1/21/2012: B1:
PC: Jamie Spaletta, prepares to take an order, Friday Jan. 20, 2012 at Volpi’s Ristorante and Historical Bar in Petaluma. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2012
In the restaurant business, it’s saying something to make it through the first year and rare to last more than 10. But in Sonoma County, there are more than a dozen restaurants that have survived well past their 30th year and a handful which have outlasted generations of diners, stretching back more than a century.
These are well-worn eateries that have a proven formula. Most share a common heritage: They were built by Italian immigrants and have continued to serve hearty family-style meals at approachable prices for decades. It’s not a stretch to say that the farms, timber mills, railroads and vineyards of Sonoma County were built on pasta and meatballs. And maybe a steak or two.
We pay homage to several tried and true local restaurants that have stood the test of time and are still going strong.
Stormy’s Spirits and Supper, 1854
Established as a roadhouse, Stormy’s has hosted generations of Sonoma County diners. The restaurant turned into a steakhouse in the early 1970s and remains a family-style dining destination in Bloomfield. Open limited hours Friday through Sunday. Call or check Stormy’s Facebook page for updates. 6650 Bloomfield Road, Petaluma, 707-795-0127, stormysrestaurant.com
Washoe Roadhouse in Petaluma. (Photo by Chris Hardy)Personalized dollar bills hang from the ceiling at Washoe House in Petaluma on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Washoe House, 1859
A former stagecoach stop connecting Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Bodega, this historic roadhouse is best known for two things: Dollar bills pinned to the bar ceiling and The Battle of the Washoe House. According to legend, following the 1865 assassination of president Abraham Lincoln, a group of Petaluma militia were intent on creating trouble for Southern-leaning Santa Rosans. Their thirst got the best of them and the group ended up getting drunk instead of rabble-rousing. 2840 Roblar Road, Petaluma, 707-795-4544, washoehouse.site
Union Hotel, 1879
This Occidental restaurant has been around for 146 years. What began as the Union Saloon and General Store grew into a family business, with four generations managing the restaurant over the years. The restaurant serves salads and pizza as well as a fan-favorite bruschetta. Open 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Note: The Union Hotel in Santa Rosa has separate ownership and is open daily.) 3731 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com.
Madrona Manor, 1881
The historic hotel underwent a major renovation in 2022, reopening as The Madrona. While the property has retained its Victorian past, the restaurant, mansion and guest houses have been infused with a modern, artistic sensibility. Chef Patrick Tafoya oversees the restaurant, offering an upscale dinner menu, relaxed lounge dining and a popular brunch. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 433-4321, madronamanor.com
Historic photos cover the walls in the bar of the Swiss Hotel on West Spain Street in Sonoma on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)
Swiss Hotel, 1892
Sonoma’s history is etched into the walls of this historic inn, restaurant and bar. An Italian-focused menu reflects the generations of family ownership. 18 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-2884, swisshotelsonoma.com
Pick’s Drive In, 1923
One of the oldest hamburger joints in America, this Cloverdale drive-in has been serving up beefy burgers, hot dogs and shakes for over a century. The restaurant sources local produce and meat for its menu, and offers hand-scooped shakes, malts and soft serve with a modern twist. The historic drive-in is currently closed, but new ownership and upcoming renovations were announced in June. 117 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale
Volpi’s Ristorante & Bar, 1925
Though it has operated as a grocery for most of its existence, Volpi’s major claim to fame was as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Locals know that the “secret” bar is still in operation, with a convenient escape door to the alley in case of a raid. Or your ex-wife. The grocery became a full-fledged restaurant in 1992, though there’s still an old Italian grocery vibe with well-worn wooden floors and walls lined with Italian tchotchkes, accordions and candle wax-covered Chianti bottles. 124 Washington St., Petaluma, 707-762-2371, volpisristorante.com
Catelli’s in Geyserville, April 25, 2012. (Jeff Kan Lee / The Press Democrat)
Catelli’s, 1936
Italian immigrants Santi and Virginia Catelli opened Catelli’s “The Rex” in tiny Geyserville as a humble family eatery, serving up spaghetti, minestrone and ravioli. After closing in 1986, the restaurant later reopened in Healdsburg, where it stood until 2004. In 2010, siblings Domenica and Nick Catelli reopened Catelli’s at the original Geyserville location, where it has been host to a number of celebrities, but remains an approachable family-style restaurant. Their paper-thin layers of lasagna noodles make Catelli’s version one of the best in the region. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-7142, mycatellis.com
Dinucci’s Italian Dinners, 1939
Though the building dates back to 1908, when it served train travelers, the current restaurant didn’t open until 1939. Owners Henry and Mabel Dinucci turned it into a welcome stop for hearty family-style Italian dinners. In 1968, Dinucci’s sold to the Wagner family, but some of Mabel’s original recipes are still in use today. The historic interior hasn’t changed much over the years, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths right out of the 1940s. 14485 Hwy. 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3260, dinuccisrestaurantandbar.com
Flooded street in front of Pat’s Cafe (now Pat’s International) in Guerneville, 1940. Three men paddling canoe and others standing at entrance. (Sonoma County Library)
Pat’s International, 1940
Pat’s in Guerneville has been a reliable Russian River eatery for over 80 years, weathering everything from floods to global pandemics. Late last year, owner David Blomster put the business up for sale, however, the restaurant continues to serve customers. 16236 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-4007, patsinternational.com
Negri’s, 1942
This family-owned Italian restaurant began as a stopover for train travelers journeying from San Francisco to Eureka. According to restaurant lore, original owner Joe Negri Sr., an Italian immigrant, was once the personal chef for movie legend Rudolph Valentino. After moving to Santa Rosa, he opened Negri’s, which has served traditional Italian pasta dinners ever since, many made using original recipes from the 1930s. Open for dining in the attached Joe’s Bar from 4-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3-8 p.m. Sunday, offering its famous ravioli, burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches and housemade desserts. 3700 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-823-5301, negrisrestaurant.com
Superburger, early 1950s
Opened as a modest burger shack on the corner of Santa Rosa’s College and Fourth streets in the early 1950s, Superburger has become one of Sonoma County’s go-to family spots for made-to-order char-grilled hamburgers, tater tots, onion rings and old-fashioned milkshakes. Two locations: 1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-4016, and 8204 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-665-9790. originalsuperburger.com
People walk into Mac’s Deli in Santa Rosa on April 23, 1987. Mac Nesmon opened the deli in 1952. (Timothy Baker / The Press Democrat, file)
Mac’s Deli, 1952
Mac’s bills itself as Sonoma County’s oldest continuously operating breakfast and sandwich café. Opened by Mac Nesmon in 1952 as a New York-style deli, it was purchased in 1970 by the Soltani family, who still run the restaurant today. Don’t miss the classic Reuben sandwich. 630 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-3785, macsdeliandcafe.com
Mary’s Pizza Shack, 1959
Mary Fazio opened her first pizzeria in Boyes Hot Springs in 1959 using family recipes and her own pots and pans. Thought Fazio died in 1999, her legacy lives on in the family-owned restaurant chain with locations across the North Bay. maryspizzashack.com
Tide’s Wharf, around in different shapes and forms since the 1950s
Made popular by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller “The Birds,” this Bodega seafood restaurant has been a coastal staple for more than 50 years. With sweeping bay views, it remains a magical spot. 835 Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3652, innatthetides.com/tides-wharf-restaurant
Pinky’s Pizza in Petaluma, established in 1962, is a hometown classic pizza joint loved by generations of Petalumans. (Pinky’s)
Opened in the late 1960s, La Casa has seen Sonoma’s transformation from sleepy rural town to bustling tourist destination. The restaurant was purchased in 2015 by the Sherpa Brothers Group, Nepalese restaurateurs who’ve revitalized several local restaurants. La Casa continues to serve simple, traditional Mexican cuisine — if you go, don’t miss the margaritas. 121 East Spain St., Sonoma, 996-3406, lacasarestaurants.com
Betty’s Fish and Chips, 1967
Serving English-style fish and chips and the world’s best lemon pie, Betty’s has been a Santa Rosa favorite for over five decades. The restaurant got a face-lift in 1996 but remains true to its roots. 4046 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-0899, bettysfishandchips.com
At Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg, Brian Phipps takes a food order from father and daughter diners, Pat Dugan, right and Kelly Dugan, left. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat, file)
Costeaux French Bakery, 1973
In 1973, French natives Jean and Anne Costeaux bought a 1920s-era French American bakery in Healdsburg and renamed it Costeaux French Bakery. Karl and Nancy Seppi purchased the bakery in 1981 with a vision to expand — and Jean taught them the art of bread baking. Today, Costeaux, with additional locations in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, is renowned for its sourdough baguettes, French macrons, princess cake and cinnamon walnut bread. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
Blue Heron, 1977
The building that houses Blue Heron was originally built in the late 1800s, but the 1906 earthquake destroyed most of Duncans Mills. In 1976, a restoration project revived the town — and with it, the Blue Heron. The restaurant’s expansive menu includes local seafood, burgers, salad and chowder. 25275 Steelhead Blvd., Duncans Mills, 707- 865-2261, blueheronrestaurant.com
Don Taylor’s Omelette Express, 1977
Most weekends, Don Taylor can be found at the door of the original Omelette Express in Santa Rosa, greeting regulars who have made a breakfast at his restaurant a family tradition. Opened in 1977, the all-day breakfast spot has since expanded to Windsor and, in 2018, it went international with a location in JeJu City, South Korea — Santa Rosa’s sister city. Omelets remain a best bet, of course, but there’s plenty more to explore on the menu, including Benedicts, burgers, sandwiches and salads, plus some of the best coffee in town. 112 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-525-1690; 150 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-838-6920, omeletteexpress.com
Old Chicago Pizza in Petaluma has been around since 1978, but the original building is from the 1870s with additions in 1911. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Old Chicago Pizza, 1978
Opened by William Berliner in 1978 inside a historic 1870s building, Old Chicago Pizza has become a Petaluma fixture, known for its hearty, deep-dish pies served in a space that reflects the city’s historic charm and offers a second-floor view. 41 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-763-3897, oldchgo.com
La Gare, 1979
Chef Roger Praplan relishes the fact that he’s now serving the grandchildren of some of La Gare’s early customers. His parents, Swiss-born Marco and Gladys Parplan, opened the restaurant in 1979 after purchasing the lot for $25,000 two years earlier. Though dining trends have come and gone since, La Gare has remained steadfast in its approach and was featured on KQED’s “Check, Please! Bay Area” last year for staying “true to its Swiss-French roots.” 208 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-528-4355, lagarerestaurant.com
The John Ash & Co. restaurant in north Santa Rosa, Friday, March 1, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
John Ash & Co., 1980
Long before “farm-to-table” became a culinary catchphrase, John Ash was sourcing local produce, dairy and meat for wholesome, seasonal dishes paired with excellent regional wines. His namesake restaurant helped define Sonoma County’s food identity and launched the careers of many local chefs and winemakers, including Jeffrey Madura, Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. Though Ash has stepped away from the restaurant kitchen, John Ash & Co remains a top dining destination with a recently revamped menu following the renovation of Vintners Resort (where the restaurant is located), now named Vinarosa. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vinrosaresort.com
Grateful Bagel, 1981
Founded by East Coast transplants yearning for New York-style bagels, Grateful Bagel opened in 1981 on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. Within a year, the bakery was distributing its bagels to delis and grocery stores from San Francisco to Fort Bragg. While the original location has since closed, Grateful Bagel locations can be found at 631 Fourth St. and 925 Corporate Center Parkway in Santa Rosa; 300 South Main St. in Sebastopol; 221 N. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma; and 10101 Main St., Suite A, in Penngrove.
Worth the trip: Tony’s Seafood Restaurant, 1948
For nearly seven decades, this seafood shack overlooking Tomales Bay was run by a Croatian fishing family. By the time it changed hands in 2017, it was a fading relic, but a two-year renovation by the owners of Hog Island Oyster Co. brought new life to the space. Today, Tony’s is a vibrant, modern seafood house with panoramic bay views. 18863 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, 415-663-1107, tonysseafoodrestaurant.com
Abby Jones, left, and Mary Lochala enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in a cabana at Flowers Vineyards & Winery near Healdsburg on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
When people gush about cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma County, there’s a pretty good chance they’re fans of Flowers Vineyards & Winery. For more than 30 years, the producer has been wowing wine lovers with elegant estate bottlings from the windblown western Sonoma Coast.
The story
Flowers Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both 2023, near Healdsburg on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Walt and Joan Flowers had already established a successful nursery business in Pennsylvania when a classified ad in Wine Spectator caught their eye. The 1989 listing advertised a property for sale on the Sonoma Coast: Camp Meeting Ridge. Though the region was unproven for viticulture at the time, the couple bought the rugged, 327-acre site just two miles from the Pacific Ocean and planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They launched Flowers Vineyards & Winery in 1991 and later acquired the Sea View Ridge vineyard site — this time, even closer to the ocean.
Shaped through the years by talented winemakers such as Steve Kistler, Hugh Chapelle and Ross Cobb, Flowers became a benchmark for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the far reaches of the west Sonoma Coast. In 2009, Huneeus Vintners — the owners of Faust and Quintessa in Napa Valley, among other brands — purchased the winery and the Flowers retired from the operation.
The vibe
Colorful gardens surround the cabanas at Flowers Vineyards & Winery near Healdsburg on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Flowers opened its striking Healdsburg tasting room, House of Flowers, in 2019 after a full renovation of the former VML winery space. Set among lush gardens and towering redwood groves, the 15-acre property includes a stylish hospitality house, a winemaking facility and leafy gardens dotted with cozy tasting cabanas. Open and spacious, the light-drenched tasting room combines natural driftwood hues with richly colored contemporary art pieces. (I believe this is what rich folk call “laid-back luxury,” and I’m here for it.) Wall-sized windows showcase impressive views of Mount Saint Helena. There’s not a bad seat in the house — or outside on the patio.
On the palate
At Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg. (Flowers Vineyards & Winery)Local provisions plate included in the Sonoma Coast Journey experience at Flowers Vineyards & Winery near Healdsburg on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Like the tasting room, Flowers wines have an air of reserved elegance. Chilly vineyard sites and winemaker Chantal Forthun’s subtle use of oak combine to create wines that are vibrant yet texturally lush. The 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($55) is a beautifully balanced wine with green apple and lime-Mandarin citrus notes. The 2023 Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir ($100) is simply gorgeous, with earthy forest aromas, fresh acidity and red berry character. If you’re a fan of deeper, more complex Pinots, go for the 2023 Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir ($75), a woodsy wine with blackberry and currant flavors.
Tastings range from $75 for a three-wine flight of Sonoma Coast bottlings paired with a crudité and snack board to $130 for an immersion tasting of Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge wines paired with fancy bites from the winery’s in-house culinary team.
Beyond the bottle
At SingleThread Farm in Healdsburg. (John Troxell/Sonoma County Tourism)
Stop by the SingleThread Farm Store on the restaurant’s 24-acre farm for Michelin-star-worthy fresh produce and florals. You’ll also find Farm La-Yu and Ponzu sauces from the SingleThread kitchen, plus pantry staples, pottery and cookbooks. For a more immersive experience, you can book a farm tour, culinary workshop or falconry demonstration.
Flowers Vineyards & Winery is open Thursday through Monday by reservation. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-847-3661. flowerswinery.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.
Salma Hayek and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault. (Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock)
Wine Country has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Drawn to the glamour of Napa Valley, or the laid-back, rural vibe of Sonoma County, celebrities are coming here to enjoy the good life — some of them are even making their own wine.
From rock stars to movie makers, race car drivers to football players, check out the VIPs who are making wine in Sonoma and Napa. Find more celebrity hot spots in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country here.
Meghan Markle — As Ever rosé
Actor and Los Angeles-born Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle recently released a Napa Valley rosé as part of her “As Ever” lifestyle and kitchen products brand. The wine, released July 1 on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s birthday, is a Provençal-style rosé bottled at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood. Markle’s 2023 Napa Valley rosé — As Ever’s first wine — is already sold-out online, but a Napa Valley sparkling wine and additional varietals will follow, according to the PR team.
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, launches Napa Valley rosé. (As Ever)Bottles of Prophet & Poet wine. The label, launched by actor Jessica Biel, her brother and Healdsburg winemaker Jesse Katz, was poured at a BottleRock event with Biel and Katz on hand Friday, May 23, 2025. (Prophet & Poet)
Jessica Biel — Prophet & Poet
Earlier this year, actor Jessica Biel unveiled her locally made wine brand at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Her Healdsburg-based label, Prophet & Poet, currently offers a Cabernet Sauvignon, two Chardonnays and two blended reds. Biel’s wine label originated in 2019 when Jesse Katz, winemaker of Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars, created a red wine blend as a wedding present for Biel’s younger brother, Justin Biel. Katz later suggested to the Biel siblings that they turn that wine into a label, and they were immediately on board. Katz tapped Christopher and Ariel Jackson, of Jackson Family Wines, to collaborate on the label’s inaugural release. Both Jessica Biel and Katz poured the label’s wine at this year’s BottleRock during a VIP Platinum Lounge event.
Max Thieriot — Senses Wines
Max Thieriot, the brainchild and star of the drama TV series Fire Country, co-founded Senses Wines with childhood friends Christopher Strieter and Myles Lawrence-Briggs in 2011. The Occidental winery sources grapes from the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, producing an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
From left, Christopher Strieter and Max Thieriot of Senses Wines. (Jak Wonderly/Senses Wines)Restaurateur, cookbook author and food television personality Ayesha Curry teamed up with her sister-in-law, Sydel Curry (Steph Curry’s younger sister) and Napa’s Coup de Foudre winery to launch wine label Domaine Curry Wine in 2018. (Instagram / @domainecurrywine)
Ayesha Curry — Domaine Curry wines
Restaurateur, cookbook author and food television personality Ayesha Curry teamed up with her sister-in-law Sydel Curry (Steph Curry’s younger sister) and Napa’s Coup de Foudre Winery to launch wine label Domaine Curry in 2015. The sisters-in-law share a love of wine and have been spotted sipping wine at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Their wines include the Domaine Curry Cabernet and the Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc.
Salma Hayek — Eisele Vineyard
Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault own Eisele Vineyard east of Calistoga. In October 2020, Hayek made a public announcement on Instragram, in which she thanked the firefighters who saved the Calistoga vineyard from the Glass Fire. “I can’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude for all the first responders that came to the rescue of so many people, animals and properties,” she wrote.
Salma Hayek and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault. (Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com)The Bella Twins, former professional wrestling duo, who were the Grand Marshals of the 33rd Annual Toyota/Save Mart 350, record a video at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma on Sunday, June 12, 2022. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Brie and Nikki Bella — Bonita Bonita
The former professional wrestling tag team known as the Bella Twins announced in October 2020 that they were moving with their families to Napa Valley, according to People magazine. The identical twins had started producing their own wine in 2017 in partnership with Napa’s Hill Family Estate, its proprietor Ryan Hill and award-winning winemaker Alison Doran. Their first wine was a Cabernet Sauvignon named “Belle Radici,” which means “beautiful roots” in Italian, and the bottle was adorned with a sleek label depicting the twins. From there, the twins launched their own winery in Napa, Bonita Bonita.
Tori Spelling — The Tori Collection at HALL Wines
Actor Tori Spelling brought 90210 to Napa Valley when she announced on Instagram in November 2020 that she had partnered with HALL Wines to put together The Tori Collection of wines. “Getting the chance to meet and work with HALL and wine legend and my spirit animal Kathryn Hall was really exciting,” she wrote. Spelling handpicked 11 wines to include in her collection — ranging from a rich Cabernet Sauvignon to light and fruity rosé to canned wine, according to People magazine.
Actor Tori Spelling brought 90210 to Napa Valley when she announced on Instagram in November 2020 that she had partnered with Hall Wines to put together The Tori Collection of wines. (Instagram / @torispelling)Musician John Legend teamed up with Jean-Charles Boisset of Raymond Vineyards to produce Legend’s LVE wines. (Boisset Collection)
John Legend — LVE Collection Wines
Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning musician John Legend launched his LVE Collection Wines in 2015. Working with famed vintner Jean-Charles Boisset, Legend’s wines include sparkling rosé, as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay produced with fruit from Raymond Vineyards in Napa. Distributed nationally, the wines can be tasted at Raymond Vineyards and on tour with Legend.
Actor Candace Cameron-Bure and her husband, hockey player Val Bure, own Bure Family Wines in St. Helena. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)Actor Tamera Mowry-Housley, who got her start on the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” co-owns Housley Napa Valley with her husband, journalist Adam Housley. (Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com)
Tamera Mowry-Housley — Housley Napa Valley
Actor Tamera Mowry-Housley, who got her start on the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” co-owns Housley Napa Valley with her husband, journalist Adam Housley. The tasting room is located in downtown Napa. The winery produces rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah.
Guy Fieri — Hunt & Ryde
Guy Fieri bought a 5-acre vineyard of Pinot Noir grapes in the Russian River Valley appellation in 2013. In his first vintage, he sold his grapes to Jackson Family Wines for its La Crema brand and to Williams Selyem winery in Healdsburg. He then launched his own wine label, Hunt & Ryde, named for his sons Hunter and Ryder. Fieri collaborates with local vintner Guy Davis, of Davis Family Vineyards, to produce Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and a Cabernet “Trophy” blend.
Sonoma County celebrity chef Guy Fieri and rock ‘n’ roll frontman Sammy Hagar in a promotional image for Santo Tequila, which they founded in 2019. Fieri has his own wine label, Hunt & Ryde, named for his sons Hunter and Ryder. (Santo Tequila)Inside Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, which includes a museum of memorabilia from his iconic films. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Francis Ford Coppola — Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Legendary film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola has been involved in the wine industry since buying Napa’s Inglenook Estate in 1975. Coppola expanded his wine empire to Geyserville when he opened his namesake winery in 2006. The winery includes a museum of memorabilia from his iconic films, such as The Godfather, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Apocalypse Now. In 2015, Coppola bought a second winery, Virginia Dare. Both are open to the public.
John and Nancy Lasseter — Lasseter Family Winery
Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen was founded in the early 2000s by Nancy and John Lasseter, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. The winery produces rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and a variety of red blends.
John and Nancy Lasseter at a wine club event at their Glen Ellen winery. (Lasseter Family Winery)American screenwriter and producer Robert Kamen produces highly collectable Cabernet Sauvignon at Kamen Estate Wines. (Kamen Estate Wines)
Robert Mark Kamen — Kamen Estate Wines
When screenwriter and producer Robert Kamen (the Karate Kid series, Fifth Element, A Walk In The Clouds, Taken and Taken II) visited Sonoma County in 1980 to celebrate the sale of his first screenplay, he fell in love with the land. He purchased a 280-acre mountaintop property and eventually transformed it into a world-class vineyard producing estate wines. Pop into Kamen Estate Wines’ tasting room in downtown Sonoma or make an appointment to visit the mountaintop vineyards.
Les Claypool — Purple Pachyderm at Claypool Cellars
The bassist and lead vocalist of the rock band Primus, Les Claypool has been living in the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County since 1994. His Claypool Cellars produces sparkling wine, rosé and Pinot Noir under the Purple Pachyderm label. Wine club members receive bottles signed by Claypool in their shipments and get invitations to exclusive concerts where they can party like (and with) rock stars. Taste the wines at their appointment only “fancy booze caboose” in Sebastopol.
Les and Chaney Claypool ham it up for the camera at the Feast Above the River, sponsored by the Russian River Chamber of Commerce, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 in Guerneville. (Will Bucquoy/For The Press Democrat)Singer-songwriter Dave Matthews partnered with former Clos du Bois winemaker Sean McKenzie to launch Dreaming Tree Wines. (Photocarioca / Shutterstock)
Dave Matthews — Dreaming Tree Wines
Singer-songwriter Dave Matthews entered the winemaking game in 2000, when he opened Blenheim Vineyards winery in Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to demand from his fans, Matthews partnered with former Clos du Bois winemaker Sean McKenzie to launch Dreaming Tree Wines. Distributed nationally, and reasonably priced, they produce a Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County and other wines made with grapes from throughout California.
Jonathan Cain — Finale Wines
Musician and songwriter Jonathan Cain is the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for Journey. (The keyboards on “Don’t Stop Believin’”? Yeah, that’s him!). When he isn’t touring the world, he’s enjoying his own wine journey with Sonoma County vintner Dennis De La Montanya. Proceeds from their Finale Wines, which include a rosé of Malbec and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, benefit charity.
Wine lover Jonathan Cain (left) rocks out with Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda. (Kelly A. Swift)NBA star Dwyane Wade partnered with his friend, Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, to launch his own wine label, Wade Cellars, in 2015. (Wade Cellars)
Dwyane Wade — Wade Cellars
NBA star Dwyane Wade discovered his love of great Napa Valley wines while wining and dining with teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. The former professional basketball player partnered with his friend, Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, to launch his own wine label, Wade Cellars, in 2015. Wade Cellars wines include a rosé and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yao Ming — Yao Family Wines
Former NBA All-Star Yao Ming fell in love with wine while playing for the Houston Rockets. Today, he owns and operates Yao Family Wines in St. Helena, producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The ultra-modern tasting room features food and wine pairings and a touch of memorabilia from Yao’s career in sports. He’s not only selling wine in Napa Valley, but also to great success in China, including in his hometown of Shanghai.
NBA All Star Yao Ming at his winery in Napa. (Yao Family Wines)Former NFL football player Charles Woodson started his own label, Intercept Wines, in Napa Valley. (Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines)
Charles Woodson — Intercept Wines
Former NFL football player Charles Woodson fell in love with wine and decided to learn more about the winemaking process during spring training for the Oakland Raiders, which takes place in Napa Valley. After a successful career in sports, including winning the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, Woodson started his own label, Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines. Intercept Wines include a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend.
Carmen Policy — Casa Piena
He might not have played on the field, but Carmen Policy helped bring the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl championships and was named “Executive of the Year” by the NFL and one of the “Most Influential People in Professional Sports” by GQ. Now retired, Carmen and his wife, Gail, operate Casa Piena (“Full House” in Italian) in Napa Valley, where they produce Cabernet Sauvignons that score high with Robert Parker. Wines are available on an allotment-only basis, with tastings available by appointment.
Former 49ers executive Carmen Policy and his wife, Carmen, operate Casa Piena in Napa. (Mars Lasar)The Vermeil Wines tasting room in downtown Napa. (Cody Krantz)
Dick Vermeil — Vermeil Wines
As an NFL coach, Dick Vermeil led the St. Louis Rams to their only Super Bowl championship, and also coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Born in Calistoga, it is no surprise that Vermeil started his own winery upon retirement. Vermeil Wines has a tasting room in downtown Napa and produces varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Vermeil attends all wine member events, signing autographs and sipping the fruits of his labor.
Mario Andretti — Andretti Winery
Mario Andretti is considered one of the most successful race car drivers of all time. With that success comes not only a Ferrari (or two), but also a winery in Napa Valley that he co-founded in 1996. Wines run the gamut, from sweet Moscato and Riesling to beefy Cabernets and super Tuscans. Andretti Winery offers food and wine pairings in an Italian-inspired environment. Winery guests frequently brush elbows with Andretti and other race car drivers, especially when races take place at Sonoma Raceway.
Racing legend Mario Andretti co-founded his Napa Valley winery in 1996. (Andretti Winery)Professional race car driver and team owner Kevin Buckler owns Adobe Road Winery in Petaluma. (Adobe Road Winery)
Kevin Buckler — Adobe Road Winery
Race car driver and team owner Kevin Buckler has been producing wine in Sonoma County since 1995 at his Adobe Road Winery. Winner of Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans and numerous championships, Buckler and his wife, Debra, produce a wide array of wines from well-known vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer. Taste the wines at Adobe Road’s downtown Petaluma tasting room, complete with racing memorabilia.
Randy Lewis — Lewis Cellars
Most race car drivers will never race in the famous Indy 500, but Randy Lewis has done it — five times. Lewis started Lewis Cellars in 1992 with his wife, Debbie, a longtime wine industry professional. Eventually the couple were joined by their son, Dennis. Their appointment-only Napa Valley tasting room features wines from throughout the region, which include Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon-based Cuvée.
Race car driver Randy Lewis his wife, long-time industry professional Debbie Lewis, operate Lewis Cellars in Napa. (Lewis Cellars)
Gavin Newsom — PlumpJack, CADE and Odette wineries
Vince Neil — Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil launched his own “Vince” wine label in the early 2000s. Vince wines were produced by Adler Fels Winery in Santa Rosa, according to Wine Spectator.
Joe Montana — Iconic 49ers quarterback Joe Montana teamed up with winemaker Ed Sbragia to create Montagia, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Decanter. The wine was released in 1999, when Sbragia was the winemaker at Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena. In 2019, Montana listed his Napa estate for $28.9 million. It was later re-listed for $20 million less. The 503-acre ranch was originally priced at $49 million in 2009.
Dan Marino — Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino put his name behind the Sonoma County-based Marino Estates Vintage “13” California Cabernet, which benefited the Dan Marino Foundation, according to Wine Spectator.
Nancy Pelosi — Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul, own a private vineyard on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena.
Tommy Smothers — Late comedian Tommy Smothers — best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick — owned Remick Ridge Vineyards in Kenwood.
Janet Balicki, Elissa Chudwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Stierch contributed to this article.
Smoked Salmon Hash with house-smoked salmon, oven dried tomatoes, green onions and hash browns, two eggs any style and lemon horseradish sauce from J & M’s Midtown Cafe, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Scrambled eggs and toast won’t get me out of bed, but flash a sticky bun and some hollandaise my way, and I’m racing to the table.
In Sonoma County, the breakfast scene runs the gamut, from simple plates of pancakes to fancy caviar-blinged Benedicts to crackly croissants. And while better-known haunts get plenty of love, you might be surprised by some unexpected breakfast favorites from Petaluma to Cloverdale and everywhere in between.
Santa Rosa
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar: Of course, you’ll find great bagels and schmears at this Jewish-style deli, but insiders know to order the lox and latke Benedict with schmaltz hollandaise – because who needs English muffins when you have latkes? Add caviar if you’re feeling fancy. 308 Wilson St., 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
Lox & Latke Benedict with Caviar from Grossman’s Deli Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)The Crebble (a croissant muffin) from Marla SR Bakery and Cafe in Santa Rosa, Nov. 16, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Marla Bakery: Only you can make the decision between the maple sugar and sea salt-dusted crebble (a croissant muffin) or the finger-licking sticky bun. Go for broke and get both — and since you’re there, add a fudgy dark chocolate brownie for later. 208 Davis St., 707-852-4091, marlabakery.com
Dierk’s Parkside Cafe: This humble café has reached icon status in Santa Rosa for its chef-driven menu and twist on breakfast standards. The Country Benedict on a crispy baguette with roasted tomatoes will always be my favorite, but the hash and cinnamon-dusted pull-a-parts are a close second. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com
J&M’s Midtown Cafe: Former Ramen Gaijin chef Joel Shaw’s weekly specials (like Hot Cross Bun sliders that sell out in minutes) are always a treat, but for traditionalists, the French toast is a winner — fresh ciabatta baguette dipped in egg, milk and cinnamon batter, leaving the inside soft and custard-like and the exterior crisp. 1422 Fourth St., 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com
Louisiana Hash with onions, bell peppers, bacon, potatoes, cheddar, eggs, herbs, mushrooms and spicy seasoning from J & M’s Midtown Cafe, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Concha breakfast sandwiches from Tia Maria Panaderia in Santa Rosa Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Tia Maria: At this neighborhood bakery and cafe, a sweet concha roll stuffed with scrambled egg, melty cheese and thick strips of bacon is pressed in a sandwich grill for a sweet, salty, creamy handheld breakfast sando like no other. Grab a Mexican hot chocolate for the road. 44 Sebastopol Ave., 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world
Brother’s Café: Most folks whiz by this setback cafe, located between a motel and a Mountain Mike’s on a nothing-burger stretch of Cleveland Avenue. Seek it out for the sticky-crunchy Dutch baby German pancake with caramelized apples. Also excellent are the biscuits with mushroom gravy. 3135 Cleveland Ave., 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com
Hank’s Creekside Cafe: Expect to sit around reading the paper on Saturday and Sunday mornings waiting for a table at this quirky Santa Rosa breakfast institution. Fluffy pancakes as big as your head, sausage, eggs and huevos rancheros, all served with a side of local cred and a homemade touch. Biscuits are made from scratch, eggs are fresh and the cottage fries are “Oh, my God” good. 2800 Fourth St., 707-575-8839, hanks-creekside.com
Guy Fieri tries blueberry pancakes at Hank’s Creekside Cafe in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Grilled vegetable hash at Jeffrey’s Hillside Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Scott Manchester)
Jeffrey’s Hillside Café: Former John Ash & Co. chef brings Wine Country dining to breakfast. Don’t miss their chilaquiles, Southern-inspired biscuits and gravy, sticky bun French toast and cheese blintzes with lemon curd. Lines can get long on weekends, so put on your patient hat — it’s sooooo worth the wait. 2901 Fourth St., 707-546-6317, jeffreyshillsidecafe.com
Criminal Baking Co: You can smell the buttery goodness even before you head inside. Sinful Sandos are a must, as is the Fun Guy, with mushrooms, bacon, spinach, goat cheese, basil and arugula pesto, lemon curd and a baked egg. Plus, burritos, granola, quiche and daily pastries. Owner Dawn Zaft and her team also make plenty of gluten-free bagels and vegan pastries. 808 Donahue St., 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Americana:Farm-to-table breakfasts from the owners of Estero Cafe in Valley Ford — all day! Top-notch dishes include fried chicken with country gravy, omelets, a lovely breakfast sandwich with Estero Gold cheese on a fresh ciabatta, yogurt parfait and pancakes with tasty fresh strawberry mimosas. Find them in Sebastopol (162 N. Main St.) as well. 205 Fifth St., 707-755-1548, americanasonomacounty.com
Yogurt parfait is on the Early Bird menu at Americana in Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)Chilaquiles at Chila-Killer Cafe in Rohnert Park. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Sarmentine:Brunch with a French accent includes salmon-laden croissants with hollandaise, a side of gratin potatoes that put home fries to shame and bread pudding in a pool of crème anglaise. You’ll also want to leave with a fresh baguette and croissants for dinner. 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., 707-623-9595, sarmentine.com
Sax’s Joint: Giant cinnamon rolls and pancakes the size of a small hubcap are the signatures of this 1950s-style café. Run by sassy sisters, it’s raucous fun but can be hectic on weekends. 317 Petaluma Ave., 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
Fried chicken and waffles at Sax’s Joint in Petaluma. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)Nutella cornetto filled with the creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, drizzled with chocolate ganache, and topped with whole toasted hazelnuts, at Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. (Courtesy Stellina Pronto)
Stellina Pronto: Trying to order a pastry or two at this Italian bakery is futile. You will leave with thousands of calories more than you planned, and that’s absolutely OK. They are that good. Kouign-amann (caramelized, laminated pastries filled with fruit curd) and weekend cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting are top picks, but grab at least one cream puff, a Nutella cornetto and a slice of frittata. 23 Kentucky St., 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Sonoma
Baker and Cook: Fresh buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy are legendary at this Boyes Hot Springs café. Originating in 19th-century lumberjack camps, this gut-stuffing breakfast warms the heart and fills the belly for a long day of timbering — or couch rotting. A side salad makes the whole thing almost healthy. 18812 Highway 12, 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com
Sebastopol
Wild Poppy: The rambling outdoor patio of this family-owned Sebastopol restaurant is the place to be on sunny summer days. The Cosmic Queso with vegan cheese is a favorite, and vegetarians will find plenty of options here. A mix of housemade pastries, including scones, focaccia and Anya’s chocolate chip cookies are ideal companions for a day at the beach or an afternoon snack. 9890 Bodega Highway, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com
Cookies, scones and other baked items from the The Wild Poppy Cafe along the Bodega Highway west of Sebastopol Friday, May 3, 2024 (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Shakshuka — a Middle Eastern dish of poached egg, zesty tomato sauce, onions and a side of hummus and puffy pita bread — at Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio. (Daniel Beck/Sonoma County Tourism)
Monte Rio
Lightwave Coffee & Kitchen: Follow the signs to the Monte Rio skate park, where you’ll find a curious walk-up café. You’ll want to order the warming breakfast shakshuka with tomato-y eggs and whatever pie is on the menu. 9725 Main St., 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
Valley Ford
Estero Café: The “classic American farm-to-table” menu has made it a popular stop for diners headed to the coast. Serving locally sourced breakfast and lunch daily, dishes like chicken-fried Stemple Creek Ranch steak with country gravy and greens, Dungeness crab roll and King trumpet mushroom melt with Estero Gold cheese are local favorites. 14450 Highway 1, 707-876-3333, esterocafe.com
Healdsburg
Acorn Cafe: This cute-as-a-bug morning stop is staking a syrup-soaked claim on Healdsburg’s breakfast void with its over-the-top menu. Best bets are tiramisu French toast, a brown butter hollandaise Benedict and quite possibly the world’s most inspired fried chicken sandwich. A tasty low and no-alcohol and cocktail menu and wine list create a Sunday brunch feel even on weekday mornings. 124 Matheson St., 707-955-7001, acornhealdsburg.com
Tiramisu French toast with whipped mascarpone, Raspberry, coffee ice cream and cocoa nibs on Goguette brioche and a Berry Bliss smoothie from the Acorn Cafe Thursday, October 3, 2024 in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)Varieties of croissants available at Quail & Condor bakery Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Quail and Condor:Noted by The New York Times and the James Beard Foundation, this outstanding bakery is a must-try. Crisp, flaky croissants that are second-to-none with seasonal flavors include chocolate pumpkin, along with ongoing classics like almond, chocolate and plain. 149 Healdsburg Ave., 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com
Parish Café: Best known for its Louisiana-style shrimp and grits, beignets and po’boys, Parish has a Southern-style breakfast with its standards (yes, you can eat shrimp and grits for breakfast) as well as bananas Foster French toast and a Benedict with fried Gulf shrimp and Tasso ham. Chicory coffee is a staple. 60A Mill St., 707-431-8474, theparishcafe.com
Cloverdale
Rockin’ A Adventure Café: You won’t find much food, but the thrill of choosing your drink adventure at this oddball coffee drive-thru is a lot more fun. Start with a base of coffee, matcha, chai tea or Red Bull, then add one of 40 different syrups. Clearly, they’re not breaking any new beverage ground, but the wacky shack and endless choices make it a great stop on your commute. 313 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Facebook.com/RockinAadventureCafe
Baker Lana Mcintire rolls out her Barbie pink Nom Nom bakery cart filled with goodies in front of her Carmet home, just follow the signs off Highway 1. Friday, May 13, 2025, north of Bodega Bay. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Early each Friday and Saturday morning in summer, Lana Mcintire rolls a cute-as-a-button, Barbie-pink cart in front of her Bodega Bay home and plants signs along Highway 1, pointing beachgoers and coastal cruisers to her summertime-only sweet stop. “I feel like people see pink and think dessert,” says Mcintire.
The mom of two launched her Nom Nom Cakes bakery cart last summer to supplement her year-round custom cake business. It was an instant success. It also happens to be Bodega Bay’s only bakery.
Laden with cookies, tarts, and Mcintire’s signature cake jars, the sweet car is just a short detour into a residential neighborhood a few minutes’ drive north of town. The clientele is a mix of neighbors, day-trippers and tourists staying in nearby vacation rentals, who pull up, browse the shelves, and peek into the cart’s two refrigerated coolers in search of the perfect dessert.
Baker Lana Mcintire fills her Barbie pink Nom Nom Cakes bakery cart with goodies Friday and Saturday mornings during the summer and wheels it to the front of her Carmet home. Just follow the signs off Highway 1. Friday, May 13, 2025, north of Bodega Bay. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The Nom Nom cart operates on a self-serve, honor-based payment system, accepting cash or Venmo. Since cell service in the area can be spotty, Mcintire posts her Wi-Fi password to help customers pay online. She is usually nearby in her home — happily baking, and ready to bring in sweet reinforcements when supplies run low. Mcintire notes that the cart often sells out on busy holiday weekends.
Mcintire, a Los Angeles culinary school graduate with experience in high-end restaurants in L.A. and Las Vegas, moved to Sonoma County in 2014. Here she draws inspiration from seasonal fruits and rotates her cart menu each weekend. Her summer cake jars feature flavors like brown sugar peach, vanilla blackberry, and strawberry crunch. “I make my own strawberry crunch with Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries,” she says. “It’s like that strawberry ice cream bar on a stick.”
That dessert is one of her most popular along with peanut butter cheesecake and a treat called the millionaire bar — a buttery shortbread crust layered with rich salted caramel, chocolate ganache, and a light sprinkling of sea salt. “It’s almost Twix on steroids,” says Mcintire.
Baker Lana Mcintire rolls out her Barbie pink Nom Nom Cakes bakery cart filled with goodies in Bodega Bay. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
This summer, Mcintire has added charcuterie boxes as a savory option, perfect for a beach picnic. Packages of homemade pancake mix are another new addition, tailored for travelers staying in the many Airbnbs in her neighborhood. Those temporary guests inspire some of the little extras she includes on the cart, like gift bags, candles and cake toppers — an instant party for those celebrating a special occasion. There are also s’mores kits and reusable marshmallow roasting sticks. As of June, the cart carries copies of her new, self-published cookbook, “Sweet Creations: Crafting Your Dream Desserts.”
Mcintire has become a bit of a celebrity in her seaside town. On a trip to the post office just before opening for the season, three different people recognized her as “the dessert cart lady” and shared stories about their favorite treats. “To have three people at the same time recognize me, I was like, wow,” she says. “I’m thankful that people support my small business and the good things we’re trying to do.”
Nom Nom Cakes, 390 Calle Del Sol, Bodega Bay, 805-350-0680, nomnombaking.com
Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Guerneville is no stranger to summer love, but this summer, the town earned national attention. On July 2, the Wall Street Journal featured Guerneville in a guide to top day trips from San Francisco, highlighting Johnson’s Beach and other laid-back attractions two hours north of the city.
Tucked beneath the redwoods and alongside the Russian River, Guerneville was praised for its natural beauty, wine tastings, LGBTQ+ culture and breezy vacation energy.
The article spotlighted Johnson’s Beach as the “riverside party,” where beachgoers sunbathe and soak in the summer scene.
Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville along the Russian River. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)Canoes line Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
Johnson’s Beach has lured generations of summer visitors since the 1920s with its canoe rentals, cute cabins and an old-school snack bar. The beach’s relaxing environment makes it a go-to destination for Northern California families, day-trippers and anyone chasing a classic Sonoma County summer. 16215 First St., 707-869-2022, johnsonsbeach.com
The shoutout didn’t go unnoticed. The team at Johnson’s Beach shared their excitement in an Instagram post July 5, thanking travel writer Freda Moon for including the beach in her Wall Street Journal article.
This is not the first time the beach has made national headlines. In 2024, Travel + Leisure named Johnson’s California’s “coolest” beach, noting its retro summer camp vibes and family-friendly feel.
In addition to the beach, the Wall Street Journal called out several other destinations in Guerneville and the Russian River area. Here are the standouts:
Equality Vines
Equality Vines co-founders Matt Grove, left, and Jim Obergefell at their tasting room in Guerneville, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)Equity Vines co-founder Jim Obergefell, left, talks with Daniel Potapshyn and Jenica Lancy, of the Golden West Chapter of The ALS Association, at his tasting room in Guerneville, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Christopher Chung / The Press Democrat)
The country’s first LGBTQ+ cause-based winery is a welcoming locale to go wine tasting on the weekend or to host private events such as staff celebrations or business development socials. “I think it’s massive for the community that we were mentioned,” said Matt Grove, co-founder of Equality Vines. “Because of all the construction in the community, we hope we get more foot traffic. So the culmination of being featured in this article is momentous for the community.” 16215 Main St., 877-379-4637, equalityvines.com
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
The powerful and captivating redwood grove is an attraction anyone can enjoy when looking to get away from crowds and the city featuring peaceful trails, a visitor center, an outdoor amphitheater, and picnic areas. 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (Mariah Harkey / Sonoma County Tourism)Inside of the deli at Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville. (North Bay Business Journal)
Korbel Champagne Cellars
The historic bubbly tasting house offers daily public tours and tastings. Chase the sweet California Champagne at the deli, Korbel Delicatessen and Market, with any market salad. 13250 River Road, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Rainbow Cattle Company
The town’s iconic nightlife also got a mention, including this longtime gay saloon. The atmosphere inside the rustic interior is always flannel-friendly and judgment-free. “I’m just flattered that the Wall Street Journal mentioned us,” said co-owner Robert Frederick. 16220 Main St., 707-869-0206, queersteer.com
Parade watchers gather in front of the Rainbow Cattle Company during the Russian River Pride Parade and Festival in Guerneville, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)Auctioneer Nick Schwanz, center in hat, and his friends grab Champagne to celebrate raising more than $1 million for local charities over the past 20 years on Give Back Tuesdays, June 24, 2025, at the Rainbow Cattle Co. in Guerneville. (John Burgess / Press Democrat)Keira Santamarina, 2, dances with her mother Rebecca Santamarina, of Petaluma, during the Rio Nido Roadhouse Surf Music Fest in Rio Nido in 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Rio Nido Roadhouse
By day, Rio Nido Roadhouse is buzzing with families enjoying the snack bar that offers kid-friendly bites while parents sip craft beers and cocktail specials outdoors. By night, it transforms into a lively redwood-stage venue playing country music, reggae, rock and more. 14540 Canyon 2 Road, Rio Nido, 707-869-0821, rionidoroadhouse
Pat’s International
This retro diner offers breakfast and lunch for anyone looking to relax and refuel before heading down to the river. Pat’s is known for its doughnuts and Korean fried chicken sandwiches.16236 Main St., 707-604-4007, patsinternational.com
Pat’s International Restaurant in Guerneville. (Courtesy of Joseph Ivan Jr.)Hiking the bluffs above Goat Rock Beach in Jenner. (John Burgess)
A short drive away — Sonoma Coast State Park and Goat Rock Beach
The dramatic Sonoma coastline is known for its harbor seal pups in late spring to mid summer and misty ocean views. A trip to the coast is a great way to get away from the inland heat during the summer. 3095 Highway 1, 707-875-3483, Bodega Bay, parks.ca.gov
With shout-outs from both Travel + Leisure and now the Wall Street Journal, Johnson’s Beach — and Guerneville as a whole — continues to find national attention. The spotlight just confirms what Sonoma County already knows: Guerneville still has it.
Strawberry cheesecake from Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio. (Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen)
It’s easy to assume cheesecake originated in France, where the arts of cheese-making and pastry-baking have been perfected. Or in New York, the state with a famous cheesecake style named after it. But the predecessor to our modern cheesecake, according to the historians and anthropologists who have traced its origin, can be found in ancient Greece. Here, by the Mediterranean Sea, the creamy, cheesy confection was a popular wedding dessert and might even have been served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C.
While the dessert was most likely around centuries earlier, the first known written record of the Greek cheesecake recipe is attributed to Greek writer Athenaeus around 230 A.D. The rudimentary cheesecake was made with fresh cheese, pounded until smooth, mixed with flour and honey and then baked. Romans are said to have introduced the Grecian cheesecake across Europe, and immigrants brought the beloved dessert to America — the dish taking on new variations and baking methods with each culture it traversed.
The Forme of Cury, the first known English cookbook written during the 14th century, added eggs to the cheesecake recipe and flavored the dessert with rosewater and dried elderflowers. The ultra-dense New York-style cheesecake, credited to restaurateur Arnold Reuben in the 1920s, goes heavy on the cream cheese. The trendy, burnt-topped Basque-style cheesecake (or tarta de queso), created in 1990 by chef Santiago Rivera of San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country, is made with a handful of simple ingredients and baked at a high temperature for a caramelized exterior and gooey center.
Japanese cheesecake, or cotton cheesecake, is a fluffy and soufflé-like dessert. It is traditionally made in a bain-marie. (Mitna Maimunah / Shutterstock)
Käsekuchen (German cheesecake) relies on soft quark cheese, Japanese cheesecake is made fluffy and soufflé-like with the incorporation of whisked egg whites, and Sernik (Polish cheesecake) is made with twaróg cheese and potato flour. Wherever you travel in the world, you’re sure to find a unique, regional take on cheesecake.
For the first stop on your cheesecake world tour, look no further than Sonoma County, where farm cows graze on vast pastures and skilled bakers use local ingredients to craft luscious desserts. From New York to Basque-style and every flavor you can dream up, here is where you can find glorious cheesecakes all around the county to enjoy on National Cheesecake Day, July 30. Or any day of the year.
Best Cheesecakes in Sonoma County
College Confectionista
SoCo Style Cheesecake: Anamaría Morales’ famed “Sonoma County-style” cheesecake with traditional cream cheese filling in a butter graham cracker crust and topped with homemade whip cream. Can be made gluten-free with a nut-based crust. Find various other cheesecakes that rotate seasonally. Check website for pick-up times and locations. *Note: The College Confectionista is currently closed for the season. Check her Instagram page, @collegeconfectionista, for updates. 707-495-5324, collegeconfectionista.com
Anamaria Morales, the College Confectionista, works on prepping some cheesecakes in her Guerneville home, the lemon, berry and Sonoma County Style, Jan. 3, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)A slice of Jan Rosen’s famous cheesecake, which is served at her former downtown Petaluma restaurant, 256 North. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)
J.M. Rosen’s Cheesecakes
New York Cheesecake:You can’t go wrong with any of Jan’s Rosen’s famous cheesecakes — the Blueberry, Neapolitan, Chocolate Fantasy and Snickers Bar cheesecakes all get rave reviews. But the star of the show is the original rich and creamy New York-style cheesecake in a buttery shortbread crust — the one that made Frank Sinatra a lifelong customer. Order online (free shipping on local deliveries) or find Rosen’s cheesecakes at a number of restaurants and markets across California. 74 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-773-4655, jmrosenscheesecake.com
Stellina Pronto
New York Style Pumpkin Cheesecake: The classic New York-style cheesecake gets a sweet pumpkiny upgrade, with a sour cream topping and buttery graham cracker crust. 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-789-9556, stellinapronto.com
Pumpkin cheesecake from Stellina Pronto in Petaluma. The bakery also serves a classic New York-style cheesecake. (Stellina Pronto)Cheesecake topped with a caramel sauce from Speakeasy, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Petaluma. Speakeasy’s cheesecake flavors change regularly. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Speakeasy
Daily Cheesecake: Housemade cheesecakes change with the chef’s whim, but they’re always fluffy and resting atop a buttery graham cracker crust. The lemon cheesecake is a local fave. 139 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-776-4631, speakeasypetaluma.com
Wit & Wisdom
Basque Country Cheesecake: Soft and airy Basque-style cheesecake with burnt top and accompanied with preserved citrus and fresh farmers market fruit. 1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-931-3405, witandwisdomsonoma.com
Cafe La Haye
Yuzu Citrus Cheesecake: Smooth, zesty cheesecake flavored with Japanese yuzu. 140 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-5994, cafelahaye.com
The Mill at Glen Ellen
Burnt Basque Cheesecake: Creamy, tangy Basque-style cheesecake with fresh berries. 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-721-1818, themillatglenellen.com
Burnt Basque Cheesecake from The Mill at Glen Ellen. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Seasonal pumpkin cheesecake from Costeaux French Bakery. Costeaux’s current seasonal cheesecake flavor is lemon. (Costeaux French Bakery)
Costeaux French Bakery & Cafe
Classic Cheesecake: Creamy cheesecake in a gingerbread cookie crust, coated in mascarpone whip cream. The seasonal lemon cheesecake is also great, along with the pumpkin cheesecake come autumn. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
Downtown Bakery & Creamery
Cheesecake: Large and baby cheesecakes with a classic rich and dense filling in a buttery graham cracker crust. 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com
Criminal Baking Company
Lemon Chevre Cheesecake: Creamy, tangy, rich and lemony classic cheesecake. Optional add-ons include fresh berries, a caramel drizzle or raspberry compote. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Red Bird Bakery
New York Cheesecake: Rich and dense New York-style cheesecake, topped with berries. 556 East Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-521-9838; 463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3663,redbirdbakery.com
Patisserie Angelica
Seasonal Cheesecake: The patisserie’s creamy, decadent cheesecakes come in a housemade graham cracker crust and flavors change with the season. Flavors include caramel, raspberry, Meyer lemon and spiced pumpkin. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com
Cheesecake from Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol. (Patisserie Angelica)Strawberry cheesecake from Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio. (Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen)
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen
Rotating Cheesecakes: Varying creamy cheesecakes are available each weekend. The variety of seasonal flavors include fig, cherry, blueberry, strawberry, baklava, lemon curd, pecan caramel and chocolate hazelnut.9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
Nightingale Breads
Mini Cheesecakes: Creamy New York-style mini cheesecakes made in-house by local cheesecake wizard Steve Hartz. Flavors change weekly, but fan-favorites include the tangy lemon curd, lime curd and passion fruit. Also find other unique flavors like orange cream, cranberry curd, blood orange, cappuccino, eggnog, apple pie, toasted coconut and pineapple. 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Cappuccino chocolate chip cheesecake made by Steve Hartz at Nightingale Breads, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Forestville. (Darryl Bush / For The Press Democrat)Passion Fruit Cheesecake with whipped cream and vanilla bean sauce from Terrapin Creek Cafe Restaurant Friday, May 30, 2025, in Bodega Bay. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Terrapin Creek Cafe
Passion Fruit Cheesecake: Light, fluffy cheesecake made with passion fruit and topped with whipped cream and vanilla bean sauce. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700, terrapincreekcafe.com
Underwood Bar & Bistro
Mascarpone Cheesecake: Creamy cheesecake made with soft mascarpone and topped with raspberries. 9113 Graton Road, Graton, 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
Oliver’s Market
Chocolate Cheesecake: Dense cheesecake made with dark Belgian chocolate in a crisp chocolate cookie crumb crust. A gluten-free option is available. Locations in Windsor, Santa Rosa and Cotati. oliversmarket.com
Cold mezze dips of hummus, baba ganoush, labneh and muhamarra at Levant restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
It’s rare for a restaurant opening to sneak up on me, but last week, Levant quietly soft-opened in Petaluma’s Theater District, offering an extensive menu that showcases the flavors of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.
Co-owner Arafat “Art” Herzallah of San Francisco’s popular Freekah restaurant has teamed up with longtime Petaluma residents Saheer Kassis and Issa Musalla to create a Middle Eastern culinary oasis at the site of the former Trattoria Roma.
Many dishes on Levant’s menu are tried-and-true favorites from Freekah, including cold mezze samplers with creamy hummus, yogurt-based labneh, smoky baba ghanoush and muhamarra, a sweet red pepper dip with walnuts ($21-$28). All are served with warm bites of pita bread.
Fried halloumi at Levant restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Hot mezze, such as fried halloumi (Jibneh Halloumi, $12), grilled Palestinian cheese (Jibneh Nabulsi, $12), fried cauliflower with tahini sauce (Zahara Bil Tahini, $16) and falafel ($10), also appear on the Freekah menu, along with skewers, wraps and salads.
Unlike the tapas-style dishes at Freekah, Levant dives deeper into the traditional, family-style meals of the Middle East, like Kufta ($24), a ground beef and lamb dish with sliced potatoes, onions and spices, topped with tahini or tomato sauce; and Lahme ($26), lamb simmered with potatoes. Mansaf ($32), a classic Jordanian dish made with lamb, spiced saffron rice and jameed (fermented yogurt), is an intensely flavored option that, while not my cup of tea, offers an earthy tangy richness inspired by Herzallah’s grandmother’s recipe.
Mansaf ($32), a traditional Jordanian dish made with lamb, spiced saffron rice and jameed (fermented yogurt), at Levant restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
The menu features a handful of Lebanese and Jordanian wines alongside pungent Turkish coffee and delicious mint tea.
First impressions
Levant is warm and inviting, and Herzallah’s wife, Monyca Currier-Herzallah, is an excellent guide, offering detailed explanations (sometimes with family stories) of each dish. As a longtime vegetarian, she has added plant-based meat options to an already vegetarian-friendly menu (which also features many gluten-free options).
The restaurant’s interior remains largely unchanged, with warm wood tones and earthy hues in the compact, 1,700-square-foot space. While the open kitchen can get a bit noisy at times, it also provides a fascinating peek at ingredients and preparations.
Salmon skewers with saffron rice at Levant restaurant in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Several dishes were a little heavy-handed on the salt, but spiced saffron rice had an intoxicating scent. Plates are meant to be shared, so be sure to go with friends and dip your pita bread with abandon.
There’s no shortage of Middle Eastern cuisine in Sonoma County (thankfully), with more than a dozen options for great hummus, tabbouleh, shawarma and falafel. But Levant stands apart with its traditional family recipes and many personal touches — something far harder to find.
Levant is at 140 Second St., Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-658-8017. Website coming soon. Open 4-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. instagram.com/Levant_Petaluma
What kind of wine taster are you? Are you looking to revel in gorgeous gardens, or do you relish a fine coastal Pinot Noir? Is it all about classic Sonoma history, or are you seeking family producers a bit off the beaten track?
Whatever the reason, we’ve put together a Sonoma tasting guide to end all tasting guides, with over 120 recommendations — and right now is the perfect time to head out to explore the best wineries in Sonoma.
Click through the above gallery for a peek at a few of our favorite places to taste wine in Sonoma County.
“I Want to Support Smaller, Family-Owned Wineries — Ones a Bit off the Beaten Path.”
Carol Shelton Wines: Set in an industrial district of Santa Rosa, this tiny tasting room can barely contain all the ribbons and awards that Shelton — known as the “Queen of Zin” — has won. $20. 3354-B Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-575-3441, carolshelton.com
Frick Winery: Bill Frick has been a one-man show for 49 years. Join him in the adorable Frick House for small-lot wines made from Rhône varieties grown on his 7.7-acre ranch. Free. 23072 Walling Road, Geyserville. 707-484-3950, frickwinery.com
Enriquez Estate Winery: Cecilia Enriquez and her parents, Ana and Eduardo, produce about 1,000 cases a year of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo on the family’s 8.5-acre vineyard. From $50. 5960 Eastside Road, Forestville. 707347-9719, enriquezwines.com
Inman Family Wines: Try Kathleen Inman’s balanced, food-friendly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparklers at this welcoming spot set in an organic vineyard. $30. 3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa. 707-293-9576. inmanfamilywines.com
Singer Wine at Baker Lane Estate: Stephen Singer ran the wine program at Berkeley’s Chez Panisse with his former spouse, Alice Waters. He welcomes a few guests each week for a light meal and tasting of biodynamically farmed Syrah and Viognier. From $85. 7361 Baker Lane, Sebastopol. singer.wine
Bruliam Wines: Physician-turned-winemaker Kerith Overstreet makes just 1,000 cases — mainly single-vineyard Pinot Noir — each year. 1200 American Way, Windsor. bruliamwines.com
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Kim Carroll)
AVA Spotlight: Russian River Valley
Home to some of Sonoma’s oldest, most-prized vineyards, the Russian River Valley is widely recognized for premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region is known for generously sunny days and cool, foggy nights, but given the diverse sub-regions, other varietals thrive here, too, like Zinfandel, Merlot and even cool-climate Syrah.
Favorite destinations include Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, where winemaker Theresa Heredia has been creating her own legacy of award-winning Pinot. Fellow pioneering labels like Merry Edwards, Williams Selyem, Rochioli and MacRostie Winery & Vineyards helped establish the Russian River Valley as an epicenter of premium Pinot Noir.
Sonoma-Cutrer and Balletto are ever-popular tasting spots and a crackling fireplace beckons at Benovia Winery.
The Dutton family of Dutton Estate have been farming in the Russian River region for six generations. And David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars is considered among the state’s most innovative winemakers. Tastings here overlook the production facility, for a glimpse of the magic in action.
Leo Hansen of Leo Steen Wines. (Lightspeed Films)
Taste With a Pro: Leo Hansen, Leo Steen Wines
The Drink (53 Front St., Healdsburg), located in the 1800s-era Old Roma Station building, is a shared tasting room for two standout labels: Hansen’s Leo Steen Wines (leosteenwines.com) and his buddy Mike Lucia’s Rootdown Wine Cellars (rootdownwine.com).
“The space was built as a co-op for Italian immigrants to make wine, and later became a fruit-drying facility during Prohibition,” explains Hansen.
His pick is the vibrant, green apple-kissed Saini Farms Dry Creek Valley Chenin Blanc, from one of the oldest planted Chenin Blanc vineyards in Sonoma County. “I love creating food-friendly, low-alcohol wine from this sleek, silky variety,” he says.
And Hansen loves meeting his guests — he leads tastings of six wines seven days a week ($30). After tasting at The Drink, Hansen likes to recommend that folks walk just a few blocks along the Russian River to Arnot-Roberts (arnotroberts.com). “They make fantastic wines with fun varietals like Ribolla Gialla, Trousseau and Gamay Noir.”
3 Great Kid-Friendly Wineries
Belden Barns, Santa Rosa: Scavenger hunts, explorer backpacks to borrow and a special wishing tree. beldenbarns.com
Preston of Dry Creek, Healdsburg: Ultra laid-back, with rambling gardens to explore, kitties to pet and hearth-baked sourdough bread. prestonofdrycreek.com
Cline Cellars, Sonoma: A historic property with sprawling gardens. Picnicking is welcome, and there are cute donkeys, too. Be sure to ask for a coloring map of their property to keep the kiddos entertained. clinecellars.com
No Car Needed: Petaluma
Petaluma has a Norman Rockwell feel, but locals know aspects of the town are just as edgy as San Francisco, just 35 miles to the south. Several excellent tasting rooms beckon here.
Barber Cellars (barbercellars.com), in the Art Deco-style Hotel Petaluma, features standout Zinfandel, classic ’80s arcade games, and an interesting food pairing consisting of a Ukrainian-style zakuski platter of cheeses, salads and savory pastries.
The future Adobe Road Winery, from former race car driver Kevin Buckler (adoberoadwines.com) is under construction along the Petaluma waterfront. For now, Adobe Road tastings are held in the historic Great Petaluma Mill.
And nearby Brooks Note Winery & Tasting Room (brooksnotewinery.com) is in a 1920s-era building. The flagship here is Pinot, but don’t miss the food-friendly Blaufrankisch, paired with local cheese.
Hardy Wallace, owner of Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! in Sonoma.
From award-winning winemaker Hardy Wallace, the most exuberant man in all of Wine Country, the Sonoma tasting room for Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! is a kaleidoscope of creativity and artistic intention. winecoyeah.com
‘‘Shifting the Lens” at sparkling wine specialist J Vineyards & Winery invites chefs from diverse backgrounds to take over the menu at their popular Bubble Room. In May, the honor went to James Beard semifinalist chef Michael Reed, of Poppy & Seed restaurant. jwine.com
2 Great Spots for Live Music
Muscardini Cellars, Kenwood: Italian varietals and live music every weekend May to October, with Simmer Down Saturdays. muscardinicellars.com
Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg: Beloved for their summer concert series, with major artists like Chris Isaak and Blues Traveler. Reserve a seat or bring a blanket and sit on the green. rodneystrong.com
“I’m a Total Foodie. Where Can I Have a Delicious Meal With My Tasting?”
Bricoleur Vineyards: The food program here is so meticulously handled that it takes three chefs to run it, including famed chef Charlie Palmer. The Rooted tasting ($150) impresses with a seasonal six-course meal with artistic dishes like handmade sweet shrimp siu mai dumplings with lemongrass and ginger. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor. 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Kivelstadt Cellars: Wine tasting at Kivelstadt’s bucolic tasting room in Sonoma gives you the opportunity to sample the exceptional food from Bloom Carneros restaurant. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma. 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com
Lynmar Estate: Chef David Frakes’ expensive-but-worth-it Collectors Lunch Pairing ($250) includes an exquisite, multi-course meal with dishes such as chile-Persian lime dusted watermelon with blistered stone fruit slaw. 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol. 707-829-3374, lynmarestate.com
Jordan Vineyard & Winery: In April 2023, Jesse Mallgren left The Madrona, the Michelin-star restaurant he had run for nearly 25 years, and took his toque over to the glamorous Jordan, amping up an already upscale program. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Paul Hobbs Winery: Chef Timothy Kaulfers joined this luxury spot in April 2023 to lead the Vineyard Designate tasting experience ($250), offering six rare wines alongside delectable dishes like housemade chicken sausage with an onion and fennel soubise. 3355 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. 707-824-9879, paulhobbswinery.com
Mayo Family Winery: Chef John Locher serves a delightfully inventive, meal with small-batch reserve wines in the Reserve Room ($90). 13101 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-833-5504, mayofamilywinery.com
Bloom Carneros, formerly Kivelstadt Cellars and Winegarten in Sonoma. (Daniel E Kokin)Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna with avocado, kewpie and served with chips from served with Twice Removed Rosé from the taps at Kivelstadt Cellars/Bloom Carneros. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
AVA Spotlight: Sonoma Valley
Stretched along the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west, this beautiful area encompasses five distinct appellations and many microclimates ranging from brilliant sunshine to cool coastal fog. Given the climate, many types of grapes can thrive here.
Visit the 1,850-acre Kunde Family Winery for a mountaintop tasting, Chateau St. Jean for a garden stroll and tasting at the historic 1920s chateau, or VJB Cellars for Italian varietals and wood-fired pizzas on the Tuscan-style piazza.
Arrowood is famous for its warm-climate Cabernet Sauvignon and gracious tastings on its veranda, while Loxton Cellars and Hamilton Family Wines are boutique gems where you can see operations up-close, from grape to glass.
No Car Needed: Downtown Sonoma
Over 20 wineries have tasting rooms around downtown Sonoma’s shady plaza, making it an excellent destination for a day of tasting without the need for a designated driver.
Tom Darling of indie natural wine producer Darling Wines, down a pretty alleyway at the south end of the square, hit a home run with his very first vintage of cool-climate Syrah in 2017, which made the wine list at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon.
Pangloss Cellars (below) is a chic, airy tasting salon for Rhone varietals, with stone walls and wide windows out onto the park. Sosie Wines, right near Darling, makes three sparklers: red, white, and rosé, as well as an interesting Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
And Sojourn Cellars is the spot for single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Petaluma Gap, Russian River and Sonoma Coast.
Pangloss Cellars in Sonoma. (Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune)Lloyd Davis of Corner 103 in Sonoma. (Corner 103)
Founder Lloyd Davis has earned all kinds of recognition for his Corner 103 boutique tasting room in downtown Sonoma, including being named one of the top 10 tasting rooms in the country — twice. Davis credits the Black Lives Matter movement for making guests more aware of the importance of diversity in the wine industry and strives to make wine approachable to all. corner103.com
Free Tastings
At historic Korbel Winery in the Russian River Valley, the standard “marketplace” tasting is free, and a flight of three different wines is just $15 (korbel.com). And the super-friendly Locals Tasting Room in Geyserville offering tastings from 10 different local boutique producers, gratis (localstastingroom.com).
3 Great Spots to Play Bocce
Landmark Vineyards, Kenwood: Outdoor tastings by a lake and bocce for groups as large as 15. landmarkwine.com
Roth Estate, Healdsburg: Dedicated to powerful Cabernet from the Alexander Valley, Roth also hosts a bocce and barbecue tournament each spring. rothwinery.com
Dutcher Crossing, Geyserville: Play pétanque (another boules sport) on a court overlooking vineyards. Plus, get snuggles from cute golden retrievers. dutchercrossingwinery.com
Monica Lopez, the general manager of Bacchus Landing and proprietor of Aldina Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Taste With a Pro: Monica Lopez, Bacchus Landing
At this winery collective just outside Healdsburg, general manager Monica Lopez knows a thing or two about tasting rooms. After all, seven different boutique wineries welcome guests to the 3-acre property, which also has wood-fired pizza, a bocce court, and live music.
“I love being outdoors, so we put a lot of work into making Bacchus Landing a place you could relax outside,” says Lopez, whose family winery, Aldina Vineyards (aldinavineyards.com), is one of the seven tasting rooms on-site (tastings from $25). “We really want to encourage guests to purchase a bottle of wine and just hang out.”
On the rare occasions when Lopez isn’t leading tours at Bacchus Landing, she has a penchant for tasting rooms with beautiful outdoor spaces, like Robert Young Estate in Geyserville (ryew.com).
“It’s a Special Occasion, And I’m in the Mood To Splurge.”
Aperture Cellars: Modern luxury meets refined hospitality, where rockstar winemaker Jesse Katz continues to impress with his revered Bordeaux-style wines. There is plenty of eye candy here, including images from Katz’s father, photographer Andy Katz. Clearly, talent is a family affair. From $50. 12291 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. 707-200-7891, aperture-cellars.com
Silver Oak: Those who adore Cabernet will find much to fall in love with here. The winery produces an acclaimed expression of the Bordeaux varietal each year. From $50. 7300 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg. 707-942-7082, silveroak.com
Flowers Vineyards & Winery: There are few better ways to impress than a visit to Flowers Vineyards & Winery, where a short walk through the redwoods reveals a masterfully designed tasting room, California-inspired gardens, and acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. From $75. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com
The Donum Estate: Spanning 220 idyllic acres in the Carneros, The Donum Estate is designed to dazzle, with more than 50 thought-provoking large-scale sculptures. The most exclusive tasting ($500) happens inside a kaleidoscopic pavilion of colored glass. From $150. 24500 Ramal Road, Sonoma. 707-732-2200, thedonumestate.com
Vérité Winery: Twenty minutes east of Healdsburg, Vérité seems to appear out of thin air, a dramatic, Abbey-inspired estate on a bucolic stretch of road. Father-daughter winemakers Pierre and Hélène Seillan have produced 17 hundred-point wines — all Bordeaux-style blends that reflect the region’s many micro-crus. From $200. 4611 Thomas Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-9000, veritewines.com
Hamel Family Wines: Impressive views of the biodynamically farmed vineyards, bespoke wine and food pairings, and small-production Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends all lure guests to this special spot in Sonoma Valley. From $95. 15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com
The Donum Estate.Silver Oak.
AVA Spotlight: Petaluma Gap
Bursts of Pacific Ocean-driven wind and fog through a “gap” in coastal mountain ranges makes the region a prime spot for growing cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. It’s a huge AVA, spanning more than 200,000 acres from Bodega Bay to San Pablo Bay, but is mostly towns, vineyards and agriculture. Many well-known wines are made with fruit grown here, but actual tasting rooms located in the field are hard to come by.
To get the best sense of the wines made from the Petaluma Gap, head to Keller Estate, perched on a lushly landscaped hilltop with magical vineyard and valley views. Winemaker Ana Keller includes interesting varietals like a Syrah-Viognier blend, a Pinot Gris and sparkling wines (from $35, kellerestate.com).
Taste With a Pro: Ted Lemon, Littorai
There’s a lot to love at Littorai, but the coolest thing about visiting, says Lemon, is the private farm tour. “We’re a biodynamic wine farm, so you really get to see what’s involved in that,” he says. This includes seeing how Littorai makes biodynamic compost teas, which help nourish the vines, and walking through the vineyard blocks. “There’s a lovely view up top, so you can get a sense of the Sebastopol hills,” he says.
Lemon also likes taking friends to Freeman Winery for cave tastings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and to Arnot-Roberts for intriguing, site-specific wines. “The Freemans are lovely and they’re small and owner-run. They don’t make a lot of wine, so you’re really tasting the signature of the winemaker,” he says (freemanwinery.com).
At Arnot-Roberts (arnotroberts.com), Lemon says there are a range of wines on offer from all over, often including offbeat varieties. “It’s really a lot of fun.”
Mutt Lynch Winery, Windsor: One of the most dog-friendly wineries around, with the motto “bark less, wag more.” Wine flights and wine club shipments come with special dog treats. muttlynchwinery.com
Smith Story Wine Cellars, Healdsburg: Lord Sandwich, the charismatic goldendoodle belonging to winery owners Alison Smith Story and Eric Story, helped make this charming family-owned tasting room Instagram-famous. smithstorywines.com
Kunde Family Winery, Kenwood: Fifth-generation winegrower Jordan Kunde welcomes dogs and their owners for a hike and romp through vineyards and native grasslands. kunde.com
Alison Smith Story and Eric Story with Lord Sandwich.
3 Great Wineries with Olive Groves
DaVero Farms & Winery, Healdsburg: Cuttings from an ancient, 800-year-old olive grove in Tuscany helped establish the orchards. The fruit is gently handpicked, then pressed the same day for an extra-virgin elixir that’s rich, fruity and peppery. davero.com
Trattore Farms, Geyserville: For $20, add a tasting of their excellent flavored oils to any tasting at their Dry Creek estate or in downtown Healdsburg. trattorefarms.com
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Sonoma: A large stone chateau anchors one of the area’s largest olive oil operations, with 45 acres of Italian and Spanish trees. In harvest season (usually October), visitors can see the pressing process up close. jacuzziwines.com
Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
At Geyserville’s family-friendly Francis Ford Coppola Winery, reserve a cabine to hang out and swim for the day in one of two giant swimming pools surrounded by chic blue chaise lounges (from $250). Inside, film buffs will find a museum of Coppola’s movie memorabilia, including Academy Awards and a screeching red Tucker automobile. francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Taste With a Pro: Alice Sutro, Sutro Wine Co.
Visual artist, winemaker and mother of two Alice Sutro wants her guests to experience her family’s ranch in Chalk Hill, near the Russian River, in a very authentic way, so guests are led on a walk through the vineyard tasting.
“It’s like a 30-minute crash course in viticulture. Why does a trellis work that way, why do we maintain the canopy like this, what are our volcanic soils like — and here’s how that affects what’s in the glass,” explains Sutro. “I really want people to see the effort and value in grape-growing. It seems so necessary to me.”
When not walking the lands that inspire her painting and winemaking, Sutro’s hands-down favorite tasting room is Bannister Wines in Geyserville (bannisterwines.com), where Brook Bannister, a furniture craftsman turned winemaker, and Morgania Moore, a jewelry and lighting designer, have created a bohemian-styled art gallery and salon in a 104-year-old former bank.
Sutro Wine Co. hike and tasting, $65. 13301 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg. 707-509-9695, sutrowine.com
Alice Sutro. (Kelsey-Anne Jones)Olga Fernandez of Guerrero Fernandez Winery in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Owners Olga Fernandez and Martin Guerrero have poured their hearts into the homespun tasting room at Guerrero Fernandez Winery in Windsor, where guests can compare Zinfandel from Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. Don’t miss the karaoke nights. gfwines.com
“I Love a Sense of History. What Are Some Classic Destinations?”
Martinelli Winery: For more than 135 years, the Martinelli family has farmed this land, including the famously steep Jackass Hill. Daredevil winegrower Giuseppe Martinelli planted Jackass Hill in 1889 and farmed it with a team of horses for 30 years. From $35. 3360 River Road, Windsor. 707-525-0570, martinelliwinery.com
Buena Vista Winery: California’s first premium winery was founded by Hungarian immigrant Count Agoston Haraszthy in 1857. Don’t miss the plush, Champagne-focused Bubble Lounge. From $35. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma. 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens: The late Jess Jackson bought his first vineyards in 1974. An unwitting mistake that produced a slightly sweet Chardonnay put the winery on the map. These days, a 4-acre organic garden produces rare veggies for in-house pairing menus. From $35. 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. 707-571-8100, kj.com
Gundlach Bundschu Winery: The oldest family-owned winery in the state, GunBun’s Rhinefarm vineyards were first planted in 1858. The Bundschu family is known for coastal Chardonnay and reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, among a dozen different varietals — and for rollicking outdoor concerts in the old redwood barn. Metallica once performed a secret concert here. From $75. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. 707-938-5277, gunbun.com
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery: This downtown Sonoma winery, founded in 1904, was one of the few to operate through Prohibition, producing small amounts of sacramental and medicinal wines. From $50. 389 Fourth St. E., Sonoma. 707-933-3200, sebastiani.com
Iron Horse Vineyards: The family winery began with a vision in the pouring rain back in 1976. Audrey Sterling and her late husband Barry thought the 300 acres of gentle rolling Sebastopol hills looked like Camelot. Today, the small sparkling wine house produces stellar bubbly. From $35. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol. 707-887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com
The Bubble Lounge at Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. (Buena Vista Winery)
AVA Spotlight: Alexander Valley
This is one of Sonoma County’s largest appellations in terms of acres planted, second only to the vast North Sonoma AVA. Located near Geyserville, Alexander Valley is known for fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon that is complex and full bodied, with silky tannins. This distinctive Cab comes courtesy of the region’s warm, dry climate, morning fog, and the moderating influence of the Russian River. Chardonnay, which tends to be on the rich, floral side, also shines here, along with old vine Zinfandel. Get a sense of the region’s best at Stonestreet Wines (below), Hawkes Wine, Hanna and Alexander Valley Vineyards.
Stonestreet Wines.
Taste With a Pro: Katie Madigan, St. Francis Winery
In 2002, Madigan was a 21-year-old intern at St. Francis back when the proverbial light bulb went off and she realized winemaking was her calling.
Two decades later, Madigan is still just as excited about the work she does. She says the winery has a variety of fun tasting experiences, including a pedal trolley tour made famous by Al Roker and friends at a taping with NBC’s Today Show in April 2023. Estate pairings on the patio from chef Peter Janiak use produce from the 2-acre garden.
With out-of-town guests, Madigan also loves visiting Anaba Wines in Sonoma (anabawines.com). “The winery is super dog-friendly, which makes it easy to bring my pup along,” she says. She also enjoys rare Rhone and Italian varietals at Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg (untivineyards.com). “All of its wines are dynamite, and the intimate feel of its tasting room gives the perfect personal touch.”
St. Francis tastings from $35. 100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa. 888-675-9463, stfranciswinery.com
Katie Madigan, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards winemaker (St. Francis Winery & Vineyards)
Top 3 Tastings in Caves
Bella Winery, Healdsburg: In sprawling caves set beneath the gorgeous, century-old Lily Hill vineyard, visitors gather among stacks of barrels as soft light filters in. Small-production lots of Zinfandel are the draw. From $30. 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-473-9171, bellawinery.com
Deerfield Ranch Winery, Kenwood: Feel like part of the harvest action as you cross the outdoor crushpad to reach a quiet tasting room set inside 23,000 square feet of caves. From $35. 10200 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707-833-5215, deerfieldranch.com
Capo Creek Ranch, Healdsburg: Food pairings are led by Mary Roy, a former physician, now Capo’s hospitable winemaker, chef and owner. From $165. 7171 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-608-8448, capocreekranch.com
Whamola wieners at Claypool Cellars in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Pachyderm Station is what Primus guitarist Les Claypool calls his quirky Sebastopol tasting room decorated with concert posters and an old-timey bar. Homey? Yes. Weird in the best kind of way? Also, yes. Fridays through Sundays, pair the excellent site-specific Pinot Noirs with fancy hot dogs from Claypool’s own Whamola Wieners. purplepachyderm.com
At The Barlow in Sebastopol, Pax Winery & Tasting Room is like a clubhouse for likeminded indie winemakers, led by Syrah and Grenache specialist Pax Mahle. Take a quick peek around back at harvest time to glimpse the busy crush facility he shares with natural wine pioneer Martha Stoumen and rising stars Rosalind Reynolds and Patrick Cappiello. paxwine.com
The Pax Winery tasting room at The Barlow on a Friday afternoon in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/Sonoma Magazine)Golden hour picnic in Antonia’s Garden at Bartholomew Estate Winery. (Michelle Hogan)
Top 3 for a Great Picnic
Lambert Bridge Winery, Healdsburg: Shady tables await on an expansive picnic lawn, with gorgeous views of vineyards and surrounding forests. From $35. 4085 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707- 431-9600, lambertbridge.com
VML Winery, Healdsburg: Chill in the serene Butterfly Garden, a shaded sanctuary tucked next to Dry Creek, as you enjoy single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From $50. 5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-4404, vmlwine.com
Bartholomew Estate Winery, Sonoma: Grab a bottle from the tasting room, then settle in at a picnic table overlooking the vineyard. After, hit the trail at 375-acre Bartholomew Park. From $45. 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma. 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com
“Forget Instagram. I Want All the Prettiest Views in Real Life.”
Paradise Ridge: The second-story veranda is the place to drink in sweeping views of the Russian River Valley and the winery’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture as the sun sets over the vineyards. Paradise found, indeed. From $35. 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa. 707-528-9463, prwinery.com
Scribe Winery: Lush palms meet native ornamental grasses, succulents, roses, and a bountiful culinary garden at Scribe. The landscape’s wild splendor is a fitting accent to the restored hacienda’s “old California” vibe. Tastings for Scribe Viticultural Society members. 2100 Denmark St., Sonoma. 707-939-1858, scribewinery.com
Matanzas Creek Winery: Stunning lavender fields beckon at Matanzas Creek, especially in June, when row upon row of fragrant purple blossoms reach their peak. Book a reservation to visit the terraced gardens and tasting room. From $35. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 707-528-6464, matanzascreek.com
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery: The gardens are stunning any time of year, but for tulip lovers, early spring is the time to visit. Call the winery’s “tulip hotline” to find out when they’re at their colorful best. Tastings start at $40. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-6700, ferraricarano.com
Arista Winery: With a winding gravel pathway, picturesque pond, and harmonious collection of trees, ferns and manicured greenery, the Japanese water garden at Arista is an oasis of serenity for seated sipping. From $30. 7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-473-0606, aristawinery.com
McEvoy Ranch: The 550-acre winery and olive oil operation is tucked away in a hidden, private valley on the Sonoma/ Marin county line near Petaluma. Graceful olive trees are surrounded by extensive plantings of lavender and herbs. 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma. 707778-2307, mcevoyranch.com
Scribe Winery in Sonoma. (Leo Patrone)Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa. (Matanzas Creek Winery)
AVA Spotlight: Sonoma Coast
The Sonoma Coast appellation covers more than 750 square miles, stretching from the Mendocino County border to the San Pablo Bay. While the expansive AVA’s diverse microclimates, soils, elevations, and exposures allow many grape varieties to flourish, it’s best known for cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Set within the broader Sonoma Coast, the West Sonoma Coast AVA covers the farthest western sliver of the county along the Pacific coastline, as well as the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. The region sets itself apart with a cool maritime climate, high elevations and extreme growing conditions. To sample the coast, visit Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery (below) — one of the few West Sonoma Coast wineries with a tasting room within the bounds of the remote region — plus Peay Vineyards, Cobb Wines, Red Car Wine and Hirsch Vineyards.
Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery.
Taste With a Pro: Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, Birdhorse Wines
Rich and Rouse have day jobs as assistant winemakers at Scribe and Bedrock Wine Co., respectively, but the couple still finds time to run their own wine brand, crafting uncommon varietals like Valdiguie and Cinsault. The couple thrill to introducing people to favorites like their Portuguese-style, green pineapple-wet stone Contra Costa Verdelho.
“It’s such a special wine, with so much of the texture and weight of an Old World Chardonnay, but a flavor profile that’s authentically Californian.”
To taste, they invite guests to join their mailing list and attend their release parties, recently hosted at chic Luma Bar & Eatery in Petaluma. Or look for the couple at Preston Farm & Winery, one of their favorite stops, where they treasure bottlings of Barbera, Carignan and Nero d’Avola (prestonfarmandwinery.com). “Their wines are excellent, and the farm is such a beautiful, integrated ecosystem of grapes, animals, other crops, and the natural surroundings. It’s really a gold standard of what farming in Sonoma County can look like.”
Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse of Birdhorse Wines. (Emma K. Creative)Three Sticks Wines tasting room in Sonoma. (Three Sticks Wines)
Custom white papel picado banners flutter in the breeze at the beautifully preserved 1842 Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe in downtown Sonoma, home to Three Sticks Wines, vintner Bill Price’s award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house. Not to be missed. threestickswines.com
Learn the art of sabrage — using the blunt edge of a sword to open a bottle of sparkling wine — at Healdsburg favorite Breathless Wines. After you learn to open the bottle, you get to drink it. breathlesswines.com
At Breathless Wines in Healdsburg. (Jeremy Portje/For Sonoma Magazine)
Top 3 for High-End Design
Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma: This hilltop destination in the Carneros gives off Belgian country vibes and was designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, a member of Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame. ramsgatewinery.com
Reeve Wines, Healdsburg: Noah and Kelly Dorrance cofounded Healdsburg’s Banshee Wines in 2009, and Reeve, named for their son, is one of the couple’s two spin-off projects after Banshee. Kelly also runs a Healdsburg antique shop, and the tasting lounge here is decorated with her gorgeous finds. Events hosted here benefit Everytown for Gun Safety. reevewines.com
The Marine Layer tasting room in Healdsburg. (Gretchen Gause)The bathroom at the Marine Layer tasting room in Healdsburg. (Gretchen Gause)
Taste With a Pro: William Allen, Two Shepherds
The Two Shepherds winery is low on glamour, says Allen, but rich in uncommon grape varieties. “You will often get to taste some really unusual things, like our Grenache Blanc, which we make as a normal white and as an orange wine,” he says. “Or we have a carbonic Carignan versus a regular Carignan, so we can show you the different expressions.”
When friends ask for winery recommendations, Allen often sends them to the wonderfully laid-back Ryme Cellars in Forestville (rymecellars.com). “I love Megan and Ryan Glaab,” he says. “They make unusual varieties and their wines are super-awesome. They just have really fun, clean, interesting things that you’re not going to find in a lot of places, and it’s super-upbeat.” Two Shepherds Winery, tastings from $20. 7763 Bell Road, Windsor. 415-613-5731, twoshepherds.com
“I Want to Support Sustainable and Regenerative Farming.”
Medlock Ames Winery: Co-founder Ames Morison is an industry thought leader in sustainability planning and new trends in organic viticulture. A sound-immersion tour ($75) of their Bell Mountain Ranch property is an introduction to his approach. From $65. 13414 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-8845, medlockames.com
Hanzell Vineyards: Award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are created here in balance with organic vegetable gardens and orchards. Ducks and chickens wander the vineyards and a herd of fire-suppression pigs (yes, pigs!) loosen soils and tramp down overgrowth. $65. 18596 Lomita Ave., Sonoma. 707-996-3860, hanzell.com
Benziger Family: Winery Mike Benziger is a leader in biodynamic grapegrowing, a holistic method attuned to building the strength of the soil. On a tram tour into the vineyards ($35), learn about biodynamics and see the farm’s insectary gardens. From $75. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. 888-490-2739, benziger.com
Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs: The solar-powered winery is made of straw bales plastered over with vineyard clay, an insulated design that stays cool in summer and warm in winter. The estate Zinfandel vines are more than 115 years old and have thrived after the changeover to organic practices. From $30. 650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-7721, ridgewine.com
DeLoach Vineyards: The estate has been farmed biodynamic ally since 2009, and tasting room guests are invited to tour the “Theater of Nature,” as they call it — a wander through 20 acres of culinary gardens and vineyards. From $35. 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa. 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com
Quivira Vineyards: Want to talk green? Ask about the epic 500-yard compost pile that nourishes the gardens and fields. Quivira is a model of integrated, diversified farming with organic vegetables, flowers, and livestock among the grapes. From $35. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com
Medlock Ames in Healdsburg. (Kim Carroll/For Sonoma Magazine)Medlock Ames in Healdsburg. (Kim Carroll/For Sonoma Magazine)
AVA Spotlight: Dry Creek Valley
Zinfandel lovers make a pilgrimage to Dry Creek to taste this inky, feisty varietal, which thrives on the long, full days of abundant sunshine tempered by cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. In addition to Zin, other varieties that grow well there include Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache.
The indomitable Dave Stare of Dry Creek Vineyard helped shape the course of the valley and establish it as an AVA. The Nalle family of Nalle Winery are Dry Creek pioneers who farm 100-year-old Zinfandel ines. Several families have wineries that go back generations here: A. Rafanelli Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Rochioli Vineyards & Winery and Pedroncelli. And don’t miss the views from the tasting room at Cast Wines, which span nearly the entire valley.
Taste With a Pro: James McCeney, Patz & Hall Winery
The winemaker joined the P&H team in May 2023 and enjoys popping out of the cellar to greet guests and share what drew him to the storied winery, founded in 1988.
“One of the things that makes Patz & Hall so special is our deep relationship with our growers,” he says. “Throughout our tasting room, we proudly display images of these farming families.” He also gets a kick out of sharing secret treasure vineyards. “If you enjoy our Zio Tony Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, this makes you a true insider — it’s a New World mirror of a Premier Cru Chablis with a mouthwatering taught, crystalline acidity.”
If not hosting at the P&H Sonoma tasting room, he often takes friends to Domaine Cameras (domainecarneros.com). “I live just over the county line in Napa, off Old Sonoma Road, so it’s a great spot for sparkling wine made from Sonoma Carneros grapes.”
Patz & Hall Winery, 21200 Eighth St. E., Sonoma. 707-265-7700, patzhall.com
No Car Needed: Downtown Healdsburg
Healdsburg’s compact downtown, organized around a central plaza like several other local wine towns, is another spot to wander all day without starting up the car.
A tasting at Matt and Sara Licklider’s Lioco Winery is like a visit to your coolest friend’s even cooler house, with interesting light fixtures and art prints on the wall. Record player aside — yes, there’s that, too — they’re known for stellar Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Carignan with an emphasis on older vines, unique soil types and heritage clones.
On North Street, BloodRoot Wines hosts vinyl record spin sessions and pét-nat and pupusas nights. Alan Baker of Cartograph Wines worked in public radio production in Minnesota for decades before realizing his winemaking dream with wife Serena Lourie.
And Centennial Mountain (formerly Aeris, for the Latin word for air or climate), celebrates founder Kevin Harvey’s love of Piemontese varieties, including Carricante, an aromatic white grape that grows beautifully on Sonoma’s Centennial Mountain Vineyard. It’s believed to be one of the only plantings of the rare variety in the state.
Bedrock Wine Co. tasting room in Sonoma. (Bedrock Wine Co.)
The intrigue of Bedrock Wine Co. lies in complex, character-driven wines from historic vineyards over a century old. Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson’s Sonoma tasting room occupies the 1852 home of Civil War general “Fighting Joe” Hooker — a coincidence given that Twain-Peterson also farms Hooker’s 130-year-old vineyard just outside town. From $45. 414 First St. E., Sonoma. 707-343-1478, bedrockwineco.com
Trail runners and mountain bikers can purchase a oneday pass to access vineyard trails with gorgeous views at Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards outside Windsor. A 350-acre wildlife preserve surrounds the vineyard blocks. notrevueestate.com
Idlewild Wines, Healdsburg: Owner Sam Bilbro loves Italian Piedmont wines, so that’s what he makes, in a rainbow array of single varietal masterpieces, including jasmine tea-white peach Arneis and tart strawberry-violet Freisa.idlewildwines.com
Old World Winery, Fulton: Celebrating natural, biodynamic wine, owner Darek Trowbridge adds nothing to his juice except a minimal amount of protective sulfur. Focusing on field blends from 120-year-old vineyards, he crafts very rare varietals such as Muscadelle, Trousseau Gris, Palomino and Mondeuse Noire. oldworldwinery.com
Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Santa Rosa: Owners Frane and Janae Franicevic cultivate a global snapshot of four dozen- plus wines, including rare Lagrein, Negroamaro, Rosa del Peru and Trincadeira varietals. suncewinery.com
By the team of Tina Caputo, Sarah Doyle, Imane Hanine, Heather Irwin, Peg Melnik, Abigail Peterson and Carey Sweet.
Teen Rodeo Champions Andres Puentes, 16, left, and Paula Puentes 12, at their family ranch in Napa, Calif. May 15, 2025
(Photo: Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Charrería is the national sport of Mexico — and a family tradition for Sonoma winemakers Juan and Miriam Puentes. Loosely translated as “horsemanship,” charrería predates the American rodeo and traces its roots to the 1600s, when Spanish conquistadors introduced horses, cattle, and ranching culture to Mexico.
“These were tricks and other things that they would use to handle cattle back in the haciendas,” Juan says of skills like roping, horse handling, and riding bareback on a wild mare. “They would say, ‘Oh, I bet you my guys are better than your guys.’ Friendly fun turned into a sport.”
The Puenteses’ award-winning charrería team, Charros de Honrama, includes not only Juan, 45, but also his son Andres, 16, and his daughter Paula, 12. Together they’ve won numerous competitions at the state and national levels, as well as in Mexico.
The Puentes family also runs Honrama Cellars in Sonoma, their wine labels adorned with charrería iconography. “In our culture, wine is not a common beverage,” Juan says. “It’s a very unique brand.” The winery will host a Dia del Charro celebration on Sept. 13. honramacellars.com
Teen charrería champions Andres Puentes, 16, left, and Paula Puentes, 12, at their family ranch in Napa, May 15, 2025. (Erik Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
A busy schedule
We practice Tuesdays and Thursdays and ride every weekend. We’ll ride everything from little rodeos to massive events, and we take every competition just as seriously. We travel with two horse trailers, about 16 horses. This year we’ll go to Colorado, Texas, Arizona, L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas. We got invited to a competition in Washington. Every weekend we’re booked.
Dressing the part
I’m very proud when I dress the part. All of our gear has to be traditionally made. We can’t wear an American buckle, we can’t wear an American belt. I can’t wear Wranglers underneath my chaps. It has to be a charro pant. We have people make all of our clothes, the chaps, the saddles. And then the coolest part is the guy who makes the hats.
Los caballos
Part of the success our team has had is because of our four-legged friends. You can have the best charros, but if you don’t have them on good horses, they’re not gonna do anything. We have a very special horse named Chucho. He’s famous in the charrería world. It’s just one of those horses that is born one in a million. He’s a Seabiscuit, a Secretariat.
Juan Puentes performs charrería, Mexican rodeo, at his family’s barn in American Canyon, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
A successful pairing
If it wasn’t for charrería, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are in winemaking. Charrería is our hobby, but after riding that weekend, we come back on Monday in a good mood. My wife runs the tasting room, and I’m in charge of winemaking and production. They’re very similar passions. Being able to make wine with amazing grapes, it’s fun. We love what we do.
