Page 393 – Sonoma Magazine

Things to Do in Sonoma County this Weekend

September 2016

By Crissi Langwell

CTJ0919_JAZZFESTIVAL11_662546 — With a lineup that includes Keb’ Mo’, Sheila E., Chaka Khan and more, the 40th annual Jazz & Blues Festival is looking at another stellar weekend of music and river life, Sept. 9-11. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Clear your calendars, we’ve got some fun for you this week. Experience “Broadway Under the Stars” when Transcendence Theater presents their season closing gala celebration this weekend. Discover local grown music at this year’s American Roots Music Festival. Kick back in the river for the Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival. All this and more is in our list of things to do.

FRIDAY, Sept. 9

Movies in the Park: Embark on an adventure with the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell and a grown up Peter Pan when Howarth Park presents an outdoor showing of “Hook,” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The free event offers pre-show entertainment, with the movie starting around 7:45 p.m. Vendors are available with food for sale. Find out all the details at pd2go.net/HowarthMoviesInThePark.

HOWARTHMOVIES4_791753 — Howarth Park presents an outdoor screening of “Hook,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams on Friday, Sept. 9.

Broadway Under the Stars Gala Celebration: Closing out their season, Transcendence Theater presents a 3-night event packed full of powerhouse performances, community tributes and sentimental reflections. If you haven’t made it out to the Winery Ruins at Jack London State Park for this performance under the stars, this weekend is your last chance for the year. Picnicking starts at 5 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Find out more at transcendencetheatre.org. (Sept. 9-11)

Russian River Jazz Festival — Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival kicks off Saturday at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, with a Wine Garden, water activities, plenty of food choices and a great live music lineup. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

SATURDAY, Sept. 10

American Roots Music Festival: In its 3rd year, this Bodega festival pays homage to locally music artists, delicious food and tons of family fun. From 2-9 p.m. Saturday, the afternoon will feature plenty of acoustic music from bands like The Dixie Giants, Frankie Boots & The County Line, Sonoma Aroma and more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Tickets are $25, and kids under 10 are free. Find out more at facebook.com/BeOutsideMore.

Beer in the Plaza: This Saturday, enjoy unlimited tastes from a variety of local brewers when Soroptimist International of Healdsburg presents its 30th annual Beer in the Plaza. Taking place 2-6 p.m., the event raises funds for women and girls locally and around the world. Tickets are $45-$50 general admission, $20 designated driver and $15 for under 21. 5 and under is free. Find out more at sihealdsburg.org/beerintheplaza.html.

Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival: With a lineup that includes Keb’ Mo’, Sheila E., Chaka Khan and more, the 40th annual Jazz & Blues Festival is looking at another stellar weekend of music. The event takes place at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, with a Wine Garden, water activities and plenty of food choices to accompany live music performances. Tickets are $55-$190. Find out more at russianriverfestivals.com. (Sept. 10-11)

SUNDAY, Sept. 11

Gavin DeGraw at GMC: The multi-platinum recording artist of song, “I Don’t Want to Be,” will perform live this Sunday at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $30 for lawn seating, and $45-$65 for indoor. Find out all the details at gmc.sonoma.edu.

Other upcoming events:

Petaluma Arts Association puts on the 59th annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 10. (Courtesy Photo)

Friday, Sept. 9

Victims Family: Hardcore punk and jazz band, 7 tonight, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $10. Benefits musician Guthrie Lowe. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.

‘The Big Meal’: Left Edge Theatre comedy, opens 8 tonight, continues through Sept. 25, Luther Burbank Center Studio Theater, Santa Rosa. $25-$40. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Saturday, Sept. 10

Carl Hiaasen: Copperfield’s Books and Sonoma County Library host ‘Razor Girl’ author, 7 p.m. Saturday, Central Santa Rosa Library. Free. copperfieldsbooks.com.

Boston Rocks: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

‘Art in the Park’: Petaluma Arts Association art show and sale, live music and food, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Walnut Park, Petaluma. Free. petalumaarts.org.

Wanda Sykes: Stand-up comic and ‘Alpha House’ and ‘Black-ish’ actress, 8 p.m. Saturday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $49.50-$59.50. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

David Grisman Bluegrass Experience: Bluegrass/acoustic jazz band, 7 p.m. Saturday, Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena. $65-$75. 963-4555, longmeadowranch.com.

Sunday, Sept. 11

‘A Love of Wonder’: Pianist and vocalist Tammy Hall performs Stevie Wonder songs, 4 p.m. Sunday, Queen’s Lane Gardens, Petaluma. $30-$35 includes picnic. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

‘Celebrating Fountaingrove’s Nagasawa’: Wine, appetizers and program on Kanaye Nagasawa’s role in Fountaingrove’s history, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Paradise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa. $45. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.

Wendy DeWitt: Boogie woogie and blues, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Village Terrace, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Monday, Sept. 12

Dave Barry: Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times- bestselling humorist, 7 p.m. Monday, Copperfield’s Books, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 578-8938, copperfieldsbooks.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 13

Pat Metheny: Jazz guitarist, with blues and swing, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $30-$50. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Will Durst: ‘Elect to Laugh!’ one-man comedy show, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Main Stage West, Sebastopol. Sold out. 823-0177, mainstagewest.com.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Frobeck: Funk-rock band, ‘Rockin’ the River’ outdoor concert series season finale, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Guerneville Plaza. Free. rockintheriver.org.

Avett Brothers: Folk, bluegrass and southern rock band, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $45-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Ron ‘Tater Salad’ White: ‘Blue Collar Comedy’ cigar-smoking comedian, 8 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $64. 546-3600, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Kenny Metcalf’s ‘Tribute to Elton John’: ‘Concert Under the Stars,’ 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.

Friday, Sept. 16

‘50 Years of Dirt’: Country rock with iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

‘Zootopia’: Comedy adventure, ‘Movies in the Park’ season closer, dusk Sept. 16, Howarth Park, Santa Rsa. Free. Bring low-back chairs or blankets. bit.ly/1DCVlLy.

‘Baskerville’: Sherlock Homes mystery, opens 8 p.m. Sept. 16, runs through Oct. 9, Spreckels Theatre, Rohnert Park. $16-$26. 588-3400, ci.rohnert-park.ca.us.

Saturday, Sept. 17

“At Twilight” with North Coast Ballet California: Enjoy artistic samplings of local foods and beverages, live music and performances by the North Coast Ballet California. $55-$65. 21-plus. 7-9 p.m. Petaluma Arts Center. pd2go.net/AtTwilight

‘Artistry in Wood’: Sonoma County Woodworkers Association exhibit opening, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 17, History Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa. Runs through Oct. 9. $7-$10. 579-1500, sonomacountymuseum.org.

The B-52s: Party band, summer concert series season finale, 5 p.m. Sept. 17, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg. $84-$129. 431-1533, rodneystrong.com.

EarleFest: Lucinda Williams plus six bands, 2 p.m. Sept. 17, SOMO Village Event Center, Rohnert Park. Benefits Earle Baum Center of the Blind. $55. somoconcerts.com.

Glendi International Food Festival: Ethnic food and beverages, live music, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 17, noon-6 p.m. Sept. 18, St. Seraphim Church, Santa Rosa. $5. 584-9491, glendisantarosa.com.

Old Grove Festival: Poor Man’s Whiskey hootenanny band, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Armstrong Woods Redwood Forest Theater, Guerneville. Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods benefit. $10-$75. stewardscr.org.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Latino Heritage Month Fiesta: Outdoor event with authentic food, music, games and activities, 1-7 p.m. Sept. 18, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. Free. 800-7512, lutherburbankcenter.org.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally: Music and comedy, strong adult content, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$65. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.

Two Sonoma County Wineries Voted Among Top 10 Tasting Rooms in the US

September 2016

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

024_54_990x660 — Paradise Ridge Winery. (Photo Courtesy of Paradise Ridge Winery)

The annual USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are currently being announced, and two Sonoma County wineries were voted among the top 10 in the category of “Best Tasting Room.” Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa (with tasting room in Kenwood) took home the 5th spot, followed by Dry Creek Vineyards in Healdsburg on 6th.

The two Sonoma County wineries competed against a pool of 20 nominees, chosen by a panel of wine experts. The top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

At number 5, Paradise Ridge Winery was the number one California tasting room among the top 10, followed by Dry Creek Vineyard in Healdsburg, LXV Wine in Paso Robles, Municipal Winemakers in Santa Barbara and Bluxome Street Winery in San Francisco.

Dry Creek Vineyard tasting room in Healdsburg. (Photo Courtesy of Dry Creek Vineyard)

Combining “great wines” with a “great space,” Paradise Ridge Winery and Dry Creek Vineyard received the following descriptions from USA Today:

“The tasting room at Paradise Ridge Winery’s Russian River Valley Estate enjoys sweeping views of the Russian River Valley, as well as space to sip al fresco on an expansive outside deck. It’s particularly stunning at sunset, glass of wine in hand.”

“Dry Creek Vineyard was the first new winery built in the Dry Creek Valley following the end of Prohibition, and today, the Healdsburg tasting room pours some of the best Fumé Blancs and Zinfandels from California. Guests can also purchase wine from the tasting room to enjoy on the winery’s lovely picnic grounds.”

The top 10 winners in the category Best Tasting Room:

Early Mountain Vineyards – Madison, Va.
Stoller Family Estate – Dayton, Ore.
Alexandria Nicole Cellars – Paterson, Wash.
Hedges Family Estate – Benton City, Wash.
Paradise Ridge Winery – Santa Rosa, Calif.
Dry Creek Vineyard – Healdsburg, Calif.
LXV Wine – Paso Robles, Calif.
Fairsing Vineyard – Yamhill, Ore.
Municipal Winemakers – Santa Barbara, Calif.
Bluxome Street Winery – San Francisco

How to Decorate Your Yard for Autumn Entertaining

September 2016

By Christina Molcillo

Fall is right around the corner, but backyard entertaining is still in full swing. Whether you’re hosting a mid-morning brunch or an early evening cocktail hour, it’s time to update the outdoor décor to make it festive for the season.

Here are some of our favorite ways to make this happen…

Let Your Porch Welcome Guests

When guests are coming over, your front porch will set the mood for the festivities to follow. This porch, decorated with autumn flowers and pumpkins, will welcome your visitors with a cozy fall feeling. (Image via countryliving.com)

If you’re lucky enough to have a sizable porch, some throw pillows in an autumn hue will accentuate the colors of your flower arrangements. (Image via heinspiredroom.net)

Get this look: Watercolor Painted Pumpkin Patch Lumbar Pillow Cover, Pottery Barn, 1822 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera, www.potterybarn.com.

Put a Wreath On It

Wreaths have a history dating as far back as ancient Greece, and have been used to announce the changing seasons, holidays, and harvest times. This hand-made Indian corn wreath helps usher in fall and looks great both inside and outside. (Image via hgtv.com)

Another example of a harvest wreath, created with wheat husks and local foliage. It makes a lovely centerpiece for any outdoor table and takes less than 30 minutes to create. (Image via lynchcreekwreaths.com)

Create this look: Village Art Supply, 715 Hahman Dr, Santa Rosa, villageartsupply.com.

Go Out of Your Gourd

You don’t necessarily need to plant pumpkins or gourds – simply arrange a colorful selection in your garden to create a seasonal tableau. (Image via designerlandscapesllc.com)

Gourds can also serve as table decoration when hosting an outdoor picnic or meal. (Image via photos.hgtv.com)

Get these gourds: Calabash – A Festival of Gourds, Art, and the Garden (Sunday, October 2, 2016), 6550 Railroad Avenue, Forestville, fftfoodbank.org.

Show That Fall is For The Birds

Fall is the time for cleaning and restocking your bird feeders. Many species begin to flock and head toward warmer climates at this time of year – keeping your feeders filled will ensure that your backyard becomes a popular pitstop. (Image via birdfeeders.com)

You don’t need to invest a lot of time or money into a bird feeder. Simply hollow out half of a pumpkin, fill it with birdseed, and hang it from your favorite tree. Side note: this would only feed the birds for one day, and you can expect squirrels to help themselves to a few snacks – so remember to refill the feeder the next day. (Image via audubon.org)

Learn what to feed the birds: Wild Birds Unlimited, 71 Brookwood Avenue, Santa Rosa, santarosa.wbu.com.

Let Your Lights Shine

Autumn means that the days are getting shorter. Some well-placed lights in backyard trees will brighten up the night and create a twinkling, magical space for an outdoor cocktail party or romantic dinner. (Image via waplag.net)

These woven, wooden globes have strings of lights entwined throughout, creating a visually interesting addition to the yard. (Image via highwayswest.com)

Get this look: Lights and Décor for all Occasions, lightsforalloccasions.com.

Bring Out the Bales

Hay bales are a sure sign of the impending winter; when the weather puts an end to grazing days and the hay is plentiful. Here in Sonoma County, hay bales are a welcome winter sight, and can add a rustic touch to your outdoor decorations. (Image via digsdigs.com)

While you don’t need to display the whole crop to show that fall is here, these hay bales help create a cheery platform for this ‘gourd-geous’ collection. (Image via homefinder.com)

Get this look: Dave’s Hay Barn, 3395 Petaluma Hill Rd, Santa Rosa, CA, daveshaybarnsantarosa.vpweb.com.

Summer Sendoff at Wine Country Weekend’s Taste of Sonoma

September 2016

By Diane Peterson

Taste of Sonoma, the centerpiece of the three-day Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, welcomed food and wine lovers Saturday to the bucolic MacMurray Ranch Estate Vineyards in Healdsburg for the 12th year under near-perfect weather conditions.

The buzz this year is that changes are afoot for Sonoma County’s largest charitable event, produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance. Last year, the organizers gave away $3.5 million to charities from a gross of $5.5 million from the weekend.

Jean Arnold Sessions, executive director of the Sonoma County Vintners, hinted that the event’s date and location will be different next year but kept those details under wraps until an announcement Sunday.

“Labor Day has been tough for a lot of people coming, because they are on family holidays,” Sessions said. “And MacMurray Ranch has done it for so many years. It’s a chance to move around Sonoma County.”

As usual, there were plenty of refreshing bites and sips, such as the spicy watermelon gazpacho served up by Chef Darren McReynolds of the Pullman Kitchen in Santa Rosa, paired with a Dutton Estate Sauvignon Blanc.

MacMurray Ranch (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

One of the benefits of attending is you can try food and wine from the entire county, without having to drive around in your car.

“What’s not to like?” asked John Carr of San Francisco, returning for his fifth year at the event. “The food and the wine is wonderful, the crowds are not overwhelming, and the scenery is great. You can stop at the Jimtown Store and Rodney Strong in one day.”

While there were a few babies in tow, Christine Rios of Napa and San Francisco was the only one who carried her dog, Princess Snowflake, in a shoulder bag while tasting through the appellation tents.

“This is super high class, the most un-country Wine Country event,” she said. “There’s a lot of attention to detail — the signage, the lay out, the people. It feels very open and casual, but the preparation was not casual at all.”

The event sold out Friday, with an estimated 2,500 tickets purchased and a crew of 400 volunteers, who worked all week to get ready for the chefs, the winemakers and the guests to arrive.

Ticket holders started streaming through the gate at 11 a.m., but many of the 200 wineries and 85 chefs participating in the event had arrived at the ranch much earlier.

Peter Janiak, executive chef of Seghesio Family Vineyards, started smoking 140 racks of St. Louis-style pork ribs at 1:30 a.m. Saturday. He served them up with the Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel and a side of wipes for greasy fingers.

Most folks started the day in the Bubble Lounge, where Gloria Ferrer sparklers were served alongside fresh oysters and other tasty bites. The lines snaked out the gate early in the day but eventually eased up.

“This is one of the premier wine and food events in the world,” said Gary Kozak of Santa Rosa, as he snagged the very last oyster in the Bubble Lounge and slurped it up. “Sorry folks. This is it. C’est la vie.”

Experienced tasters, like Krista Wilcox of Davis, arrived early with friends and had her itinerary already sketched out.

“We start in the Bubble Lounge, then we do beer,” she said. “Then we go through the tents, left to right, and meet back at the bubble lounge to rehydrate.”

This year, in addition to the four appellation tents devoted to the Alexander, Dry Creek, Sonoma and Russian River Valleys, there was a fifth tent for wineries sourcing from the Sonoma Coast.

Claire Ramey, daughter of well-known winemaker David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars, was pouring a syrah and a chardonnay, both sourced from the Sonoma Coast. But like many, she was sipping a refreshing rosé from Sidecar, to keep the heat at bay.

Although the temperatures only peaked in the low ‘80s, it was warm enough to send others to the Marketplace to line up for a cold brew.

“We’re just mixing it up,” said Ally Collombini of Santa Rosa, while standing in line for a Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing Co. “We’re keeping it real and fresh. And hydrated.”

In the Alexander Valley tent, Tim Vallery, chef at Peloton Catering of Healdsburg, was also sipping a Pliny while serving up bites of compressed watermelon with shrimp ceviche, panna cotta and crispy prosciutto to pair with the Trione Sauvignon Blanc.

“This dish is great on its own,” he said. “But when you pair it with the wine, it really highlights the wine.”

Over in the Dry Creek Valley tent, Executive Chef Scotti Romano of the Dry Creek Kitchen crafted some handmade cavatelli pasta that was smothered in a duck and guanciale Bolognese sauce, to pair with a Mauritson Zinfandel.

“Acid and tomato and fat goes so well with the zin,” said Clay Mauritson, owner and winemaker of Mauritson Wines. “I don’t think there’s anything more classic than zin and duck,”

Like other winemakers, Mauritson attended the Taste despite being knee-deep in harvest, with a fifth of his crop already in. Compared to last year’s challenging harvest, when many varietals ripened at once, this year’s harvest looks to be more spread out, due to the weather.

“Leading up to harvest, we have had one of the best six to eight weeks ever,” he said. “The potential for the quality is unbelievable. We can measure the phenolics — the tannins and color — and right now they are off the chart.”

Kate MacMurray, a spokesperson for MacMurray Estate Vineyards, spent the day pouring wine in the Russian River tent and waxing poetic about the ranch where her famous father, actor Fred MacMurray, used to fly fish in the Russian River.

“It’s the last celebration before harvest,” she said of the signature event. “It’s a transition from summer to fall…. One door is closing, and one is opening, but we’re all connected.”

Photography by John Burgess.

Five Crowd-Pleasing Wines to Serve on Labor Day

September 2016

By Peg Melnik

Hosting a Labor Day barbecue for carnivores, vegans and everyone in-between? Tip: Be politically correct by including a few vegan wines in your line-up. (See below.) Vegan wines are produced without any animal products.

The wines listed range in price from $15 to $60, and you’ll win points from your vegan friends with the first three.

Alexander Valley Vineyards, 2014 Sonoma County Merlot, 14%, $20. Vegan. This is a smart buy for the budget-minded. It has notes of cherry, plum, herbs and spice. A seamless merlot that will pair well with meat and veggie burgers.

Alban Vineyard Patrina, 2013 Alban Estate Syrah, 15.5%, $43. Vegan. A meaty syrah that stands up to the rich flavors in a meat or a Portobello burger . Notes of white pepper and bacon. Lovely.

Thumbprint Cellars, 2013 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir, 15.2%, $60. Vegan. This pinot has tasty red fruit – wild strawberry and cherry – bright acid and a hint of toffee. Firm tannins. Nice length. It’s a good vegan option because it marries well with a veggie or Portobello burger.

Siduri, 2013 Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, 14.4%, $51. This rich pinot is weighted to red fruit and it has a streak of racy black pepper spice. This sassy pinot makes for great Labor Day fun, whether solo or paired with grilled meats.

Trentadue Old Patch Red Sonoma County Red Blend, 13%, $15. This is a juicy blend that has bright red fruit, crisp acidity and snappy spice. This will show well with either a burger or a vegetarian option. It’s a steal for the price.

Harvest Summit: An Innovation Field Trip in Sonoma County

September 2016

By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Sonoma County fall vineyard. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Say goodbye to stuffy ballrooms, powerpoint presentations and rubber chicken lunches, there’s a new kind of conference in town.

Harvest Summit, a one day invitation-only “innovation field trip,” is set to launch in Sonoma County on November 4th. Serving up a blend of farm-to-table bites, artisanal drinks and avant-garde conversations in a countryside setting, the Sonoma County summit aims to ignite interaction and ideas that will have a social impact.

“We recognize a great need for leaders to get out of their silos and learn from each other,” said Jessica Kilcullen, co-founder of Harvest Summit. “We also believe in the psychological benefits associated with being outside – fresh air leads to fresh perspectives.”

The inaugural Harvest Summit will take place at a private farm estate in Knight’s Valley, just outside of Healdsburg, and will be host to an eclectic mix of participants: from media, tech and entertainment entrepreneurs to environmental leaders; from makers, writers and artists to award-winning chefs and winemakers.

Harvest Summit participants will begin the day with guided meditation, followed by a breakfast provided in partnership with Alvarado Street Bakery (Petaluma) and Taylor Maid Farms Coffee (Sebastopol). After a “Big Barn” kickoff, the agenda features a combination of interactive small group discussions and presentations on a variety of topics, including “innovation acceleration,” “mindfulness,”“the future of food,” and “virtual reality.” The summit will also include an “innovation discovery zone,” to showcase new products and inventions.

The summit speaker list features notable names such as Steven Aldrich (CPO, Go Daddy), Dale Dougherty (CEO, Maker Media), Nancy Duarte (CEO, best-selling author), Douglas Keane (Chef célèbre), Mike McGuire (CA State Senator), Daniel Meyer (COO Global Good Fund), Bill Price (CEO, Head High Wines, former co-founder TPG), Joy Anne Sterling (Partner/CEO, Iron Horse), Dustin Valette (Chef/Proprietor, Valette) and Jon Sebastiani (Founder/CEO, Sonoma Brands).

“Innovation has become a giant buzzword,” said Bill O’Connor, Innovation Strategist at Autodesk and speaker at Harvest Summit, “but the goal here is to go beyond the warm and fuzzy anecdotes and vague generalities that dominate the current innovation dialogue… Engaging with leaders from divergent fields can expose my blind spots and help me see things differently. I think that has the potential to be transformative.”

For more information and to request an invite, visit harvestsummit.com

Sonoma Magazine is a media partner of Harvest Summit.

The Faces of Harvest

September 2016

By Meg McConahey

You may see their backs bent among the vines, moving at an urgent pace as they gather a crop too temperamental and too valuable to wait.

But you never see their faces. The harvesters have their features concealed beneath the brims of caps and hoodies, their expressions impossible to read.

Collectively, they drive the engine at the front end of winemaking. Their days of picking can begin at 2 a.m. and end in the beating rays at noon. Their workplace is not the quietly bucolic scene of rolling vineyards found on Wine Country postcards. It is filled with the thrum of generators, the smoke of exhaust, the growl of tractors.

What if they were to be coaxed to a camera, focused just on their faces? Who would we see?

Catalina Martinez, 38, Veracruz, Mexico • 9/23/2015, A. Rafanelli Winery vineyard, Healdsburg — Catalina Martinez, 38, Veracruz, Mexico. 9/23/2015, A. Rafanelli Winery vineyard, Healdsburg. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Photographer Erik Castro set out to capture the many faces of Sonoma’s grape harvest. He showed up at a dozen vineyards — Balletto, Quivira and Jack London Ranch among them — toward the end of shifts as long as 10 hours. Then Castro persuaded 70 harvesters — 67 men and three women — to sit down before a stranger. Hot and exhausted, they looked into his lens and revealed something of themselves.

Rafael Amador, 21, Hidalgo, Mexico. • 9/24/2015, Rancho Lazaro vineyard, Sonoma — Rafael Amador, 21, Hidalgo, Mexico. 9/24/2015, Rancho Lazaro vineyard, Sonoma. (Photo by Erik Castro)

They were as young as 21, as old as 73. They were all Mexican, from Oaxaca, Michoacán, Guanajato, Tlaxcala. One vineyard manager said that in 42 years he had only one American picker, and that was for a single day’s work.

“I don’t want you to look at the vineyards. I don’t want you to look at the hills,” Castro says. “All I want you to look at is the person. I’ve always thought when you look in somebody’s eyes, it removes the labels you might have on them. They don’t become an immigrant or a laborer. They become simply a human being.”

HARVESTER, a Photo Series by Erik Castro, is on display at Christie Marks Fine Art through September 17.

312 South A St., Suite 7, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, (707) 695-1011, christiemarksfineart.com

A selection of photographs from the Harvester photo series by Erik Castro:

Harvester_40x60_01 — Juan Manuel Ojeda Flores, 30, Guanajuato, Mexico. 9/18/2015, Jack London Ranch vineyard, Glen Ellen. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_07 — Raymundo Gutierrez, 42, Oaxaca, Mexico. 9/23/2015, A. Rafanelli Winery vineyard, Healdsburg. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_14 — Sylvia Elizza, 32, Oaxaca, Mexico. 9/19/2015, Ted Williams Vineyard, Santa Rosa. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_10 — Juan Pablo, 24, Aguascalientes, Mexico. 9/23/2015, A. Rafanelli Winery vineyard, Healdsburg. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_05 — Jorge Chavez, 54, Michoacán, Mexico. 9/8/2015, Quivira Vineyards, Healdsburg. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_03 — Eduardo Cardana, 22, Michoacán, Mexico. 9/5/2015, River Road Ranch Vineyard, Windsor. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvest-Face-JLondon_135 — Miguel Santiago, 38, Guerrero, Mexico. 9/18/2015, Jack London Ranch vineyard, Glen Ellen. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_04 — Nacio Lopez Garcia, 39, Michoacán, Mexico. 9/5/2015, River Road Ranch Vineyard, Windsor. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_40x60_02 — Julian llamas, 55, Jalisco, Mexico. 10/9/2015, Linked Vineyards, Santa Rosa. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_01 — Jose Ordaz, 58, Palo Alto, Michoacán, Mexico. 9/18/2015, Jack London Ranch vineyard, Glen Ellen. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Harvester_24x36_08 — Lorenzo Carrasco, 40, Oaxaca, Mexico. 9/23/2015, A. Rafanelli Winery vineyard, Healdsburg. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Halloween Cover Show: A Spooky Good Time

August 2016

By Estefany Gonzalez

Halloween Cover Show attendees were treated to a night of sinfully sweet takes on some of their favorite tracks at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, Saturday, October 29. Browse the gallery below for highlights…

Photography by Estefany Gonzalez.

Foo Fighters cover band, Food Eaters.

U2 cover band, Rattle & Hum.

AC/DC cover band, Back in Bloom.

Foo Fighters cover band, Food Eaters.

Timmy Lohdi of AC/DC cover band, Back in Bloom.

Gabe Katz of Foo Fighters cover band, Food Eaters.

Cody Sullivan of Nirvana cover band, Negative Creeps.

U2 cover band, Rattle & Hum.

AC/DC cover band, Back in Bloom.

Sonoma County Cycling Event Raises $580,000 for Parkinson’s Research

August 2016

By Sofia Englund

Rick Tigner, organizer of Tour de Fox Wine Country, and Wendy Tigner, enjoy the

tour - 1 — Cyclists at the start of Tour de Fox Wine Country. (Photo Courtesy: The Michael J. Fox Foundation)

650 cyclists took to Sonoma Country backroads last Saturday for the final Wine Country stretch of the Tour de Fox, a charity ride in support of Parkinson’s research.

Riding on roads flanked by vineyards, via Guerneville, Dry Creek Valley and Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, local tour participants and donors raised $580,000 (and counting) to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to GOALS Foundation, which supports special needs children and adults through soccer.

Left to right, Rick Tigner, CEO of Jackson Family Wines, Wendy Tigner and Sam Fox with the Michael J. Fox Foundation at the after party for the Tour de Fox Wine Country Edition at the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa. (JOHN BURGESS/The Press Democrat) — Left to right, Rick Tigner, CEO of Jackson Family Wines, Wendy Tigner and Sam Fox with the Michael J. Fox Foundation at the after party for the Tour de Fox Wine Country Edition at the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa. (Photo by John Burgess)

The Tour de Fox was launched in the summer of 2015 by Sam Fox, an extreme athlete (no relation to Michael J. Fox), in honor of his mother who has lived with Parkinson’s for 15 years.

The inaugural tour covered a 14,000 mile route from Maine to Vancouver (8,000 miles were biked by Sam Fox), passed through all 48 contiguous states, and ascended their highest peaks. The tour raised $2.5 million in support of Parkinson’s research, and included a Wine Country chapter organized by Rick Tigner, president of Santa Rosa-based Jackson Family Wines. Mr. Tigner’s wife, Wendy, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006.

Julia Chow, left, and Noel Namba braid the hair of Madison Kiss at the after party for the Tour de Fox Wine Country Edition at the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa. (JOHN BURGESS/The Press Democrat) — Julia Chow, left, and Noel Namba braid the hair of Madison Kiss at the after party for the Tour de Fox Wine Country Edition at the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa. (Photo by John Burgess)

After the success of last year’s race, Mr. Tigner brought the event back to Sonoma County in 2016. This year’s 73-mile Wine Country race (also available in shorter 51, 31.5 and 10-mile options) ended with a Finish Line Festival at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. Mr. Tigner was the top fundraiser, raising $98,645. Team “Chowdogs,” led by energy executive Richard Chow, raised $31,135. A 2017 tour is in the works, with another Sonoma County event tentatively planned.

For more information or to make a donation, visit: tourdefox.michaeljfox.org/winecountry

7 Ways Mirrors Can Make Any Room Look Bigger

August 2016

By Christina Molcillo

Mirrors are multitaskers. Not only do they make sure that you look good, but they can also make your rooms look bigger, brighter – and better. Here are a few ideas on how to use mirrors to transform any room in your house:

Create A Window

If you have a small room without windows, use a mirror that’s cut and framed to mimic a window. This will open the space and prevent a sense of claustrophobia. The window-mirror will also serve as a focal point in the room. (Image via HGTVHome.com)

As this artistically cut mirror demonstrates, the mirror doesn’t need to be framed in order to create the impression of a window. (Image via potterybarn.com)

Get this look: Arch’s Glass, 8079 La Plaza, Cotati. windowsdoorssantarosa.com

Let The Kitchen Shine

Mirrors in the kitchen? Yes, indeed! A well-placed mirror can create a sense of space in what is usually one of the smallest rooms in the house, while turning the chore of cooking dinner into a delight. That being said, if my kitchen looked like this one I’d never complain about cooking again. (Image via drawhome.com)

A mirror in the kitchen can help a cook keep a look out for what’s happening in the dining area behind them. It can also create the illusion of a window that opens onto the room beyond. (Image via themakerista.com)

Get this look: Premier Bath & Kitchen, 3201 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa. premierbathandkitchen.com

Stand Tall

A tall mirror draws the eye upward, instantly making the room feel more spacious.

There’s a multitude of neat optical illusions that can be created with tall, slender mirrors. This mirror has been strategically placed in a small alcove. By reflecting the stone work across from it, the mirror creates the illusion of a doorway leading to another room.

Get this look: Sonoma Country Antiques, 23999 Arnold Drive (Hwy 121), Sonoma. sonomaantiques.com

Highlight The Hallway

The hallway tends to be the narrowest, dimmest part of any house. This artistic collection of hexagonal mirrors effectively transforms what could otherwise have been a dull and plain part of the house. (Image via Levi Hobbs)

This hallway mirror welcomes visitors by the entry, making it a useful addition as well as an aesthetic one.

Get this look: Williams and Sonoma, 605 Broadway, Sonoma. www.williams-sonoma.com

Practice Multiplication

If mirrors happen to be your favorite collectible, display them together to add character to a room and to reflect light in different directions. (Image via Flikr)

This collection of round mirrors plays off the round bed as well as the dots on the blanket, making the room into a work of art – no need for pictures or paintings.

Get this look: Favorite Things, 1500 4th St, Santa Rosa. (707) 541-7380

Illuminate Your Dining Space

A mirror in the dining room works especially well together with a chandelier; the mirror will reflect the light and make the room feel larger and more formal. (Image via fuernte.com)

A large mirror in a small dining area can create the illusion that the room is twice its actual size. (Image via HGTV)

Get this look: Perkins Glass and Screen, 957 West College, Santa Rosa. perkinsglassandscreeninc.com

Go Big

The oversized mirror is the favorite “weapon” of many interior designers. As can be seen in this space, the large mirror complements the décor, while seamlessly making the room appear much larger. (Image via wayfair.com)

Larger mirrors don’t necessarily mean more work when it comes to hanging them up; they work just as well being leaned against a wall or placed in a corner.

Get this look: Macy’s, Coddingtown Mall, 555 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. macys.com