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
The northernmost city in the Bay Area, Cloverdale is home to less than 9,000 residents. But those who frequent its small downtown know it offers some excellent restaurants.
This is a place to enjoy a great meal in an old-school setting; while much of Sonoma County is becoming increasingly modern, Cloverdale, settled in 1859, has retained its rural charm. Nestled between oak-studded hills and sprawling vineyards, it is surrounded by quaint farms, small wineries and bucolic parks.
Here are five restaurants to try on your next visit. Click through the above gallery for best dishes.
El Milagro Cocina Mexicana
Chef de Cuisine Julio Vasquez tempts with “la cocina de la abuelita” (grandma’s cooking) and specialties like guisados (stews, braised dishes and stir-fries), nopales (cactus) enchiladas, and pescado del día smothered in zesty garlic sauce.
Try the Mexico City style street tacos in flavors like spicy mole verde dotted with pipián squash, and dig into daily specials such as “tacos de nada” from Hermosillo, Sonora – the crispy bundles are stuffed with goodies like potato, beans, chorizo, chicken and Oaxacan cheese.
Set in the historic Owl building, the festive space offers a spacious garden patio, as well.
Steak tacos at El Milagro in Cloverdale. (Ana M./Yelp)
Plank Coffee
The organic coffees and teas are premium, and there’s more to explore at this boho-chic, wood trimmed café. Plan on a vegan-vegetarian breakfast or early lunch, with fancy belly fillers like the mouthwatering Parisian with two fluffy organic eggs, gooey cheddar, avocado and heirloom tomato on a buttery croissant.
A fresh-made Healdsburg Bagel Company bagel comes topped with eggs, melted sharp cheddar, Beyond meat “sausage” and spicy mayo, while a toasted Village Bakery roll arrives stuffed with melty provolone, Duncan’s amazing cremini mushrooms sautéed with garlic, onion, tamari, Bragg’s liquid aminos and fresh thyme, all crowned in braised local greens.
And yep, during the fall season, you can sip a killer pumpkin spice latte, crafted with housemade organic pumpkin plus a double shot of house-roasted Pine Mountain espresso.
227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187, plankcoffee.com.
Piacére Ristorante Italiano
It takes a lot of work to keep customers coming back for 22 years. That’s what Piacére owners José and Mary Pelayo have accomplished with this intimate, old-school Italian trattoria. How old fashioned? Entrees include complimentary bread, plus soup or salad.
But there’s much more than spaghetti here. Go for the enormous yet delicate shiitake ravioli bathed in a silky pesto cream sauce, or the chicken Veneziana, the tender breast napped in a light marsala sauce with tangy artichoke and mushrooms for a creamy, meaty, comforting meal.
Don’t miss the from-scratch desserts — traditional tiramisu impresses with real, ground espresso beans.
504 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-0885, piacereristorante.com.
Mixed Tropical Seafood Cocktail from owner/chef José Pelayo of Piacere Italian Steak & Seafood in Cloverdale. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat).
Tian Yuen
Although the Bay Area is famous for its Asian cuisine, it can be hard to find delectable Asian dishes in far northwest Sonoma County. Cloverdale’s KS Tian Yuen comes to the rescue, with the flavors of China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan.
The casual spot is popular for takeout, but owners Ming Cheng Kuo and Mei Jung Shih put lots of love into signature dishes like sensationally sour seafood-mushroom tom yum soup; succulent beef and eggplant glistening in green curry; and ginger shrimp tossed with onion, carrot, celery, water chestnut, and zucchini and tree fungus (wood ear mushrooms).
If you’ve never had squid hot basil before, dig in — it translates to chewy-savory calamari tumbled with garlic, onion, red pepper, green pepper, mushrooms and fresh basil — and is entirely delicious.
The red curry with chicken is served at Tian Yuen restaurant in Cloverdale. (Conner Jay/The Press Democrat)Appetizer at Wolf House Brewing in Cloverdale. (Courtesy of Wolf House Brewing)
Wolf House Brewing
A patio/beer garden and live music adds extra appeal to this spot for craft beers brewed onsite, plus pub food favorites. The rotating, seasonal suds get the party started with creations like a Therapy Session IPA (hoppy, floral, earthy, citrusy, piney, fruity and bitter) or a Burning Daylight lager/Pilsner (crisp, with a creamy finish).
Naturally, there are pretzels with beer cheese dip, chicken wings with all kinds of sauces, including the “face melter,” and a lavish steak-n-cheese sandwich loaded with thinly sliced sirloin, mozzarella, provolone, grilled peppers, onions, lettuce and mayo. Note: the gorgeous sausages are from Healdsburg’s boutique Journeyman.
Kim Kardashian poses for photographers as she arrives to the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 30, 2022. Kardashian visited Healdsburg last week. Click through the gallery for photos. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner made an express visit to Sonoma County last week, according to Business Insider. The mother-daughter team joined Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon on stage at the investment banking firm’s annual Builders and Innovators Summit, held this year at the luxury resort Montage Healdsburg, the financial and business news website reported.
“For more than a decade, our Builders and Innovators Summit has been where exceptional entrepreneurs meet to take their businesses to the next level,” read a statement on the Goldman Sachs website.
Kardashian, who rose to fame alongside her family while starring in the reality TV show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” has continued to build her business empire by launching a series of companies within the beauty and fashion industries. Among her most recent business ventures is a private equity firm, Skky Partners, which she launched in September with co-founder Jay Sammons, a former executive at the private equity firm Carlyle Group.
Kardashian has leveraged the power of social media to promote her business ventures and to publicize products that she has been paid to endorse to her hundreds of millions of followers. This month, however, the reality TV star and social media influencer agreed to pay U.S. regulators $1.26 million to settle charges for failing to disclose that she was paid $250,000 to promote cryptocurrency token EthereumMax on her Instagram page.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner at the 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala held at the LACMA in Los Angeles, USA on November 4, 2017. (Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com)
Jenner, the CEO of Jenner Communications, spoke at the Goldman Sachs conference in 2020, when she discussed such topics as “growing her family’s brand into a business” and “trends shaping consumerism.”
Since opening in January last year, Montage Healdsburg has welcomed several celebrities, including pop star Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The hotel was named among the top hotels in Northern California by Condé Nast Traveler earlier this month.
Montage Healdsburg charges from $15,000 per night for its largest accommodation, the 4,600-square-foot Guest House. The hotel’s “The Sky’s the Limit” package, which includes private jet flights from anywhere in the United States, is $95,000.
Click through the above gallery for photos of the luxury hotel. Find more favorite celebrity spots in Sonoma County here.
When tech entrepreneur Mukesh Patel and his wife, Harsha Patel, purchased a home on a working farm in Sonoma, they had two main goals for the renovation: to be immersed in nature and to have indoor space to host family badminton games. They turned to Marin county architect Christie Tyreus, who designed a home with both these elements, creating a modern farmhouse aesthetic all its own.
Mukesh Patel wanted “a see-through house,” said Tyreus. “He wanted to feel like (he’s) in the vineyard.” This required replacing several of the walls with moveable 9-foot glass walls, which, according to Tyreus, is not just an engineering feat but also drastically reduces storage. Tyreus Design Studio solved this problem by adding built-in storage on the home’s remaining walls.
The glass walls afford each room a view of the surrounding landscape — you can watch the sun rise over fields from the east side of the home, or take in views of vineyards from the open kitchen, shaded by a tree.
The Patels are lovers of modern design but didn’t want their home to “stand out, or be out of context,” explained Tyreus. Instead, they wanted to “acknowledge the farm setting and agrarian tradition.” As a result, a modern flat roof was ruled out. Tyreus’s team kept the gabled shape and removed the eaves from the roof of the original home, which hadn’t been changed in 50 years.
The moveable glass walls are made by Vitrocsa and are noted for engineering that allows them to be oversized with narrow trims while remaining structurally sound. The siding is a stained blonde Accoya wood — an acetylene-treated pine known for its durability. It covers the entire exterior in vertical two-by-six boards and the color blends with the golden hue that the surrounding hills take on from early summer. A gray standing-seam metal roof provides fire resistance and contrasts with the otherwise warm-colored dwelling.
Interior design elements include oak wood floors, Neolith sintered stone countertops, and hand-troweled plaster in the bathrooms.
The badminton court is housed in the “event barn,” a cavernous space created from a dilapidated barn on the property. The interior has been painted slate – a stunning choice of color that had a pragmatic origin: to blend the exposed ductwork on the ceiling. Another wall of windows opens up this playing space toward the outdoors.
This true indoor-outdoor space has already been the site of a couple of weddings for family and friends. It includes a “centipede bar,” which is built in modules that can be taken apart, moved outside and reassembled.
Near the home, a traditional barn still stands and houses the equipment needed to run the farm. The working farm produces crops of vegetables for esteemed restaurants like Chez Panisse, Quince and Cotogna.
The Patels have developed their own interest in farming since making Sonoma their home. On weekends, they can be found working in and learning about the gardens. Click through the above gallery to see photos of their home.
A circa-1912 home near downtown Petaluma has hit the market. Listed for $924,000, the 1100-square-feet, three-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling has plenty of century-old charm — how about a turreted sitting room, to start?
Outside the home, a stained wood fence — a modern update to the white picket fence — encloses a pretty front yard with dark bark, seating around a fire pit, and angular plants that pop green against the home’s iron ore-colored exterior.
A small front porch offers enough room for a bench from which the homeowner can do quaint things of the past, like waving to the neighbors. Design details, like a shiny brass mailbox and a teal-colored door, help complete the old-school look.
The interior of the home has been painted a bright white—Benjamin Moore’s White Dove — while closet doors, shelving and a bench are a contrasting deep gray. Staging, by Jennifer Pezzolo of Pezzolo Designs, has enhanced the color scheme with subtle choices that have a striking impact. Textiles are in black, white and neutral tones, allowing the original architectural elements to shine: ornamental window mullions, arched doorways, coffered ceilings, and original molding and wainscoting.
The kitchen has been outfitted with practical butcher block countertops. Modern light fixtures, like a Sputnik chandelier in gold and a wicker shade, provide pleasing warmth and contrast well with the overall design scheme.
In the backyard, outdoor furniture in wood and wicker give a clean and natural look. Mature redwoods create a sweet, nestled-in feeling. Click through the above gallery to view photos of the home.
For more information on this property, contact listing agent Jenny Watson with Vanguard Sonoma, at 707-789-0400, 415-497-7676, jenny.watson@vanguardsonoma.com, or Jennifer Aument, 707-548-2011, vanguardsonoma.com
Farmer-florist Lennie Larkin says moving into agriculture as a second career was the answer to many questions in her life. “I’d never loved anything like I love flowers; I’d never been so fascinated,” she says. “The cultivation of flowers caused me to slow down and be in the moment more than any- thing I’d ever done. Talk about mindfulness.”
Larkin, who grows an acre of garden roses and other blooms at B-Side Farm in Petaluma, is just one of a group of farmer-florists changing the face of the local specialty cut-flower industry, an industry worth $4 million in 2020. Sonoma’s growers are leaders in advocating for the use of sustainably grown, local flowers—the so-called “farm-to-vase” movement.
Flower lovers, brides, and designers have buckets of options for high-quality blooms grown just a few miles away. “I don’t need a wholesale account at the flower market in San Francisco anymore,” explains Jennifer McClendon, a farmer-florist who creates elegant wedding arrangements at Sebastopol’s JenniFlora. “With the relationships I’ve made here locally, I can source everything I need.”
Lennie Larkin of B-Side Farm in Petaluma. (Eileen Roche)
Flowers from B-Side Farm in Petaluma. (Eileen Roche)
Sonoma’s farmer-florists are expanding the range of blooms they grow, creating new avenues to support each other’s small businesses. And they are seeing real change in the inclusiveness of the industry as well. “I love the fact that people are so supportive of each other,” says Jude Crawford, who farms with her partner Dale Smith at Zannah Farms in Santa Rosa. “If I have a problem with cucumber beetles on my amaranth, I can reach out to other farmers to figure out what to do.”
Local growers value collaboration and community, explains Zoe Hitchner, who runs the flower program at Healdsburg’s Front Porch Farm, one of the largest farms in the county. She says there’s a feeling of abundance; that there is enough business to go around. “I can say to a client, ‘I can fill half of your order, and I recommend you go to these other growers, too.’”
Days on the farm are exhilarating and creatively fulfilling—but also a constant juggle as growers balance immediate needs with more long-term concerns. “You’re always having all these balls in the air: what you need to do today to get through the day, but also what has to happen to have flowers for sale three months from now,” says Larkin. “If you just put your head down and do the work right in front of you in the field, you’re going to screw up the next season of growing.”
The days start at dawn, as flowers do best when harvested while temperatures are still cool. Then it’s on to sorting and bundling blooms for market, arranging bouquets, prepping for weekend events, customer service, and business calls. Then there’s the constant weeding and field maintenance, much of it done on hands and knees. “Flowers are picky,” says Larkin. “A lot of them need to be corralled or netted or pinched or trained.”
And there’s the treachery of the season, too. Zoe Hitchner at Front Porch Farm has had to adapt her farming plan to broader concerns about drought and fire. It’s common at this time of year to be working and catch a smell of smoke in the air, she says, and during each of the last three years, they’ve been under evacuation warnings. Water—for farming, for local fish and wildlife, and for drinking—is an ever-present concern. The picturesque farm, located in a valley at a bend in the Russian River, draws its irrigation supply from the river, and in 2021, they had to stop irrigating entirely in mid-summer to help keep local water levels sustainable. Hitchner says most of the plants held on to allow them to continue to harvest and supply the market. “This year, we’ve made the choice to farm whatever is possible within the bounds of our year-round team,” she says.
Zoe Hitchner at Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)At Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)
Hitchner and others are mindful of what the local cut-flower industry needs to stay sustain- able, both from an ecological perspective, and from the viewpoint of their own work-life balance. To expand the conversation, Lennie Larkin, shown below, who mentors new farmers and is an officer at the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, is writing a book about the economics of running a cut-flower business, relaying how growers can find out their cost of production or how they can set prices for a fair return on the work hours spent. “It’s about profitability, and that can feel like a dirty word at times,” she explains. “There’s often this sense that farmers should just be in it only for the love of the land.”
And yet a deep love of the land does remain a driving force for these farmer/ designers, who live in tune with the seasons and cultivate their aesthetic sensibilities even as they make their way through chores. “September is an absolutely stunning time on the farm,” says Hitchner. “The weather is just starting to turn, and really interesting clouds build up in the sky and the light changes. Everything feels really dramatic.”
Larkin says she feels the pull of the blooms in the field from the moment she wakes up. “I’ll keep glancing toward the window, just wanting to get out there and walk the fields and see everything—even though I know every flower that’s there, even though I saw them all just yesterday.” Entering the garden in the calm, early morning stillness, when the dew is glistening on the petals and the fields are in their most natural state, is what she calls a perfect moment. “It never fails to lift me up, honestly,” says Larkin. “Something new is happening every day.”
Dale Smith and Jude Crawford of Zannah Farms in Santa Rosa cut and arrange fresh bouquets daily for their farmstand, and sell buckets of flowers for DIY arrangements. (Eileen Roche)
At Zannah Farms in Santa Rosa. (Eileen Roche)
A Sonoma Cutting Garden
Plant beautiful blooms of your own with these farm-tested, designer-approved favorites.
Anemones: Zoe Hitchner calls these “the heroes of spring” for their ability to provide a succession of flowers for up to five months from a single planting. She plants corms the first week of October and covers them in a low tunnel or cold frame. Hitchner recommends planting in moist soil but then waiting to water until shoots emerge—too much water leads to rot.
‘Buddah’s Hand’ Cosmos: Each mature plant boasts dozens of small, tangerine- colored blooms, and the plant will easily naturalize in a cutting garden. Thin seedlings to allow plenty of space, as each will grow to 5 feet tall and wide.
‘Chantilly’ Snapdragons: Lennie Larkin of B-Side Farm says these sweetly fragrant blooms make beautiful “spike flowers” in hand-tied bouquets. She sows them in early spring in pots and transplants into the garden as
young seedlings. When harvesting, cut low for continued blooms.
David Austin Roses: Larkin’s favorite varieties of these chubby, old-fashioned roses include ‘Lady of Shalott,’ ‘Carding Mill,’ and ‘Golden Celebration.’ She recommends planting in the sunniest spot you can find and mulching well. They need lots of water (she suggests using buckets of grey water from the shower) and frequent fertilizing. In Sonoma’s ideal growing climate, Larkin is able to coax up to three rounds of bloom in a single season.
At Zannah Farms in Santa Rosa. (Eileen Roche)At Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)
‘Fata Morgana’ Scabiosa: An easy annual that attracts bees and butterflies and has a unique color, somewhere between peach, yellow, and pink. You can sow seeds directly just about any time of year, according to Hitchner. She plants one set of seeds in fall to overwinter into spring, and then starts sowing again in April, planting monthly through the summer.
Mexican Tuberose: These bulbs, native to Mexico and the Southwest, love Sonoma’s hot summer days and bloom prolifically from July until November. Hitchner says they turn up their intoxicating scent at night, attracting the sphinx moth and other pollinators. At Front Porch Farm, they are grown as a perennial, and every four years, the bulbs are dug up, divided, and replanted.
Queen Series Zinnias: Larkin says these are not your grandma’s zinnias, with subtle gradients of color that bring an antique vibe to bouquets. She recommends sowing seeds directly in the garden anytime from April through July. They seem to thrive even when ignored and don’t need rich soil.
‘Sahara’ Rudbeckia: Heat tolerant and in demand from florists for their moody pink and peach coloring, reminiscent of milky coffee. Rudbeckia is technically a perennial, but Hitchner grows it as an annual, starting plants each April from seed in a greenhouse, then transplanting into the field.
And… extra greenery: “The tones, textures, and shapes will elevate home-grown bouquets to the next level,” says Larkin. Some of her favorite greens for Sonoma gardens include lemon basil, silver dollar eucalyptus, and raspberry greens, with or without the berries.
Grown in Sonoma
BEES N BLOOMS/ SIDEKICK FLOWERS
Farmer/florist Seth Gowans leases land at Bees N Blooms and sells his organic flowers alongside Bees N Blooms lavender. Farmstand at 3883 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa. 707- 293-8293, beesnblooms.com
DRAGONFLY FLORAL
A longtime favorite, this local farm in the Dry Creek Valley offers local delivery and event design. 707-433- 3739, dragonflyfloral.com
FEATHER FLOWER FARM
Farmer/florist Sierra Bannister sells homegrown flowers at her own small farmstand (email for details) and at Bill’s Farm Basket in Sebastopol. Her Instagram feed (@featherflowerfarm) is stunning. featherflowerfarm.com
FLATBED FARM
A diverse farm and flower operation with a farmstand, farm products, and bouquets for sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Farmstand at 13450 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen. flatbed-farm.com
At B-Side Farm in Petaluma. (Eileen Roche)At Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)
FRONT PORCH FARM
A 110-acre farm by the Russian River with orchards, vegetables, and wine- grapes in addition to flowers. Flowers are sold at the Saturday farmers market in Healdsburg, to the FEED Sonoma produce hub, and wholesale to local designers. fpfarm.com
FULL BLOOM FLOWER FARM
Owner Hedda Brorstrom grew up in the area and runs a pretty farmstand along a country road, marked by a red mailbox. She also does events and offers weekly flower subscriptions in summer. Farmstand at 9516 Graton Rd., Sebastopol. 707-591-6968, fullbloomflower.com
THE HAPPY DAHLIA FARM
It’s dahlia time right now, and the growing fields are awash in color. A fun place for families to explore together. Farmstand at 2478 E. Washington St., Petaluma. 707-338- 9478, thehappydahliafarm.com
JENNIFLORA
Jennifer McClendon cultivates 1,500 heirloom roses on her 1.5 acre family farm in Sebastopol and designs stun- ning events. Call for bouquet pickup and local delivery. 707-495-9402, jenniflora.com
JOLEE BLOOMS & DESIGN
Owner Daniele Strawn has a diverse design background and runs a quarter-acre farm and a thriving event business in Occidental, with organic bouquets available for pickup or de- livery. 707-775-0101, joleeblooms.com
OAK HILL FARM
This landmark spot in Glen Ellen on over 700 rural acres has been farmed by members of the Teller/Bucklin family since the 1970s. Fresh flowers available at the Sonoma farmers mar- ket on Fridays and at the Red Barn Store farmstand from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. 15101 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen. 707-996-6643, oakhillfarm.net
POPPIES AND PETALS
At this you-pick farm, visitors can design and cut their own bouquet packed with organic, seasonal blooms. Bring your own vase. Open Tues., Thurs., Sat., and Sun. 500 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa. 707-752- 7891, poppiesandpetalsfarm.com
STRONG ARM FARM
Heidi Herrmann focuses on beautiful tuberoses, primarily for the wholesale market. Herrmann was one of the founders of the North Bay Flower Collective, a local group that pro- motes the local flower movement and supports growers. strongarmfarm.com
SUNRAY FARM
A vegetable and flower farm in Sonoma focused on healthy soils and organic growing practices. They sell flowers at the Petaluma Eastside farmers market on Tuesdays, deliver weekly bouquets, and will sell large flower buckets for DIY arrangements. 707-210-9720, sunrayfarm.com
ZANNAH FARMS
Dale Smith and Jude Crawford cut and arrange fresh bouquets daily for their farmstand, and sell buckets of flowers for DIY arrangements. Farmstand at 5583 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa. 707-247-5881, zannahfarms.com
