Page 295 – Sonoma Magazine

I Spend $30 a Week at Santa Rosa’s Trader Joe’s, Here’s How You Can Do the Same

July 2018

By Claire Pelote

Most of you are probably thinking something along these lines right now: “30 dollars for one person? No way,” or “I’d sure like to find out how I can spend that little on groceries.” As a college student, I know how challenging grocery shopping can be, especially if you’d like to eat healthy. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way – and I say this to even the most skeptical readers.

Now, this next sentence will probably put a few of you off – but stay a minute and hear me out.

I’m vegan. When I tell people this, many offer the same two objections: “you won’t get enough protein in your diet” (let’s save that topic for another article), and “it’s too expensive.” In my experience, cutting out animal products has actually helped me spend less on groceries. So, whether you’re vegan or would just like to reduce your meat intake, this might actually be an opportunity to save a few bucks.

For me, Trader Joe’s on Santa Rosa Avenue is a convenient spot for buying healthy produce on a budget. Of course, there are endless opportunities to load up on fresh fruit and veggies in Sonoma County – from farmers markets to CSAs to your own backyard. But, as we all know, sometimes it’s just easier to hit the grocery store, and there’s no shame in that.

Before I go grocery shopping, I make sure that I have planned my meals so that I only buy what’s necessary to get me through the week. This way, I can ensure that everything I purchase stays fresh and that I don’t waste anything. (Not so fun fact: globally, we throw out about 1.3 billion tons of food a year; and the United States wastes more than $160 billion in food a year.)

If you purchase everything on the grocery list in the above gallery, it should come to just over $30. Keep in mind, this list is for those of you on a really tight budget. If your bank account allows, you can always add a little more – but make sure you’re not wasting food. Follow these tips and I promise you’ll leave the store with more money in your wallet and healthier food in your cart.

Yanni’s Sausages Named Small Business of the Year in Sonoma County

June 2018

By Ashlee Ruggels

11/28/2012: D1: PC: Yanni’s Sausage Grill owners John (Yanni) Vrattos, right, and his wife, Francesca make their links on Monday and Tuesday for the overflow crowd at their tiny store on Main St. in Penngrove. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Yanni’s Sausages, a Sonoma County favorite with roots in Greece, has been named small business of the year by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa).

Founded nine years ago, the family-run business was built on childhood memories – and a kitchen mixer. Shortly after owners John “Yanni” and Francesca Vrattos were both laid off from their jobs in 2009, the couple received a mixer from their daughter for Christmas. Yanni then went to work replicating the Greek Loukaniko sausages his mom made when he was a child – only this time, the sausages were made with the help of a Kitchen Aid. His experiment was a success and the couple launched a sausage-making business and restaurant in Penngrove. Before they knew it, Yanni’s Sausage Grill was flourishing.

Over the years, Yanni’s became a popular Penngrove place with regulars devouring Greek and Italian sausages and chili. John and Francesca Vrattos closed the restaurant in February of this year to focus on their booming wholesale sausage business. According to their website, their sausages are available at 18 restaurants and 30 grocers, and won the “Best of Charcuterie” award at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

In addition to running a successful business, the Vrattos have donated thousands of pounds of sausage to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, hoping to share their food with all community members. After nearly ten years in business, the enthusiasm for Yanni’s Sausages continues to move the couple. “We are still humbled by how much people love our sausages,” said John Vrattos.

Senator Dodd is one of those avid fans. “It is truly inspiring to see the way John and Francesca have turned their vision into a reality,” said Dodd. “I applaud their achievement and wish them the best as they pursue more great sausages.”

Fremont Diner Was a Victim of Its Own Success, Say Owners

June 2018

By biteclub

A week after the surprise closure of one of Wine Country’s most beloved roadside restaurants, the Fremont Diner owners opened up about their decision to shutter the space as well as plans for the future.

The husband-wife owners Chad and Erika Harris said the diner had been a victim of its own success, with demand quickly outgrowing both the space and staffing.

“It was incredibly successful to those who visited, but the model was hard to sustain,” owners said in an email Tuesday.

A culinary media darling since opening in 2008, the funky diner was lauded by Oprah magazine, Gywneth Paltrow’s Goop and Food & Wine magazine, which named it one of the best diners in America. An Instragram-worthy menu with the couple’s comfort food dishes gave them even more cachet, as diners from around the world ventured to the cozy country cafe.

Halfway between the Sonoma and Napa valleys off Highway 121, the Fremont Diner oozed nouveau decrepitude with a heavy dose of John Deere chic and the irresistible lure of a butter and pork-soaked menu. Selling charming local jams, sauces and coveted Rancho Gordo beans, it was a must-do on many Wine Country itineraries, but also had a pull-up-a-chair vibe that regularly brought in locals.

Instagram post from the Fremont Diner's @thefremontdiner page. — Instagram post from the Fremont Diner’s @thefremontdiner page.

However, the couple said they often found themselves covering multiple shifts day in and day out with the diner, something they say was difficult to sustain, especially with small children at home. Facing ongoing short-staffing, which has plagued the Wine Country restaurant industry especially since last year’s wildfires, the couple decided it was time to shutter.

The Harrises own the Fremont Diner location, which they ultimately plan to revamp.

“Closing the diner is truly a lifestyle choice at this point, and a chance to create something fresh and new for our community; we’re not done quite yet,” said Chad Harris, the restaurant’s chef.

He said it was a decision for their family, first and foremost.

Their 13 full-time and 17 part-time employees were notified about the diner’s closure early June 27, which set off a frenzy of social media questions when visitors found the breakfast and brunch spot locked and two orange traffic cones blocking the door. Looking for the legendary chicken and waffles that made this former hot dog stand a well-known destination, they knocked to no avail.

Questions about the restaurant’s future then began emerging on Facebook posts. When staff took to social media seeking new employment, even more questions emerged.

Though the Harrises were mostly mum last week, they now say employees who were present at a meeting about the closure spent the remainder of the morning and afternoon reminiscing over beverages. They said they’re supporting staff in finding new positions in the Valley.

“The Fremont Diner began as an endeavor to reimagine the good food and nostalgic atmosphere of classic American diners. Over the past ten years our plans for the future have taken shape with the Diner — as have our personal and family goals — and so today we are closing the doors on what we consider to be a very successful chapter,” the owners said in the email.

Erika Harris said the response to the closure has been overwhelming, but they also have received support for a plan to reopen the diner space with a fresh food concept that will “allow us to bring people together, live life to the fullest and do both over a really good meal.”

They’re also moving forward on a project in downtown Sonoma, but don’t have a timeline, yet.

In 2017, Harris and her husband announced plans to open a second restaurant in Sonoma after purchasing a half-acre lot currently housing the Union 76 gas station at 899 Broadway. The city planning commission last year approved their application to make significant renovations to the site that could include a 52-seat restaurant and nanobrewery.

“We are still working on the gas station and are waiting on environmental clean up to be finished before we can proceed,” Erika Harris said.

The same day the restaurant closed, a sign at the gas station confirmed, “Gas business closing down for good limited hours now ’til June 30.” Signs for Union 76 were being removed as well.

“We are so grateful to all of the customers, supporters, staff, and friends who have reached out about the closure in the past week,” Erika Harris said. “We have been heartened to hear so many good stories and an outpouring of memories from those who shared a meal with us and worked alongside us over the years.

“We look forward to creating something in the future that not only sustains us, but can once again serve those who have supported us along the way,” she added.

Writer Sarah Stierch contributed to this article.

14 New Sonoma County Restaurants to Check Out Right Now

June 2018

By biteclub

Want to know what’s new, what’s hot and what’s soon-to-come on the Sonoma County dining scene? Click through the above gallery for BiteClub’s latest hit list.

‘Sonoma County Is About More Than Just Wine’ Says London Evening Standard

June 2018

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

The Bodega Head in Bodega Bay, Monday May 17, 2016. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2016

As Sonoma County continues on the road toward recovery following last October’s devastating wildfires – rebuilding homes and making up for lost revenue – several newspapers across the pond are promoting the area as a travel destination.

A few weeks ago, the Scottish edition of The Sun said that “just months after the wildfire tragedy, Sonoma remains California’s most blissful holiday destination.” And now the London Evening Standard has published another Sonoma County travel reportage headlined “Why Sonoma County makes a great introduction to the California wine scene.”

The Evening Standard article begins with the assertion that, while “Sonoma County is less heralded than Napa Valley,” it is “as much a magnet for lovers of food and wine” and “makes for a relaxed introduction to the California wine scene.”

The Evening Standard’s introduction to the Sonoma County wine scene includes an itinerary different to that of the regular first-time visitor. Instead of touring Healdsburg and Sonoma Valley, travel reporter Holly Williams spent most of her trip on the Sonoma Coast, with excursions to The Barlow in Sebastopol and Bear Republic in Healdsburg. Williams spent the night at the Bodega Bay Lodge, dined at in-house Drakes restaurant, sampled wines at Gourmet Au Bay (also in Bodega Bay) and was “whisked around” on the coast by Beau Wine Tours, whose “luxurious” SUVs made her feel like she was “in a rap video curated by a sommelier.”

At the Barlow, Williams tried small-batch pinot noirs at Friedeman Wines, wild skin-fermented wines from Wind Gap, and a tasting flight at MacPhail Wines. She also visited Spirit Works distillery “to hear how they make their grain-to-glass vodka and gin,” and commented that “unusually for the drinks industry, seven of the eight-strong team are women.”

In between sampling Sonoma’s premier alcoholic beverage, Williams notes that the county “boasts more than vines” and has its “fair share” of “foodie trends,” from micro-breweries to artisan sourdough bakeries to its very own cheese trail, featuring 28 artisan cheesemakers. It remains unclear whether or not Williams tried any of these treats (other than craft beer at Healdsburg’s Bear Republic) but she concludes that she was “converted to the idea that Sonoma County is about more than just wine.”

(While the Evening Standard article mentions last October’s wildfires, Williams grossly underestimates their destructive impact: “California took a battering after last autumn’s wildfires but Sonoma County largely escaped, with just one winery destroyed.” Among other aspects, Williams fails to mention the 24 lives and 5300 homes lost in the fires, in Sonoma County alone.)

Bologna Sandwiches Are No Joke at New Santa Rosa Brew Pub, Old Possum

June 2018

By biteclub

Bologna sandwich at Old Possum Taproom and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

A bologna sandwich on a restaurant menu usually means one of two things: Your chef is trying to be ironic or you were just transported to the Deep South, wherein it will be fried and paired with pimento cheese with absolutely no irony.

Either way, it’s pretty much a yuck, ever since Oscar Meyer ruined the once-proud meat by foisting the ultra-processed product on generations of unsuspecting children. Usually sandwiched between two slices of Wonder bread. With a second insult of margarine spread on top, in my case. Not a proud culinary moment in history.

Bratwurst at Old Possum Taproom and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

Fortunately, there is a third choice in Santa Rosa at Old Possum Brewing Company. Chef Christian Velasquez makes his own thick-cut bologna, lightly fried, served atop sliced artisan white bread with homemade pickles and his own pimento cheese. It’s a revelation rather than a punchline. Bologna is also a way for Velasquez to use up the tasty bits of pig that aren’t bacon, ham or loin—a skill he honed with old school charcuterists and recently at the prestigious Old Salt Meatshop and Market in Portland, Oregon.

“I don’t like to throw anything away,” said Velasquez, who mans the busy Santa Rosa taproom kitchen solo. A Sonoma County native, he’s returned to his roots, with a passion for upgrading the sometimes lackluster menus of pubs by creating nose-to-tail, farm-to-fork eats that compliment rather than detract from the beer.

“We’re not just dumping stuff into hotel pans and serving it. I have 125 sausage recipes alone, and I make the ham on the grilled cheese too,” he says, while creating a Béchamel sauce for the mac and cheese. He says he can’t even keep up with the mac and cheese balls, they go so fast.

It’s not just grilled cheese, however, but pimento and Swiss on a Pullman loaf from nearby Red Bird Bakery. Buttery and soft, it’s a sandwich that’s hard to put down.

Hidden in an industrial center in southwest Santa Rosa, Old Possum Brewing Co. is so off the beaten path that you’ll need a GPS and a keen sense of sight to find it. You won’t find it empty, however. Folks working in the food wasteland around it belly up to the bar in droves, and on a Friday afternoon, nearly a third of the dishes on the menu are already out.

Devastation ensues, though Velasquez digs up an incredible pickle plate on the fly, which includes pickled collard stems — a product usually headed for the compost, but turns out to be delicious.

Another waste product that, in a roundabout manner, goes into the food is the brewery’s spent hops and grains, which are used at Takenoko Farms in Windsor to feed the pigs Old Possum uses for everything from bacon and pork rillette to bratwurst and bologna. Takenoko also uses post-crush grapes, organic vegetable waste and dairy whey as feed.

Cauliflower at Old Possum Taproom and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

Just a few months into service, Velasquez and the Old Possum team are still finding their way, with expanded charcuterie and beer menus on the way. The chef plans to offer butcher classes and supper clubs at the space.

“We don’t want to be unapproachable. We pride ourselves on what we’re doing here,” said Velasquez.

The taproom is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 10p.m., 357 Sutton Place, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7177, oldpossumbrewing.com.

Best Bets

The menu is slated to change up in a few weeks, so be open to whatever’s in season. Velasquez is planning to add jalapeno peppers, deviled eggs and a Philly cheese sandwich to the menu soon.Pork Rillette, $10: Pullman toast points with thick pork pate, pickles and mustard.

Pickle plate at Old Possum Taproom and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

Pickle Plate, $7: A must-get with a variety of pickled veggies including carrots, cucumbers, collard green stems, cabbage, onions and cauliflower. Yes. Yes. Yes!

Fried Cauliflower, $8: It’s not breaded, but simply cauliflower dumped into a fryer to soften it up and add some depth. We loved the tasty chimichuuri made with mint and garlic, though the pools of oil beneath were a bit overkill. Unless you want to use the bread to sop it up, and then, well, pretty delish.

Jo-Jos, $6: I get teased every time I call a potato wedge this Northwest moniker. Natch, being from Portland, Velasquez knows the quirky name as well, Jo-Jos. They’re deep fried and come with a salute to In-N-Out’s special sauce, a sort of Thousand Island with extra pickles.

Bratwurst, $10: Most of us are so used to commercial sausages, made with fillers and sugar, that a real sausage is a bit of a surprise. This is the real deal, and the consistency is drier and crumblier than the uniformly stuffed versions from the grocery store. You love it, or you don’t, but personally, we found this authentic brat to be pretty darn good, especially with stone ground mustard.

Grilled pimento cheese at Old Possum Taproom and Kitchen in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD

Grilled cheese, $10: We’ve already said it’s a winner, but we wish we’d added ham. An extra $3 may seem steep, but this isn’t commodity ham — it’s made the old-fashioned way. Comes with salad or Jo-Jos.

So how’s the beer? The Possumstein Amber did us right with a light hoppiness and flavor that cut through some of the heaviness of the dishes. Not that anyone else would try to eat the entire menu in one sitting. All we can say is that our pants got pretty tight after spending a few hours at Old Possum—though we have no regrets.

MOD Pizza Arrives in Santa Rosa

June 2018

By biteclub

The newest entry into the DIY pizza game in Santa Rosa is Seattle-based MOD Pizza, offering up tasty ingredients like arugula, roasted red peppers and corn, fresh rosemary, fresh ricotta and fig balsamic glaze for your pie. You can, of course, also get things like pepperoni and mozzarella, but where’s the fun in that?

Marionberry shakes at MOD Pizza in Santa Rosa. Courtesy photo.

What we love about MOD in south Santa Rosa is the ultra-modern interior, easy online ordering for pickup and seriously insane marionberry shakes (and not just because they’re 900 calories). This Oregon berry is a hybridized cousin to raspberries and blackberries, with a sweet flavor and dark color that’s long been popular in the northwest, but rarely seen elsewhere. So. Luxuriously. Delicious.

No Name cakes at MOD Pizza in Santa Rosa. Courtesy photo.

We also are pretty stoked on the No Name Cakes ($1.97) — hockey-puck shaped chocolate cakes filled with vanilla creamy deliciousness kind of like a Ho Ho, but with a different name.

The pizza? The $8.50(ish) 11-inch pizzas are a steal, because no matter what you put on top, they’re the same price — big enough to share, but small enough to order a couple. You can do a thicker pie for $10.50 or a junior size for $6.50. We’re not 100 percent sold on the crust, which tastes somewhat like a cross between a tortilla and flatbread, but with the right toppings, it’s a wash. Salads are ho-hum, and sides like garlic strips or cinnamon strips are just crust with, you guessed it, garlic or cinnamon — though they come with dipping sauces like sri-rancha (sriracha/ranch) and chocolate. Meh.

The Real Deal: This is my actual bacon, artichoke white sauce pizza from MOD Pizza in Santa Rosa with arugula. Heather Irwin/PD

Agreeing on a pizza in our house is as easy as scaling Mt. Everest in tap shoes and a tutu. With MOD Pizza’s choose-your-own adventure pizzas, everyone gets what they like. Of course, I offer to pick up so I drink the shake on the way home (stashing evidence in the outdoor garbage), don’t have to share my gorgonzola and honey pizza, and stow away a couple chocolate cakes in the freezer for later.

The kids are welcome to all the cheese, pepperoni and pineapple pizza they’d like,

MOD Pizza, 2695 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, (707) 304-7051, modpizza.com.

20 Best Sonoma Rosés to Drink This Summer

June 2018

By Sarah Stierch

Summer is (officially) here and that can only mean one thing for wine lovers: it’s time to pop a bottle of rosé.

The hottest thing around when it comes to summer sippers, rosé sales rose 53 percent in 2017 – outpacing all other table wine sales. This year, sales are anticipated to be even higher. No doubt, many of us are now getting ready to rosé all day and make our contribution to the continued increase in pink drink sales. But with so many rosé choices, and so little time, where does one begin?

Don’t fret dear reader, we’ve got you covered. We tasted over 65 rosés and picked out the most delicious wines for poolside, riverside, oceanside, patio-side, picnic-side sipping. In short, a rosé for every occasion.

RIVERSIDE ROSÉ

Taft Street 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Unscrew the cap, pour into your stemless plastic wine glass, and toast to summer as you float down the Russian River with a bottle of Taft Street’s rosé made with pinot noir grapes grown just a few miles from the iconic Sonoma County river. With its high acid and low sugar, it’s a dry wine with bright notes of raspberry, watermelon and strawberry. It’s a destined crowdpleaser.

Sidebar 2017 Rosé Russian River Valley
A side project of acclaimed winemaker David Ramey, Sidebar offers easy to drink wines that are meant to be enjoyed now (unlike Ramey’s coveted, cellar-worthy pinot noir under his Ramey Wine Cellars label). The first rosé we tried this year, it’s made from old vine syrah. It has a beautiful color that draws the eyes in and a taste of strawberry and cream that is lush and satisfying on the palate. A great reward after a long day of kayaking on the Russian River.

PINOT PLEASERS

Corner 103 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Unlock summer with this screw cap rosé that was crafted with pinot noir grapes specifically grown just for the purpose of making rosé. A salmon pink, it has a cherry and berry notes, with touches of herbs on the nose, and lush notes of melon and strawberry on the tongue. It’s Corner 103’s first foray into still rosé and was well worth the wait – pick up a bottle (or two) now, as only 56 cases were produced.

Balverne 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Reserve, Russian River Valley
Newer wine lovers might not recognize Balverne, but back in the 1980’s Balverne was poured at the White House to much acclaim. Today, at their estate property, located a mere mile or two from downtown Windsor, Balverne produces some of the best kept secrets in wine country. Their rosé is a real stunner, with lush floral notes, strawberry and watermelon, and a bright pink color that is the result of 20 hours of skin contact before fermentation.

Kenwood Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir 2017
Kenwood’s rosé returns to the list as one of our favorites this year, after an impressive debut last year with its inaugural vintage. A beautiful bottle, pretty pink grapefruit shade, and lush, berry flavors paired with floral hints on the nose and tip of the tongue combine to create a package deal. On the label, an Indian Paintbrush flower, which is prominent along the Sonoma Coast during the summer, makes this a perfect oceanside wine.

RHÔNE ROSÉS

Quivira 2017 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé
Quivira has been producing organic wines for many years at their Healdsburg estate. Behind the label featuring Quivira’s wild boar mascot and under the screwcap lies a blend comprising three Rhône varietals intentionally grown just for this rosé: grenache, mouvèdre and syrah. Stonefruit rules here – if you love apricot, peach and nectarines you’ll love this like a hummingbird loves nectar.

Preston Farm & Winery 2017 Vin Gris
Per Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet “…that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and sweet is not this rosé. Winemaker/owner Lou Preston references Shakespeare when talking about his latest pink release, a blend of cinsault and mouvedre which are picked just for the purpose of crafting a rustic, nice, savory wine that is chock full of strawberry, orange cream and just plain goodness. Bonus points: it’s organic!

Three Sticks 2017 Casteñada Sonoma Coast Rosé
Anyone who has tasted prior vintages of this rosé will not be surprised that the current vintage has made the cut. This wine is all about fashion and function. The cute, stubby bottle shouts “old world” while the watermelon colored liquid goodness inside screams “rosé all day.” A Rhône blend, you’ll be struck with strawberry, grapefruit and a touch of tartness that will perk you up. A “see and be seen” rosé that is Instagram worthy.

RUSTIC CHIC ROSÉ

Reeve Wines 2017 Vecino Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir
Accessible wines are a speciality of Reeve Wines, which crafts pinot noir, sangiovese and riesling from eco-friendly vineyards, which they serve up at their rustic-come-hip Dry Creek Valley tasting space. This biodynamic rosé is a gem of a pink, and probably too good – it’s strawberry and sweet tangerine notes make it easy to drink and perfect for poolside lounging…you’ll be done with the bottle before you know it!

Belden Barns 2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
“Wish big” is the motto at Belden Barns, where Nate & Lauren Belden pour their small lot, handcrafted estate wines in a rustic, century-old cow barn atop Sonoma Mountain. Their salmon colored rosé will have you wishing for more. Lauren describes it as a drink worthy wine for “all occasions in life.” We concur, as this charming wine has a lovely, tart raspberry touch to it that makes it unique amongst its counterparts and worthy for sipping anytime, anyplace.

FUN & FUNKY FLAVORS

Auteur 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Auteur remains one of the best kept secrets in wine country. Proprietors Kenneth and Laura Juhasz are obsessed with all components of the craft – from the soil to the final sip. That doesn’t just go for their chardonnay and pinot, but also their new rosé, with a nose that tickles the senses with mint, lemon and raspberry, and a taste of watermelon and stone fruit. The acid is just right, making it perfect to pair with a savory goat cheese, a baguette, and your best friend.

Anaba Wines 2017 Rosé of Grenache, Sonoma Valley
Made with grenache grown about a mile away from the quaint town of Sonoma, this wine is Anaba’s first foray into our best of rosé list. Leaning toward the trend of acid freak friendly wines, it’s an unusual wine with bold floral notes on the nose (rose petal, lavender), and fruit funky flavors in the mouth (lychee, kiwi, alpine strawberry). Pair worthy with paella or rustic pâtés.

A TASTE OF ITALY IN SONOMA

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2017 Dry Rosé of Sangiovese
Unscrew summer with Alexander Valley Vineyards’ rosé. A bright and lush wine, its nose is filled with lush strawberry, raspberry and honeysuckle with tiny touches of bubblegum and sweet berry in the mouth. It will please the palate of both dry rosé and sweet rosé lovers, with its nice balance. At $16, it’s pocket book friendly, too.

Passaggio Wines 2017 Tempranillo Rosé, Heringer Estate Vineyards, Clarksburg
This rosé is not for the newbie. A fruity, funky gem, it’s made from tempranillo – an Italian grape used to craft full-bodied red wines. Passaggio’s owner-winemaker Cynthia Cosco creates a unique rosé that will be the talk of the table when you pull it out of the fridge. It’s mouthwatering, with plentiful notes of cherry, lychee and a bit of currant. Wine nerds: get your hands on this before it’s gone.

OLD WORLD INSPIRED

La Pitchoune 2017 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
La Pitchoune has been gaining its footing as one of the most coveted producers in Sonoma County with their unapologetic wines that are reminiscent of the kind of farmhouse wines you’d find throughout Burgundy, France. Their rosé is a bright and bold sipper with an elegant floral nose and a plentiful mouthful of melon and blood orange. We couldn’t agree more with the winery’s suggested pairing with a game of bocce – just don’t forget a plate of oysters.

Claypool Cellars Pachyderm 2017 Sonoma Coast Rosé
A labor of love by acclaimed musician Les Claypool and his partner-in-crime, Chaney Smith Claypool, this rosé is a juicy, crisp wine inspired by the wines of Marsannay, a region in the Côte de Nuits area of Burgundy known for age-worthy pinks. Its notes of raspberry, peach and nectarine are lush upon taste, making it a wine able of standing up to buttery fish and lobster, or better yet, it is delicious on its own as you dance around the house to your favorite summertime record.

RUSSIAN RIVER ROSÉ

MacRostie 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé, Russian River Valley
MacRostie has been named one of the best tasting rooms to visit by Sonoma Magazine and it’s not just because of how cool their indoor-outdoor tasting room is – they also make some tasty vino, including their rosé. Rose petal and raspberry, watermelon and strawberry, all the classic notes that make rosé so yummy comprise this wine. Bonus points for the screw cap, which makes access easy when the mood strikes.

Dutton Goldfield 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Dutton Goldfield doesn’t mess around. This rosé uses grapes from two of the most coveted vineyards in Sonoma County, Dutton Ranch and Fox Den, where pinot thrives with hot days and cool nights. The tall, skinny bottle is chock full of bright berry, cherries and pomegranate with touches of apricot and strawberry. To put it simply: it’s a fruity, very tasty wine that will quench your thirst.

BOLD BLENDS

Acorn 2017 Alegría Vineyards Rosato
Zinfandel fanatics will recognize Alegría as one of the most coveted zin producing vineyards in the country. Acorn owns and operates the vineyard, where they share a selection of their bounty with a few lucky winemakers and keep the rest of their fruit for themselves, creating lush wines, like this rosé. A blend of zinfandel, cab franc, sanvgiovese, syrah, petite sirah and more, it’s chock full of lemon flower, cranberry, and dried cherry. It calls out for pairing with whatever you’ve got to grill.

Adobe Road Winery 2017 Rosé
A fun and funky blend of pinot noir, syrah, grenache, zinfandel and petite sirah, Adobe Road’s rosé features grapes grown in the newly designated Petaluma Gap AVA. The elegant bottle and deep pink color makes this wine a head turner, and what really matters (the wine inside) will please too. It’s acidic and easy to drink, with bold notes of cherry, strawberry and nectarine.

GET OUTTA TOWN

Educated Guess 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Napa Valley
One of the few Napa Valley rosés to make the cut, this wine by Educated Guess – best known for their pocketbook friendly cabernets – was a nice surprise on the palate. It’s a mellow, bone dry wine with delicate berry notes reminiscence of gulp-worthy Provençe-style rosés. Even better, it’s only 12 percent ABV and has a screw cap, meaning you’ll be filling the kiddie pool up with ice to sip the day away with this wine in no time.

Lazy Creek Vineyards 2017 Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
As if the name “Lazy Creek” didn’t call out for lazy summer days sipping rosé, right? Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley is known for killer pinot noir and this rosé makes good use of Lazy Creek’s sustainably farmed pinot. Notes of pink grapefruit, orange peel, and honeysuckle make it an elegant wine to pair with brunch-friendly foods (who needs mimosas when you have rosé?) and game meats.

Iron Chef Debuting New Sonoma Restaurants and Bar

June 2018

By biteclub

Rendering of a new restaurant at MacArthur Hotel & Spa in Sonoma. Courtesy

Though he’s a new face to the Bay Area restaurant scene, celebrity chef and coast-to-coast restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian will soon open three new dining concepts in the town of Sonoma.

Zakarian’s hospitality group will head the food and beverage program at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa as part of a $20 million overhaul of the historic property. Once a working ranch and vineyard, MacArthur Place was sold to IMH Financial in early October 2017.

Plans were announced this week for Layla, a bright indoor/outdoor Mediterranean restaurant that will replace the clubby Saddles restaurant. Executive chef Dana Jaffee left Saddles in May and the restaurant is expected to remain open for several more months during the transition.

In addition to Layla, Zakarian will also be envisioning The Porch, a grab-and-go cafe and market inside the hotel and a renovated bar with curated cocktails and an all-day menu. The Iron Chef has seven other restaurants including Lamb’s Club in New York City and in-hotel restaurants in LA, Florida and New Jersey.

Sebastopol Home Puts a Modern Twist on Farmhouse Living

June 2018

By Abigail Peterson

It’s a long way from Anchorage to rural Sonoma County. But after 17 years in the rugged Alaskan climate and a sojourn in the East Bay, John and Jennifer Jenks found home on 3 vine-studded acres near Sebastopol. Though it wasn’t exactly love at first sight (the front door was hidden behind a mess of junipers and the inside was “a tour de force of 1970s lighting and design,” says John), the couple connected with the quiet agricultural setting and could see the possibilities.

John and Jennifer both grew up in rural eastern Washington in families with strong ties to the land. While raising their daughter in Anchorage, the Jenkses fished and skied but couldn’t keep a garden going the way their parents had growing up. “We lived back by the glacier, and there’s no real soil there. You do your best, but then you have to just go to the store. You realize how much you miss a good tomato, a good peach,” says Jennifer.

The Jenkses aren’t pining for homegrown fruit and veggies anymore. Working with landscape architects and designers Cary and Amy Bush of Sebastopol’s Merge Studio, they rehabilitated their current property’s orchards, replaced a small section of Chardonnay with a larger Pinot Noir vineyard, and added a greenhouse, bocce court, and stylish steel raised beds.

The couple’s veggie production has gone off the charts: beans, watermelon, garlic, tons of tomatoes for both fresh salads and sauce for the deep freeze, and more. At the moment, while they wait for stonefruit and tomatoes to ripen, it’s all about salad greens, peas, and strawberries. Needless to say, it’s been a long time since Jennifer has had to buy any summertime produce. “It’s all here,” she says. “It’s not coming from somewhere far away.”

Recently retired after a career in investment management for state governments and philanthropic foundations, John has also re-embraced the rural life he knew growing up, planting olive trees and trapping gophers in the vineyard. In a large workshop near the orchard, he builds furniture for their home, including a massive dining table and bar top from walnut slabs purchased at artist Evan Shively’s reclaimed- wood wonderland, Arborica in West Marin.

“My main purpose is to make sawdust, and every once in a while, a piece of furniture pops out,” John says. “I was one of those kids who would cram in my college classes after school and on weekends so I’d have plenty of time to take woodshop.”

John and Jennifer don’t spend much time sitting down in the height of the growing season. There are always veggies to use up, nets to put over the vines to protect from birds, lateseason starts to get in the ground. “I made some joke a couple days ago like, ‘Oh, we live in a resort!’ and then I realized that was not correct. We live in an unstaffed resort!” laughs John.

After they knock off chores for the day, they can finally relax by the pool and watch as the breeze picks up, hawks criss-cross the sky, and the eucalyptus in the distance glow in a reflected sunset. They might light the fire pit, ward off the evening chill in the hot tub, or have a game of bocce with the neighbors. Sometimes they catch a glimpse of the gray fox they’ve gotten to know, or the bald eagle they think might have a nest nearby — a small reminder of their time in Alaska. “It’s starting to feel normal, this retirement,” says John. “I’m working on lots of projects. And every day here is an adventure.”