Sonoma County is home to a group of artisan chocolatiers who are making small-batch chocolates with a Wine Country flair. Many of them are housed in an industrial area of Windsor, which they call “The Windsor Chocolate Block.” More than just candy bars, their creations are delicious works of art that are as lovely to look at as they are to eat.

Scroll on below for the sweet deets, and click through the gallery for a peek at some of the lovely local chocolates.

You’ll find most Sonoma County chocolates in specialty grocers like Oliver’s, Fircrest or Pacific Market unless otherwise noted.

Our Dining Editor’s Top Picks

Fleur Sauvage

Fleur Sauvage, run by husband-and-wife team Robert and Tara Nieto, specializes in artistic artisan chocolates. The couple opened a storefront in Windsor in 2021. Robert, who previously worked as pastry chef at Madrona Manor, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro and Jackson Family Wines, crafts the chocolates while Tara runs the front of the store, where you can order espressos, lattes and hot chocolate to warm up on cold winter days. 370 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com

Volo Chocolate

Jeff and Susan Mall, of Volo Chocolate, discovered their passion for chocolate while living and working as chefs in Mexico. They started experimenting with flavors, created a “bean-to-bar” craft chocolate recipe and, when they returned to Sonoma County, launched their own chocolate business. They use sustainable chocolate from farmers in Guatemala and Haiti for their handmade chocolate bars. Find their chocolates in a variety of local stores and online. 707-536-6764, volochocolate.com

Sonoma Chocolatiers & Tea House

European drinking chocolate from Sonoma Chocolatiers. This isn’t even in the same universe as Swiss Miss. Made with chocolate shavings and hot milk (plus optional chile or almond milk), it’s a liquid candy bar made for sipping slowly and paging through Proust on a rainy day. They also have a huge selection of chocolate bars from artisan makers using small batch cacao. 6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com

Eye Candy Chocolatier

Eye Candy’s chocolates are made by local ophthalmologist and master chocolatier Sonja Schluter, who is particularly passionate about truffles. Schluter launched her chocolate business in 2016, after years of making chocolate for friends and colleagues. She received her culinary training from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Ecole Chocolate in San Francisco and Callebaut Chocolate Academy. Find her caramels and assorted truffles online or at her Sebastopol store, plus at the self-serve kiosk outside the shop, open daily. 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-888-0568, eyecandychocolatier.com

Honorable Mentions

Steinhouse

Eric Dewit was a contractor for over two decades after working at the Côte d’Or chocolate factory in Brussels as a teen. He eventually manifested his chocolate passion into a shop in Mendocino, specializing in locally made truffles and imported morsels from Belgium. Now, Dewit sells his famous Belgian chocolate and other candies in a quirky, European-inspired shop in downtown Santa Rosa. In addition to chocolate, find an odd yet charming assortment of pantry items, from French jams and Napa Valley honey to unique, vintage-looking beer steins. 631 Fourth St., Suite 18, Santa Rosa, 707-852-4083, steinhousechocolates.com

Wine Country Chocolates

Wine Country Chocolates, run by mother-and-daughter team Betty and Caroline Kelly, create truffles and other chocolates made with local wines (Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port) and local fruit. Fan favorites include Cappuccino-Tiramisu, Fresh Orange and Dulce de Leche. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 2, Glen Ellen, 707-996-1010, winecountrychocolates.com

Ora Cacao

Ora Cacao (formerly Firefly Chocolate) sources cacao from farmers around the world to create ceremonial cacao (or drinking chocolate) based on ancient traditions. The company, based in Graton, offers a variety of 100% cacao, with names like Boundless Belize and Glowing Guatemala, and cacao enhanced with spices and mushrooms such as reishi, chaga, cordyceps, maitake and shiitake. The drinks can be mixed with nut milks and consumed as part of a ritualized community gathering. 9101 Graton Road, Suite 102, Graton, 707-861-8504, ceremonial-cacao.com

The Chocolate Cow

The Chocolate Cow, a family-run business in the town of Sonoma, has served housemade truffles, fudge, ice cream and other sweet treats for more than 30 years. Located in the Mercato shopping center. 452 First St. E., Suite F, Sonoma, 707-935-3564, thechocolatecowsonoma.com

Rainy Day Chocolate

Rainy Day Chocolate makes award-winning nib-to-bar chocolate and now hosts weekend chocolate tastings and factory tours at its new west county facility. Also find at select local farmers markets and available for delivery in Sonoma County and shipping across the country. 6492 Mirabel Road, Forestville, 707-366-0420, rainydaychocolate.com

See’s Candies

See’s Candies has been a Bay Area favorite for chocolate lovers for over 100 years. Find local stores at Montgomery Village and Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa, Lakewood Village in Windsor, Mountain Shadows Plaza in Rohnert Park and Washington Square Center in Petaluma. sees.com

Heather Irwin and Maci Martell contributed to this article.

The post Where to Get The Best Chocolate in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

No more eyeing that bowl of assorted discount candy reserved for trick-or-treaters. It’s high time to indulge in next-level treats only adults can fully appreciate — and we found just the ones for your Halloween cravings.

Read on below to find the best chocolate treats in Sonoma County, with sweet-toothed grown-ups in mind. Scroll through the gallery above for a sneak peek at all the chocolaty goodness.

Fleur Sauvage Chocolates

The chocolate bars and bonbons are edible works of art, almost too pretty to eat — but it won’t stop you. And for pickup only: a life-size dark chocolate wine bottle ($50). Up the adult factor with Fleur Sauvage’s chocolate and wine pairings, available at La Crema Estate, Baldassari Wines, WALT Wines, BACA Wines, Breathless Wines and Michel-Schlumberger Estate. There’s also Halloween-themed bonbons and chocolate sculptures on display at the shop. 70 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com

Sonoma Chocolatiers & Tea House

Organic, local ingredients go into these handmade cocoa delights. Find boxed chocolates with over 150 flavors of truffles and caramels. Plus, nutty toffee, chocolate bars, almond clusters and Zinfandel peanut brittle for next-level, adult-approved treats. You can also reserve a special tasting with the chocolatier ($20 per person; minimum of four people). 6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com

Eye Candy Chocolatier

Beautifully crafted truffles and caramels are the main attraction at Eye Candy, which has a self-serve kiosk outside the shop for cocoa on the go, plus other chocolatey treats. A variety of adult-level truffle flavors include absinthe, amaretto, orange Tuaca, banana rum, Kona latte, vanilla brandy, Pastis anise, Jamaica rum and orange Grand Marnier. Also, find chocolate dipped fruit, chocolate-covered Oreos and European hot cocoa. 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-888-0568, eyecandychocolatier.com

Volo Chocolate

Award-winning artisan chocolate using sustainably sourced cacao beans. Volo chocolate bars range from 62% – 73% dark chocolate (real chocolate-loving adults shouldn’t go any lower). The bars include such flavors as mocha, candied orange peel, Meyer lemon and olive oil, toasted hazelnuts and dried figs, and “MexiCali” with dried chiles and cherries. Also, find chocolate salted caramels and chocolate covered pretzels. 707-536-6764, volochocolate.com

Wine Country Chocolates

Find truffles and other chocolates made with local fruit and wines (like Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port). Fan favorites include Cappuccino-Tiramisu, Fresh Orange and Dulce de Leche. Other fun flavors to try include Crème Brûlée, Kahlua Irish Creme, Lemon Tart and Malted Milk. Also find other intriguing treats like sour cherry bark, chocolate dipped figs and sesame ginger chocolate bars. 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 2, Glen Ellen, 707-996-1010, winecountrychocolates.com

Spend Halloween at local wineries and beer gardens

Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition

Charbay Distillery and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley will host the seventh annual Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for general admission on Oct. 28 at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. A mix of Wine Country’s top bartenders will compete to craft the best original cocktail made with Charbay Blood Orange Mandarin Vodka and a Perfect Purée flavor of choice. Among the competing teams are bartenders from Lo & Behold, The Matheson, Little Saint, Brewsters Beer Garden, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, Waterhawk Lake Club and more. Attendees can sample handcrafted cocktails, and food will be available for purchase. The event is a benefit for local nonprofits Una Vida and Petaluma Active 20-30. Must be 21 or over to attend. Presale tickets are $40, tickets at the door are $45, and VIP admission is $65. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Brewsters Beer Garden, 229 Water St., Petaluma, wizardsofelixirs.com

Halloween Tour and Tasting at Jordan Winery

Jordan Vineyard & Winery will host its annual Halloween soirée — which will honor the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby with jazz music and lavish 1920s decor — at 1 p.m. from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 at its chateau in Healdsburg. The event will include a welcome glass of Jordan Cuvée paired with Jordan Chef’s Reserve Caviar, followed by a walking winery tour and a seated food and wine pairing, prepared by executive chef Jesse Mallgren. The Halloween tour and tasting menu includes spiced ham deviled eggs, fried chicken sandwich and a lemon icebox cake, all paired with estate wines. Tickets are $95, with special pricing for wine club members. Purchase tickets online. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Halloweird at El Infierno, Oct. 30

Wine Country event producer and and promoter Jake Ward will present his annual, 21-and-over-only Halloweird event — a North Bay Cabaret Halloween variety show — from 6 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 30, at El Infierno Cantina in Santa Rosa. The show will include comedy, burlesque and drag performances, pole dancers, circus stunts, slam poetry, crowd games and other interactive elements. There will also be a costume contest, live art demos, tarot card readings, a photo booth, food menu and two full bars. Doors open at 6 p.m., the variety show starts at 7 p.m., Oakland band Van Goat performs at 9 p.m. and a post-show DJ dance party starts at 10 p.m. and lasts through midnight. Costumes encouraged. Tickets range from $25-$200. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. El Infierno Cantina, 120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-494-6855, northbayevents.com

Halloween Candy and Wine Pairing at Dutton Estate

Dutton Estate Winery is currently hosting a wine and Halloween candy pairing daily through Oct. 31. The experience includes sips of five wines accompanied with an assortment of Halloween goodies. $45 per guest. Reserve on CellarPass. 8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-9463, duttonestate.com

Halloween Happy Hour at Notre Vue Estate

Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards will host a Halloween happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m., Oct. 31, on its hilltop terrace. The event will include a complimentary glass of wine and two slices of pizza, plus 10% off all bottle purchases throughout the night. $10 per person. Reserve on CellarPass. 11010 Estate Lane, Windsor, 707-433-4050, notrevueestate.com

Slay O’Ween at Bloom Carneros, Oct. 31

Bloom Carneros will host a 1980s-themed Halloween dance party from 7-10 p.m., Oct. 31, at the Sonoma restaurant. The 21-and-over event will include costume contests, DJ HurryKane spinning ’80s dance music and drag performances by San Francisco performer Lydia Darling. Proceeds benefit Wake up Sonoma. Tickets are $30 and available on Eventbrite. Bloom Carneros, 22910 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-412-0438, bloomcarneros.com

The post These Are the Best Halloween Treats for Adults in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Life is like a box of chocolates. Eat the ones you like with abandon and pawn off the ones with nuts—at least, that’s my motto. Whether your preference is dark, milk or white, Sonoma County has a whole lotta cacao going on.

Best for Birthdays

Mocha Cuatro Leches Cake from Tía María Bakery

This dairy-laden cake has four types of milk—condensed, evaporated, heavy cream, and coffee-infused—to create a creamy, decadent, and, most importantly, moist cake that will make you an instant convert to the Mexican-style treat. From $45.

44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-540-9864, tiamaria.world

Best frozen treat

Chocolate Orange Glacée from Goguette Bread

The Santa Rosa bread bakers have added French custard ice cream to their lineup, and it’s like nothing else. Made with cream, sugar, and egg yolks, it has billionaire richness studded with just a hint of citrus. $5-$15.

59 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa. goguettebread.com

Best in a cup

European Drinking Chocolate from Sonoma Chocolatiers & Tea House

This isn’t even in the same universe as Swiss Miss. Made with chocolate shavings and hot milk (plus optional chile or almond milk), it’s a liquid candy bar made for sipping slowly and paging through Proust on a rainy day. $6.95.

6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol. 707829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com

Best bar

Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberries and Graham Crackers from Volo Chocolate

Inspired by Mexican chocolate while living in Baja, these chef-chocolatiers are bean-to-bar producers who like to have a little fun with their flavors. This 61% bar is a sweet kiss of cream and fruit. $9.

At Oliver’s Markets or order at volochocolate.com.

Best bonbons

Candy Cap Mushroom Caramel from Fleur Sauvage

Mushroom chocolate might sound odd, but sweet candy caps impart a maple syrup flavor that infuses the buttery caramel. The barely-there snap of the chocolate coating gives way to a unique wintry flavor. Four for $12.

370 Windsor River Rd., Windsor. 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com

Best restaurant dessert 

The Princess Cake from 19Ten Bar & Provisions

Though the best part of this gooey, messy dessert is the cake slathered with warm chocolate ganache, the deal-closer is the edible glitter. Fit for royalty. $11.

115 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-7917494, 19ten.com

Best sweet treat 

Dark chocolate brownie from Marla Bakery

A marriage of dark chocolate and fairy dust, this thick, dense brownie is almost fudge-like in consistency. You should share it—but no. $4.50.

208 Davis St., Santa Rosa. 707-852-4098, marlabakery.com

Best vending machine 

Truffle assortment from Eye Candy Chocolatier

It’s late, it’s your anniversary, and you need something fast. This high-end chocolate shop has a serve-yourself vending machine open daily until 7 p.m. Win. Starting at $12.

6761 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 400, Sebastopol. 707-888-0568, eyecandychocolatier.com

The post The Best Chocolate Treats in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Click through the above gallery for more favorite chocolate desserts in Sonoma County. 

Few foods are as widely used and frequently craved as chocolate.

For thousands of years, tracing back to the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica, the substance extracted from cocoa beans has been brewed into alcoholic drinks, used in sacred rituals, traded as currency and consumed for its medicinal properties. Once sugar was incorporated into the mix to cut the natural bitterness of the cocoa, chocolate confections became one of our most beloved treats — to be gifted to loved ones in heart-shaped boxes or enjoyed all to yourself (no judgment here).

The U.S. National Confectioners Association has listed Sept. 13 as International Chocolate Day, in honor of famed chocolatier Milton S. Hershey’s birthday. And what could be a better way to celebrate this delicious holiday than to devour some chocolate treats, guilt-free?

In a culinary haven such as Sonoma County, you don’t need to look far to find delectable chocolate goodies for any occasion. From cake to cookies, pie to pavlova, check out some of the best chocolate-based desserts from around the county.

To find the best artisan chocolatiers in the county, click here.

Bakeries

Downtown Bakery & Creamery, Brownie Cupcake: A rich, dense dark chocolate brownie in cupcake form, topped with a smattering of powdered sugar. Easily the most crave-worthy chocolate dessert for $3. 308 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-431-2719, downtownbakeryhealdsburg.com

Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar, Maple Chocolate Walnut Pie: Swiss chocolate filling loaded with crunchy, toasted walnuts and laced with maple syrup, all set in a buttery heritage pie crust. 116 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4426; 539 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3392, thenoblefolk.com

Quail & Condor, Chocolate Chip Cookie: Big-as-your-hand chocolate chip cookies that are crunchy on the outside and chewy in the center. Plus, they’re gluten-free. 149 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com

Costeaux French Bakery, Chocolate Decadence Torte: Living up to its name, this dense and decadent cake has intense chocolate flavor, with a dark chocolate ganache finish. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com

Sebastopol Cookie Company, Double Fudge Cookie: A deeply chocolaty, chewy fudge cookie loaded with melty chocolate chips. 168 N Main St., Sebastopol, 707-824-4040, sebastopolcookiecompany.com

Patisserie Angelica, BOS: Named for winning “Best of Show” at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, the decadent BOS cake has smooth dark chocolate mousse between two layers of chocolate biscuits, interlaced with house-made raspberry preserves and whole berries. The cake is glazed with a rich chocolate ganache and topped with a “rose” of chocolate shavings. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com

Petaluma Pie Company, Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie: Velvety coconut milk cream meets fudgy chocolate cream, nestled in a buttery, flaky crust and topped with Straus whipped cream and toasted coconut shavings. 125 Petaluma Blvd. North, Suite D, Petaluma, 707-766-6743, petalumapiecompany.com

Magdelena’s Savories & Sweets, Dark Chocolate Espresso Roll: A large, vegan, dark chocolate cinnamon roll with espresso frosting. A vegan breakfast of champions. 5306 Old Redwood Highway, Petaluma, magdelenas.com

JM Rosen’s Cheesecake, Chocolate Fantasy Cheesecake: Rich chocolate mousse sandwiched between a layer of Rosen’s original New York plain cheesecake on the bottom and topped with a layer of dense, old-fashioned chocolate cake. The cake is covered in a dark chocolate shell and topped with a garnish of chocolate flakes. 74 East Washington, Petaluma, 707-773-4655, jmrosencheesecakes.com

Criminal Baking Co., Brown Butter Brownies: One of the most popular items in the shop since its opening, the gluten-free brown butter brownie is rich, moist, chewy and extremely chocolaty. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbaking.com

Red Bird Bakery, Chocolate Croissant: Perfectly flaky, buttery croissant piped full with rich chocolate and topped with a chocolate drizzle. Bakery locations in Cotati, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, plus at farmers markets county-wide. Cotati phone: 707-521-9838, Sebastopol phone: 707-827-3112; redbirdbakery.com

Restaurants

Valette, ItsNotA ‘Snickers Bar’ Deux: An upscale, deconstructed Snickers bar: A layer of dark chocolate ganache over sea salt-infused caramel with cocoa nib tuile and peanut powder. 344 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-0946, valettehealdsburg.com

Sweet T’s Restaurant, Mississippi Mud Pie: An Oreo-cookie crust filled with a slab of mocha ice cream, topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and drizzled with Ghirardelli chocolate sauce and house-made caramel bourbon sauce. Pure southern hospitality in chocolate dessert form. 9098 Brooks Road South, Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com

Bird & The Bottle, Double Chocolate Mayo Cake: Layers of chocolate mousse and chocolate fudge with a sprinkle of fleur de sel (French sea salt), all filled in a glass jar. 1055 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-568-4000, birdandthebottle.com

East West Cafe & Restaurant, Vegan Chocolate Cake: A rich, three-layered chocolate cake so decadent you won’t believe it’s dairy free. 557 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6142, eastwestcafesantarosa.com

Cafe La Haye, Chocolate Silk Cake: Dense, fudgy chocolate silk cake atop a pecan-walnut and fleur de sel crust, complemented with a side of airy, house-made ice cream. 140 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-5994, cafelahaye.com

Wild Goat Bistro, Sea Salted Caramel Cake: Gluten-free chocolate buttermilk cake with buttercream and a salted caramel filling, coated in a rich chocolate ganache and a salted caramel drizzle. 6 Petaluma Blvd. North, Suite A5, Petaluma, 707-658-1156, wildgoatbistro.com

Risibisi, Flourless Chocolate Cake: Warm, melt-in-your-mouth flourless chocolate cake with a dollop of whipped sweet mascarpone, a drizzle of berry sauce and fresh strawberries. 154 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-766-7600, risibisirestaurant.com

​​Blue Ridge Kitchen, Mississippi Mud Pie (Kinda): More like an artfully prepared cocoa pavlova, with milk chocolate pudding stuffed in a fluffy meringue, topped with whipped vanilla cream, Oreo crumbles and an ornate chocolate garnish. 6770 McKinley St. Suite 150, Sebastopol, 707-222-5040, brkitchen.com

Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant, Chocolate Cake: Moist chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, toasted coconut and candied walnuts, drizzled in vanilla bean and caramel sauces. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700, terrapincreekcafe.com

The post Where to Find the Best Chocolate Desserts in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The founder of Krave Jerky and SmashMallow thinks paleo chocolate has a bright future. 

Jonathan Sebastiani’s Sonoma Brands has invested in Hu Products’ artisan dairy-free chocolate bars, made with 70 percent stone ground, organic, fair trade cacao. In addition to (mostly) following Paleo diet standards, they are also vegan.

It’s what they don’t have, rather than what they do that makes the difference. The chocolates contain no GMOs, emulsifiers, soy lecithin, gluten, refined sugar, cane sugar or sugar alcohols. To sweeten the chocolate, Hu uses unrefined coconut sugar. Flavors include Almond Butter and Puffed Quinoa, Cashew Butter, Hazelnut Butter, Salty Dark Chocolate and Crunchy Mint.

While most of the chocolate bars conform to paleo diets, a few added ingredients are labeled “primal” rather than paleo.

Locally Sjaaks Chocolate in Petaluma creates vegan chocolate or “melk” bars. In Novato, Sacred Chocolate also has vegan chocolate products.

The post Is Paleo Chocolate the Next Big Thing? Sonoma Investor Thinks It Is appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

At the Cocoa Planet Chocolate Factory in the town of Sonoma no one will bat an eye if you order dessert first. Or if you order three desserts first. This is a confectionary, after all, and handmade chocolate is their trade, so eat all you want.

Unfortunately for Willie Wonka fans dreaming of chocolate rivers and lickable wallpaper, Cocoa Planet’s tiny factory is a bit more dependent on shiny metal equipment than Oompa Loompas for their luxe bites of dark chocolate. They do, however, offer edible chocolate “dirt” along with decadent hot chocolates, chocolate tasting flights, chocolate creme brulee and chocolate cakes that would make August Gloop squeal with delight.

The factory recently opened a small indoor cafe and outdoor patio serving all manner of their vegan, gluten free, non-GMO chocolate bites as well as more savory dishes including cheese and charcuterie plates, gougeres (French cheese puffs, $7), soups, salads, cassoulet, French dip with prime rib, crepes, Croque Monsieur and quiche.

What makes the cafe space especially unique, however, is that all of the food is gluten-free—from the baguettes to the gougeres. The facility is also wheat, peanut-free, and the dairy they use for lattes and hot chocolate is lactose-free (or you can order almond milk). So for special diets, Cocoa Planet is even more of a treat.

They recently added a wine, beer, port and chocolate pairing menu, featuring their four of their five chocolates: salted caramel, vanilla espresso, deep dark truffle, mandarin orange. Flights pair each of the chocolate discs with recommended wine pairings, from deep reds to a cappuccino stout beer, sparkling wine and heartier after-dinner port-style sips. Two oz. pours are $6-8, and 5 oz. pours are $12-20. Wine and beer is also available by the glass.

Grab a few of their CocoaMint discs, which are only 100 calories (like all of their chocolates), for dessert. Or an appetizer. Or your entire meal. We won’t judge.

Cocoa Planet Tasting Room and Modern French Cafe: Open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30am to 6pm. 921 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-343-7453, cocoaplanet.com. Limited factory tours are available by appointment for parties of 8 guests or fewer, 707-343-7453 for details.

The post Want to Eat Lunch Inside a Chocolate Factory? In Sonoma You Can. appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

A chocolate Easter bunny army is being raised, recruit by delicious recruit, in the Windsor chocolate kitchen of Jeff and Susan Mall. Sitting at attention, the milk chocolate rabbits stare silently ahead on sheet pans, awaiting the candy carnage to come.

“They’re totally solid, so you can eat their ears off,” says Susan Mall, co-owner of Volo Chocolate, with a wink. Made with a pinch of cinnamon, Mexican sea salt, milk and cacao beans from the Chiapas region of Mexico, they’re more than just basket filler. These are gourmet, bean-to-bunny chocolates, each made by hand in a tiny chocolate factory where the couple roast, grind and process the cacao beans they fell in love with while working as chefs in Baja.

If the names sound familiar, it’s because the Malls were the former owners of Zin Restaurant in Healdsburg. The longtime eatery closed in 2014, allowing the couple to spend 18 months at Rancho Pescadero, a remote Mexican resort where they operated a farm-to-table restaurant and farm. While in the Chiapas region they fell in love with the local cacao, frequently used in a drink called “pozol,” made with corn, water and local cocoa, something appreciated since Aztec and Mayan times.

It was a short leap for Jeff, an avid tinkerer, to embark on a mission to learn chocolate making using the famed Chiapas cacao. How hard could it be, he surmised? Using his chef instincts rather than any real recipe, he created a passable chocolate on his first try.

“We thought, imagine if we used instructions… it would be really great,” he says. Instead, it was absolutely inedible. So he went back to puttering with his own ideas of how to make a great chocolate bar using local ingredients, then roasting and processing the beans into a refined, chef-driven bar. Originally branded as “El Jefe” chocolate, the couple enlisted the help of eager resort guests to hull the beans with their bare hands, winnowing the chaff with an old hairdryer, grinding the beans with a manual whetstone and tempering the chocolate on a steel table. Though their production was minuscule, eager patrons bought more than a thousand of the crudely made, but delicious bars.

“If it hadn’t worked the first time with the chocolate, I probably would have given up,” Jeff says.

The couple returned to Sonoma County last August with plans to modernize their chocolate making into something more commercially viable, but with the same bean-to-bar process. With a little internet advice, some homemade tools and a few bags of cacao, Volo Chocolates was born.

The Easter Army

It feels almost cruel to be taking this busy couple away from their massive orders of bunnies on a Tuesday morning before Easter. Just a few months after launching the business, they’ve got pickups later that afternoon, with a pop-up at Relish Culinary Adventures and more chocolate bunny deliveries on Saturday. In all, they’re planning to make more than 100 of the tasty critters, four at a time, by the end of the week. That, and the other orders for their six other flavors of chocolate bars: Dark Dark with local candied orange peel, Dark Milk Chocolate, Dark Milk Chocolate with Roasted Almonds, Mocha (made with Flying Goat coffee) and Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Crunch. The 2.6 oz bars range from 62-73 percent pure chocolate.

Volo Chocolates is not a slick, streamlined kitchen with spanking new equipment. Located inside an office park off Shilo road that Susan calls the “Gourmet Ghetto,” they’re friendly with nearby micro-producers including Firefly Chocolates, Barrel Brothers Brewing, Tierra Vegetables and Moustache Bakery.

Like other scrappy startups, they’ve found ways to create their own small-scale equipment. A ShopVac and wheatgrass juicer purchased on Ebay have been combined using duct tape and perseverance into a makeshift grinder/separator for the chocolate nibs. An old peanut butter grinder processes cocoa butter and nibs into chocolate liquor, and a rumbling contraption once used in a dentists office shakes the bubbles out of the chocolate molds. He found the rabbit molds online, as well.

“I love to build stuff,” says Jeff. He and Susan, having worked in the restaurant business for most of their lives, also appreciate thrift and making the most of small kitchen spaces. Their chocolate factory is only about 500 square feet, with nearly every empty space utilized.

Chef-y Chocolate

“We come at this from a chef perspective,” says Susan. “It’s a true advantage,” she says, allowing them to be more experimental and play with interesting flavors rather than be constrained by the current chocolate trend of only using single-sourced beans and one or two ingredients, for a purer chocolate experience.

“It’s like single source vineyard wines,” says Jeff. “We tasted more than 100 single source bars, and it wasn’t us. We ended up thinking, ‘Maybe they should have added a few more ingredients.’ ”

“We wanted to make chocolate people want to eat, and we want them to want more,” he said. ‘That’s the fun part of this, experimenting and being a chef,” he says.

Much of what they’ve learned about making chocolate has come from trial and error as well as a website called chocolatealchemy.com. The site offers “hacks” for making chocolate-making equipment from other machinery. “There are a lot of newer people in the chocolate industry that come from tech. They’re coming at this from an open source perspective. We’re all sharing information,” Jeff says.

As the couple dives back into production later in the morning, the smell of chocolate fills every nook and cranny of the space, and it’s hard not to surreptitiously stick a finger into the still-warm molds that Susan is carefully placing slivered almonds atop. So hard.

Volo Chocolates are currently available online at volochocolate.com, Relish Culinary Adventures, Dry Creek Vineyards, Bella Winery, Wilson Winery, Rodney Strong Winery, Ferrari-Carano Winery and Jimtown Store, or at a pop-up on April 15 at Relish. The bunnies are $10 each.

The post Tiny Windsor Chocolate Factory Creates a Chocolate Bunny Brigade appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away! Are you still in the dark about what to give your sweetheart? Help is here! I have six last-minute gift ideas, available in Sonoma County, that your honey will heart!

Saber Your Bubbles

Forget popping a bottle of bubbles on Valentine’s Day to celebrate your love – be dramatic and saber it with a handcrafted saber from Iron Horse Vineyards. This luxury saber is 16.5″ long and comes in a branded wood box. Don’t forget to include a bottle of Iron Horse sparkling wine! Iron Horse Vineyards, 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, (707) 887-1507

Heart Shaped Chocolate…on a Stick 

Does your lover love chocolate? Treat your sweetheart to a solid chocolate heart on a stick made with 61% dark chocolate from Wine Country Chocolates. Instead of roses, buy a bundle of these chocolate hearts and make her or him a sweet bouquet. Wine Country Chocolates, Plaza Tasting Room, 414 First Street East, Sonoma, (707) 996-1010

Ooh la la!

Give him the gift of luxury fragrance from France with a bottle of Mistral’s Ambre Noir from Chateau Sonoma. With notes of amber, citrus, patchouli and wood, it has a masculine scent you’ll both love. Chateau Sonoma, Cornerstone Sonoma, 23588 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, (707) 935-8553

Hot Lips

She’ll shower you in kisses when you give her this red lip shaped suede bag, available at Little Four in The Barlow. Made in California, this red hot clutch is perfect for a date night or anytime she wants to add some flirty fun to her look. Little Four, McKinley Street, Sebastopol, (707) 824-5600

Silk and Lace

Skip the malls and chain stores and give your Valentine something extra special – and slinky –  from Ma Cherie et Moi. Let the expert sales staff help you choose lacy bras and nighties from European brands like Simone Pérèle and Fleur’t or something more cozy and comfy like a nightshirt, robe or pajamas. Ma Cherie et Moi, Montgomery Village, 2332 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, (707) 573-1103

Relaxing Romance

Plan a relaxing, rejuvenating and romantic escape from reality by treating yourself and your beloved to Warmth of Love for Two package at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary. This special package includes a Cedar Enzyme Bath for two, 75-minute massages in a couple’s room, and tea in a private room overlooking a beautiful and peaceful Japanese garden. Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, 209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, (707) 823-8231

The post 6 Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The much anticipated CocoaPlanet factory, chocolate tasting room and café have finally opened after months of construction and all sorts of the usual inspector delays.

But the result is spectacular for a small gluten-free French café and chocolate factory. Check out the blue background lighting, glass table tops, white marble walls, tasteful stone and total wheelchair accessibility as testified by Jeanne Allen of Incredible Accessible on Facebook. And when the weather turns sunny again, the large flower-surrounded patio in back will be perfect for sipping, nibbling and even entertaining.

Sonoma resident Anne McKibben’s CocoaPlanet produces her healthy chocolate candy and French delights on Broadway in the building that housed Sonoma Print Shop for decades.

McKibben grew up in Paris, London and Tucson, and became an international marketing executive for Hewlett-Packard, traveling to 40 countries.

She eventually developed fabulous chocolate candies that her now-late French mother could enjoy after she developed diabetes.

With a background in manufacturing and marketing, McKibben visited her Los Angeles chocolate manufacturer, took apart their machines so she could add her “pearls of flavor” such as mandarin orange, deep dark truffle, vanilla espresso, salted caramel and CocoaMint. In her new CocoaPlanet factory on Broadway she makes chocolates on state-of-the-art machines she has designed and patented.

The entire building is a gluten-free facility, even the Parisian-style café where guests can indulge in quiches, charcuterie, cheeses, salads, soups, sandwiches and occasional cassoulet and other stews in the tasting room or on the elegant patio.

McKibben’s CocoaPlanet chocolates are 64 percent cacao dark chocolate, under 100 calories with net carbs of 9 grams or less and only seven or eight grams of sugar. They are all non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and free-trade certified.

McKibben says you can put a wafer in a cup, add heated milk, and have great hot chocolate, which servers will do in the café.

For chocolate tastings, you can try individual tastes, a mini flight of morsels of each taste, or a “Power Nibble” with two chocolates, almonds and sharp white cheddar cheese.

Don’t miss the gluten-free desserts such as mandarin orange chocolate almond cake, Edible Dirt, apple walnut tarts, Deep Dark Chocolate brownies and Sweet Scoops vegan sorbets. All of the pastry recipes were converted from conventional flours to gluten-free by Kathy Gori.

Also on the menu are charcuterie and cheese platters, a hummus plate, gougères, Castelvetrano olives, warm tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, Paul’s Produce Little Gem salad with Cypress Grove goat cheese, a Sonoma Chef’s Salad, Quiche Sonoma with a salad, pizza Provençal, crêpes, and a quinoa bowl – all gluten-free. $6 to $18.

921 Broadway, Sonoma. 343-7453. cocoaplanet.com

The post New Local Chocolate Tasting Room & Café Opens appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Written by Heather Irwin for BiteClubEats.

Eye Candy Chocolatiers: Chocolate is Dr. Sonja Schluter’s happy place.  The Sonoma ophthalmologist spends her days working with patients facing serious vision problems, primarily glaucoma. So her off-time passion for making beautiful chocolate truffles has become an outlet of beauty, precision and, of course, deliciousness.

But after 20 years practice (and giving most of her chocolate creations to friends), she’s finally opened a tiny retail shop at Sebastopol’s Gravenstein Station called Eye Candy.

Jewel-like truffles of every size and shape line the case, with flavors like passionfruit, guava, Earl Grey tea, chai coconut and cinnamon cardamom, making decisions difficult. What we love is the bitterness balancing act. Schulter uses a chocolate that’s between 54-64 percent cacao (milk chocolate has as little as 10% and extra-dark is around 80%), easing up on some of the intense bitterness of other dark chocolates.

Each of the truffles is made in the shop, with a mix of precision and creativity. “It fits my personality,” said Schluter, who has culinary training from the Ecole Chocolat in Vancouver and Callebaut Academy in Chicago. Crediting her mom, Tamara Suslov, M.D. (who founded the Eye Center in Sebastopol) for her tenacity and inspiration, Sonja brings her two worlds of chocolate and ophthamology together by donating a portion of her candy proceeds to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

“Its a beautiful balancing act,” she said.

6761 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol. Open Monday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 4p.m.

The post Eye Candy: Sonoma Doctor Seeing Vision of Chocolate appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.