Fried chicken fry-days at Marla SR in Santa Rosa. (Marla SR)
The fried chicken pop-up you’ve come to know and love (or should) returns weekly from 5-8 p.m. each Friday at Marla SR cafe (208 Davis St., Santa Rosa).
Now and throughout the summer, they’ll fry milk whey-brined chicken for a crispy bird that crunches back at every bite.
Fried chicken fry-days at Marla SR in Santa Rosa. (Marla SR)
This year, owners Amy Brown and Joe Wolf have added “meat and three” ($30) with a choice of chicken, pastrami or pulled pork, and sides (beans, potato salad, slaw, mac and cheese or braised greens).
Fried chicken sandos on a milk bread bun with spicy aioli, slaw, pickles, and fresh fruit slushies are also available, with happy hour specials and bites from 3-5 p.m.
It’s been a long time coming, but Valkyries fever has officially hit the Bay Area. San Francisco’s first Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team, the Golden State Valkyries, has burst onto the scene — and Wine Country is taking notice.
Two Sonoma County wineries, La Crema and J Vineyards & Winery, have partnered with the history-making franchise. At a time when the wine industry faces challenges like winery closures, declining sales and shifting consumer habits, this play offers both brands a unique opportunity to connect with a new generation of wine drinkers and attract new customers.
La Crema, the official wine partner of the WNBA, has expanded its collaboration with the professional women’s league, becoming the official wine partner of the Valkyries. (La Crema)SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — MAY 16: The Golden State Valkyries are introduced to the crowd before their game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Tonight is the Valkyries first home game in their inaugural season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Last April, La Crema was named the Official Wine Partner of both the WNBA and USA Basketball Women’s National Team — marking the league’s first-ever official winery partnership through a multiyear agreement. That same announcement also named Kendall-Jackson Wines, another Jackson Family Wines brand, as the official wine partner of the NBA.
This year, La Crema deepened its commitment to women’s basketball by becoming the official wine partner of the Golden State Valkyries.
“We were partners with the Valkyries before they even had a name,” said Vince Armini, vice president of partnerships for Jackson Family Wines, during a wine dinner in San Francisco last month celebrating the new WNBA franchise. “Last year, when we started with the WNBA, we wanted to partner with the Valkyries. It was something that was important to us.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — MAY 16: Fans cheer on the Golden State Valkyries during their game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Tonight is the Valkyries first home game in their inaugural season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK — MAY 27: Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts in the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on May 27, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
In mid-May, Healdsburg’s J Vineyards & Winery announced its entry into the women’s sports arena, signing on as the official sparkling wine partner for the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season.
Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986 and now part of the Gallo portfolio, J Vineyards has a well-established track record of flexing its wine muscle to uplift and empower women. From its ongoing “Shifting the Lens” culinary series — highlighting the talents of women and people of color — to the recent release of LOVE Wine, a collaboration with the nonprofit grantLOVE project supporting arts education and women in the arts, the winery’s alignment with the Valkyries is a natural extension of its mission.
“We are leaning into our authentic connection by celebrating female teamwork and achievement,” said estate director and head winemaker Nicole Hitchcock of the partnership. “So let’s all raise a glass to women who raise the bar.”
In addition to pouring wine and popping corks at the Valkyries’ home games at San Francisco’s Chase Center, both La Crema and J Vineyards are planning programming, special events and other fan experiences. Details for upcoming events in Sonoma County are still being finalized.
In the meantime, local fans can purchase Valkyries merchandise at J Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. Visit @jwinery and @lacremawines on Instagram for the latest updates.
Flying Ace Kitchen & Taproom at Sonoma County’s Charles M. Schulz airport. (SSP America)
One of my best friends, Joshua, loves a surreptitious hang at the Sonoma County Airport restaurant for a glass — or three — of overpriced mass-market wine, chicken wings and a heaping helping of local gossip. The roar of jets on the outdoor patio drowns out our cackling, and the people-watching is priceless. It’s kind of our thing.
Over the last two years, the former Tap & Pour Taproom has undergone a transformation and recently relaunched as Flying Ace Kitchen & Taproom. Located outside security, it’s open to anyone.
Feeling compelled to pass judgment on our former haunt, Joshua and I spent three hours on a warm Sunday afternoon kicking the tires of our revamped rendezvous spot. After a $68 bottle of juicy Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Rose (retail, $17), we passed our slightly tipsy judgment.
Flying Ace Kitchen & Taproom at Sonoma County’s Charles M. Schulz airport. (SSP America)
The vibe: The interior has been overhauled with dark wood, creating a wine cave vibe. Two 5-foot-tall plastic Kendall-Jackson wine bottles flank the doorway. Along a back wall, lighted letters spelling out “SONOMA” are embedded in faux vegetation — catnip for social media types looking to prove they’ve been to Wine Country. The once “rustic” outdoor patio has a shady pergola with two televisions, lounge seating and bar seating — a nice upgrade — with a view of the runway.
The owners: SSP America, specializing in airport-based dining, has taken the reins from longtime local ownership. The restaurant is modern and polished — aside from the 5-foot plastic wine bottles.
The food: Favorites included the spicy-sweet Korean Fried Chicken Wings ($21) with toasted peanuts; Griddled Pot Roast Sandwich ($21) with braised meat, melty Monterey Jack and caramelized onions, served with a side of jus; Cavatappi Mac & Cheese ($24) with creamy cheddar sauce and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. The giant ice cream sandwich cookie ($10) checked the dessert box.
The drinks: Wines are mainly grocery store brands from Sonoma and Napa counties, with retail prices under $20 (several under $15). They’re all fine barbecue wines, but selling an $18 bottle for $72 seems excessive even at an airport. I’d skip the specialty cocktails ($18.99) and keep it simple with a gin and tonic or vodka cranberry if you need liquid courage. There are four beers on tap, Pliny the Elder and STS Pils from Russian River, Seismic Tremor Lager and Parliament Kaleidoscope Hazy IPA.
The service: Our server, Maddee, is a holdover from the previous ownership and knows the new menu inside out. The staff is attentive, friendly and quick to fix any errors.
The ruling: Wafts of jet fuel and roaring planes with brunch mimosas and avocado toast aren’t for everyone, but we love feeling like tourists in Sonoma County. The food is well-made but unfussy, with power bowls and pancakes for breakfast, burgers and chicken strips for lunch, or steak frites for dinner. The prices are airport-level steep, but if you want a hot meal or a stiff drink before takeoff, it’s solid. Just be nice to the tourists — we can’t all live in paradise.
Flying Ace Kitchen, 2200 Aviation Blvd., Sonoma County Airport, sonomaflyingace.com. Open during regular flight hours.
Spaghetti & Sunday Red Sauce with roasted onion, garlic, basil and San Marzano tomatoes from Acre Pasta, Friday, May 30, 2025 in Sebastopol’s Barlow District. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Fresh pasta takes exactly two minutes to cook, according to chef Ian Marks of Sebastopol’s Acre Pasta. No more, no less for the perfect al dente consistency — firm to the bite.
“Any longer is a sin. And this is where we draw the line,” said Marks, who makes the tiny Barlow restaurant’s frilly pappardelle, lumache and tagliatelle daily.
Using only semolina flour and water for the dough, Marks has the preparation and cooking time down to a science — not only for its al dente quality but because it’s the most efficient way to make pasta in his pint-size open kitchen.
So, when customers started sending back his cacio e pepe bucatini, asking for it to be cooked longer — up to 7 minutes — he took it off the menu.
“I can’t change the culture, so we work around it,” he said.
Lumache pasta cut automatically to the perfect size daily from Acre Pasta, Friday, May 30, 2025 in Sebastopol’s Barlow District. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Acre family
Just steps from Acre Pizza at The Barlow, Acre Pasta is a sister restaurant created by restaurateur Steve DeCosse. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because DeCosse also founded Acre Coffee (now Avid Coffee), which he sold in 2021.
The small indoor-outdoor space is as close to a Roman trattoria as DeCosse and Marks could make it, with an easygoing patio perfect for people-watching and a warm indoor dining room with table service. Guests at surrounding taprooms and wine shops can also order from the Acre Pasta menu.
DeCosse’s career as a restaurateur began in 1991 with San Francisco’s Slow Club, which former San Francisco Chronicle critic Michael Bauer named one of the most important restaurants of the past 30 years in 2013. DeCosse sold the business in 1998; it permanently closed in 2015.
Acre Pasta marks his 14th restaurant venture and it stays true to his long-standing philosophy: make good food — or, in the case of Acre Coffee, good coffee — with good ingredients at a good price. Now 61, DeCosse considers Acre Pasta his swan song.
Big dreams, small kitchen
DeCosse teamed up with Marks in February to create a small, sustainable menu for the new trattoria.
“We talked about our dream pasta spots, like Delfina in San Francisco, and classic cacio e pepe in Rome,” said Marks, a consulting chef for Acre Pasta.
Marks’ background as a restaurant owner, research-and-development (R&D) chef and food manufacturer helped shape the menu, cooking techniques and pricing strategy. DeCosse was adamant about offering dishes under $15 — the spaghetti with Sunday sauce, for example, is just $12.
That’s why the two-minute pasta cooking time is so important to Marks. Not only does it deliver the right consistency but also helps streamline operations in the small kitchen.
“It’s about how many times you touch the dish, and I was thinking it through for the cooks and the company,” he said. Sauces and other staples are prepared in a commissary kitchen shared with Acre Pizza in Petaluma, and some ingredients are repurposed — like leftover pizza dough turned into breadcrumbs for Caesar salad and meatballs.
Cacio e pepe, originally on the opening menu, was removed because it took too long to finish in the restaurant kitchen. In its place, Marks added spaghetti al limone, a light, summery dish with lemon, cream and Parmesan that’s quicker to execute. Other new additions include baked pasta (think lasagna), Pasta alla Norma with Italian sausage, eggplant, ricotta and mozzarella — dishes designed for easy preparation.
But efficiency doesn’t mean the food lacks a personal touch. The Sunday red sauce tastes like it came straight from nonna’s kitchen, with a slow-cooked flavor and kick of fresh tomatoes. The lumache pesto went through dozens of iterations before landing on one made with cashew cream, giving it a subtly sweet, gentle quality you don’t find in most pesto.
Cacio e pepe may be off the menu for now, but Marks hasn’t ruled out a return.
“It’s a hard little thing to do, but it might come back. I’ve always thought it should be an off-menu item on a secret menu — someday,” he said.
Tagliatelle with pesto, snap peas and asparagus and a Cappelletti Spritz from Acre Pasta, Friday, May 30, 2025 in Sebastopol’s Barlow District. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Best bets
Burrata toast ($12): Simple triangles of grilled bread slathered with creamy burrata and topped with sliced Roma tomatoes, balsamic glaze and torn basil.
Caesar salad ($15): The usual suspects are chicories and romaine with a shower of fresh Parmesan, breadcrumbs and anchovies. There’s garlic in the dressing, but not so much it leaves you reeking for a week.
Meatballs with Sunday red sauce ($15): The meatballs are made with beef, pork and breadcrumbs made from leftover Acre Pizza dough. The sauce steals the show.
Spaghetti and Sunday red sauce ($12): The research and development that went into this sauce may be NASA-level, but its simplicity is the real magic. Rather than relying on meat, Marks concentrates the juice from canned tomatoes with fennel seed, adding chopped tomatoes at the end. Perfection.
Spaghetti al limone ($16): It’s a grown-up version of buttered noodles. This crowd favorite relies on pasta water to thicken the creamy lemon sauce. Summery and whisper light.
Tagliatelle pesto ($17): Probably one of my very favorite dishes, with snap peas and asparagus (seasonal vegetables will change) in a cashew-based sauce. Not your usual sticky pesto.
Paparadelle al Ragu Bolognese ($22): This is the Bolognese I’ve been looking for. We can argue all day about what a “real” Bolognese recipe includes, but this slow-cooked meat sauce has the warmth of a summer day in Emilia-Romagna.
Lumache al funghi ($24): Strictly for mushroom lovers. The concentrated flavors of dried and fresh mushrooms in cream hug the curly tubes of lumache (cooked very al dente). This dish can be divisive (two of us loved it, two of us weren’t so sure), but I’m a fan.
Note: All pasta dishes can be upgraded with a dollop of burrata, pancetta, mushrooms, chicken breast or wild Gulf shrimp. Gluten-free pasta is also available, and several pasta sauces are vegetarian. The menu is also available for pickup and will soon be offered for delivery.
Prosecco, a Cappelletti Spritz (an Aperol spritz dupe), Folk Machine wine blend wine, and Reality Czeck Pilsner are available.
Overall: Affordable and accessible with plenty of heart and soul.
Acre Pasta, 6751 McKinley St. at The Barlow, Sebastopol, acrepasta.com. Open 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lunch coming soon.
Glamping accommodations at Safari West in Santa Rosa. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Summer is rolling into Sonoma County and people are on the hunt for premium outdoor recreation to soak up all the fun in the sun. Glamping — camping’s more glamorous cousin — has been top of mind for effortless leisure in nature. And according to travel and lifestyle guide USA Today 10Best, the No. 1 place to glamp in the United States is right in Santa Rosa.
In the recent 10Best list of best U.S. glamping spots, which ranges from a Florida dude ranch to yurts in the Great Smoky Mountains, Santa Rosa’s Safari West came out on top. A group of USA Today 10Best editors and readers curated the selection of glamping resorts.
Safari West glamping
The glamping tents at Safari West are imported from Botswana. Tents and cabins include native wood furniture made on the property. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)At Santa Rosa’s Safari West, you might see curious giraffes from your private deck. (Safari West)
Sonoma’s own Serengeti offers a number of ways to get closer to nature. After taking a safari tour visiting over 800 wild animals on the property, guests can stay the night in a luxurious glamping tent. The 30 tents, imported from Botswana, include private decks, en-suite bathrooms and hardwood floors.
Upgrade your tent to a two-bedroom cottage, complete with a king bed, double bunk bed, private bathroom, kitchenette and outdoor seating. A stay at Safari West includes a continental breakfast at the on-site Savannah Café. Glamping tents start at $420 per night and cottages start at $400 per night. Learn more and book online.
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
The new Truett Hurst tasting room in Healdsburg. (Rob Scheid)
To most, the abandoned warehouse on Hudson Street, less than a mile from the Healdsburg Plaza, looked old and dingy, with crumbling wooden walls. But to Kenwood designer Shawn Hall, it was a blank canvas, ready to be reborn as a chic new tasting room for Truett Hurst Winery.
After reclaiming his brands, Hurst was unable to afford the ultra-pricey 24-acre Dry Creek Road estate, which included a tasting room and a 13-acre vineyard. But in partnership with Ken Wilson — owner of the expansive Wilson Wines portfolio — he relocated both labels to a new shared tasting space on Mill Street, just steps from downtown Healdsburg’s roundabout.
Then, in December, Hurst moved Truett Hurst and VML into their new home: the historic warehouse on Hudson Street that Hall and her firm, Shawn E. Hall Designs, had transformed into a vintage-modern French showpiece.
Phil Hurst, right, and Ken Wilson pose with Truett Hurst wine. (Will Bucquoy Photography) March 21, 2024
A historic building with urban appeal
The building on Hudson Street, just off Front Street, has a long history. Originally constructed in 1875 as a cream of tartar plant, it later housed the French American Wine Co., founded in Healdsburg in 1903. Its complete transformation, including the addition of a new patio, took Hall over a year to complete.
Hall is no stranger to bold redesigns. She’s known for her work on 18 restaurants and 16 tasting rooms across the Bay Area, including Willi’s Seafood and Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg, La Folie Lounge in San Francisco, Madrigal Winery in St. Helena and her own former restaurant, Gypsy Café in Sebastopol.
She said she was glad Hurst chose the downtown-adjacent location (also owned by Wilson) instead of returning to his previous, rural estate.
“The wine industry is in such flux,” Hall said. “Everybody seems to be changing from the big estates to city tasting rooms. This generation doesn’t seem to want to go to the actual wineries as much as they want to just hit, hit, hit (multiple tasting rooms).”
While the original Dry Creek property successfully drew crowds with its barbecue parties and live music, Hurst had also noticed a growing shift toward convenience in recent years.
“It feels like people aren’t going out, doing the longer drives,” he said. “They’re not making the effort to do that three-hour-long, sit-down, boring tasting. It’s just easier for them to go visit 10 wineries downtown in two hours instead of going out to the valleys.”
Younger drinkers also tend to gravitate toward more “funky” and authentic experiences, Hall said, something that large corporate wineries often struggle to provide but that comes naturally to smaller, family-owned producers like Truett Hurst.
As part of its summer event series running through August, the new tasting room is offering live music, along with fresh-grilled tri-tip on a baguette and a glass of wine for $25 (free for club members).
“But we also did something crazy the other day with a flower class,” Hurst said. “Like 75 people came in to learn how to press flowers and have some wine. It was lovely, you know, it wasn’t the same old baloney.”
The new Truett Hurst tasting room in Healdsburg. (Rob Scheid)The new Truett Hurst tasting room in Healdsburg. (Rob Scheid)
Reflecting the quirky spirit of Sonoma County
Hurst originally had his eye on a different building next door to the new tasting room, but Hall convinced him to reconsider. The first space lacked character, she said, and would have turned into just another generic tasting room: a bar, a few vineyard photos on the walls and little else. It felt uninspired, especially for younger audiences, and didn’t reflect the quirky, creative spirit of Sonoma County.
Hurst quickly saw her point. “I think we have to think differently and be more progressive and modern in our approach,” he said.
“As a designer, I love being thrown a weird building like this,” Hall added of the Hudson Street tasting room. “I mean, I can tell you, this was not a pretty place. It was dark and ugly, with a giant metal door and covered windows.”
She replaced the metal door with a glass roll-up trimmed in bright red, opened up a low ceiling to reveal a soaring roofline with skylights and stripped the coverings off what turned out to be expansive, high-set windows. Now, the space is filled with natural light and sunsets bounce off clean white walls.
Hall also repurposed old wooden doors as room dividers and installed antique residential doors on sliding tracks to give the offices privacy and charm. She made sure to showcase fire engine red Adirondack chairs — a signature detail from the original Dry Creek estate.
Choose your own adventure
At the new tasting room, guests can tailor their experience. Some may opt for a quick splash of Sonoma County Brut Sparkling at the 20-foot-long weathered wood bar. Others might settle into oversize armchairs, plush sofas or communal tables for a full flight. The lineup includes the White Sheep Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir, Rattler Rock Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Sonoma County Southdown Zinfandel, Rocslide North Coast Red Blend, GPS Darkhorse Mendocino County Red Blend and Estate Petite Syrah.
The $25 tasting fee keeps the experience approachable and walk-ins — along with well-behaved dogs — are welcome. (On a recent visit, a lovely dachshund named Winnie gave it four paws up.)
From the outset, Hall insisted a patio was a must to elevate the tasting experience — even if it would take longer to build. (While younger wine drinkers lean into urban settings, she has found they still crave a connection to the outdoors.)
The result is a lush, inviting outdoor space, with overflowing Corten steel planters, a custom shade awning, a traditional stake arbor with grapevines climbing the trellis, and a sleek modern fountain.
With the wine world more competitive than ever, Hall knows the stakes are high. “I need to create experiences that people will remember,” she said. And that’s a challenge she’s still passionate about.
“Hospitality is our industry and this is what I love about living here,” she said.
Flowers Vineayrds & Winery’s destination guest experience in the Russian River Valley features extensive gardens.
With over 400 wineries in Sonoma County, it can be daunting to decide where to take your wine-loving guests. This summer, be prepared with this list of the best tasting rooms for first-time visitors.
Or, use this roundup for your own selfish needs. (We won’t tell.)
Abbot’s Passage Winery + Mercantile, Glen Ellen
Go: for something unconventional
The first female winemaker in her six-generation California wine family, Katie Bundschu dares to be different at Abbot’s Passage, her winery and boutique in the heart of Glen Ellen, where she crafts small-lot wines from Rhône varieties grafted onto the shoulders of 80-year-old vines.
While sipping, enjoy an elaborate grazing board or check out the retail shop, which highlights artisan home goods, jewelry and clothing from local women-owned businesses. Tastings are $45. For an additional $25, book a shuffleboard court among the vines. Open 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com
Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor
Go: for the food
Bricoleur Vineyards is located on 40 expansive acres in the Russian River Valley. Here, a robust culinary program, worthwhile wines and pastoral beauty combine to delight your senses. An immersive food and wine experience (a collaboration between James Beard Award-winning chef Charlie Palmer and the winery’s executive chef Todd Knoll) delivers six wines paired with seasonal dishes from the estate’s culinary garden and regional purveyors. Additional tastings are also available.
Make time to peruse the property’s picturesque olive groves, rose garden, bocce ball court, ponds and historic milk barn. Tastings from $40. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations preferred. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
At Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor. (Bricoleur Vineyards)Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma
Go: For a taste of history
Founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista Winery is the second-oldest winery in California and a worthwhile destination for history buffs. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the winery is currently owned by the Boisset Collection and underwent a major renovation in 2012.
Choose the tour and you’ll catch a glimpse of the renovated Champagne Cellars and historic wine caves, followed by a wine flight. Tastings from $25. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Friday; and 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com
The Champagne lounge at Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. (Scott Chebegia/Buena Vista Winery)
Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: for a taste of the Sonoma Coast
Flowers fans rejoiced in 2019 when the famed producer of ethereal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sonoma’s high-elevation coast opened a tasting room near downtown Healdsburg.
At House of Flowers’ 15.5-acre estate, guests can taste winemaker Chantal Forthun’s highly expressive wines in the architecturally impressive hospitality house or in the lush gardens beneath the redwoods.
Wines are paired with seasonal bites. Tastings from $75. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations required. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com
Indoor tasting area at Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Flowers Vineyards & Winery)Wines are paired with seasonal bites at Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Flowers Vineyards & Winery)
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery, Jenner
Go: for the thrilling drive
If you haven’t experienced the thrill of driving up Sonoma’s dramatic coastline to Jenner, a trip to Fort Ross Winery is an event you’re unlikely to forget (and entirely worth it once you relax your grip on the steering wheel).
Once you’re safely seated above the fog, sample cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the estate’s steep, coastal vineyards, which are closer to the Pacific Ocean than any other vineyard in the state. (Fort Ross is also one of just a handful of California producers to offer Pinotage, a red variety developed in South Africa.)
For a leisurely visit, book a guided redwood forest walk that finishes with a food and wine pairing. Tastings from $50. Open 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Friday — Tuesday; reservations required. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma
Go: for the day
Established in 1858, Gundlach Bundschu is one of the oldest family-owned wineries in California, with a sprawling 320-acre property at the intersection of four appellations: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Carneros and Napa Valley. Today, the winery combines tastings of their sustainable, small-lot, coastal-influenced wines with a laid-back vibe that encourages extended lounging. Rest assured, the winery offers an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie, so you won’t go hungry.
Wine cave and vineyard tours are available, too. Before you go, check their events calendar for upcoming live music performances held in their outdoor amphitheater. Tastings from $25. Open 11:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Monday — Thursday; 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com
Hamel Family Wines, Sonoma
Go: for the dramatic view
At the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, Hamel Family Wines offers dramatic views of Sonoma Valley, where the Hamel family grows organic, certified-biodynamic grapes for their estate wines. Three available tasting experiences vary in complexity. All include a private tour of the Hamel Family Ranch vineyard, the 7,000-square-foot winery and an impressive wine cave.
Don’t miss the Reserve Experience ($125), a series of reserve Cabernet Sauvignon blends paired with seasonal snacks from executive chef Thomas Mendel. Tastings from $95. Open daily for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; reservations required. 15401 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com
Inman Family Wines, Santa Rosa
Go: for the personal touch
Winemaker-owner Kathleen Inman is known for her classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (including the always-charming Endless Crush rosé), along with her Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.
The interactive Sip and Stroll experience ($95) — which is led by Inman herself — includes a walk through the estate vineyard with a glass of wine in hand. Along the way, you’ll sample wines made from estate grapes while learning about the winery’s regenerative farming practices.
Additional tasting options include simple patio flights, Meet the Maker sessions and more. Tastings from $30. Open 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations recommended. 3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, 707-293-9576, inmanfamilywines.com
Iron Horse Vineyards, Sebastopol
Go: for the bubbles
Located in Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, this family-owned winery has been producing standout sparklers since 1976. Though Iron Horse bubblies have been served at the White House through several administrations, the winery vibe is anything but formal. The all-outdoor tasting patio is relaxed and rustic, overlooking scenic rolling hills carpeted in vines.
Iron Horse is best known as a sparkling wine house, but it’s also well worth a visit to sample the winery’s estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tastings cost $35. For $50 ($25 on weekdays) grab a few friends, reserve a picnic table and make a lazy afternoon of it. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.; reservations required. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, ironhorsevineyards.com
Jordan Winery’s culinary arts are made a focal point thanks to the view into the kitchen. (Christopher Stark)Duck and prosciutto paring at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Healdsburg. (Matt Armendariz)
Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: to be impressed
Set on 1,200 sprawling acres in Alexander Valley, Jordan Vineyard & Winery evokes the impressive wine estates of France. Founders Tom and Sally Jordan designed the Bordeaux-inspired winery château more than 50 years ago. Today, the estate is focused on land preservation and sustainability, while providing guests unmatched hospitality, unique culinary experiences and delicious wines.
The Winery Tour and Tasting includes a tour of Jordan’s historic oak tank room and winery garden. The French-inspired Chef’s Terrace Tasting features light bites from executive chef Jesse Mallgren. Tastings from $60. Open for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday — Sunday. (Closed Sundays in December.) 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Santa Rosa
Go: for a classic
Established in 1982, Kendall-Jackson may be best known for its iconic Chardonnay (the bestselling in the U.S. for more than 30 years), but its Santa Rosa tasting room and gardens offer much more. A highlight here is the top-notch culinary program and organic culinary gardens, which offer guests a variety of unique tasting experiences.
Among our favorites is the Chef’s Five-Course Menu Pairing ($125), which features local, seasonal ingredients and a flight of estate wines. There’s also a classic Estate Wine Tasting ($35), Small Plates Pairing ($75) and the (seasonal) highly recommended Garden Tour & Tasting with Master Culinary Gardener Tucker Taylor ($55).
Open 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Sunday; reservations recommended; 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com
Medlock Ames, Healdsburg
Go: for the audio
Founded in 1998, Medlock Ames continues to impress with its commitment to sustainability and organic, Bordeaux-varietal wines. At its 338-acre Bell Mountain Ranch in Healdsburg, a unique “Immersive Sound Experience” ($75) invites guests to meander through the vineyards, olive grove and California oaks while headphones provide narration about the winery’s commitment to land preservation.
Vineyard tastings at Bell Mountain Ranch (13414 Bell Mountain Ranch: Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg) are $65, while signature flights at the winery’s Alexander Valley tasting room are $45.
Alexander Valley tasting room (3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg) open 10:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Friday — Monday; reservations recommended; 707-431-8845, medlockames.com
Preston Farm & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: for a true taste of Sonoma County
Preston Farm & Winery exemplifies the best of Sonoma County: natural beauty, passionate land stewardship and thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation — which all culminate in your wine glass. In other words, don’t miss a visit to this diverse 125-acre farm and winery in Dry Creek Valley, where standout Rhône varietal wines are available alongside the farm’s organic produce, olive oil, brick-oven sourdough bread, eggs and pickles.
Picnics at Preston Farm are highly recommended (it’s also one of our favorite kid-friendly wineries). Tastings are $35. Open for tasting Thursday — Tuesday; reservations required. Farm store open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Tuesday. 9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com
Food and wine pairing at Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma
Go: for the aesthetic
The cool breath of San Pablo Bay will greet you at Ram’s Gate Winery in the Carneros appellation, where renowned architect Howard Backen and interior designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy joined to create the winery’s sleek farmhouse aesthetic. A visit here is made even more worthwhile thanks to winemaker Joe Nielsen’s single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties.
An array of tastings is available, from simple flights to five-course seasonal food and wine pairings from executive chef Michael Diaz de Leon. Tastings from $60. Open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday, by appointment only. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com
Unti Vineyards, Healdsburg
Go: for something new
At this intimate and beloved winery in Dry Creek Valley, visitors can explore wines made from varieties more commonly found in Italy and southern France, including Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Fiano and Montepulciano.
Those new to wine tasting or unfamiliar with some of Unti’s esoteric grape varieties will find comfort in the friendly staff who are great at explaining the wines and the stories behind them. Don’t miss: Unti’s truly spectacular dry rosé, which always sells out.
Stand-at-the-bar tastings are $25 and waived with any bottle purchase. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.; reservations required. 4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-5590, untivineyards.com
A selection of dishes from Everest Restaurant Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Cotati. (Photo by John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Many local restaurant owners can spin long stories of how they got to where they are today. Pemba Sherpa, co-owner of Cotati’s Everest restaurant, might just have the longest and most dramatic of the bunch.
He was born in Nepal, and after immigrating to the U.S. in 2002, he worked at several local restaurants, including nine years at the Red Grape in Sonoma, where he learned from the late Sam Morphy. Pemba Sherpa’s business interests grew, and he is now involved in five North Bay restaurants: La Casa in Sonoma; Yak & Yeti in Napa; Everest in Petaluma; Himalayan Kitchen in San Rafael; and his newest, Everest in Cotati, which opened last year.
“Nepalese food isn’t something that a lot of people are familiar with, but it’s something people love when they try it,” says Pemba Sherpa, who lives in Napa with his wife and two children.
(Another restaurateur, who is also named Pemba Sherpa, owns the recently-opened Farmhouse Sonoma. Born in Namche, a village in the foothills of the Himalayas, he opened the first Taste of the Himalayas restaurant in Sonoma in 2003.)
The menu at Everest is what many Nepalese Sherpa would consider traditional foods, including several types of noodle soup and momo dumplings. Everest restaurant is also the only local spot to enjoy thakali thali, a traditional combination plate with rice, lentils, meat and vegetables.
Apricot Shrimp with brown or white rice and naan on the side from Everest Restaurant Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Cotati. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Veggie, Lamb and Chicken Momo dumplings from Everest Restaurant Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Cotati. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The connection between Wine Country and the Sherpa community goes back to the 1990s, when Chhiring Sherpa, who now owns Himalayan Sherpa Kitchen in St. Helena, moved to the region and opened a restaurant in Glen Ellen. Others followed. Nima Sherpa, who owns Sonoma Grille in Sonoma, arrived in 1998.
“Our community is like a family,” says Nima Sherpa, who, before he became a restaurateur, assisted on dozens of high-altitude treks on Mount Everest.
Dungenesse Crab Cioppino with mussels, clams, calamari, prawns, and salmon on a marinara lobster sauce at Sonoma Grille in Sonoma on Friday February 4, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)Broiled Filet Mignon served with garlic mashed potatoes, chilled asparagus, and blue cheese butter, at Sonoma Grille in Sonoma on Friday February 4, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)Buffalo Trace Old Fashion at Sonoma Grille in Sonoma on Friday February 4, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Elite climber Pasang Tshering Sherpa, who starred in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks,” flew a flag for Sonoma Grille atop Mount Everest in May 2022. And Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, who grew up in the same Himalayan town as one of La Casa’s owners, flew a flag for that restaurant atop Everest in May 2023.
“The Nepalese culture is about hospitality and treating people with kindness and respect,” says Everest restaurant’s Pemba Sherpa. “This is a way of bringing the culture of Nepal to the people of Sonoma County.”
Jenner Headlands Preserve. (Brook Edwards / Sonoma County Tourism)
The longest state route in California, Highway 1 traces the rugged Sonoma Coast along the Pacific Ocean, passing through Bodega Bay, Jenner, Fort Ross and other charming towns. This iconic drive offers endless opportunities for scenic strolls, seaside meals, wine tasting and soaking up unforgettable views. Here are a few standout spots for your next road trip.
Valley Ford: A Tasty Pit Stop
Estero Cafe: Approaching Bodega Bay from the south on Highway 1, make a pit stop in Valley Ford for coffee or a tasty breakfast burrito at Estero Cafe. For the road, grab a brown paper bag of homemade teriyaki beef jerky next door at Valley Ford Market — it’s a local favorite. 14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3333.
Bodega: History and Hitchcock
Saint Teresa of Avila Church: Just north of Highway 1 in the town of Bodega, you’ll find this New England-style white wooden church, captured in Ansel Adams’s 1953 black-and-white photograph “Church and Road” and 10 years later in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “The Birds.” Built in 1862, it is the oldest Catholic Church in continuous use in Sonoma County. 17242 Bodega Highway, Bodega
Bodega Bay: Seafood, Surf and Scenic Views
Doran Beach: Coming out of a steep ravine as you enter Bodega Bay, turn left on Doran Beach Road and wind down to the 2-mile spit that stretches into Doran Beach at Doran Regional Park (parking fee $7). It’s a great place to picnic, explore the beach and watch surfers and fishing boats come and go through the harbor. 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay.
Sonoma Coast Vineyards: As you enter Bodega Bay, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, specializing in limited production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is on the left. On a sunny day, the back patio makes a perfect cheese-plate picnic perch for watching snowy egrets that roost in trees along the eastern edge of the bay. 555 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-921-2860.
People dine on fresh seafood at Fishetarian in Bodega Bay. (Kim Carroll / Sonoma Magazine)
Fishetarian Fish Market: Just north of Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Fishetarian serves excellent seafood — oysters, chowder, crab sandwiches, grilled fish tacos, fish and chips and more — all available for online pickup and best enjoyed at picnic tables overlooking the bay. Or bring your meal to the beach. Doran Beach is nearby, or drive further north to Salmon Creek or Goat Rock Beach. 599 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092.
Patrick’s Salt Water Taffy: The pink and white stripes that adorn this building — and serve as the backdrop for many Instagram photos — are only half as fun as what’s inside. Grab a bag of salt water taffy for the road, whether it’s chocolate caramel mocha, peach or another of the countless flavors available. 915 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9816.
Ginochio’s Kitchen: Just north, at Ginochio’s Kitchen, order our dining editor’s favorite crab sandwich served on buttery griddled slices of white bread. The chowder is among the best on the coast, with soft scallops and clams dotted throughout. They also offer great wines, beer and cider that are hard to find elsewhere. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359.
Two Spots to Get Your Chowder and Crab Sando: A five-minute drive from Highway 1, you’ll find the best clam chowder on the coast at Spud Point Crab Company (1910 Westshore Road), owned by crabber Tony Anello and his wife Carol. Next door, Fisherman’s Cove (1850 Bay Flat Road) is another favorite. Try the crab sandwich on toasted ciabatta or the barbecue oysters.
Bodega Head: This stop along the Sonoma Coast has it all — exceptional views, plenty of space to stroll around and a beach. There’s a short trail, just under two miles long, that’s easy to follow and offers panoramic views. Or take the short path down to the beach area with sand and room to hang out — just be mindful of sneaker waves. Plus, parking is free!
Salmon Creek Beach: One of the best places to watch surfers around Bodega Bay is Salmon Creek State Beach, located along Highway 1 north of town. The parking lot at the end of Bean Avenue, on your right off Highway 1, often fills up on busy days. About a quarter mile up the road, you can park in another lot along the bluffs overlooking the ocean and take the stairs down to the beach and lagoon where tiny Salmon Creek trickles into the Pacific.
Jenner and the Northern Sonoma Coast
Cafe Aquatica: Perched on a rocky knoll just above the Russian River estuary, this casual beach shack is an insider’s secret. The café micro-roasts its own coffee, serving excellent pour-overs, and makes its own soups, breads and other baked goods each morning using organic ingredients. The food is ridiculously good, especially when you’re sitting outside watching paddleboarders float by. Live music on weekends. 10439 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2251.
Jenner Headlands Preserve: Jenner Headlands Preserve is a 5,630-acre coastal hiking paradise with a mounted telescope for whale watching, a creek crossing, plenty of redwoods and Douglas firs and, for the truly gung-ho, the chance to bag a major peak with the 7.5-mile round-trip hike up 2,204-foot Pole Mountain. 12001 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-243-3064.
Jenner Headlands Preserve. (Brook Edwards / Sonoma County Tourism)
Timber Cove Resort: This Jenner property is the only Sonoma County hotel with an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. Featured on Amazon Prime’s “Epic Hotels,” the resort was built in 1963 as a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired A-frame. It received a complete face-lift a few years ago, giving it a modern hippy vibe with chic midcentury accents. The lobby and decks are great places to hang out, as is on-site restaurant Coast Kitchen, which serves seasonal dishes, seafood and more seven days a week. 21780 North Coast Highway 1, 707-847-3231.
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery: The outdoor deck at this coastal winery offers jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal redwoods and lush meadows. The tasting room is open by appointment and the Pinot Noir is not to be missed. Wine tastings include four estate-grown wines accompanied by a sit-down meal of locally sourced charcuterie and artisanal cheeses; a vegetarian option is available. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460.
Fort Ross Vineyards & Winery in Jenner. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Fort Ross State Historic Park: Fort Ross State Historic Park has attracted visitors for over a century with its unique and multifaceted history. Once the territory of the Kashaya Pomo tribe, Fort Ross became the southernmost Russian settlement and fur trading post in North America from 1812 to 1842. When the Russians moved on, the fort became a commercial agricultural and logging hub. In addition to viewing reconstructed historic buildings, you can see where the San Andreas Fault comes ashore and several clearly visible markers of the 1906 earthquake. 19005 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3286.
Stewarts Point & Sea Ranch
Twofish Baking Company: Approaching Sea Ranch from the south on Highway 1, you’ll find the Stewarts Point Store on the left, just a few miles before you reach Sea Ranch. Twofish Baking Company, inside the store, is famous for its sticky buns, but you have to get there early — they often sell out by 10 a.m. The pizza is great, too. If you’re looking for vacation reading material, there’s a rack of vintage pulp fiction by the door. And don’t miss the Bigfoot photo-op at a neighboring ranch by the parking lot. 32000 Highway 1, Stewarts Point, 707-785-2011
Sea Ranch: More than half a century after the first structures went up in this coastal enclave, Sea Ranch stewards remain committed to maintaining its original design ethos of “living lightly on the land,” as defined by its celebrated designer, landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. Walking the bluffs and admiring the sleekly designed houses is one of the most beloved pastimes here. Public access to beaches may be taken for granted today, but it was once the focus of fierce legal wrangling in the 1970s, when Sea Ranch became the center of a hard-fought environmental battle that led to the formation of the California Coastal Commission.
The Sea Ranch Chapel: Turn right into an unmarked parking lot across from the turn for Bosun’s Reach Street to check out one of the most photographed spectacles in the region: the Sea Ranch Chapel — part hobbit house, part meditation sanctuary. Built from local materials, the nondenominational chapel was designed by architect James Hubbell in 1985. The door is open from sunrise to sunset every day, and visitors can step inside for a quiet retreat, bathed in stained-glass wonder. 40033 Highway 1, Sea Ranch
Inside the Sea Ranch Chapel — part hobbit house, part meditation sanctuary. (Craig Tooley / Sonoma County Tourism)
Coastal trails, waterfalls and wales
Gualala Point Regional Park: The northernmost Sonoma County Regional Park along Highway 1 before crossing into Mendocino County offers sweeping coastal trails and an ideal setting for beachcombing or spotting river otters near the mouth of the Gualala River. It also provides a scenic northern entry point into Sea Ranch via the 3-mile Bluff Top Trail, which leads to Walk On Beach. 42401 Highway 1.
Watch whales along the coast: Highway 1 boasts several excellent whale-watching spots, with peak viewing season running from December through May. Around 20,000 gray whales migrate along the California coast each year, heading south in winter to breeding lagoons off Baja California, then returning north in spring to the Bering Sea. For a chance to see them, stop at Bodega Head, Sea Ranch or Gualala Point Regional Park. Set up a lawn chair, grab your binoculars and enjoy the show.
Watch waterfalls along the coast: The Sonoma Coast is characterized by steep bluffs fronting beaches or coves. Small ravines that traverse the coastal forest and grasslands transport water seasonally. The water spills directly over the cliffs creating lovely beach waterfalls. Two of the best ones are Phillips Gulch at Salt Point State Park and Stengel Beach at The Sea Ranch.
