Assorted chocolate truffles from Eye Candy chocolatiers in Sebastopol, Tuesday, Oct.18, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
As Valentine’s Day approaches, many partnered people scramble to find the perfect gift to illustrate their love. Roses, jewelry and dinner dates are all well and good — and Sonoma County certainly has a number of romantic dining options — but nothing quite says “I love you” like a box of luscious, hand-crafted chocolate.
Sonoma County is home to a group of artisan chocolatiers who are making small-batch chocolates with a Wine Country flair. Many of them are housed in an industrial area of Windsor, which they call “The Windsor Chocolate Block.” More than just candy bars, their creations are delicious works of art that are as lovely to look at as they are to eat.
Scroll on below for the sweet deets, and click through the gallery for a peek at some of the lovely local chocolates.
You’ll find most Sonoma County chocolates in specialty grocers like Oliver’s, Fircrest or Pacific Market unless otherwise noted.
Our Dining Editor’s Top Picks
Assorted bonbons from pastry chef Robert Nieto, owner of Fleur Sauvage Chocolates in Windsor, Sept. 18, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Fleur Sauvage
Fleur Sauvage, run by husband-and-wife team Robert and Tara Nieto, specializes in artistic artisan chocolates. The couple opened a storefront in Windsor in 2021. Robert, who previously worked as pastry chef at Madrona Manor, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro and Jackson Family Wines, crafts the chocolates while Tara runs the front of the store, where you can order espressos, lattes and hot chocolate to warm up on cold winter days.
Jeff and Susan Mall, of Volo Chocolate, discovered their passion for chocolate while living and working as chefs in Mexico. They started experimenting with flavors, created a “bean-to-bar” craft chocolate recipe and, when they returned to Sonoma County, launched their own chocolate business. They use sustainable chocolate from farmers in Guatemala and Haiti for their handmade chocolate bars. Find their chocolates in a variety of local stores and online.
European drinking chocolate from Sonoma Chocolatiers. This isn’t even in the same universe as Swiss Miss. Made with chocolate shavings and hot milk (plus optional chile or almond milk), it’s a liquid candy bar made for sipping slowly and paging through Proust on a rainy day. $6.95. They also have a huge selection of chocolate bars from artisan makers using small batch cacao. For Valentine’s Day, they have special heart-shaped truffles made with chocolate from Ecuador and intriguing flavors like rose, lemon and lavender.
Chocolate hearts with rose essence from Sonoma Chocolatiers in Sebastopol. (Courtesy of Sonoma Chocolatiers)Assorted chocolate truffles from Eye Candy chocolatiers in Sebastopol, Tuesday, Oct.18, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Eye Candy Chocolatier
Eye Candy’s chocolates are made by local ophthalmologist and master chocolatier Sonja Schluter, who is particularly passionate about truffles. Schluter launched her chocolate business in 2016, after years of making chocolate for friends and colleagues. She received her culinary training from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Ecole Chocolate in San Francisco and Callebaut Chocolate Academy. Find her caramels and assorted truffles online or at her Sebastopol store, plus at the self-serve kiosk outside the shop, open daily.
Eric Dewit was a contractor for over two decades after working at the Côte d’Or chocolate factory in Brussels as a teen. He eventually manifested his chocolate passion into a shop in Mendocino, specializing in locally made truffles and imported morsels from Belgium. Now, Dewit sells his famous Belgian chocolate and other candies in a quirky, European-inspired shop in downtown Santa Rosa. In addition to chocolate, find an odd yet charming assortment of pantry items, from French jams and Napa Valley honey to unique, vintage-looking beer steins.
French mocha and cappuccino chocolates from Wine Country Chocolates in Glen Ellen. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Wine Country Chocolates
Wine Country Chocolates, run by mother-and-daughter team Betty and Caroline Kelly, create truffles and other chocolates made with local wines (Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port) and local fruit. Fan favorites include Cappuccino-Tiramisu, Fresh Orange and Dulce de Leche.
Ora Cacao (formerly Firefly Chocolate) sources cacao from farmers around the world to create ceremonial cacao (or drinking chocolate) based on ancient traditions. The company, based in Graton, offers a variety of 100% cacao, with names like Boundless Belize and Glowing Guatemala, and cacao enhanced with spices and mushrooms such as reishi, chaga, cordyceps, maitake and shiitake. The drinks can be mixed with nut milks and consumed as part of a ritualized community gathering.
Another artisan chocolate business based in Windsor, BACI Kitchen (formerly BACI Chocolatier) crafts truffles, chocolate bars and chocolate sauces in small batches made fresh to order. The company has won several awards, including the Good Food Award, and has been a finalist in The Press Democrat’s Best of Sonoma County competition.
399 Business Park Court, Suite 306, Windsor, 707-687-5253, bacikitchen.com
Truffles in the shape of cows at The Chocolate Cow in Sonoma on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
The Chocolate Cow
The Chocolate Cow, a family-run business in the town of Sonoma, has served housemade truffles, fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats for more than 30 years. Located in the Mercato shopping center.
Rainy Day Chocolate in Santa Rosa makes award-winning nib-to-bar chocolate. Available at select local farmers markets and for delivery in Sonoma County and shipping across the country. Stay tuned for updates on a new retail shop set to open in Sonoma County.
See’s Candies has been a Bay Area favorite for chocolate lovers for over 100 years. Find local stores at Montgomery Village and Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa, Lakewood Village in Windsor, Mountain Shadows Plaza in Rohnert Park and Washington Square Center in Petaluma. sees.com
Heather Irwin and Maci Martell contributed to this article.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (Mariah Harkey / Sonoma County Tourism)
Coast Redwoods love the water — the more, the better, it seems. They love soupy fog so thick it hangs like mist. They love rain that rushes off ridgelines in seasonal rivulets. And they especially love creeks and rivers that overrun their banks to flood flat valley floors, submerging the feet of the world’s tallest trees.
Foggy weather, plenty of rain, a broad-banked river that regularly floods? Check, check and check — Sonoma has a place like that.
“The Russian River was once coated with beautiful virgin redwood stands,” says Brendan O’Neil, an environmental scientist and Chief of Natural Resources for California State Parks’ Sonoma-Mendocino District. “The most famous of all was called the Big Bottom stands, in Guerneville. That area, because it’s so prone to flooding, ended up growing some of the finest redwoods in all of California.”
The name Big Bottom stuck (it refers to the alluvial floodplain upon which the town sits), but most of the massive trees are long gone, having been logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many destined for cigar boxes.
Not only do they appreciate a good soaking, but creekside groves also benefit from the loads of nutrient-rich sediment deposited by floodwaters. “If you look at the trunks of a lot of the giants in Mendocino and Humboldt counties, you see that they lack that taper that you generally see,” O’Neil says. “That’s because they have been buried so many times.”
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (Mariah Harkey/Sonoma County Tourism)
Redwoods respond by sending out a whole new root system to tap into the fresh topsoil and, even more critically, by producing seeds: a relatively rare occurrence for the species, with fire being the only other trigger.
All redwoods, no matter where, react positively and immediately to water availability in the winter. “You can see trees start to swell when it rains. They store a lot of water in their bark and canopy. They’re essentially huge water pumps,” O’Neil says.
But these botanical marvels don’t only take; they also give. Their gravity-defying canopies are home to an entire ecosystem of living things, including other plants, fairy shrimp, salamanders and flying squirrels. In death, redwoods offer valuable habitat as well, and if they are so fortunate as to fall into a nearby waterway, they can provide hiding spots for spawning salmon.
Survivors of the logging boom face a new set of threats today, and predictably many relate to fog levels, rainfall patterns and river flows — natural factors that humans have interrupted through climate change, dams and other alterations to hydrologic regimes, O’Neil says.
“Not to sign off with a story of woe, but it’s something to think about: all the beautiful things we have in this world, and the challenges we face in how we manage them.”
Server Cerra Modar carries a tray of Russian River Brewing Co. 20th anniversary Pliny the Younger triple IPA for guest on the first day of the limited release at the brewpub in Santa Rosa, Friday, March 22, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Officially available at the brewery’s Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs from March 21 to April 3, the highly anticipated brew is already quietly on tap (or coming soon) to around 30 bars and restaurants in Sonoma and Napa counties.
As the brewery’s team is busy kegging the 2025 Pliny release to ship to select cities throughout the country, locals will have early access to the triple IPA this month, the brewing company stated in a recent Facebook post.
The Russian River Brewing Co. 20th anniversary 2024 Pliny the Younger triple IPA is filtered and ready for bottles and kegs in Windsor, Monday, March 18, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Once Pliny the Younger is released this spring, the Santa Rosa and Windsor pubs will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with lines usually starting as early as 5 a.m. Guests will be limited to three 10-ounce pours and up to three bottles of Pliny the Younger.
The release of Pliny the Younger is usually shrouded in secrecy, adding to its allure. Russian River Brewing Co. has not posted a public list of locations where the beer will be available before its official release but shared a list with The Press Democrat of “most” of the places in Sonoma and Napa counties where the triple IPA will be available.
Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner of Russian River Brewing Co., said over email to The Press Democrat Thursday that while kegs of Pliny the Younger are being distributed around the country, the “lion’s share remains within California, with the heaviest concentration of accounts in the Bay Area.”
Kegs of Russian River Brewing Co.’s coveted, limited-release Pliny the Younger in 2025. (Courtesy Russian River Brewing Co.)
Some local bars and restaurants, such as Santa Rosa’s The Goose & Fern (116 Fifth St.), Trail House Cafe (4036 Montgomery Drive, Suite C) and Sonoma’s HopMonk Tavern (691 Broadway), have announced on social media that they will have Pliny the Younger on tap.
On Thursday, The Goose & Fern owner Clyde Hartwell said the pub will “definitely” have Pliny on tap in the next few days, shooting to have it available for Super Bowl Sunday. Other local bars and restaurants also are aiming to pour Pliny this Sunday.
Below is a list of local places where Pliny the Younger will be on tap. For more information on when they’ll be pouring, call or check the establishments’ social media.
Sonoma County locations for Pliny
The Goose & Fern, 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com
Bird & The Bottle, 1055 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com
Phoenix hosted Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Super Bowl Tailgate in 2023. This year’s event will be in Las Vegas. (Courtesy photo)
Celebrity chef and longtime Sonoma County resident Guy Fieri is bringing his signature high-energy tailgate party back for Big Game Weekend, this time taking over Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.
The third annual “Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate” kicks off at noon Sunday, offering football fans a mix of food, music and entertainment ahead of the biggest game of the year. The best part: general admission is $0. (But hurry up; tickets are going fast.)
“We’re talking a free event for over 10,000 fans, a real deal celebration of food, football and fun, right in the heart of the action,” Fieri said.
Since launching in Arizona in 2023 and taking over Las Vegas in 2024, the tailgate has cemented itself as a can’t-miss pre-game event. Each year, it draws thousands of fans and features appearances from sports and entertainment stars. Past editions have welcomed athletes like Eli Manning and Chad Johnson, alongside performances from Diplo, Flavor Flav and Dustin Lynch — some of whom are returning this year.
Phoenix hosted Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Super Bowl Tailgate in 2023. This year’s event will be in New Orleans. (Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate)Phoenix hosted Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Super Bowl Tailgate in 2023. This year’s event will be in New Orleans. (Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate)
This year’s lineup keeps the tradition alive, with Diplo back for his third consecutive set, blending country-inspired beats with his signature electronic sound. He’ll be joined by hype-man icon Flavor Flav and New Orleans rock legends Cowboy Mouth, ensuring nonstop energy throughout the event.
General admission is free, but requires registration. Premium ticket options offer an upgraded experience, with complimentary food or VIP access featuring exclusive perks. A special partnership ensures guaranteed entry for 2,000 military members and veterans.
Attendees can expect free food samples from “Guy’s partners,” such as Carnival Cruise Line and King’s Hawaiian, as well as Flavortown sauces, a variety of drinks and, of course, plenty of fried chicken.
In short, it’s got all the ingredients for a great pre-game party.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler,” said Fieri, meaning, “Let the good times roll,” in French.
Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate, 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, Louisiana, guysflavortowntailgate.com
BlendCraft in downtown Petaluma serves date shakes which are famous in Palm Springs but rarely found outside of southern California. Photographed on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)
David Ertmann, of downtown Petaluma’s BlendCraft, is a huge supporter of dates — both the fruit kind and the Valentine kind. His “The First Date” smoothie blends sweet dates with low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt, almond milk and fresh banana.
“We put our own twist on the classic Palm Springs date shake,” says Ertmann, who co-owns the cafe with his fiancée, Ashley Baker. “I think these might taste even better.”
The date shake, popular in southern California, can be enjoyed at BlendCraft in downtown Petaluma. Photographed on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)
In a nostalgic move, Ertmann, who grew up visiting the Hadley Date Gardens near Palm Springs with his brothers, sources Medjool dates from the original Hadley family orchards in the Morongo Valley. The cold, creamy shakes have proven popular.
“We imagine couples coming in and sharing a shake,” says Baker. “I don’t know for sure if any first dates have happened over a date shake here, but I keep hoping it will happen eventually.”
Mac and cheese at Kin Restaurant in Windsor. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
The holidays are past, and spring is months away, so why not snuggle in with the most comforting food on earth? As kids, we may start with the blue box and bright orange powdered cheese, but the real thing — made with creamy cheese sauce, hearty pasta and all the add-ins you can imagine — is a dish for the kid in all of us.
Cozy Comfort
Underwood Bar and Bistro
Head to this Graton hideaway for bubbling elbow mac topped with toasted bread crumbs. Simple as that. Add pancetta to signal to everyone that you’re a gourmand to be reckoned with.9113 Graton Rd., Graton. 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
Fancy Pants
Stark’s Steak & Seafood
Who knew mac and cheese needed black truffles? But once you know, you know it works perfectly with this elevated version of the classic. It’s like wearing sweats with a bow tie—comfy and classy.521 Adams St., Santa Rosa. 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
Three-way Smoker Combo with ribs, chicken, brisket and sides of Mac N’ Cheese and Okra/Corn/Cherry Tomato Saute from Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Loaded
Sweet T’s
House-smoked BBQ brisket, jalapeños, bacon, breadcrumbs, and cheesy mac drizzled with sweet barbecue sauce is a yeehaw for your face. More patriotic than a bald eagle.9098 Brooks Rd. S., Windsor. 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com
Something Completely Different
Kin
The Mac Daddy pizza is as ridiculous as it sounds: a pizza topped with an absurd amount of gooey mac and cheese. Unforgettable — but whether that’s in a good way or a bad way is up to you.740 McClelland Dr., Windsor. 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com
Mac and cheese at Kin Restaurant in Windsor. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Portuguese Mac & Cheese at Tasca Tasca Portuguese Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar in Sonoma. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
The Spicy One
Tasca Tasca
Hidden among the many tapas choices — fried piri-piri potatoes, steak tartare, empanadas — you’ll find Portuguese-style mac and cheese. Linguiça, a spicy pork sausage, is the secret ingredient that gives this small plate a smoky bump.122 West Napa St., Sonoma. 707-996-8272, tascatasca.com
Nuggets of Lobster
Speakeasy
Cheese and crustaceans are usually a no-go in my book, this version blends sweet lobster with cheddar, fontina, herby breadcrumbs, and crumbled bacon clinging to every surface of the bowl-like orecchiette pasta.139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com
In the need for more cheese? Here are more favorite places for mac and cheese in Sonoma County.
Robert Nieto, owners of Fleur Sauvage Chocolate, makes a chocolate box for his Valentines Day bonbon assortment Tuesday, January 16, 2024 in Windsor. (Photo John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
No holiday strikes fear into the hearts of men like Valentine’s Day (Friday, Feb. 14). In truth, all the Hallmark card expectations of romance, roses and chocolate can confound any couple. But fear not, because even at the eleventh hour, there are great food and dining options throughout Sonoma County for you and your sweet thing, your best gal pals, or even your little cherubs.
Just don’t wait too long to snap up these ideas, and may Cupid’s arrow find its mark.
Last minute
Say it with bacon: Order a bacon box from Sonoma County Meat Co. filled with four glorious pounds of piggy pleasure. Flavors include black pepper, applewood smoked, honey lavender salt and thyme, $89 (order online or in-store). 35 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, sonomacountymeatco.com
Chocolate creations, including a life-sized chocolate wine bottle, from Fleur Sauvage in Windsor. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Chocolate: Sonoma County has plenty of amazing chocolate makers, including Fleur Sauvage, Volo Chocolates, Eye Candy and Sonoma Chocolatiers (you can find a complete list here). But if you want to go a little off-script, Santa Rosa’s quirky Steinhouse offers Belgian chocolate and a whole lot of other goodies. 631 Fourth St., Suite 18, Santa Rosa, steinhousechocolates.com
Bread baking classes: Central Milling’s Artisan Baking Center is the place to train your budding sourdough baker or pastry fanatic. Classes are taught by some of the best bakers in the biz, and you’ll reap the rewards with something hot from the oven after a single class. Register online. 1120 Holm Road, Petaluma, centralmilling.com/artisan-baking-center
OpenTable it: For you lazy Lotharios, OpenTable has a handy listing of local restaurants that still have Valentine reservations available. pdne.ws/3EpRHKL
Plan ahead (with some last-minute alternatives)
Macaron flavors by Patisserie Angelica include rose, pistachio, salted caramel, Meyer lemon, and blackberry in Sebastopol, on Thursday, May 1, 2014. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Patisserie Angelica Valentine’s desserts: Satisfy your sweetie’s sweet tooth with an eye-popping selection of treats, including chocolate truffles, macarons, chocolate-covered strawberries, a heart-shaped almond cake with praline buttercream and Valentine sugar cookies. You’ll also find single-serve desserts, party cakes and brownies in the pastry case from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, patisserieangelica.com/valentinesmenu
Last-minute option: Patisserie Angelica also offers a cozy high tea with savory and sweet pastries, specialty teas and espresso drinks. It’s a charming, pinkies-up adventure, but not so fancy you can’t have a little fun. Reserve by phone at 707-827-7998.
Flamingo Resort & Spa:Three-course prix fixe dinner with lots of choices — steamed blue crab, grilled bavette steak, seared scallops, confit of trumpet mushrooms or a chocolate ganache tart. $132 per person; reservations required. Reserve on OpenTable. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, flamingoresort.com
Last-minute option: Grab tickets for the Flamingo’s live “Don’t Tell Comedy” shows every Thursday. Comedians are a secret until they take the stage — and you never know who will show up. Tickets at flamingoresort.com
Sushi By Scratch: A few reservations remain for the 17-course sushi omakase menu at this intimate dining destination in Healdsburg. Valentine’s experiences, Feb. 14-16, are $265 per person. Reserve on Tock. Located in The Matheson, 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg
Last minute option: Prebook a future date at this 10-seat experience for $185 per person. You’re thoughtful and thrifty.
Advance planning required
Sea Ranch Lodge: Head north for dinner or a weekend retreat at this wind-swept North Coast destination. Dinner overlooking the ocean includes Dungeness crab Louie, beef Wellington for two and molten chocolate cake for two. Reservations required. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, thesearanchlodge.com
Owners Marc-Henri and Maud Jean-Baptiste of Windsor’s Maison Porcella. (Kim Carroll/for Sonoma Magazine)
Maison Porcella: The French are experts in food, wine and love. Celebrate all three at Maison Porcella’s special Valentine’s prix fixe dinner featuring scalloped fish terrine with roasted cauliflower, duck with braised radicchio and white chocolate cake. $125 per person; reservations required. Tickets on Tock. 8499 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, maisonporcella.com
Pascaline Bistro: There’s no choice but to get cozy at this intimate bistro. Four-course dinner includes Dungeness crab cakes, Mount Lassen trout and caramel passion fruitcake. Tickets are $137.19 per person; reservations required. Call 707-303-7151 or book on OpenTable. 1021 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, pascalinebistro.com
Farmhouse Inn: On Sunday, Feb. 16, bid adieu to Valentine’s weekend with a four-course dinner from executive chef Craig Wilmer and executive pastry chef Amanda Hoang. Each course will be paired with spirits from Foley Spirits. $185 per person, by reservation only. Reserve on Tock. 7871 River Road, Forestville, farmhouseinn.com
A dish at Farmhouse Inn restaurant in Forestville. (Joanne Chen/Courtesy Farmhouse Inn)
Jilly’s Roadhouse: Venture to the coast for a casual couple’s night at this new Route 1 roadhouse. Prix fixe menu includes crab soup, lemon-zest Brussels sprouts, creamy mashed potatoes, caper-crusted salmon or filet mignon and choice of tiramisu or strawberry cheesecake. $68 per person, wine pairing available. Call 707-756-0119 for reservations. 9960 Highway 1, Jenner
Valentine’s Momo Tasting: Learn to make Nepalese momo dumplings with chef Sonam Sherpa at Meadowcroft Wines tasting room in Sonoma. The class includes momo tasting with Meadowcroft wines. 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15., $75 per person. Reservations required; reserve online. 23574 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, meadowcroftwines.com
Love and Peanuts Holiday Workshop: Kids (grades 1-6) can make Valentine crafts and treats from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. $40 per child; advance registration required. Tickets are available online or by calling 707- 284-1272. 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, schulzmuseum.org
A modern home perched on 2.7 hillside acres above Glen Ellen is currently listed for $1,850,000.(Sam Bennett Media / Sotheby’s International Realty)
A modern home perched in the hills above Glen Ellen is currently listed for $1,850,000. The one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom home sits on 2.7 acres and is described in the real estate listing as the property’s “second dwelling” to live in while building a dream home on the remaining acreage. While the stage is set for more construction, the existing 980-square-foot home is plenty dreamy.
Sweeping views are a nice start — visible through the wall of windows in the modern structure. A single sloped roof and stone cladding offer a contemporary feel.
Valley views from the great room of a modern Glen Ellen home. (Sam Bennett Media / Sotheby’s International Realty)Patio at the modern Glen Ellen home. (Sam Bennett Media / Sotheby’s International Realty)
French doors provide access to the deck with a glass balustrade for unfettered valley-gazing. Indoor finishes in grays and concrete deliver a sturdy but quiet counterpoint to the lush terrain that’s viewable from every spot in the house. Redwood cladding on the ceiling warms up the look further. The tiered yard has a paved deck with a spa.
The home includes a three-car garage on which a second-story guest house can be built. An RV hookup is available, too.
Modern amenities include radiant heated floors, remote-operated irrigation and lighting, business class internet and a sound system.
For more information on this home at 2205 Trinity Road in Glen Ellen, contact listing agent Amanda Shone, 707-338-8241, 707-933-1515, Sotheby’s International Realty Wine Country – Sonoma Brokerage,sothebysrealty.com
Pool and studio. (Ned Bonzi / Sotheby’s International Realty)
The New York Times recently featured a residential compound in an idyllic Wine Country setting, currently listed for $3,995,000. Set on 16.5 rolling acres, the secluded Healdsburg property boasts a main house, barn with studio loft and carriage house with guest suites.
Built in 1981 in a New England saltbox style, the estate contains a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The main residence includes one bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms while the barn has a lofted bedroom suite and the carriage house has two ensuite guest bedrooms.
The simple geometry of the buildings is a sweet match for the grassy acreage with oaks and rock outcroppings. An acre of Cabernet Sauvignon vines anchors the countryside landscape.
Living room with a wood-burning fireplace. (Ned Bonzi / Sotheby’s International Realty)The surrounding grounds offer a lush setting to take in panoramic views. (Ned Bonzi / Sotheby’s International Realty)
The home’s interior has hand-hewn ceiling beams and a sizable stone fireplace in the living room. The primary suite on the second floor also has a wood-burning fireplace, as well as a separate office and a soaking tub in the bathroom. Successive double hung windows and French doors give immersive views into the vineyard.
The surrounding grounds offer a lush setting to take in panoramic views. Lots of tables and benches provide opportunities for alfresco wine tasting and slow food fun. There’s also recreation via a pool, pickleball court and bocce court. A combo fitness studio and game room is complete with a rolling door to access meadow views while playing ping pong or running on the treadmill.
For more information on this property at 2427 Mill Creek Road, contact listing agent Sheri Morgensen, 707-431-0777, 415-269-5634, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage, sothebysrealty.com
EARTHSeed is a new permaculture farm that both grows food and fosters resilence in the land and its people. One of founder Pandora Thomas’ goals is to make the farm and its products accessible to those who have historically faced barriers to access, particularly communities of color. She hopes to offer a robust program of classes and farming internships. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Looking to support Black-owned businesses in Sonoma County this Black History Month and throughout the rest of the year?
From winemakers to restaurant owners and wardrobe stylists, here are the Black entrepreneurs and their businesses leaving their mark on Sonoma County.
Want to recommend a Black-owned local business not included on this list? Please send us an email.
Clockwise from left: yebeg key we’t, yebeg tibs, miser we’t, and tikel gomen, from Abyssinia restaurant in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)Texas Toast, cornbread muffins, pork ribs, links, brisket and tri-tip, bbq chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and collard greens at A&M Barbecue in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
A&M BBQ: Local pitmasters Kris Austin and Marvin Mckinzy joined forces in 2024 to open the best Southern-style barbecue in the county. The Sebastopol barbecue joint churns out wood-smoked barbecued meats such as brisket, tri-tip and pork ribs, as well as classic sides like perfectly cooked collard greens and baked beans. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-888-1315, ambbqllc.com
Big River Coffee Company: Family-owned gourmet coffee business founded in 1991 by Harold Henderson. Naomi Henderson, CEO, is a second generation team member. 3345 Industrial Drive, Suite 18, Santa Rosa, bigrivercoffee.co
Cafe Frida Gallery: Frida Kahlo-inspired coffee shop in Santa Rosa’s SOFA Art District, owned by Mamadou Diouf, who is from Senegal, and his father-in-law, the Santa Rosa artist Mario Uribe. 300 South A St., Santa Rosa, 707-308-4344, cafefridagallery.com
Dandy Sandos: A sandwich shop owned by couple Daniel and Candyce Bryson at the former Mr. Pickles location in Petaluma. 3100 Lakeville Highway, Suite C, Petaluma, 707-763-1676, dandysandos.godaddysites.com
EARTHseed Farm: EARTHseed is California’s first Afro-Indigenous permaculture farm. One of founder Pandora Thomas’s goals is to make the farm and its products accessible to those who have historically faced barriers to access, particularly communities of color. Her farm is a place to practice and teach African agricultural skills that have endured and evolved despite centuries of slavery and diaspora. 3175 Sullivan Road, Sebastopol. earthseedfarm.org
Enlivened: An organic probiotic beverage maker, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Tom Boyd and Deana Dennard. enlivened.me
Everett & Jones: Dorothy Everett opened the first Everett & Jones restaurant in Oakland in 1973 with just $700 to her name. The Graton Casino location, which opened in 2022, is one of four remaining Everett & Jones restaurants, including two in Oakland and one in Berkeley, and lines still snake out the doors for the popular barbecue spot. Graton Resort & Casino, 288 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, gratonresortcasino.com
Maison Porcella: Chef and charcutier Marc-Henri Jean-Baptiste and his French wife, Maud, moved to Sonoma County in 2018 to launch a charcuterie business. They opened a shop and bistro in Windsor, selling housemade pâté, rillettes, ham and the best Croque Monsieur around. 8499 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor, 707-955-5611, maisonporcella.com
Nati Catering: This full-service catering business is owned by Rose Parish, who also is the Vice President of the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce. Nati Catering prepares meals for any occasion large or small, including private parties, dinners for two and weekly meals. naticatering.com
The Red Rose Catering: This full-service catering business boasts “a long tradition based upon generations of family cooking and sharing exceptional meals.” It is owned by Nancy Rogers, who is also the President and CEO of the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce, and serves Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato and surrounding areas. 707-687-9014, theredrosecatering.com
Reggae Rasta Styles: Jamaican food truck, owned by Terry Ann Smith, pops up around the county and also offers catering and event services. On Instagram @reggae.rastastyles
Interior designer Stephanie Meyer is the owner and operator of AVCO Design. (Christopher Chung/For Sonoma Magazine)Stephane Saint Louis, chef/owner of Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma. (Christopher Chung/For Sonoma Magazine)
Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint: A rockin’ Southern-style restaurant in Guerneville, owned by Yvette Bidegain. Saucy Mama’s puts the soul in soul food by fusing the deeply Southern flavors of Bidegain’s family’s Louisiana heritage with her own California culinary twists. 16632 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-604-7184, saucymamasjookjoint.com
Sebastopol Cookie Company: Downtown Sebastopol shop, owned by Bronwen Shears and husband Dave MacNab, offering baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free options, and food. 168 N. Main St, Sebastopol, 707-824-4040 sebastopolcookiecompany.com
Short Momma’s Barbecue Sauce: A Santa Rosa-based sauce business with products in stores throughout Sonoma County. shortmommas.com
Smackin Soul Food: Mahkaila McGowan-Gans, a Santa Rosa Junior College student, started this pop-up and catering business with her mother while she was a senior at Maria Carillo High School. The mother-daughter duo hosts weekly Tuesday night pop-ups at Santa Rosa’s Veteran’s Memorial Building, serving dishes like lobster and crab, fried chicken and other southern-inspired dishes. Santa Rosa, facebook.com/smackinsoulfood, instagram.com/smackinsoulfood
Sonoma Crust: Cafe, catering business and pizza parlor run by chef and baker Anne Sanusi. Originally serving up some of the best chicken waffles in Sonoma County, the business now focuses on slinging Neo-Neapolitan pizzas for private events and parties. 707-477-4510, sonomacrust.com
Sonoma Sauces: Company making wine-based dessert and cooking sauces. Owned by Jennifer Carson and her husband, Akil Brown. 707-486-8581, sonomasauces.com
Street Social: Petaluma restaurant, owned by Jevon Martin and Marjorie Pier, highlighting seasonal and local ingredients. With just six tables, this tiny restaurant is cooking up gigantic flavors in an unexpected location. 29 F Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-774-6185, streetsocial.social
Table Culture Provisions: Rising-star chef Stephane Saint-Louis has been tapped repeatedly by Sonoma Magazine, The Press Democrat and The Chronicle for his tasting menus. 312 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-5739, tcprovision.com
Vegan Mob: Toriano Gordon has made it his mission to celebrate the meat-based barbecue culture of his youth, but with absolutely no meat or dairy. His Vegan Mob restaurant in Oakland has received glowing reviews from USA Today, Food & Wine Magazine and actor Danny Glover. Gordon opened a location in Santa Rosa in 2023. veganmob.biz
Lloyd Davis of Corner 103 in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Corner 103)
Wine
Bodkin Wines: Healdsburg-based winery known for creating one of America’s first sparkling Sauvignon Blancs. Owner and winemaker Chris Christensen also produces other sparkling wines, Gewürztraminers, Zinfandels, and white and red dessert wines. bodkinwines.com
Corner 103: Sonoma winery led by financier-turned-vintner Lloyd Davis. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily by appointment. 103 W Napa St., Sonoma, 707-931-6141, corner103.com
Fog Crest Vineyards: Family-owned vineyard in Sebastopol, founded by Rosalind and James Manoogian, specializing in handcrafted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasting room open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily by appointment. 7606 Occidental Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-2006, fogcrestvineyard.com
L’Objet Wines: Healdsburg-based wine label from songwriter-turned-winemaker Danny Glover (no relation to the actor). Glover specializes in Pinot Noir and produces 600 cases or so a year. 243 East St., Healdsburg, 707-235-3153, lobjetwines.com
McCarter Cellars: Dennis McCarter, born and raised in Sonoma County, always dreamed of producing extraordinary wines from his home region. His winery specializes in “ultra-premium wines;” its first vintage became available in 2023 and McCarter went on to win several awards for his Sauvignon Blanc and rosé of Pinot Noir. 707-324-9233, mccartercellars.com
Mad Marvlus Wine: Owner and winemaker Marreya Bailey ditched the corporate world in 2020 and jumped feet-first into wine and cider. She is now recognized as one of the most innovative producers in the co-ferments space, marrying wild hybrid grapes, heirloom apples, pears, honey, herbs and other botanicals into her drinks. madmarvlus.com
Marreya Bailey of Mad Marvlus uses apples, grapes, and other botanicals to make fermented alcoholic beverages that are neither strictly wine nor cider, but the best of both. (Conor Hagen)Matt Crutchfield is the assistant winemaker for Ryme Cellars and has recently created his own wine brand. His recent summer release features two types of Cortese and two types of Chenin Blanc. (Chad Surmick/for Sonoma Magazine)
P. Harrell Wines: Paula Harrell founded her Sonoma County wine label in 2015. The line includes a Riesling, a rosé, a sparkling Blanc de Noirs and a Petite Sirah. pharrellwines.com
Tympany Vineyards: Owner and winemaker Louis Jordan specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon and runs the winery together with his wife, Lynda. tympanyvineyards.com
Vision Cellars: Edward Lee “Mac” McDonald founded Vision Cellars with his wife, Lil. He produces his wines at Caymus Vineyards in Napa, but sources grapes from Sonoma County and the North Coast. McDonald is the founder of the Association of African American Vintners. visioncellars.com
Ward Four Wines: Justin Trabue spent seven years working in production at Lumen Wines in Santa Barbara County and Heitz Cellar in Napa Valley. She founded Ward Four in 2021 and is one of Sonoma Magazine’s “Winemakers to Know in 2024.” Sourcing grapes from vineyard owners who farm sustainably and follow ethical labor practices, she makes her wine at Sonoma’s Obsidian Wine Co. using native yeasts and gentle foot-treading. wardfourwines.com
Justin Trabue is the founder of Ward Four Wines. (Eileen Roche/For Sonoma Magazine)
Arts and design
AVCO Design: AVCO Design, owned by interior designer Stephanie Meyer, works with residential and commercial clients. avco-design.com.
ChromaDiverse Inc.: Chroma Diverse is owned and operated by Judy Tyrus, a former dancer, dance teacher and curator. The company’s mission is to help performing arts organizations preserve, protect, and present their legacy materials online. chromadiverse.org
Gapelii Brand: Luxury clothing and shoe company, founded in 2019 by Toja Hodge and Andrew Akufo. gapeliibrand.com.
Judy Tyrus is the CEO of Chroma Diverse, a company that helps performing arts organizations preserve, protect, and present their legacy materials online. (Courtesy of Judy Tyrus)Artist Rena Charles in her Rena Charles Gallery, next to works by artist Aaron Webb, in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Rena Charles Gallery: Artist Rena Charles opened this Healdsburg gallery in 2023, showcasing works by emerging and established artists. The space is welcoming, reminiscent of an artist’s studio, inviting you to linger and chat with Charles about the art. 439 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-813-2033, renacharlesgallery.com
Rose Hill Art Gallery: Artist Rose Hill uses targeted examples of historically racist Black imagery to spark conversation and start the healing process. Her Rose Hill Art Gallery, located near Sonoma, pops with color, including from the playful figures in Hill’s “Little Colored Girls” ceramic plate series, made famous by Oprah Winfrey. 75 Fremont Drive, Sonoma. rosehillart.com
Personal care
Breathe Diversity Pilates + Fitness: Class and private session pilates studio, owned by Sherrese Mikell and Sonya Snyder. 65 Brookwood Ave., Suite 4, Santa Rosa, 707-595-5513, breathediversitypilates.com
Dana Jones Fitness Evolution: A fitness coach who provides group and one-on-one training sessions. djsfitnessevolution.com
Destiné Beauty: Stylist Juliana Destiné specializes in natural and curly hair styles. 1030A Second St., Suite 7, Santa Rosa, 707-347-9672, destine-beauty.business.site
E & E Beauty Supply Bar: Santa Rosa sisters Eva Karikari and Ernestina Apraku couldn’t find a local salon that specialized in textured hair care, so they opened their own. The duo sells hair extensions, wigs, hair braiding, waxing, lashes, accessories and more. 1331 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-806-4427. eebeautysupplybar.com
LA Beauty and Hair: Santa Rosa beauty and hair salon owned by Abrea Tillman, who specializes in alopecia and cancer hair loss solutions, such as wigs. Tillman, who is the Treasurer of the North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce, also offers beauty consultations and sells hair care products. 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Suite 12, Santa Rosa, 415-590-7489, labeautyandhair.com
Lotus Beauty Bar: Store, owned by Rabia Raysson, offering skin treatments and waxing using organic skincare products. 307 D St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-7940, lotusbeautybar.net
Mixed Strands Salon & Luxury Hair: A multi-textural hair salon located in Rohnert Park. 275 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, facebook.com/thesaloneclectic
Multicultural Hair Studio: Multicultural Hair Studio offers high-quality haircuts and carries wigs, an assortment of premium bundles, closures and frontals. Braiding hair is available from 8 to 40 inches and in a myriad of colors. Crochet styles available, including locs, twist, braids and loose hair. 5222 Country Club Drive, Rohnert Park, 707- 319-8188, jasmin@mhssolutions.biz,facebook.com
Malia Anderson stylist and founder of Style by Malia at her studio in Santa Rosa. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Style by Malia: Business owned by wardrobe stylist and content creator Malia Anderson. On Instagram at @stylebymalia or at stylebymalia.com.
TKs Beauty Bar Salon: Salon offering a variety of services, including weaves, hair extension training and braids. 3979 Sebastopol Road, 707-495-9322, styleseat.com/m/v/tksbeautybar.
Urembo Asili: Plant-based skincare products crafted by Petaluma entrepreneur Evie Dondi. Urembo Asili means “natural beauty” in Kiswahili (the native language of the Swahili people). Dondi taps into her “African roots and African ancient wisdom” when crafting her products. uremboasili.com
Yoga with Nicole: Yoga instructor Nicole Ward offers healing workshops and leadership training. yogawithnicole.org
Other services
ARS Roofing: Santa Rosa roofing company owned by Lake County native Letitia Hanke, who also operates the LIME Foundation nonprofit. 1400 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, 707-584-5900, arsroofing.com
Bon Marche: A nonprofit organization with a thrift store in Sonoma, owned by Anna Bimenyimana, that provides funds to build health clinics and gardens in Rwanda and support charitable programs in Sonoma. Also sells Rwandan coffee online, through e-kawa. 19405 Riverside Drive, Sonoma, 707-933-9613, bonmarchethriftstore.org,e-kawa.com
Core Electrical Services: A Santa Rosa firm, owned and operated by Chris Perez, which provides electrician work for commercial and industrial clients. 3250 Dutton Ave., Suite B, Santa Rosa, 707-615-1969, core-elect.com
Journey of the Saber: Star Wars-themed shop and “Jedi training” school at the Santa Rosa Plaza that sells lightsabers. Owner Teryn Kelley teaches classes. 1550 West Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-836-5593, facebook.com/JourneyofTheSaber
Kerry Rego Consulting: Social media and tech consultant located in Sonoma County. kerryregoconsulting.com and on Instagram @kregobiz.
Keystone Therapy & Training Services: Santa Rosa therapeutic support for individuals and families, as well as professional development for people who work in human service and mental health. keystone.love
Slick Bridge (Thizz Clothing): Clothing store at the Santa Rosa Plaza specializing in hip-hop apparel inspired by the Thizz Entertainment record label that was started by rapper Mac Dre. The business is co-owned by Michael “Mob$tah Myk” Walker, Dela the Fella, Miami the Most — the late Mac Dre’s brother — and Kilo Curt. 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Suite 2035, Santa Rosa, facebook.com
Strange Constellation: Vintage clothing store and community art space in Santa Rosa’s SOFA Art District, owned by Dani DiAngelo and Lee Johnson. 300 S. A St., Suite 1, Santa Rosa, strangeconstellation.com
The Goodest Digital: Social Media marketing business owned by Santa Rosa resident Christopher Terry. Find on Instagram at @ct_crunchh.
Did we miss a Black-owned business in Sonoma County? Send us an email.
Nashelly Chavez, Sara Edwards, Sofia Englund, Heather Irwin, Kylie Lawrence, Maci Martell, Linda Murphy, Owen Ruderman and Bill Swindell contributed to this article.
