Kendall Jackson 20th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival
After 20 years of celebrating summer tomatoes, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens is scrapping its annual Heirloom Tomato Fest. But take heart, solanum lycopersicum enthusiasts, because the Fulton winery is replacing it with their new Harvest Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 1, which will of course include plenty of tomatoes.
The reimagined event will have a broader focus on the variety of produce grown at the estate by former French Laundry farmer Tucker Taylor, along with educational seminars on everything from bee hives to cheese and barrel making, chef demonstrations, wine tasting, outdoor painting and live music.
Organizers say they wanted to create a more intimate experience that captures the bounty of the harvest. Over the last decade, about 2,500 were permitted to attend each of the Heirloom Tomato Festivals, according to county records. Around 800 are expected for the new event, say insiders.
“After 20 years of hosting the Heirloom Tomato Festival each fall, we thought it was time for a change. We wanted to create a more intimate experience…that captures the bounty of harvest, while still indulging our love for tomatoes,” organizers explained.
Tickets for the event, which runs from 11a.m. to 3p.m. are $125 per person, and proceeds will benefit the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County.
Want to try the bounty of K-J in an even more exclusive setting? We love the monthly Farm to Table Dinners, happening July 8 (salmon and Ccalamari), August 12 (fowl and heirloom pork), Sept. 9 (heirloom tomatoes and local beef) and Oct. 14 (oysters and steak). Tickets are $175 per person and includes an appetizer reception in the gardens, family-style dinner and plenty of wine. Details at kj.com.
Laine Ayre of the Bodega Food Truck at The Block in Petaluma. Heather Irwin/PD
On a brutally hot night in June, when the thought of turning on an oven seems almost cruel, the lines at The Block are snaking into the parking lot. Petaluma’s new food truck mecca opened in May, building steam with an ever-revolving lineup of culinary characters, from grilled cheese and fried chicken to burgers, tacos and ramen. And now, everyone wants a taste. Thankfully, there’s plenty of craft beer on tap to make the wait a bit more convivial.
The Block (20 Grey St., Petaluma) is Sonoma County’s first permanent location for the region’s growing fleet of mobile kitchens. But that’s not the only place you’ll find them.
From summer concerts and festivals to farm markets, taprooms, wineries and weddings, the North Bay is finally embracing the more than 40 food truck vendors that have hit the roads of Sonoma County since 2011.
Despite early pushback by brick and mortar restaurants, who were concerned about competition, creative trucksters have found their sweet spot by showing up where traditional restaurants and caterers don’t dare to go. And though more than a few of the early trucks have been permanently parked (RIP Street Eatz, Awful Falafel and Seed to Go), a new wave of eager cooks are hitting the roads to bring food directly to your face.
Click through the gallery above for a list of all the Sonoma County-based trucks we could gather — though we know there are likely a few we’ve missed (so email us!). Note that locations often change from week to week, and if your heart is set on a specific truck, it’s best to find them online for updated event schedules. We’ve included Facebook handles for trucks that have info online, as well as acronyms for the many farm markets around the county. Most trucks are available for private events. A final note: For this story we have only included trucks that have regular public stops, leaving out private caterers and food stands.
Other trucks not based in Sonoma County, but frequently found in the North Bay include Drums and Crumbs, Fabulous Frickle Brothers, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, and Tuck Box.
As if seasonal allergies weren’t bad enough in and of themselves, they can also make wine drinking less enjoyable. If you’ve noticed you’ve been sneezing more after a glass of springtime pinot, histamine and sulfites, found in wine, can be to blame as they exacerbate seasonal allergies. Both chemicals are also found in beer, spirits and some foods. Red wines are the biggest culprits when it comes to histamines, having between 60 to 3,800 micrograms per glass versus white wine, which has between 3 and 120.
But all hope is not lost. There are still plenty of delicious adult beverages to enjoy during allergy season.
Wine drinkers should seek out white wines and wines that don’t have any additional sulfites added to them. The latter are often made by organic and biodynamic wine producers. My picks for this summer:
When it comes to spirits, stick to tequila, vodka and gin. They’re lower in histamine than other liquors. For vodka, stick to the plain types, as flavored vodkas can have higher histamine levels. If you want to drink local, grab these three for your liquor cabinet:
D. George Benham’s Sonoma Dry Gin is made in Graton and has a complex botanical nose of flowers and earthiness and a unique peppery flavor.
Pasote Blanco Tequila is produced by Sonoma-based 3 Badge Beverage in Jalisco, Mexico. It’s smooth, clean and has a bit of citrus at the start. Tasty enough to be enjoyed on its own.
Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka Original is small batch and made from local grapes. It’s not only organic, but also non-GMO and gluten free. It’s savory and smooth.
Beer, brown liquor, and ciders are high in histamines and sulfites, so stick to natural wines and clear liquors. However, if you want to feel your best and avoid triggering your allergies, take a break from the booze for a few months until your allergies subside.
Black car, limousine, or party van? When it comes to Napa and Sonoma wine tours, the choices can seem a little limited. While these options do allow you to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving while you do the drinking, do you really want to experience Wine Country through the tinted windows of a stretch hummer? Thankfully, there are some fun alternatives! From romantic carriage escapades to vintage Volkswagen rides, we’ve lined up some of our favorite Sonoma and Napa wine tours in the gallery above.
Annadel State Park supporters attend a benefit breakfast at the new Lakeside Grill by the Spring Lake Regional Park swimming lagoon in Santa Rosa, on Sunday, July 1, 2012. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)
Summer came to Spring Lake swimming lagoon weeks ago, as kids and parents flocked to the new play area to beat the unseasonal heat. But if you wanted a cool drink or a hot dog at the nearby concession stand, no luck.
Since restaurateur Nino Rabbaa closed his Spring Lake Grill last year, the walk-up cafe and patio has been tightly shuttered—which wasn’t a real problem until the water park reopened in late May. Folks have been asking Biteclub continuously if there would be a new restaurant in the space for 2017, and the answer, finally, is yes.
A Walnut Creek company, Sycamore Concessions Corporation, has been awarded the regional parks contract to operate the eatery. The business operates food concessions at a number of Northern California parks. Officials for Sonoma County Regional Parks say Sycamore’s was the only proposal submitted.
A sample menu shows a very kid-friendly and economical lineup of sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, simple salads, fries, fruit and veggie snacks (oh, we like the strawberry shortcake kabobs), ice cream, yogurt parfaits, and smoothies. Farm-to-table fare it is not, but at a water park do you really want $12 avocado toast and oysters with mignonette for the kiddos?
Opening dates are still in flux, waiting for health permits from the county, but should be soon.
West Sonoma County – or simply West County to locals – is one of the most beautiful rural areas of the North Bay. From farm to ocean, the area west of Highway 101 offers boutique and luxury wineries producing highly coveted wines in settings that inspire a deep admiration for nature and an appreciation for the craft of winemaking. Check out the gallery above to discover five wineries in West Sonoma County to visit right now.
Every year AAA sends some 60,000 anonymous hotel inspectors to hotels across the country to find out which lodgings are most deserving of its highly anticipated Diamond awards. Diamonds are diligently assigned based on a variety of factors such as facilities, amenities, cleanliness, and comfort – out of the 28,000 hotels reviewed, only 2.1 percent have a Four Diamond rating.
Wine Country is certainly known for its world-class wineries, but what about its hotels? Click through the gallery above to see the AAA inspectors’ favorite diamond-rated hotels in Sonoma and Napa.
For the past 15 years, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has polled readers of Zymurgy magazine (a publication by AHA) to compile the annual cult list “Best Beers in America.” For the last eight of those fifteen years, Pliny the Elder from Santa Rosa’s Russian River Brewing Company (RRBC) has been voted the number one beer in America.
This year, however, a Michigan beer has managed to impress the 4,000 voters enough to knock Pliny into second place. Two Hearted Ale from Bell’s Brewery in Galesburg, MI, took the top spot on AHA’s 2017 list. The Michigan brew had been voted the number two brew for the last two years and, this year, Bell’s Brewery also made the number five spot with Hopslam, a triple IPA that is now available in cans.
Bell’s founder Larry Bell started as a homebrewer in the 1970’s in the Michigan town of Kalamazoo. In 2001, the company expanded and built a new brewery and larger production facility in Comstock, MI. Since then, the brewery has increased distribution, including California in 2015, making Bell’s beers readily available to beer drinkers across the U.S.
Russian River brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo first brewed Pliny the Elder in 2000, for the first double IPA festival in Hayward, CA. The beer, brewed with Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ and Simcoe Hops, is named after Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher Pliny the Elder – the uncle of Pliny the Younger). The beer is sold at the Santa Rosa brewpub, both on draft and by the bottle and is produced in limited quantities. Because of the limited production, the beer is only available for purchase in select states and cities including California, Philadelphia, PA, Colorado and Oregon. Pliny the Elder is smooth, clean and well balanced with floral aromas and notes of pine and citrus.
Here are the top 10 beers in America, according to AHA (the “T” indicates a tie):
1. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale (Comstock, MI)
2. Russian River Pliny the Elder (Santa Rosa, CA)
3. Founders Breakfast Stout (Grand Rapids, MI)
4. Three Floyds Zombie Dust (Munster, IN)
5. Bell’s Hopslam (Comstock, MI)
6. T6. Founders KBS, Kentucky Breakfast Stout (Grand Rapids, MI)
7. T6. The Alchemist Heady Topper (Stowe, VT)
8. T8. Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA (Bend, OR)
9. T8. Sierra Nevada Celebration (Chico, CA)
10. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (San Diego, CA)
To see the full Best Beers in America list, click here.
When you’re out on a first date, you want to shake things up a little. Sure, you could always do dinner at the latest farm-to-fork restaurant or sample craft cocktails at a hip Healdsburg bar, but really, where’s the fun in that? To create that special spark, show your date some originality and that you’re different – Santa Rosa serves up a selection of unique activities that are sure to make a lasting impression. (We’ve also added two rambunctious Rohnert Park options)
A couple takes on the dance floor at Ellington Hall in Santa Rosa. (Charlie Gesell)
Friday Night Swing at Ellington Hall
Ellington Hall hosts swell swing parties on Fridays, suitable for novices and veteran dancers alike. This is an opportunity to dress up – and then tear up the dance floor! Oh wait…what’s that? You’ve never swing danced before? Don’t worry, shortly before they open up the dance floor for the swing dance session, they teach a beginners course. At $10 a piece, you’re getting a lot of fun for your buck.
535 Industrial Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 545-6150, ellingtonhall.com
DJ Trivia Night at Third Street Aleworks
On Wednesdays, Third Street Aleworks puts on a trivia night that will allow you to showcase your knowledge – or put your two pretty heads together. The trivia consists of a variety of categories and gives players the chance to compete for a myriad of prizes. The hosts are funny and charismatic, which adds some charm to the night. And there’s more on tap than just trivia, including a great selection of local brews and fantastic food (order the BBQ burger, you won’t regret it). The food is fairly priced and there’s no fee if you only want to participate in the trivia. A Wednesday night visit is basically a no-brainer – but don’t forget to switch it on for the trivia!
Ice skating offers a sweet setting for your date. (stock photo)
Redwood Empire Ice Arena
Looking for an excuse to hold hands and enjoy each other’s company? Go ice skating! The Redwood Empire Ice Arena – or Snoopy’s Home Ice – offers a sweet setting for your date. If neither of you know how to skate, don’t worry, they offer lessons to help you hit the ice. And don’t forget to bring some hot cocoa.
1667 W Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 546-7147, snoopyshomeice.com
Shuffle’s Magical Ice Cream Shoppe
Shuffle’s Ice Cream is unlike any experience you’ve ever had at an ice cream shop. Yes, they offer 40+ flavors of delicious ice cream (shoutout to Apple Pie Crumble), but the real reason this is a great date night option is because they offer magic shows throughout the week. Magicians put on small sets as people enjoy their ice cream, and they also have a magic shop for people to browse. This is all the sweet magic you need for a special date.
Safari West
If you want to go all out and spend a few hundred dollars, Safari West is a good first date investment. Locally known as the Sonoma Serengeti, a visit to this wildlife preserve is an authentic African adventure. Guests can explore 400 acres on outback vehicles and encounter herds of exotic wildlife ranging from giraffes to rhinos. Date going well? Spend the night “glamping” in a luxury tent.
3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, (707) 579-2551, safariwest.com
Date going well? Spend the night “glamping” in a luxury Safari West tent. (Photo courtesy of Hotels.com)
Two Rohnert Park options…
Mini-Golf at Scandia
Thought miniature golf was just for kids and retired people? Think again. This activity can be one of the most romantic dates ever. How? Because it can be incredibly intimate at times, offering the opportunity to playfully embrace and joke around in attempts to better the game. Scandia offers two 18 hole courses, featuring ponds, fountains and a variety of obstacles, best enjoyed on a starry night.
5301 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, (707) 584-1398, scandiafunland.com
Driven Raceway
Go-karting might seem an unorthodox choice for a first date, but there’s nothing more exciting than getting the adrenaline going at high octane speeds. Driven Raceway in Rohnert Park bills itself as Northern California’s premiere indoor kart racing facility, with Italian-built electric kars that are fine tuned for quicker acceleration than gas powered karts. They supply the helmet, race suit and instructions – everything you need to get your hearts pumping.
4601 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, (707) 585-3748, drivenraceway.com
The runways have spoken. Floral patterns are back (again) and bringing colorful life to summer wear this year. Florals have been hot or not in waves since…forever, and 2017 is experiencing another hot spot. Sonoma County stores have a crop of gorgeous modern updates to this classic, ever-renewing favorite. Click through the gallery above for all the details.
