The official Oscars after party, the Governors Ball, is about to get a taste of Sonoma.
Following the awards ceremony on March 4, celebrities will be toasting their wins (or drinking away their losses) with wines from acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s Sonoma County wine brand. Coppola has won six Oscars himself, some of which are on display at his Geyserville winery.
“The Academy Awards is a ceremony that honors daring, fearless, innovative storytelling, and in that tradition, we have developed two exquisite Director’s Cut wines that reflect innovative excellence,” says the winery’s CEO, Corey Beck.
The first wine is the Oscars 90th Edition 2016 Chardonnay, which is a single-vineyard chardonnay from Gail Ann’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vineyard is located at Dutton Ranch, a property known for producing world-class pinot noir and chardonnay.
The second wine is the Oscars 90th Edition Cabernet Sauvignon, made from grapes grown just steps from the winery itself, in Alexander Valley.
They’ll also be serving other Francis Ford Coppola Winery vino at the Oscars party, including Director’s Cut Sauvignon Blanc, Director’s Cut Chardonnay, Francis Coppola Reserve Pinot Noir and Archimedes, a red blend.
According to the winery, they’ll serve 2,400 bottles of wine and over 14,000 glasses. That’s a lot of tipsy celebrities.
While we humble masses won’t be able to acquire the two limited edition Director’s Cut wines, the winery has produced a single vineyard malbec, 2014 Final Cut, with a cool interactive label.
Crowdsourcing restaurant review site Yelp has revealed the top 25 wine bars in the U.S., based on votes by Yelp reviewers. Coming in on #8 is Sigh, a champagne bar in the town of Sonoma.
Sigh, owned by Sonoma local Jayme Powers, was the first bar to specialize in sparkling wine and champagne in Northern California and remains the only one of its kind in the region, outside of San Francisco.
The bubbles bar posted on Facebook saying they’re “incredibly proud” to have made the Yelp list.
Sigh has 125 reviews on Yelp and a five star rating. According to Sigh’s website, the bar is named after “the sound of the cork escaping from a bottle of Champagne,” which “should mimic the SIGH of a contented woman.”
Sigh reopened in mid-2017 after a relocation to a new space in downtown Sonoma. The wine bar has garnered the attention of locals and visitors, who flock to the stylish space. With its cream and light pink shades, fluffy pillows and expansive marble bar, the interior design makes you feel as if you’re inside a bottle of blanc de blancs. Yelpers call it “beautiful,” “tasteful,” and “a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.”
Yelpers also praise the service, describing the staff as “great and so personable,” and of course the bubble selection, which includes big names (Dom Perignon, of course), independent producers, and local favorites (Gloria Ferrer, Iron Horse Vineyards).
Sigh is located at 120 W. Napa St., Sonoma. (707) 996-2444. sighsonoma.com.
One of the hippest and happening wine brands in Sonoma County, Banshee Wines, has entered into a “strategic partnership” (take that as you will) with “big wine” company Foley Family Wines.
Banshee Wines, which was founded in 2010, has a bohemian-inspired tasting room in the heart of downtown Healdsburg, where they pour boutique pinot noir and chardonnay, as well as a rosé (which we named one of our favorites of 2017).
The “strategic partnership” includes not only Banshee, but Rickshaw Wines, a second label of Banshee specializing in sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon from sustainable vineyards.
A potential partnership had been part of Banshee’s business strategy, according to Banshee CEO Baron Ziegler. “We knew that if we were successful, we would eventually need to align ourselves with a strategic partner who could help us grow beyond the amazing foundation that we established with our small, core team.”
Foley Family Wines was founded in 1995 by Bill Foley, a billionaire who made his fortune in the title insurance industry. The company owns over 20 wineries in California, Washington, Oregon and New Zealand. Sonoma County wineries owned by Foley include Chalk Hill and the historic Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery.
Two big things come out of the partnership for Banshee: the Healdsburg winery will be able to use grapes from Foley vineyards in California and they’ll have the distribution and sales power that Foley offers.
Ziegler and the rest of the Banshee team will “retain continued interest and ownership” in Banshee and Rickshaw.
From old vine rieslings to cool climate syrahs, there is no shortage of mind-blowing wines to taste in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino. But it is not just the wine that makes a wine tasting stand out, the tasting experience also counts. We went in search of the exceptional and lined up a selection of wine tasting experiences to try right now. From train rides to fine art exhibits to drinking in the winery owner’s house, click through the gallery above for all the details.
Sonoma County is full of hidden gems and local spots, but some of the best spots come with long lines. A prime example is the hours-long lines for Pliny the Younger. Click through the gallery above for 20 things in Sonoma County that are worth the wait.
Tamarind cocktail, chips and salsa trio at Cascabel Mexican restaurant and grill in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
The gentle perfume of cinnamon, orange, and warm milk hangs like a halo around a bowl of arroz con leche, or Mexican rice pudding. Light streams in from the window as the scent drifts upward and using a soup spoon, I start fanning the bouquet toward my face, inhaling deeply. It’s a seminal food moment, captured forever in my memory, angels singing and birds chirping. Until I get a little too excited about the whole thing and splatter the warm rice on my face and clumsily lose my grip on the spoon. The bartender pretends not to notice, but clearly I cannot be taken anywhere.
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about Cascabel, the newest addition to Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village restaurant lineup. Though just a few weeks old, there are already several menu standouts at this casual tequila bar and grill, including a sweet-and-savory Oaxacan mole, meltingly soft barbacoa, spicy shrimp ceviche and homey arroz con leche.
Cocoya salad at Cascabel Mexican restaurant and grill in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
Owners Maher and Tareq Fakhouri, who also run several Bay Area Crepevine restaurants(including the one at Montgomery Village) and other San Francisco ethnic eateries are a constant presence in the dining room, bringing guests chips and a trio of salsas — from mild, to hair-on-fire serrano — and overseeing the kitchen where Chef Caesar Vasques keeps dishes as authentic as possible. Problem is, most of us gringos aren’t quite as enthusiastic about his authentic/ liberal use of hot peppers, so searingly hot dishes like Aguachile ($14) have dropped a few thousand points on the Scoville scale since opening.
Our waitress laughs uncomfortably on our first visit when I complain that, holy habanero, my face is on fire. “We keep telling the chef,” she smiles as I dab my eyes. The message has gotten through, and a little sinus tingle is as mouth-searing as the dishes get. If you’re a fan of having your lips melted, however, Vasques will be more than happy to help you.
Of course, you can also just stick your face into a warm dish of arroz con leche should things get too intense. They call it comfort food for a reason, right?
Best Bets
Barbacoa Pancakes ($10): Cascabel uses a low-temp sous vide technique to slow cook meats overnight, then a pan fry to caramelize and crisp. In the case of barbacoa, the sweet shredded beef is butter-soft, but propped up with an intense mole sauce that commands respect. Piled atop a soft potato latke with crema and red onion, it’s a menu favorite.
Chicken Tinga Enchiladas with Mole Poblano ($13): The last time I ate an enchilada, Carter was in office, so they’re not exactly a go-to for me. Usually bland and over-sauced, enchiladas have gotten a bad wrap — literally. Cascabel’s version stars corn tortillas filled with moist chipotle-spiced chicken, then covered with their sweet-savory mole sauce, crema and onions. Paired with cilantro rice and beans, it’s a hearty meal.
Conchinita Piblil ($18): This classic braised pork dish with achiote paste and habanero peppers will have your taste buds standing at strict attention. Flavors of orange, cumin, cloves, and garlic make this a special dish that’s not always easy to find.
Cocoyoc Salad ($13): Achiote marinated chicken with pineapple relish, red onion, toasted pumpkin seeds and a pumpkin seed-serrano chili vinaigrette. A lighter way to enjoy the intense flavors of Cascabel in more calorically-virtuous way.
Cascabel Fries ($6): Fries mixed with jalapeno jelly, queso fresca, and cilantro. Why has no one thought of this before?
Arroz con Leche ($10): I feel sad for you if you don’t love this. Because any sane person would.
Coconut Cheese Flan ($10): Flan, meet cheesecake. Topped with citrus caramel and toasted coconut, you’ll have a fork war for the last bite.
Arroz con leche at Cascabel Mexican restaurant and grill in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
Tamarindo Cocktail ($10): I was going to tell you how much I loved the white wine sangria, but I fear you might lose respect for my discerning palate. I also won’t mention how much I also like blended margaritas and pina coladas. Instead, I’ll tell you about the Tamarindo, a more respectable cocktail with a stiff pour of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, tart tamarind syrup, and lemon juice.
Happy hour 3 to 5 p.m. daily, plus two pages of tequilas, beer and wine.
Bean and cheese tamales at Tamales Mana. Heather Irwin/PD
There are two types of tamales you never forget–a really bad one and a truly excellent one. Tamales Maná, which recently opened their first brick and mortar store serves the latter. I make the former.
Manuel Morales, his wife Lucina and her mother have been making them for more than a decade, perfecting the recipe of cornmeal dough filled with pork, chicken, jalapenos, cheese, beans and even sweet raisins or pineapple. It’s a family recipe, like most tamale recipes, passed down for generations in Mexico and Latin America. Tamale fans may already know them from the Tamales Maná carts that still operate in Roseland, just off Dutton and their former location at the Grocery Outlet on Fourth St. in Santa Rosa. Yeah, that tamale cart.
Manuel and Lucina Morales of Tamales Mana in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
The secret to their “tamales from heaven” (the literal translation of Tamales Maná)? No manteca (pork lard) and nothing from cans. “Everything is from scratch. Other people may use cans, but the only cans we have here are for soda,” said Manuel. At least I think that’s what he said. My notes are covered with salsa and crema fingerprints. Instead of lard, the Morales use soybean oil to thicken the cornmeal. “Americans are afraid of lard,” he said.
Not these tamales, silly.
The result is a less greasy, less dry tamale that doesn’t require three bottles of Mexican Coke and a tamarindo to get down. Steamed in corn husks, his tamales come in eight flavors: Peurco Rojo (pork in red sauce), bean and cheese, Pollo Verde (chicken in green sauce), jalapeno and cheese, Mole chicken, Dulce Pina (sweet pineapple) and Dulce Pasas (sweet raisin) and vegetable and cheese. Mole chicken and the raisin version are my personal favorites. With extra salsa (they make fresh) and crema. Americans do love their crema.
Manuel making tamales at Tamales Mana in Santa Rosa. Heather Irwin/PD
More than a holiday tradition, these everyday tamales are less than $2.50 a piece. Morales sells the tamales at the Dutton Plaza cart (443 Dutton Ave.) for $2 each.Tamales Maná(1110 Petaluma Hill Road) tamales sell for $2.35. You can get a plate of three tamales, beans and rice for under $10. Manny speaks great English if your Espanol is a little rusty, and welcomes anyone wanting to try his tamales with open arms. (We saw someone from Guys Grocery Games taking several tamales to go — just sayin’)
Don’t expect to pick up tamales for dinner, however. Tamales Maná is open from 6a.m. to 2p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. You can get day-old tamales half-price if they have any left.
Craving tamales yet? Tamales Maná is at 1110 Petaluma Hill Road, 707-595-5742.
The recreational dilemmas of living in scenic Sonoma County are numerous: so many beautiful nearby places to run-off to for the weekend, and so little time. If you’re headed for a stay in the mountains, on the coast or by the vineyard, make sure you’re stylishly equipped for your adventures. Click through the above gallery for details.
Style is alive and well in Sonoma menswear shops, and many of these picks are made or distributed here on the west coast. Style is not the only aim of these lines, but integrity of materials and production. These finds are all available at unique stores in Sonoma County. Click through the above gallery for more details.
Nature is the best designer of all, so bringing stones inside to decorate your home is a solid choice. Whether you choose the stunning decorative quality of a large piece or you hold onto smaller specimens hoping to experience the healing properties many believe stones possess, stones have a naturally powerful presence. Sonoma has some options to rock your shopping. Click through the above gallery for details.
