grumpy. And then I taste through the fermentation samples and check all of our tanks for temperatures and cap management.
3 P.M.
I get to eat! I don’t like eating anything before tasting grapes and juice. I pack two sandwiches— very plain, like bread and tomatoes.
3:30 P.M.
I establish our crew’s work orders for the next day and go through the tasks on my master list all over again. Sometimes it takes forever; all the little things add up to so much time. In between, I check on my kids, to make sure they’re not eating junk food and playing video games all day.
6 P.M.
I have dinner, maybe with Nick if he is there. Or sometimes I have to go back to the vineyards, where the main hazards are wildlife and logging trucks on the road at twilight, when I’m so super-tired.
7 P.M.
I triple-check my list and plan out the next day. We need to know which grapes are coming in so we can hand-sort the clusters on a conveyor to get out the leaves, stems, and shriveled grapes. And we need to know how much red or white we’re getting, because each has a different press process. We are very gentle with our grapes, because we don’t like how machines can abuse the beautiful fruit we so carefully grew.
10 P.M.
I go home and try to shut off my brain. Harvest usually lasts 8 to 10 weeks. I do not get a single day off. Both Nick and I are gone about 100 hours a week. (Wong points to a note pinned to her wall, written in a child’s scrawl.) “Hi Mom! Have a good sleep,” it reads. “What is it like out at the winery? Is it hard? Thank you for working hard.”
Peay Vineyards
Winemaker Vanessa Wong and her husband, winegrower Nick Peay, make Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Voignier, and more from estate fruit grown in the newly-designated West Sonoma Coast AVA, the 19th AVA in Sonoma County. They also source Pinot Noir from the famous Savoy Vineyard in the Anderson Valley. Their second label, Cep, offers excellent value Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from other local vineyards. Tastings are offered daily at the winery in Cloverdale, and current releases are available at the winery or through the website.
The Bannister Wines tasting room in Geyserville on Thursday, October 6, 2022. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Amodern boho design studio is how some might describe the chic tasting room at Bannister Wines in downtown Geyserville.
Opened in May, the tasting lounge and art gallery is the first brick-and-mortar location for the brand founded by Marty Bannister in 1989. It’s now run by her son, winemaker Brook Bannister.
“We’d never been at a point in our lives where it made sense to open a tasting room,” Brook said. “But during COVID-19, it was a lot more difficult to do private tastings, and our restaurant sales were suffering. Now, I just want to get my wines in front of people.”
Bannister Wines Ribolla Gialla in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Winemaker Brook Bannister pours wine at the Bannister Wines tasting room in Geyserville. (Bannister Wines)
Located in the historic Geyserville Bank building, which was built in 1901, the tasting room retains some architectural elements from the bank, including antique teller cages from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco and an impressive steel vault — now a retail space for handmade jewelry.
Despite the traditional character of these historic pieces, the tasting room feels fresh and airy, with handmade lamps that resemble broken eggshells, striking textiles from Serbia and handcrafted wood furniture, including a table fashioned from a madrone tree salvaged from Fitch Mountain. It’s eclectic, yet orderly, a marriage that hints at the wine to come.
Surprisingly, the tasting room wasn’t outfitted by an exclusive interior decorator but by Brook and his wife, Morgania Moore. Brook, it turns out, is a former furniture designer and builder, while Moore is an artist, jewelry designer and interior decorator.
“I understood design from a very early age,” Brook said. “Morgania is a talented artist with an amazing eye. Design has always played a significant role in our lives, so we decided to create the tasting room together. It’s really our way to combine our love of art with my winemaking into one broad vision.”
A variety of artists, primarily from California, showcase their work in the space on a rotating basis, with Ojai/Oakland-based artist Joslyn Lawrence scheduled through 2022. Early next year, work from Guerneville artist Laine Justice will be featured.
A corkscrew on display at Bannister Wines tasting room in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The backstory
Marty Bannister launched Bannister Wines in 1989 after cofounding Vinquiry with famed enologist and winemaker MaryAnn Graf in 1979.
Located in Healdsburg, Vinquiry was one of the first independent wine laboratories to provide wine analysis and technical advice to small local wineries.
At Vinquiry, Marty became increasingly interested in the science of wine yeast. Different yeasts can affect the rate of fermentation as well as the color and aromatics of a wine. This intrigued Marty, and she began isolating and growing wild yeast strains.
“When I was a kid, my mom built a homemade incubator inside a refrigerator,” Brook said. “Every time I opened the fridge, it would be full of petri dishes growing yeast, which she would give to winemakers to inoculate their grapes. Eventually, she figured out how to produce and sell the yeast on a larger scale. My mom was able to isolate some really unique local yeast strains.”
In 2015, Marty and Brook isolated a native (meaning it can only be found in a certain place) yeast at the remote Campbell Ranch Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, where Bannister sources pinot noir. Today, the yeast is sold by a lab, and proceeds benefit the Sonoma County Wine Library and Alliance Medical, which serves farm laborers.
A lamp designed by Mogania E. Moore, creative director and curator, at Bannister Wines tasting room in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Brook at Bannister
Yeast biology is something Brook keeps front of mind at Bannister Wines, where he took the reins of the brand and winemaking in 2016.
Like his mother, he focuses on Sonoma Coast pinot noir and chardonnay, but he has expanded into other varietals like riesling, sagrantino and ribolla gialla.
During harvest, Brook will separate the same lot of grapes into individual fermenters, then inoculate each batch with a different yeast strain. Sometimes, a single pick of grapes will be fermented with up to five yeasts.
“Different yeasts can add complexity and aromatic expression to a wine,” Brook said. “Where the fruit comes from and how it’s farmed has a greater impact on the wine in your glass, but yeast is a fun thing to play around with.”
The large bank vault door is still in place at Bannister Wines tasting room in Geyserville. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Creative challenge
At Bannister, Brook’s wines teeter between traditional and unconventional, and it’s clear the winemaker doesn’t want to be boxed into a particular style.
Here you’ll find Bannister wines such as Sonoma Coast pinot noir, Alexander Valley chardonnay and a zinfandel from Saini Farms in Dry Creek Valley. But you’ll also find a skin-fermented riesling; scheurebe (a rare riesling hybrid); and an orange, skin-fermented ribolla gialla.
“I always need a creative challenge, which is why I like experimenting with these unique, oddball varietals and adding them to our traditional lineup,” Brook said. “Sometimes there is pressure by marketers to categorize yourself as certain kind of winemaker. But that’s not me.”
Brook said he’s been surprised to see how well his rare varietal wines have sold in the marketplace. He attributes that in part to “a market saturated with pinot noir.” He believes consumers are eager to try new things.
“I don’t want to be a traditional pinot noir house or a cabernet house,” he said. “We live in a part of the world where people can make whatever wine they want. There are no rules here. I might as well do a bunch of fun stuff and see what happens.”
John Fitch and Stacie Rodriguez, both of Santa Rosa, fill out their answers to trivia questions during trivia night presented by North Bay Trivia at Golden State Cider Taproom, Thursday, October 13, 2022, in Sebastopol. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)
Almost every day of the week in Sonoma County, there is a trivia night somewhere. The Barlow marketplace in Sebastopol has two of them. Local bars like HopMonk and Brewster’s seem made for trivia nights, which each hosts weekly. And you don’t need to be an expert on random facts just yet to join in. Flagship Taproom in Cotati has a beginner-friendly trivia night. Here are a few favorite trivia nights.
Golden State Cider Taproom
Golden State Cider Taproom in Sebastopol’s Barlow holds a trivia night from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday. People 21 and older are invited to compete in teams of two to six for a chance to win gift cards or even a 64-ounce growler of cider. The trivia host generally runs through six rounds of questions, and each round has an amusing theme, such as pop culture of a specific generation. Take a seat at a high-top table inside or at a fire pit or picnic table on the dog-friendly patio. Participation is free.
Also in The Barlow is Crooked Goat Brewing Co., which hosts trivia nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every other Tuesday, with free admission. This trivia night lets participants compete solo or play with a team. Crooked Goat describes the questions as “classic pub trivia,” inviting to a wide audience. Find their calendar online at crookedgoatbrewing.com to see when the next trivia night will be held.
From left, Pierce Neitzke, and Lauren Holt, both of Austin, Texas, answer trivia questions during trivia night presented by North Bay Trivia at Golden State Cider Taproom in Sebastopol. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
HopMonk Tavern
Looking for a family-friendly trivia night? HopMonk Tavern in Sonoma hosts trivia nights from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday. Grab a bite and settle in with your friends and family while you test your knowledge. The top three teams win prizes for their skills. Arriving a bit early is recommended, as the event is popular and seats can fill up quickly.
Venture over to Fogbelt Brewery in Santa Rosa for their Tuesday Trivia Nights. Starting at 7 p.m., get settled in on their dog-friendly patio or inside the taproom for a chance to compete. Grab a bite or a brew and test your skill at their standard trivia questions. They hold four rounds with varying categories, so there can be a little something for everyone.
Fogbelt Brewery, 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3400, fogbeltbrewing.com
Coyote Sonoma
In Healdsburg, Coyote Sonoma holds trivia night from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. These trivia nights get a little more specific, with rotating themes that target topics with large fandoms, such as “Stranger Things.” Participants are invited to embrace the theme and even dress up if they’d like. The trivia questions are family- and beginner-friendly. No reservations are required, but tables are first come, first served.
Visit the Cooperage Brewing Co. tasting room in Santa Rosa for their weekly trivia, one of the many events that they host. At 6 p.m. every Tuesday, adults 21 years or older can give their competitive side a go. The company Qualifornia Entertainment hosts this one, and the main host, Kris Bartolome, is friendly and engaging. The Cooperage Trivia Night is great for adults who are interested in classic trivia.
Cooperage Brewing Co., 981 Airway Court, Suite G, Santa Rosa, 707-293-9787, cooperagebrewing.com
Victory House
Victory House, located inside Santa Rosa’s Epicenter, also holds a trivia night hosted by the witty Bartolome. Among the many gaming activities at Victory House, the trivia night takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and lets participants challenge themselves in classic trivia. Bring your A game and a friend to put your knowledge to the test.
Fans of beer and trivia fill the seats on a Wednesday night at Parliament Brewing Company in Rohnert Park. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Mary’s Pizza Shack
Local pizza chain Mary’s Pizza Shack hosts a trivia night every Monday at their Rohnert Park location. Starting at 7:30 p.m., all ages are invited and encouraged to play along in this DJ trivia night. Their trivia style is very traditional, making it suitable for the whole family. And arguably, nothing goes together better than pizza and some friendly competition.
Sonoma County is home to many great beer gardens, but one in particular has been a standout over the years: Brewsters Beer Garden. Among their weekly scheduled activities is a trivia night from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Not only is this event free and open to all ages, Brewsters also offers food and drink specials including discounted house drafts and half off their popular poutine. And there are prizes for winning.
Tap in to your themed-trivia knowledge and test your skills over bites and beer at Flagship Taproom in Cotati from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday. A recent theme in the spirit of October was horror-movie-themed trivia, but each week has a new theme. This beginner-friendly trivia night is low-stakes but lots of fun.
Take team trivia to the next level at Parliament Brewing Co. in Rohnert Park with their eight-week trivia tournament. From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, gather a team of six to compete in this fiery contest. You can miss a week or two of the tournament and still be in the running for the grand prize of a “kegerator.” The trivia is family-friendly, but any children over the age of 12 are considered to be an official teammate. Additional prizes are awarded weekly to winners, compliments of Tacos San Juan food truck.
Parliament Brewing Co., 5865 Labath Ave., Suite 9, 707-776-6779, parliamentbrewing.com
Pepperoni pizza with jalapeño at Hazel in Occidental. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Founded in 1857, Occidental is one of a handful of Sonoma County outposts that remains mostly untouched by time, influencers, or wine magnates. But there’s a thriving food scene here, where a classic Negroni and grandma-style ravioli are just steps away from small-batch natural wines and Hawaiian smoked pork bowls with kimchi mayo. Go hungry because you’ll find something delicious from breakfast to dinner. Here’s the scoop on our favorite spots. Click through the above gallery for details.
Dancers with Windsor Bloco participate in the Dia de los Muertos procession in Petaluma on Saturday, October 29, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, begins Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 2. The holiday originated in Mexico and honors loved ones who have died. It brings people together through cultural traditions such as the creation of ofrendas, or altars, adorned with photographs, sugar skulls, candles, flowers, pan de muerto (a Mexican sweet bread) and more.
Sonoma County will celebrate Día de los Muertos with a variety of events in October and November, from art exhibitions and sugar skull workshops to live mariachi music and folklorico dance performances.
Ongoing — Art Escape altar building kit: The Sonoma art studio Art Escape is selling altar-building kits for $30, while supplies last. They include traditional items, such as cigar boxes, skeletons and tea lights, that allow people to create and decorate their own mini-ofrendas. Kits can be purchased online and picked up at the studio. 17474 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-938-5551, artescapesonoma.com/product/dia-de-los-muertos-altar-kit
Oct. 29 — Pan de muerto and paper flower making: The Sonoma Community Center’s art and culinary departments will host two family classes just in time for Diá de los Muertos. From 11 to noon, learn how to make pan de muerto, the Mexican sweet bread used as an offering on altars. From 12:30 to 1 p.m., learn about the significance of flowers on altars and how to create beautiful paper flowers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are offered on a sliding scale, from $10 to $75. Room 110 and Rotary Kitchen, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-938-4626, sonomacommunitycenter.org/events
Oct. 29 — Hanna Center Community Night: The Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma will host an outdoor screening of the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie “Coco.” The movie tells the story of 12-year-old Miguel, who, despite his family’s ban on music, dreams of becoming a musician. On Diá de los Muertos, Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead, where he meets sugar-skull skeletons and his deceased great-great-grandfather, a musician. The two embark on a journey to discover Miguel’s family’s history and reverse its ban on music. This event is free and family-friendly. Register here: bit.ly/3CQnKQQ. 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-996-6767, hannacenter.org
Miriam Rivera, 30, attends Windsor’s Día de los Muertos event, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Oct. 29 — Regrowing Our Roots: Windsor will host its annual Diá de los Muertos celebration on the Town Green from 4 to 8:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Regrowing Our Roots.” Vendors will be selling fry bread, tacos, tamales, churros and other food, as well as treats, toys and goods handcrafted by local artisans. Children’s activities will include face painting and workshops on sugar skulls and stretch bracelets. A low-rider car show starts at 4 p.m. Starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be live mariachi music and performances by Sonoma County Pomo Dancers; Danza Xantotl, a Mexican indigenous dance group; and Ballet del Valle, a folklorico dance troupe (bring comfortable chairs). This event is free and family-friendly. Park 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, diademuertoswindsor.org/2022events
Oct. 29 — Halloween Carnival: Rohnert Park’s Halloween Carnival and Día De Los Muertos Celebration has fun activities for the whole family. The free event will take place at the Rohnert Park Community Center Complex from noon to 5 p.m., with exotic animals, a hypnotist show, carnival games, live performances, a haunted maze, community altars and more. Presented by the city of Rohnert Park and the Latino Alliance and Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District Outdoor Education Program. No registration or tickets required. 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, 707-588-2226, bit.ly/3euldSV
Oct. 30 — Friends of Monte Rio annual Dia de los Muertos celebration: From 2 to 5 p.m., the Friends of Monte Rio will serve homemade tamales and traditional Mexican snacks at the Monte Rio Community Center. There will be live music by Cumbia Corazón and an ofrenda to honor deceased members of the community. Costumes are encouraged. No tickets are required for this free event. To learn more, contact Fran at fran@friendsofmonterio.org. 20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio, friendsofmonterio.org
Oct. 30 — Día de los Muertos Healdsburg: From noon to 6 p.m., the Healdsburg community will come together at the Healdsburg Plaza to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Friendly to all ages, this event will include live music, dance performances, a car show, food vendors and activities for kids. This event is co-sponsored by the city of Healdsburg in partnership with Corazón Healdsburg and is alcohol-free. For more information, visit ci.healdsburg.ca.us/911/Dia-De-Muertos. Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street, Healdsburg.
Calaveras ornamentales decoran el altar del Día de los Muertos creado por el artista Peter Pérez en su casa en Santa Rosa el jueves 22 de octubre de 2020 (Foto: Alvin A.H. Jornada / The Press Democrat)Artist Peter Perez sits beside a painting he created of the Saint of Death, at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on Thursday, October 22, 2020. (Alvin A.H. Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Through Nov. 1 — The Vibe: The Vibe gallery in Petaluma will show works by local artist Peter Perez, who has “explored the life of the dead” in solo shows and altar exhibitions throughout California. His paintings on canvas, with his take on Diá de los Muertos, have been part of an ongoing project for more than two decades. The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday; noon to 6 p.m. Thursday; and noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-789-7886, vibegallerypetaluma.com
Through Nov. 6 — Museum of Sonoma County: Through Nov. 6, the Museum of Sonoma County presents its Diá de los Muertos exhibition, which includes large-scale installations by artists Peter Perez and Martin Zúñiga, as well as altars created by local organizations and artists such as Mario Uribe, Scott Braun and Tracy Ferron. Adult admission is $10, senior admission is $7 and children 12 and under are free. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-1500, museumsc.org
Nov. 10 — “Hasta la Muerta,” a Day of the Dead Celebration: Make your way to the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park for a Day of the Dead celebration hosted by Las Cafeteras. The Chicano band from East Los Angeles will present their new production, “Hasta la Muerta,” a “passionate, multidimensional performance” that combines traditional folklorico dance with interpretations of classical songs and altars for viewing. Singer-songwriter Lupita Infante will join the band on stage as well. Infante performs mariachi, norteño and ranchera music. Tickets are $25-$75 and are available to buy in person at the Weill Hall box office or online at the Green Music Center ticketing page: bit.ly/3elknI8. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-664-4246, gmc.sonoma.edu/hastalamuerte
Poolside dining at Lazeaway Club at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Flamingo Resort)
The beachy-fun Lazeaway Club at Santa Rosa’s revamped Flamingo Resort has a new chef at the helm.
Chris Ricketts, who helped launch several notable San Francisco restaurants and is an alumni of the Michelin-starred Lord Stanley, has taken the reins at the Cal-Pacific poolside eatery.
After heading culinary programs for Twitch and Pinterest, Ricketts was ready to return to his roots in fine dining. He already had a connection to the Flamingo, as a longtime friend of and chef for Flamingo owners Benson Wang and Anderson Pugash at their Dorian and Palm House restaurants in San Francisco.
Bibimbap at Lazeaway Club at Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Flamingo Resort)Wayfarer at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Flamingo Resort)
The Lazeaway menu has seen a few changes under Ricketts, who has added a luxurious Seared Salmon ($32) with Shimeji mushrooms, roasted Brussels sprouts and a creamy broth of coconut milk and lemongrass; and Loco Moco, inspired by his visits to Hawaii, for brunch ($18). The carb-heavy dish features a ground beef patty atop a bed of coconut rice, over-easy egg, umami-loaded brown gravy and homemade chile crisp.
Ricketts also has updated the family-size bibimbap, a stone bowl filled with crisp coconut rice, grilled short ribs, kimchi, veggies, fried egg and a sweet gochujang sauce ($26).
Scallion pancakes with a trio of dips at Lazeaway Club at Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Flamingo Resort)
Don’t miss the Scallion Pancakes ($14) with a trio of dips including avocado sesame, soy chile and the craveable pimento kim-cheese. The Ahi Poke ($18) also has received an upgrade, with sushi-grade tuna, a tart sesame ponzu sauce, pickled wakame, sweet onion and taro crisps.
Open for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; brunch 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and dinner starting at 5 p.m. daily. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
