When it comes to gardening in Sonoma County many homeowners find themselves trying to decide whether they want a yard that is used for growing fruits and vegetables, or one that works as a colorful sanctuary filled with flowers and aesthetically pleasing plants.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two. Vegetables come in a striking array of hues and, with a little bit of planning, a vegetable garden can satisfy the stomach as well as the soul.
Here’s five easy ways to create a stunning vegetable garden that can satisfy all your senses:
Plant by Color
Kale is a flowering vegetable that’s beautiful as well as edible. Vegetables like lettuce, kale, and artichoke add interesting textures and splashes of color to the yard.
Vulcan lettuce has a purple leaf, and adds visual interest when placed next to the green varieties. (Image via JohnnySeeds)
When seen on a larger scale, the differences are stunning. (Image via Phys.org)
Mix and Match
Potatoes, Chard, Cucumbers, and Nasturtiums work well together. Just because a garden is primarily focused on edibles like bell peppers, lettuce, or carrots doesn’t mean that flowers can’t be planted alongside them. (Image via gardenersedem.com)
Marigolds and nasturtiums work well with salad greens. Mixing flowers in with the vegetables is called companion planting, and not only looks great, but often confuses common pests and makes it more difficult for diseases to spread. (Image via Gary Smith/Daily Mail)
Mixing edible plants with purely decorative ones results in an all around charming garden. (Image via Patchworkveg)
Add Unexpected Decorations
Adding decorative touches that guests will see as they stroll through the garden can help to make it look like more of a decorative space, even when the focus is on edibles. (Image via Garden Décor)
Garden decorations don’t need to be in with the plants; these wicker chairs invite conversation and relaxation in the backyard. (Image via Pier1)
This old bicycle makes a whimsical way to grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables above ground while guaranteeing a smile from every visitor who stops by. (Image via Briarpatch Prim)
Get Creative with Containers
If you have a smaller yard, containers are a great way to showcase your veggies, and they don’t have to be boring. (Image via InBalkans)
Wine barrels are a perfect container for plants in Sonoma County. (Image via harvesttotable.com)
Visual interest can be created by using planters of different shapes, sizes, and colors. (Image via gardners.com)
Create an Interesting Layout
Spacing is an important consideration for vegetables, as is the location, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be kept in orderly rows. Curving lines and differing heights make this layout pop. (Image via TheGreatestGarden)
Even in a smaller yard, raised beds can be placed in delightful configurations. (Image via Houzz)
Careful planning before planting each season will help ensure a successful outcome.(Image via Almanac.com)
For anyone who had high hopes and big plans for the summer, it might be a bit of shock to realize that we’re already into July. But don’t worry if your plans have yet to materialize. There’s still time to get outside and have some fun.
Here’s a quick scan of the month’s offerings, including some free and family-friendly choices.
Music, costumes and fun at the Rivertown Revival in Petaluma on July 16th. (Photo by John Burgess)
FESTIVALS
The second annual Green Music Center Bluegrass Festival brings back nationally known mandolinist David Grisman, one of the driving forces behind last year’s inaugural event, performing with his Bluegrass Experience band. Billed this year as “The Mando Kings,” the show opens at 3 p.m. Sunday July 10 at Weill Hall with the audience spilling out onto the lawn. The roster also features Sam Bush and the Jeff Austin Band, with all three bands teaming up for the finale. $25-$45. (855) 955-6040.
Concert goers to the Green Music will be able to enjoy some bluegrass at the GMC’s second annual Bluegrass Festival on Sunday, July 10th. (Photo by Will Bucquoy)
Petaluma’s colorful, whimsical, seventh annual Rivertown Revival runs 11 a.m.-8 p.m. July 16, with a race featuring brightly decorated “art boats,” crafts booths and live music on two stages starting just before noon and running all afternoon. The headliners, Frankie Boots and the County Line, play at 7 p.m. McNear Peninsula, Steamer Landing Park, Petaluma. $10 admission; $5 for ages 17 and under.
From left, Adele 3, Casey, Thomas, 1, and Janine Coleman at the Rivertown Revival in Petaluma, 2015. (Photo by John Burgess)
FAIRS
Then there are the fairs. After all, what is a fair but a great big, long festival? While some attractions are indoors, many of them are outside.
The California State Fair runs through July 24 in Sacramento, with championship livestock shows, horseracing, classic cars, educational exhibits, arts and crafts displays, fine art, numerous competitions, youth exhibits, carnival rides, food and tastings of award-winning California wines. $6-$10; free admission for children under 4. (916) 253-3247.
The Sonoma County Fair runs July 22 through August 7 at the Santa Rosa fairgrounds. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
The Sonoma County Fair, themed “Lights, Camera, Fair!” in honor of the area’s long history as a favorite location for filmmakers, runs July 22 through Aug. 7 at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The action features the locally beloved Hall of Flowers exhibit, horse racing and live, outdoor concerts included in the price of fair admission: $12, $6 for kids ages 7-12. The destruction derby, monster trucks and rodeo cost a bit more. 545-4200.
Cassadee Pope will be appearing at the Sonoma County Fair on Aug. 2.
FAMILY FILMS
It’s halfway through summer vacation for schools. If the kids are starting to drive everybody crazy and everyone’s tired of TV, there are opportunities to take them to outdoor movie screenings for free.
The Tuesday Kids Movies series on Windsor Town Green shows family movies weekly, 15 minutes after sunset, until July 26.
You’ll have to wait a while for this one, but Santa Rosa’s Movies in the Park series shows free family movies in Howarth Park, beginning at dusk every Friday from Aug. 12 to Sept. 16.
The Tuesday Kids Movies series on Windsor Town Green shows family movies weekly, 15 minutes after sunset, until July 26. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
THEATRE
If you’d like to see a stage show in the open air, here are a couple of outstanding choices.
The Transcendence Theatre Company’s annual “Broadway Under the Stars” series continues with the musical revue “Fantastical Family Night” July 15-16 in the winery ruins at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. The season closes Sept. 11. Tickets range from $42-$134. (877) 424-1414.
Transcendence Theater’s “Broadway Under the Stars” continues with the musical revue “Fantastical Family Night” July 15-16 in the winery ruins at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.
Shakespeare in the Cannery presents its third outdoor season in the ruins of the old cannery in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square district, with “Macbeth” running through July 23, followed by the new play “The Plot Against Shakespeare,” Aug. 12-27. Tickets range from $5-$28. 528-3009.
Shakespeare in the Cannery presents its third outdoor season in the ruins of the old cannery in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square district. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
FREE OUTDOOR MUSIC
Free outdoor summer concert series continue at parks and plazas throughout Sonoma County this summer and, in some cases, into the fall.
The 23rd annual Live at Juilliard season at Santa Rosa’s Juilliard Park closes Aug. 14. Music runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Ukiah’s Sundays in the Park series presents concerts at 8 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 14 in Todd Grove Park. 463-6231.
Friday Night Live at the Plaza in downtown Cloverdale continues through Sept. 2. Concerts start at 7 p.m. (Photo by John Burgess)
The Peacetown Summer Concert series, presented by Jim “Mr. Music” Corbett, runs through Aug. 31 at Sebastopol’s Ives Park. The weekly concerts run Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. 508-5449.
The Tuesdays in the Plaza series presents weekly concerts from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Healdsburg Plaza. 431-0331.
The Wednesday Night Market in downtown Santa Rosa, a street fair and crafts and produce market, attracts a crowd with live music, food trucks and vendors from 5-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 17 along Fourth Street.
The Wednesday Night Market in downtown Santa Rosa attracts a crowd with live music, food trucks and vendors. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
Summer Nights on the Green at the Windsor Town Green hosts Thursday concerts at 6 p.m. weekly through Aug. 4.
Guerneville’s Rockin’ the River presents a family-friendly series of dancin’-in-the-street parties on alternate Thursdays through Sept. 15 at Guerneville Plaza. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. 869-9403.
The popular radio station KRSH hosts its annual KRUSH Backyard Concerts series behind its building in Santa Rosa. Music starts 6 p.m on some (but not all) Thursdays. The last show is Sept. 22.
Funky Fridays series continues through Sept. 2 on the lawn at the Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)
This series isn’t free, but the popular Funky Fridays series continues through Sept. 2 on the lawn at the Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10 admission, $10 parking. 833-6288.
Pastis-scented steamed mussels and fries at The Girl & the Fig in Sonoma. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
From food that’s good for you to juicy burgers, fries and milkshakes, food connoisseur Heather Irwin recommends these eateries of the moment.
Sliced beets, avocado and pea shoots on rEvolution Bread at The Pharmacy Cafe in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
The Pharmacy Sonoma County
It’s no accident that Kim Bourdet took over a longtime pharmacy building in Santa Rosa. “Food is our medicine,” said the former Gap Kids executive who owns the farm-to-feel-better cafe with Jennifer McMurry. Their simple breakfast and lunch menu features local ingredients that make as few stops as possible between the farm and your mouth. McMurry, a pastry chef who ran the Viola Pastry Boutique & Café, creates healthier versions of familiar foods such as egg salad, carrot cake, chicken noodle soup and a croque madame with Rancho Llano Seco bacon, bechamel and an over-easy egg. This isn’t diet food, mind you, just nourishing dishes that don’t rely on heavy doses of white sugar, salt, white flour and commercial eggs. Save room for McMurry’s Meyer lemon curd meringue and salted caramel chocolate pot de crème.
Pastis-scented steamed mussels and fries at the girl & the fig in Sonoma. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
the girl & the fig
This Sonoma institution has long been a favorite of locals, tourists and the occasional celebrity, for both its extraordinary outdoor patio and approachable Wine Country-French cuisine. Never one to rest on her laurels, chefowner Sondra Bernstein recently added breakfast service on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch on Sundays, offering house-made bagels and smoked salmon, croque madame with Mornay sauce and applewood-smoked ham, house-cured ham hash with Hollandaise sauce, and caramelized-onion quiche. Bernstein also recently hit the road with her fig rig food truck, taking the girl & the fig menu to farmers markets, festivals and other events.
Deviled Eggs at Fogbelt Brewing in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Fogbelt Brewing Co.
The word “brewpub” has become synonymous with “restaurant that serves beer,” rather than a gathering place to down a few pints with fish and chips. In other words, the pub has gone out of brewpub. But Fogbelt takes it old-school with its simple-ish butcher boards and bar bites paired with house-made and other local beers. Served at the U-shaped bar are sausage sandwiches from Sonoma County Meat Co., produce from Fogbelt’s Healdsburg farm, pretzel bites with beer-bechamel sauce, hoisin-barbecued beef sliders and butcher boards piled with such beer-friendly bites as fresh mozzarella with balsamic reduction, wine-cured salami and mixed pickles.
Thai Burger at Bibi’s Burger Bar in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin / BiteClubEats)
Bibi’s Burger Bar
Offering creative cocktails, shakes and a lengthy list of burgers, fries, salads and a few entrees, Bibi’s stakes a claim on beefy patties topped with everything under the sun, from Thai coleslaw and portobello mushrooms to homemade chili. Chefs Ben Davies and Bruce Frieseke use toasted Franco American buns and fresh produce, and add twists such as the breaded Parmigiana burger ($14) with marinara, onion ring and mozzarella on sourdough bread. The Connecticut-style steamed cheeseburger is so juicy that extra napkins and a trough are appropriate. Wash it down with a Rhu-Barbarian cocktail made with Skyy strawberry vodka, lime, strawberry and rhubarb bitters.
630 Third St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-1400, bibisr.com
Freshly baked Olive Bread at Trading Post Market & Bakery in Cloverdale. (Courtesy Photo)
Trading Post Market & Bakery
A project of San Francisco’s Mercer Restaurant Group (AQ, Melange, The Hall), this haute bread shop is more of an industrial cooking space with a small collection of jams and honey than it is a traditional bakery. No worries, since hearty, stone-hearth country loaves and baguettes are the draw to this Cloverdale spot. It’s truly excellent bread, with big air pockets and a crunchy crust: Just a swipe of fresh butter and a dab of raw honey make it spectacular. The bakery is the first stage of a larger-scale project, which will include a full-service restaurant.
Pork Belly Burger at Hey Misster in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Hey Misstir Bar & Grill
The burgers here are intimidating, even to an experienced eater. It’s not just the sheer size of these towering beefscrapers, but also the carnivorous radicalism of a poultry, pork and beef ménage à trois under a bun. At a bar, no less. Behold the pork belly burger: toasted bun, mayo, fried egg, bacon, pork-belly-stuffed hamburger and requisite vegetables. With a side of buffalo wing sauce-slathered fries topped with blue cheese crumbles, it’s a cardiac nightmare, so bring an army to help eat it. There are also short rib, chuck and brisket burgers loaded with insane toppings. This little gem won’t stay under the radar long.
Biscuits at Big Bottom Market in Guerneville. (Chris Hardy / Sonoma Magazine)
Big Bottom Market
Crista Luedtke, Kate Larkin and Michael Volpatt have given their gourmet general store a facelift just in time for summer, with more space and a focus on their amazing biscuits. The biscuit bar features these glutenous pillows with pulled pork; mascarpone and honey; berries and whipped cream; and smoked salmon and pickled onions. Big Bottom also sells the biscuits par-baked and frozen.
All you can eat sushi at Paradise Sushi in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Paradise Sushi
Sane people approach an all-you-can-eat sushi bar with the same caution as they would, say, a trapped opossum. Which is to say with an equal mix of extreme fear and unbridled fascination. However, you can gorge with impunity on the nonstop parade of nigiri and sushi rolls at this Santa Rosa offshoot of the popular Petaluma Paradise sushi bar. With a single rainbow roll costing $14 or more, Paradise’s $18.95 lunch and $24.95 dinner are thrifty, indeed. The all-you-can-eat selection increases at dinner.
Pisco Blood Orange Cocktail at Geyserville Gun Club Bar & Lounge (Sara Sanger/www.sarasanger.com)
Geyserville Gun Club Bar & Lounge
Dino Bugica continues to make tiny Geyserville a destination. His Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria has become legendary, and now there’s at reason to hang out late in a town where there’s not much to do after 9 p.m. With exposed brick, reclaimed walnut bar and a chandelier made of glass antlers, the Gun Club is Old West-meets-modern-minimalist, with a menu to match. Bugica marries bar bites such as Nutella crêpes, uni and toast with cauliflower cream, and chicken wings with spicy Japanese mayo, with nouveau-classic cocktails including Moscow mules, Gun Club Gibsons (gin, vermouth, orange bitters and pickling spices) and Negronis on tap. There’s also a daily blue-plate special and weekly live music.
Looking for something to do this weekend? There’s plenty to choose from! Travel back in time while sipping some wine at Buena Vista Winery’s Living History Extravaganza, enjoy mouthwatering meats at Wine Country Big Q and jam to some jazz, blues and bluegrass. All this – and more – is in our list of things to do.
FRIDAY, July 8
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars: World and African music, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. July 8, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.
The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill: San Francisco-based rock band, 8 p.m. July 8, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $50-$70. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.
The Soulshine Blues Band: Blues standards and original tunes, ‘Funky Fridays’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. July 8, Hood Mansion, Santa Rosa. $10. 833-6288, funkyfridays.info.
Travel back in time while sipping some wine at Buena Vista Winery’s Living History Extravaganza.(Photo by Buena Vista Winery)
SATURDAY, July 9
Buena Vista Winery Living History Extravaganza
This Saturday from 11 a.m-3 p.m., Buena Vista Winery will bring the 1860’s to life with wine, food, and music. Living historical figures will be wandering the grounds telling stories and giving tours of the historic stone winery buildings and wine caves. Guests are invited to dress in period attire and join in on the fun while tasting a selection of Buena Vista current release wines. Wine Club Member tickets are $25 per person, General tickets are $35. Purchase tickets at here or call 800-325-2764. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, CA 95476.
Wine Country Big Q: This Saturday from 1-5 p.m., enjoy mouthwatering BBQ from some of the best Pit Masters around at the 6th annual Wine Country Big Q competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. Sample delicious meats and vote for your favorites while also enjoying award-winning brews and world class wines. This year’s live entertainment is Soul to Soul and Purple Haze. Find out more at winecountrybigq.com.
Enjoy mouthwatering meats at at Wine Country Big Q. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Wine & Dixieland Jazz Festival: Hear music from some of Sonoma County’s favorite jazz bands while enjoying great wine, dancing, food and more at Cline Cellars in Sonoma. Tickets are $40-$45. Find out more at shop.clinecellars.com/jazzfestival.
Cotati Kids Day: Join a free family event this Saturday at La Plaza Park in Cotati. The annual Cotati Kids Day starts with a pancake breakfast 7-9 a.m. Then the parade kicks off at 10 a.m. The day continues with a fun festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., filled with vendors, games, music and more. Find out all the details at www.ci.cotati.ca.us.
Pet Adoption Weekend: 9 local adoption agencies are coming to Airport Stadium in Santa Rosa to help four-legged friends find their forever human. The event will include free hot dogs, lots of prizes, a silent auction and more. Plus, all adoptions come with free movie tickets. The event will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is free to attend. Find out more at the Facebook events page.
The Kut-Ups Radio Hour: Saturday at 1 p.m., the signature show series opens for this senior musical troupe performing broadway, blues, motown, rock and more at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park. The ensemble consists of a full band, singers, dancers and comedians, and will keep you entertained from start to curtain close. Tickets are $20. Find out all the details at www.thekutups.com.
Enjoy some bluegrass at the Green Music Center Bluegrass Festival. (Will Bucquoy / The Press Democrat)
SUNDAY, July 10
GMC Bluegrass Festival: The 2nd annual Bluegrass Festival is coming to the Green Music Center this Sunday. Starting at 3 p.m., musical acts will include The Mando Kings, The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush and the Jeff Austin Band. Tickets are $25-$45. Find out all the details at gmc.sonoma.edu.
Local Author Launch: Listen as 20 Sonoma County authors share from their newly published books at the Flamingo Hotel this Sunday. From 2-4:30 p.m., Redwood Writers authors will read from works of fiction, memoir, self-help, poetry and more. This is your chance to meet authors from your community and become familiar with what they are writing. Admission is free. Find out more at redwoodwriters.org.
Petaluma’s Art & Garden Festival: This Sunday from 11-5 p..m., downtown Petaluma will be filled with fine local crafters, artisans, gardeners, food & wine and more. The free event will also feature live music from Foxes in the Henhouse, Soul Section, Hot Grubb and Kevin Durkin & Friends. Find out all the details at www.petalumadowntown.com.
Street Printing Festival: Booklovers, artists and printmakers will love this event at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. This Sunday, a variety of artists will be selling original printed art and offering interactive activities. The main event is the Street Printing, a method that involves a 4,000 pound pavement roller and handcarved linoleum blocks. This event is free, and starts at 11 a.m. Find out all the details at www.sebarts.org.
Brit Floyd at SOMO Village: This Sunday, Brit Floyd offers the Pink Floyd tribute experience you’ve been waiting for. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m., with the highlight being a new million dollar light show, state of the art video design and a massive stage production. Tickets are $42.50 for general admission, and $72.50 for reserved seating. Find out all the details at www.somoconcerts.com.
A Peek at Next Week…
San Francisco/Sonoma County band Royal Jelly Jive plays at the Cloverdale Plaza “Friday Night Live,” July 15.
Monday, July 11
The Blues Defenders Pro Jam: Gritty West Coast blues, 8 p.m. Monday, Twin Oaks Roadhouse, Penngrove. Free. 795-5118, twinoaksroadhouse.ticketfly.com.
Tuesday, July 12
The Sorentinos: West Coast rock, ‘Tuesdays in the Plaza’ outdoor concert series, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Healdsburg Plaza. Free. ci.healdsburg.ca.us.
Wednesday, July 13
Frobeck: Funky rock, pop and soul, ‘Peacetown Summer Concert Series,’ 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Ives Park, Sebastopol. Free. 823-1511, sebastopol.org.
Twang Ditty: Country, honky-tonk, western swing and rockabilly, 5-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Wednesday Night Market, downtown Santa Rosa. Free. 524-2123, wednesdaynightmarket.org.
Thursday, July 14
‘Palate to Palette’: Imagery Estate Winery collection with wine label artwork, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday (through July 31), University Art Gallery, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. Free. 664-2295, sonoma.edu/artgallery.
Eleanor Brown: Bastille Day celebration with ‘The Light of Paris’ author, 6 p.m. Thursday, Copperfield’s Books, Healdsburg; wine and cheese sampling follows at Thumbprint Cellars. Free. 433-9270, copperfieldsbooks.com
Boz Scaggs: Rhythm and blues musician plus The Robert Cray Band, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Weill Hall and Lawn, Green Music Center, Rohnert Park. $25-$85. (866) 955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu.
Rockin’ Jason D. Williams: Rockabilly Roadhouse presentation, ‘Krush Backyard Concert Series,’ 6 p.m. Thursday, KRSH radio, Santa Rosa. Free. krsh.com.
Flynn Creek Circus: Acrobats, aerialists and daredevils under the big-top tent, 7 p.m. Thursday, Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. $12-$50. (510) 381-4004, flynncreekcircus.com.
Lavay Smith: Classic jazz and blues, ‘Concert Under the Stars,’ 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.
Lumberyard: 1960s, ’70s and ’80s rock, ‘Summer Nights on the Green’ outdoor concert series, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Windsor Town Green. Free. 838-1260, townofwindsor.com.
Friday, July 15
Greenhouse: Celtic fusion, music of Ireland and the British Isles with a world beat, 8 p.m. July 15, Occidental Center for the Arts. $10. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
Festival Napa Valley: Ten-day festival opener, Kristin Chenoweth recital, 6 p.m. July 15, Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga. Sold out. 346-5052, festivalnapavalley.org.
Royal Jelly Jive: Swingin’ soul jive, ‘Friday Night Live’ outdoor concert series, 7 p.m. July 15, Cloverdale Plaza. Free. 894-4410, cloverdaleartsalliance.org.
The Deer: Austin-based avant-folk group, 9 p.m. July 15, HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol. $10. 829-7300, hopmonk-sebastopol.ticketfly.com.
The Rock Collection: Melvin Seals, Greg Anton, Stu Allen, Lebo and J.P. McLean, 8:30 p.m. July 15, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma. $25. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.
Paralysis: Thrash-metal band plus Santa Rosa-based Trecelence, 8 p.m. July 15, Phoenix Theater, Petaluma. $8. 762-3565, thephoenixtheater.com.
‘Merrily We Roll Along’: Opening night, Stephen Sondheim musical, Summer Repertory Theatre, 8 p.m. July 15, Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa. $15-$25. 527-4307, summerrep.com.
‘Fantastical Family Night’: ‘Broadway Under the Stars’ series, 5 p.m. picnicking, 7:30 p.m. performance, July 15, Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen. $29-$134. (877) 424-1414, ttcsonoma.org.
Saturday, July 16
Alive!: All-women’s jazz quintet reunion concert, 8 p.m. July 16, Occidental Center for the Arts. $25. 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
Midsummer Garden Tea: Song of Sonoma Chorus, hat contest, 1-3 p.m. July 16, Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Santa Rosa. $50. 524-5445, lutherburbank.org.
Nathan Owens & Legends of Motown: ‘Rockin’ Concerts’ series, noon-3 p.m. July 16, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.
Crushers of Comedy: Sonoma County Comedy Fest, 7 p.m. July 16, Flamingo Resort Hotel, Santa Rosa. $40. (415) 350-6433, crushersofcomedy.com.
Rivertown Revival: Art boat regatta, live music, kids’ activities, vendors, sculpture walk, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. July 16, McNear Peninsula/Steamer Landing Park, Petaluma. $5-$10. rivertownrevival.com.
The Bootleg Honeys: Americana, ‘KRCB Concerts in the Garden’ series, 4-6 p.m. July 16, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa. Free. 293-6051, chromagallery.net.
The Babys: British rock group, plus local rock duo V², 8 p.m. July 16, House of Rock, Santa Rosa. $40-$55. 791-3482, rockstaruniversity.com.
Sunday, July 17
Trevor McSpadden: Country musician/acoustic guitarist, 5-8 p.m. July 17, Rossi’s 1906, Sonoma. Free. 343-0044, rossis1906.com.
Astrofunk Experience: World, funk and soul music, ‘Live at Juilliard’ summer concert series, 5-7 p.m. July 17, Juilliard Park, Santa Rosa. Free. 543-4512, srcity.org/liveatjuilliard.
Jess Petty: Trumpeter and vocalist, the Michael Brandeburg Jazz Trio, 1-4 p.m. July 17, Village Court, Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa. Free. 545-3844, mvshops.com.
Valley of the Moon Music Festival: Sixteen-day chamber music festival opener, 4 p.m. July 17, Hanna Boys Center, Sonoma. $20-$40. valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org.
Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line: Boogie-blues-bluegrass, Mendocino Music Festival, 7:30 p.m. July 17, Tent Concert Hall, Main Street, Mendocino. $12-$49. 937-2044, mendocinomusic.org.
Nice patterns in summer weight fabrics from Woolrich.
Just off the square in downtown Healdsburg is Everywear; a small shop filled to the brim with seasonal clothing, shoes, accessories, and hats. Catering to men, women, and children, this shop is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Checking out the sale rack of sundresses. My watermelon bag by Bando is actually an insulated cooler!
Sure you can pick up a Kate Spade handbag a block away at a boutique on the Square, but where can you nab a package of kids’ cotton underwear or a pair of water-friendly shoes before you head to the river? Everywear has you covered. And will save you from making a trip to a big box store so you can enjoy lunch downtown instead.
I swore I’d never wear Crocs but these new styles are feminine and surprisingly comfy.
Everywear is all about comfort and function, with some fun thrown in for good measure. You can find Crocs for the entire family including the latest styles for women: platform sandals, ballet flats and mary janes. There’s a variety of bathing suits for children, summer hats for men and women, and sunglasses from Ray-Ban. Even water wings for the little ones!
Nice patterns in summer weight fabrics from Woolrich.
With high quality brands Woolrich and Royal Robin, outdoor enthusiasts will love the variety of patterns available this season—lightweight plaids and florals are very popular—on top of smart features like linen fabrics with built in UV protection. Bohemian gals will love the easy, flowing sundresses from Papillion. Women’s sizes range from XS to 2X, and men’s sizes go to 2X with pants up to a 44-inch waist.
Make your own fabric belt complete with personalized buckle.
Interested in personalizing? Add an accessory. Everyone needs a bandana and here you’ll find one in every color imaginable. Have a custom cloth belt made in any color you choose with silver or black buckles available with your initial. Lightweight scarves are a stylish choice for our changing weather in Sonoma County. Everywear has everything you need for the summer.
Check out the gallery below for inspiration. Photography by Tenaya Fleckenstein
Hats for men, women and children.Pick a color and create a belt!Silly socks for men and women, including a pair that comes with 3D glasses!Wide selection of kids’ seasonal shoes including rain boots and Crocs.Comfy tunic as swimsuit cover-up or for lounging. Yes, pockets!A rainbow of bandanas and cloth belt options to the right.Funny shirts for men make a memorable gift or souvenir.Love the color palette and style of these Crocs.
A burger is at its best with a sassy wine, one that’s tangy and bright enough to cut through the rich protein in a beef patty. We’ve scouted for the best burger reds to set you up for the holiday.
We found plenty 5 tasty options (see list below) – our top burger pick is the Cline 2014 Contra Costa County Ancient Vines Mourvedre at $22. This Rhone red’s concentrated cherry flavors and high-toned note of cranberry make it a great match for burgers. Subtle flavors of plum, toast and chocolate are also at play, giving the wine layered appeal. It’s balanced, with good acidity and has nice length, scoring 4 stars with the burger, and 3.5 stars solo.
Winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos said he is intent on crafting a certain house style by relying on old vines that date back to the early 1900s.
“Our mourvedre is big in body, with lots of cherry flavor, nicely oaked but not overwhelming,” he said.
Cline Winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos.
Tsegeletos is the director of winemaking for Sonoma’s Cline Family Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. He said what makes him a great fit to make this wine is that he fancies the beverage.
“I like to drink wine, and I pay attention to what it is that I like in wines specifically,” he said. “I have a mental check list of 12 different tastes and aromas that need to be in balance to make good wine. Fruit, acid, sugar and oak are four of them.”
The winemaker said he isn’t swayed by pricey wines, but rather by well-crafted wines.
“I don’t do ‘wine snob’ very well. The wine might have a great lineage, but if it isn’t good, I’d rather drink a well-made $15 bottle,” said Tsegeletos, 59.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture science and management from UC Davis and said he was drawn to winemaking after tasting a glass of Charles Krug Reserve Cabernet, vintage 1974.
“It turned my head as to how good a wine could taste, and it made me think, ‘I really like this stuff!’ ”
Tsegeletos said winemaking also appealed to him because he likes working on mechanical things. Of course, at the end of the day, Tsegeletos gets the most gratification from pouring a glass for someone who has never tasted mourvedre before.
For the uninitiated, the exotic red was originally a Spanish varietal and made its way to America in the 1900s.
“They might not know how to pronounce it and they might not remember it, but when they taste it, they love it,” he said.
Chef Domenica Catelli’s Blended Burger (50-50 mix of house-ground beef and a blend of shiitake, cremini and dried porcini mushrooms, with arugula and pickled maitake and enoki mushrooms on top, served with Domenica’s signature kale salad, at Catelli’s restaurant in Geyserville (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
THIS WEEK’S BLIND TASTING: Burger Reds
Top Pick
Cline, 2014 Contra Costa County Ancient Vines Mourvedre, 15% alcohol, $22. (★★★1/2 solo, ★★★★ with burger)
This is knockout with a burger, thanks to this Rhone red’s concentrated cherry flavors and high-toned note of cranberry. It cuts through the rich protein. Subtle flavors of plum, toast and chocolate are also at play, giving the wine layered appeal. Balanced, with good acidity. Nice length. A smart burger pick.
4 Tasty Alternatives
Hart’s Desire, 2014 Russian River Valley Grenache, 14.4%, $30. (★★★1/2 solo, ★★★1/2 with burger): A tasty burger pick due to this wine’s tangy red fruit. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, plum and pomegranate. Lingering finish.
Mathis, 2012 Sonoma Valley Grenache, 14.6%, $27. (★★★ solo, ★★★ with burger): This grenache, weighted to blackberry and plum, is a tasty wine solo, but itf falls short with the burger. The wine includes a hint of strawberry, black cherry and black pepper spice.
Joel Gott, 2014 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, 13.6%, $21. (★★★1/2 solo, ★★★1/2 with burger): This is a good burger match, and also is tasty solo. A soft pinot, with notes of cherry and smoke. Bright acidity. Balanced.
Stephen Vincent, 2013 Sonoma County Pinot Noir, 13.5%, $15. (★★★1/2 solo, ★★★1/2 with burger): This is a tasty quaffer by itself, and equally appealing with a burger, with. This pinot has notes of cherry, blackberry, toast and pepper. Medium bodied. A smart value.
Hello summer! As the sizzling season arrives with meltingly hot days and everlasting nights, thoughts turn to ice cream and its cousins, gelato and sorbet, to cool things down.
In honor of the 31 flavors of Baskin Robbins (natch) or maybe just because July has 31 days to enjoy a cool lick, we’ve put together a list of 31 ice creams you should check out, because one man’s rocky road is another’s Meyer lemon sorbet.
Keep in mind, flavors change up seasonally and sometimes daily, so if you’re really dying for a particular favorite, be sure to call first.
So let’s get to scooping…
Artisans
Guerneville Bank Club featuring Chile Pies and Nimble and Finn’s Ice Cream. Photo Heather Irwin
1. Bourbon bacon brittle ice cream at Nimble and Finn’s. There’s a reason why river-goers line up for some of the best ice cream in Sonoma County. Nimble and Finn’s cheeky by-the-scoop flavors also include white nectarine lemon thyme sorbet, lavender honey comb and cinnamon cookie. Go a la mode with a slice of sweet apple and cherry pie with a drizzle of chile-infused honey from nearby Chile Pies. Guerneville Bank Club, 16290 Main St., Guerneville, 666-9411, or on Sundays at Santa Rosa’s West End Farmers Market at Railroad Square.
Lime coconut ice cream at Noble Folk in Healdsburg with dehydrated raspberries. Heather Irwin
2. Coconut Lime ice cream at Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar. It’s worth a special trip, along with unique flavors like cardamom, blackberry rosemary, cookie butter and Swiss chocolate, each inspired by local produce and the seasons. The menu changes frequently. 116 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 529-2162.
3. Meyer lemon ice cream at Healdsburg Shed. Small batch ice creams in exotic seasonal flavors at the coffee bar. 25 North St., Healdsburg, 431-7433.
4. Lavender fig ice cream at Sweet Scoops. Sonomans are crazy for this homemade ice cream spot on the square, which always has 22 flavors, from simple vanilla to lemon custard and Mexican chocolate. 408 First St. East, Sonoma, 721-1187.
On Wheels
5. Apricot-almond frozen ice pop by Real Cool Frozen Treats. Don’t call these Popsicles. Chef Maria DeCorpo’s ice cream cart is stocked with pops made from seasonal produce and organic ingredients, flavors like melon-mint, lemon and key lime, strawberry and Mexican chocolate. She’s a regular at the Wednesday night market in Santa Rosa and the Rohnert Park Farmer’s Market on Fridays. facebook.com/realcoolfrozentreats.
Pineapple whip float at Trader Jim’s at Off the Grid in Santa Rosa on 6/16. Heather Irwin/PD
6. Pineapple whips at Trader Jim’s. This little retro camper does only one thing, a little aloha in a cup. It is non-dairy soft-serve that you can get with or without a float of fresh pineapple juice. Off The Grid, Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. facebook.com/traderjimsfloats.
Childhood Memories
7. Daiquiri ice at Baskin Robbins. You can’t say 31 flavors without thinking of this classic ice cream spot. 282 Coddingtown Center, 544-9516, or baskinrobbins.com.
8. Root beer float at Foster’s Freeze. This old school burger and ice cream spot is all about the memories. Maybe because you’ve walked there, or your mom and dad took you in the family wagon, or it’s just Tuesday. 1400 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.
Noble Folk Ice Cream Cart (from the Facebook page)
9. Olive oil ice cream at Screaming Mimi’s. It’s no surprise that Food & Wine magazine has named this Sebastopol ice cream spot one of the best in America. There’s always a line, there are always kids with messy chocolate grins, and there’s always a new flavor to try. When it comes to rich, dark chocolate, there’s always Mimi’s Mud or Deep Dark Secret. 6902 Sebastopol. Ave., Sebastopol, 823-5902.
10. Black cherry amaretto gelato at Häagen-Dazs. Did you know the company’s name was made up by the founders in 1961, and become synonymous with rich, artisan ice creams long before that was a thing? 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, 545-2722.
Yogurt and Gelato
11. Vanilla/chocolate swirl frozen yogurt with maraschino cherries and Sour Patch Kids at Menchie’s. There are more toppings than you can possibly mix in without going into a sugar coma. Pineapple sorbet is another favorite. 2188 Santa Rosa Ave., at Santa Rosa Marketplace. 545-9866.
12. Berry patch tart yogurt at Moxie’s. 8930 Brooks Road, South, Windsor, 836-1665.
13. Classic tart yogurt at Yogurt Farms. It’s just that, classic and tart like real yogurt, lovable it for its simplicity. Get Hawaiian shave ice here as well. 1224 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 576-0737.
14. Taro and milk tea fro yo at Tutti Frutti. Fascinating Asian flavors worth a sample. 1425 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 988-3737.
15. Ghirardelli chocolate with pretzels at Honeymoon Frozen Yogurt. This local yogurt shop is a favorite because of its organic ingredients and commitment to local farms. Plus, its open until 10 p.m. 7108 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 829-9866.
17. Banana split at Lala’s Creamery. This spot looks like the soda fountains of old, with a marble-topped bar and brick walls, but in addition to the traditional confections, is serves up unique flavors like horchata, honey goat cheese and dairy free lemon curd chia seed. 134 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 763-5252.
18. Blackberry swirl at Petaluma Creamery. This historic creamery still makes housemade ice cream along with Spring Hill cheese. Most popular is the lavender ice cream, but Meyer lemon also is a contender. 711 Western Ave., Petaluma, 762-9038.
19. Cookie Sundae at Shuffles Magical Ice Cream Shoppe. Magic and ice cream collide like a tasty Reese’s peanut butter cup at this entertainment venue. Recently relocated to Railroad Square, it has the usual chocolate, cherry and bubblegum flavors along with unique creations like orange tarragon zest, avocado lime, double fudge bacon and espresso chip. 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 544-3535.
The Wow Factor
Customized ice cream? Your choice of mix-ins added to ice cream or yogurt are at these ice cream stops.
20. Fudge brownie batter ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Yes, it’s a chain, but there’s probably one near you. And sometimes you just need a warm churro sundae. Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma locations, coldstonecreamery.com.
21. Ice cream nachos at Flavors Unlimited. This favorite stop after a long day on the river adds fruit or candies to ice cream. Or you can go whole hog and try the ice cream nachos with ice cream, broken waffle cones, hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream and cherries. 16450 Main St., Guerneville, 869-2927.
Liquid Nitrogen
22. Espresso almond at NitroKarma. Two former social workers have opened this pop-up ice cream shop at Dave’s Market and Deli, stirring up “happy scoops of delicious and delectably darn good delights.” Pick from various add-ins to create a stellar personal creation in seconds. At Dave’s Market 1-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 320 W. Third St., Santa Rosa, 542-8333; or at the Wednesday Night Market in Santa Rosa.
Strawberry cheesecake ice cream from SubZero in Sebastopol on 5/22/16. Heather Irwin/PD
23. Fresh strawberry custard with cheesecake pieces at SubZero Ice Cream. Choose your base (yogurt, custard or nondairy), a flavoring and mix-ins that include bubblegum, mints, gummy bears or chocolates. 6760 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 823-9376.
South of the Border
24. Cinnamon tortilla ice cream at Frozen Art. The Alcazars have been making Michoacana-style ice creams since 2011, originally as La Real Michoacana, and they continue to expand their line-up of 40-plus flavors. It now includes maple bacon, lemon olive oil, zinfandel chocolate chip, champagne and Gansito, a Twinkie-like cake popular in Mexico. The family comes from Tocumbo, Mexico’s ice cream-making capital. 500 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa.
Mangonada at Fruta, a puree of mangos with a sour ‘salsa’ of chamoy, lemon juice, salt
25. Mangonada at Fru-Ta. This mango puree is topped by with chamoy, lemon and salt, making it totally crave-worthy. Their unique ice cream flavors include rose petal, guava, tequila, guanaba, chongo zamorano and mamey. 2770 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 542-6026, and 279 N. McDowell, Petaluma.
26. Pineapple paletas at La Michoacana. You can’t miss this ice cream spot’s bright pink and orange exterior. It’s best known for fruit paletas, or frozen ice pops. 18495 Highway 12, Sonoma, 938-1773.
A Few More We Had to Add
27. Spicy chocolate at Companey’s Ice Cream Cafe. It’s the favorite flavor. 8252 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati, 242-6359.
28. Sour plum slush at Quickly. A surprise treat from the Taiwanese bubble tea shop. 1880 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa; 1451 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park.
29. Sundae becomes Fundae at Sift. The cupcake place takes two scoops of Three Twins ice cream (salted caramel, brownie, cookies and cream, vanilla), raspberry or chocolate sauce, whipped cream, a cherry and a Sift treat like a macaroon, cookie, cruffle, blondie or cupcake. Three Sonoma County locations (Santa Rosa, Cotati and Petaluma).
30. Strawberry ice cream with real strawberries at Oliver’s Market. Students and weary moms know that there are $1 scoops of ice cream at the coffee counter. Not everyone knows, so impress your friends by buying a round or two. 560 Montecito Center, Santa Rosa, 537-7123.
31. Salted Caramel frozen yogurt at Yogurt Time. It will melt in your mouth and leave you craving more, so get an extra cup for the freezer. 531 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 539-7876.
Did we miss one of your very favorite spots, or flavors? Add you thoughts below. Because no scoop should get left behind.
Looking for a good spot in Sonoma County to watch 4th of July fireworks? According to travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Sonoma is one of America’s best towns for Independence Day celebrations.
Coming in at no. 8, Sonoma scored high for its founding-father-friendly features: the charming main streets and the adobe-lined plaza, the old-fashioned parade and carnival, the grand finale fireworks and, of course, the patriotic feel.
Unsurprisingly, the wine-country town also collected points for its oenophile profile — but readers also approved of the local coffee from sources like Sunflower Caffe Espresso + Wine Bar, located in historic landmark building #501. (Sunflower Caffe recently made Sonoma Magazine’s list of best outdoor dining restaurants in Sonoma County). For the full list, visit Travel + Leisure
Browse the gallery below for highlights from Sonoma’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade. Photography by Beth Schlanker.
Whether you’re looking for a small-town bike parade, a symphony concert or a spectacular fireworks show, there’s no better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than Sonoma County.
Here are our picks for the best places to visit over the long holiday weekend:
SATURDAY, July 2
Bodega Bay: Fireworks show over the bay starts at nightfall, Westside Regional Park, 2400 Westshore Rd. visitbodegabayca.com
Monte Rio:Big Rocky Games with inner tube, swimming, potato sack races, ice cream and watermelon eating contests, hula hoop and rock-skipping contests, canoe and kayak races, water balloon toss. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., Monte Rio Beach. Firehouse barbecue, Saturday noon to 5 p.m., Monte Rio Firehouse.
Guerneville:Uncle Sam’s River Dance on Main Street, 8 p.m. to midnight, will feature food trucks, wine, beer, craft cocktails, a DJ and a Fourth of July laser show. Suggested donation of $5.
Penngrove:Rancho Adobe Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m., Rancho Adobe Fires Station, 11000 Main St. All proceeds benefit the Rancho Adobe Fire District. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for kids. For more information, call 795-6011.
Clearlake:Lakeshore Parade presented by the Lions Club, 11 a.m. starting at Redbud Park and ending at Austin Park, where a car show, vendors and entertainment is planned. Fireworks show at nightfall.
SUNDAY, July 3
Monte Rio: Big Rocky Games continue, noon-4 p.m., Monte Rio Beach. Fireworks and parade of lights on the Russian River at dark. monterio.org.
Sebastopol: Sebastopol Kiwanis’ fireworks show. Live music and dancing starts at 6 p.m.; fireworks begin approximately 9:40 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free children 5 and under. Analy High School football stadium, 6950 Analy Ave. sebastopolkiwanis.org.
Windsor: Windsor Kaboom Independence Day with music from McKenna Faith and Michael Jackson tribute band Foreverland and fireworks at dusk. From 4 to 10 p.m. at Keiser Park, 700 Windsor River Road. $5 admission, free children under 3. windsorkaboom.com.
Penngrove: Biggest Little Parade in Northern California, 11 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Penngrove. Penngrove Social Firemen’s annual picnic, noon to 4 p.m. at Penngrove Park, 11800 Main St. 794-1516.
MONDAY, July 4
Santa Rosa: The Red, White and Boom festival begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave., across from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. There will be bands, food, a watermelon eating contest, bounce houses and face painting. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., and the show will be played in sync with music on KZST 100.1 FM. Alcohol is not allowed. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for veterans and kids 5-11, and free for kids under 5. srboom.com.
Petaluma: Rock & Rockets fireworks show at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma. Gates open at 5 p.m., and British Invasion-themed music starts at 6 p.m. Pride & Joy, a pop and soul band, is headlining. Beer, wine, food and a kid’s play area with a bounce house, rides and games will round out the event. The fireworks show starts about 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5, children under 10 are free.
Rohnert Park: Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular with Steve Tyrell and the Santa Rosa Symphony, conducted by Michael Berkowitz at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. Family activities begin on the lawn at 4:30 p.m., including face painting, bounce houses, music and food. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow. gmc.sonoma.edu
Healdsburg: Fireworks begin at dusk at the Healdsburg High School Football Field, 1024 Prince Ave.
Cloverdale: The decorated bike parade from City Plaza to City Park will run from 11 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a family barbecue at City Park, 450 W. Second St., starting at 1 p.m. and going until 4 p.m.
Kenwood: The day starts with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast and silent auction at the Kenwood Community Church. After that, check out the Kenwood Footrace, with runners departing from Kenwood Plaza Park at 7:30 a.m. To register for the 10K or the 3K races, head to kenwoodfootrace.com. Next up, the parade starts at Kenwood Plaza Park at 10:30 a.m., followed by a barbecue and family fest hosted by the Kenwood Rotary, which begins at 11:30 a.m.
Sonoma: This year’s parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of First Street East and Spain Street. The theme is “Jack London Centennial: Sailor on Horseback.” After the parade, don’t forget to check out the fireworks put on by the Sonoma Volunteer Firefighters Association. The show is set to begin at 9 p.m. at General Vallejo’s Field at the north end of Third Street West.
The San Luis Obispo wine region has a Mediterranean climate similar to regions of France that produce storied wines. (SLO Wine Country)
The heart of the California Central Coast is a mere four hours south of San Francisco, with stunning seaside villages like Cambria, Morro Bay, and Avila Beach. But it also is home to a remarkable cool-climate wine country that, to date, has flown largely under the radar.
For wine aficionados and casual tasters alike, it’s a discovery worth making. A leisurely road trip down Highway 1 through Big Sur Country is a soothing way to set the mood and decompress before entering the realm of the Middle Kingdom, where freeways, traffic jams and maddening crowds are nonexistent.
The northern gateway is Hearst Castle, reposing in storybook fashion on a Santa Lucia mountaintop a mile above calving sea lions, cavorting otters and migrating whales that scoot along the San Simeon Coastline.
San Luis Obispo wine country vineyards often butt up against the morro peaks. (SLO Wine Country)
Castle by the Sea
Hearst Castle, operated today by the California State Parks, was the one time mega-estate of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Plan to spend a half day touring the castle and walking on San Simeon State Beach, directly across Highway One from the Hearst Castle entrance.
Then turn your attention to the Hearst Ranch Winery a few yards down the lane from the park entrance, owned by Steve Hearst (William’s grandson) and his partner, Jim Saunders. The tasting room is situated in the creaky wood-floor circa-1850s Sebastian General Store that, in its infancy, catered to whalers.
In its current incarnation, you’ll find a superb selection of Hearst wines utilizing Central Coast’s finest grapes, from chardonnay to tempranillo, locally crafted olive oils and an array of items to nosh on, including killer burgers.
Ten miles south the artsy community of Cambria, akin to a mini-Carmel, features an array of fine-art galleries and a diversity of dining options from casual to classy. Not to be missed is Moonstone Beach with rambling bluff-top boardwalks and an array of architecturally enticing seafront inns and motels.
The entire coastal realm is defined and delineated by the Santa Lucia Mountain range that blocks the sometimes scorching summertime heat in the interior valleys, and moderates wintertime coastal temperatures.
On the seafront side of this range you will find San Luis Obispo Wine Country. It is California’s coolest winegrowing growing region, situated south of San Luis Obispo, where the vineyards are just 5 miles from the ocean on average.
Wine tasting in San Luis Obispo’s Wine Country is an increasingly popular part of the Central Coast’s tourism industry. (SLO Wine Country)
Cool-Climate Grapes
Here in the adjoining Edna and Arroyo Grande valleys, some of the world’s finest chardonnay and pinot noir vines are nurtured. Aromatic whites and Rhone varieties also thrive in SLO Wine Country.
The cool-climate grapes grown here are so coveted that in addition to berries processed locally, untold truckloads head north at harvest time to the Santa Cruz Mountains and Napa/Sonoma vintners.
Back in 1880, a visionary pioneer planted a few acres of zinfandel in the upper Arroyo Grande Valley. Even though the vines were abandoned for decades, they were rediscovered and revived by winemaker Bill Greenough in the mid-1970s.
Today those 135-year-old vines produce incredibly flavorful and zesty wine that is made by Greenough’s son, Tom, and poured at Greenough’s Saucelito Canyon Winery tasting room, located in Edna Valley a couple miles south of San Luis Obispo.
Odds are excellent that when you stop in for a tasting at one of the wineries, you will likely meet and visit with the owners, or their sons and daughters. Many of the families have been in the business for decades.
The 125-acre Wolff Vineyards in Edna Valley have been producing teroldego, pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay grapes for 35 years. Elke and Jean-Pierre Wolff bought the property in 1999, so stop by the tasting room, and you’re bound to meet them or their two sons.
Coastal fog rolls into the Edna Valley a few miles south of San Luis Obispo. The vineyards here are, on average, roughly 5 miles from the ocean. (Thomas C. Wilmer / For The Press Democrat)
Old Edna Townsite
Head down Edna Valley on Highway 227 from Saucelito and Wolff and you’ll spot Old Edna Townsite on your right.
A century ago, Edna was a crossroads gathering spot for local farmers and ranchers. Today the corrugated-metal clad Old Edna Mercantile is the home of Sextant Winery’s tasting room.
Old Edna Town’s best-kept secret is out back, where you’ll find two 100-year-old farmhouses that have been lovingly restored as farmstay vacation rentals. There’s even an authentic Gypsy wagon available in conjunction with a “Suite Edna Guest House” stay.
Another farmhouse is hunkered on a hillside just south of San Luis Obispo off Highway 101, where 83-year-old Herb Filipponi grew up milking cows with his father.
When the dairy industry withered on the Central Coast in the 1960s, Herb ran cattle until his daughters, Dana and Julie, talked him into opening Filipponi Ranch Cellars winery, with a tasting room in Herb’s renovated family farmhouse.
A stop in at their winery just might include some engaging tales of the pioneer Swiss-Italian families who homesteaded on the Central Coast 100 years ago.
The Old Edna Mercantile along Highway 227 is the home of Sextant Winery’s tasting room. (Thomas C. Wilmer / The Press Democrat)
A Central Coast wine-centric exploration would not be complete without at least a half day earmarked for exploring Avila Beach, Pismo, Shell Beach and Old Town Arroyo Grande.
A short hop south of Arroyo Grande off Highway 101, Laetitia Vineyard and Winery produces exceptional classic French-style méthode champenoise bottle fermented sparkling wine from its estate chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc grapes.
Ask for David Hickey, Laetitia’s effervescent sparkling winemaker, who will wax poetically about crafting some of California’s finest “Champagne.”
Thomas C. Wilmer is the host of NPR digital media travel show “Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer.”
