Napa-based Sovi makes nonalcoholic wines in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine. (Courtesy of Sovi)
As the New Year rolls around, exploring sobriety or cutting down on alcohol is a common resolution for many. And anyone who follows wine industry news these days likely knows that, beyond “Dry January,” more people in the U.S. are drinking less alcohol, mainly by choice.
The trend to drink less has been most noticeable among young people. According to an August 2023 Gallup poll, 62% of adults under age 35 say they drink alcohol compared to 72% two decades ago, with many also saying they drink less frequently and are less likely to drink to excess. The moderate consumption lifestyle is gaining traction for health- and calorie-concerned consumers of all ages, too.
At the same time, wine is a way of life for many Californians, the wine producing capital of America. In response, bars, restaurants and drink manufacturers are accommodating with more no- or low-alcohol beverages that still taste (or at least look) like booze.
Historically, it’s true that finding satisfying nonalcoholic wine can have its challenges for traditional wine lovers. These wines are fermented and sometimes barrel aged, and even though a trace amount of alcohol can remain, it’s just a whisper residue of up to 0.5% alcohol by volume; sometimes less than in regular fruit juice. Without alcohol, wines can lose much of their aromatic compounds (that lovely bouquet on the nose) and lack enough tannins and textural compounds needed for robust structure.
More recently, however, state-of-the-art processes are helping nonalcoholic wines deliver a more authentic experience. The science behind that is long and complicated, but for anyone who is “sober curious,” it’s worth giving these newer brands a try.
Napa-based Sovi makes nonalcoholic wines in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine. (Courtesy of Sovi)
Sovi
The Napa-based Sovi comes from the husband-and-wife team of Julia Littauer, a Certified Sommelier, and Alex Littauer, a DipWSET certified graduate of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Sovi grapes come from the Clarksburg appellation on the Sacramento River Delta, and wines are made with no additional sugars, sweeteners or natural or artificial flavors. Most of the nonalcoholic wines are blends, too, adding extra character.
You’ll find interesting varietals here in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine.
For a cheeky touch, check out the canned wines, as well — a variety pack of sparklings is a good way to find your favorites. You can pick up the wines at multiple restaurants and shops around the Bay Area (check locations at “Find Us” on the website) or purchase online at drinksovi.com.
The pleasingly dry sparkling Bolle Blanc de Blancs and Rosé are so sci-fi that the crafting technique is patent pending. Most simply, the wines are dealcoholized using a double column vacuum distillation technique, then given a second fermentation, like Champagne or Prosecco. (Courtesy of Bolle)
Bolle
The pleasingly dry sparkling Bolle Blanc de Blancs and Rosé are so sci-fi that the crafting technique is patent pending. Most simply, the wines are dealcoholized using a double column vacuum distillation technique, then given a second fermentation (like Champagne or Prosecco).
Made by Italian winemaker Roberto Vanin, the results are lively, crisp quaffs with fine bubbles, notable fruit aromatics — crisp apple, juicy pear, zesty citrus and a touch of toast for the Chardonnay-Silvaner Blanc, and strawberry, blackcurrant, violet, and a whisper of fresh herbs for the Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Rosé.
The 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) sips ring in at around 60 calories per glass, buoyed by no added sugars or added flavors. Find them at retailers like BeBubbly lounge in Napa, V Wine Cellar in Yountville and Oakville Grocery in Oakville. us.bolledrinks.com
Chateau Diana in Healdsburg produces two entire collections of zero-proof (0.5%) and low-alcohol (6%) selections. Sippers cover all the favorites, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and red and white blends. (Courtesy of Chateau Diana)
Chateau Diana
Tom and Diane Manning founded this Healdsburg winery in 1981. The Mannings’ son and daughter, Corey and Dawn, have taken over the winery and adopted an entirely progressive approach with their “zero-proof” wines.
Rather than just a nod to the category, the family-owned operation produces two entire collections of zero-proof (0.5%) and low-alcohol (6%) selections. Sippers cover all the favorites, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and red and white blends, with about half the calories of traditional bottlings.
The wines do tend to lean to sweeter notes — there’s even a Sun Bee California White Wine infused with real mango (70 calories per glass), and a sparkling Moscato that you can taste at the winery with a sidecar of cotton candy.
But lots of people like sweet wines, and for a light, refreshing change of pace, it’s relaxing to hang at the kid- and pet-friendly tasting estate in Dry Creek Valley. There are whimsical touches all around, including a nonalcoholic Sugar Cookie Slushy brimming with buttery vanilla notes and a hint of holiday spice, plus snacks like warm pretzel bites with nacho cheese dip, and various pizzas.
6195 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-6993, chateaud.com
Espresso-braised pork belly, maitake mushroom, warming spices, pork jus from Songbird Parlour Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The only things missing from Lauren Kershner’s vision of a Victorian-inspired salon are the swish of crinolines and hissing gaslights.
Soft lighting, broody paneled walls in pine needle green, velvet sofas in conversational arrangements and an upright piano set the scene inside the century-old Pagani family winery at Jack London Village in Glen Ellen.
The property’s history reaches back generations, first as home to the Miwok, and Spanish missionaries, then as a sawmill built by General Vallejo in 1839. Later, it became a gristmill (the grinding stones and water wheel remain), a distillery and a winery. Local author Jack London might have been seen strolling past when Arnold Drive was little more than a walking path.
After several restaurants came and went from the space, it stood empty for several years, gathering cobwebs until 2020, when Kershner embraced the possibilities of the raw space and got to work remodeling.
A lounge space in the corner of the dining room at Songbird Parlour in Glen Ellen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
In 2022, Kershner opened Songbird Parlour as a hub for her catering company, private events, dinner parties and semi-regular pop-ups with guest chefs — but it was not officially open to the public.
“We put together this beautiful space, and we wanted to have people here five days a week. We want to get the community in here,” said Kershner of the five-night-a-week restaurant she operates with partner Kenneth De Alba.
Walking into Songbird is literally a walk through the history of Sonoma Valley as diners make their way through a hallway museum leading to the restaurant. Photos from the historical society celebrate residents, including culinary writer M.F.K. Fisher, World War II general Henry “Hap” Arnold and the Indigenous peoples who lived on the land for thousands of years. Even Hunter S. Thompson, who lived briefly in Glen Ellen, gets a nod.
Songbird Parlour executive chef Eric Moulton in Glen Ellen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Inside, the 42-seat restaurant opens to a soaring ceiling and open kitchen where executive chef Eric Moulton creates a seasonal, hyperlocal menu with “posh yet approachable dishes,” according to Kershner.
That includes a recent dish with prawns, coconut curry and Nardello chile.
“Oak Hill farm had a ton of Jimmy Nardello peppers, so it landed on our menu,” said Kershner of the mild frying peppers that arrived in America in the pocket of an Italian immigrant. Now part of Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, they’re considered an endangered heritage food, though in Sonoma County, they seem to be on menus from Petaluma to Cloverdale.
“We don’t come with a dish until we see what the farm has,” Kershner said.
Songbird Parlour executive chef Eric Moulton and his staff work in an open kitchen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, inside a spacious, brick former winery built by the Pagani family in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Songbird’s menu is well-curated, with just a handful of flavorful, expertly crafted dishes rather than a laundry list to please every palate. Plant-forward dishes are well represented with Sunray Farms ‘leaves and things’ salad ($16), pickled beets with Grazin’ Girl Gorgonzola ($18) and caramelized winter squash with figs and Cabernet vinaigrette ($18).
While I only had a chance to try about half the menu, some dishes are calling me back for a return visit — halibut crudo with white peach and makrut lime granita ($24) or seared salmon with vadouvan (French curry) brown butter ($36). The regionally-focused wine list includes boutique producers Hill of Tara, Idle Cellars and Toje.
The restaurant plans to add a happy hour and host several upcoming events, including an immersive six-course Southeast Asian dinner with chef Jessy Manuel on Dec. 16.
“We’re creating a space where people can indulge their passions, whether for food, wine, music or simply connecting with others,” Kershner said.
Best Bets
Caramelized Cassidy Ranch winter squash, figs in cabernet vinegar, orange from Songbird Parlour Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Caramelized Cassidy Ranch winter squash, figs in Cabernet vinegar, $18: Sweet crescents of squash sweetened by pomegranate seeds and seasonal figs make winter’s long, dark nights a little brighter.
Head-on prawns, $28: I usually shy away from food that puts up a fight — or threatens to stab me with its antennae, but these crustaceans came mostly peeled with most of the work already done. Pop off the head, give it a little suck and drench the body with creamy coconut curry sauce and Nardello chile sauce. A squeeze of grilled lemon brings the dish entirely into focus.
Fried farm potatoes and leeks, $14: Husky wedges of fried potatoes get a crispy dusting of fried leeks and esplette (a fruity, dried chile with just a hint of heat) from Seven Moons Farms. A fat smear of tomato aioli cools everything down.
Head-on prawn, Oak Hill nardello chile, coconut curry from Songbird Parlour Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Duck confit, $38: This pared-down riff on cassoulet includes a nicely cooked thigh and leg with crisp skin and moist meat that can only come from the confit process. The salty duck gets a sweet kick from pear mostarda, and earthy beluga lentils ground the dish.
Espresso braised pork belly, $22: Striations of crisp meat and fat make pork belly one of my favorite dishes. The dish is almost perfect, glazed with an espresso and red wine reduction and atop a fat pile of maitake mushrooms. I’d love to see the fat rendered more and the skin crispier for that perfect bite of savory, umami-laden belly.
Open from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations suggested.
14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com.
Tiramisu French toast with whipped mascarpone, Raspberry, coffee ice cream and cocoa nibs on Goguette brioche from the Acorn Cafe Thursday, October 3, 2024 in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Look, we’re not knocking grilled cheese over here. We even found the best of the cheesy dish across Sonoma County for all ages to enjoy. But there’s a time in every child’s life — a rite of culinary passage, if you will — when they venture beyond such simple meals in pursuit of something different, yet equally tasty and comforting.
Most children’s menus at restaurants have essential basics, from buttered noodles to chicken tenders, though quality and inventiveness can often fall to the wayside. So we sought out the local eateries offering something a little different for youth. The dishes are still age-appropriate and at least almost as delicious as a grilled cheese, yet with a certain Sonoma flair that will pique any kid’s interest.
Whether your child is a picky or adventurous eater, these Sonoma County restaurants have some of the best kids menus around with something for everyone.
From left, grandparents Leslie Gattmann and John Maas dance with Naomi, 6, and Isaiah Roth to the Latin band Batacha at Cafe Frida Gallery in Santa Rosa’s SoFA district. Taken Friday, May 7, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Dottie Palmer, 6, left, takes a bite of her pizza dough after it cooked in the wood oven, while her grandmother Lynn Trombetta looks on, at Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Cafe Frida Gallery
This is where you’ll want to take your cultured, budding artist children. The kids menu at this artsy SOFA District cafe includes a hibiscus latte — no espresso involved, just milk and housemade hibiscus flower syrup over ice — as well as a waffle with either smashed avocado and lemon zest or fruit and whipped cream.
No kid can turn down pizza, and the Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies at Rosso will be no different. The bambini menu includes Casaer salad, pizzas (cheese, mushroom, margherita or pepperoni jr.), mac and cheese (add chicken for $2) and an “Anything you want, just ask” option. At the bottom of the menu is a word of advice to the youth: “Eat what’s good for you… play soccer…and be nice to your parents!”
This Mediterranean spot nestled in the Santa Rosa Plaza mall is a great place to take the kids after a day of shopping. Its kids menu features a fried chicken sandwich with Greek aioli and chicken skewers with tzatziki and rice. For dessert, kids will love the chocolate baklava served with chocolate ice cream.
In addition to a variety of pastries fit for all ages, Criminal Baking has a kids menu with fun, nourishing breakfasts. The menu includes a toasted English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana and berries; a baked egg with bacon or sausage, potatoes and fruit; and the Baron Bacon Bandit breakfast sandwich with bacon and white cheddar on an English muffin, served with fruit.
The kids meal ($18) at this French-inspired bistro is a choice of steak hache frites or bacon mac and cheese. Dessert is a choice of fondant au chocolat or the weekly ice cream. Bon appétit, les enfants!
In addition to providing coloring and activity sheets, Pub Republic serves carrots and apple slices to children when they arrive. The Pub kids menu includes grass-fed steak with grilled seasonal veggies, Alaskan cod fish and chips, fried chicken sandwich on a soft bun and more. There are also organic juices, natural sodas and a kids brownie sundae. Plus, kids 12 and under eat free after 3 p.m. on Mondays (one free kids menu entree per paying adult; dine-in only).
3120 A Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-782-9090, pubrepublic.com
The famous Spaghetti Half & Half with marinara and pesto and a half order House Salad from Art’s Place in Rohnert Park on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Sax’s Joint
This pink and checkerboard eatery has a generous kids menu (for ages 12 and under) with breakfasts for $6 and lunches for $7. The menu includes an Egg McMommy (egg, ham and cheese on English muffin), French toast, mini corn dogs, mac and cheese, turkey sandwich and other diner classics. Plus, a junior-size ice cream or shake ($2.50-$4).
The kids menu at Art’s Place has a “build your own pasta” option with a selection of pastas and sauces to choose from (so they can flex their independence while developing their palate). There’s also burgers cooked to order, served with fries or sliced apples, and kids Italian sodas.
The “Little Rascals Menu” (for children 11 and under) at this retro-style diner includes a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to fun games like a word cross and “I Spy.” Menu items include a stack of pancakes with a bacon smile and whipped cream eyes, fish and chips, barbecue pork ribs, roasted turkey sandwich and kid-sized ice cream shakes. Everything on the menu is under $10.
Sienna McAtee, 2, enjoys a plate of spaghetti at Mary’s Pizza Shack in Santa Rosa, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Mary’s Pizza Shack was voted to have the best kids’ menu in 2014. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Mary’s Pizza
At Mary’s, young aspiring chefs and bakers can craft their own personal pie — Mary’s servers will bring them the prepared dough and ingredients, and children can add the sauce, cheese and toppings to their liking. The kids menu also has ravioli, meatballs and a pig in a blanket (a hot dog and mozzarella cheese wrapped in Mary’s pizza dough).
Locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Windsor. maryspizzashack.com
Acorn Cafe
Healdsburg’s new favorite brunch destination has an “Acorn Happy Meal” ($16) on its kids menu, including a pancake with fresh fruit and a choice of milk, hot chocolate (with housemade chocolate sauce) or fresh-squeezed juice (orange, apple or pineapple). The kids menu also features “build your own pancakes” with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, dulce de leche and whipped cream. Other kids menu items include a triple decker grilled cheese (three-times the usual fun) and an egg sandwich with cheddar and Journeyman bacon on brioche.
Montage Resort’s Hazel Hill restaurant has a children’s menu from executive chef Jason Pringle. The menu includes wild berry yogurt, French toast with berries, mini cheeseburger, grilled chicken breast and Ora king salmon, with healthy side choices like salad, roasted veggies and seasonal fruit. For dessert: cookies, brownies, sorbet and ice cream.
The kids menu at this Occidental restaurant and market includes katsu and rice, a rotisserie chicken sandwich with havarti on brioche, and a bowl of lentil, rice and chicken with tahini. Altamont also has milkshakes, soft serve, cute mochi donuts and the ever kid-friendly rice crispy treats.
After some beach-time fun at the Sonoma Coast, take your kids to Bodega Bay’s Fishetarian Fish Market. All dishes on the kids menu come with Goldfish crackers and a fish-shaped cookie. The menu includes clam chowder, fresh fish and chips, and a “jellyfish” sandwich with organic almond butter and strawberry jam.
Kathy Stice and Dan Rawsthorn, of Seattle, take a trail designed for the disabled at Armstrong Woods State Park in Guerneville on Wednesday. State Parks will offer free admittance to some parks on Green Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
For much of the world’s history, buildings and services were constructed and conceived with nondisabled people in mind, putting up barriers to those living with physical and cognitive disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 sought to curtail those barriers and end disability discrimination by requiring publicly accessible services, transportation and accommodations.
In 1992, Sonoma County adopted an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, updated in 2009, that “identifies barriers to buildings, programs and services, and adopts a 12-year schedule to prioritize their removal.”
According to Permit Sonoma, the county’s land-use planning and development permitting agency, the county Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in 2018 “urging all homeowners, builders and architects to include at least basic visitability standards in all new housing construction.” (Visitability standards in design include one no-step entry, doors with 32 inches of clear passageway and at least one accessible half-bathroom on the main floor.)
Despite inroads made over the last few decades in providing equal access for those with disabilities, it can still be difficult to find restaurants, hotels, parks and more that are compliant with ADA standards for accessible design.
In 2014, Jeanne Allen, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a motorized mobility scooter, created a wine country travel guide for visitors with disabilities. While her travel website (incredibleaccessible.com) now appears to be defunct, Allen’s Facebook still includes accessibility reviews of establishments as well as health updates. She has praised some Sonoma Valley businesses for their accessible features and attentiveness — such as Sebastiani Theater and Sonoma Community Center, popular venues for the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Accessible travel review sites such as wheelchairtravel.org and emerginghorizons.com offer resources of ADA-compliant dining, lodging and general traveling tips with a disability. The iAccess Life mobile app provides crowd-sourced accessibility reviews and ratings of public establishments around the world by people with mobility impairments.
Here are a few traveling tips and recommendations of places to visit in Sonoma County that are ADA accessible. Did we miss a favorite ADA-compliant business, or are there current issues with any of the entities mentioned? Let me know at maci.martell@pressdemocrat.com.
A SMART train makes a stop at the Historic Railroad Square depot, Friday, August 17, 2018 in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Transportation services
Sonoma County’s public transportation offers ADA accommodations for those with disabilities, with features such as wheelchair access, audible location and stop signals, and paratransit services. Information and referral service 2-1-1 Sonoma also offers resources on disability related transportation.
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) offers an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to discover the area via public transportation. SMART stations are ramp-accessible, the Clipper Card vending machines on platforms are ADA compliant, and its trains have ADA accessible seating and restrooms. SMART personnel are also available for assistance boarding and exiting the train. Service animals are welcome on the train provided they remain seated and leashed/harnessed, except when performing service tasks that would be hindered by tethering.
5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 200, Petaluma, 707-794-3330 (TTY 711), sonomamarintrain.org
The Sonoma County Transit, which provides bus service countywide, also provides complementary ADA paratransit services. All SCT buses are wheelchair accessible and can transport two wheelchair passengers at a time. Buses also have either a ramp or lift for wheelchair access.
355 W. Robles Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-576-7433, sctransit.com
Hotels
Many hotels in the county adhere to ADA standards and practices, with accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, bathroom grab bars, braille signage and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD). Below are some of the local hotels with the most ADA-compliant features.
Inn at Sonoma
Boutique hotel meets cozy bed and breakfast at this inn located just a few blocks from the Sonoma Plaza. Inn at Sonoma has two guest rooms accessible for those with hearing impairments and two rooms that are fully accessible for both mobility and hearing impairments. Guest room accessibility features include 32-inch wide doors, lowered peephole and shelves, ample space around the bed, grab bar in the shower and handheld shower device, roll-up sink and lowered mirror, hard-wired visual alarm, and a phone with volume control and flashing lights when it rings. The inn property also includes convenient elevators, accessible parking spaces and an accessible front desk for check-in. Service animals are welcome.
This luxury hotel has six ADA-compliant rooms and suites along with several accessible areas on the property, such as the on-site restaurants, swimming pool, fitness center, public restrooms and parking spaces. Accessible room features include a rollaway bed, roll-in shower, bathtub and toilet grab bars, 32-inch wide doors, assistive listening devices, teletypewriters and Braille signage. Service animals are welcome.
Sonoma Valley Inn boasts casual comfort in a luxe Sonoma setting. The fully accessible hotel offers four ADA-compliant guest rooms featuring amenities such as roll-in showers and telecommunication devices (phones and alarms) for those with hearing impairments. The inn also has accessible parking spaces and an ADA-compliant outdoor pool lift.
This Mediterranean-inspired inn has four accessible guest rooms featuring 32-inch wide doors, lowered peephole and shelves, grab bars in the bathroom, roll-in shower with fold-down seat, roll-up sink with lowered mirrors, hard-wire visual alarm, and a phone with volume control and flashing lights when it rings. The property accessibility features include accessible parking spaces, front desk, dining tables, spa treatment room and pool/hot tub lifts. Service animals are welcome.
An ADA accessible bathroom inside a guest room at The Astro in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy The Astro)
Astro Motel
The retro Astro Motel has two ADA rooms on the first floor, equipped with all the amenities of the Astro Queen rooms. The ADA rooms also include a visual doorbell, roll-in shower, grab bars and a lowered queen bed. Plus, one of the rooms features a private patio.
323 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-200-4655, theastro.com
Flamingo Resort & Spa
The glamorous Flamingo Resort has four accessible guest rooms as well as accessible parking spaces, ramp access, reception desk, public bathrooms, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and lifts for the pool and hot tub. The accessible rooms feature 32-inch doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, roll-in showers, mobility tubs, visual fire alarms and closed caption TVs.
Windor’s Hampton Inn boasts dozens of accessibility features, such as accessible parking, concierge desk, swimming pool (with a hoist), teletypewriters, assistive listening devices and braille room numbers. The seven ADA-accessible rooms include such features as roll-in showers or accessible bathtubs; visual alarms for clock, phone and doorbell; lowered sink, bed, peephole and shelves; and remote controlled curtains. Service animals are welcome.
Nestled among vineyards and rolling hills, Montage offers luxurious, wine country-style hospitality and suites. Accommodations in the hotel’s accessible rooms include bedroom wheelchair access, bathroom handrails and roll-in shower.
This hotel — located in “The Friendly City” of Rohnert Park — has a handful of accessible suites that include bathrooms with grab bars, roll-in showers with shower seats and a fire alarm with flashing lights.
Enjoy dazzling coastal views and modern comfort at this boutique Bodega hotel. ADA features at the inn include wheelchair accessible parking and rooms, guest rooms with lowered switches and storage, and alarms for those with hearing and vision impairments.
Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma is the perfect place for family fun. The outdoor beer garden has delicious BBQ, fire pits, live music, and plenty of open space. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Many local restaurants and tasting rooms adhere to the ADA’s standard design for disability access, such as accessible parking, ground floor or ramp entryways and accessible restrooms. However, small businesses may not always be able to accommodate all disability requirements. Call ahead to ensure a restaurant can accommodate your needs.
Below are some eateries noted by Yelp reviewers and disability review sites (as well as some recommendations from the Save Sonoma County Restaurants! Facebook group) as having adequate accessible features.
The Mill at Glen Ellen
Jeanne Allen recommended The Mill for its accessible ramp entry and large, wheelchair accessible unisex restroom with grab bars.
This French bistro-inspired eatery has fairly spacious indoor seating as well as a covered outdoor garden patio and parklet dining. There’s also a wheelchair-accessible unisex restroom.
Situated in Railroad Square’s historic Hotel La Rose, Grossman’s has easy access with an automatic front door and a spacious outdoor patio (shaded and heated). There are low-top accessible tables indoors and outdoors, as well as accessible restrooms. Grossman’s also provides takeout and easy deli pick-up.
Grossman’s Jewish deli in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, across from the downtown SMART station. (Photo: Loren Hansen)
Cumin Restaurant
Specializing in Indian/Nepalese cuisine, this eatery has accessible, ground floor front entry and a spacious indoor seating area, as well as an outdoor patio.
The tasting room at Unti, a small winery specializing in Mediterranean-style wines, is wheelchair-accessible, with easy access from the accessible parking spot to the tasting room. The tasting bar is at a height reachable for most wheelchair users and there is a unisex wheelchair accessible restroom.
The Kendall-Jackson estate grounds are flat and wheelchair friendly. While the tasting room in the chateau doesn’t have a lowered counter, accessible tables can easily be set up. There is also an accessible restroom.
5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com
Meadowcroft Wines
Nestled in Sonoma’s Cornerstone marketplace, the Meadowcroft Wines tasting room has ramp access and a lowered section at the tasting bar that’s accessible for wheelchair users.
SIGH Champagne Bar in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Wilson Ishihara Design)
SIGH.
This champagne and sparkling wine bar is conveniently located just off the Sonoma Plaza. Jeanne Allen noted in a 2018 Facebook post that the tasting bar has a “huge lowered counter for wheelchair accessibility.”
Sonoma County has a number of parks with ADA accessible trails to get your fill of the region’s beautiful nature. To find local parks with accessibility features, check the “Accessible Areas” filter on the Sonoma County Regional Parks’ Find a Park webpage. Check here to find California state parks with accessibility features. To find accessible outdoor adventures all around the North Coast and Bay Area, check Access Northern California. Below are some county parks with paved, compact soil or packed gravel trails that are wheelchair friendly.
Doran Regional Park
Enjoy coastal breezes and birdwatching at Doran Regional Park, where a 1.3-mile trail connects to an ADA-accessible boardwalk with benches and viewing areas. The park also connects to the wheelchair accessible Birdwalk Coastal Access Trail via the multi-use Cheney Creek Trail. Doran Regional Park has ADA-accessible campsites, visitors center and kayak launch, and free all-terrain wheelchairs are available for day-use on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Sonoma Coast has a multitude of accessible trails and campgrounds. The compacted aggregate Bodega Head Trail is a generally flat, 1.89-mile accessible loop located at the end of Westshore Road, with views of the Pacific, Bodega Bay and harbor. There is also accessible parking, restrooms and picnic tables.
3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3483, parks.ca.gov
Gualala Point Regional Park
A paved, ADA-accessible trail connects the parking area to the beach, crossing through grassy meadows and cypress groves. Other unpaved trails at Gualala Point, located near the famed Sea Ranch, are relatively firm and stable, made all the more accessible with complimentary all-terrain wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed at the visitor center, open noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. During weekdays, call the Gualala Point office before your visit to request a wheelchair for your arrival.
A paved path leads from the visitors center and parking lot to the main entrances to the fort, which is wheelchair friendly. A path from the parking lot also leads south past an accessible picnic area to the historic windmill and Monterey Cypress Grove.
Kathy Stice and Dan Rawsthorn, of Seattle, take a trail designed for people with disabilities at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
The 0.77-mile, wheelchair friendly Pioneer Nature Trail extends from the visitors center to the accessible picnic area under a dense canopy of majestic redwoods. Branching off from this trail are two other short, accessible paths of compact soil: the Discovery Trail – which includes informative panels, some offering a tactile experience – and the Armstrong Nature Trail.
The paved, ADA-accessible Valley of the Moon Trail runs 1.2 miles bordering a seasonal creek through an oak woodland. Picnic tables are dotted along the trail for convenient rest stops.
Travel along Sonoma Creek via the accessible, 0.44-mile Creekside Nature Trail. Made of compacted aggregate, the trail averages 5-feet wide and is generally flat with intermittent 5-8% slopes. The park also has accessible parking, restrooms, picnic area and three accessible campsites. Some areas of the on-site Robert Ferguson Observatory are accessible, however, paths in the library are only 30 inches wide and telescope eyepieces may not suit everyone’s needs. Call the observatory at 707-833-6979 to discuss needs and accommodations.
The paved, multi-use Spring Lake Loop Trail is ADA accessible and travels 2.3 miles around the lake on mostly flat ground with moderate slopes. Picnic areas, some campsites and access to the Environmental Discovery Center are wheelchair accessible. All-terrain wheelchairs can be checked out at the lifeguard station between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day on a first-come, first-served basis.
North Entrance: 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. South Entrance: 5585 Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-539-8092, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Joe Rodota Trail
This 8.5-mile trail connecting Santa Rosa and Sebastopol is completely paved and gently sloped. The trailhead parking lot at the west end of Sebastopol Road provides accessible parking.
The Bay Area-based Tapooz Travel specializes in organizing accessible travel trips across the nation, including a scenic, epicurean adventure that starts in San Francisco and winds through Wine Country. Below are some local, accessible tours.
Safari West
Those with limited mobility can experience the Sonoma Serengeti in one of Safari West’s modified safari vehicles, which accommodates four guests and one wheelchair or motorized mobility scooter. Safari West requests that reservations for the modified safari vehicle are made at least two weeks prior to your visit. The walking portion of the classic safaris are wheelchair friendly, and wheelchairs are also available free of charge.
Housebroken service animals are welcome, though they are restricted in all areas where the safari’s animals are not separated by a physical barrier. Additionally, service animals cannot join the safari tours; they may stay with staff in the office where they’ll be provided water.
Guests with hearing impairments can bring a certified ASL interpreter at no additional charge. With advance notice, tactile tours may be provided for guests with visual impairments.
For overnight stays, there are two accessible tent cabins with ramps, accessible parking spaces close by, bathroom grab bars and shower seats.
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa. (Brennan Spark Photography)
Charles M. Schulz Museum
The Schulz Museum has wheelchair-accessible parking spaces, front entrance, galleries, restrooms and an elevator. Wheelchairs can be provided to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
For visitors with hearing impairments, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation can be reserved at no additional cost for docent-led tours, lectures and public programs. There are also Assistive Listening Devices available and closed captioning on films displayed in the galleries.
For visitors with vision impairments, LPG (Large Print Guide) booklets with size 24 Arial font, produced for main and special exhibits, can be requested at the front desk. Guests can also reserve a Tactile and Visual Descriptive Tour at no additional cost two weeks in advance. To reserve specialized tours, contact the Education Department at 707-284-1263 or education@schulzmuseum.org.
For visitors on the autism spectrum, the museum provides noise-canceling headphones and sensory kits, as well as hosts occasional free Sensory-Friendly Family Days for those who need a slower, quieter environment. ADA-certified service animals are welcome.
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County is wheelchair accessible, has lifts and welcomes documented service animals. The museum also provides ear defenders, sunglasses and weighted scarves for visitors who need them.
On the second Tuesday of every month, the museum hosts free Sensory Friendly Afternoons exclusively for children with sensory processing differences. The special afternoons include a quiet zine, dimmed sounds and lighting in exhibit areas, visiting therapy dogs for additional support and more. Registration is recommended as space is limited.
1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069, cmosc.org
Elizabeth Tlatilpa, left, helps Alexandra Herrera find an extra finger to hold two free lunches for her children at the Bayer Farm in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The Redwood Empire Food Bank provides healthy meals across Sonoma County. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Giving can be an everyday act of generosity and kindness — lending a helping hand to a friend, neighbor or stranger in need — but you can also choose to support charitable, educational, environmental and community-building causes on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3 this year).
The global initiative was launched in 2012 with the goal of encouraging people to give back to their community each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. If you’d like to volunteer, make a monetary donation or donate supplies to a Sonoma County organization, here are a few worth considering this Giving Tuesday. Many organize special fundraising drives on Dec. 3.
California Indian Museum and Cultural Center
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center has educated the public since 1996 on the history, culture and contemporary life of California’s Native American communities. The museum and cultural center also provides community resources, native youth programs and has created a tobacco prevention project.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations:To make a regular donation to the museum in support of its mission to educate and provide resources to the community, visit their website.
You can also support the museum by attending exhibitions and shopping at its store, which features items from California Indigenous artists.
5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-579-3004,cimcc.org
Ceres Community Project
Ceres works to fulfill its mission to create “a healthy, just, caring and sustainable world” by providing nutrient-rich prepared meals to people dealing with serious illness, empowering young people as volunteer gardeners and chefs, and educating the community about the connection between food choices and health, among other initiatives.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Ceres’ work, which includes preparing and delivering healthy meals to those in need, visit their donation page. You can also donate food and supplies to Ceres by contacting info@ceresproject.org for info on needs and drop-off days.
Volunteer: Ceres has several volunteering opportunities, from the garden to the kitchen, foryouth,adults andbusiness teams.
Dafne Perez Ruiz, 12, spins Serena Curiel, 5, in a top chair at the Sonoma County Children’s Museum. Photo taken on Friday, April 16, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
This nonprofit organization, with a museum in Santa Rosa, aims to inspire the creativity and curiosity of children through discovery and hands-on learning. It directs donations to several of its key programs benefiting children and their families.
Volunteer: The Children’s Museum’s volunteer program includes visitor guidance, gardening support, special event staff and more. Find the volunteer handbook and application form online. Find other ways to support the museum here.
1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069,cmosc.org
Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County
The Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County, commonly known as Sonoma 4Cs, has provided quality care and education to the county’s children since 1972 through preschools, food programs and other resources.
Ways to give back:
Donations: To support Sonoma 4Cs child care services with a monetary donation, visit its donation page. The council also accepts item donations such as crayons, finger paint, butcher paper and molding clay for its 12 preschools. To make an item donation, contact Blythe Carrillo at BCarrillo@Sonoma4Cs.org.
131 A Stony Circle, Suite 300, Santa Rosa, 707-544-3077,sonoma4cs.org
Corazón Healdsburg
The human rights nonprofit organization Corazón Healdsburg is on a mission to build a compassionate and just society through advocacy work, community building, academic development support and other initiatives.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Corazón’s commitment to helping local families in times of need and crisis through its annual fund, visit its donation page.
Volunteer: To volunteer with Corazón’s events, childcare, translation assistance, resource center and more, contact the nonprofit via phone or its contact form.
Sonoma County’s Council on Aging aims to enhance the quality of life for the local aging community through social, fiduciary and nutritional services that maintain independence and promote well-being.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: The council’s goal for this Giving Tuesday is to raise funds to provide 2,500 meals for older people who are homebound. To learn more and donate, visit their Giving Tuesday donation page.
Businesses can partner with the council by sponsoring elder events and Meals on Wheels routes. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, checkhere.
Volunteer: There are a number of volunteer positions at the Council on Aging, including Meals on Wheels drivers, elder peer support, special event helpers and more. Learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to joinhere.
Sasha Lee spreads mulch along a garden path during a work party with Daily Acts in Petaluma. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Daily Acts
As a holistic education nonprofit, Petaluma’s Daily Acts sets out to inspire transformative action that creates connected and resilient communities through various social, civic and environmental strategies.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Daily Acts and learn how it’s putting donations to work, visit its donation page. The Bancroft Foundation will match the first $5,000 in donations for Giving Tuesday, and all donations will be doubled on Dec. 2-3.
Volunteer: To help out with Daily Acts’ tours, fundraisers, workshops and garden projects, sign up to volunteerhere.
245 Kentucky St., Suite A-2, Petaluma, 707-789-9664,dailyacts.org
Farm to Pantry
The Healdsburg nonprofit Farm to Pantry works with volunteers and community partners to glean local farms and eliminate food waste by connecting surplus produce to those in need across the county.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Donating funds helps ensure no food is wasted and no neighbors go hungry. To make a monetary donation, visit the donation page.
Volunteer: Join the team in the field to glean fresh fruits and vegetables that will be distributed to partners. To learn more about volunteering opportunities and to join the glean team, clickhere.
In connection with Sonoma County Farm Trails, the Farm Trails Foundation seeks to provide training and services for the agricultural community and educate the public on Sonoma County food systems.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support the foundation’s numerous projects, such as agricultural training, scholarships for agricultural students and educational tours, clickhere.
The goal of Food For Thought is to serve nutritious meals to people living with serious medical conditions in Sonoma County through its various food programs, such as its free Meals That Heal program for local residents enrolled in Medi-Cal and the Bags of Love program for those without homes.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Food For Thought’s mission to feed those in need, visit its donation page.
Volunteer: To volunteer your time in the food bank, at food drives, in the kitchen or garden, or by delivering meals, visit its volunteer page.
This health clinic in Santa Rosa provides free health care to anyone in need — everyone is welcomed here, no matter their faith or ability to pay. The clinic was founded in 2001 on the Jewish principles of Tzedakah — charity and justice — and Tikkun Olam — repairing the world.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To make a donation, click here. Other ways to give include sponsoring an event and joining the clinic’s Giving Tree.
Volunteer: Volunteer positions include nurses, interpreters, therapists,medical receptionists and medical providers. The clinic also has special project volunteer positions and research internships. Read more and submit an application here.
Youth camp leader Jamie Nakama, left, helps Akira Sopanich, 8, finds beneficial insects caught in a net at the LandPaths Spring Break Nature Camp at Preston Farm in Dry Creek Valley. Photo taken on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
LandPaths
LandPaths continues its conservation mission of fostering love for the land in Sonoma County by facilitating stewardships, internships and nature camps for kids, teens and families.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To learn about all the ways to financially support LandPaths’ work, visit its website. LandPaths’ Year End Appeal, through Dec. 31, has a goal to reach $425,000 in donations, and the first $100,000 donated will be matched.
Volunteer: LandPaths volunteers work in a number of areas, such as its docent program, Wildlife Corridor Project, community gardening and more. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and to fill out the volunteer interest form, clickhere.
618 Fourth St., Suite 217, Santa Rosa, 707-544-7284,landpaths.org
The Living Room
Since 1993, The Living Room in Santa Rosa has been providing outreach, housing and food for women and children in Sonoma County who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
Ways to give back:
Donations: During the winter season, The Living Room needs supplies such as socks, gloves, tarps, hygiene products, warm clothes, sleeping bags and gift cards. To donate items, email inkind@thelivingroomsc.org. To make a monetary donation, call 707-978-4805. For more donation information, click here.
Volunteer: Volunteers are crucial for daily operations at The Living Room, which needs volunteers for its kitchen, distribution, garden, and maintenance and repair teams. To learn more and apply for a volunteer position, clickhere.
The Living Room’s Life Center on North Dutton Avenue is a service hub open to women and children from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Its campus on Cleveland Avenue houses the food services kitchen, admin offices and volunteer programs.
The Living Room Life Center, 1335 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa; Cleveland Campus, 1207 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-579-0138,thelivingroomsc.org
Los Cien
Los Cien works to build bridges between Sonoma County’s Latino community and the wider community by fostering dialogue, cultivating leadership and conducting educational and charitable activities.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Los Cien’s work in building bridges in the community, visit its donation page.
Volunteer: To donate your time to Los Cien and the communities it serves, clickhere.
975 Corporate Center Parkway, Suite 160, P.O. Box 14513, Santa Rosa, 415-320-4559,loscien.org
NAMI Sonoma County
The local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is dedicated to helping people with mental health conditions through advocacy, education, resources and support.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: You can support NAMI’s work this Giving Tuesday through its donation formhere.
Volunteer: Lend your talents through volunteering in an area you’re skilled in or would like to be trained in, such as answering calls, educating the youth, talking with legislators and more. Fill out NAMI’s volunteer interest form here.
Founded in 1998 and working in partnership with Santa Rosa’s famous Safari West wildlife preserve, the Safari West Wildlife Foundation provides educational tools and programs to children and their families to advance local wildlife stewardship.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Giving Tuesday donations will go toward the foundation’s interactive, live-streamed educational program Safari West Live, which brings the Serengeti and wildlife education “to children’s hospitals and young people in underserved schools across the country,” according to the SWWF website. To learn more and donate, visit its website.
Marie Giacalone, a member of Slow Food Sonoma County North, slices Bodega Red heirloom potatoes, grown in her garden, while preparing her Bodega Red and eggplant al forno dish. Photo taken on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in Cloverdale. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Slow Food Russian River
The Russian River chapter ofSlow Food International lives by the mantra that food should be good (fresh and tasty), clean (nutritious and environmentally sustainable), fair (affordable, with respect to the labor involved) and for all (accessible to everyone).
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To support Slow Food’s projects and educational mission via donations by mail or online, visit its donation page.
Volunteer: To volunteer with and learn more about Slow Food’s Sebastopol Community Apple Press, clickhere.
This volunteer-run nonprofit was founded by two Black teachers in Santa Rosa in 2017 with the mission to lead, serve and thrive by shaping “intellectual discourse and dialog to consider the African American experience.” The nonprofit organized monthly food distributions in Sonoma County during the pandemic, as well as urban gardening workshops.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Community members can contribute to the Sonoma County Black Forum by donating funds on its website.
To support the skilled agricultural workers who sustain farming in Sonoma County, the Grape Growers Foundation works with community and government organizations to garner resources and design support programs that improve the lives of local agricultural employees and their families.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: To donate to the foundation’s work with affordable housing, health care, education, childcare and workforce development for agricultural workers, visit itsdonation page.
3245 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, 707-522-5864,scggf.org
Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
Sonoma County Vintners Foundation supports other local nonprofits through various fundraising initiatives in areas ranging from education and environment to health and human services. Its signature fundraising event, the Sonoma County Wine Celebration (formerly Sonoma County Wine Auction), has raised more than $40 million over the years and has supported over 400 nonprofits in the county.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: You can make an online donation to SCVFhere.
Devoted to protecting the bountiful lands of Sonoma County since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust allocates funds from donations and membership contributions to the procurement, stewardship, restoration and preservation of local landscapes.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Donations of various amounts support the Land Trust in different ways — $25 can put a tree in the ground while a gift of $100 can help install a wildlife camera in a local preserve. To learn more and donate, visit itsGiving Tuesday donation page.
Volunteer: The Land Trust’s community of volunteers includes citizen scientists, event support and trail crews. While the volunteer program is currently on hold, you can learn about future volunteer opportunities as well as internshipshere.
In partnership with California State Parks in the Russian River District, Stewards connect people with their local parks through education and environmental stewardship programs. Programs include marine education, Junior Ranger activities, cultural history programs and guided redwood ecology nature walks.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Funds made to Stewards can be designated to certain areas of the organization’s work, such as itsFire Recovery Fund. To make a donation and become a member, clickhere.
Volunteer: Volunteers help promote, restore and protect the natural resources of Russian River parks. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and find applications, clickhere.
Volunteer Jeanne Allen weighs a bag of yams at the Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Dr. Kate Kuzminski gets a kisses from Bane, as she and Dr. Sara Reidenbach, left, prepare to examine the puppy in their “Clifford the Big Red Bus,” a converted ambulance used as a mobile veterinarian service, Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Santa Rosa. Along with Reidenbach, Kuzminski is a co-founder of the nonprofit Ruthless Kindness. The Sebastopol-based nonprofit cares for animals of those owners experiencing homelessness and/or victims of domestic abuse. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Redwood Empire Food Bank
Feeding neighbors in need since 1987 with the drive to end hunger, the Redwood Empire Food Bank works with donors and partner organizations to supply emergency food assistance to children, elders and everyone in between who needs it most.
Ways to give back:
Donations: There are plenty of ways to give back to REFB.Monetary donations help to purchase food, pay staff and keep the lights on. Corporate sponsorships, matching gifts andother ways to give go a long way to help end hunger in the county.Donating food directly to the food bank or its food barrel sites is a great way to help keep the shelves at the food bank stocked.
Volunteer: Volunteers are welcome to help in the warehouse by gleaning, sorting and stocking food staples or spending time distributing fresh produce and groceries at the food bank’s distribution sites. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and to sign up, clickhere.
3990 Brickway Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-523-7900,refb.org
YWCA Sonoma County
The YWCA of Sonoma County is on a mission to end domestic violence and ensure every family in the county is safe in their homes through empowerment, education and support. The YWCA has a number of counseling and domestic violence support services, including a therapeutic preschool and safe houses for families seeking refuge.
Ways to give back:
Monetary donations: Financial contributions will help fund the organization’s many support programs and projects. To make a donation, clickhere.
Volunteer: YWCA volunteers serve several of the organization’s support programs, from the Family Justice Center to the safe houses. To learn about volunteer opportunities, training and to fill out an application, clickhere.
P.O. Box 3506, Santa Rosa, 707-546-9922,ywcasc.org
Ruthless Kindness
The mission at Sebastopol-based Ruthless Kindness, which was founded by two veterinarians, is to provide immediate support to people and their pets who are fleeing domestic violence.
“So far in 2024, we have served over 330 animals and 150 people in Sonoma and Napa,” according to Molly Scott, the nonprofit’s community outreach coordinator.
Ways to give back:
Donations: To support Ruthless Kindness’ mission to help the well-being of people and their animals, visit its donation page. You can also become a Kindness Circle monthly donor here. Supplies and food for pets can be sent to the nonprofit’s address, or email to arrange a physical donation.
Volunteer: Groups can volunteer on the nonprofits small farm on projects like rebuilding fences or chicken coops. Email info@ruthlesskindness.org for volunteer opportunities. People can also sign up to be a foster for pets while their owners get back on their feet.
This aerial view on Sept. 16, 2019, shows Stonestreet Estate’s Cougar Ridge Vineyard in the eastern highlands of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley appellation and part of Pocket Peak, an AVA proposed in February 2022. (courtesy of Jackson Family Wines)
Just north of some of Sonoma County’s most populated towns, Alexander Valley houses over 30 wineries and 15,000 acres of vineyards across pristine landscapes.
In a Nov. 15 article, Condé Nast Traveler named Alexander Valley one of the best places to go in North America and the Caribbean in 2025. The local destination was the only California spot on the list of 10, which also included Alaska, Cuba, Greenland and Canada.
“Pocket Peak AVA — a wine-growing region within the valley defined by its steep, undulating hills and volcanic and gravelly loam soils — [is] expected in fall 2025,” according to the Condé Nast Traveler article.
Skipstone Winery’s private residence on its 200-acre estate, where guests can “live like a winemaker” in the Alexander Valley just minutes from Healdsburg. Photo taken Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)A Ranch Rover travels through the Rockfall Vineyard at Stonestreet Estate Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Stonestreet Estate Vineyards)
The article spotlights The Residence at Skipstone, an 8,344-square-foot luxury lodging in Geyserville. The home is on a private, 200-acre estate — 27 of those acres housing wine vineyards, olive groves and culinary gardens. It can host large parties and sleeps up to 10 guests.
The private vineyard is home to Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots for residents to try. Skipstone Winery is also available to visit by appointment with tasting experiences for $125 per person.
Stonestreet offers a 90-minute, single-vineyard tasting for $75 per person, a 90-minute seasonal library tasting for $125 per person and a private, guided mountain excursion for $200 per person.
Devil Proof Vineyards is now offering a limited tasting experience showcasing diverse Malbecs for $195 per person at Aperture Cellars.
People seated for dinner at Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville. (Aaron Leitz)Dishes at Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville. (J Evan)
Cyrus offers a fine dining experience for its guests with multicourse meals served at a single table. Reservations are required for the dining journey, which includes libations in the Bubbles Lounge, dinner at a personal table and a “mysterious Chocolate Room.” The dining journey is available on the hour from 4-8 p.m. The Bubbles Lounge is open for reservations and drop-in visits from 5-9 p.m. Cyrus is open Thursday through Sunday.
Geyserville Gun Club is open from 5-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant offers cocktails and bar bites, and also hosts regular events.
Lunch patrons enjoy a magnificent view of vineyards, flowers and hillsides at Rustic, located at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, in Alexander Valley. Photo taken Sept. 15, 2017. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s onsite restaurant Rustic is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday. There is cozy indoor seating as well as outdoor seating with a view of the Alexander Valley. After a seasonal, traditional Italian dish at Rustic, explore the winery’s collection of movie memorabilia.
In October, Condé Nast Traveler named Healdsburg among the best cities in the country. The Alexander Valley town boasts Michelin-recognized restaurants and hotels, as well as a quaint, walkable downtown area.
For more places to stay, eat and drink in Alexander Valley, visit Sonoma County Tourism.
Krampus with the Pacific Empire Chorus at the Penngrove Winter Fest in downtown Penngrove. (Jessica Fix)
Sonoma County’s wineries, restaurants and merchants are pulling out all the stops for the holidays this year, offering up an assortment of food, drinks and crafts amid decked-out communal markets.
Holiday markets have become all the rage in Wine Country, with dozens of local establishments selling artisan wares while supporting the community.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to support small businesses, discover unique gifts and enjoy the festive atmosphere that makes Sonoma County so special during the holidays,” said Monica Lopez, general manager of Bacchus Landing. The wine tasting destination in Healdsburg will host its fourth annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 7 and 8.
Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg will host its fourth annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 7 and 8. (Courtesy Bacchus Landing)
Speaking on behalf of the Bacchus Landing team, Lopez said they’re thrilled to host the Holiday Bazaar, “bringing together local artisans, wine enthusiasts and our community to celebrate the season.”
In Glen Ellen, Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile will host a Winter Market Dec. 8. According to founder Katie Bundschu, it is “inspired by the warmth and festiveness of traditional German holiday markets, combined with my love for supporting women-owned businesses and bringing people together.”
The Abbot’s Passage Winter Market will feature local vendors such as Sonoma-based jeweler Elizaberry and vintage clothing and vinyl shop Trove, among other food and craft merchants from Sonoma and Napa counties.
“Guests can expect a festive day of shopping one-of-a-kind treasures from fine jewelry to home goods, connecting with makers who share their stories, and enjoying seasonal bites from local favorites Rozmary Kitchen and Love Park Pretzels,” Bundschu said.
Kivelstadt Cellars in Sonoma will host its first-ever Wine Garden Holiday Market this year. Held on two weekends in December, it will emulate a European Christmas village with a Sonoma twist.
“This event was born from our desire to create a space where the community can gather, celebrate the season and support local artisans,” said Kailey Priest, director of marketing and PR for Kivelstadt Cellars. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for Kivelstadt’s market will be donated to nonprofit Sonoma Mentoring Alliance.
Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor will host a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 14-15, featuring a special visit from Santa Claus. (Courtesy Bricoleur Vineyards)
Several other holiday markets will be donating to local charities in the spirit of Christmas, such as the annual market at Bricoleur Vineyards.
“What makes this event even more meaningful is that the $10 entry fee will be donated to the Santa Tim organization, which provides gifts, food and other support to local families in need during the holiday season,” said Sarah Citron, cofounder and COO of Bricoleur Vineyards. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy our beautiful vineyard setting and kick off the holiday season with cheer, great wine and memorable moments.”
See where to sip, shop and celebrate the holidays with community in Sonoma County.
Wineries
Korbel Champagne Cellars, Dec. 7
Guerneville’s Korbel Winery will host a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 7. The event is free to attend, and there will be holiday drinks, food and gifts available for purchase. Each purchase made from a local vendor will enter guests into a prize drawing. Prizes will be announced at 2:30 p.m.; must be present to win.
13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
The boutique wineries at Bacchus Landing, among other local retailers, will host an annual weekend Holiday Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 7-8, on the piazza. The market will include wine tasting, pizza, live music by Nick Foxer and holiday gifts from local artisans, such as books, games, apparel, household items and wine gift packs. Among the participating Bacchus wineries are Dot Wine, Smith Story Wine Cellars and The Setting Wines. Free to attend, with items available for purchase.
Covene will host its traditional Sip & Shop with Santa event from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, at its Bacchus wine lounge. Santa Claus will be on hand for photo ops, and wine will be available to sample and purchase. The winery will also host a toy drive for children in need — to participate, leave a contribution under the Covene Christmas tree. All ages welcome. The event is free to attend; RSVP on Tock.
14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 300, Healdsburg, 707-861-8199, convenewine.com
A festive scene at Abbot’s Passage in Glen Ellen during the holidays. (Melati Citrawireja / Courtesy Abbot’s Passage)
Abbot’s Passage, Dec. 8
Abbot’s Winter Marketplace returns this year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8, at the Glen Ellen winery and mercantile. A ticket to enter includes a glass of wine, snacks, crafts and family-friendly activities. Vendors at the market include Napa home goods store Juniper Station, Napa second-hand store Field Day, Sonoma-based jeweler Elizaberry, Sonoma vintage clothing and vinyl shop Trove, and more. Rozmary Kitchen and Love Park Pretzels will have food available for purchase. Tickets are $25 per person, $15 for club members and complimentary for children under 5. Purchase tickets on Tock.
Comstock’s Holiday Market Sip & Shop will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 14, within the Comstock Wines Library. Guests can enjoy a special flight of wines and light bites as they peruse offerings from local artisan vendors, such as chocolates, ceramics, paintings, ornaments, wreaths and more. Featured wines include Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. $30 per person; complimentary for up to four club members. For people 21 and over only. Reserve on Tock.
Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards will host a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 14-15. The market will include local food and craft vendors, photo ops with Santa Claus, wines available for purchase and a toy drive for the local Santa Tim nonprofit. Different vendors will be on hand each day of the market, including Volo Chocolate, Wolf Coffee, Sura Botanicals and many more. Tickets are $10 and free for people under 21. Purchase tickets on Tock.
Bannister Wines will host a holiday market from noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 14-15, at its Geyserville tasting room. The market will include a number of local artists and craftspeople selling original work, from paintings and ceramics to clothing and skin care products. There will also be wine gifts available, including Bannister’s new sparkling Ribolla Gialla and organic olive oil.
Kivelstadt will host a Wine Garden Holiday Market at its Sonoma gardens and tasting lounge from 1-5 p.m., Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22. The European village-style artisan market will include a host of wares from local vendors, such as flowers, pottery, jewelry and other crafts, as well as interactive art projects for all ages. A ticket to the market includes a complimentary beverage — a choice of Kivelstadt wine, mulled wine, winter cocktail, cider or hot chocolate. A selection of specialty foods and beverages will also be available. Admission is $15 for adults and free for youth under 18. Purchase tickets on Tock.
Valley on the Sonoma square will host its Winter Market from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 7-8. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Valley, Dec. 7-8
Valley, formerly Valley Bar + Bottle, will host its Winter Market from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 7-8, at UpValley, the restaurant’s top-floor dining and gathering space. Sarah Lonsdale, co-founder of Remodelista, curated the mix of vendors for the market, which includes food, tea, textiles, ceramics, clothing and other crafts. Guests can drink and snack on nibbles while they shop.
Valley Swim Club will host its inaugural VSC Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8. The market will include wares from local makers available for purchase along with drinks and pastries from the Swim Club’s coffee truck Dive Bar Coffee and wood-fired pizza from Ollie’s.
The Monte Rio Community Center will host a Holiday Wonderland Craft Faire from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 30; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 1. The market and craft fair will include handmade items from local artisans, including art, jewelry and home decor.
The Barlow in Sebastopol will host its third annual Sip & Shop at The Barlow from noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 30. The event will include live music, wine tastings at participating shops, a commemorative wine glass and a raffle with prizes from Barlow retailers. Tickets are $30 online, $35 on the day of. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Sonoma Family Meal. Purchase tickets online.
Krampus and St. Nick will welcome visitors to the second annual Penngrove Winter Fest on Dec. 7 in downtown Penngrove. (Jessica Fix)
Penngrove Winter Fest, Dec. 7
The town of Penngrove will host its second annual Winter Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, in its small downtown area. The event will include photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Krampus, an outdoor market at Hello Penngrove, cupcake decorating with new bakery Odd Cookie, soap felting with Soap Cauldron, snow globe making with California Brick Chicks and more. There will be live music and entertainment throughout the day. Guests of the Winter Fest can enter their name at each Penngrove business for a chance to win one of three gift baskets. The market is free to attend, and food and gifts will be available for purchase. Learn more and see other participating businesses at visitpenngrove.com.
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Santa Rosa will host it annual Native Artist Showcase from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 7. Along with shopping opportunities from Indigenous vendors, the event will include food, raffles and community activities.
5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-579-3004, cimcc.org
Art Escape, Dec. 8
Art Escape’s free Holiday Craft Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8. The craft fair will include a local artisan market in addition to face painting, wreath making and other family-friendly crafts. Food and warm drinks will also be available.
The Sebastopol art hub will host a Holiday Art & Makers Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 8. The market and craft fair will include live music, food vendors, unique gifts from over 30 local artisans and a performance by the Sebastopol Community Harmonia choir.
282 S. High St., Sebastopol, 707-829-4797, sebarts.org
Barn 5400, Dec. 14
Local artisan collective Barn 5400 will host its Merry Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 14, at the barn. The family and dog-friendly pop-up market will include locally crafted holiday gifts and wintertime goodies. Admission is free.
SoCo Market’s third annual So Ho Ho Holiday Market will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 21, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The market includes over 150 local food and wares vendors, live performances covering top Christmas hits and a special appearance from Santa Claus. Admission is free; parking at the Fairgrounds is $10.
An assortment of locally made gifts from Sonoma County artists and makers. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
With Christmas right around the corner, holiday shopping is in full force. Start local for homey presents that are as unique as they are thoughtful. We found the perfect gifts from eight top Sonoma County artists and makers to celebrate the holidays in Sonoma style.
Nancy Rosenthal
Fiat Luxe, Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa native Nancy Rosenthal is a classically trained cellist who spent two decades working in early childhood education. After teaching herself soapmaking, Rosenthal found her niche in felted soaps, which work like a washcloth and soap in one, sudsing up a thick, herbal-scented foam. Eventually, her unique designs were discovered by retail giant Anthropologie.
Santa Rosa native Nancy Rosenthal is the founder of Fiat Luxe, which features a line of herbal-scented felted soaps. (John Martin / Courtesy Nancy Rosenthal)Felted soaps from Fiat Luxe in Santa Rosa. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
“That was in 2009, and we went from making 40 soaps a year to over 10,000,” she remembers. She hired assistants and ramped up production, but eventually, the cost of the raw materials surpassed the market.
Rosenthal has since returned to her original love of creating with wool. “Felting is like a metamorphosis. You lay out all these fine layers and wisps of wool. The potential is all there; you just have to be patient. All of a sudden, it just shifts. It’s so exciting.”
Her background in teaching continues to inspire her art. “I never really lost touch with my childhood… And witnessing the beauty the children were creating did encourage me to explore.”
Soaps, $19 each. Meet the artist at an open-studio holiday event Dec. 14 in Santa Rosa. fiatluxedesigns.com
Kaylee Weeks
Lil Clay Grl, Petaluma
Ceramicist Kaylee Weeks of Lil Clay Grl in Petaluma. (Courtesy Kaylee Weeks)
Ceramicist Kaylee Weeks didn’t know that a collection of playful blue bunnies would become her calling card. But when the up-and-coming artist, who earned a degree in ceramics from Sonoma State University in 2019, first started embellishing her mugs with the woodland creatures, which are drawn by hand, the design resonated.
“As soon as I made my first few bunnies, I did feel attached. They felt very ‘me,’” she says.
Weeks, who works out of Petaluma’s Kickwheel studios, has recently been able to leave her day job to be a full-time artist and ceramics teacher. “It feels incredible to be able to be in the studio more and get more of a following,” she says.
Mugs from Lil Clay Grl in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
She is experimenting with form, including larger serving platters, sculptural pieces and travel mugs, in addition to her signature chunky mugs with bold, exaggerated handles. And there are new designs too — tomatoes, dachshunds, cherubs kissing under mistletoe — all with Weeks’ signature whimsical touch.
Mugs, $40-$60. Meet the artist at Kickwheel Sonoma’s holiday market and craft fair on Dec. 14. lilclaygrl.com
Matt Gallegos
Foolish Pride Leather, Santa Rosa
“As bad as the pandemic lockdown was, the silver lining is I launched my passion,” says Matt Gallegos of Foolish Pride Leather. Gallegos grew up in Colorado and began creating with leather in college as a hobby.
Matt Gallegos, founder of Foolish Pride Leather. (Courtesy Matt Gallegos)Wallets from Santa Rosa-based Foolish Pride Leather. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
He spent the earlier part of his career in the culinary field, working at a local bakery and at Ceres Community Project, which makes meals for residents with life-threatening illnesses. But when the pandemic upended the industry, Gallegos returned to his love of craft.
Gallegos’ elegant, hand-stitched wallets, billfolds, keychains and braided bracelets are sold at Bay Area maker fairs and online. Colors range from the classic cognac and tan to red, black and bicolor designs in Italian leather, with tonal or contrasting stitching. Gallegos says his signature is the minimalist folding wallet called the Springfield, which folds in half and has slots for a picture ID, cards and cash.
“The first thing I ever made in college was a studded bracelet,” Gallegos says. “To see the broader line be successful feels incredible. I really enjoy seeing a tangible product of my labor — something I can hold in my hand.”
Abel Salas and Raul Peralta of Sonoma Millworks in Healdsburg. (Courtesy Sonoma Millworks)Cutting boards from Sonoma Millworks in Healdsburg. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Sonoma Millworks specializes in furniture and accessories made with wood reclaimed from the wine industry. When large batches of wine are aged in stainless-steel tanks, winemakers will occasionally insert thin staves of French oak into the tank to impart flavor, mimicking the influence of barrel aging. The team at Sonoma Millworks repurposes these wooden planks, which are stained an array of colors by the wine, into tables, knife blocks, serving platters, charcuterie boards and more.
The company has a studio in Healdsburg where you can check out designs.
Stacks of material await transformation in the lumberyard out back, while woodworkers Abel Salas and Raul Peralta work in an adjacent studio. “People don’t believe how the staves can transform into this product. It’s good to give another life, another chance to the material,” says Salas.
Jewelry and clothing designer Hitomi Jacobs of Sonoma County-based Hitomi Jacobs Designs. (Courtesy Hitomi Jacobs)Earrings from Hitomi Jacobs Designs. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Hitomi Jacobs was born in Japan and studied textile design in college. She built a career in fashion in Tokyo, working as a pattern maker and running a small apparel company. But in her 30s, she married an American and moved to the U.S., where she explored a new interest in jewelry. “With fabric, if you cut by mistake, it’s done. Working in metal, I can go back, melt it, change it,” Jacobs explains.
Her delicate creations, made with fine keshi pearls, gold wire and tiny, crocheted silk threads, are all one of a kind. “They’re simple — so light and moveable. I love the fringe effect, the shimmer and movement of the pieces as they’re worn,” she says.
Earlier in her career, Jacobs found it difficult to be an independent designer, but here in Sonoma, she’s found her calling. “In Japan, there are so many rules — people saying ‘It must be this way.’ When I left at 37 years old, my friends said it was too late. ‘Don’t do that,’ they said. But I think America has more opportunity.”
Cathrina Susoev of Cat-Hawk Gardens in Petaluma. (Courtesy Cathrina Susoev)A kokedama from Cat-Hawk Gardens in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
An avid gardener and artist, Cathrina Susoev had been growing herbs and making succulent dish gardens for years when she first came across kokedama about a decade ago. Kokedama are Japanese string gardens, an art form in which a ball of soil is covered in moss and bound tightly with twine or wire.
Kokedama often show off rare ornamental plants or bonsai, which grow well with limited soil space. Susoev has designed kokedama with staghorn fern, asparagus fern, pothos, succulents and more. “I love the Japanese influence, the aesthetic, which is kind of wabi-sabi,” she explains. “They really are like a meditative process to create.”
Susoev, who used to teach at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, has a small studio at her rural Petaluma home where she grows many of the plants she uses in her kokedama. She leads kokedama workshops at Petaluma’s Tenfold Farmstand and for private groups — and because she is also a bodywork practitioner, each workshop begins with a meditation that centers the body and mind.
Lisa Rogers of Slow Digz in Sebastopol. (Courtesy Lisa Rogers)A naturally dyed scarf from Slow Digz in Sebastopol. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
“I think I was always meant to work with my hands,” says natural-dye expert Lisa Rogers. A former science teacher, Rogers has lived and taught in both California and Hawaii. After losing her Lake County classroom in a wildfire, she moved to Sonoma County and worked as a mentor to other science teachers before leaving to pursue her love of eco-printing and natural dyes full time.
The colors on her silk and cotton scarves come from leaves, bark and flower petals she’s collected in the wild or grown in her home garden. “The connection to nature is really spiritual to me. I love gathering natural materials and testing things out,” she says. “But the real joy is unbundling a piece of fabric after the dyeing process is complete. It’s like magic!”
These days, teaching about the natural dye process is a new passion. Rogers leads classes at local nature preserves and in stores and libraries. “Honestly, the workshops are my jam. I really love teaching people. It’s so fun to see their work, to share that wonder with people,” she says.
Scarf, $45. The artist leads a holiday gift making workshop Dec. 14 in San Rafael. slowdigz.com
Nic Wiessler
WiesMade, Petaluma
Nic Wiessler of WiesMade in Petaluma. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)A denim jacket from WiesMade in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Dirt to denim — that’s the ethos behind this handsome jacket, designed by denim aficionado Nic Wiessler. WiesMade, his line of rugged jeans, jackets, hats and other timeless basics, are designed here in Sonoma, produced with sustainable American-grown cotton and sewn in a family-run shop in Los Angeles. Wiessler’s denim comes with a sense of history — the jacket James Dean might’ve worn, if James Dean drove a farm truck around Bodega with a surfboard sticking out the back. “We do have lots of actors and people in Hollywood discovering us,” says Wiessler.
A lifelong surfer who studied environmental science at Sonoma State, Wiessler is a veteran of big retail brands like Gap and Cole Haan. He sees his clothing in the context of historic, American-made workwear — pieces that reflect an honest, humble spirit and will last for decades.
As he told the magazine last year, “If you want a good pair of jeans and you’re into locally sourced, high-quality denim, you’ll come to us. There’s plenty of market for that.”
Artcher jacket, $298. Wool beanie, $65. Available at Estuary in Petaluma or at wiesmade.com.
Swiss chalets at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa offer happy hour and a prix-fixe dinner menu. (Courtesy of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa)
Ready or not, the holidays are upon us.
Wreaths are being hung, trees trimmed and countless twinkling lights are ready to brighten December nights. If you’re not quite there yet, that’s OK; but if you’re searching for a bit of inspiration to start decking the halls, some of our favorite Wine Country hotels are already serving up festive doses of holiday magic. Visitors shouldn’t be the only ones taking advantage.
Swiss chalets at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa offer happy hour and a prix-fixe dinner menu. (Courtesy of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa)
Après Ski the Wine Country Way
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is whisking diners away to the Swiss Alps via a cozy trio of wood Swiss chalets that have popped up on the front lawn of the historic property.
A happy hour menu is offered from 3-5 p.m. daily. Choose from cheese or chocolate fondue ($35), bratwurst, potatoes and sauerkraut ($35) and French fries topped with rosemary ham, Raclette cheese and pickles ($18). Warm up with a glass of wine, bubbles or cocktails the likes of spiked eggnog and hot toddies.
A prix fixe dinner menu featuring French onion soup, lightly smoked pork loin and Tarte Flambée is served from 6-9 p.m. daily. Cost is $125 per person. Reservations are recommended for both experiences. Sonoma Swiss chalets accommodate groups of up to eight people.
Also, don’t forget the community Tree Lighting Celebration at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. The century-old sycamore tree inn will be lit up with thousands of white lights. Locals and hotel guests are invited to attend the festivities. Santa will be there for photo opportunities and there will be assorted holiday goodies to enjoy. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont.com/sonoma
This holiday season, MacArthur Place, Hotel les Mars and Farmhouse Inn are planning a series of holiday celebrations for locals and guests. (Courtesy of MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa)
Twelve Festive Nights
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, Hotel Les Mars and Farmhouse Inn are teaming up for the first annual Twelve Festive Nights. A series of complimentary holiday events kick off from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 29, continuing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22. The programming is inspired by and replaces MacArthur Place’s former 12 Nights of Marvel festivities that was offered annually before Bill Foley purchased the hotel and it became part of Foley Entertainment Group.
Some activities, like the Espresso Martini Bar planned for Dec. 20, will take place at all three properties. Other events — like a sound bath at Farmhouse Inn on Dec. 1 and photos with Santa at MacArthur Place on Dec. 21 — are exclusive to each property. Some activities are first-come, first-served; others require reservations.
Holiday Alpine Yurt Dinner
Timber Cove Resort is offering a holiday twist on coastal dining in plush heated yurts. The Winter Wonderland Menu selections range from a mezze board and Brussels sprout salad to Black Cod and housemade cavatelli pasta. Reservations can be made by calling Timber Cove at 707-847-3231. Tickets are $125 per person; yurts can accommodate up to six people. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, timbercoveresort.com
Holiday Tea at Dry Creek Kitchen in Hotel Healdsburg. People of all ages are welcome to join the restaurant for a festive afternoon of tea, cocktails, housemade pastries, finger sandwiches and other holiday fare from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 7-22. (Courtesy Hotel Healdsburg)The Sippin’ Santa cocktail pop-up runs through Jan. 6 at the Lazeaway Club at Santa Rosa’s Flamingo Resort. (Courtesy of Sippin’ Santa)
Holiday Tea
Hotel Healdsburg will serve holiday tea on weekend afternoons, Dec. 7-22. Custom-blend teas, wine and cocktails will be served alongside housemade pastries, scones, petite sandwiches, caviar, quiche and other holiday fare from Dry Creek Kitchen. $79 for adults, $93 including wine or cocktail and $49 for children under 12. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Photo by Eileen Roche. Styling by Alysia Andriola.
The Chef: Jen Demarest, Baker & Cook
Jen Demarest is the baker behind Sonoma’s Baker & Cook — her husband Nick is the cook, and their daughter Annabelle hosts at the popular cafe, nestled in a shopping center just east of downtown. Baker & Cook recently began offering three-course dinners on Friday and Saturday nights in addition to their popular breakfast and lunch service.
Demarest says her white chocolate peppermint cheesecake draped in dark chocolate ganache is inspired by her first restaurant job as a high schooler in upstate New York. “They had peppermint-stick ice cream and a vat of hot fudge, so at the end of a shift, that was a really great snack. It just became something I needed to have every holiday season.”
Jen Demarest, co-owner of Baker & Cook in Sonoma. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Her tips for a perfect cheesecake include using a water bath and a slow, gentle bake. “The key to a nice silky texture is not overbaking it. You want to leave just a little bit of wiggle in the middle.” In addition to cheesecake, each year Demarest bakes holiday rolls, pies, and more cookies than she could probably count, to bundle into boxes as gifts. “It’s the best time of year to be baking,” she says happily.
The Recipe: Double-Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
Serves 8-10
For the crust:
2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs, finely ground
2.5 ounces butter, melted
For the filling:
20 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (Demarest recommends Gina Marie brand)
Double-Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake. (Photo by Eileen Roche. Styling by Alysia Andriola)
In a small bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter and mix until butter is evenly distributed.
Press into the bottom of a greased 10-inch springform pan. Use a measuring cup to press and smooth evenly. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, then remove from oven and cool.
Crush the peppermint candies using a mortar and pestle, or place them in a plastic bag, seal it, and use a rolling pin to gently break them apart.
To prepare the filling, melt the white chocolate gently over a double boiler.
Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and set aside.
In a mixer with paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth, scraping down the sides and paddle to prevent any lumps. Beat in the eggs and egg yolk, then all of the sour cream, and finally, the melted white chocolate.
Add the peppermint oil and crushed peppermint candies and mix them into the filling by hand. Make sure the latch on the springform pan is tightened, then pour the filling over the cooled crust.
Wrap the springform pan in two layers of aluminum foil. Make a water bath by putting the wrapped pan inside a larger pan and fill with 1 inch of water.
Bake in a water bath at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes until the cake is just set at the center.
Remove the cake from the oven, unwrap the foil, and cool the cheesecake on a wire rack. Refrigerate until firm or overnight.
Prepare the ganache topping. Melt the chocolate, butter, corn syrup and water over a double boiler and whisk until smooth. While the cake is still in the springform pan, pour the ganache on top, tilting the pan to cover the cake evenly to the edges.
Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top of the cake and return it to the refrigerator to chill until the top is set. To serve, release the cake from the springform pan, slice and garnish with additional peppermint candies.
Note: Food-grade peppermint oil is available at most supermarkets or at bakery supply shops. It is highly concentrated, so you will need just a small amount.
Joe Wolf and Amy Brown of Marla Bakery & Catering in Windsor. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
The Chefs: Amy Brown and Joe Wolf, Marla Bakery
“My baking obsession really began because I needed to stay warm,” laughs Amy Brown of Marla Bakery. After college, Brown spent a year in Italy — but the winter clothes she had shipped ahead didn’t arrive in time for colder weather. So Brown, who was working at a bakery at the time, spent many wintry hours staying warm by the ovens and falling in love with the scene.
She and her husband and business partner, Joe Wolf, recently welcomed their many Marla fans to a new café in Railroad Square, after three years of serving pastries, cakes and bagels out of their Windsor production facility.
The couple, who have two young sons, are a family of mixed religious heritage and spend the December holidays making sufganiyot for Hanukkah alongside traditional Christmas goodies like panettone, stollen and biscotti.
Flavored delicately with orange and anise, Brown says her biscotti are a humble little cookie that come from the heart and have a warm, comforting aroma. She’s been making them for over three decades, ever since she learned the recipe from her college roommate, who had learned it from an elderly Italian woman she cared for. “It’s recipes that carry the past into the present,” says Brown. “That’s kind of what we’re all about, and this recipe speaks to that.”
The Recipe: Orange & Anise Biscotti
Makes 2 dozen
2 ½ cups, plus 2 tbsp. organic all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups organic sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. anise seed, finely chopped (not ground)
1 ½ cups raw almonds, skin on, or raw, skinned hazelnuts, roughly chopped
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla extract
zest of 2 oranges
extra flour for dusting
Orange and Anis Biscotti. (Photo by Eileen Roche. Styling by Alysia Andriola)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a standard-sized baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, anise seed and nuts in a large bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined and set aside. Whisk together eggs, egg yolks and vanilla extract in a small bowl, using a rubber spatula to stir in the orange zest at the end.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until the mixture is just combined. It will start out feeling dry, but resist the urge to add liquid. As the sugar “melts,” the mixture will loosen. Once combined, the mixture will be fairly wet and sticky.
There is no getting around it, this next step is the messy part. Don’t be afraid of some sticky, doughy hands — your hands can be washed. Generously dust a work surface with flour and place your lined baking sheet nearby. With your hands, scoop out half of the mixture and quickly roll it into a log nearly the length of your sheet pan and about 2 ½-3 inches in diameter. If your log is sticking to the work surface, dust with more flour, but try not to over-flour as it will make the biscotti tougher. Gently but quickly scoop up the log with both hands and transfer to the baking sheet, placing it long ways on one side.
Re-flour the work surface, scoop out the remaining dough, and repeat the rolling to form another log. These will spread out, so allow enough space between the two logs and the edges of the baking sheet. If you are worried, use two baking sheets, one for each log.
Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes until deep golden brown and no longer soft in the middle. Pull out and allow to cool slightly before cutting, about 15-20 minutes.
Lower oven temperature to 250 degrees.
To cut biscotti, transfer each log to a cutting board while still warm. With a serrated knife, gently slice at a 45-degree angle into about 1/3-inch-thick cookies.
Set a wire cooling rack on each sheet pan and arrange the cookies loosely on the rack. Return the cookies to the oven and bake at 250 degrees for another 30-40 minutes until crisped through, flipping them over halfway through baking. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Marla Bakery, 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa. 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com
Bobbi and Warren Burton at BurtoNZ Bakery in Windsor. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
The Chefs: Warren and Bobbi Burton, BurtoNZ Bakery
The tail end of the name of Warren and Bobbi Burton’s bakery, BurtoNZ, is a nod to Warren’s roots in coastal Hawke’s Bay, on New Zealand’s North Island. With pastry cases filled with meat pies, sausage rolls and lamingtons, the couple’s bakery has become a welcome taste of home for Kiwi and Aussie expats.
At Christmastime, when Northern Hemisphere folks might enjoy hot cocoa by the fireplace, the Burtons dream of warm weather and lighter fare. Growing up, after a big Christmas Day lunch, Warren says his family would go to the beach or the river to cool off before heading home to tuck into pavlova, a large meringue topped with fruit and whipped cream.
“It’s literally my favorite dessert to eat. I think just the flavor of a ripe kiwifruit, the ripe strawberry, with the cream and crunch of the meringue, it’s just familiar,” says Warren, adding that a truly authentic pavlova includes shavings of Cadbury chocolate.
While pavlova requires just a few simple ingredients, Warren and Bobbi have a few tips to make sure the middle of the meringue doesn’t cave in. One is to use the freshest eggs possible — the couple source theirs from nearby Wise Acre Farm. The other is to make sure the egg whites and sugar are whipped up extra thick and glossy, says Warren. “The secret I’ve found is when I think that it’s whipped enough, I give it another minute for good luck.”
The Recipe: New Zealand-Style Pavlova
Serves six
For the meringue:
4 egg whites
1 ¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. cornstarch
For the topping:
2 cups whipped cream
1 small square Cadbury milk chocolate, grated
Fresh strawberries and kiwifruit, sliced
New Zealand-Style Pavlova. (Photo by Eileen Roche. Styling by Alysia Andriola)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and sugar for 10 minutes or until thick and glossy. In a separate bowl, mix together the vinegar, vanilla extract and cornstarch, then add to the egg whites. Beat on high speed for five additional minutes.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Draw a 9-inch-diameter circle on the baking paper. Spread the egg white mixture on the paper, to within an inch of the edge of the circle. Smooth the top surface.
Place into the oven and lower the temperature to 210 degrees. Bake for 1 hour, then turn the oven off, crack open the oven door, and allow the pavlova to fully cool in the oven.
Remove from parchment and place on a serving platter. Top with whipped cream, decorate with fruit and grated Cadbury chocolate, and serve right away.
Chef Cita Vivas sharping her cornmeal and mozzarella cheese arepas, a traditional Colombian breakfast from her childhood. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Chef: Cita Vivas, Cita’s Kitchen
Cita Vivas is passionate about sharing the culture of her native Colombia through food. She launched her pop-up, Cita’s Kitchen, in 2022 after years in the kitchen at Willi’s Wine Bar and Stark’s, serving homemade empanadas and arepas at local farmers markets and breweries.
Though it’s been 25 years since Vivas moved to California, she still gets nostalgic for the holidays of her childhood. “Christmas is the biggest holiday we celebrate. In Colombia, at Christmas, we are very loud,” she says. The festive season lasts throughout December as families make homemade nativities and ornaments and pay nightly visits to friends’ homes, where children sing and take turns reading Christmas stories.
Afterwards, everyone enjoys a treat of buñuelos, traditional round, golden fritters filled with cheese. Buñuelos are an everyday food in Colombia, but they become festive fare at the holidays when paired with natilla, a sweet, Jello-like custard made with cinnamon and sometimes shredded coconut or raisins. It’s a salty-sweet combination Colombians adore.
“Natilla is authentically Colombian,” says Vivas. “I don’t find anything like that anywhere else. Everybody does it in a different way. You can put in coconut, raisins — or you can just do them with cinnamon, and it will be just as delicious.”
The Recipe: Colombian-Style Buñuelos with Natilla
Serves 12
For the Natilla (make one day ahead):
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup cornstarch (maizena)
1 ¼ cups panela (sugar cane), grated
2 ½ tbsp. butter, softened
1 cinnamon stick
3 tbsp. red raisins or shredded coconut (optional)
In a medium bowl, add 2 cups of the milk and the cornstarch and stir with a spoon to dissolve, making sure there are no lumps. Pour the remainder of the milk into a large saucepan, add the cinnamon stick, and on a stove, slowly bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Add the grated panela and stir until fully dissolved.
Remove the cinnamon stick. Add the cornstarch-milk mixture to the pan, lower the heat to medium-low, and continue to stir for about 10-15 minutes. Do not allow the milk to burn. Add the butter and continue stirring for approximately five more minutes until the butter is incorporated. Stir in the raisins or coconut, if using. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into an 8-inch-square pan or shaped mold of your choice. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow to set at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and cool for a minimum of six hours or overnight.
Colombian-Style Buñuelos with Natilla. (Photo by Eileen Roche. Styling by Alysia Andriola)
For the Buñuelos:
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup yucca flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 cup cotija cheese
2 eggs
1 ½ tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 quart vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered cinnamon, for serving
In a large bowl, mix cornstarch, yucca flour, salt, sugar and cotija cheese until well combined and free from lumps.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs and milk.
With your hands, mix well until a soft dough forms. Fold in the baking powder and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
After resting, form the dough into 12 equal balls, each about the size of a golf ball.
In a medium pot, add vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 ½ inches, and heat the oil to 325 degrees. Test that the oil is the right temperature for frying by making a ball of dough the size of a small marble and placing it in the oil. It should rise and float in about 10 seconds if the oil is the right temperature. (If the ball rises too soon, the oil is too hot. If it stays at the bottom or rises late, the oil isn’t hot enough.) Fry the buñuelos in batches, a few at a time, for 8-10 minutes until golden. As each batch finishes, drain on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Serve hot, with a square of natilla and a sprinkle of powdered cinnamon.
Note: Panela (sugar cane or piloncillo) and yucca flour (maizena) are available at most Latino markets.
