Wine Country hotels are offering a plethora of activities to get visitors, holiday guests and locals into the festive spirit this holiday season. From a tropical Santa cocktail pop-up to holiday afternoon tea, merrymaking possibilities abound in Sonoma County. Click through the above gallery for all the details and a peek at the properties.
For a fun family activity outdoors, you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree at several farms in Sonoma County.
Celesta Farms: Owned by Christmas-loving couple Steve and Carol Schwartz, this ranch, with views for days, often posts pictures of the cute dogs who visit on their website. Dogs are greeted with treats, and their humans enjoy housemade chocolate chip cookies. 3447 Celesta Ct., Sebastopol. 707-829-9352, celestafarms.com
Frosty Mountain Tree Farm: The farm’s picturesque red barn—a 50-year-old former apple-packing warehouse—is home to Santa’s Workshop, with a holiday boutique, popcorn, peppermint bark, and other treats. Mrs. Claus reads stories inside the barn, and there’s a new “train” ride through the fields, pulled by a vintage tractor. 3600 Mariola Rd., Sebastopol. 707-829-2351, frostymountaintreefarm.com
Garlock Christmas Tree Farm: The Garlocks are tree farm royalty in these parts—the three kids of founders Bob and Sally Garlock now each run farms in the area. Son Keith and his wife Becky took over the original 1966 farm at this site, and Keith’s siblings’ farms, Reindeer Ridge and Frosty Mountain, are just over the ridge. 2275 Bloomfield Rd., Sebastopol. 707-823-4307, garlocktreefarm.com
Grandma Buddy’s: Think Grandma Buddy’s looks like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog? It is! The picturesque property, graced with a beautiful barn and a seasonal stream, is so pretty, it’s been a cover model. 8575 Graton Rd., Sebastopol. 707-823-4547, grandmastrees.com
Graton Fire Department Christmas Tree Farm: Proceeds from this farm, staffed by firefighters, benefit the all-volunteer department. Time your visit right, and you might meet Santa in a fire helmet. This site was formerly the Del Davis Tree Farm, memorialized in a 1995 song from the band Primus. 3750 Gravenstein Hwy., Sebastopol. 707-322-2091, gratonfire.com/christmas-tree-farm.html
Larsen’s Christmas Tree Farm: This old-school spot is especially welcoming for first-timers: they offer saws, carts, and even “lumberjacks” to help you select and cut your tree. The land, in the same family since 1918, has a pretty red barn and scenic grounds that make a great background for last-minute Christmas pictures. 391 Marshall Ave., Petaluma. 707-762-6317, petalumachristmastree.com
Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm: Little Hills isn’t just a tree farm—it’s also home to a happy- hearted menagerie that includes Carol and Kriss Mungle’s sweet Newfoundland dog, Chloe, plus alpacas, rescue pigs, and mini-donkeys. The sales barn is made from reclaimed wood from the property’s old chicken barns. 961 Chapman Ln., Petaluma. 707-763-4678, littlehillschristmastree.com
Pronzini Ranch: A few weeks after their famous pumpkin patch closes down, the ranch’s Adobe Road location (a separate spot from their downtown Petaluma lot of pre-cut trees) opens for you-cut tree harvesting. The 128-acre ranch has an impressive petting zoo with ponies, pygmy goats, and distinctive, long-horned Watusi cows. 3795 Adobe Rd., Petaluma. 707-778-3871, pronzinifarms.com
Reindeer Ridge Christmas Tree Farm: Right next door to Frosty Mountain, this spot is run by Paul and Debbie Garavaglia and their daughters. Reindeer Ridge is especially great for kids, with Christmas characters scattered around the farm and Santa visits every weekend. 3500 Mariola Rd., Sebastopol. 707-829-1569, reindeerridgetrees.com
As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach, it is a time for giving thanks and a time for giving back. Many local wineries have taken that spirit to heart, finding a variety of ways to do good and serve the community. Some donate wines or experiences to charitable events, some make donations on behalf of worthy causes, while others have created foundations that focus on raising awareness and rallying support for specific issues.
Here are some of the Sonoma County wineries that give back to the community.
The Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate in Santa Rosa has fostered a culture of good works among its staff by giving paid time off to employees interested in donating their time for community service. The company’s employees have made the most of the program, logging nearly 6,000 volunteer hours a year on everything from environmental initiatives to food banks, literacy programs to shelters.
In an effort to support the country’s grocery and supermarket workers, Jackson Family Wines created the Grocery Worker’s Relief Fund in 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic was putting those workers at greater risk. The company pledged an initial sum of $200,000 to the fund and made a commitment to raise an additional $2,000,000 over the next ten years with the aim of alleviating food insecurity and layoffs in the sector.
5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. 800-769-3649, kj.com
Healdsburg’s Jordan Vineyard & Winery has channeled philanthropic work through the John Jordan Foundation for more than a decade. Established by John Jordan in 2012, the foundation has taken part in a variety of initiatives and worthy causes since its inception, including support for over 300 partner organizations.
With the credo “It’s not a charity, it’s an investment in the future—our future,” the foundation has served more than 400 California schools with grants provided to over 1,000 teachers for their classrooms. The organization’s original focus—helping disadvantaged youth and young adults succeed in school and the workplace—has expanded to also include programs that serve seniors, support animal welfare, health and wellness, and a myriad of important causes.
1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Landmark Vineyards in Kenwood provides local support through its Landmark Community Grants program that was launched in 2014. During the intervening years, the program has given nearly $700,000 in funding to over 125 projects and supported more than 109 teachers and 46 schools.
This year, $60,500 went to grant recipients, with $15,000 of the funds going toward supporting K-12 schools in the community. Among this year’s grant recipients were Conservation Corps North Bay, Kid Scoop News, Living Room Center, Inc, Sonoma Valley Mentoring, and Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy and Services.
101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. 707-833-0053, landmarkwine.com
Remy Dorrance, the daughter of Noah and Kelly Dorrance of Reeve Wines and BloodRoot Wines in Healdsburg, is a 12-year-old surfer who is passionate about protecting the environment. Together with her father, she makes Remy Saves the Sea, a wine that benefits the 5 Gyres Institute. The nonprofit, based in Southern California, is committed to raising awareness about and reducing plastic pollution in the ocean.
In spring 2023, Noah and Kelly Dorrance began the legal process of establishing a nonprofit, Light Catchers, in honor of Kelly’s 9-year-old niece, Evelyn Dieckhaus, who was killed in the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, 2023. The couple also organized Wine Country Unites, a fundraising campaign benefitting national nonprofit Everytown For Gun Safety.
4551 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-235-6345, reevewines.com
Through its philanthropic partnerships and hosting of benefits such as Wishes in Wine Country, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards’s charitable activities have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for nonprofits over the years. Among the causes the winery has supported, Sonoma-Cutrer and Woodford Reserve have donated $300,000 to No Kid Hungry since 2018, most recently making a joint donation of $50,000 announced in November. The Windsor winery plans to donate an additional $1,000 to No Kid Hungry (a national campaign to end childhood hunger) on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28.
4401 Slusser Road, Windsor. 707-237-3489, sonomacutrer.com
B.R. Cohn Winery is another vintner with a long tradition of raising money for charity through direct donations as well as the hosting of fundraising events. The Glen Ellen winery, which was sold to Vintage Wine Estates in 2015, was founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn who managed rock and roll band The Doobie Brothers. Cohn’s connections in the entertainment business helped the winery bring in star talent to perform at annual charity concerts and participate in celebrity fundraiser events that raised millions for nonprofits.
15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen. 707-938-4064, brcohn.com
With a history of local philanthropy that stretches back decades, Rodney Strong Vineyards continues to support a variety of organizations in the community. Among the beneficiaries of its annual donations are The Redwood Empire Food Bank, The Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Meals on Wheels Sonoma County, Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE), and Sonoma County Fund the Future for children’s literacy. Since its founding in 1959, the Healdsburg winery has also taken part in numerous charitable events and donated its wine to local fundraisers for worthy causes.
11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg. 707-431-1533, rodneystrong.com
Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa is among the vintners who donate proceeds from particular wines to charitable causes. The winery donates $10 from each purchase of its 2021 “Liberation” Pinot Noir to the Gary Sinise Foundation with its mission of “honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.” Nonprofit The Anderson Family Foundation has pledged an additional $5 toward the Gary Sinise Foundation for every bottle sold. Now in its third vintage, the wine was originally created to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
3353 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa. 707-921-1040, benoviawinery.com
Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards has made a pledge to support cancer research foundations and raise awareness for the cause. In October, the winery began donating $5 from the purchase of each bottle of its Isla Rose Brut Rosé to the V Foundation for cancer research. The founders of Bricoleur Vineyards will match the $60 donation for every case of the wine purchased.
7394 Starr Road, Windsor. 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
In a nutshell: Part sandwich shop, part Italian grocer, part deli, part bottle shop — Stellina Alimentari defies easy explanation. Owner Christian Caiazzo aptly describes the narrow, brick-lined, mosaic-tiled eatery as having a New York Attitude with Italian Soul. Don’t miss the Il Michelangelo porchetta sandwich, fried risotto balls, panzarotti potato cakes, and antipasti. 160 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, stellinaalimentari.com.
I knew I had to get to Stellina Alimentari, the new cafe from the owners of Stellina Pronto, when a local chef described their porchetta sandwich with such wistfulness it was almost heartbreaking — the Della Fattoria lemon rosemary bread, the salsa verde, the porchetta juice that runs down your wrists.
Chefs always have a thing about porchetta — a boneless pork roast wrapped like a jelly roll with crispy skin inside and out.
It didn’t disappoint. Called Il Michelangelo ($18) on the sandwich board inside the Italian-style cafe and deli, it’s brought, wrapped in paper, to whichever lucky seat (there are only about four in the whole place) you’ve grabbed. Other sandwiches like the La Bellucci ($16) with grilled artichoke relish, roasted mushrooms, truffle pecorino cream and mushroom pate come on the house-baked schiaccita (think focaccia).
There are tasty Italian-style salads, antipasti and charcuterie boards, along with fried risotto balls with chile aioli and the Panzarotti (little potato cakes with Parmesan, mozzarella and mint) as well. I’m not doing it justice, but until I can get back another three or 10 times, this little taste will have to suffice. 160 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, stellinaalimentari.com. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
It’s holiday time, so cue the scramble to find the perfect gift for people on your list who “have everything.” Might we suggest you step away from the internet and head to Sonoma stores instead? Here are just a few suggestions from a vast supply of well-curated stores. Many of these items are locally made, which adds even more joy to the giving process. Be a unique gift-giver. You got this. All items are under $50. Click through the above gallery for details.
Delicious Dish owners Lauren and Charles Cotner have taken over the former Pho Ha Vietnamese restaurant (565 Fifth St. W., Sonoma) and plan to call their new deli/pickup eatery Delicious Dish Provisions.
“In addition to our still-popular out-the-door, family-style dinners, we’ll be offering a deli-style counter service of colorful, healthy prepared food and catering that will be elevated but still accessible,” Lauren said.
The lunch menu will keep some Delicious Dish classics, plus a rotation of sandwiches, soups and salads that keep with themes like Southern meets California seasonal meets Wine Country with City vibes, Lauren added.
In December, the couple closed their Arnold Drive restaurant, which was replaced by Valley Swim Club.
The owners of Healdsburg’s El Farolito have renamed (and revamped the menu) of the longtime restaurant to Gallina D’Oro.
The menu is a bit pared down and more casual, but the mole Oaxaqueno, thankfully, remains. New to the menu is estofado ($25), a roasted chicken with estofado mole (a green mole).
There are also tacos, including tacos ahogados ($17) and quesabrria ($19) because these consommé-dipped beef tacos seem to be required at every taqueria.
Breakfast of chilaquiles ($17) is new as well. “Our dishes, rooted in farm-to-table principles, spotlight two beloved favorites: the humble chicken and the versatile egg,” reads the website at gallinadoro.com.
Open daily, 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807.
If you’re kicking around lunch plans and need a great recommendation, check out Marigold. It’s a midday pop-up at Spinster Sisters with a ridiculously great menu (for pickup or delivery only).
Suzie’s Fried Chicken Sandwich ($15) is a gigantic mouthful of moist fried chicken, sliced cucumbers, pickled onions, slaw and kewpie mayonnaise on a potato bun. I can attest that my DoorDash order arrived hot and crispy.
They also have a burger ($17), a Caesar salad ($12) and healthy bowls like the Sally’s Fall Bowl ($16) with grilled chicken, brown rice, marinated white beans, roasted broccoli and a garden of other vegetables.
Spiced harissa fries are required ($10), mostly because their burnt onion ranch sauce (it’s crazy good) is so perfect for dipping.
Marigold at The Spinster Sisters, 401 South A St., Santa Rosa. marigoldsantarosa.com. Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
The historic MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa has put the finishing touches on a major renovation project that the company says transforms the property into “Sonoma’s newest sanctuary.”
The most recent renovations focused on the property’s spa and fitness center, outdoor pool space, and five new guest rooms, including an Artists Cottage. During previous renovations, refurbishments were made to guest rooms as well as the food and dining venues.
Kes Studio led the redesign of the spa, which the property says includes new treatment rooms, locker rooms with steam showers, an outdoor Relaxation Garden and Lounge, and outdoor pool space with private pool cabanas. Guests can choose from a wide variety of spa treatments curated by TLee Spas: facials, body renewal treatments, massages, as well as several “100 Minute Journeys.”
Each of the “100 Minute Journeys” treatments includes unique elements such as the massage on a “healing Chakra Mat charged with electromagnetic gemstones” that is part of the “Reboot Ritual” or the “exfoliating botanical body polish packed with medicinal wildflower essences” included in “Sanctuary of Flowers.”
The spa treatments integrate ingredients culled from the flowers, herbs and fruits that are grown in MacArthur Place’s gardens in what the property calls “Farm to Massage Table.”
The 6-acre property, which is located next to the Nathanson Creek Preserve and close to Sonoma Plaza in the heart of Wine Country, unfolds through lush garden paths and among a cornucopia of redwoods, oaks, magnolias, oleander, fig, pomegranate, espaliered apple trees, bamboo groves, rosemary and lavender.
The land MacArthur Place sits on in Sonoma was at one time part of a 300-acre farmstead dating back to the 19th century that served as family estate, vineyard and working ranch.
In 2017, Arizona-based IMH Financial Group purchased the hotel for $36 million and soon after began implementing renovation plans.
As part of previous renovation work to MacArthur Place, the property replaced its Saddles Steakhouse with the Mediterranean flavors of its reimagined Layla Restaurant, created a new coffee bar and marketplace called Porch as well as The Bar at MacArthur Place.
Earlier this year, MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa was included in Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of the top 500 hotels in the world.
Click through the above gallery for a peek at the renovated property.
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma. 707-938-2929, macarthurplace.com
The critically acclaimed Animo restaurant in Sonoma is headed for big changes, with a new venue and new menu next summer.
But the news that the current location at 18976 Sonoma Highway would be closing after the Dec. 17 service sent a momentary wave of panic through the local restaurant community over the weekend.
“Animo will permanently cease operations at its current location… in order to fully focus on the establishment of Golden Bear Station. Animo will be relocating to a new venue, offering an entirely new and captivating menu,” read a social media post from chef Josh Smookler.
Golden Bear Station is Smookler and wife Heidy He’s new Italian-American-style restaurant, slated to open in late December. Located in the former Tips Roadside restaurant, it’s been highly anticipated since the announcement in early September. The couple has been working diligently on a menu that will include pizza, pasta, burgers, steak and more.
Smookler and He opened Animo in 2022 after moving to Kenwood from New York City. The duo received a two-star review from the New York Times for their restaurant, Mu Ramen, calling it the best ramen in the city.
Leaving ramen behind, Smookler and He opted for a more eclectic menu at Animo, and was named one of the best new restaurants in America by Esquire magazine less than a year after opening. Whole turbot, imported from Spain, is a signature dish, along with kimchi fried rice and Iberico pork.
“Animo has been really great, but now we’re looking to push the envelope. The space will be more intimate, and we’re looking to elevate the menu quite a bit,” Smookler told The Press Democrat.
He described the new Animo concept as “fire omakase” and called the four-course tasting menu “our interpretation of a tasting menu.”
While direct-flame cooking — meaning flame-meets ingredients without the use of high-tech equipment — is part of the current Animo experience, Smookler is eager to do more.
“This is a dream project. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I started in the restaurant business,” he said. “I just want to do what inspires me.”
That also means a more personal experience with guests.
“You’re in a space that’s really beautiful, and we want people to feel they’re being incredibly pampered — but without stuffiness. You’re my best friend and we want to cook for you. We want to feed you the best possible food we can create,” he said.
While Smookler declined to say where the new Animo would be located, he confirmed the restaurant would remain in the Sonoma Valley.
“We’re really proud of where we live and want to share that,” he said.
