Page 156 – Sonoma Magazine

Exciting New Hotel Happenings in Sonoma County

November 2022

By Dana Rebmann

Sonoma County is getting ready for the holiday season and, with it, plenty of visitors.

Several new (or newly renovated) hotels have opened their doors in the past year, including The Madrona in Healdsburg and four renovated Russian River properties: The Stavrand, Dawn Ranch, The Highlands, and Mine + Farm, The Inn. Now, two new inns can be added to the list and many local hotels also offer something a little special right now, from in-room Fender guitars to updated restaurant menus.

Here’s what you need to know about Sonoma County’s hotel scene right now. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the properties.

New hotels to check into

Boho Manor

Formerly known as the Village Inn & Restaurant, this Russian River hotel has been renovated with an Art Deco flair. Two new rooms have been added to the property, which now has 14 rooms in total, and a former storage space has been turned into a speakeasy with live jazz on Saturdays. A new riverfront lounge area boasts a hot tub and fire pits.

20822 River Boulevard, Monte Rio, 707-865-2304, bohomanor.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Rosa Wine Country

Located off Highway 101, about 10 minutes south of the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport and 10 minutes north of downtown Santa Rosa, this new 100-room hotel features complimentary breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly rooms are available.

3815 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-522-6201, hilton.com

New hotel offerings and updates

Fender guitars and brunch at Dawn Ranch

There’s a new way to play during a stay along the Russian River. Guests at Guerneville’s Dawn Ranch can rock out with Fender acoustic guitars. The instruments, which include the Redondo, Malibu and Newporter from Fender’s California series, are available in select rooms or on loan for the hotel’s campfires. Complimentary access to Fender Play, Fender’s online learning platform, also is available, for beginners and experienced players alike.

Dawn Ranch’s onsite farm-to-table restaurant, Agriculture Public House, kicked off brunch services Nov. 5. Brunch favorites like avocado toast and chicken and waffles, along with dishes such as the Power Bowl and Breakfast Poutine, are served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The cozy restaurant with a fireplace also will be offering a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu ($65) with dishes like Pumpkin Safe Arancini, Warm Butternut Squash Soup, Arugula Fig Salad, Honey Mustard Slow Braised Turkey and Grilled Portabello. Make reservations by emailing dining@dawnranch.com.

Dawn Ranch reopened its doors in April, following an extensive renovation of its guest rooms. The hotel, which dates back to 1905, features 53 cabins as well as river access, an apple orchard believed to be more than 120 years old, and two rare dawn redwood trees, which gave the property its name. The hotel organizes a variety of activities, including creative art workshops, yoga and meditation groups, bird watching excursions and kayaking on the river.

16467 California 116, Guerneville, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com

A Fender guitar in a room at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. (Courtesy of Dawn Ranch)

A new menu at Flamingo Resort

There’s a new chef in the kitchen at Flamingo Resort’s poolside Lazeaway Club. Chef Chris Ricketts is putting his twist on the restaurant’s Cal-Pacific menu; think dishes like Loco Moco, a ground beef patty on coconut rice with an over-easy egg, and bibimbap with grilled Kalbi beef short ribs, kimchi, coconut rice, eggplant, carrots, bean sprouts, fried egg and a sweet gochujang sauce (the dish arrives at the table sizzling.) If you can, save room for the pineapple upside-down cake.

Flamingo Resort, popular for its midcentury style, emerged from a $20 million renovation in 2021. The property has retained its retro charm, but rooms and public areas have been updated with a fresh new look. Set on 10 acres, the resort features 170 rooms and suites located in five two-story buildings. Guests will find fun retro touches in their rooms, like mint green Trimline telephones and matching tea kettles. The pool and spacious inner courtyard continue to serve as the social hub of the hotel property, which recently got a new cocktail lounge and live music venue, Vintage Space.

2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com

Bibimbap at Lazeaway Club at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Flamingo Resort)

New Captain’s Quarters at The Lodge at Bodega Bay

The waterfront property formerly known as Bodega Bay Lodge is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation. The Lodge’s largest accommodation, known as The Captain’s Quarters, was stripped to the studs for a complete redesign. It boasts a bedroom with a king bed and private balcony, a living area with a fireplace, two queen-sized Murphy beds, a sundeck with coastal views, and more. The property’s Coastal Bodega Bay Rooms, with fireplaces and spa-like bathrooms, also got a face lift.

Nestled atop a hill overlooking Bodega Bay, this coastal hotel has 83 modern rooms — most of them overlook the bay, where you can see coastal birds, fishermen in their boats and, if you’re lucky, a whale or two. The property is minutes from downtown Bodega Bay, with seafood shacks, surf shops and cafes. The property has a heated bayside pool, a hot tub and a full spa for those looking to relax after a busy week. Watch the sunset from the fire pit, followed by dinner at Drake’s Sonoma Coast Kitchen. Don’t miss the local clam chowder.

103 CA-1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3525, lodgeatbodegabay.com

The living area in The Captain’s Quarters at The Lodge at Bodega Bay. (Courtesy The Lodge at Bodega Bay)

‘Every Stay Gives Back’ program at The Stavrand Russian River Valley

The former Applewood Inn and Spa changed hands in early 2020 and caught the world’s attention when it opened as The Stavrand Russian River Valley early this year and, shortly thereafter, was named among the best new hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure.

The relative newcomer has now joined Kind Traveler’s “Every St ay Gives Back” program. Launching in early 2023, the program will enable guests to donate $2 per night to local nonprofit Farm to Pantry, a gleaning organization that rescues unharvested produce from farms and backyards across Sonoma County and distributes it to people in need. The Stavrand will match every donation up to $4 per night.

Located just a 10-minute walk from downtown Guerneville, the registered historic landmark features 21 renovated rooms in three buildings. Along with a garden, the Chef’s Meadow at The Stavrand also is home to fruit trees, many of which date back to the 1920s when they were planted by the property’s original owner, Ralph “Rooster” Belden.

13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com

10 New Sonoma Restaurants We Can’t Wait to Try

November 2022

By Heather Irwin

Burger from Lunch Box Sonoma County. The pop-up restaurant is among a handful of local restaurants that have signed on for a space at the new Livery on Main food hall in Sebastopol. Click through the gallery for more. (Courtesy of Lunch Box Sonoma County)

Late fall is bringing with it a flurry of restaurant openings and soon-to-open eateries in Sonoma County. Many are located in Sebastopol, which is seeing a huge influx of new businesses, as well as in Petaluma. Click through the above gallery for some new places we’re dying to try (along with one or two we’ve had a sneak peek at).

Flying Goat Coffee Returns in New Location

November 2022

By Heather Irwin

Flying Goat coffee shop in Healdsburg reopened in October 2022. (Heather Irwin / Press Democrat)

First, the good news. Flying Goat Coffee reopened in Healdsburg at 300 Center St. last month with the kind of fanfare usually reserved for Super Bowl wins. Longtime fans were elated to get their organic Guatemalan and Ethiopian single-origin coffee fixes once again.

“I’m a coffee guy, and I always will be. I see coffee as a mission,” said Flying Goat owner Phil Anacker.

But Sonoma County bean buffs have long wondered what happened to the once-thriving Healdsburg and Santa Rosa Flying Goat shops that closed in 2019 and 2020.

The tragic story told by Anacker is one many restaurateurs, especially in Healdsburg, have experienced recently: a combination of untenable rent hikes, the COVID-19 pandemic and financial exhaustion. He said small, family-run businesses like his had been hit especially hard.

Founded in 1994, Healdsburg’s Flying Goat Coffee was a morning staple for the town’s caffeine-seeking locals for 25 years.

As Anacker and co-owner Maura Harrington watched sleepy Healdsburg grow into the tourist hot spot it is today, they sold pastries and coffee made with beans Anacker sourced through relationships with coffee farmers worldwide.

Things began to unravel in late 2019 when Harrington died from cancer, the rent doubled on the Flying Goat shop at 324 Center St. near the plaza in Healdsburg and the emerging pandemic and subsequent restrictions dried up business.

“Late 2019 was the beginning of a year of challenges. It was hugely sad. Maura was a spark in the community,” Anacker said.

By mid-2020, as the pandemic raged, ongoing problems forced Anacker to close the once-thriving Healdsburg shop. Their original roastery and coffee shop, a couple blocks north at 419 Center St., remained open for takeout. A small coffeehouse in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square also stayed open.

“We built out that space at 324 Center St. in 1994. But we had to leave our home,” said Anacker.

That wasn’t the end of Flying Goat’s troubles. By December 2020, the rent on their Santa Rosa location in Railroad Square was another financial drain. During the pandemic, as many restaurants and businesses closed, Anacker said, the Santa Rosa rent was too much for the bottom line.

“Margins are always a challenge, and the numbers didn’t work there,” he said.

Anacker said staff dwindled from 50 to around 25 at its lowest point, with just the roastery open. He tried to keep longtime workers employed at the roastery.

For two years, Anacker had looked for a new location on the Healdsburg square and finally found the 300 Center St. location (on the corner of Center and Matheson streets) and landlords willing to work with the company.

When the new coffeehouse opened, Anacker said, many came to check it out.

“We just let people come in as they saw the doors open, but when word gets out in Healdsburg, it spreads like wildfire. The community totally came out, and it was like a community group hug,” he said.

As for the future of Flying Goat? Anacker sees hope.

“We still get emails weekly from customers in Santa Rosa who want us to have another store, and we are in discussions with some property owners there. We are intent on getting a store in Santa Rosa and possibly Windsor as well,” he said.

7 Gorgeous Fall Color Hikes in Sonoma Wine Country

November 2022

By Dana Rebmann

Wine Country got a much-welcomed wet start to November. But there are still sunny and bright fall days ahead before winter arrives. So take this time to enjoy the warm hues of yellow, orange and red. One of the best ways to enjoy Mother Nature’s autumnal art is to hit the trails and take in vineyard views. Click through the gallery above to see some of our favorite scenic treks. Did we miss one of your favorite spots? Let us know in the comments.

Rohnert Park’s Sally Tomatoes Ends Restaurant Service

November 2022

By Heather Irwin

An event area at Sally Tomatoes Catering and Events. (Courtesy Sally Tomatoes)

Heirloom Cucina Italiana at the Sally Tomatoes space in the sprawling SOMO Village business center ended its restaurant service on Oct. 28.

Sally Tomatoes will transform into a full-service event center and catering company. Special community nights will be offered for the public on Wednesdays with a fireside buffet of homemade soups and pizza, salads and pasta for kids and adults. There also will be drinks and games, including corn hole and Wednesday paint nights.

Watch the Sally Tomatoes website (sallytomatoes.com) for more details on upcoming music shows and events at the space, located at 1100 Valley House Drive, in Rohnert Park. Call 707-665-9472.

Explore the Charming Town of Petaluma with an Outdoor Art Tour

November 2022

By Maci Martell

The River Arch, a metal sculpture by renowned local artist David Best stands at Lynch Creek Trail alongside the Petaluma River. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)

In Sonoma County, public art is easily accessible, in every town. Petaluma, especially, has loads of public art, and to help you explore it, we’re offering a guide of the highlights.

There are more than 30 outdoor public art pieces scattered around the city, including murals, sculptures, arches and a community-built fountain.

‘River Arch’

In August, Petaluma-based artist David Best unveiled his new public art piece, “River Arch,” an intricate, rust-colored steel archway that greets passersby on Lynch Creek Trail off Lakeville Street. The 25-foot metal arch — with decorative curves, natural motifs and a chandelier-like detail — enhances the industrial look of the area while serving as a gateway between downtown Petaluma and the surrounding natural landscape.

Best is known for the large, elaborate temples and sculptures he creates for the Burning Man festival. The Petaluma Public Art Committee commissioned Best in 2017 to create the River Arch to improve the site for residents and visitors, welcoming them to Petaluma’s downtown. Lynch Creek Trail is located at 88 Lakeville St. in Petaluma.

‘Wrist Wrestling Champions’

Wrist wrestling transformed from a playful test of machismo to a nationally recognized sport when local legend and Argus-Courier columnist Bill Soberanes arranged a match at “Diamond Mike” Gilardi’s bar in 1955. The thrilling contest, which ended in a draw, generated so much attention that a committee was formed to organize a tournament. The tournament grew over the years, and, in 1962, the first World Wristwrestling Championship was held in Petaluma’s Hermann Sons Hall.

By 1988, the city of Petaluma erected a statue downtown — made by prominent Cuban artist Rosa Estebañez — in Soberanes’ honor, depicting him and another man locked in a strenuous battle of the forearms. The bronze sculpture includes a plaque commemorating Soberanes as “the World’s Number One People Meeter” for his knack for making fast friends. Find the statue near the corner of East Washington Street and Petaluma Boulevard North, next to Lemongrass Thai Noodle and across the street from the Petaluma Heritage Mural

On Feb. 12, 1952, Petaluma's first wrist wrestling championship was held at Gilardi's bar, with a match between Oliver Kullberg, a Lakeville rancher, and Jack Homel, a major league baseball trainer. The competition grew to international proportions attracting celebrities and politicians from near and wide. In this photo then-Gov. Ronald Reagan wrestles Bill Soberanes at a later competition. (PETALUMA MUSEUM) — On Feb. 12, 1952, Petaluma’s first wrist wrestling championship was held at Gilardi’s bar. The competition grew to international proportions attracting celebrities and politicians from near and wide. In this photo then-Gov. Ronald Reagan wrestles Bill Soberanes at a later competition. (Petaluma Museum)

Arnold Schwarzenegger made a special guest appearance at the 1978 World Wrist Wrestling Championship tournament. (Petaluma Museum)

‘Reared In Steel’

Get a taste of Burning Man at the corner of Copeland and East Washington streets, where Petaluma artist Kevin Clark set up his private art studio Reared In Steel. The massive metal sculptures out front are a fixture in downtown Petaluma, when they’re not at the annual Burning Man festival or rented out to various other events.

The steampunk-like artworks that can be spotted on Copeland Street include a 70-foot “Flower Tower,” a metal-winged guardian lion (“Guardino Leone”), a fully motorized “Rhino Redemption” art car and an intimidating “Medusa Madness” sculpture. Then there’s the giant squawking metal raven perched atop the studio.

While the working art studio is private, visitors are welcome to view it from the street and snap photos of the huge, unusual art sculptures in the studio yard, at 100 Copeland St., in Petaluma.

‘Outlet, Plug & Cord’

In Petaluma’s Theatre District, it’s hard to miss the giant wall outlet and plug protruding from the PG&E Substation on the corner of First and D streets. The comically large sculpture made of steel, wood and fiberglass seems to fit right in with its surroundings while adding levity to the industrial look of the area.

The cord of the plug appears to be coming out of the ground, suggesting it’s drawing power from the nearby electrical towers to supply energy to the PG&E building. The utility company commissioned artist Joel Jones, of Basal Ganglia Studio, and fabricator Shawn Thorsson to create the art piece, which they unveiled in 2015.

Daya Ceglia checking out the Plug during the unveiling reception of a sculpture by fabricator Shawn Thorsson and artist Joel Jones at the1st and D Street PG&E substation in Petaluma on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Jim Johnson/For the Argus-Courier) — Daya Ceglia checking out the Plug during the unveiling reception of a sculpture by fabricator Shawn Thorsson and artist Joel Jones at the First and D Street PG&E substation in Petaluma on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Jim Johnson/For the Argus-Courier)

‘Faces of Petaluma Fountain’

In the middle of Petaluma’s Theatre District is a water fountain covered in more than 800 unique faces made of clay and set in colorful mosaic tile. Ceramic artist and community organizer Donna Billick designed and led the public art project, which welcomed Petalumans of all ages to sculpt self-portraits from clay.

Billick took the finished clay faces back to her art studio in Davis to fire and prepare them for installation, and Heath Ceramics in Sausalito provided the mosaic tile panels. The project was completed in 2007 and presents an artistic link with the Petaluma community’s past and future. See the colorful, whimsical fountain in Theatre Square, surrounded by local businesses such as Trattoria Roma, Sol Food and La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge. It’s located at Theatre Square, 140 Second St., in Petaluma.

‘Cherry Soda’

Patrons of Petaluma’s Boulevard Cinemas can’t miss this whimsical abstract statue of a yellow-and-blue cup spilling over with pink cherry soda. Sculptor Robert Ellison created the painted-steel statue in 2003, originally installed at Lucchesi Park.

The Petaluma Public Art Committee purchased “Cherry Soda” from the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation after Ellison’s death in 2012, and the two groups worked with the city of Petaluma to facilitate the installation at the cinema. “Cherry Soda” resides at the corner of Second and C streets in front of the theater, and the statue remains a popular hangout spot for young people waiting to see a movie. Boulevard 14 Cinema is located at 200 C St. in Petaluma.

Patrons of Petaluma’s Boulevard Cinemas can’t miss this whimsical abstract statue, “Cherry Soda,” by sculptor Robert Ellison. (The Press Democrat, file)

‘A Whale of a Good Time’

A life-size whale tail made from scrap metal stands 15 feet tall in the Deer Creek Village shopping center, where it dives into the pavement between Sourdough & Co. and Habit Burger Grill. Sacramento artist Terrence Martin created the sculpture in 2014 after gaining inspiration from a whale-watching trip. The statue seats nine people inside and is surrounded by a ring of fluorescent blue lighting that glows at night.

The aquatic sculpture was the first piece in a series of art installations at the shopping center, including a 20-foot steel and glass abstract tree sculpture (also made by Martin) next to Mary’s Pizza Shack and decorative benches created by Martin and local artist David Duskin

Hands & Balls, Petaluma

Meant to represent balance — of the rational and spiritual, terrestrial and celestial — a pair of giant concrete hands rest on red marbled balls in front of Lagunitas Brewing Co., coaxing in curious onlookers. The position of the hands evokes Buddhist iconography of symbolic hand gestures (known as mudras). The right hand appears to be in the Abhaya position, with the palm facing forward, representing fearlessness and protection. The left hand is in the Dhyana position (the meditation mudra), with the hand resting and palm facing up, symbolizing compassion for all living beings.

The husband-and-wife team Peter Crompton and Robyn Spencer-Crompton built the sculpture, with Peter focusing on the form of the concrete hands and Robyn on the mosaic surface design. The “Hands & Balls” sculpture has been a part of the Sculpture Trail in Cloverdale and Geyserville and was installed in front of Lagunitas in Petaluma in 2012. Lagunitas Brewing Co. is located at 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma.

‘Fred J. Wiseman Monument’

In 1911, local pilot Fred J. Wiseman embarked on a short flight, in a biplane he designed and built, to deliver mail and newspapers from Petaluma to Santa Rosa. It was the world’s earliest “air mail” flight. A park in Petaluma was named after the pilot (Wiseman Park), and local Cuban artist Rosa Estebañez created a monument in his honor in August 1968.

The monument, a bas-relief of Wiseman’s bust and plane mounted on a wall of stone and concrete, was originally located in Kenilworth Park, where Wiseman began his first air mail flight. Now it resides in Wiseman Park on the east side of Petaluma, near the Petaluma Municipal Airport.

‘Home Stretch’

Standing at the corner of Lakeville Highway and Frates Road, an 18-foot totem sculpture seems to defy physics. Made by Donna Billick in 2007 and covered in vibrant mosaic tiles, it has an inverted cone perched on what appears to be a miniature house, which balances atop five colorful spheres descending in size.

Like Billick’s Faces of Petaluma Fountain, the mosaic tiles on “Home Stretch” are from Heath Ceramics in Sausalito. The totem may be in an odd place — on the corner of Lakeville Highway and Frates Road, across from Petaluma Poultry Processors — but it’s encircled by four benches, where people can relax and admire its details

Honorable Mentions

Petaluma Friends: A sculpture made of Corten steel depicting a dog with a cat standing on its back, and a small bird perched on the end of the cat’s tail. The dog has a bone-shaped hole across its body, revealing the green tin of the Adobe Animal Hospital building behind it. The animal sculpture was created by Dale Rogers Studio in 2015. Adobe Animal Hospital, 408 Madison St., Petaluma

Heron & Reeds Wall Relief Sculpture: A large wall relief sculpture depicting a heron flying low among reeds, made of copper and established in 2009. Raley’s Grocery Store, 157 N McDowell Blvd., Petaluma

Lucchesi Park Tower Sculpture: An abstract, green metal tower sitting in front of the Petaluma Community Center. 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma

Millennium Arch: A black-painted, steel archway in McNear Park commemorating the local Rotary Club’s commitment to the city. Made by sculptor Nicolas van Krijdt and established in 2003. McNear Park, 1008 G St., Petaluma

Dubull Eagull: Unsurprisingly, Petaluma’s art and visitor centers have a number of sculptures outside, including the “Dubull Eagull” (also known as the Double Eagle). The rust-colored steel sculpture is an abstract, minimalist depiction of two eagles flying between two tall columns. It was made by Peter Forakis in 2001. Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St., Petaluma

20 Great Restaurants to Try in Cotati

November 2022

By Heather Irwin

The Charlie Hustle fried chicken sandwich from Jam’s Joy Bungalow in Cotati and Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Jamilah Nixon-Mathis)

Cotati often gets short shrift when it comes to dining. With its blurred borders between Rohnert Park directly to the north and Penngrove to the southeast, outsiders may only notice a blink-and-its-gone exit along Highway 101.

But if you take a closer look, there’s plenty of great food to be found — not just at the main business district but at busy shopping centers and quiet office districts around town. That’s all the better for locals and intrepid wanderers, because this quaint community has something for just about everyone, from notable to unnoticed, middling to mind-blowing.

Ready to get a taste of Cotati? Click through the above gallery for our top picks and don’t miss more great choices listed below.

More Great Choices

Cafe Salsa: Find all the Mexican and American staples here, from tacos and burritos to burgers and breakfast favorites. There’s something for everyone. 8230 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-795-7068, cafesalsacotati.com.

Cape Cod Fish and Chips: Douse their first-rate fried cod and fries with malt vinegar for best results. 7530 Commerce Blvd., Suite C, Cotati, 707-792-0982.

China Chef: Here is where you go when you’re hungry for straightforward Chinese-American food. Phone orders only, 707-664-1088. 7991 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 2B.

Jaded Toad: Barbecue and smoked meats are their best-known dishes, but burgers, teriyaki and sweet potato fries topped with pork belly are good bets, too. (Plus, Loco Moco and Chicken Katsu with macaroni salad if you’re craving Hawaiian fare). 500 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, jadedtoad.com.

Mai Vietnamese: Solid Vietnamese pho, barbecue rice plates and noodle bowls. 8492 Gravenstein Highway, Suite J, Cotati, 707-665-9628, maivietnamesecotati.com.

Marvin’s of Cotati: This old-school diner has a huge menu for breakfast and lunch, from omelets to burgers to patty melts. 7991 Old Redwood Highway, 707-664-1720, marvinsofcotati.com.

Mi Ranchito: With an epic menu of Mexican classics, Mi Ranchito is great for families and celebrations. 7600 Commerce Blvd., Cotati, 707-795-7600, miranchitocotati.com.

Saigon Café: Find Vietnamese and Japanese favorites on this short but sweet menu. 548 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-664-5925 (left of Oliver’s Market).

Twins Restaurant: If you’re in Cotati early in the day, this place has you covered, with breakfast classics and comfort food lunches. 572 E. Cotati Ave., 707-242-3075, bit.ly/3lH44Vd.

Zaina’s Bellini Cafe: Bottomless mimosas and brunchy fare, plus Middle Eastern-style shawarma, gyros and falafel. 7981 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-664-5956, bit.ly/315Z1nN.

Sonoma Hillside Retreat Hits the Market for $3.7 Million

November 2022

By Karen Kizer

A modern home with a breezy open-concept layout is for sale in the hills above Sonoma. Located just 10 minutes from the downtown plaza, the 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom property was built in 2019 by Sonoma-based Salt Shed Design. It is listed for $3,695,000.

White walls and large windows let plenty of light into the home and allow residents to take in the outdoor scenery from each room. The home has two great rooms: one comprising the kitchen, living room and dining area; another a lounging area that continues outdoors via a wall of sliding floor-to-ceiling windows. A tranquil palette that includes blue textiles creates a cool color scheme that complements the views of outside greenery.

The home’s finishes also come in subtle colors, including white oak floors, wood barn accents and white tiles. Glass and nickel fixtures add a lightweight finish and sparkle to the space. Lounging sectionals encourage easy living, and modern art pieces add interest and a bit of color contrast.

A glass door encloses a wine storage room with minimal fixtures, which yields focus to the bottles that appear to almost float in space. Outdoors, a simply designed yard with low-water plants in fire-resistant islands and a pool surrounded by three lawn chairs complete the look.

Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.

For more information about the property at 17333 Gehricke Road, contact listing agents Avram Goldman, 707 934 2323, 925-323-8881, or Heather Hanlon, 707-529-2669 with Compass Real Estate, 135 West Napa St., Suite 200, Sonoma.

Industrial-Modern Vineyard Estate in Sonoma Wine Country Seeks $3.95 Million

November 2022

By Karen Kizer

Two matte black steel structures with low-sloop roofs and abundant windows for taking in the surrounding vineyard views make up a 1,600-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom Healdsburg residence with a guest studio currently listed for $3,950,000.

The industrial home on 150 Bailhache Ave. has been decorated with fine art pieces selected by San Francisco-based Dutch designer Martin Kobus. A modern floor-to-ceiling white marble relief with geometric shapes, for example, makes a strong statement in the living room, while a red pen shell bar on an adjacent wall contrasts with the black-and-white color scheme of the room.

The kitchen island is made from black marble with an unusual snakeskin pattern; the island itself is formed in an equally unusual wave shape. Laminate black cabinets add to the dramatic look, while lighted shelving brightens the room.

The main bedroom boasts a textured wall with a relief of thick leaves formed from plaster. Layers of textured white materials, like floor-to-ceiling alpaca drapes, keep this room light and airy.

The powder room has an artistic resin surface in an agate pattern by Los Angeles designer Alex Turco. The main bathroom features honed Pietra d’Avola tiles with geometric, textural grooves.

Hestan appliances in the kitchen, a retractable TV that emerges from the sofa, a programmable steam shower and more technological features add another modern touch to the artistic industrial home.

Outdoors, motorized pergolas cover the home’s patios and allow for lounging independent of weather. An Endless Pool, which provides resistance for lap swimming in place, is both a spot to exercise and a bright blue water feature in the yard.

An outdoor kitchen and two-sided fireplace adds to the entertainment possibilities, while a Jeff Koons balloon dog sculpture is a whimsical addition to the otherwise classic Wine Country landscape that surrounds the home.

For more information about this home at 150 Bailhache Ave., contact Sheri Morgensen 415-269-5634, 707-431-0777 or Jessica Wynne, 415-509-2611, 415-296-2223, with Sotheby’s International Realty, Healdsburgshowcase.com

Healdsburg Winery Named Among Top 50 in the World

October 2022

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Healdsburg’s Jordan Vineyard and Winery has made this year’s World’s 50 Best Vineyards list, as announced Wednesday at an event in Mendoza, Argentina.

Coming in at No. 46, Jordan is the only Sonoma County winery to make the list this year. Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery, which took the No. 7 spot, was named the best vineyard in North America and Opus One in Oakville came in at No. 24. Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Italy’s Tuscany region topped the list for the first time.

The World’s 50 Best Vineyards ranking is organized by UK-based William Reed Media, which also releases the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants and World’s 50 Best Bars lists.

“The World’s Best Vineyards highlights wine tourism destinations around the globe and now that travel is back on the cards, this year’s list is more important than ever for raising profiles with tourists and those looking for authentic and unique trips,” commented Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, from the event in Mendoza.

At Jordan Vineyard and Winery in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Jordan Vineyard & Winery)

The World’s 50 Best Vineyards described the ethos of Jordan Vineyard and Winery as “the spirit of France in Sonoma” on its website and highlighted the winery’s commitment to protecting flora and fauna. Founders Tom and Sally Jordan designed the Bordeaux-inspired winery chateau 50 years ago. Today, the winery is focused on land preservation and sustainability, while providing guests unique culinary experiences, Russian River chardonnay and Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon.

“We are honored to be included in this list of extraordinary wineries from across the globe. This year we celebrate our 50th anniversary so to be named alongside these world-renowned, legendary institutions is truly an incredible achievement,” said Kendall Busby, Director of Marketing and Communications at Jordan Vineyard and Winery.

Guests to Jordan Vineyard & Winery can choose from a variety of experiences, including a tour of the 1,200-acre estate aboard a Mercedes Sprinter. Members of the winery’s loyalty program, Jordan Estate Rewards, can stay overnight at the French-style chateau, which recently underwent a $1 million remodel.

The 2022 World’s 50 Best Vineyards list included wineries from 20 countries on six continents. Find the full list here. Click through the above gallery to see photos of Jordan Vineyard and Winery.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery, 1474 Alexander Valley Road Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com.