This circa-1920s residence in Petaluma is currently listed for sale. With three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms plus a guest cottage, the dwelling is currently listed for $3,395,000.(Robert Vente / Open Homes Photography)
In Petaluma’s historic district, a swoon-worthy antique home is coming soon to the real estate market. The circa-1920s residence on D Street enjoys fabulously ornamented style with modern upgrades. With three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and an adjacent guest cottage, the dwelling is currently listed for $3,395,000.
Traditional details include an iron gate, a coffered arched entrance, a marble fireplace, a claw-foot tub, 10-foot ceilings and large windows. The century-old home also includes a modernized electrical system, a furnace with air conditioning, new windows and a new roof. The bricks have been repointed, too.
Kitchen. (Robert Vente / Open Homes Photography)Bathroom. (Robert Vente / Open Homes Photography)
The kitchen has a sharp, black-and-white aesthetic with marble countertops and white cabinets contrasted by black handles and a black La Cornue range. The black and white aesthetic continues to the staircase and into the main bathroom upstairs.
A wall of windows in the dining room overlooks the lush backyard. The traditional style is echoed there, too, with a brick patio, large lawn and English garden-style plantings of espalier trees, hedges and roses.
For more information on this home at 853 D St., Petaluma, contact listing agent Robert J. Rapp, Compass Real Estate, 127 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-695-9542, robertjrapp.com
Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Unti Vineyards)
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are Sonoma County’s claims to fame, but with the region’s vast acreage and diverse microclimates, it’s also a terrific place to grow dozens of other wine grapes. At Unti Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, visitors can explore wines made from a multitude of interesting varieties more commonly found in Italy and southern France.
The story
When George Unti purchased land in Dry Creek Valley in the early ‘90s, he didn’t intend to start a winery. The property did include some Syrah and Zinfandel vines, though, and George’s son Mick happened to work as a national sales manager for Kendall-Jackson.
The father-son duo started making wine together for fun, and after a few vintages as home winemakers, they launched Unti Vineyards in 1997.
Left to right, Mick and George Unti of Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Unti Vineyards)
The following year, the Untis bought a new property just north of the original Healdsburg site and started planting. As avid fans of wines from Italy and southern France, they opted for varieties not commonly found in Dry Creek Valley — grapes like Grenache Noir, Dolcetto and Picpoul.
Today, the Unti estate hosts 16 grape varieties, including experimental blocks of Falanghina and Biancolella.
The vibe
Unti is strictly a stand-at-the-bar affair, as in Ye Olde 1990s, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a welcoming place to visit.
The tasting room is small and intimate, yet it feels spacious thanks to a vaulted ceiling and windows that face out onto the vineyard and let in plenty of sunlight.
The tasting room at Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Unti Vineyards)
Step up to one of the tasting counters, select six wines you’d like to sample from a dozen or so options, and the fun begins.
If you need help choosing among unfamiliar varieties — and there are lots of them — not to worry. The unpretentious Unti staff is great at explaining the styles and flavor profiles of the wines, and they enjoy sharing the stories behind them.
On the palate
Exploration is the name of the game at Unti. Be sure to try the 2023 Cuvée Blanc ($38), a blend of Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul. The wine is floral and citrusy, with a rich mouthfeel. The 2022 Barbera ($35) is deep and dark, with enough acidity to save it a seat at the dinner table. The 2023 Rosé ($65 for a beautifully packaged magnum) is an Unti classic, made from Grenache Noir and Mourvedre. Also be on the lookout for a new vintage of the sold-out Sangiovese, due for release in late January, and a spring Fiano. Tastings cost $25, waived with any bottle purchase.
Mick Unti, vintner of Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg, with his dog, Dagueneau. (Courtesy of Unti Vineyards)
Beyond the bottle
Dry Creek General Store is a mere two-minute drive from Unti, so it’s practically mandatory to stop in for excellent sandwiches, prepared salads and other gourmet goodies. The local historic landmark now features new parking spaces, and yes, the funky adjoining bar has reopened — saddle barstools and all.
Unti Vineyards, 4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Open every day by appointment. untivineyards.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food and travel writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, HuffPost and Sonoma magazine. Follow Tina on Twitter @winebroad, view her website at tinacaputo.com and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.
A Christmas spread at Little Saint in Healdsburg. (Jana Contreras Photography / Courtesy Little Saint)
Dine out in Sonoma and Napa counties on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Hannukah this Dec. 24-26. We’ve collected some favorite spots, including preholiday events like the Fourth Annual Latke Throwdown at Bardessono in Yountville, the Tinsel Takeover with holiday-themed cocktails at Santa Rosa’s Iron & Vine and holiday teas at Hotel Healdsburg.
We’ll continue to add to the list as new menus are released for 2024 holidays. Send suggestions to heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.
Santa Rosa
Lazeaway Club at Flamingo Resort:Christmas Eve prix fixe dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. includes a selection of wild mushroom soup, smoked Yukon potato with trout roe, steamed Dungeness crab appetizer, Mt. Lassen Trout with cauliflower escabeche, togarishi-rubbed steak with potato pave, and chocolate ganache tart with sour cherry glaze. $110 per person, prepaid. Tickets at OpenTable. The Lazeaway Club also hosts Sippin’ Santa, a tiki-inspired cocktail pop-up, through Jan. 6. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-510-4533, lazeawayclub.com
Snowball’s Chance in Hilo cocktail. On the menu at Sippin’ Santa, a holiday cocktail pop-up at the Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy Sippin’ Santa)
Iron & Vine: Through Dec. 30, the Bennett Valley Golf Club restaurant will be transformed from floor to ceiling with Christmas decor for their Tinsel Takeover with holiday-themed cocktails, including the Mistletoe Martini and Elfin’ Eggnog. Reservations suggested but not required. 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-528-3673, bennettvalleygolf.com/tinsel-takeover
John Ash & Co.: Christmas Eve dinner is a four-course prix fixe affair for $145 per person. Prepaid reservations required. Christmas Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is $135 per person. Reserve on OpenTable. 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersresort.com
Petaluma
Stockhome: Celebrate the Swedish tradition of Julbord Dec. 8, 15 and 22 with Nordic favorites from pickled herring, gravlax and Christmas ham to Swedish meatballs, ginger-glazed spareribs and the much-loved Jansson’s Temptation (a creamy potato casserole). Tickets are $90, with prepaid reservations. 220 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8511, stockhomepetaluma.com
Dill-cured salmon (gravlax) and cold-smoked salmon, served at Stockhome’s annual Julbord in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)Miracle’s Christmaspolitan cocktail at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Melissa Horn)
Della Fattoria: The annual Tamale Pie Night happens Sunday, Dec. 22, featuring classic tamale pie with cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream. Also on the menu is green Jell-O salad, warm dinner rolls and lemon bars. Tickets are $50 per person. The restaurant/bakery will also have special desserts (bûche de Noël, Panettone, cranberry cheesecake) available for preorder and pickup. 143 Petaluma Blvd N., Petaluma, 707-763-0161, dellafattoria.com
Miracle at Brewster’s: The annual Santa-themed pop-up party returns to Petaluma this year with all the wonder of Christmas morning. Tacky holiday decor strung from stem to stern is part of the fun, especially with boozy eggnog or hot buttered rum upping your cheer. 229 Water St., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Guerneville
Dawn Ranch: Chefs Juliana Thorpe and Ignacio Zuzulich will create a four-course prix fixe holiday dinner Dec. 24. Dinner is $150 per person plus 20% service charge and 3.5% kitchen appreciation fee. By reservation only, contact dining@dawnranch.com. 16467 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com
Sonoma
The patio at Layla restaurant at MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa in Sonoma. (MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa)
Layla at MacArthur Place: Gather for Christmas at Layla restaurant for a three-course prix fixe dinner. Selections include butternut squash soup, Dungeness crab cake, roasted Liberty duck, delicata squash polenta, braised beef short rib and a brown butter pear trifle. $120 per person, additional wine pairing available for $55. Prepaid reservations required. 29 E MacArthur St., Sonoma, 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com
Sante: A three-course prix fixe dinner on Christmas includes a family starter with caviar and blinis and selections including roasted chestnut soup, smoked ham, lamb loins, mushroom ravioli, family-style sides, and eggnog cheesecake with bourbon whipped cream. $149 per adult and $39 per child. Book online. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938 9000,fairmont-sonoma.com
Sebastopol
Patisserie Angelica: Holiday high tea served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call to reserve. The French bakery also has holiday desserts, including bûche de Noël, almond Christmas cake, a mini Christmas tree cake and more. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com/winter-holiday-menu
Forestville
Farmhouse Inn: Christmas Eve dinner is a three-course curated tasting menu from chef Craig Wilmer and pastry chef Amanda Hoang. Dinner for parties of two to five is $145 per person (excluding service charge, taxes and fees). Prepaid reservations required, available on Tock. 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com/restaurant
Healdsburg
Holiday Tea at Dry Creek Kitchen in Hotel Healdsburg. People of all ages are welcome to join the restaurant for a festive afternoon of tea, cocktails, housemade pastries, finger sandwiches and other holiday fare (Courtesy Hotel Healdsburg)
Dry Creek Kitchen:Holiday tea service will be served through Dec. 22 with custom cocktails, teas, housemade pastries, finger sandwiches and other holiday fare from the restaurant. $79 per person for tea service and food; $93 for tea service, food and wine or cocktail selection; $49 for children under 12. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Spoonbar: Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American tradition honoring family and the bounty of the sea, from 3 to 8 p.m., Dec. 24. Dishes include Dungeness crab fusilli, chilled seafood platter, baked cod and Sicilian cannoli for dessert. $120 per person. From 2 to 8 p.m., Dec. 25, enjoy a Christmas buffet with prime rib, mixed winter brassicas, crispy salmon potatoes and chocolate hazelnut cake. $95 per person and $45 for children 12 and under. See full menus online and reserve on OpenTable. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-7222, spoonbar.com
Little Saint: Preorder and pick up a plant-based holiday dinner package. Options include mushroom and root vegetable potpie, sourdough stuffing with melted leeks, roasted beets, broccoli with cashew Parmesan and bûche de Noël. Serves four to six, $450. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-8207, littlesainthealdsburg.com
A Christmas spread at Little Saint in Healdsburg. (Jana Contreras Photography / Courtesy Little Saint)
Napa Valley
Bear at Stanly Ranch: Christmas Eve dinner features festive dishes ($165 per person, plus $95 wine pairings), while Christmas Day offers a holiday twist on Bear’s farm-to-table menu. Check out the restaurant’s hand-dried persimmons (called hoshigaki), which require peeling, whiskey dipping, sun-drying and daily massaging. 200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa, 707-699-6250, aubergeresorts.com
Carneros Resort and Spa: The recently remodeled FARM restaurant will offer a Christmas Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a family-style menu, and dinner from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Dec. 24 and 25. The resort’s more casual Boon Fly Café offers an à la carte brunch and three-course prix fixe dinner, Dec. 24 and 25. 4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, 866-860-2328, carnerosresort.com/experiences
Silverado Resort: Following a Menorah lighting ceremony on the Mansion Lawn Dec. 26, the resort will offer a multicourse Hannukah dinner inspired by traditional dishes — crispy latkes, rack of lamb and chocolate babka bread pudding for dessert. $75 per person. The resort offers more holiday magic, including breakfasts with Santa, a holiday bake sale and a to-go Christmas dinner. More details at silveradoresort.com/experience/holiday-magic. 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, 707-760-4834, silveradoresort.com
Bardessono: From 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12, chef Rick Edge will preside over the fourth annual Latke Throwdown. Watch top local chefs compete in a friendly but fierce latke-making contest. Competitors have 30 minutes to create the ultimate latke with the winner awarded the Golden Spatula. Guests will have the chance to sample the contenders’ creations and, following the event, chef Rick’s latke will be featured on the menu at Bardessono’s Lucy Restaurant and Bar. Tickets are $20 per person, available online at parentscan.org or at the door. 6526 Yount St., Yountville, 707-204-6000, bardessono.com
Mendocino
Little River Inn: Christmas dinner on the Mendocino coast can be magical, and Little River Inn has an à la carte menu featuring holiday turkey croquettes, Dungeness crab cakes, clam chowder, cioppino, braised lamb shank, cold smoked prime rib, a candy cap mushroom eggnog and brown butter pumpkin cake. Book online on Tock. 7901 Highway 1, Little River, 707-937-5942, littleriverinn.com
The Beacon speakeasy bar within the Taub Family Outpost on Sonoma town square is seen on May 21, 2020. (Courtesy of The Beacon)
The holidays are filled with family and friends — which is why we need bars. Whether you’re catching up with old pals over a holiday cocktail, taking your cousins out for a beer or evading grandma’s probing questions about your romantic status, there’s always a reason to say cheers to cozy, comfy bars this season.
Best for a secret rendezvous
The Beacon
Dark walls, moody lighting and a hidden door make this speakeasy-style bar an under-the-radar gem. Grab a cozy banquette and a classic Manhattan and let the canoodling begin. 497 First St. W., Sonoma. 707-721-1107, instagram.com/sonomabeacon
Piggy Punch at Third Pig Bar in Sebastopol. (John Wesley Brewer)
Best Dive That Isn’t Divey
Third Pig Bar
This tiny local watering hole is one of the best bars you’ve never heard of, and everyone’s welcome. House cocktails with esoteric ingredients? Check. Miller High Life and Bourbon Boilermaker? Check. Grey Goose, neat? Check. 116 S. Main St., Sebastopol. thirdpigbar.com
Best for a Holiday Miracle
Brewsters Beer Garden
The annual Santa-themed pop-up party returns to Petaluma this year with all the wonder of Christmas morning. Tacky holiday decor strung from stem to stern is part of the fun, especially with boozy eggnog or hot buttered rum upping your cheer. 229 Water St., Petaluma. 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Best for British Cheer
The Goose and Fern
Brits practically invented the modern Christmas, so why not raise a pint (or hard cider) at this English pub to old Scrooge, figgy pudding and Queen Victoria’s questionable introduction of pine trees decorated with lit candles into British homes. 116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707-843-4235, thegooseandfern.com
From left, Fink Bomb, Classic Mai Tai and the Tropical Itch at Kapu Bar, a tiki bar and restaurant in the heart of downtown Petaluma on Keller Street, Feb. 1, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Best Substitute for an Island Getaway
Kapu
If a trip to Tahiti isn’t in the cards, a mai tai in a tiki mug is the second-best option. Score a grass hut table, tuck into Hawaiian garlic chicken and Kalua pork fries, and live your island dream. 132 Keller St., Petaluma. 707-559-3665, kapubar.com
Best for Recharging
Underwood Bar & Bistro
Screaming kids and drunk uncles can be a lot during the holidays. Escape and recalibrate your mental state in the tiny town of Graton with a spicy Dark and Stormy or Ginger Hot Toddy at the bar. 9113 Graton Road, Graton. 707-823-7023, underwoodgraton.com
Faust Wines’ hilltop tasting room Faust Haus is set in an old Victorian overlooking Napa Valley, located in St. Helena. (Courtesy of Faust Wines)
Wine Spectator recently released its acclaimed annual list of the Top 100 Wines from around the world. This year, five Sonoma and Napa county wines were named among the top 10. More than a dozen other local bottlings made the list amid renowned wineries from France to Chile.
The list, first compiled in 1988, is made up of the top 100 wines out of the thousands Wine Spectator editors review throughout the year.
Editors base the selection on quality, price value and availability of wines that ranked 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale.
Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 2
Wine Spectator noted this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is “packed with dark, winey flavors of black currant and blackberry paste underscored with alder, sweet tobacco, warm paving stone and black licorice notes, while a violet accent fills the background.” The winery sourced grapes from the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley, from Cabernet Sauvignon vines originally planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900s. 7,289 cases made. Score of 95. $170 per bottle.
1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, 707-257-5749, bvwines.com
Faust Wines’ hilltop tasting room Faust Haus is set in an old Victorian overlooking Napa Valley, located in St. Helena. Faust’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ranked No. 4 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. (Courtesy of Faust Wines)
Faust Wines
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 4
This 2021 Cab features a blend of fruit from the winery’s Coombsville vineyard in Napa as well as from cooler sites in the valley, lending to a natural balance of mature tannins and lively acidity levels. “Packed and broad in feel, with a ganache note draped over black currant, blackberry and steeped cherry,” noted Wine Spectator. “Licorice root and alder smoke flavors check in on the finish as the fruit pumps through, ending with a flash of violet.” 50,000 cases made. Score of 94. $65 per bottle.
2867 St. Helena Highway St., Helena, 707-200-2560, faustwines.com
Chimney Rock
Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 5
“Super lush and polished in feel, with creamy-textured açaí, mulberry and cassis notes gliding through slowly,” Wine Spectator stated about this 2021 Cab. The wine also features hints of iris, violet and anise with a licorice note on the finish. It’s sourced from the Stags Leap District AVA in Napa. 13,363 cases made. Score of 94. $110 per bottle.
The tasting room at Williams Selyem Winery in Healdsburg on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. The winery’s Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir ranked No. 8 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Williams Selyem
Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir, No. 8
Made in the Russian River Valley, this 2022 Pinot features “juicy and delicious mulberry, blackberry and cherry pâte de fruit notes that ripple with energy,” Wine Spectator noted, “while rose hip, rooibos tea and licorice snap accents fuel the finish.” Woodsy cedar aromas add a compelling texture. 2,151 cases made. Score of 95. $72 per bottle.
This 2022 Chardonnay features a blend of fruits from cool vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley, providing depth of flavor and a crisp mouthfeel. Wine Spectator noted the white wine offers a “mix of perfectly ripe peach, mango and lemon bar flavors, with fresh herbal accents of lemon verbena and vetiver.” There are also accents of fresh ginger, tangerine and sea salt on the finish. 7,442 cases made. Score of 94. $50 per bottle.
The 2022 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc from Merry Edwards Winery in Sebastopol ranked No. 16 on Wine Spectator’s 2024 Top 100 list. (Courtesy Merry Edwards Winery)Rutherford Hill Winery in Rutherford. The winery’s Napa Valley Merlot ranked No. 25 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. (Courtesy of Mike Larson)
Just over a dozen other wines from Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties are scattered throughout the Top 100 list.
Crooked Antler Cocktail from Miracle at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Melissa Horn)
Good news for cocktail fans who crave holiday kitsch! Miracle, the over-the-top Christmas pop-up at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma, is back with new beverages, glitz and glam for the whole fam.
Also coming (back) to town is Sippin’ Santa, the Tiki-inspired cocktail pop-up at the Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club in Santa Rosa.
Celebrating a decade this year, Miracle was founded in 2014 by New York bar owner Greg Boehm who spontaneously launched a cocktail pop-up while his future bar was undergoing construction during the holidays.
The following year, he launched Sippin’ Santa, Miracle’s tropical little sister (think: Santa on a surfboard). Both an immediate success, the two cocktail pop-ups now partner with over 250 bars and restaurants around the globe to bring cheeky holiday cheer to the masses.
While Boehm and his company Cocktail Kingdom Hospitality Group provide the holiday-themed cocktail recipes and general guidelines, each participating location is responsible for the decorations and setup.
Miracle
Miracle’s Christmas Cricket cocktail at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. The festive Miracle pop-up runs through Dec. 31. (Melissa Horn)
At Brewsters Beer Garden, owner Mike Goebel and his eight-person team spend about three weeks transforming the restaurant into a glittering city of garlands, baubles, twinkly lights and trimmings.
This year, a 16-foot Christmas tree, life-size gingerbread house, photo booth and gift shop selling cocktails to-go and limited-edition merchandise will all add to the cheer.
“I love watching people’s faces light up when they see all the lights and decorations,” said Goebel. “They’re so happy to be here. That’s what makes the effort worth it and pushes us to do more every year.”
A father of three, Goebel wants people to know Miracle at Brewsters is a family affair. Young visitors are encouraged to fill out a Letter to Santa with their wish list, name and address. Goebel said every child who submits a letter will receive a mailed response from “Santa Claus” himself.
If kids would rather speak to Santa directly, he’ll be on-site from 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Dec. 3.
Miracle, a holiday cocktail pop-up at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Courtesy Brewsters Beer Garden)Miracle’s “Rudolph’s Replacement” cocktail at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. (Melissa Horn)
“Being family friendly is what this community is all about,” said Goebel. “Parents want and need places they can go to have fun with their children, and we want to accommodate that. Also, I want to make sure my own kids don’t hate coming in to see dad at work!”
On the cocktail menu, guests can expect to see a host of new drinks. They include the brandy and Port-driven Crooked Antler, the Stocking Stuffer (bourbon, sherry, cinnamon syrup, chocolate bitters) and the Santa Slide (whiskey liqueur, cream sherry, crème de cacao, orange curaçao, mole bitters).
Returning favorites include the Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned and Rudolph’s Replacement. Numerous nonalcoholic beverages will be on offer, too.
All the specialty cocktails are served in Miracle’s signature glassware, which is available for purchase at Brewsters in Santa’s Workshop. Mugs shaped like Santa’s pants, a festive rum barrel and Tyrannosaurus Rex in a Santa hat are among those offered.
“This will be our biggest and brightest Christmas yet,” said Goebel. “The energy in this place will be rocking!”
Sippin’ Santa
Holiday decorations are up at the Lazeaway Club at Santa Rosa’s Flamingo Resort. The Sippin’ Santa cocktail pop-up runs through Jan. 6. (Courtesy of Ellian Raffoul)Snowball’s Chance in Hilo cocktail on the menu at Sippin’ Santa, a holiday cocktail pop-up at the Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy Sippin’ Santa)
At the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa, the entire property has been transformed into a tropical wonderland, complete with retro Tiki Christmas decorations, twinkly lights, garlands and a rattan sleigh.
Managing partner Benson Wang said it took the team about three weeks to create the tropical transformation, including the Lazeaway Club’s Sippin’ Santa takeover.
“Everyone brought creativity and energy to transform the space, which feels like stepping into a holiday escape,” he said. “We try to take it up a notch each and every year.”
Now in its third year at the Lazeaway Club, Sippin’ Santa is featuring numerous new cocktails this year. They include the Choquito (rum, coconut, crème de cacao, mole bitters), the Sugar Plum Mai Tai (rum, lime, orgeat, cinnamon syrup, plum), a Snowball’s Chance in Hilo (rum, lime, pineapple, orange, cinnamon syrup, bitters) and Tom and Sherry (sherry, cream, coconut milk, almond liqueur, saffron bitters).
The Jingle Bird (bourbon, pineapple rum, Campari, lime, pineapple, jingle mix), a Sippin’ Santa cocktail at Flamingo Resort’s Lazeaway Club. (Courtesy Sippin’ Santa)
Returning favorites include Holiday on Ice (cold brew, condensed milk, ancho chili liqueur, cinnamon syrup), the Jingle Bird and more.
A special Sippin’ Santa food menu will also be on offer, with appetizers like Oh Christmas Tree (crispy chicken, pine-infused sea salt, green garlic ranch), Christmas Ham (char siu pork belly, grilled pineapple, maraschino cherry), Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian bread stuffing croquettes, pecan mezcal cranberry sauce, sage) and more.
“Sippin’ Santa aligns with our vision to create spaces where people can unwind and reconnect during a time of year when it’s needed most,” said Wang. “We participate every year because it’s a unique way to bring the community together.”
The guest is greeted with an array of dishes presented on a bed of wood, moss and ferns at Single Thread Farms Restaurant in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
SingleThread restaurant in Healdsburg has been named one of the best restaurants in the world by review aggregator La Liste.
Scoring a nearly perfect 99.5 out of 100, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant joins Cheval Blanc in Switzerland, Guy Savoy and La Vague d’Or in France, L’Enclume in the U.K., Schwarzwaldstube in Germany, Le Bernardin in New York City, Lung King Heen in China and Matsukawa in Japan, who also received a 99.5 score.
Restaurants are chosen from an extensive database that parses thousands of guidebooks, customer reviews and chef insights, with each restaurant awarded a score from 0 to 100. The 2025 La Liste lineup of the top 1,000 restaurants worldwide was released in late November.
An elegantly presented dish at the three-Michelin star SingleThread in Healdsburg. (John Troxell/Sonoma County Tourism)
In Sonoma and Napa, The French Laundry in Yountville (97), Cyrus in Geyservillle (86) and Farmhouse Inn in Forestville (77) were also included on the list. Other Bay Area restaurants included were Atelier Crenn (97), Saison (96), Benu (95.5), Harbor House Inn (95.5), Quince (90), Eight Tables by George Chen (87.5), The Kitchen (87), Lazy Bear (85.5), Gary Danko (85), Californios (83.5), Acquerello (83), Sons & Daughters (82.5), Commis (81), Birdsong (77) and Boulevard (75).
Sinking forks and spoons into Boiling Bowl’s communal hot pot is like a fishing expedition — you never quite know what you’ll pull up.
On a recent visit, our trio of diners ordered two stew pots furiously burbling away at the table. They were filled perilously close to the brim with broth, mussels, fish balls, tiny sausages, tofu, corn, artificial crab, strips of beef and a surprising number of unidentifiable items happily bobbing at the surface above flames licking at the bottom of the pot. Steam enveloped us like a cocoon. On a chilly winter evening, it was a comforting moment of sharing among friends.
Boiling Bowl (500 Mission Blvd., Suite E, Santa Rosa) combines traditional Chinese American cuisine, made-to-order dim sum, sizzling platters and the conviviality of shared hot pots.
It’s a no-frills, family-friendly spot with an epic menu that ranges from orange chicken, broccoli beef and walnut prawns to sizzling clay pot seafood bowls, shumai (steamed shrimp and pork dumplings), barbecue pork buns and shareable hot pots, including our favorites, Cheesy Milk and Beef (both $23.99).
Cheesy Milk Hot Pot at Boiling Bowl in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
The cheesy milk version has a watery soy milk broth studded with mushrooms, tofu, fish tofu (a fried fish paste), eggs, seafood, lotus root, fish fillets and shredded cheese.
The beef version is a heartier meat broth with thinly sliced strips of beef mingling with corn, tomatoes, mussels, mini sausages and other goodies. It’s a lot of food, and each hot pot can easily feed two people.
Vegetarian, seafood, Japanese miso broth and lamb hot pots are also available, from mild to “flaming hot” spice levels, if you’re adventurous.
While ramen is readily available in Sonoma County, hot pots can be a rare find, with only a handful in the region. (Fantasy restaurant in Petaluma, 1520 E. Washington St., has DIY hot pots that can be cooked at the table, shabu-shabu style).
Bamboo steamers of dim sum take roughly 20 minutes to prepare, so order it when you sit down. Boiling Bowl is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4-9 p.m. for dinner. Delivery and pickup are available. boilingbowlca.com
Napa-based Sovi makes nonalcoholic wines in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine. (Courtesy of Sovi)
As the New Year rolls around, exploring sobriety or cutting down on alcohol is a common resolution for many. And anyone who follows wine industry news these days likely knows that, beyond “Dry January,” more people in the U.S. are drinking less alcohol, mainly by choice.
The trend to drink less has been most noticeable among young people. According to an August 2023 Gallup poll, 62% of adults under age 35 say they drink alcohol compared to 72% two decades ago, with many also saying they drink less frequently and are less likely to drink to excess. The moderate consumption lifestyle is gaining traction for health- and calorie-concerned consumers of all ages, too.
At the same time, wine is a way of life for many Californians, the wine producing capital of America. In response, bars, restaurants and drink manufacturers are accommodating with more no- or low-alcohol beverages that still taste (or at least look) like booze.
Historically, it’s true that finding satisfying nonalcoholic wine can have its challenges for traditional wine lovers. These wines are fermented and sometimes barrel aged, and even though a trace amount of alcohol can remain, it’s just a whisper residue of up to 0.5% alcohol by volume; sometimes less than in regular fruit juice. Without alcohol, wines can lose much of their aromatic compounds (that lovely bouquet on the nose) and lack enough tannins and textural compounds needed for robust structure.
More recently, however, state-of-the-art processes are helping nonalcoholic wines deliver a more authentic experience. The science behind that is long and complicated, but for anyone who is “sober curious,” it’s worth giving these newer brands a try.
Napa-based Sovi makes nonalcoholic wines in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine. (Courtesy of Sovi)
Sovi
The Napa-based Sovi comes from the husband-and-wife team of Julia Littauer, a Certified Sommelier, and Alex Littauer, a DipWSET certified graduate of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Sovi grapes come from the Clarksburg appellation on the Sacramento River Delta, and wines are made with no additional sugars, sweeteners or natural or artificial flavors. Most of the nonalcoholic wines are blends, too, adding extra character.
You’ll find interesting varietals here in a lovely, dry style, including a crisp sparkling white blend of Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer; a floral sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo; a light bodied blend of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah; and a playful, tropical Wild Child Pinot Gris orange wine.
For a cheeky touch, check out the canned wines, as well — a variety pack of sparklings is a good way to find your favorites. You can pick up the wines at multiple restaurants and shops around the Bay Area (check locations at “Find Us” on the website) or purchase online at drinksovi.com.
The pleasingly dry sparkling Bolle Blanc de Blancs and Rosé are so sci-fi that the crafting technique is patent pending. Most simply, the wines are dealcoholized using a double column vacuum distillation technique, then given a second fermentation, like Champagne or Prosecco. (Courtesy of Bolle)
Bolle
The pleasingly dry sparkling Bolle Blanc de Blancs and Rosé are so sci-fi that the crafting technique is patent pending. Most simply, the wines are dealcoholized using a double column vacuum distillation technique, then given a second fermentation (like Champagne or Prosecco).
Made by Italian winemaker Roberto Vanin, the results are lively, crisp quaffs with fine bubbles, notable fruit aromatics — crisp apple, juicy pear, zesty citrus and a touch of toast for the Chardonnay-Silvaner Blanc, and strawberry, blackcurrant, violet, and a whisper of fresh herbs for the Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Rosé.
The 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) sips ring in at around 60 calories per glass, buoyed by no added sugars or added flavors. Find them at retailers like BeBubbly lounge in Napa, V Wine Cellar in Yountville and Oakville Grocery in Oakville. us.bolledrinks.com
Chateau Diana in Healdsburg produces two entire collections of zero-proof (0.5%) and low-alcohol (6%) selections. Sippers cover all the favorites, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and red and white blends. (Courtesy of Chateau Diana)
Chateau Diana
Tom and Diane Manning founded this Healdsburg winery in 1981. The Mannings’ son and daughter, Corey and Dawn, have taken over the winery and adopted an entirely progressive approach with their “zero-proof” wines.
Rather than just a nod to the category, the family-owned operation produces two entire collections of zero-proof (0.5%) and low-alcohol (6%) selections. Sippers cover all the favorites, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and red and white blends, with about half the calories of traditional bottlings.
The wines do tend to lean to sweeter notes — there’s even a Sun Bee California White Wine infused with real mango (70 calories per glass), and a sparkling Moscato that you can taste at the winery with a sidecar of cotton candy.
But lots of people like sweet wines, and for a light, refreshing change of pace, it’s relaxing to hang at the kid- and pet-friendly tasting estate in Dry Creek Valley. There are whimsical touches all around, including a nonalcoholic Sugar Cookie Slushy brimming with buttery vanilla notes and a hint of holiday spice, plus snacks like warm pretzel bites with nacho cheese dip, and various pizzas.
6195 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-6993, chateaud.com
Espresso-braised pork belly, maitake mushroom, warming spices, pork jus from Songbird Parlour Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
The only things missing from Lauren Kershner’s vision of a Victorian-inspired salon are the swish of crinolines and hissing gaslights.
Soft lighting, broody paneled walls in pine needle green, velvet sofas in conversational arrangements and an upright piano set the scene inside the century-old Pagani family winery at Jack London Village in Glen Ellen.
The property’s history reaches back generations, first as home to the Miwok, and Spanish missionaries, then as a sawmill built by General Vallejo in 1839. Later, it became a gristmill (the grinding stones and water wheel remain), a distillery and a winery. Local author Jack London might have been seen strolling past when Arnold Drive was little more than a walking path.
After several restaurants came and went from the space, it stood empty for several years, gathering cobwebs until 2020, when Kershner embraced the possibilities of the raw space and got to work remodeling.
A lounge space in the corner of the dining room at Songbird Parlour in Glen Ellen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
In 2022, Kershner opened Songbird Parlour as a hub for her catering company, private events, dinner parties and semi-regular pop-ups with guest chefs — but it was not officially open to the public.
“We put together this beautiful space, and we wanted to have people here five days a week. We want to get the community in here,” said Kershner of the five-night-a-week restaurant she operates with partner Kenneth De Alba.
Walking into Songbird is literally a walk through the history of Sonoma Valley as diners make their way through a hallway museum leading to the restaurant. Photos from the historical society celebrate residents, including culinary writer M.F.K. Fisher, World War II general Henry “Hap” Arnold and the Indigenous peoples who lived on the land for thousands of years. Even Hunter S. Thompson, who lived briefly in Glen Ellen, gets a nod.
Songbird Parlour executive chef Eric Moulton in Glen Ellen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Inside, the 42-seat restaurant opens to a soaring ceiling and open kitchen where executive chef Eric Moulton creates a seasonal, hyperlocal menu with “posh yet approachable dishes,” according to Kershner.
That includes a recent dish with prawns, coconut curry and Nardello chile.
“Oak Hill farm had a ton of Jimmy Nardello peppers, so it landed on our menu,” said Kershner of the mild frying peppers that arrived in America in the pocket of an Italian immigrant. Now part of Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, they’re considered an endangered heritage food, though in Sonoma County, they seem to be on menus from Petaluma to Cloverdale.
“We don’t come with a dish until we see what the farm has,” Kershner said.
Songbird Parlour executive chef Eric Moulton and his staff work in an open kitchen Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, inside a spacious, brick former winery built by the Pagani family in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Songbird’s menu is well-curated, with just a handful of flavorful, expertly crafted dishes rather than a laundry list to please every palate. Plant-forward dishes are well represented with Sunray Farms ‘leaves and things’ salad ($16), pickled beets with Grazin’ Girl Gorgonzola ($18) and caramelized winter squash with figs and Cabernet vinaigrette ($18).
While I only had a chance to try about half the menu, some dishes are calling me back for a return visit — halibut crudo with white peach and makrut lime granita ($24) or seared salmon with vadouvan (French curry) brown butter ($36). The regionally-focused wine list includes boutique producers Hill of Tara, Idle Cellars and Toje.
The restaurant plans to add a happy hour and host several upcoming events, including an immersive six-course Southeast Asian dinner with chef Jessy Manuel on Dec. 16.
“We’re creating a space where people can indulge their passions, whether for food, wine, music or simply connecting with others,” Kershner said.
Best Bets
Caramelized Cassidy Ranch winter squash, figs in cabernet vinegar, orange from Songbird Parlour Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Caramelized Cassidy Ranch winter squash, figs in Cabernet vinegar, $18: Sweet crescents of squash sweetened by pomegranate seeds and seasonal figs make winter’s long, dark nights a little brighter.
Head-on prawns, $28: I usually shy away from food that puts up a fight — or threatens to stab me with its antennae, but these crustaceans came mostly peeled with most of the work already done. Pop off the head, give it a little suck and drench the body with creamy coconut curry sauce and Nardello chile sauce. A squeeze of grilled lemon brings the dish entirely into focus.
Fried farm potatoes and leeks, $14: Husky wedges of fried potatoes get a crispy dusting of fried leeks and esplette (a fruity, dried chile with just a hint of heat) from Seven Moons Farms. A fat smear of tomato aioli cools everything down.
Head-on prawn, Oak Hill nardello chile, coconut curry from Songbird Parlour Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Glen Ellen. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Duck confit, $38: This pared-down riff on cassoulet includes a nicely cooked thigh and leg with crisp skin and moist meat that can only come from the confit process. The salty duck gets a sweet kick from pear mostarda, and earthy beluga lentils ground the dish.
Espresso braised pork belly, $22: Striations of crisp meat and fat make pork belly one of my favorite dishes. The dish is almost perfect, glazed with an espresso and red wine reduction and atop a fat pile of maitake mushrooms. I’d love to see the fat rendered more and the skin crispier for that perfect bite of savory, umami-laden belly.
Open from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations suggested.
14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com.
