Guy Fieri Saves Butcher Shop Where He Worked His First Job

By Heather Irwin
A hospital worker poses for a quick picture with celebrity chef Guy Fieri at Memorial Hospital on Wednesday. Fieri brought family, friends and his 48-foot Guy’s Smokehouse Stagecoach mobile kitchen to feed first responders and hospital workers lunch. (photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat).

A historic Ferndale meat business will live to cleave another steak, thanks to Guy Fieri.

In January, the celebrity chef and Ferndale native purchased a historic building where the Ferndale Meat Company had operated for more than a century. It also happened to be where a young Guy got his first job — making jerky.

According to the Ferndale Enterprise, the newspaper’s publisher alerted Fieri that the building was for sale for $299,299. The “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” host bought the building the next day.

Fieri noted that the business means more to locals than simply a spot to buy pork chops or a deli sandwich, citing its importance to 4-H and FFA students, along with hunters in the region. Ferndale Meat Company is one of only a handful of butchers in rural Northern California counties and is constantly busy.

Fieri said he doesn’t plan to change a thing, and will leave operations to the current owner, Butcher Curt Terribilini.

4 Off-the-Beaten-Path Hikes in Sonoma County

By Dana Rebmann
The North Sonoma Mountain Trail winds through North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, with a view of Bennett Valley, in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)

Award-winning wineries and restaurants might be what Sonoma County is best known for, but living in Wine Country has a long list of perks. One of them is the dozens of parks and open spaces that are scattered throughout the region. From strolling along quiet beaches to hiking in the shade of majestic redwoods, you can do it all here. And if you’re willing to venture a bit off the beaten path, you can avoid the crowds and have nature to yourself — even on a warm and sunny day. Click through the gallery above for four of our favorite Sonoma County parks off the beaten path.

Petaluma Ceramist Creates Artisan Tiles That Add a Sense of History to Modern Homes

By Karen Kizer

Interior design trend predictions for 2021 have one thing in common: they highlight the mixing of old and new as a way to achieve a fresh look as we continue to spend more time at home. Straight-from-the-showroom style is giving way to styling with vintage and antique items, blended with newer elements to create a collected and balanced look. Concerns about manufacturing’s impact on the planet are also driving this trend: fast fashion is out, while well-made artisan and sustainable style is in.

Petaluma ceramicist Forrest Lesch-Middelton of FLM Ceramics employs a creative process that checks many of the boxes of this new—yet old—design trend. He extrudes tiles and hand-throws tea pots, bowls and plates and covers these in intricate designs using his own screen-printing technique, called Volumetric Image Transfer. This technique allows him to transfer screen printed pattern and imagery onto the surface of each object while they are still wet. He shapes the vessels from the inside only on the wheel, in order to not disturb the pattern. The result is contemporary fine art decor that references Old World style.

Lesch-Middelton likes to work with clay for its sustainable qualities.

“Clay is unbeatable as a material,” he said. “It’s the most readily available material on earth. You play with it in its plastic state, decorate and fire it, and it turns to stone.”

Forrest Lesch-Middelton of FLM Ceramics in Petaluma. (FLM Ceramics)

The Petaluma ceramist is inspired by 12th-17th century Turkish and Persian patterns and designs and the syncretism in art and crafts brought about by trade along the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected Asia, Northern Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Using modern techniques, he creates functional ceramics and tile that reference this period, as well as Islamic architecture and history and “modern themes of globalism.”

“It speaks to history,” said Lesch-Middelton about his particular style. The New York Times wrote in 2013 that his ceramics “look like the products of an ancient civilization whose people proudly insisted on being buried with their dishware.”

While drawing inspiration from the past, there’s also a futuristic strain in Lesch-Middelton’s work. For example, he uses a flat sheet of metal, or a Chladni plate, covered with sand to create patterns for his tiles from sound waves.

The Chladni plate or technique was invented in the late 18th century by German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni to visualize the effects of vibrations on mechanical surfaces. Lesch-Middelton adds an avant-garde element by using a signal generator that generates sine, square and triangle sound waves through a wave driver (a special type of speaker) to create geometric configurations in the sand.

Lesch-Middelton collaborates with his partner Beth Schaible and an apprentice to create the tiles. Schaible, a letterpress printer, lends her calligraphy to some of the pieces. The trio works out of their community studio, Petaluma Pottery, and collaborates with interior designers to get their tiles into people’s home. They also sell directly to customers via the FLM Ceramics website. Their tiles have been used by customers on floors, stairs and fireplaces and as backsplashes. Projects have ranged in size from a row of just 10 tiles over an antique sink at a Texas boutique hotel to covering the floors of eight rooms in a local home.

Filling large orders definitely requires discipline — as each tile is made by hand — but Lesch-Middelton knows it comes with the territory of being a dedicated artist in this particular line of work. And even the repetitive process of creating one tile after the next can yield new inspiration and a new way of looking at the creative process.

“Sometimes your best discoveries come on your 10,000th tile,” he said.

Lesch-Middelton’s sees “discovery” as an integral part of any creative endeavor. From the curiosity and wonder of the beginner through the process of learning by doing to the effort of constantly refining one’s craft, discovery is a process the artist needs to remain open to, he says.

“Eventually, if we are lucky, we make it through all of this to a place beyond trying, learning and doing— to a place of being. Soetsu Yanagi (a Japanese art critic and philosopher) refers to this place as a space where objects are ‘born, not made.’ It’s a place where sometimes, on your 10,000th tile, you may be open enough to see beyond what your hands made and be affected anew. Our best work comes from that place, and maybe every once in a while I am lucky enough to glimpse and create the product of that place.”

flmceramics.com

4 Glorious Sonoma Valley Hikes

By Adrienne Shubin

This article was originally published in 2018.

One of the many advantages to living in Sonoma County is having easy access to dozens of beautiful parks and thousands of miles of hiking trails. From taking in ocean views on coastal paths to hiking through Redwood forests and exploring botanical gardens, Sonoma County has something for every type of hiker. The Sonoma Valley corridor on Highway 12 in Kenwood and Glen Ellen includes several hiking destinations that each offer visitors something a little different. Click through the gallery above for four of our favorite hikes in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week Will Go On Despite Pandemic

By Heather Irwin
BN Ranch Hanger Steak with jalapeno charmoula, demi-glace, salt and pepper frites at Seared in Petaluma. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

Sonoma County Restaurant Week is happening Feb. 19-28. While I love the idea of Restaurant Week, I’m a bit ambivalent this year. The concept of helping local restaurants during the quiet winter season is on point, but the timing seems a bit tone-deaf when vaccinations for restaurant workers and the general public are moving far more slowly than anticipated. It’s a tough call.

So, what to do? I would strongly encourage readers to check out the socorestaurantweek.org website and wander around. While the actual information about menus is sparse, there are options for buying a gift card (a swell idea) and even better, it may turn you on to a new restaurant you’d like to check out either for Restaurant Week or later.

I don’t want to discourage dining out, especially since a business boost right now could literally make or break some restaurants. But it’s equally important to be mindful of restaurant workers. I’m going to let Sonoma County Restaurant Week plant a seed in my brain to try restaurants I’ve forgotten about or want to try again. I encourage you to do the same.

See participating restaurants and purchase gift cards here. 

6 Sonoma Wineries That Are Making Extra Virgin Olive Oil

By Dana Rebmann

Dining outside or ordering takeout from our favorite Sonoma County restaurants is a great way to support local businesses during the pandemic, but chances are you’re still doing more cooking at home these days. Something as simple as swapping out that store-bought extra virgin olive oil in your pantry with a locally produced bottle can be a game changer in the kitchen. Thanks to a small group of Sonoma County wineries we can get liquid gold — when it’s fresh and at its peak — delivered straight to our doorsteps. Along with upping you dinner game, it’s a great opportunity to support family-owned businesses.

Click through the gallery above to learn more about some of the best locally-produced olive oils in Sonoma County. You just might find something new to love from one of your favorite local wineries.

Sonoma County Hotels Featured on New Amazon Prime Show

By Grace Yarrow

Sonoma County residents — and Wine Country frequenters — might notice a few familiar spots if they tune into Amazon Prime Video’s new series “Epic Hotels.”

The first episode of the series highlights four hotels in the Sonoma and Napa areas. First on the list of “epic” properties is Timber Cove Resort, located in Jenner and overlooking the Sonoma coast.

“It was a ton of fun to show off. It’s such a beautiful place and it looks just brilliant on TV,” said Timber Cove general manager David Ahern. On the show, Ahern gives a tour of the resort, including outdoor areas, the spacious lobby, and ocean-view rooms.

The hotel has a rustic but luxurious feel and is the only Sonoma County resort with an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. The expansive property offers plenty of space for guests to explore, watch whales or take a break with a glass of local wine.

“Especially now, in 2021, escaping wherever you are is perfect. We have 23 acres to distance yourself, to collect yourself, to kind of refocus your energy on what’s going to be an amazing 2021,” Ahern said.

The second hotel featured on the Amazon show is Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa. The property attracts visitors with beautiful gardens and two restaurants, and shows off Sonoma’s vineyards and natural beauty.

“It’s just like being in the south of France or the south of Italy. It’s the Mediterranean in Sonoma County,” said Percy Brandon, general manager of Vintners Inn, on the show.

The producers of “Epic Hotels” also showed segments from Napa County hotels Triple S Ranch and Vista Collina Resort in the Sonoma/Napa episode.

Sonoma County Restaurants Are Serving Up Super Bowl Meals To Go

By Dana Rebmann
Truffle fries at Wing Man in Cotati. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

It doesn’t matter who you are rooting for in this Sunday’s big game because, let’s be honest, the real question is: what will you be eating? When it comes down to it, by halftime, it’s food that has the power to make every fan happy.

From classic chicken wings and chili to ribeye and Brussel sprouts, chefs like Liza Hinman and Dustin Valette are offering Super Bowl takeaway menus that make game day grub a no-brainer. You can eat like royalty without spending hours in the kitchen, while also supporting local businesses. It’s a win any way you look at it.

Many of the menus below must be ordered in advance, so don’t delay.

The Spinster Sisters

The “Big Game Menu” from Santa Rosa’s The Spinster Sisters features some of the kitchen team’s favorite Super Bowl dishes.

“Seven layer dip is one of my favorites,” says chef Liza Hinman, owner of The Spinster Sisters. “I make it every year.”

Curbside pick up is on Saturday, February 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the food can be easily reheated on Sunday while you’re watching the game. Wine pairing is available. Order ASAP, because Family Meals like these sell out quickly. (The Spinster Sisters plans to continue to offer Family Meals for the next few months, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for curbside pickup).

401 South A Street, Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100, thespinstersisters.com

The Spinster Sisters’ Big Game Menu

  • Chili Con Carne + all the fixings
  • Bacon + Pickled Pepper Corn Muffins
  • 7 Layer Black Bean Dip with House-made Tortilla Chips
  • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños with Honey Goat Cheese
  • Flash Fired Brussel Sprouts with Lemon Aioli
  • Chocolate Rum Cake
  • $66 serves two
Chili from The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy photo)
Chili from The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy photo)
Joe Trez of Wing Man in Cotati. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Joe Trez of Wing Man in Cotati. (Heather Irwin)

Wing Man

Joe Trez of Wing Man in Cotati says he’s “loved wings ever since I was a kid.”

The restaurant offers nearly a dozen sauce choices for its crispy wings along with a selection of more than 80 beers, including local favorites like Cooperage Brewing Company, Moonlight Brewing Company, and Russian River Brewing Company.

Pre-orders can be placed online for your preferred pick-up time on game day.

101 East Cotati Avenue, Cotati, 707-794-9464, wingmanfoodtruck.com

Wing Man’s Super Bowl Sunday Special

  • 30 Wings (bone-in, boneless or vegan) with choice of up to five sauces
  • Carrot and Celery Sticks with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Choice of any style of French fries: Plain Jane, Garlic + Parmesan, Truffle + Parmesan, or Sweet Potato Fries
  • Mixed Four Pack of Local Beer, Sparkling Wine or Six Sodas
  • $50 serves two to four

Ricky’s Eastbound

Ricky’s Super Bowl takeout menu incorporates a number of favorites from both Ricky’s Eastbound and owner Rick Bruno’s recently-closed restaurant, Bruno’s On Fourth. Professional baker Clare Hulme of Wooden Petal helped open Ricky’s, so her pretzels are a natural fit on the Super Bowl menu.

Orders must be placed by 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, for pick up on Saturday, February 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dishes can be reheated to eat on Sunday during the game.

5755 Mountain Hawk Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-536-6606, RickysEastboundOrders@gmail.com, rickyseastbound.com

Ricky’s Super Bowl Heat & Eat Meal

  • Wooden Petal Pretzels with Honey-Mustard Dip & Rick’s Gruyere & Bacon Cheese Dip
  • House-Made Tortilla Chips with Guacamole & Salsa
  • St. Louis Hoisin & BBQ Pork Ribs (half & half)
  • Moonlight Brewing Death & Taxes Stout Baked Beans
  • Ricky’s Mac n’ Cheese
  • $125 serves four. $245 serves eight.

Valette Healdsburg

“When I think of [the] Super Bowl I can’t help but imagine massive ribeye steaks on the grill smoking away and of course a cold beer,” says chef Dustin Valette, proprietor of Valette restaurant in Healdsburg.

In honor of Super Bowl 55, Valette is offering a Super Bowl Sunday Provisions Menu for $55 per person.

Order online sooner as opposed to later to avoid disappointment. Pickup is available 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. on game day.

344 Center Street, Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com

Valette’s Super Bowl Sunday

  • Valette House-Made Bread
  • Charcuterie and Local Cheese
  • ‘Pliny’s’ Mac n’ Cheese with Gouda and House-Made Bacon
  • 18 oz Sous Vide Creekstone Ribeye
  • $55 per person. Minimum two people.
The Butcher Burger with house American, cheddar and jack cheese, iceberg lettuce, smoked 'n' grilled onions and pickles from the Butcher Crown Roadhouse in Petaluma. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Butcher Burger with house American, cheddar and jack cheese, iceberg lettuce, smoked ‘n’ grilled onions and pickles from the Butcher Crown Roadhouse in Petaluma. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Butcher Crown Roadhouse

Butcher Crown Roadhouse in Petaluma is offering special Super Bowl Pigskin Platters and Football Feasts, including smoked brisket by the pound, brisket chili, slider trays with choice of smoked brisket and pulled pork, mac ‘n’ cheese, plus their regular menu for pick up on game day. The cut-off time to reserve for Super Bowl Big Game BBQ packs is Thursday at 8 p.m. Porch pick-up is between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday for these items. Make reservations here.

1905 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, 707-559-3735, butchercrown.com

Butcher Crown Roadhouse’s Super Bowl Big Game BBQ Packs

  • Humm Baby-Back Ribs
  • Pulled Pork Slider Tray
  • Slow ‘n’ Low Pulled Pork
  • Smoked Brisket
  • Mac ‘n Cheese
  • Brisket Slider Tray: One pound of 24 hour-smoked Brisket, 16 Hawaiian rolls, coleslaw, pickles
  • Ultimate Pigskin Pack BBQ Feast: 2 Full Birds Piri Piri Chicken, 2 Full Racks Humm Baby-back Ribs, 2 pounds of 24 hour smoked Brisket, 2 pounds slow ‘n’ low smoked Pulled Pork, plus tray of mac ‘n’ cheese, tray of cornbread, large size sides of loaded potato salad, and creamy coleslaw ($349)

Tips Roadside

Tips Roadside in Kenwood is serving up Super Bowl meals to go. Pre-order and pick up your order at the restaurant between 12-3 p.m. on Sunday. Cocktail crowlers and bottles of wine available with to go orders.

Tips Roadside’s Super Bowl Specials

  • Smoked Tri Tip Meal: Whole Tri Tip, BBQ Baked Beans, Housemade Coleslaw, Bread rolls. (4-6 people; $99.00)
  • Smoked Chicken Wings w/ Alabama Sauce (4-6 people; $50.00)
  • Tri Tip Nachos (4-6 people; $35.00)
  • Tri-Tip Chili & White Cheddar Cornbread (4-8 people; $50.00)

Is one of your favorite Sonoma County restaurants offering a Super Bowl Sunday spread to go? We’d love to know! Leave details in the comments below.

12 Sonoma Wineries to Visit Right Now

By Jean Saylor Doppenberg

Sonoma County wineries are open for outdoor tastings. Here are a few recommendations of wineries to visit. Please call ahead — many wineries require appointments and seating may be limited. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the wineries.

Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile

The tasting room that spotlights the work of Katie Bundschu, the first female winemaker in her six-generation California wine family, recently moved from downtown Sonoma to this spacious location which once housed Valley of the Moon Winery. Bundschu is grafting and crossing vines from the property’s historic Zinfandel vineyard to make completely new varietals for future vintages. Wines by Bundschu you can enjoy now include Sightline, a Chenin Blanc-Verdejo blend; Redshift, a mix of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Pinot Noir; and Tri Point, a blend of Viognier and Syrah. The $40 tasting is available with food pairings if you choose.

777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com

Black Knight Vineyards

In 2007, the Black family bought 15 acres of vineyards in the Bennett Valley AVA and replanted them to cool-climate varietals. Since then, the family has added many more acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and less-common grapes such as Gamay and Ploussard. They also make sparkling wine, with a “bubble bar” as part of the Black Knight tasting room that opened in downtown Petaluma last summer. “The turnout by locals has been great, and the wine is flowing,” says owner Lexine Black. “Nearly all of our wines are estate-grown and produced, and we bottle about 1,500 cases. We expect to release our newest rosé the weekend of Valentine’s Day.” Choose from the standard tasting of five wines ($20), a vertical tasting of Chardonnay ($35), or a sparkling wine flight.

155 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-278-6877, blackknightvineyards.com

Corner 103

Owner Lloyd Davis has a reputation for creating an enjoyable tasting experience, recently verified when Corner 103 was named the best tasting room in the nation by 10Best, a travel guide published by USA Today. The by-reservation-only tasting ($20) might include samples of five limited-production wines such as sparkling rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec, and a Marsanne- Roussanne blend. New releases likely to be poured this month include the 2018 Knights Valley Primitivo, 2018 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, 2017 Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah, and the 2018 Sonoma Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

103 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-931-6141, corner103.com

Davis Family Vineyards

Overlooking the Russian River, the setting of this tasting room is only a few blocks from downtown Healdsburg. The excellent Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah produced by Guy Davis have made this a must-visit. The Davis family also bottles Chardonnay, Roussanne, and a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend, and they received two gold medals for their Pinot in the 2020 North Coast Wine Challenge. Tasting appointments are recommended on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ($20).

52 Front St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3858, davisfamilyvineyards.com

DeLoach Vineyards

Owned by vintner Jean-Charles Boisset, DeLoach sources its fruit from many local vineyards, including Chardonnay from the Ritchie Vineyard, one of the oldest in the Russian River Valley, and the Saitone Vineyard, where the average age of the vines is 100-plus years. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are primarily bottled here, but Zinfandel is also produced. The Amphora line includes Carignane and the white Italian grape Ribolla Gialla. A seated tasting of four wines is $20; add cheese or charcuterie for two, or a boxed lunch from the Oakville Grocery ($30 each). Weather permitting, take a self-guided tour through the estate’s organic and biodynamic farm.

1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com

Dutton-Goldfield Winery

When grapegrower Steve Dutton teamed with winemaker Dan Goldfield in 1998, they started a label known for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with Zinfandel, Syrah, and Riesling. Select the basic tasting of five wines, or choose a four-taste all-Pinot ($30 each). Wine-and-cheese pairings ($35) feature seasonally selected wines. The grapes are sourced mostly from the cool climates of the Petaluma Gap AVA and the Green Valley district of the Russian River Valley AVA. “Dan is an outdoor enthusiast who’s discovered many great vineyards while riding his bike around the region,” says general manager Valerie Wathen. “He seeks out the special microclimates in vineyards and says, ‘I want to make wine from there.’”

3100 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-823-3887, duttongoldfield.com

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

The Fort Ross-Seaview AVA is one of Sonoma County’s smallest, with fewer than 600 planted acres, located on steep coastal ridges inland from the ocean with elevations ranging from 920 to 1,800 feet. These slopes produce some of the finest cool-climate grapes in the county. Fort Ross winery owners Lester and Linda Schwartz have carved out 53 acres of vineyards planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, in a nod to their South African roots, Pinotage. Sample four estate-grown wines together with a pairing of charcuterie or artisanal cheeses, with house-made morsels that might include duck with dried sour-cherry terrine, local rabbit rillette, and marinated vegetables ($45). By appointment only.

15725 Meyers Grade Rd., Jenner, 707-847-3460 fortrossvineyard.com.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Tastings at this house of sparkling wine are offered four times daily, and bottle service is also available for guests who reserve a table. The winery has partnered with Big Bottom Market to deliver prepared meals that guests can order in advance. “In January, we’ll release two special bottles of bubbly for visitors,” adds Ariana Chapanar, tasting room host. “The first is our Chinese cuvée, which we produce to commemorate Chinese New Year. The other is Commander’s Palace, celebrating Mardi Gras and named for the iconic restaurant in New Orleans. It’s the private label we make for the restaurant, and they allocate 400 cases back to us to share with our guests.”

9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com

Meadowcroft Wines

Tom Meadowcroft has the ideal name for a wine producer: “meadow” means a fertile field, and “croft” refers to a cultivated area. He bottles several whites and reds, including Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Viognier, Roussanne, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine by the glass or bottle is available to-go without reservations (a $12 snack box can be added), or a seated wine-and-food bites option ($30) can be reserved. A taste of four wines together with a picnic lunch can also be arranged ($40), or a Pinot tasting with light bites ($50), and a blending and tasting experience ($105).

23574 Arnold Drive (in Cornerstone Sonoma), Sonoma, 707-934-4090, meadowcroftwines.com

Roger Roessler Wines

The signature wine created by this small producer is Pinot Noir, including its popular Black Pine Pinot. Additional varietals are Chardonnay, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red Bordeaux-style blend. Three tastings are offered: four samples of single-vineyard Pinots of different vintages and AVAs ($15), four Rhône varietals, or a combo of five Pinots and Rhône wines ($12 each). Wines by the glass are also poured. Monthly case sales are offered in January and February, when visitors can expect to save at least 45%. “As a small passion-project type of winery,” says Ethan Glago, director of hospitality, “we’re making wine we love to drink, and we’re all about small quantity and high quality. In the past year our Pinots have received seven double-gold medals and 10 gold medals.”

654 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-933-1330, rogerroesslerwines.com

Sangiacomo Family Wines

This tasting room operated by the legendary Sangiacomo grape-growing family opened last summer to showcase their own line of wines, in production since 2016. The spot launched with a soft opening, says director of hospitality Meghan Delzell, then quickly became a popular spot for its tasting of five current releases, such as Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a selection of single-vineyard wines ($30). “Our beautiful terrace has a great view, and visitors are loving being here. Hospitality is so much about the experience, and to engage with the host and the property,” Delflight zell says. Now producing 1,000 cases annually, Delzell says the goal is to increase production by 10% every year.

21545 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-934-8445, sangiacomowines.com

Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards

Set amid 400 acres, this long-standing winery is prized for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. The Pinot and Chardonnay picked up several gold medals in the 2020 North Coast Wine Challenge. Sonoma-Cutrer tends 270 acres of premium Chardonnay vineyards, and the area around its tasting room offers lovely views beyond the croquet courts. The standard tasting ($20) features four samples.

4401 Slusser Road, Windsor, 707-237-3489, sonomacutrer.com

Williamson Wines

With two locations in downtown Healdsburg, Williamson can offer several tiers of tastings, such as the sampling of four wines with cheese and food bites ($20). The Icon wineand- food pairing ($50); the Meritage Bordeaux tasting paired with food ($75); and the tasting of such Rhônestyle varietals as Grenache, Shiraz, Roussanne, and Viognier ($65) can all be reserved. “We’ve been consistently full at both locations during the week, and weekends are much busier,” says marketing associate Rachel Kualii. “Reservations are necessary because space is limited and in demand.”

134 Matheson St. and 18 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-433-1500, williamsonwines.com

12 New Food Trucks to Check Out Right Now in Sonoma County

By Heather Irwin
A plate of three tacos; shrimp, right, oyster, and calamari, served at the Charro Negro food truck in the Roseland area of Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

Great food trucks are incubators of culinary dreams.

More financially approachable than brick and mortar restaurants for budding food entrepreneurs, mobile kitchens allow for experimentation, adaptation and even a few menu missteps as business plans are ironed out and audiences grow. Intrepid food truck fans are the first to gauge whether your queso birria is truly outstanding or if Filipino-Cajun fusion is actually a good idea.

That’s why we’re excited to share some new (or new-to-you) players, some of our off-the-beaten-path faves and taproom regulars we’ve recently checked out.

Keep in mind that trucks are mobile, and often change locations from day to day and week to week. We’ve included social media links, where you’ll be most likely to find up-to-date info. Also check out local taprooms like Moonlight Brewing, Shady Oak, Cooperage Brewing, Henhouse Brewing and The Block which all regularly host trucks. Have we missed one of your favorites? Let us know!