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.”
Guests are greeted with an array of dishes presented on a bed of wood, moss and ferns at SingleThread 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.
“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.
Tiramisu French toast with whipped mascarpone, Raspberry, coffee ice cream and cocoa nibs on Goguette brioche from the Acorn Cafe Thursday, October 3, 2024 in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Look, we’re not knocking grilled cheese over here. We even found the best of the cheesy dish across Sonoma County for all ages to enjoy. But there’s a time in every child’s life — a rite of culinary passage, if you will — when they venture beyond such simple meals in pursuit of something different, yet equally tasty and comforting.
Most children’s menus at restaurants have essential basics, from buttered noodles to chicken tenders, though quality and inventiveness can often fall to the wayside. So we sought out the local eateries offering something a little different for youth. The dishes are still age-appropriate and at least almost as delicious as a grilled cheese, yet with a certain Sonoma flair that will pique any kid’s interest.
Whether your child is a picky or adventurous eater, these Sonoma County restaurants have some of the best kids menus around with something for everyone.
From left, grandparents Leslie Gattmann and John Maas dance with Naomi, 6, and Isaiah Roth to the Latin band Batacha at Cafe Frida Gallery in Santa Rosa’s SoFA district. Taken Friday, May 7, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)Dottie Palmer, 6, left, takes a bite of her pizza dough after it cooked in the wood oven, while her grandmother Lynn Trombetta looks on, at Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Cafe Frida Gallery
This is where you’ll want to take your cultured, budding artist children. The kids menu at this artsy SOFA District cafe includes a hibiscus latte — no espresso involved, just milk and housemade hibiscus flower syrup over ice — as well as a waffle with either smashed avocado and lemon zest or fruit and whipped cream.
No kid can turn down pizza, and the Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies at Rosso will be no different. The bambini menu includes Casaer salad, pizzas (cheese, mushroom, margherita or pepperoni jr.), mac and cheese (add chicken for $2) and an “Anything you want, just ask” option. At the bottom of the menu is a word of advice to the youth: “Eat what’s good for you… play soccer…and be nice to your parents!”
This Mediterranean spot nestled in the Santa Rosa Plaza mall is a great place to take the kids after a day of shopping. Its kids menu features a fried chicken sandwich with Greek aioli and chicken skewers with tzatziki and rice. For dessert, kids will love the chocolate baklava served with chocolate ice cream.
In addition to a variety of pastries fit for all ages, Criminal Baking has a kids menu with fun, nourishing breakfasts. The menu includes a toasted English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana and berries; a baked egg with bacon or sausage, potatoes and fruit; and the Baron Bacon Bandit breakfast sandwich with bacon and white cheddar on an English muffin, served with fruit.
The kids meal ($18) at this French-inspired bistro is a choice of steak hache frites or bacon mac and cheese. Dessert is a choice of fondant au chocolat or the weekly ice cream. Bon appétit, les enfants!
In addition to providing coloring and activity sheets, Pub Republic serves carrots and apple slices to children when they arrive. The Pub kids menu includes grass-fed steak with grilled seasonal veggies, Alaskan cod fish and chips, fried chicken sandwich on a soft bun and more. There are also organic juices, natural sodas and a kids brownie sundae. Plus, kids 12 and under eat free after 3 p.m. on Mondays (one free kids menu entree per paying adult; dine-in only).
3120 A Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-782-9090, pubrepublic.com
The famous Spaghetti Half & Half with marinara and pesto and a half order House Salad from Art’s Place in Rohnert Park on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Sax’s Joint
This pink and checkerboard eatery has a generous kids menu (for ages 12 and under) with breakfasts for $6 and lunches for $7. The menu includes an Egg McMommy (egg, ham and cheese on English muffin), French toast, mini corn dogs, mac and cheese, turkey sandwich and other diner classics. Plus, a junior-size ice cream or shake ($2.50-$4).
The kids menu at Art’s Place has a “build your own pasta” option with a selection of pastas and sauces to choose from (so they can flex their independence while developing their palate). There’s also burgers cooked to order, served with fries or sliced apples, and kids Italian sodas.
The “Little Rascals Menu” (for children 11 and under) at this retro-style diner includes a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to fun games like a word cross and “I Spy.” Menu items include a stack of pancakes with a bacon smile and whipped cream eyes, fish and chips, barbecue pork ribs, roasted turkey sandwich and kid-sized ice cream shakes. Everything on the menu is under $10.
Sienna McAtee, 2, enjoys a plate of spaghetti at Mary’s Pizza Shack in Santa Rosa, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Mary’s Pizza Shack was voted to have the best kids’ menu in 2014. (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
Mary’s Pizza
At Mary’s, young aspiring chefs and bakers can craft their own personal pie — Mary’s servers will bring them the prepared dough and ingredients, and children can add the sauce, cheese and toppings to their liking. The kids menu also has ravioli, meatballs and a pig in a blanket (a hot dog and mozzarella cheese wrapped in Mary’s pizza dough).
Locations in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Windsor. maryspizzashack.com
Acorn Cafe
Healdsburg’s new favorite brunch destination has an “Acorn Happy Meal” ($16) on its kids menu, including a pancake with fresh fruit and a choice of milk, hot chocolate (with housemade chocolate sauce) or fresh-squeezed juice (orange, apple or pineapple). The kids menu also features “build your own pancakes” with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, dulce de leche and whipped cream. Other kids menu items include a triple decker grilled cheese (three-times the usual fun) and an egg sandwich with cheddar and Journeyman bacon on brioche.
Montage Resort’s Hazel Hill restaurant has a children’s menu from executive chef Jason Pringle. The menu includes wild berry yogurt, French toast with berries, mini cheeseburger, grilled chicken breast and Ora king salmon, with healthy side choices like salad, roasted veggies and seasonal fruit. For dessert: cookies, brownies, sorbet and ice cream.
The kids menu at this Occidental restaurant and market includes katsu and rice, a rotisserie chicken sandwich with havarti on brioche, and a bowl of lentil, rice and chicken with tahini. Altamont also has milkshakes, soft serve, cute mochi donuts and the ever kid-friendly rice crispy treats.
After some beach-time fun at the Sonoma Coast, take your kids to Bodega Bay’s Fishetarian Fish Market. All dishes on the kids menu come with Goldfish crackers and a fish-shaped cookie. The menu includes clam chowder, fresh fish and chips, and a “jellyfish” sandwich with organic almond butter and strawberry jam.
Kathy Stice and Dan Rawsthorn, of Seattle, take a trail designed for the disabled at Armstrong Woods State Park in Guerneville on Wednesday. State Parks will offer free admittance to some parks on Green Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
For much of the world’s history, buildings and services were constructed and conceived with nondisabled people in mind, putting up barriers to those living with physical and cognitive disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 sought to curtail those barriers and end disability discrimination by requiring publicly accessible services, transportation and accommodations.
In 1992, Sonoma County adopted an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, updated in 2009, that “identifies barriers to buildings, programs and services, and adopts a 12-year schedule to prioritize their removal.”
According to Permit Sonoma, the county’s land-use planning and development permitting agency, the county Board of Supervisors passed a resolution in 2018 “urging all homeowners, builders and architects to include at least basic visitability standards in all new housing construction.” (Visitability standards in design include one no-step entry, doors with 32 inches of clear passageway and at least one accessible half-bathroom on the main floor.)
Despite inroads made over the last few decades in providing equal access for those with disabilities, it can still be difficult to find restaurants, hotels, parks and more that are compliant with ADA standards for accessible design.
In 2014, Jeanne Allen, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a motorized mobility scooter, created a wine country travel guide for visitors with disabilities. While her travel website (incredibleaccessible.com) now appears to be defunct, Allen’s Facebook still includes accessibility reviews of establishments as well as health updates. She has praised some Sonoma Valley businesses for their accessible features and attentiveness — such as Sebastiani Theater and Sonoma Community Center, popular venues for the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Accessible travel review sites such as wheelchairtravel.org and emerginghorizons.com offer resources of ADA-compliant dining, lodging and general traveling tips with a disability. The iAccess Life mobile app provides crowd-sourced accessibility reviews and ratings of public establishments around the world by people with mobility impairments.
Here are a few traveling tips and recommendations of places to visit in Sonoma County that are ADA accessible. Did we miss a favorite ADA-compliant business, or are there current issues with any of the entities mentioned? Let me know at maci.martell@pressdemocrat.com.
A SMART train makes a stop at the Historic Railroad Square depot, Friday, August 17, 2018 in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Transportation services
Sonoma County’s public transportation offers ADA accommodations for those with disabilities, with features such as wheelchair access, audible location and stop signals, and paratransit services. Information and referral service 2-1-1 Sonoma also offers resources on disability related transportation.
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) offers an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to discover the area via public transportation. SMART stations are ramp-accessible, the Clipper Card vending machines on platforms are ADA compliant, and its trains have ADA accessible seating and restrooms. SMART personnel are also available for assistance boarding and exiting the train. Service animals are welcome on the train provided they remain seated and leashed/harnessed, except when performing service tasks that would be hindered by tethering.
5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 200, Petaluma, 707-794-3330 (TTY 711), sonomamarintrain.org
The Sonoma County Transit, which provides bus service countywide, also provides complementary ADA paratransit services. All SCT buses are wheelchair accessible and can transport two wheelchair passengers at a time. Buses also have either a ramp or lift for wheelchair access.
355 W. Robles Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-576-7433, sctransit.com
Hotels
Many hotels in the county adhere to ADA standards and practices, with accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, bathroom grab bars, braille signage and Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD). Below are some of the local hotels with the most ADA-compliant features.
Inn at Sonoma
Boutique hotel meets cozy bed and breakfast at this inn located just a few blocks from the Sonoma Plaza. Inn at Sonoma has two guest rooms accessible for those with hearing impairments and two rooms that are fully accessible for both mobility and hearing impairments. Guest room accessibility features include 32-inch wide doors, lowered peephole and shelves, ample space around the bed, grab bar in the shower and handheld shower device, roll-up sink and lowered mirror, hard-wired visual alarm, and a phone with volume control and flashing lights when it rings. The inn property also includes convenient elevators, accessible parking spaces and an accessible front desk for check-in. Service animals are welcome.
This luxury hotel has six ADA-compliant rooms and suites along with several accessible areas on the property, such as the on-site restaurants, swimming pool, fitness center, public restrooms and parking spaces. Accessible room features include a rollaway bed, roll-in shower, bathtub and toilet grab bars, 32-inch wide doors, assistive listening devices, teletypewriters and Braille signage. Service animals are welcome.
Sonoma Valley Inn boasts casual comfort in a luxe Sonoma setting. The fully accessible hotel offers four ADA-compliant guest rooms featuring amenities such as roll-in showers and telecommunication devices (phones and alarms) for those with hearing impairments. The inn also has accessible parking spaces and an ADA-compliant outdoor pool lift.
This Mediterranean-inspired inn has four accessible guest rooms featuring 32-inch wide doors, lowered peephole and shelves, grab bars in the bathroom, roll-in shower with fold-down seat, roll-up sink with lowered mirrors, hard-wire visual alarm, and a phone with volume control and flashing lights when it rings. The property accessibility features include accessible parking spaces, front desk, dining tables, spa treatment room and pool/hot tub lifts. Service animals are welcome.
An ADA accessible bathroom inside a guest room at The Astro in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy The Astro)
Astro Motel
The retro Astro Motel has two ADA rooms on the first floor, equipped with all the amenities of the Astro Queen rooms. The ADA rooms also include a visual doorbell, roll-in shower, grab bars and a lowered queen bed. Plus, one of the rooms features a private patio.
323 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-200-4655, theastro.com
Flamingo Resort & Spa
The glamorous Flamingo Resort has four accessible guest rooms as well as accessible parking spaces, ramp access, reception desk, public bathrooms, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and lifts for the pool and hot tub. The accessible rooms feature 32-inch doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, roll-in showers, mobility tubs, visual fire alarms and closed caption TVs.
Windor’s Hampton Inn boasts dozens of accessibility features, such as accessible parking, concierge desk, swimming pool (with a hoist), teletypewriters, assistive listening devices and braille room numbers. The seven ADA-accessible rooms include such features as roll-in showers or accessible bathtubs; visual alarms for clock, phone and doorbell; lowered sink, bed, peephole and shelves; and remote controlled curtains. Service animals are welcome.
Nestled among vineyards and rolling hills, Montage offers luxurious, wine country-style hospitality and suites. Accommodations in the hotel’s accessible rooms include bedroom wheelchair access, bathroom handrails and roll-in shower.
This hotel — located in “The Friendly City” of Rohnert Park — has a handful of accessible suites that include bathrooms with grab bars, roll-in showers with shower seats and a fire alarm with flashing lights.
Enjoy dazzling coastal views and modern comfort at this boutique Bodega hotel. ADA features at the inn include wheelchair accessible parking and rooms, guest rooms with lowered switches and storage, and alarms for those with hearing and vision impairments.
Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma is the perfect place for family fun. The outdoor beer garden has delicious BBQ, fire pits, live music, and plenty of open space. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Many local restaurants and tasting rooms adhere to the ADA’s standard design for disability access, such as accessible parking, ground floor or ramp entryways and accessible restrooms. However, small businesses may not always be able to accommodate all disability requirements. Call ahead to ensure a restaurant can accommodate your needs.
Below are some eateries noted by Yelp reviewers and disability review sites (as well as some recommendations from the Save Sonoma County Restaurants! Facebook group) as having adequate accessible features.
The Mill at Glen Ellen
Jeanne Allen recommended The Mill for its accessible ramp entry and large, wheelchair accessible unisex restroom with grab bars.
This French bistro-inspired eatery has fairly spacious indoor seating as well as a covered outdoor garden patio and parklet dining. There’s also a wheelchair-accessible unisex restroom.
Situated in Railroad Square’s historic Hotel La Rose, Grossman’s has easy access with an automatic front door and a spacious outdoor patio (shaded and heated). There are low-top accessible tables indoors and outdoors, as well as accessible restrooms. Grossman’s also provides takeout and easy deli pick-up.
Grossman’s Jewish deli in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, across from the downtown SMART station. (Photo: Loren Hansen)
Cumin Restaurant
Specializing in Indian/Nepalese cuisine, this eatery has accessible, ground floor front entry and a spacious indoor seating area, as well as an outdoor patio.
The tasting room at Unti, a small winery specializing in Mediterranean-style wines, is wheelchair-accessible, with easy access from the accessible parking spot to the tasting room. The tasting bar is at a height reachable for most wheelchair users and there is a unisex wheelchair accessible restroom.
The Kendall-Jackson estate grounds are flat and wheelchair friendly. While the tasting room in the chateau doesn’t have a lowered counter, accessible tables can easily be set up. There is also an accessible restroom.
5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com
Meadowcroft Wines
Nestled in Sonoma’s Cornerstone marketplace, the Meadowcroft Wines tasting room has ramp access and a lowered section at the tasting bar that’s accessible for wheelchair users.
SIGH Champagne Bar in Sonoma. (Courtesy of Wilson Ishihara Design)
SIGH.
This champagne and sparkling wine bar is conveniently located just off the Sonoma Plaza. Jeanne Allen noted in a 2018 Facebook post that the tasting bar has a “huge lowered counter for wheelchair accessibility.”
Sonoma County has a number of parks with ADA accessible trails to get your fill of the region’s beautiful nature. To find local parks with accessibility features, check the “Accessible Areas” filter on the Sonoma County Regional Parks’ Find a Park webpage. Check here to find California state parks with accessibility features. To find accessible outdoor adventures all around the North Coast and Bay Area, check Access Northern California. Below are some county parks with paved, compact soil or packed gravel trails that are wheelchair friendly.
Doran Regional Park
Enjoy coastal breezes and birdwatching at Doran Regional Park, where a 1.3-mile trail connects to an ADA-accessible boardwalk with benches and viewing areas. The park also connects to the wheelchair accessible Birdwalk Coastal Access Trail via the multi-use Cheney Creek Trail. Doran Regional Park has ADA-accessible campsites, visitors center and kayak launch, and free all-terrain wheelchairs are available for day-use on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Sonoma Coast has a multitude of accessible trails and campgrounds. The compacted aggregate Bodega Head Trail is a generally flat, 1.89-mile accessible loop located at the end of Westshore Road, with views of the Pacific, Bodega Bay and harbor. There is also accessible parking, restrooms and picnic tables.
3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3483, parks.ca.gov
Gualala Point Regional Park
A paved, ADA-accessible trail connects the parking area to the beach, crossing through grassy meadows and cypress groves. Other unpaved trails at Gualala Point, located near the famed Sea Ranch, are relatively firm and stable, made all the more accessible with complimentary all-terrain wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed at the visitor center, open noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. During weekdays, call the Gualala Point office before your visit to request a wheelchair for your arrival.
A paved path leads from the visitors center and parking lot to the main entrances to the fort, which is wheelchair friendly. A path from the parking lot also leads south past an accessible picnic area to the historic windmill and Monterey Cypress Grove.
Kathy Stice and Dan Rawsthorn, of Seattle, take a trail designed for people with disabilities at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
The 0.77-mile, wheelchair friendly Pioneer Nature Trail extends from the visitors center to the accessible picnic area under a dense canopy of majestic redwoods. Branching off from this trail are two other short, accessible paths of compact soil: the Discovery Trail – which includes informative panels, some offering a tactile experience – and the Armstrong Nature Trail.
The paved, ADA-accessible Valley of the Moon Trail runs 1.2 miles bordering a seasonal creek through an oak woodland. Picnic tables are dotted along the trail for convenient rest stops.
Travel along Sonoma Creek via the accessible, 0.44-mile Creekside Nature Trail. Made of compacted aggregate, the trail averages 5-feet wide and is generally flat with intermittent 5-8% slopes. The park also has accessible parking, restrooms, picnic area and three accessible campsites. Some areas of the on-site Robert Ferguson Observatory are accessible, however, paths in the library are only 30 inches wide and telescope eyepieces may not suit everyone’s needs. Call the observatory at 707-833-6979 to discuss needs and accommodations.
The paved, multi-use Spring Lake Loop Trail is ADA accessible and travels 2.3 miles around the lake on mostly flat ground with moderate slopes. Picnic areas, some campsites and access to the Environmental Discovery Center are wheelchair accessible. All-terrain wheelchairs can be checked out at the lifeguard station between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day on a first-come, first-served basis.
North Entrance: 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. South Entrance: 5585 Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-539-8092, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Joe Rodota Trail
This 8.5-mile trail connecting Santa Rosa and Sebastopol is completely paved and gently sloped. The trailhead parking lot at the west end of Sebastopol Road provides accessible parking.
The Bay Area-based Tapooz Travel specializes in organizing accessible travel trips across the nation, including a scenic, epicurean adventure that starts in San Francisco and winds through Wine Country. Below are some local, accessible tours.
Safari West
Those with limited mobility can experience the Sonoma Serengeti in one of Safari West’s modified safari vehicles, which accommodates four guests and one wheelchair or motorized mobility scooter. Safari West requests that reservations for the modified safari vehicle are made at least two weeks prior to your visit. The walking portion of the classic safaris are wheelchair friendly, and wheelchairs are also available free of charge.
Housebroken service animals are welcome, though they are restricted in all areas where the safari’s animals are not separated by a physical barrier. Additionally, service animals cannot join the safari tours; they may stay with staff in the office where they’ll be provided water.
Guests with hearing impairments can bring a certified ASL interpreter at no additional charge. With advance notice, tactile tours may be provided for guests with visual impairments.
For overnight stays, there are two accessible tent cabins with ramps, accessible parking spaces close by, bathroom grab bars and shower seats.
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa. (Brennan Spark Photography)
Charles M. Schulz Museum
The Schulz Museum has wheelchair-accessible parking spaces, front entrance, galleries, restrooms and an elevator. Wheelchairs can be provided to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
For visitors with hearing impairments, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation can be reserved at no additional cost for docent-led tours, lectures and public programs. There are also Assistive Listening Devices available and closed captioning on films displayed in the galleries.
For visitors with vision impairments, LPG (Large Print Guide) booklets with size 24 Arial font, produced for main and special exhibits, can be requested at the front desk. Guests can also reserve a Tactile and Visual Descriptive Tour at no additional cost two weeks in advance. To reserve specialized tours, contact the Education Department at 707-284-1263 or education@schulzmuseum.org.
For visitors on the autism spectrum, the museum provides noise-canceling headphones and sensory kits, as well as hosts occasional free Sensory-Friendly Family Days for those who need a slower, quieter environment. ADA-certified service animals are welcome.
The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County is wheelchair accessible, has lifts and welcomes documented service animals. The museum also provides ear defenders, sunglasses and weighted scarves for visitors who need them.
On the second Tuesday of every month, the museum hosts free Sensory Friendly Afternoons exclusively for children with sensory processing differences. The special afternoons include a quiet zine, dimmed sounds and lighting in exhibit areas, visiting therapy dogs for additional support and more. Registration is recommended as space is limited.
1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-546-4069, cmosc.org
This aerial view on Sept. 16, 2019, shows Stonestreet Estate’s Cougar Ridge Vineyard in the eastern highlands of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley appellation and part of Pocket Peak, an AVA proposed in February 2022. (courtesy of Jackson Family Wines)
Just north of some of Sonoma County’s most populated towns, Alexander Valley houses over 30 wineries and 15,000 acres of vineyards across pristine landscapes.
In a Nov. 15 article, Condé Nast Traveler named Alexander Valley one of the best places to go in North America and the Caribbean in 2025. The local destination was the only California spot on the list of 10, which also included Alaska, Cuba, Greenland and Canada.
“Pocket Peak AVA — a wine-growing region within the valley defined by its steep, undulating hills and volcanic and gravelly loam soils — [is] expected in fall 2025,” according to the Condé Nast Traveler article.
Skipstone Winery’s private residence on its 200-acre estate, where guests can “live like a winemaker” in the Alexander Valley just minutes from Healdsburg. Photo taken Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)A Ranch Rover travels through the Rockfall Vineyard at Stonestreet Estate Vineyards in Healdsburg. (Stonestreet Estate Vineyards)
The article spotlights The Residence at Skipstone, an 8,344-square-foot luxury lodging in Geyserville. The home is on a private, 200-acre estate — 27 of those acres housing wine vineyards, olive groves and culinary gardens. It can host large parties and sleeps up to 10 guests.
The private vineyard is home to Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots for residents to try. Skipstone Winery is also available to visit by appointment with tasting experiences for $125 per person.
Stonestreet offers a 90-minute, single-vineyard tasting for $75 per person, a 90-minute seasonal library tasting for $125 per person and a private, guided mountain excursion for $200 per person.
Devil Proof Vineyards is now offering a limited tasting experience showcasing diverse Malbecs for $195 per person at Aperture Cellars.
People seated for dinner at Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville. (Aaron Leitz)Dishes at Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville. (J Evan)
Cyrus offers a fine dining experience for its guests with multicourse meals served at a single table. Reservations are required for the dining journey, which includes libations in the Bubbles Lounge, dinner at a personal table and a “mysterious Chocolate Room.” The dining journey is available on the hour from 4-8 p.m. The Bubbles Lounge is open for reservations and drop-in visits from 5-9 p.m. Cyrus is open Thursday through Sunday.
Geyserville Gun Club is open from 5-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant offers cocktails and bar bites, and also hosts regular events.
Lunch patrons enjoy a magnificent view of vineyards, flowers and hillsides at Rustic, located at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, in Alexander Valley. Photo taken Sept. 15, 2017. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s onsite restaurant Rustic is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday. There is cozy indoor seating as well as outdoor seating with a view of the Alexander Valley. After a seasonal, traditional Italian dish at Rustic, explore the winery’s collection of movie memorabilia.
In October, Condé Nast Traveler named Healdsburg among the best cities in the country. The Alexander Valley town boasts Michelin-recognized restaurants and hotels, as well as a quaint, walkable downtown area.
For more places to stay, eat and drink in Alexander Valley, visit Sonoma County Tourism.
An assortment of locally made gifts from Sonoma County artists and makers. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
With Christmas right around the corner, holiday shopping is in full force. Start local for homey presents that are as unique as they are thoughtful. We found the perfect gifts from eight top Sonoma County artists and makers to celebrate the holidays in Sonoma style.
Nancy Rosenthal
Fiat Luxe, Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa native Nancy Rosenthal is a classically trained cellist who spent two decades working in early childhood education. After teaching herself soapmaking, Rosenthal found her niche in felted soaps, which work like a washcloth and soap in one, sudsing up a thick, herbal-scented foam. Eventually, her unique designs were discovered by retail giant Anthropologie.
Santa Rosa native Nancy Rosenthal is the founder of Fiat Luxe, which features a line of herbal-scented felted soaps. (John Martin / Courtesy Nancy Rosenthal)Felted soaps from Fiat Luxe in Santa Rosa. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
“That was in 2009, and we went from making 40 soaps a year to over 10,000,” she remembers. She hired assistants and ramped up production, but eventually, the cost of the raw materials surpassed the market.
Rosenthal has since returned to her original love of creating with wool. “Felting is like a metamorphosis. You lay out all these fine layers and wisps of wool. The potential is all there; you just have to be patient. All of a sudden, it just shifts. It’s so exciting.”
Her background in teaching continues to inspire her art. “I never really lost touch with my childhood… And witnessing the beauty the children were creating did encourage me to explore.”
Soaps, $19 each. Meet the artist at an open-studio holiday event Dec. 14 in Santa Rosa. fiatluxedesigns.com
Kaylee Weeks
Lil Clay Grl, Petaluma
Ceramicist Kaylee Weeks of Lil Clay Grl in Petaluma. (Courtesy Kaylee Weeks)
Ceramicist Kaylee Weeks didn’t know that a collection of playful blue bunnies would become her calling card. But when the up-and-coming artist, who earned a degree in ceramics from Sonoma State University in 2019, first started embellishing her mugs with the woodland creatures, which are drawn by hand, the design resonated.
“As soon as I made my first few bunnies, I did feel attached. They felt very ‘me,’” she says.
Weeks, who works out of Petaluma’s Kickwheel studios, has recently been able to leave her day job to be a full-time artist and ceramics teacher. “It feels incredible to be able to be in the studio more and get more of a following,” she says.
Mugs from Lil Clay Grl in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
She is experimenting with form, including larger serving platters, sculptural pieces and travel mugs, in addition to her signature chunky mugs with bold, exaggerated handles. And there are new designs too — tomatoes, dachshunds, cherubs kissing under mistletoe — all with Weeks’ signature whimsical touch.
Mugs, $40-$60. Meet the artist at Kickwheel Sonoma’s holiday market and craft fair on Dec. 14. lilclaygrl.com
Matt Gallegos
Foolish Pride Leather, Santa Rosa
“As bad as the pandemic lockdown was, the silver lining is I launched my passion,” says Matt Gallegos of Foolish Pride Leather. Gallegos grew up in Colorado and began creating with leather in college as a hobby.
Matt Gallegos, founder of Foolish Pride Leather. (Courtesy Matt Gallegos)Wallets from Santa Rosa-based Foolish Pride Leather. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
He spent the earlier part of his career in the culinary field, working at a local bakery and at Ceres Community Project, which makes meals for residents with life-threatening illnesses. But when the pandemic upended the industry, Gallegos returned to his love of craft.
Gallegos’ elegant, hand-stitched wallets, billfolds, keychains and braided bracelets are sold at Bay Area maker fairs and online. Colors range from the classic cognac and tan to red, black and bicolor designs in Italian leather, with tonal or contrasting stitching. Gallegos says his signature is the minimalist folding wallet called the Springfield, which folds in half and has slots for a picture ID, cards and cash.
“The first thing I ever made in college was a studded bracelet,” Gallegos says. “To see the broader line be successful feels incredible. I really enjoy seeing a tangible product of my labor — something I can hold in my hand.”
Abel Salas and Raul Peralta of Sonoma Millworks in Healdsburg. (Courtesy Sonoma Millworks)Cutting boards from Sonoma Millworks in Healdsburg. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Sonoma Millworks specializes in furniture and accessories made with wood reclaimed from the wine industry. When large batches of wine are aged in stainless-steel tanks, winemakers will occasionally insert thin staves of French oak into the tank to impart flavor, mimicking the influence of barrel aging. The team at Sonoma Millworks repurposes these wooden planks, which are stained an array of colors by the wine, into tables, knife blocks, serving platters, charcuterie boards and more.
The company has a studio in Healdsburg where you can check out designs.
Stacks of material await transformation in the lumberyard out back, while woodworkers Abel Salas and Raul Peralta work in an adjacent studio. “People don’t believe how the staves can transform into this product. It’s good to give another life, another chance to the material,” says Salas.
Jewelry and clothing designer Hitomi Jacobs of Sonoma County-based Hitomi Jacobs Designs. (Courtesy Hitomi Jacobs)Earrings from Hitomi Jacobs Designs. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Hitomi Jacobs was born in Japan and studied textile design in college. She built a career in fashion in Tokyo, working as a pattern maker and running a small apparel company. But in her 30s, she married an American and moved to the U.S., where she explored a new interest in jewelry. “With fabric, if you cut by mistake, it’s done. Working in metal, I can go back, melt it, change it,” Jacobs explains.
Her delicate creations, made with fine keshi pearls, gold wire and tiny, crocheted silk threads, are all one of a kind. “They’re simple — so light and moveable. I love the fringe effect, the shimmer and movement of the pieces as they’re worn,” she says.
Earlier in her career, Jacobs found it difficult to be an independent designer, but here in Sonoma, she’s found her calling. “In Japan, there are so many rules — people saying ‘It must be this way.’ When I left at 37 years old, my friends said it was too late. ‘Don’t do that,’ they said. But I think America has more opportunity.”
Cathrina Susoev of Cat-Hawk Gardens in Petaluma. (Courtesy Cathrina Susoev)A kokedama from Cat-Hawk Gardens in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
An avid gardener and artist, Cathrina Susoev had been growing herbs and making succulent dish gardens for years when she first came across kokedama about a decade ago. Kokedama are Japanese string gardens, an art form in which a ball of soil is covered in moss and bound tightly with twine or wire.
Kokedama often show off rare ornamental plants or bonsai, which grow well with limited soil space. Susoev has designed kokedama with staghorn fern, asparagus fern, pothos, succulents and more. “I love the Japanese influence, the aesthetic, which is kind of wabi-sabi,” she explains. “They really are like a meditative process to create.”
Susoev, who used to teach at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, has a small studio at her rural Petaluma home where she grows many of the plants she uses in her kokedama. She leads kokedama workshops at Petaluma’s Tenfold Farmstand and for private groups — and because she is also a bodywork practitioner, each workshop begins with a meditation that centers the body and mind.
Lisa Rogers of Slow Digz in Sebastopol. (Courtesy Lisa Rogers)A naturally dyed scarf from Slow Digz in Sebastopol. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
“I think I was always meant to work with my hands,” says natural-dye expert Lisa Rogers. A former science teacher, Rogers has lived and taught in both California and Hawaii. After losing her Lake County classroom in a wildfire, she moved to Sonoma County and worked as a mentor to other science teachers before leaving to pursue her love of eco-printing and natural dyes full time.
The colors on her silk and cotton scarves come from leaves, bark and flower petals she’s collected in the wild or grown in her home garden. “The connection to nature is really spiritual to me. I love gathering natural materials and testing things out,” she says. “But the real joy is unbundling a piece of fabric after the dyeing process is complete. It’s like magic!”
These days, teaching about the natural dye process is a new passion. Rogers leads classes at local nature preserves and in stores and libraries. “Honestly, the workshops are my jam. I really love teaching people. It’s so fun to see their work, to share that wonder with people,” she says.
Scarf, $45. The artist leads a holiday gift making workshop Dec. 14 in San Rafael. slowdigz.com
Nic Wiessler
WiesMade, Petaluma
Nic Wiessler of WiesMade in Petaluma. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)A denim jacket from WiesMade in Petaluma. (Chad Surmick / Sonoma Magazine)
Dirt to denim — that’s the ethos behind this handsome jacket, designed by denim aficionado Nic Wiessler. WiesMade, his line of rugged jeans, jackets, hats and other timeless basics, are designed here in Sonoma, produced with sustainable American-grown cotton and sewn in a family-run shop in Los Angeles. Wiessler’s denim comes with a sense of history — the jacket James Dean might’ve worn, if James Dean drove a farm truck around Bodega with a surfboard sticking out the back. “We do have lots of actors and people in Hollywood discovering us,” says Wiessler.
A lifelong surfer who studied environmental science at Sonoma State, Wiessler is a veteran of big retail brands like Gap and Cole Haan. He sees his clothing in the context of historic, American-made workwear — pieces that reflect an honest, humble spirit and will last for decades.
As he told the magazine last year, “If you want a good pair of jeans and you’re into locally sourced, high-quality denim, you’ll come to us. There’s plenty of market for that.”
Artcher jacket, $298. Wool beanie, $65. Available at Estuary in Petaluma or at wiesmade.com.
Swiss chalets at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa offer happy hour and a prix-fixe dinner menu. (Courtesy of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa)
Ready or not, the holidays are upon us.
Wreaths are being hung, trees trimmed and countless twinkling lights are ready to brighten December nights. If you’re not quite there yet, that’s OK; but if you’re searching for a bit of inspiration to start decking the halls, some of our favorite Wine Country hotels are already serving up festive doses of holiday magic. Visitors shouldn’t be the only ones taking advantage.
Swiss chalets at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa offer happy hour and a prix-fixe dinner menu. (Courtesy of Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa)
Après Ski the Wine Country Way
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is whisking diners away to the Swiss Alps via a cozy trio of wood Swiss chalets that have popped up on the front lawn of the historic property.
A happy hour menu is offered from 3-5 p.m. daily. Choose from cheese or chocolate fondue ($35), bratwurst, potatoes and sauerkraut ($35) and French fries topped with rosemary ham, Raclette cheese and pickles ($18). Warm up with a glass of wine, bubbles or cocktails the likes of spiked eggnog and hot toddies.
A prix fixe dinner menu featuring French onion soup, lightly smoked pork loin and Tarte Flambée is served from 6-9 p.m. daily. Cost is $125 per person. Reservations are recommended for both experiences. Sonoma Swiss chalets accommodate groups of up to eight people.
Also, don’t forget the community Tree Lighting Celebration at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. The century-old sycamore tree inn will be lit up with thousands of white lights. Locals and hotel guests are invited to attend the festivities. Santa will be there for photo opportunities and there will be assorted holiday goodies to enjoy. 100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont.com/sonoma
This holiday season, MacArthur Place, Hotel les Mars and Farmhouse Inn are planning a series of holiday celebrations for locals and guests. (Courtesy of MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa)
Twelve Festive Nights
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, Hotel Les Mars and Farmhouse Inn are teaming up for the first annual Twelve Festive Nights. A series of complimentary holiday events kick off from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 29, continuing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22. The programming is inspired by and replaces MacArthur Place’s former 12 Nights of Marvel festivities that was offered annually before Bill Foley purchased the hotel and it became part of Foley Entertainment Group.
Some activities, like the Espresso Martini Bar planned for Dec. 20, will take place at all three properties. Other events — like a sound bath at Farmhouse Inn on Dec. 1 and photos with Santa at MacArthur Place on Dec. 21 — are exclusive to each property. Some activities are first-come, first-served; others require reservations.
Holiday Alpine Yurt Dinner
Timber Cove Resort is offering a holiday twist on coastal dining in plush heated yurts. The Winter Wonderland Menu selections range from a mezze board and Brussels sprout salad to Black Cod and housemade cavatelli pasta. Reservations can be made by calling Timber Cove at 707-847-3231. Tickets are $125 per person; yurts can accommodate up to six people. 21780 Highway 1, Jenner, timbercoveresort.com
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 from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 7-22. (Courtesy Hotel Healdsburg)The Sippin’ Santa cocktail pop-up runs through Jan. 6 at the Lazeaway Club at Santa Rosa’s Flamingo Resort. (Courtesy of Sippin’ Santa)
Holiday Tea
Hotel Healdsburg will serve holiday tea on weekend afternoons, Dec. 7-22. Custom-blend teas, wine and cocktails will be served alongside housemade pastries, scones, petite sandwiches, caviar, quiche and other holiday fare from Dry Creek Kitchen. $79 for adults, $93 including wine or cocktail and $49 for children under 12. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
