Abundant winter rains have set the stage for some spectacular spring hikes in Sonoma County. Gushing waterfalls, vibrant green hillsides and carpets of wildflowers in vineyards, meadows and on coastal bluffs await those who venture outdoors this season. Click through the above gallery for a few favorite springtime hikes.
Sofia Englund, Maci Martell and Dana Rebmann contributed to this article.
I am a huge fan of the “Today” show. Before I joined Sonoma Magazine and became editor in chief, I was an at-home parent working harvest as a side gig. And for all those years at home with my two boys, the “Today” show was my constant morning companion, kicking off the day with a sunny positivity and sense of community.
So attending the taping of the Sonoma County edition of the show at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, right in my hometown of Kenwood, was a true full-circle kind of moment. I loved the window into how the show comes together and did more than my fair share of whooping and cheering for the cameras.
Here’s some of what you might not have seen if you watched the show on TV Friday morning:
The team behind the scenes was huge—more than a few dozen, including producers, assistants, camera people, and security—all wearing special Today show lanyards. My press badge made me feel extra included in all the action. Funny story: more than a few times, fellow audience members approached me to ask about this or that on the show, maybe because I had a badge. But of course, I didn’t know any more than they did!
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I was relieved to run into a couple of familiar faces right away. In the parking lot at St. Francis, I saw Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star, who was there for the food segment that closed the broadcast. (Glen Ellen Star has been on every Best Restaurants list we’ve done at the magazine since the restaurant opened.) Once inside, I spent a bunch of time with the charming Stéphane Saint Louis from Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma, who was a part of the same food segment. I saw later on Instagram that Al Roker ate at Glen Ellen Star the night before the taping—great call!
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Press people and audience members were shepherded through metal detectors and then out onto the lawn next to the St. Francis vineyards. I was there with Sara Edwards and Dan Taylor from our sister publication, The Press Democrat, and we were next to Brent Alan from KZST Radio and Kari Hall and Marcus Washington, morning show hosts from NBC Bay Area’s Today in the Bay. Lots of people recognized Kari and Marcus and approached them for selfies, which they were super gracious about. Kari said how happy she was to be out of the studio on such a gorgeous day, and we all laughed when Marcus did a Golden State Warriors rally dance with a woman all decked out in Warriors gear.
The set was impressive. The main table where the hosts sat for the intro was set up on a raised stone patio just off the tasting room, with several cameras and big white scrims overhead to filter the sun and avoid harsh shadows in the bright midday light. There was a separate area on another patio set up for the cooking segment, and the walking interview with track star Allyson Felix circled the lawn where we all gathered. The vineyards were a little on the bare side given that it’s still so early in the growth season—but I heard the hosts remark several times how lush the setups and scenery looked on camera.
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Stephanie Mansour, one of the Today show contributors, arrived about 15 minutes before taping began to warm folks up with a stretching and cheering practice. Stephanie chatted people up about the signs they’d brought from home and asked people where they were from. Several people shouted out that they were from out of town—Arizona, Seattle, Atlanta. The producers asked us to cheer and wave our arms in the air, whooping it up with lots of enthusiasm to welcome the team. And when host Dylan Dreyer came out to shake hands and say hello, we knew the main event was about to happen.
Taping took about two hours, which included the intro with the wine sabering, the cooking segment, the walk with Allyson Felix, the chat with the Garcia Twins, and the small business shopping segment, plus lots of waving and cheering and a few separate little intros and throwbacks. For logistical reasons, including the time difference with the East Coast, the show wasn’t taped in real time. They did the “buddy up” segment at Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor on Wednesday—that’s where the hosts did the wine blending seminar, the olive grove bathing, and the hot air balloon ride. The main taping at St. Francis was on Thursday from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it aired here in Sonoma on Friday at 9 a.m. Because it was being taped in advance, there were one or two times when we heard the crew stop and ask to do something over again. At the very beginning, for example, Al Roker stopped the intro because he said his teleprompter was lagging a bit behind. In general, it’s impressive how utterly unflappable the hosts are, just rolling with it every time!
If you ever get to go to the Today show, by all means wear a costume! If you’re going to do it, you might as well go all in. There was a woman dressed up as a bunch of grapes to fit the Sonoma County theme, and she got to be on camera a ton! People who had clever signs or who were extra enthusiastic in the crowd also got lots of attention from the hosts and camera operators—a group of school nurses with a sign about healthy living got a callout, as did a woman with a sign about how she’d made her husband into a Today show fan!
I loved that the hosts and guests were extremely generous with their time. Sheinelle, Craig, Dylan, and Al (look at me, calling people by their first names, haha!) each approached the crowd at breaks in the taping to chat and shake hands. Al Roker was kind enough to take a moment with an older woman sitting near me, one of the few who needed a chair to rest in, who was attending with her two grown daughters. You could tell she was over the moon at the attention!
I had been prepped the week before to be a backup host for the Shop Today segment with Sonoma County small businesses. Evidently, they weren’t sure if regular contributor Jill Martin’s flight was going to land in time for her to make it to the taping, and so they asked me to be ready to go on backup. But then she did indeed make it to the winery with plenty of time, so I didn’t have to—and to be honest, it was so much more fun to be able to enjoy Jill’s banter with the hosts. She is a pro! (A shoutout to the very kind—and remarkably organized—Today show producers Kayiu Wong and Phoebe Curran, who reached out to me at the magazine and took time to chat yesterday, in the middle of a super busy production. I’m happy you had such a good time here.)
I got to spend a few minutes interviewing the hosts after taping was finished, and they came across just as warm, natural and genuinely friendly as they appear on TV.
Dylan Dreyer reflected on the beauty of driving over the Golden Gate Bridge from the airport the night before, and how, waking up in Sonoma the next morning, everything looked “more and more beautiful as it all lit up.”
Al Roker picked up on something we all appreciate about Sonoma when he remarked on how beautiful, accessible and family-friendly Sonoma feels to him.
Sheinelle Jones said everything in Sonoma had been “absolutely delightful”—and joked with me about my old-school habit of recording interviews on my laptop.
Craig Melvin talked about his dad, who worked in the postal service for over four decades, and how that reminds him of the long-term commitment of many of his NBC family.
And Al Roker also called out the Today show staffers. “It is really a team,” he said. “We are literally the tip of the iceberg, but underneath, supporting what you see at the top is this massive cohesive team.”
Thank you so much to the Today Show and to Sonoma County Tourism for making Friday’s show possible. Sheinelle, Al, Craig, and Dylan: please do come back–we’d love to share even more with you about this beautiful place we call home!
Beloved by wine geeks near and far, the Garagiste Wine Festival: Northern Exposure will return to Sonoma County on Saturday, April 29, at the Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Hall.
Launched in Paso Robles in 2011, with satellite events in Sonoma County since 2018, the Garagiste Festival invites winemakers who produce 1,500 cases of wine or less per year to share their wines with consumers at the one-day event. The Northern Exposure edition will feature wines from Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and El Dorado counties, as well as Lodi, Sierra Foothills, Suisun Valley, Anderson Valley and Santa Clara Valley.
More than 40 micro-wineries will be on site to pour their limited-release wines, tiny gems that are often difficult to come by given that 90% of these winemakers don’t have a tasting room. This year, 17 new wineries are scheduled to participate, including Monroy Wines of Geyserville.
“As a virtual winery, we don’t have many opportunities to pour wine for people, so it’s easy to get lost in the crowd,” said Adolfo Hernandez, who founded Monroy Wines with his wife, Nohelia, in 2018. “The Garagiste Festival lets people to sample our wines. Once they taste them, they love them.”
Hernandez, who also works as an associate winemaker for Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa, produces about 400 cases of wine per year for Monroy Wines, which focuses on barrel-fermented cabernet sauvignon from Chalk Hill and sauvignon blanc from the Fountaingrove District.
“Barrel-fermented cabernet sauvignon is a unique, labor-intensive process, and it’s something I like to share with others,” Hernandez said. “I’m really looking forward to telling people what we’re about.”
Coined in Bordeaux, France, in the early 1990s, the term garagiste was given to rebellious winemakers who were fed up with the region’s strict, centuries-old rules for winemaking. Rather than adhere to tradition, these adventurous men and women made small lots of uncharacteristically robust wines in garages, warehouses and anywhere else they wanted. Threatened by this novel way of making wine, the traditionalists called these turncoat winemakers garagistes. While the term was intended to insult, it became a badge of honor to those who took pride in going rogue.
The Garagiste Festival was inspired by these independent French winemakers and their determination to forge a new path.
For Ashley Holland, founder and winemaker at Read Holland Wines in Santa Rosa, the Garagiste Festival is not only a chance to connect with fellow winemakers. It’s an opportunity to share her story with consumers.
“I am often so busy that it can be difficult to get my wines in front of people,” said Holland, who launched Read Holland in 2016. “The Garagiste Festival gives me a huge advantage to make my brand come alive and tell the story I’m often too busy to tell.”
You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @whiskymuse.
Can a Michelin-starred restaurant experience be replicated at home? Two restaurateurs are banking on the idea that it can.
During the pandemic, John Stubbs of the James Beard award-winning Jewel of the South in New Orleans and Jon Sybert of Tail Up Goat in Washington, D.C., watched as fine dining restaurants around the country struggled to stay alive.
Some turned to upscale takeout, others to elaborate outdoor dining tents, but most were forced to wait it out and hope for the best.
“During the pandemic, things were happening in the restaurant industry out of sheer necessity and survival. But no one was offering the ability to partner directly with the restaurants to provide a Michelin-level caliber,” Sybert said.
The two reached out to 10 of their compatriots, including at Compere Lapin (New Orleans), Octavia (San Francisco), Birdie G’s (Los Angeles), Roots Southern Table (Dallas), Dirt Candy (New York City) and Ernest (San Francisco) with a daring idea — bringing the restaurant experience home with semi-prepared meals delivered to diners’ doorsteps as a DIY dinner party meal kit. Their chef friends jumped at the novel idea.
In March, the duo soft-launched Moveable Feast. Similar to meal kits from providers like Blue Apron or Hungry Root, ingredients arrive in insulated boxes with detailed cooking instructions. But that’s where the similarities end.
Moveable Feast is everything you need to throw a Michelin-quality dinner party for four or 12 people. In addition to the fancy-pants food, each kit includes a printout of the menu for each guest, extensive plating instructions and multiple courses served family-style.
Moveable Feast isn’t DoorDash but a luxury experience delivered with the care and details you’d find at a fine-dining restaurant (with a price to match).
“We wanted all the little touches from the restaurant that make it unique,” Sybert said.
Sybert and Stubbs built a high-end central kitchen in downtown Napa that can reproduce each chef’s unique meal concept with local ingredients. Each chef creates a multicourse menu and detailed cooking instructions.
The chefs are compensated for their intellectual property and are equity partners in the company.
Wine Country, Stubbs said, was the perfect place to locate their central kitchen.
“The prerequisite was the produce, diversity and availability of foods, along with the longevity of the seasons. We wanted proximity to the product. There are such intrinsic benefits that belong in Wine Country,” he said.
The proof, however, was in whether the experience would translate.
“The biggest question is can we do it — offer an honest expression of that restaurant in that voice of some of the most talented people in the country?” Stubbs said.
After trying one of the meal kits from Chef Brandon Rice’s Ernest restaurant in San Francisco, the answer is yes and no.
Unboxing is one of the most fun parts of the experience. Most ingredients are beautifully packaged in reusable aluminum containers. Sauces arrive in clear bottles. One of the courses, the Dungeness crab Rangoon dip, came in a piping bag. Also included in the kit was a ring mold for perfect plating. Pre-portioned balls of chocolate-chip cookie dough were too tempting not to nibble on raw.
The meal can be refrigerated for a day or two, and the detailed instructions (and videos) outline each step, from when to start to how to decorate each dish. There aren’t any special tools needed that most people don’t already have in their kitchen.
The whole thing came together in about a half-hour or so. The most challenging part was making sure not to burn the potato terrine. Easy-peasy. And my husband was gobsmacked by the chop salad with togarishi ranch dressing, perfectly cooked prime NY strip steak (it comes sous vide; you just warm it up) and crab dip with fried wontons.
Also included were cacio e pepe profiteroles, cornbread with cultured butter and the chocolate-chip cookies that simply need to be cooked in the oven for a few minutes. It was delicious.
We also live in the Bay Area, where luxurious fine dining experiences aren’t hard to come by. But, no, our home doesn’t rival the restaurant experience. There wasn’t a beautiful dining room or accommodating waitstaff. We gobbled it up a bit too quickly.
People in places without a lot of high-end fine dining are the prime target for Moveable Feast.
“The idea is access. We want more people to have access to the talent, creativity (and) expression that happens in the restaurant and art that goes into it. That’s only available to a very few,” Sybert said.
Feasts for four are $385 and go up from there. A membership for four feasts per year is $1,400 or $3,960 for a dinner each month. Each month features a new restaurant. For details, go to moveablefeast.io.
A farmhouse renovated in 2016 recently sold in Sonoma for $3,850,000. The property, which includes a 3-acre Syrah vineyard and a meditation labyrinth, offers plenty of design inspiration.
Architect Paul Berger, who renovated the home, employed signature farmhouse-style design elements, including high ceilings, board-and-batten siding and a white exterior. The interior is flooded with light through numerous large windows and the airiness is balanced by rich, if not weighty, textures: wood-grain tile in the bathroom, deep grays in the cabinetry and on the walls, and many natural stone surfaces.
The yard is designed to encourage a variety of activities. An attractive dog run sits adjacent to a window-walled and carbon-covered structure that functions as an office or workout room. There’s a lounging area and a dining area on the deck by the pool, but also a walking path, cordoned off by a wall of succulents, that leads to a meditation labyrinth. The vineyard spans the length of the property and can be viewed from every spot in the yard.
Click through the above gallery for a peek inside the home.
The property, which is under contract, is listed with Mary and Vincent Bienek of Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – Sonoma Brokerage, 722 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-939-2230, 707-939-2231, sothebysrealty.com
A cozy mid-century cottage at 960 Austin Creek in Cazadero just hit the market for $695,000. The updated two-bedroom, one-bath home in western Sonoma County is nestled among tall redwoods and packs a lot of style into its 792 square feet.
Dark exterior walls—with doors and windows trimmed in white—become the late 1950s dwelling, allowing it to blend with the forested setting. Interiors are warmed by stained-wood ceilings, while white walls and plenty of windows allow the dense redwoods to work their scenic magic. Skylights brighten the home all the way up to the rafters and offer a different perspective of the towering redwoods. Deep-hued cabinets, updated light fixtures and rustic textiles are design details that make the space shine.
An additional building with a single-sloped roof and walls of windows serve as a sun-drenched space to work, workout or retreat to.
Click through the above gallery to peek inside the home.
For more information on the property at 960 Austin Creek in Cazadero, contact listing agent Noel Flores, 415-730-0554, continuumrealestate.com
This Earth Day, we have much to be thankful for. The serendipitously wet winter California experienced this year has officially moved Sonoma County out of a years-long drought — and locals can reap the rewards this spring.
Vibrant flower blooms, bountiful farmers markets and hikes through lush green forests. The earth gives back in glorious ways, so it’s only fitting we pay it forward by caring for our local lands however we can.
Local cities, nonprofits and businesses have a variety of ways to honor Earth Day this year while making a positive impact. From eco-friendly festivals to volunteer work at cherished community parks, here’s how to celebrate Earth Day in Sonoma County.
Students for Sustainability Club Earth Day Event, April 20
The Students for Sustainability Club at Sonoma State University will host an Earth Day celebration from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, in the Seawolf Plaza and Person Lawn at SSU. There will be interactive and educational activities, including arts and crafts, a nature scavenger hunt, and a chance to meet some goats and chickens. Contact sfscclub81@gmail.com for more information.
1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, sustainablessu.sonoma.edu
Climate Action Night at SRJC, April 20
Santa Rosa Junior College will host its fifth annual Climate Action Night from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on April 20 in the Bertolini Student Center. The goal of the event is to educate the public on how to take action on local ecological sustainability and climate justice. College and high school students will share information in a science-fair format and assist attendees on reaching out to elected officials to appeal for positive environmental legislation. Some topics at the event include bicycle infrastructure, textile recycling, fossil fuel divestment and a carbon capture demonstration. RSVP for Climate Action Night here.
1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, climateactionnight.com
Earth Day Vintage Clothing Pop-up, April 21-22
Healdsburg’s One Hundred Chapters Vintage Clothing will curate a vintage clothing pop-up at sustainability-minded h2hotel from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, in the hotel’s lobby. The popup in honor of Earth Day will be open to the public and will feature unique garments from various eras to add to your wardrobe.
219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-2202, h2hotel.com
Earth Day Trash Cleanup in Windsor, April 22
The Town of Windsor’s Storm Water Quality Program team will host a community trash cleanup event from 9-11:30 a.m. on April 22. Volunteers will celebrate Earth Day by picking up trash in Windsor to help protect local creeks and the Russian River. Meet at the corner of Victory Lane and MacFarland Way in Windsor at 9 a.m. to pick up safety vests, trash pickers, gloves and bags. Participants will receive a free gift and snacks. Sign up for the free volunteer event on Eventbrite.
Victory Lane and MacFarland Way, Windsor, 707-838-5385
Earth Day Creek Cleanup at Larson Park, April 22
Sonoma County Regional Parks and Rotary Sonoma Springs will host a volunteer creek cleanup day at Larson Park to celebrate Earth Day by protecting the local environment. Tools and snacks will be provided, but guests are asked to bring their own water, dress in layers and bring sun protection. The cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon on April 22. To volunteer for creek cleanup at Larson Park, register here.
329 DeChene Ave., Sonoma, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Earth Day Volunteering at Sonoma Garden Park, April 22
The Sonoma Ecology Center will sponsor a volunteer day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 22 at Sonoma Garden Park. The event will give the community an opportunity to get their hands dirty helping in the garden in honor of Earth Day. No experience is necessary and participants should wear closed-toe shoes and pants. RSVP for the event at sonomaecologycenter.org.
Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 7th St. E., Sonoma, sonomaecologycenter.org
Earth Day at Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, April 22
Sebastopol’s Luther Burbank Experiment Farm will celebrate Earth Day with family-friendly, nature-focused activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22. The event will include scavenger hunts, nursery and plant sales, a tree planting demonstration, a carnival photo stand, and free docent-led walks through the garden and farmstead. Contact the Western Sonoma County Historical Society at wschscommunications@gmail.com for more information.
7777 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, wschs.org
Earth Day at Bouverie Preserve, April 22
Prospective volunteers are welcome to Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen from 9:30 a.m. to noon on April 22 to help steward the land for Earth Day. Tasks will include trail maintenance, invasive species removal and the building of burn piles to support fuel reduction efforts. Tools and supplies will be provided, and participants should bring water bottles and wear work clothes. Register for your preferred volunteer task on Eventbrite.
13815 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-938-4554, egret.org/bouverie-preserve
Earth Day at Safari West, April 22
Sonoma’s Serengeti will host an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22, on the Safari West grounds. Enjoy a safari adventure and meet dozens of special guests from the Bay Area and beyond on the lawn to learn about California’s flora and fauna. The long list of speakers and presenters include the Russian Riverkeeper, Madrone Audubon Society, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, East Bay Vivarium (who will bring live snakes) and The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County (who will bring live birds).
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com
Santa Rosa’s Earth Day Festival, April 22
The City of Santa Rosa will host its annual Earth Day Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on April 22 at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The free festival will include workshops, over 50 exhibitors, kids’ crafts and activities, a beer and wine garden, a live performing arts showcase and volunteer opportunities. Sports Basement will provide free bike parking and local buses will be free all Earth Day.
Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, srcity.org/2139/Earth-Day-2023
Healdsburg’s Earth Day Climate Fest, April 22
The City of Healdsburg and Climate Action Healdsburg will co-host a festival of free, environmentally-focused activities from 1-4 p.m. on April 22 on the Healdsburg Plaza. The Earth Day event will include free snacks, live music, kids crafts, interactive informational booths, a kids bicycle rodeo, an electric vehicle show and an Earth Protectors Parade at 2 p.m.
Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg Ave. & Matheson St., climateactionhealdsburg.org/earth-day-climate-fest
Earth Day Art Walk, April 22
Join the Laguna Environmental Center on Earth Day for an art exhibit, garden walk and outdoor picnic from 1-3 p.m. on April 22. Guests can view the center’s current exhibit, “A Laguna Field Guide” by artist Christopher Reiger, at the Heron Hall Gallery and walk around the native plant demonstration garden. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch and eat at the grounds’ picnic tables, which are nearby a children’s play area and overlook the Laguna watershed. Proceeds from the gallery and gift shop benefit the Laguna Foundation. Learn more and get a free ticket for the event on Eventbrite.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org
Earth Day Beer Collab Release Party, April 22
In honor of Earth Day, HenHouse Brewing Company will host a release party for its new beer collaboration with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, a dry-hopped Kölsch-style beer called Sonoma Sunshine. As part of the release, HenHouse will make a monetary donation to the Laguna Foundation, which will be tabling at the event. The release party will take place from 1-4 p.m. on April 22 at HenHouse’s Santa Rosa location.
322 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa, henhousebrewing.com
Earth Day Gardening at Fairmont, April 22
Brenda McNeill of Art of Leisure will join Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to celebrate Earth Day with a community spring garden workshop from 3:30-5 p.m. on April 22. Attendees will learn about local pollinators while assembling personal gardens using curated seed packets and recycled wine boxes. The event will include hot tea, live music and street food from Fairmont’s food truck CaliForno. Participants will be able to take their unique garden boxes home. General admission is $35. Purchase a ticket on Eventbrite.
100 Boyes Blvd., Sonoma, 707-938-9000, fairmont-sonoma.com
Earth Day in the City of Sonoma
Sonoma’s 53rd annual Earth Day celebration will include a Park Exploration Photography Contest and a Green Business of the Year Award to recognize a sustainable local business. No other city-sponsored events have been listed yet for this year’s Earth Day, but the City of Sonoma website has virtual learning activities for folks to test their ecology knowledge. For updates on Sonoma’s Earth Day events, check here or call 707-339-2534.
There are a wealth of parks, preserves and environmental organizations to volunteer at in Sonoma County, with work duties ranging from trail restoration to litter and invasive plant species removal. Here’s where you can volunteer your time this upcoming Earth Day, and any other day of the year, across the county.
Daily Acts: Petaluma-based nonprofit with a holistic approach toward environmental health with a mission to inspire transformative action to create climate resilient communities. 707-789-9664, dailyacts.org/volunteer
Forest Unlimited: Forestville organization aiming to protect, enhance and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. 707-632-6070, forestunlimited.org/take-action/volunteer-for-forest-unlimited
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation: Santa Rosa nonprofit focused on restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding wetlands. 707-527-9277, lagunafoundation.org/volunteer.html
LandPaths: Santa Rosa-based organization dedicated to fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County through stewardship and outdoor experiences. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org/participate
Pepperwood Preserve: Santa Rosa biological preserve with a mission to inspire conservation and care of the earth through science. 707-591-9310, pepperwoodpreserve.org/volunteer
Russian Riverkeeper: Healdsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Russian River. 707-433-1958, russianriverkeeper.org/volunteer
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District: Ag + Open Space works to protect the county’s open spaces, agricultural lands and natural resources. 707-565-7360, sonomaopenspace.org/get-involved/volunteer-patrol
Sonoma County Conservation Action: Grassroots political organizing group working to ensure there’s environmental representation in Sonoma County government. 707-571-8566, conservationaction.org/get-involved
Sonoma County Regional Parks: More than 50 parks and beaches across the county offering camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching, horseback riding, swimming and fishing to the public. 707-565-3356, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/support/volunteer
Sonoma Land Trust: Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization working to conserve scenic, natural, agricultural and open landscapes for the future generations of Sonoma County. 707-526-6930, sonomalandtrust.org/outings.
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods: Nonprofit environmental organization working with California State Parks in the Russian River District to cultivate land stewardship, establish environmental education programs and restore local natural habitats. 707-869-9177, stewardscr.org/volunteer-opportunities
Find more local organizations and nonprofits to volunteer with or donate to on the Sonoma County Conservation Council’s directory of environmental groups.
Celebrate Earth Day in your own backyard by planting native plants to feel one with nature and aid pollinators. There’s an abundance of farms and nurseries in Sonoma County where you can get plants and seeds, gardening supplies, boxes of sustainably sourced produce and more.
MIX Garden
1531 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-4327, mixgarden.com
Prickett’s Nursery
Locations in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, prickettsnursery.com
King’s Nursery
1212 13th St., Santa Rosa, 707-542-4782, kingsflowernursery.com
Bennett Valley Gardens
2780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-569-8624, bennettvalleygardens.com
Swede’s Feeds
9140 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com
Flatbed Farm
13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen, flatbedfarm.com
Sonoma Mission Gardens
851 Craig Ave., Sonoma, 707-938-5775, sonomamissiongardens.com
Wine Country Garden Center
21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2727, winecountrygardencenter.com
Sonoma Valley Wholesale Nursery
19655 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-732-8019, sonomavalleynursery.com
Petaluma Bounty
1500 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, 707-775-3663, petalumabounty.org
Petaluma Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-773-1336, rareseeds.com/petaluma-seed-bank
Cottage Gardens of Petaluma
3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma, 707-781-9365, cottagegardensofpet.com
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
Locations in Petaluma and Sebastopol, 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com
Hidden Forest Nursery
3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol, 707-823-6832, hiddenforestnursery.com
Check out more specialty nurseries in Sonoma County.
Spring is a great time to explore Sonoma Wine Country. The days are mild and sunny, vineyards are waking up from their winter slumber and wineries are releasing new vintages and serving up an assortment of new experiences.
From chef Dustin Valette’s new wine club to a private lakeside tasting experience, Sonoma County has a lot in store this spring. Click through the above gallery for all the details.
When it comes to Sonoma County’s constantly evolving food scene, sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. With hundreds of restaurants to keep track of, chef shuffles, new menus and sharing all the tasty tea, I rarely have time to look up from my plate. But when I do, I see an impressive landscape only continuing to bring new talent and ideas to our delicious little corner of the world.
Here’s a list of newcomers on the horizon, along with a handful of highly anticipated openings for summer 2023. It’s a doozy of a list, so hold onto your forks, folks. And click through the above gallery for a sneak peek.
Goose and Fern
When the neighborly Railroad Square British pub Toad in the Hole suddenly closed in February, rumors of a possible new owner were already in the air. Happily, the tales were true.
Longtime Toad in the Hole employee and native Brit Clyde Hartwell plans to reopen the pub this summer with a new look, vibe and name.
“It will be a warm, egalitarian watering hole,” said Hartwell’s wife and business partner, Brittany. The couple plans to redecorate the space to be more like a village pub and to keep most of the original menu, especially the much-loved fish and chips and pasties (think British-style empanada).
They’ll spice things up with additional pub staples including Scotch eggs; meat pies; sticky toffee pudding; oxtail soup; toasted cheese sandwiches; and hearty ploughman’s platters with local cheeses, ham, preserves and crusty bread (fuel to get back to plowing those fields).
116 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.
Kracken Kitchen
Chef Dino Moniodis (of Dino’s Greek Food and Zimi on Mission, both in Santa Rosa) is teaming up with Three Disciples Brewing to open a gastropub at the former Two Tread Brewing at the Santa Rosa Plaza this summer.
The roomy restaurant space and brewery hasn’t been open to the public since 2019. But it includes a large kitchen and brewing tanks.
Moniodis will create an international small-plates menu with a lamb and mushroom sandwich (a take on a French dip), chanterelle and Dungeness crab flatbread, shrimp saganaki, pot stickers, pork larb spring rolls and chicken tikka tacos.
“It will be more refined than a typical gastropub, with a lot of different kinds of food,” he said. Moniodis also said he’s working on a food truck concept serving Persian and Iranian food, which he hopes to launch in late summer.
1018 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa
Americana Sebastopol
The owners of Santa Rosa’s Americana restaurant and Estero Cafe in Valley Ford have recently taken over the lease of the former Gypsy Cafe. Once known as the Pine Cone Restaurant, this historic location has a spot in the hearts of longtime locals.
Chefs Ryan and Samantha Ramey hope to bring their locally sourced diner-style cuisine to the exploding food scene in Sebastopol sometime this summer. “I just love Sebastopol,” Samantha Ramey said.
162 N. Main St., Sebastopol, americanasr.com
Goldfinch
The new owners of the former K & L Bistro in Sebastopol have revamped the space entirely, with a planned early-summer opening under chef Rodrigo Mendoza. They’ve kept the exposed brick walls and historic feel of the place intact and added updated fixtures and a jealousy-inducing open kitchen.
Goldfinch is part of the in-progress Livery on Main project — a food hall, event and coworking space operated by Farm to Coast Collective, a subsidiary of local development company the Beale Group.
199 S. Main St., Sebastopol.
Barrel Brothers Brewing Co. Kitchen & Cocktails
Details are still scarce on this one, but we know that the ridiculously drinkable brews of this Windsor-based taproom will be part of a restaurant and patio. According to the owners, the new space will feature a 39-tap self-serve wall and menu of international street food.
9238 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 128, Windsor.
Mandarin Kitchen
The newest restaurant from chef Tony Ounpamornchai (of Sea Thai Bistro, Sea Noodle Bar and Raku Ramen and Rolls) opened April 1 in the former Tony’s Seafood spot at Montgomery Village.
Ounpamornchai said the new menu is inspired by heirloom recipes from his parents and his native Thailand, along with Chinese influences. It includes a made-to-order savory Vietnamese crepe, crispy calamari, hot and sour soup, grilled sea bass in banana leaves, Kung Pow chicken and prawns and massaman chicken curry.
We’re eager to try Indonesian-inspired mee goreng (rice noodles with chicken tofu and soy sauce) and “water spinach,” which are all but unknown in these parts. The lunch menu is pared down to include shumai and hargow dim sum, along with stir-fried eggplant, curry and noodles. The restaurant also has a full bar with specialty cocktails. 7
22 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-303-7007, mandarinkitchensr.com
Red Bird Bakery Santa Rosa
After an extensive remodel of the small Santa Rosa storefront formerly occupied by Criminal Baking Co., bakers Linda and Isaac Cermak have officially opened in Santa Rosa. It’s the third location for the veteran Della Fattoria bakers.
The couple founded their bakery business in 2015 using a small industrial kitchen in north Santa Rosa, followed by Cotati (556 E. Cotati Ave.), then The Barlow in Sebastopol. Their breads are favored by many restaurants and are now available at local grocers and farmers markets.
Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, redbirdbakery.com
Pizzando
This longtime Italian trattoria has reopened after adding a new bar, expanding its dining room and updating the menu. Chefs Thomas Mulligan and Francisco Alvarez, who head the culinary team at Spoonbar at h2 hotel and The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House, have added handmade pastas, seasonal dishes and ultra-thin crusted Roman-style pizza.
301 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg.
In case you missed it, we’ve previously written about a handful of new spots coming in 2023.
Ethel’s Bagels: A pandemic pop-up that’s become a top purveyor of Bay Area bagels plans to open their Petaluma bakery in May after lengthy renovations. They plan to sell organic bagels and a delicatessen menu including Reuben sandwiches, classic lox, breads such as New York rye and braided challah and babka, rugelach and other traditional Jewish sweets. 1000 Clegg Court, Petaluma, ethelsbagels.com Read more.
Augie’s French: Downtown Santa Rosa will say bonjour to a casual French bistro early this summer, according to restaurateurs Mark and Terri Stark. The couple recently leased the empty former Bollywood space at 535 Fourth St. with plans to serve classic bistro dishes like steak frites and mussels. The restaurant also will feature a fresh seafood bar, wine and cocktails. Read more.
Molti Amici: Longtime friends and former SingleThread co-workers Jonny Barr, Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc (of Quail & Condor Bakery, Troubadour Bread and Le Diner) will open an Italian-inspired restaurant this year at the former Campo Fina. 330 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. Read more.
Marla Santa Rosa: Marla, a popular bakery with a production facility in Windsor, plans to take over the space previously occupied by food and wine shop Miracle Plum at 208 Davis St. in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, Marla co-owner Amy Brown recently announced. Brown and her partner, Joe Wolf, sold baked goods at Miracle Plum between October and December 2022 before the shop permanently closed in January. They hope to reopen the space as a bakery and cafe in early May. Read more.
After a long, wet winter with many days spent indoors, we could all use an invigorating spring getaway. The Sonoma Coast — including the areas surrounding Jenner and Fort Ross — holds special magical appeal year round, but especially in early spring.
Admire the velvety-gray-blue ocean kicking up against craggy rock bluffs and thrill as the water bursts to sparkling sapphire when the sun peeks through the clouds. Breathe in the salty ocean air while cuddled up in a warm quilted jacket, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in your mittened hand.
All that winter rain has set the stage for brilliant tapestries of wildflowers along coastal hills and meadows as you make the winding, cliffside drive along Highway 1. Here’s how to spend three perfect days on the Sonoma Coast.
Check into Timber Cove Resort, perched north of Fort Ross along a breathtaking coastal cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Built in 1963, the historic property was extensively renovated in 2016, but still brims with the nostalgic charm that was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architectural style.
Look up to the boulder outcropping above the property – you’ll see an obelisk, the Bufano Peace Statue Monument, soaring 93 feet above the rocks, as an iconic symbol of beauty, spirit and tranquility.
Enjoy lunch at the resort’s Coast Kitchen, amid the nautical decor of polished wood, bright blue cushions and a rock wall that looks like part of the surrounding cliffs. The grilled salmon wings are must on the seafood-centric menu, tempting with rich nubbins of salmon belly ribboned in succulent fat and grilled to a slightly smoky char.
After lunch, hike in Salt Point State Park a few minutes from the resort, off Highway 1. The 6,000-acre park features one of California’s first underwater parks, Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve, where marine life is protected from boisterous surf and divers are welcome to explore. At low tide, visitors can also seek out ocean creatures in the tidal pools.
Plan your visit so it coincides with one of the Winemaker Dinners at Timber Cove Resort (find more information and purchase tickets on Resy). The suppers sell out quickly and feature multi-course meals, such as a recent evening showcasing Raen Winery and its Sonoma Coast vineyard in Fort Ross. Just one of the dishes guests savored: Sonoma Meat Co. lamb loin with brown butter sweet potato, turnip-parmesan purée, toasted nuts and pomegranate raspberry sauce, paired with Raen’s delicate 2021 Fort Ross-Seaview Sea Field Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Start the day with the new wine-paired brunch at Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery.
You’d never expect to find a luxury winery in this remote part of the world, but in 1988, Lester and Linda Schwartz purchased 976 acres of virgin forest and grasslands in the high coastal ridges and planted a 53-acre vineyard. Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive here. So does their rare, dark berry-kissed Pinotage, in tribute to the couple’s South African heritage.
Chef John Vong wows with a seasonal, often-changing menu that may include delights like celeriac soup with lemongrass, cardamom and fried celeriac; local wild mushroom potstickers with roasted fennel, truffle soy and Brussels sprouts; and char siu pork drizzled in English cucumber Pinotage glaze alongside scallion-peppercorn crepe.
After brunch, treat yourself to a coastal helicopter tour via Helico Sonoma ($290/person). The company flies R22, R44, Bell 206 and other model helicopters for stunning tours of the area’s spectacular forests, vineyards and ocean. You’ll also delight in aerial peeks of otherwise hidden landmarks, such as the Odiyan Buddhist Retreat Center, a 1,000-acre spiritual and ecological preserve that welcomes guests to discover Buddhist methods like yoga, meditation, and gardening. You can arrange for the helicopter to pick you up from an open hillside next to some of the Schwartz family’s Fort Ross vineyards.
After your helicopter adventure, hang with the locals at The Ocean Cove Bar & Grill nestled in the redwoods. It ain’t fancy here, but you can gaze at the beautiful ocean, letting your mind drift as you chill in the bar-style dining room. This is good pub fare, and it tastes even better sitting on the deck overlooking the water. Fill up on buffalo wings dunked in housemade bleu cheese dressing, an old-school bay shrimp Louie salad, fish ‘n’ chips with crinkle fries, or sweet-savory sauced baby back ribs.
Return to Timber Cove for a nightcap in the great room that shares space with the lobby and bar. Visitors cozy up in front of the huge rock fireplace to play retro board games and sip wines showcasing Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties.
On your last day on the coast, breakfast at Café Aquatica in Jenner. This tiny, charming cottage offers a small selection of superb dishes, each with big flavors and a good amount of vegan and/or gluten-free options (gluten-free bagels, even).
Belly up to the counter and peruse the chalkboard for healthy, great-tasting bites like toasted focaccia slathered in avocado, arugula and everything seeds then topped in options like a poached egg and/or luxurious smoked salmon. Indulge in owner Rachel Kulinski’s made-from-scratch pastries and a fair-trade single-origin coffee, adding a splash of housemade chocolate sauce to your drink.
Wrap up your adventure with a leisurely guided kayak excursion with WaterTreks EcoTours/Jenner Kayaks. You’ll paddle through the Sonoma Coast State Park and the Jenner section of The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, seeing lots of Russian River Estuary wildlife like playful harbor seals and noisy flocks of birds.
Timber Cove Resort: 21780 Highway 1, Timber Cove, 707-847-3231, timbercoveresort.com
Coast Kitchen at Timber Cove Resort: 707-847-3231, coastkitchensonoma.com
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery: 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com
Helico Sonoma: 707-526-8949, helicosonoma.com
Odiyan Buddhist Retreat Center: 33755 Tin Barn Road, Cazadero, 510-981-1987, odiyan.org
The Ocean Cove Bar & Grill: 23255 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3089, oceancovelodge.com
Café Aquatica: 10439 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2251, cafeaquaticajenner.com
WaterTreks EcoTours/Jenner Kayaks: 10438 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-865-2249, watertreks.com
