Page 8 – Sonoma Magazine

Food-Focused Appellation Healdsburg Hotel from Chef Charlie Palmer Coming to Life

June 2025

By Dana Rebmann

While the rooftop bar will have a dark, moody vibe it will also be a great spot to catch sunset. (Appellation)

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April 2025. It has been updated with new information.

It’s hard to miss when driving north on Highway 101 just past downtown Healdsburg. After years of planning and design, the 32-acre, mixed-use development known as North Village is beginning to look less like a construction site and more like a community.

One of the most talked about pieces of the project — celebrity chef Charlie Palmer’s food and wine-focused Appellation Healdsburg hotel — is eyeing a late September opening.

The Appellation hotel brand is a collaboration between Palmer and Sonoma County resident Christopher Hunsberger, a hospitality veteran formerly with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. In addition to 108 rooms and suites, the hotel will feature a restaurant, rooftop bar, spa and fitness center.

“It’s really coming to life,” said Hunsberger.

Charlie Palmer's Appellation Healdsburg hotel — A rendering of the restaurant and lobby at the forthcoming Appellation Healdsburg. (Appellation)

Appellation’s food and wine focus will be apparent from the moment guests step into its take on a hotel lobby.

Instead of the classic front desk serving as the focal point, it’s the restaurant, kitchen and circular fireplace that will make the first impression on visitors (the reception desk is set off to the side of the entrance).

The lobby layout also includes dedicated space for the brand’s Crafted at Appellation classes. Workshops at locations throughout Sonoma County have covered everything from planting terrariums to blending freshly roasted coffee beans.

“It will be very different than any other hotel reception experience, at least that I know exists today,” said Palmer.

Rooms and suites are spread throughout a dozen or so buildings. In addition to a spa with eight treatment rooms, there are two pools (one for adults only) and a fitness center with training equipment and class offerings. No details have been released, but a local membership option is said to be in the works.

Many residents at neighboring Enso Village — described as a Zen-inspired senior living community — appear to have already settled in. Above approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space, the framework for 53 affordable apartments is coming together. There will also be 27 middle-income qualified townhomes as part of the North Village project.

Appellation Healdsburg is still taking shape, but the number of final stretch touches are growing with each day. Mature olive trees are being planted and tile is being set. It won’t be long before an assorted four dozen fruit trees and 24 raised culinary beds are integrated into the landscape.

It’s been more than two decades since Palmer opened Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg. Every Thursday night, locals are invited to take advantage of the restaurant’s three-course Sonoma Neighbor Menu for $55.

Palmer said he looks forward to welcoming locals to Appellation Healdsburg as well.

“Yes, it’s a hotel and yes, there’s going to be people coming here hopefully from all over the place, but first and foremost, it’s about welcoming locals into another great piece of Healdsburg,” said Palmer. “I want that bar to be full of locals. I want the restaurant and spa to be full of locals.”

Rates at Appellation Healdsburg are expected to start at just above $500 a night, plus a daily resort fee of $45. 165 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg, appellationhotels.com

Rendering of Appellation Healdsburg bar — The forthcoming rooftop bar at Appellation Healdsburg. (Appellation)

Local hotels show off renovations, new menus and wellness options

Just in time for spring, several Sonoma County hotels are giving people more reasons to plan a trip or Wine Country staycation.

Vintners Resort just debuted a new resort pool flanked with daybeds, cabanas and fire pits. Day passes are available for locals looking to lounge poolside, but not stay at the property. The next phase of renovations at the Santa Rosa property includes refreshed rooms and a lobby facelift. 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-7350, vintnersresort.com

The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn is now serving breakfast and lunch. Dinner service now includes a la carte offerings in addition to the three-course, prix fixe Taste of Farmhouse menu. 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com/restaurant

Calling all spa lovers! Thanks to a new partnership with UK-based celebrity skin designer Fatma Shaheen of Skin Design London and Montage Hotels & Resort, a pair of new facials just launched at the spa at Montage Healdsburg. The new treatments include the SDL Vitamin Skin Glow Facial ($495) and SDL Face Tight Facial ($975). 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montage.com/healdsburg

Picpoul Blanc Is a Rare White Variety That Meets the Moment

June 2025

By Sarah Doyle

Wine tasting with mezze plate from Little Saint at Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg. (Gretchen Gause)

As California winemakers look for grape varieties more tolerant to drought and heat, plantings of a rare French grape native to the Languedoc region of southern France are likely to rise. Picpoul Blanc, with only 48 acres bearing fruit in the state, has great growing potential, according to Paso Robles winemaker Jason Haas.

His winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, was the first in California to work with the variety, after importing cuttings from France in 1995. “You can let the grapes hang a long time, so they develop tropical characters like piña colada — and they’ll still have super-bright acid.”

For a grape few have heard of in the U.S., Picpoul Blanc has a surprising number of superfans — especially here in Sonoma County, where winemakers are embracing its vibrant, racy edge (“picpoul” means “sting the lip” in French). At Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg, winemaker Rob Fischer was “immediately intrigued” when he learned the owners of Three Oaks Farm on Sonoma Mountain had grafted about an acre and a half of Syrah over to Picpoul Blanc in 2022.

Director of winemaking Rob Fischer racks Picpoul wine from a puncheon to a tank at Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat) — Director of winemaking Rob Fischer racks Picpoul wine from a puncheon to a tank at Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

Marine Layers Picpoul Blanc wine — Director of winemaking Rob Fischer swirls a sample of Picpoul wine in a glass while racking from a puncheon to a tank at Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

At Three Oaks Farm, the Picpoul is planted mid-slope, where cool temperatures can push ripening into October.

“You just have to be patient,” says Fischer. “It can express itself as a generic white grape, until it turns a corner late in the season when the acid drops and it develops these nice citrus flavors. That’s when I know we’re in action.”

In a region flooded with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Fisher commends Sonoma County winegrowers for planting less common varieties like Picpoul Blanc. “I live in Napa, but I love the fact you can grow so many different varieties in Sonoma County,” he says. “I’m really excited to see growers experimenting with these fringe varieties.”

Compared to Sonoma County, which has just 4 acres of Picpoul Blanc, the Lodi wine region of San Joaquin Valley has a whopping 12. That’s where winemaker Blair Guthrie of Guthrie Family Wines in Sonoma sources fruit. For his 2023 Faux Picpoul Blanc ($28), Guthrie picked relatively early to maintain the variety’s “electric acidity and lively pop.” As for the wine’s name, “Faux” — don’t be fooled. Guthrie’s wine is 100% Picpoul Blanc.

Natty Pets canned pét-nat sparkler from Two Shepherds Wine in Windsor. (Courtesy of Two Shepherds)

Winemaker William Allen has been producing a Picpoul Blanc at Two Shepherds Winery in Windsor since 2018, with fruit sourced from the little-known Windmill Vineyard in Yolo County’s Dunnigan Hills. “Our wine lives up to the name ‘lip stinger,’ but it also has texture and depth, which makes it great with oysters and crab,” he says.

In 2021, Allen went out on a limb and also made a sparkling canned wine called Natty Pets, a blend of Picpoul Blanc and Grenache Blanc. About 35% of the Picpoul was skin-fermented, which gave the wine a light orange hue.

“We launched it as a sparkling orange wine and everyone went ga-ga over it,” says Allen. “We doubled production of the wine last year, and we still sold out.”

Like others, Allen believes Picpoul Blanc is exceptionally well-suited to California’s Mediterranean climate.

“People need to stop planting Chardonnay in California and start planting Picpoul Blanc,” he says. “It loves the heat, it’s not prone to rot or mildew, it bears good yields and is easy to grow. It’s perfect for Picpoul.”

This story was originally published in The Press Democrat. Read the full story here.

These Sonoma County Restaurants Encourage Guests to Stay Awhile

June 2025

By Carey Sweet

Customers dine at Little Saint in Healdsburg, a temple to the union of plant-based food, wine and live music. (Kim Carroll)

An article in Food Republic, an online industry publication founded by chef Marcus Samuelsson, offered this advice: “It’s a general rule of thumb that diners should leave a restaurant within 15 minutes of getting the check, otherwise, it’s considered a form of overstaying your welcome.”

For decades, most restaurant owners have seen profit in turnover, seating as many guests as possible — packing their spaces to keep kitchens busy and servers earning tips. Too many people hanging out at tables for too long cuts into the bottom line in an industry where profits are measured in pennies.

In Sonoma County, however, other restaurant owners play the long game. Instead of rushing guests out the door, they’re building community, embracing a philosophy that advocates for the need for “third places.” The term, coined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book, “The Great Good Place,” refers to places other than home and work where people go to gather and socialize with others.

Allowing guests to linger is likely driven by economic concerns, says California Restaurant Association President and CEO Jot Condie. He says that restaurants face more competition than ever as customers tighten their wallets. As the competitive landscape tightens, restaurant owners look for ways to stand out from the crowd.

Live music event at Little Saint — Boygenius fans line up before a sold-out show at Little Saint in Healdsburg. (Emma K Creative)

“As customers are dialing back at table-service restaurants, building an experience is critical,” Condie says. “The restaurants are investing more into differentiating themselves, in hopes that people maybe stick around longer, but certainly come back again.”

Sonoma County diners can witness a range of responses to this trend, from displays of board games and books to borrow, to seating guests at long community tables, to trivia nights, live music and dance parties. At Altamont General Store in Occidental, co-owners Jenay and Andzia Hofftin offer a mix of experiences.

“Our motto is ‘eat, shop, gather,’” Jenay says. “That was our business model before the pandemic, and when we finally were able to reopen, the ‘gather’ became even more important, since we felt there was really no place to hang out in Occidental and meet a friend and chat over good food and fun.”

Andzia Hofftin, left, her wife Jenay Hofftin and their daughter Ever, 2, at The Altamont General Store in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)

Altamont restaurant — Barista Alana Fraley interacts with a customer as she makes coffee at The Altamont General Store in Occidental on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)

Altamont General Store guests can spin vintage vinyl on an antique turntable, browse culinary and art books while lounging on a sofa, take a craft workshop, or kick back with live music on Friday nights in summer in the Yard, a family-friendly outdoor lounge. Some Saturday nights, even bigger bands tour through.

As parents of young children, the Hofftins also focus on creating community for younger guests. The Yard has fun toys plus an oversized Connect Four to play and a boulder to climb on. “That allows parents to have a whole cappuccino or a whole glass of wine or at least five bites of food without having to worry,” says Andzia. “I’m from Hawaii, and we do long, extended family gatherings, so it feels really natural to extend that into our space.”

At Little Saint in Healdsburg, guests relax in comfy wicker chairs on the front patio, leisurely sipping pour-over coffees, and sharing little bits of tofu scramble tacos with their canine companions. The adjacent two-story barn-style building is designed with lots of nooks and corner retreats for guests to hang out.

Little Saint restaurant — The upstairs area at Little Saint in Healdsburg, Sept. 8, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Little Saint restaurant in Healdsburg — Customers dine at Little Saint in Healdsburg, a temple to the union of plant-based food, wine and live music. (Kim Carroll)

“We like to call ourselves Healdsburg’s living room,” says director of events and marketing Sara Beckstead. “It’s just a natural setting to sit and connect.”

On Thursday nights, free live music shows take over the restaurant’s upper level, and there are also ticketed events, like a recent screening of a Wendell Berry documentary, along with a panel discussion with the film’s producers about the life of the legendary author and farmer.

“We’re trying to do as much programming as we can that’s relevant to our farming and lifestyle mission and what Sonoma County stands for,” says Little Saint executive director Jenny Hess. “Diverse programming also brings in new audiences… Maybe they come because their favorite band is playing, but once they’re here, they experience our food, enjoy a cocktail, and suddenly, we have a new regular in our world.”

That’s an understandable strategy, says the CRA’s Jot Condie. “You want a line of customers out the door — that helps the environment and sense of community that you get with that dull roar of a conversation in the background and clinking glasses.”

Valley Swim Club restaurant — Dip your toes into the casual-chic scene at Valley Swim Club, a walk-in-only outdoor dining spot modeled after an East Coast clam shack. (Eileen Roche / For Sonoma Magazine)

New ideas are constantly being hatched. Successful restaurant owners observe their guests’ habits and cultivate new programming with new ways to connect. Valley Swim Club in Sonoma hosts popular movie nights, queer-friendly line-dancing and a holiday market. Twin Oaks Roadhouse in Penngrove has a raucous trivia night, as does the Goose & Fern in Santa Rosa. Brigitte Bistro in Petaluma invites guests to play for the room on their baby grand piano. And casual roadhouses like Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma and HopMonk Tavern in Sonoma and Sebastopol, have built their reputations on live music along with great pub food.

Brewster's restaurant — Lynzie Brodhun, left, and her sister Lexi Brodhun drink beer and listen to live music at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (Beth Schlanker/ The Press Democrat)

The fried chicken sandwich at Twin Oaks Roadhouse on Old Redwood Highway in Penngrove. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)

“Of course, it’s an investment to offer all these things,” says Jenny Hess. “Sure, we would love for people to be eating and drinking the whole time they’re sitting around, but we can’t expect that, and we’re OK with it. This is a deliberate investment — an investment in community goodwill. The more positive experiences that people feel at Little Saint, the more likely they are to return.”

“We want it to be a great place for people to hang out with friends, and then they all want to come back again and again. They do come back, so it works well for us.”

Little Saint: 25 North St., Healdsburg. 707-433-8207, littlesainthealdsburg.com

Altamont General Store: 3703 Main St., Occidental. 707-874-6053, altamontgeneral.com

Best Smoothie Spots in Sonoma County

June 2025

By Maci Martell

Ashley Baker and David Ertmann are the new owners of BlendCraft in downtown Petaluma, where they serve date shakes which are famous in Palm Springs but rarely found outside of southern California. Photographed on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)

Ever since the dawn of the electric blender, people have been concocting smoothies with a myriad ingredients for a filling, nutritious beverage.

Pureeing a mix of fruits and vegetables provides a healthy dose of your day’s vitamins and fiber, along with protein from milks and add-ons. And when the weather gets too hot to cook, smoothies can be a cool, refreshing alternative.

Here’s where to find some of the best smoothies in Sonoma County.

BlendCraft Smoothie Co.

Formerly known as Fruit in Motion, BlendCraft emerged in April of 2024 with a mix of old favorites and new, unique offerings — like the Palm Springs-inspired date shake. The Carrot Cake smoothie is a flavorful blend of mango, ginger, carrot juice, honey, cinnamon and Greek yogurt. Also find other classics like green smoothies and peanut butter-based protein drinks, as well as fan favorites like Pineapple Whips and It’s It shakes. 3 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-242-6024, blendcraft.com

Date shake smoothie from BlendCraft — The date shake, popular in Southern California, can be enjoyed at BlendCraft in downtown Petaluma. Photographed on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus-Courier)

The Local

Tucked away in Petaluma’s Active Wellness Center, The Local is worth seeking out for its stunning farm-to-table sandwiches as well as the nondairy smoothies made with 100% real fruit. Dream of an island getaway while sipping the Tropics smoothie, made with mango, strawberry, banana, orange and coconut. Look out for The Local coming to the Plaza North Shopping Center on North McDowell, where it will take over the former Superburger. 1201 Redwood Way, Petaluma, 707-789-7002, thelocalpetaluma.com

Redwood Cafe

With a smoothie selection as large as its local wine list, this casual Cotati spot knows how to impress in Sonoma style. The range of smoothies includes yogurt-based and nondairy options as well as protein shakes off its “bodybuilding” menu. Get tropical with the Island Escape smoothie or improve your exercise regimen with the filling Chocobutter Muscle Bomb shake, packed with 32 grams of protein and 17 grams of fiber. 8240 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-795-7868, redwoodcafecotati.com

Plants and Juice Bar

This hidden strip mall juice shack is a haven for plant lovers, with vibey natural decor and produce-packed drinks. Go for the Money Green — kale, spinach, guava, orange and banana — when in need of a healthy morning start. For a post-workout protein boost, try the Snicker smoothie with cacao, banana, peanut butter, choice of almond or oat milk and choice of protein. 447 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, 707-615-7607, instagram.com/plantsandjuicebar

Juice on the Square

While this small shop specializes in organic cold pressed juices, its smoothies are just as nourishing and tasty. All smoothies are made with a housemade sunflower seed creamer, which includes dates and vanilla bean for added sweetness and flavor. Customize your smoothie with the selection of fresh fruit and greens, plus add-ons like chia seeds, spirulina and bee pollen. 1305 Cleveland Ave., Suite B, Santa Rosa, 708-800-7953, juiceryco.com

Succo Cold-Pressed

Situated in the St. Francis Shopping Center off Calistoga Road and Sonoma Highway, this cutesy juice shop offers pretty drinks, parfaits and toasts. The most mesmerizing offering has to be the Cloud 9 smoothie — a blend of pineapple, banana, spirulina, collagen, maple, almond butter, coconut cream and almond milk — presented in beautiful blue and white swirls. 130 Calistoga Road, Santa Rosa, 707-595-1586, succocoldpressed.com

The Nectary

Dedicated to plant-based wellness, The Nectary boasts a large selection of superfood smoothies as well as cold-pressed juices, fermented beverages, açaí bowls and more. Get the gorgeous Wild Blue Yonder made with pineapple, banana, ginger, maca, chia seeds, blue majik spirulina, coconut water and housemade cashew “mylk” (read: no dairy). 7300 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-2697, thenectary.net

Howard Station Cafe

The west county breakfast champ may be known for its famous eggs Benedicts and thick slabs of French toast, but the smoothie menu shouldn’t be overlooked. Fan favorites include the tropical Mango Madness and the vibrant Shooting Star, made with pineapple, strawberry, banana and orange juice (make it a “zinger” by adding dates and ginger for 50 cents). 3611 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-2838, howardstationcafe.com

Coffee Bazaar

This Russian River coffee house has a wide assortment of beverages in addition to breakfast and lunch offerings. The smoothies are great, with a nice roundup of classics like Wild Berry and Green Machine. A good go-to is the eponymous Bazaar smoothie, made with banana, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, yogurt and orange juice. 14045 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, 707-869-9706, coffeebazaarcafe.com

Acorn Cafe

This Healdsburg breakfast and lunch spot quickly won over locals looking for their next big brunch fix. The smoothie selection is small, but they pack a nutritious punch to get you ready for the day. Our favorite is the beautiful Berry Bliss, made with blueberries, strawberries, peanut butter, oats, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey. Pair with the equally pretty tiramisu French toast or a grab-and-go salad for a quick, healthy lunch. 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com

Carmella

Appropriately situated in Healdsburg’s former Nectary spot (now exclusively in Sebastopol), Carmella offers a colorful selection of smoothies, juices, toasts and salads. Blue spirulina fans should go for the Midnight Maca, naturally sweetened with dates and banana. The velvety Mighty Cacao-Mint is also enticing — think of it as a chocolate mint milkshake but with hidden spinach and avocado to stave off the guilt. 312 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-385-4657, carmellacarmella.com

Fruity Moto smoothie — Benjamin Chacon makes a smoothie at Fruity Moto in Windsor Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

Fruity Moto Cafe

What started off as a food truck in 2016 has blossomed into a community café serving smoothies, toasts, açaí bowls, salads and sandwiches. Longtime favorites include the Avocado Greenie and classic Seasons. Coffee lovers will enjoy the Cold Brew smoothie, made with house cold brew, banana, peanut butter, dates, Ora cacao and oat milk. 9054 Windsor Road, Windsor, 707-892-2906, instagram.com/fruitymotocafe

El Huerto Fresh Bites

Tucked in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center, El Huerto offers a vibrant selection of smoothies as well as juices, toasts, salads, paninis and bubble waffles. Among the most popular smoothies is the Hulk, made with spinach, kale, green apple, pineapple, dates, mango and coconut water. The mangonadas are also stellar. 19213 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-343-7025, el-huerto-fresh-bites.square.site

Love Hummingbirds? Now’s the Time to See Them in Sonoma County

June 2025

By Nate Seltenrich

Anna’s Hummingbird at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. (Gareth Bogdanoff / Shutterstock)

Hummingbirds never fail to enthrall us. We plant flowers for their benefit, hang brightly colored feeders to lure them near, and watch in awe as they eat without landing, suspended in mid-air.

“The cool thing about hummingbirds is that a lot of people, nonbirders, seem to be pretty aware of them,” says Petaluma’s Dan Nelson, assuredly a birder after helping the local Madrone chapter of the Audubon Society record observations for over four decades.

In courtship, males fly high above the treetops then dive-bomb back to earth, producing at the last second a distinctive chirp from their flared tail feathers before arcing sharply skyward, an acrobatic feat repeated again and again to show off to their mates — as if their brilliant, iridescent plumage weren’t enough.

Despite hummingbirds’ diminutive size, they can travel vast distances. Allen’s hummingbirds breed here between January and July but spend the rest of the year in central Mexico. Three-inch Rufous hummingbirds are long-haul truckers by comparison: they pass through Sonoma in spring on the way to breeding grounds as far north as Alaska, and in fall on their way back to Mexico.

Anna’s hummingbirds, the least migratory North American hummingbird species, reside in Sonoma County year-round. Identifiable by their emerald backs and unique rose-pink heads, they account for most local sightings and feeder visits. This makes them no less special — but to birders like Nelson, more unexpected guests are of even greater intrigue.

A rare leucistic hummingbird drinks nectar from a salvia plant in Petaluma, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

He still remembers the day in March 1992 when a man in Kenwood called to report seeing a “real unusual albino hummingbird” at his feeder. Albinism is not uncommon in hummingbirds, but what excited Nelson was that the bird had a red beak. Albino Anna’s have yellowish beaks, so Nelson knew he was dealing with something different. He rushed to the man’s house and saw that indeed, this was a rare bird: a violet-crowned hummingbird with a bare-white chest and neck, far removed from its usual warm-climate, desert southwest range.

“I asked if it would be all right if I told a few friends about it, and told him if so, there might be some people that would show up,” Nelson laughs. “The bird stayed for four or five days, and by the end, everybody was calling their friends…Probably a hundred people got over there to see it.”

To attract hummingbirds, Nelson recommends mixing four parts water to one part sugar to fill your feeder (most feeders feature bright colors, so there’s no need to add red food coloring to the mix). Hummingbirds also feast on a range of flowering plants and insects, and are widely seen at this time of year, even just outside a kitchen window.

Outstanding in the Field Returns to Sonoma County

June 2025

By Carey Sweet

Chef Domenica Catelli will use fresh items from her Geyserville restaurant garden when she cooks with a guest chef, Maneet Chauvan, at the opening reception of the Healdsburg Food & Wine Experience. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

When Outstanding in the Field rolls into Sonoma County for its 2025 supper tour on Saturday, there will be special guests of honor at the long, communal table.

Peaches.

That’s because the al fresco dinner is being held at Dry Creek Peach in Healdsburg and host farmers Brian and Gayle Sullivan are harvesting their finest fruit for the feast — early-season Spring Snow white peaches, Spring Crest red-yellow peaches and Red Havens, a sweet, classic rose-blushed yellow peach.

Everything from the Sullivans’ orchards is certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers and the boutique peach varieties are so season-specific that each may only last a few weeks.

Just a few tickets remain for the 150-seat table that stretches down the center of Dry Creek Peach’s 1,000-tree orchard.

An Outstanding in the Field dinner at Scribe Winery. Another one is slated for the artisnal winery on May 28, 2014, with Chef Thomas McNaughton of Flour+Water in SF. OITF founding chef/artist Jim Denevan is shown with the hat standing to the right of the table. Photo: Ilana Freddye/Outstanding in the Field. — An Outstanding in the Field dinner at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. (Ilana Freddye/Outstanding in the Field)

The peaches will be celebrated by guest chef Domenica Catelli of Catelli’s Restaurant in Geyserville, punctuated with her Cal-Italian signatures loaded with local ingredients. Throughout the meal, guests will sip Dry Creek Valley wines from a half-dozen vintners, including Dutcher Crossing Winery, Emmitt-Scorsone Wines and Pedroncelli Winery.

A rock ‘n’ roll restaurant tour

For those not familiar with the roving field meals first dreamed up by founder Jim Denevan in Santa Cruz in 1998, the concept is like a rock ‘n’ roll tour, complete with a 66-year-old bright red-and-white bus hauling equipment and crew — except the stars are farmers, ranchers, chefs and vintners and the venues are the lands of food producers.

The message is simple: to reconnect diners with the earth and the origins of their food, while honoring the independent farmers and food artisans who do the hard work.

Outstanding in the Field started as a one-off and now travels to all 50 U.S. states and 24 countries around the globe, with seamlessly stretching tables set in vineyards, beaches, meadows, fishing docks, city streets and organic and sustainable farms.

A famous lasagna

For Saturday’s event, guests will be welcomed with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails spiked with Alley 6 brandy made with Dry Creek Peach fruit.

Then, it’s a family-style meal of more peaches. That means a first course of Quail and Condor grilled bread with DiStefano burrata, peaches, arugula and Italian San Daniele Prosciutto, followed by a second course of Russian River Organics little gems, Red Haven peaches, Laura Chenel goat cheese, Aleppo pepper-spiced pistachios, shallots, basil and Sparrow Lane golden balsamic.

Ten-layer lasagna at Catelli's in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine) — Ten-layer lasagna at Catelli’s in Geyserville. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)

Chef Catelli is well known for her artisanal lasagna, and the third course brings a Summer Lasagna built with eight layers of paper-thin pasta, garden herb béchamel, Bellwether Farms ricotta, wood-grilled Iberico pork slathered in peach-rosemary compote, Russian River Organics squash and purple potato.

For the finish, she is crafting a peach and Front Porch Farm blackberry crisp with oat-pecan crumble.

A first for celebrated chef

This is the first year Catelli is participating in the international phenomenon that is Outstanding in the Field — when Gayle Sullivan of Dry Creek Peach recommended her to the event team, they reached out.

Dry Creek Peach and Produce owner Gayle Sullivan displays many varieties of peaches at her farmstand west of Healdsburg, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

“I have been wanting to work with them for years,” Catelli said. “Even though ‘easy’ is not what I would describe cooking for 150 in a field without a full kitchen. But it’s fun for sure, and I love cooking over live fire.”

To ease the work, she assembles the lasagna, desserts, marinades and sauces a day ahead.

“The rest of the menu is made the day of,” she said. “Fortunately, my restaurant is close enough to the farm that I can run back and forth between the outdoor kitchen and my full kitchen.”

For the Sullivans, in their second year hosting, the evening is a bit easier.

“The team is so professional, with their cross country tour to spectacular sites,” Gayle Sullivan said. “They transport so much including the bar, kitchen set up, tables, chairs, shade umbrellas, bathrooms — pretty much everything. It’s such a great gathering.”

Details: outstandinginthefield.com

15 Sonoma Wineries With Gorgeous Gardens

June 2025

By Megan McCrea & Dana Rebmann

The colorful flowers in the winery gardens of Lynmar Estate in Sebastopol make for a pretty backdrop for a selfie. (Lynmar Estate)

These 15 wineries in Sonoma County have gorgeous gardens to gaze upon and wander through, from the flower gardens at Lynmar Estate in Sebastopol to the European setting at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood. You can even take a hike in the hills studded with oaks and madrones at Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma.

Lavender Love

Matanzas Creek Winery

Matanzas Creek Winery has been a haven for lavender lovers since 1991. Visitors come to sip Sauvignon Blanc on a terrace overlooking lilac and amethyst fields dotted with sunflowers. The lavender, which reaches full bloom around mid-June, is organically farmed and the blossoms are used in culinary, bath, body and home products sold at the winery’s lavender market. Reserve in advance. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-528-6464, matanzascreek.com

Quintessential California

Scribe Winery

A line of towering palms marks the drive up to Sonoma’s Scribe Winery. This is classic vintage California, from the adobe hacienda (built in the 1850s, once a speakeasy) surrounded by a tapestry of wavy grasses and stately succulents to the bountiful edible garden, run by Stephen Carter, one of the world’s premier chicory farmers. Call for updated tasting information. 2100 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-939-1858, scribewinery.com

Protecting Pollinators

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

The team at Jordan Vineyard & Winery never does anything halfway, with the majestic vine-covered stone buildings and the 1-acre vegetable patch that yields 100 varieties of produce, including exquisite fraises des bois (wild strawberries). There’s also a pollinator garden for bees and migrating monarch butterflies. Reserve ahead for a garden tour. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

A Vineyard Education

Quivira Vineyards

Learn as you taste at Dry Creek Valley’s Quivira Vineyards, where a sample block highlights all the varietals grown on the estate and raised beds showcase organic gardening practices. Sing in the herb garden, complete with — yep — parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Then visit the chickens: Japanese black Cochins, cuckoo Marans and silver-laced Wyandottes. Reserve in advance. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com

Unusual Finds

McEvoy Ranch

Tucked into the Petaluma Gap just high enough to skirt the fog, McEvoy Ranch is an idyll with acres of olive groves and rolling vineyards. The property is also home to many unusual plants, including striking purple cerinthe and wacky Buddha’s hand citrus. For a splurge, book a tasting in one of the private hideaways by the pond. Reserve walking tours and hideaways in advance. 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma, 866-617-6779, mcevoyranch.com

Wine tasting overlooking the pond at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Timm Eubanks / McEvoy Ranch)

House of Flowers

Flowers Vineyards & Winery

Before they grew grapes for their Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Joan and Walt Flowers owned a nursery. So the couple knew they wanted a stunning garden at their winery’s House of Flowers, the current design of which was made possible by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects and Alexis Woods Landscape Design. The landscaping was inspired by the many microclimates between Healdsburg and the rugged Sonoma Coast, where the winery grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com

Hike the Sonoma Hills

Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery

History is the watchword at Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma Valley, founded on the very land where California viticulture was born. The winery anchors 375-acre Bartholomew Park; save time to wander the trails that lace the oak- and madrone-studded hills. Or saddle up because the estate offers 45-minute horseback rides on relatively flat trails. Picnic grounds and hiking trails open to the public; reserve ahead for tasting. 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma. 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com

A fall horseback ride through the vineyards at Bartholomew Estate in Sonoma. (Michelle Hogan)

Picture Perfect

Lynmar Estate

The colorful flowers in the winery gardens of Lynmar Estate make for a pretty backdrop for a selfie. The culinary and estate garden teams work closely together to create the winery’s food and wine pairings. Enjoy estate-grown pinot noirs and chardonnays on the gorgeous patio surrounded by flowers. 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-3374, lynmarestate.com

From Garden to Table

Kendall-Jackson

Executive chef Tracey Shepos Cenami and her team use ingredients from Kendall-Jackson’s 4-acre culinary garden to prepare small dishes paired with small-production, limited-release wines. Tucker Taylor is director of culinary gardens and shares pretty photos of produce from the gardens on Instagram, @farmert. Don’t miss their farm-to-table summer dinner series. 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 866-287-9818, kj.com

Dylan Hunn and Jason Teplitz wedding — A courtyard fountain at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood. (Kathryn White)

A Taste of Europe

Chateau St. Jean

Though located in Sonoma Valley, Chateau St. Jean’s gardens may transport you to Italy or the south of France. The French-style chateau was built as a summer home in the early 1920s. There are spots throughout the estate to sit down and take in the garden views. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com

Rustic Rural Gem

Medlock Ames

When they’re not busy making wine, the people at Medlock Ames love nothing more than to pore over seed catalogs and tinker with new varieties. At the winery’s stunning rural vineyards at Bell Mountain Ranch, beds explode with zinnias, sunflowers and Queen Anne’s lace (a second tasting room on Alexander Valley Road has a small but lovely olive grove). Open by appointment. 13414 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8845, medlockames.com

At Cline Family Cellars in Sonoma, taste wine in a cabana overlooking the lavish gardens, the grand lawn and the pond. (Courtesy of Cline Family Cellars)

Picnic Among Roses

Cline Cellars

More than 70 species of roses grow on the Cline Cellars estate, which also has light-filled and airy cabanas near its Great Lawn, each accommodating four to six people for two-hour stays. A chilled bottle of Nancy’s Sparkling Cuvee awaits, as well as a basket of picnic provisions, including salami, cheeses, nuts and crackers. Reservations recommended. 24737 Arnold Drive, Highway 121, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com

Biodynamic Bliss

Benziger Family Winery

In 2000, Benziger Family Winery became the first vineyard in Sonoma County (and one of the first in North America) to receive biodynamic certification. The winery’s holistic approach to farming and maintaining a healthy ecosystem involves many elements, which can be explored along the Biodynamic Discovery Trail and during the Private Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting. Open Thursday through Monday, and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000, benziger.com

Benziger garden — At Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen. (Sonoma County Tourism)

Ferrari-Carano tulip garden — Tulips in bloom at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg. (Christopher Chung/ for Sonoma Magazine)

Tulip Hotline

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

More than 10,000 tulips and daffodils bloom each spring at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery. The gardens boast some 2,000 species of trees and shrubs, including a few of the only Portuguese cork trees in Wine Country. In late winter/early spring, a dedicated Tulip Hotline (707-433-5349) provides updates on tulip-blooming time. Reserve in advance. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 800-831-0381, ferrari-carano.com

Proteas on the Coast

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

In a nod to the owners’ native South Africa, a vast collection of rare proteas takes pride of place at coastal Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery. Look for the ‘pink mink’ — pink flowers with black feathery tips — and the ‘scarlet ribbon’ pincushion, a bright-red bloom with orange spikes. Reserve in advance. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com

Petaluma’s McEvoy Ranch Leads With Olive Oil and Charms With Wine

June 2025

By Tina Caputo

Wine tasting at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (McEvoy Ranch)

Plenty of Sonoma County wineries make their own olive oil, but it’s not so common for an olive oil producer to make its own wine. That’s the setup at McEvoy Ranch. Set in the Petaluma hills near the Sonoma-Marin border, the ranch provides an idyllic backdrop for tasting wine and extra-virgin olive oil.

The story

Nan McEvoy, the granddaughter of San Francisco Chronicle founder M.H. de Young, could have just kicked back and enjoyed a cushy, work-free life. She was a newspaper heiress, after all. Instead, she convinced her father to let her work for the family paper as a reporter, and she eventually became the company’s board chairman.

After retiring in her early 70s, McEvoy purchased a 550-acre property in Petaluma, thinking it would be a nice place for her city-dwelling grandchildren to run and play. The property’s zoning meant it also needed an agricultural purpose, so she planted 3,000 imported Tuscan olive trees on the ranch in 1990 and created a nursery to supply trees to growers across the region.

Olives at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Shwetha Kotekar/Sonoma County Tourism)

McEvoy’s business grew to become one of the nation’s largest producers of organic olive oil. In 2006, she added vineyards to complement the estate’s 50 acres of olive groves — though the grapes were later removed during California’s multiyear drought to prioritize water for the olive trees. Today, the late McEvoy’s son Nion and his adult children run the family operation.

The vibe

No matter how many times I’ve driven from my home to the ranch, I still have to watch closely for the McEvoy sign on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. Pass through the Bunny Gate — named for the whimsical bronze rabbit perched at the top — and you may spot some real live jackrabbits hopping amid the olive orchards.

Views from McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Shwetha Kotekar/Sonoma County Tourism)

Wine tasting at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Shwetha Kotekar / Sonoma County Tourism)

Tastings happen on a stone patio set with tables and lounge chairs, overlooking a lovely pond and acres of rolling hills dotted with olive trees. This is the kind of place that makes you go “ahhhhhhhhh.”

On the palate

Winemaker Byron Kosuge sources French and Italian grape varieties from growers in the Petaluma Gap and beyond, creating friendly and accessible wines. The 2024 Rosebud Rosé ($24), made from Potter Valley Pinot Noir, is pale and floral, showing off aromas and flavors of ripe strawberries. McEvoy’s 2023 Under the Willow Vermentino ($36) from Sonoma County’s celebrated Las Brisas Vineyard is a summer pleasure layered with intriguing mineral notes and citrus zestiness. Fans of lighter-style Pinot Noir will find a kindred spirit in the 2021 Evening Standard Pinot Noir ($45) from the Sun Chase Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap. Aged in neutral oak for a subtle profile, the wine is all about red berries and soft tannins. Tastings range from $38 to $48.

Beyond the bottle

There’s lots to sample at McEvoy, even if wine isn’t your thing. The ranch offers a guided olive oil flight ($35) featuring five varieties — from classic extra-virgin olive oil to “agrumato” oils made by crushing olives with whole fresh fruits and herbs. Seasonal culinary tastings ($45) include small bites made with McEvoy olive oils and condiments.

Olive oil tasting and food pairing at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Sonoma County Tourism)

Outdoor tasting area at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (Shwetha Kotekar/Sonoma County Tourism)

To truly have your mind blown, opt for the Olive Oil and Gelato Tasting ($35), which pairs three flavors of Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato with three olive oils. (Don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried drizzling the Chai Spice olive oil over vanilla bean ice cream.)

If you’d like to explore more of the property — including the vegetable gardens, olive oil presses and Nan McEvoy’s incredible Chinese-style pavilion — reserve a ranch tour ($55-$95).

McEvoy Ranch, 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma. 707-769-4138, mcevoyranch.com. Open daily, reservations encouraged.

Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.

New Luxury Home in Kenwood Is the Most Expensive Listing in Town’s History

June 2025

By Karen Kizer

This new luxury five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Kenwood is currently listed for $12,800,000—the highest price in the town’s history. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty) — This new luxury five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Kenwood is currently listed for $12,800,000 — the highest price in the town’s history. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty)

A new luxury five-bedroom, six-bathroom home and casita in Kenwood is currently listed for sale. The modern dwelling, with a combined 5,200-square-feet of living space, is seeking $12,800,000 — the highest listing price in the tiny town’s history.

Four of the home’s bedrooms are suites. All living areas have floor-to-ceiling views of the lush landscape and Sonoma Valley thanks to Portuguese glass door systems, some of which tower at 17 feet.

There’s a media room and a chef’s kitchen with a Lacanche range, a walk-in refrigerator, and a kegerator for the hops-happy Wine Country dweller.

Kitchen and wine cellar in Kenwood home — Kitchen and wine cellar inside luxury home in Kenwood. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty)

Kitchen cabinets and walk-in refrigerator. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty) — Kitchen cabinets with walk-in refrigerator and kegerator. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty)

Seating areas and pool. (CS Photography / Sotheby’s International Realty)

The lush gardens include a 65-foot saltwater pool and spa, a full outdoor kitchen and a pool house.

Other architectural elements include custom steel fascia, white oak cabinetry, radiant heated floors, copper gutters and downspouts, and hand-milled cedar siding. The angular home with its natural palette gives a strong-yet-subdued aesthetic, which sits gently in the breathtaking setting.

For more information about this listing at 9777 Via Cantera, Kenwood, contact listing agents Caroline Sebastiani, 415-290-3123, 707-935-2277, or Ginger Martin, 415-516-3939, 707-200-2488, sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-1188-y4tzjf/9777-via-cantera-kenwood-ca-95452

Historic Kellogg House by Renowned Architect John Hans Ostwald Up for Sale on the Russian River

June 2025

By Karen Kizer

A circa-1947 modern home on 1.2 private acres in Forestville is currently listed for $1,595,000. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,414 square-foot dwelling was originally commissioned by the Kellogg family and is the work of notable architect John Hans Ostwald.

The home exemplifies the Swiss chalet-meets-modernism style of Berlin-born Ostwald, who received his degree in architecture in Zurich. Sleek modern lines and repeating windows are warmed up with stained-wood walls and the intentional cozy connection to the woodsy outdoors.

A 1950 publication of Arts & Architecture praised the home for its u-shaped layout that shelters the pool and terrace and frames nature views.

Patio at Kellogg House home — Pool and patio at the historic Kellogg House in Forestville. (Darren Loveland)

Kitchen in Kellogg House home — Kitchen in the Kellogg House. (Darren Loveland)

The current owners have thoughtfully updated the vintage space. The kitchen and primary bath enjoy new natural stone, cabinets and fixtures that brighten but blend with the original warm finishes.

Other updated amenities include a pool and spa, solar power and EV charging.

For more information on the Kellogg House at 11630 River Road, contact listing agents Tom Doran, 415-860-5138, or Jeannie Vandeweg, 707-480-1541, Vanguard Properties, timelessmidcentury.com