At the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction, a 6-liter bottle of the cult Cabernet Sauvignon blend Screaming Eagle set a world record for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of wine: half a million dollars. Heidi Peterson Barrett made that wine. Today, you can taste Barrett’s offerings at much more down-to-earth prices at her first tasting room in downtown Calistoga.

The story

Barrett grew up in the vineyards and cellars of Napa Valley, working alongside her father Dick Peterson, a legendary innovator in California’s post-Prohibition wine industry. She became one of the region’s most sought-after winemakers in the late ’80s and ’90s, making top-scoring wines for Dalla Valle, Screaming Eagle, Grace Family and other cult producers.

The winemaker founded her own brand in 1994 somewhat on a spur of the moment. She had been hired to make a Sangiovese for a client who suddenly needed to abandon the project. Instead of letting the client sell the wine on the bulk market, Barrett decided to buy it herself and start a winery. She called it La Sirena, inspired by the mermaid on Mexican Lotería cards and a nod to her love of scuba diving and the ocean.

In April, after a decade-long search for just the right spot, Barrett opened her debut tasting room in Calistoga.

“I would either be priced out of the market, or it was way too big of a place, or it came with a large home or more vineyard land,” she said. “I was really just in need of a tasting room, and this place has a little barrel cellar with the potential to make some of the wine here. It was a perfect fit.”

The tasting room showcases La Sirena wines, along with selections from Barrett & Barrett, co-founded with her husband Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, and Aviatrix, a collaboration between Barrett and her daughters Chelsea and Remi Barrett. Made from the family’s vineyards and purchased fruit, wines range from Moscato and Grenache to serious red blends. Annual production totals about 3,000 cases.

The vibe

Barrett describes her fledgling tasting room as “joyous,” and it’s hard to argue with that. Set on Foothill Boulevard next to Rivers-Marie and close to Lola Wines, La Sirena is filled with nautical whimsy, awash in cheery cobalt and aquamarine hues. Barrett, also an artist, painted the mermaid mural in the women’s bathroom.

The concrete-topped bar is decorated with blue mosaic tiles, and Barrett’s colorful paintings line the walls on both the main floor and in the upstairs loft. Outside, you’ll find two fun surprises: a petite side patio overlooking a neighbor’s vineyard and a set of swings — yes, swings! — hanging beneath a vine-covered arbor in the parking lot. Go ahead and take a ride (I did). In addition to wine, the tasting room sells Barrett’s handmade ceramics, jewelry and paintings.

On the palate

Though Barrett made a name for herself with Cabernet Sauvignon-based trophy wines, the offerings at La Sirena venture beyond typical Napa Valley varieties.

The 2021 Grenache from Aviatrix ($40), made from Bennett Valley grapes, has a bright and juicy profile that’s all about ripe red fruit. Also on the fresher side, La Sirena 2023 Moscato Azul ($34) from Lake County and Calistoga has lovely floral aromas, plus peach and tropical fruit flavors. With barely a half-percent residual sugar, it’s crisp and dry.

Fans of serious reds will appreciate the La Sirena 2021 Studio Series from Napa Valley ($125). An unconventional blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc, the wine is rich in leathery spice aromas and black fruit flavors.

Tasting flights include a $25 mini tasting for walk-in visits, a signature tasting ($50) and two different reserve tastings ($75-$100).

Beyond the bottle

Calistoga is a walkable town, but it can be more fun to travel by cruiser bike. It’s an easy, flat ride between La Sirena and other downtown tasting rooms, including Lola and Tank Garage, plus shops and restaurants. Beyond downtown, riders can pedal alongside vines to visit local wineries. Bring your own bike or rent from Calistoga Bikeshop.

La Sirena, 810 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Reservations required for reserve tastings. 707-942-1105, lasirenawine.com

Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, HuffPost, and Sonoma magazine. Follow Tina on Bluesky @winebroad, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.

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May marks the 50th anniversary of the “Judgment of Paris,” when a panel of French wine judges chose the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon as the top wines in a France-versus-California showdown. What many people don’t know is that Chateau Montelena bought most of the grapes for its winning Chardonnay from two Sonoma County vineyards.

Bacigalupi Vineyards Goddard Ranch

When Charles and Helen Bacigalupi bought their Russian River Valley ranch in 1956, they weren’t sure what to do with the existing vineyard, planted to old-school grapes like Mission and French Colombard. Farm advisor Bob Sisson convinced Charles to try planting a variety called Chardonnay.

He’d never heard of it and had to grab a piece of paper to write down the name. “Bob told him, ‘Go see Karl Wente in Livermore,’” explained Charles’ granddaughter Katey Bacigalupi Row. “He’ll take care of you.”

Bacigalupi brought back Chardonnay cuttings from Wente Vineyards and planted 14 acres at Goddard Ranch.

Part of the vineyard’s magic is its rocky, volcanic clay soils. Because the vines struggle, the resulting wines have tension and minerality. Differing berry sizes on the clusters—known as “hens and chicks”—mean the grapes ripen at different rates, balancing acidity with ripe fruit flavors.

Belle Terre Ranch

Belle Terre’s Chardonnay vines, planted by Henry Dick in 1970, were just getting started in 1973. That made it all the more incredible that the Alexander Valley vineyard achieved such legendary status.

“It was unusual for a vineyard that young to do so well,” said Henry’s son Ron Dick, who now runs Belle Terre.

Dick said the magnitude of the Paris tasting didn’t really hit him until then-Chateau Montelena winemaker Mike Grgich came out and explained it. “After that,” Dick said, “I was flabbergasted.”

The following year, Chateau St. Jean began making a Belle Terre Chardonnay, celebrated for its minerality and ripe, stone-fruit flavors. The winery continued producing it for more than four decades.

Though Dick said he didn’t find a home for the fruit last year due to the industry glut, it’s part of the blend for Rodney Strong’s 2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay.

Three to try

Bacigalupi Vineyards

2023 Renouveau Paris Tasting Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, $85

This is currently the only wine made from the historic “Paris Tasting Block” on Goddard Ranch. The wine has ripe, peachy aromas with stone fruit and citrus zing on the palate. Rich and creamy, it finishes with a kiss of vanilla.

Auteur Wines

2024 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, $65

Hailing from the block just below the Paris Tasting vineyard, this is a bright-yet-round rendition bursting with pure fruit flavors—think Golden Delicious apple—and balancing acidity. (It’s set for release in September—but wines this delicious are worth the wait.)

MacRostie Winery

2023 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, $55

Rich and round on the palate, this has aromas of vanilla and flavors combining lemon meringue pie with tangy green apple. The wine has a creamy texture and a lingering finish.

The post Two Sonoma Vineyards That Made History on the Wine Scene appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Happy hour usually means heading to a neighborhood bar or brewery, but increasingly, North Coast wineries are getting in on the act. At happy hour events across Sonoma County and Napa Valley, wineries encourage visitors to sip and socialize without the formality or expense of standard tastings. No reservations required.

With the industry navigating a prolonged downturn, happy hour events are more than a trend; they’re a smart survival strategy. According to Wine Business Monthly’s 2026 Tasting Room Survey Report, winery visitation in Napa County dropped 18% last year and Sonoma County tasting room traffic dipped 8%. Digging deeper, the survey found that visitors are looking for a more relaxed, affordable experience when visiting wineries — a fun space to hang out rather than a place to learn the nuances of sniffing and swirling.

At Dutton-Goldfield Winery in Sebastopol, happy hour events reflect a deliberate shift toward more social experiences. On the third Thursday of each month, the winery invites walk-in visitors to enjoy discounted wines by the glass and bottle service. Small bites are free. To create a more casual atmosphere, the winery recently revamped its tasting room in favor of a brighter farmhouse feel and added a large-screen television for communal viewing.

“Consumers are looking for occasions that are easy to say ‘yes’ to, with lower commitment, more flexibility and a stronger social component,” said Dutton-Goldfield co-owner Karissa Kruse. “We’ve found that when you lower the barrier, you actually deepen the connection. People engage more when the experience feels natural.”

Kruse also points to a growing desire for wine to fit seamlessly into people’s everyday lives rather than being reserved for special occasions and structured tastings.

“That’s especially true for younger consumers and locals,” she said. “We see this as where the industry is heading to be more approachable, more social and more integrated into how people actually live. It’s about building relationships over time, not just one visit.”

The strategy appears to be working. Dutton-Goldfield’s general manager Ed Thralls credits the tasting room team’s ability to set a tone that’s welcoming and authentic rather than transactional.

“What started as a seasonal series quickly proved its value,” he said. “We’ve seen such strong and consistent turnout that it’s now become a regular part of our programming.”

That’s not to say that seated wine tastings are on their way out.

“This complements the traditional tasting experience. It doesn’t replace it,” Thralls said. “There will always be a place for more structured, in-depth tastings, but not every occasion calls for that.”

In Napa Valley, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery hosts weekly “Social Hour” gatherings. Curated tastings at the Rutherford tasting room normally run $46-$145 or more. But during social hour events, wines by the glass start at just $10.

“We want this to be an opportunity for our neighbors and friends to gather and share their wine stories, to learn more from people who have a passion for wine and the people who make it,” said chief executive Emma Swain. “Enjoying wine with friends in a relaxed, beautiful setting is one of life’s luxuries. Does it get any better?”

Where to find winery happy hours in Sonoma County and Napa Valley

Wine and Vibe at Bella Union Winery

The St. Helena winery invites guests to gather at its outdoor Wren Bar. Sip wines by the glass or bottle and nibble on elevated bar bites. The patio bar is open 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, spring through fall. 1695 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707-956-5120, farniente.com/visit-bella-union

Happy Hour at Benovia Winery

Walk-ins are welcome from 4:30-7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, when the Russian River Valley winery offers small-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay by the glass, plus complimentary snacks. 3339 Hartman Road, Santa Rosa, 707-921-1040, benoviawinery.com

Street Food Happy Hour at Clif Family Winery

On Wednesdays, the St. Helena producer’s Bruschetteria Food Truck features a rotating street-food menu inspired by global flavors and made with ingredients grown on the family’s organic farm. Drop by for discounted happy hour pricing on wines by the glass between 4-7 p.m., along with live music. 709 Main St., St. Helena, 707-968-0625, cliffamily.com

Third Thursdays Happy Hour at Dutton-Goldfield Winery

The Sebastopol winery welcomes walk-in guests from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, with happy hour pricing on wines by the glass and bottle service. Small bites are free. 3100 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-827-3600, duttongoldfield.com

Third Thursdays at Markham Vineyards

The St. Helena winery opens its historic Stone Cellar from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month for wines by the glass, live music and local food trucks. The events are family- and dog-friendly. 2812 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, 707-963-5292, markhamvineyards.com

Food Truck Saturdays at Roche Winery & Vineyards

Roche welcomes a rotating lineup of food trucks to the Sonoma winery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday. Vendors cook up wine-friendly casual eats, from tacos to pizzas to grilled sandwiches. 22097A Bonness Road, Sonoma, 707-935-7115, rochewinery.com

Thursday Happy Hour at Russian River Vineyards

Through October, head to the Forestville winery on Thursday evenings, from 5-7:30 p.m., for special pricing on wines by the glass, plus local craft beer and housemade appetizers. Wines start at $8 per glass. 5700 Highway 116 N., Forestville, 707-887-3344, russianrivervineyards.com

Social Hour at St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery

The Rutherford winery offers selected wines by the glass for $10 and bottle offerings starting at $40. Social Hour runs 2-4 p.m., Wednesday to Friday, through the end of May — or longer. Reservations are recommended for larger groups. 8440 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, 707-302-3488, stsupery.com

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When Courtney Summers landed an apprenticeship at Silver Oak Cellars through The Veraison Project, it helped the Texas native realize her dream of working in the wine industry.

By the end of her time at Silver Oak, Summers—now the wine club coordinator for Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor—and her fellow apprentice, Philadelphia-based Tahlia Suggs, had founded Cookout at the Vineyard. More than just a party, the women created it as a fundraiser for The Veraison Project, an organization that funds scholarships and mentorships for people of color in an industry where BIPOC representation has historically been less than 1%.

What started out as a one-day party has grown to a three-day celebration of wine, food, and good times held June 11-13 at three different Sonoma County wineries. Like all good cookouts, says Summers, the focus is on hospitality and building community. “By Saturday, y’all are best friends. At the end of it all, everybody’s cousins.”

Getting the party started

When we came out here, we were in awe of the beauty. We were in awe of the experiences. We just couldn’t help but think it would be so fun if we could also have something that represented where we come from in this same setting. What would it be like to have a fish fry in the vineyards? We hadn’t seen that. What would it be like to have gumbo prepared for you along with wine in the vineyards—having that kind of interaction with the BIPOC community, with our allies? We decided to see if it could happen, and we just asked.

About Cookout Culture

Cookout culture has always been appreciating the food that we grew up on. It’s bringing community together. Everybody should be proud of where they come from. We’re just letting you know that this is where we come from. These are the recipes that we were raised on, and then we’re elevating them a little bit. Cookout food—barbecue, it goes with wine. Southern meals go with wine. Soul food goes with wine. (It’s) combining those worlds together and showing that they do belong together.

A Wine Country welcome

We really care about the connections we’re building and it’s bringing people up here. We continue to get Bay Area natives—they have never been up to Alexander Valley and didn’t even feel like they could come up that far. So, I think that continues to drive more and more access to this area. With our itinerary, we’re making sure that when people come out here, (they know) these are the places we felt welcome.

The post Cookout at the Vineyard Brings Culture and Community to Wine Country appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

For some people, sensitivities to histamines or sulfites can put a damper on their enjoyment of wine. That’s where Sol Rei Wine comes in. Set in a charming courtyard off the Sonoma Plaza, the winery specializes in wines low in histamines and sulfites.

The story

When Katherine Kitzmiller retired from the tech world, she planned to buy a hobby vineyard. But before she could pull the trigger on a purchase, she developed a sensitivity to wine that threatened to derail her agrarian dream. Instead of giving up, Kitzmiller began sending wine samples to a lab for analysis. She found that histamines and sulfites were the likely culprits. Both occur naturally in wine, but for those with sensitivities, they can lead to headaches (histamines) and asthma-like symptoms (sulfites). At age 63, Kitzmiller put her retirement plans aside to launch a winery devoted to low-histamine, minimal-sulfite wines.

Kitzmiller had little experience making wine, aside from a yearlong internship at an organic vineyard and winery, so she recruited winemakers Greg and Kyle Stokes, along with Marco Cappelli, as consultants. To keep histamines to a minimum, her team practices careful hygiene in the vineyard and winery to make sure damaged grapes — the kind that can introduce histamine-producing microbes — don’t make it into the wines. Sol Rei does add small amounts of sulfites during production for its still wines — just enough, Kitzmiller said, to support stability and freshness while maintaining low overall sulfite levels.

With a name that means “sun king” in Portuguese, Sol Rei made its debut with the 2023 vintage. The winery sources sustainably and organically farmed grapes from vineyards in Sonoma County, the Sierra Foothills and other appellations. Wines are produced in the Sierra Foothills — the Stokes’ home base.

Sol Rei makes 1,000 cases per year, with a lineup that includes Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel, a red blend and a sparkling Blanc de Blancs.

The vibe

Sol Rei sits among the Sonoma Court Shops, with Sosie Wines as a neighbor. Opened in December 2025, the space is bright and appealing, decorated with soft green and earth tones. The room is compact, with comfortable yet chic table and banquette seating.

On the palate

If you have questions about histamines and sulfites in wine, you’re in luck. Sol Rei might be the only tasting room in California with its own wine science educator. Ask away. Or, if chemistry’s not your thing, just sit back and enjoy the wines.

The tasting room offers three flights ($35-$55), with some selections paired with focaccia and olive oil or Syrah-infused truffles from Kollar Chocolates in Napa Valley. Wines are also available by the glass.

The 2024 Private Reserve Red ($52) from the Alta Mesa AVA, a blend of Mencía and Petite Sirah, is fruity and medium-bodied, with plummy notes and soft tannins. Hailing from the Sierra Foothills, the 2023 Syrah ($52) has a dark-fruit profile with appealing savory notes. Bubbles fans will find lots to like with the Organic Blanc de Blanc ($74), made by Penny Gadd-Coster of Breathless Wines fame. Crafted in a subtle, off-dry style, it has a toasty, brioche aroma, a creamy texture and a string of fine bubbles.

As with many low-sulfite wines, you’ll want to drink these while they’re young. Sulfur dioxide is widely used as a preservative in winemaking, so wines without it tend to have a shorter shelf life.

Beyond the bottle

For some adult-style fun down on the farm, get tickets ($95) to the Summer Bar(n) Crawl. Scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, June 6, the event will be held at Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sonoma. Guests can meet the sanctuary’s rescue animals at each barn while sampling local wines, then sit down to a plant-based barbecue picnic lunch from Nova Terra Kitchen & Creamery. charliesacres.org

Sol Rei Wine, 25 E. Napa St., Suite E, Sonoma. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays. 707-460-2276, solreiwine.com

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.

The post Sol Rei Is a Charming Addition to the Sonoma Plaza Wine Scene appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Tired of the ritualized sip and swirl? In Sonoma County and Napa Valley, wineries and tasting rooms are rethinking the formula.

As wine consumption evolves, so, too, does the experience around it. Increasingly, vintners are inviting guests to loosen the rules — to treat wine not as something to decode, but something to enjoy alongside whatever happens to be on the plate. The old pairings — Cabernet with steak, Pinot Noir with duck — are giving way to a more playful sensibility. Across Wine Country, tastings now feature unexpected companions: shortbread and s’mores, beignets and elaborate brunch boards.

Here are a few favorites.

Sonoma County

Cookies and Cabernet at Alexander Valley Vineyards

What started as a holiday treat at Alexander Valley Vineyards has turned into a year-round favorite. Each tasting flight arrives with five housemade shortbread cookies, thoughtfully paired with different wines from the estate.

The pairings range from classic to delightfully unexpected: think vanilla bean and sassafras shortbread with Chardonnay, or fig-pistachio with Cabernet Sauvignon. Culinary director Tim Gleadall crafts each cookie in-house, often reaching into the estate gardens for inspiration.

For those skipping alcohol, the kitchen offers a parallel experience of nonalcoholic shrubs — including fig, ginger-hibiscus and sorghum — designed with the same attention to pairing.

$30 per person. Reservations are required and can be made on Tock.

8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com

Weekend Brunch Boards at Anaba Wines

At Anaba Wines, weekends are made for lingering. Guests can add a seasonal brunch board to their tasting — fried chicken and waffles, just-picked strawberries from the Watmaugh stand next door, and Carmody cheese from Bellwether Farms in Petaluma all make an appearance.

The boards change with the seasons, giving you a reason to return. The staff offers pairing suggestions for each pour, making the experience feel more like a leisurely meal than a formal tasting.

Tastings range from $45–$65; brunch boards are $48. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Tock.

62 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, 707-996-4188, anabawines.com

Bubbles and Beignets at J Vineyards & Winery

On select summer days, Sonoma Wine Country gets a taste of The Big Easy. Fresh, pillowy beignets dusted in powdered sugar are served alongside pours from J Vineyards’ sparkling library, with live music setting the mood.

Scheduled for May 17 and July 5. $60 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Tock.

11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-431-5430, jwine.com

Napa Valley

Savory S’mores at V. Sattui Winery

At V. Sattui, the campfire staple is reimagined as a savory course. Marshmallows infused with flavors like cherry-thyme or aged Gouda are toasted tableside and layered with housemade crackers and cured meats such as Italian mortadella and bresaola.

Chocolatier and pastry chef Katryana Zide keeps the pairings fresh, but the spirit is always the same: familiar treats, surprising flavors. The s’mores experience is part of the tasting flights at the newly revamped Mercato del Gusto.

$20, plus tasting. Reserve a tasting on CellarPass.

1111 White Lane (at Highway 29), St. Helena, 707-963-7774, vsattui.com

Farm to Brunch at Clif Family Winery & Farm

This multicourse tasting is a love letter to the region’s farms and fields, with ingredients sourced from the estate and neighboring producers.

It starts with Clif Family’s own buttermilk-cheddar biscuits, English muffins from The Model Bakery and Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. From there, the menu unfolds into seasonal dishes such as charred asparagus with sauce gribiche and fresh herbs; hash browns topped with crème fraiche, caviar and vanilla-cinnamon bacon from Journeyman Meat Co.; and egg yolk ravioli with greens and ricotta in a rich bacon jus.

$125 per person; reservations required. Seatings are at 10 a.m. daily. Vegan pairing menu or mocktail flight available on request. Reserve a tasting on Tock.

1334 Vidovich Lane, St. Helena, 707-968-0625, cliffamily.com

Bacon & Wine Experience at Priest Ranch

If you believe everything is better with bacon, this wine tasting is for you. Four cuts of pork belly, each with its own seasoning, are matched with estate wines in a tasting that leans unabashedly rich. Recent iterations have included strawberry-rhubarb bacon with Merlot and ras el hanout — glazed pork with Zinfandel.

$85 per person. Reservations are required and can be made on Tock.

6490 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-8200, priestranchwines.com

The post Weird and Wonderful Wine and Food Pairings in Sonoma and Napa appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

When Lindsey Blanchard and Ryan Kuhlmann met as aspiring lawyers in Minneapolis, they probably never imagined they would end up moving to a small town in California and starting a winery together. Now they have two wineries. Their newest venture in downtown Glen Ellen, Wolves Lovers + Thieves, is a celebration of sparkling wines made from unexpected grape varieties using three different production methods.

The story

Native Midwesterners Blanchard and Kuhlmann met during law school, and they might still be practicing lawyers today if it hadn’t been for a teaching job that brought them out to Sacramento. Living in California, the couple’s shared enthusiasm for wine soon deepened into something more serious.

Recognizing they had a lot to learn, they headed to Sonoma County and connected with winemaker Robert Rex at Deerfield Ranch in Kenwood. Renting space and equipment at the incubator winery, the couple found a mentor in Rex.

The married duo launched their first winery — the cheekily named Wine Snob* — in 2021. A year later, they made an experimental sparkling wine that led to their second venture: Wolves Lovers + Thieves. Opened in December 2025, the Glen Ellen tasting room showcases bubbles made using three traditional methods: ancestral, méthode champenoise and Charmat.

Blanchard and Kuhlmann make about 600 cases of sparkling wine each year.

The vibe

Wolves Lovers + Thieves sits on Arnold Drive in downtown Glen Ellen, across the street from Poppy and just around the corner from Wine Snob*. Though the brands could have shared a space, the founders wanted their distinctive sparkling wines to have their own venue and identity.

The “Wolves” tasting room has a stylish yet industrial look, with concrete floors, a steel bar and a mix of sofa and bistro table seating. A sliding glass door separates the room from the adjoining Garden Court Café. Vibrant watercolor paintings by Mexican-born local artist Maria de Los Angeles — the same images used for the Wolves Lovers + Thieves labels — adorn the walls.

On the palate

Self-described “type A” personalities, Kuhlmann and Blanchard are hands-on in the vineyard and low-intervention in the cellar. Though they’re not fans of the term “natural wine,” they try to use as little manipulation as possible when making their sparklers. The resulting wines share a bright purity, devoid of flaws or funk.

It’s bubbles only at Wolves Lovers + Thieves, but there’s a lot of variety to explore within that realm. Among the winery’s four sparklers, two are made using the Champagne method, one is a pétillant-natural made with the ancestral method and one represents the Charmat technique. Each production method expresses itself differently in the glass, and learning about the nuances is what makes a visit to this tasting room so interesting and fun.

The 2024 Raised by Wolves Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir ($36) is a lively pet-nat that’s rosy in color with a touch of cloudiness from the spent yeast left inside the bottle. It shows fresh berry flavors and an appealing citrus accent. You don’t encounter many sparkling Gewürztraminers in these parts, let alone examples made in the super-dry “brut nature” style, so don’t miss the 2022 Jealousy from Potter Valley ($72). It’s bright and floral with notes of ginger. The 2025 Incognito from Russian River ($54) is a sophisticated, intensely fruity Charmat sparkler made from Pinot Meunier — a grape normally relegated to blending status.

Tastings cost $35 per person.

Beyond the bottle

I love any excuse to wander the beautiful Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, and there’s a compelling one coming up on April 19. The park is hosting artist Maria de Los Angeles, creator of the Wolves Lovers + Thieves wine labels, for a nature-inspired watercolor painting workshop. The full-day, immersive event ($250) includes refreshments. If birding is more your speed, join the Birds and Words walk at Jack London with guide and author Rebecca Lawton on April 12 ($20).

Wolves Lovers + Thieves, 13647 Arnold Drive, Unit 2, Glen Ellen. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are recommended. 707-337-9523, wolvesloversthieves.com

The post At Wolves Lovers + Thieves in Glen Ellen, Nobody Puts Bubbly in a Corner appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sonoma County is home to 60,000 acres of vineyards, and 99% of them are certified sustainable. Impressive as that is, not all local vintners share the same level of dedication to earth-friendly practices. Here are three Sonoma County wineries that go above and beyond.

Littorai Winery

Founder and winemaker Ted Lemon learned to embrace biodynamic farming during his early career in Burgundy. While some paint biodynamics with a “woo-woo” brush, pointing to practices like following lunar cycles, Lemon emphasizes the interconnectedness of soil, plants, and nature.

Instead of chemical inputs, Littorai uses compost and natural preparations on its Sebastopol ranch to stimulate soil vitality and improve plant health. The idea is to maintain ecological balance by treating the farm as an integrated whole.

“The goal of biodynamic farming is to work with humans as sentient beings,” says Lemon, explaining that with the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, a boots-in-the-vineyard approach is more important than ever. “We have sight, touch, smell, taste, intuition, and emotion. We have an instrument that has a value that techno-utopians cannot replace or imitate.”

788 Gold Ridge Road, Sebastopol. 707-823-9586, littorai.com

Ram’s Gate Winery

Ram’s Gate’s estate vineyards in Sonoma are Regenerative Organic Certified — one of only a handful of California wineries to hold that distinction. The regenerative approach focuses on improving everything from soils and ecosystems to the well-being of farm workers and communities.

The winery forgoes synthetic inputs, uses cover crops to boost soil health and biodiversity, and integrates animals into its ecosystem through practices like sheep grazing for weed control. Last year, Ram’s Gate launched an agroforestry initiative, planting heirloom fruit trees within the vineyard rows to enhance soils, increase biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

Caine Thompson, the head of sustainability at O’Neill Vintners, Ram’s Gate’s parent company, says regenerative farming could have positive impacts around the world in promoting climate resilience.

“It is really critical that it scales beyond small properties and individual estates,” Thompson says. “Our hope is that this can be a catalyst not only in showing what can be done in a viticultural context, but in other crops.”

28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com

Ridge Vineyards

Vines at Ridge’s Lytton Springs, Geyserville, and East Bench properties are certified organic. The winery also uses regenerative, sustainable farming practices like cover cropping, composting, water conservation, and creating habitats for beneficial insects. As a member of the International Wineries for Climate Action, Ridge is working toward carbon neutrality.

“Our philosophy…has always been to work in harmony with nature to produce grapes that reflect where they are grown,” says David Gates, senior vice president of vineyard operations at Ridge. “We believe that special wines come from special places, and you must be mindful and purposeful when growing grapes and making wine from them.”

Ridge’s sustainable practices also extend to packaging — from lightweight bottles to recycled shipping materials.

Lytton Springs tasting room, 650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-7721, ridgewine.com

Three to Try

Ram’s Gate

2023 Pinot Blanc, Ram’s Gate Estate, Carneros, $40

The winery is best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but it’s also fun to explore its lesser-known offerings. This organic Pinot Blanc from the winery’s home ranch is fresh and flirty, combining stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of spice.

Ridge Vineyards

2023 Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Valley, $56

This is not your typical big-and-jammy Zinfandel blend. Made from organic fruit, the wine has aromas of dark fruits and woody spice. Take a sip to discover black cherry and black tea flavors, along with subtle tannins and food-friendly acidity.

Littorai

2023 Pinot Noir, The Pivot Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, $105

Littorai’s Pinot Noirs are legendary, and this wine is a prime example of why. Made from biodynamically grown fruit from a 3-acre block on the winery’s home property, it’s elegant and beautifully balanced, with black and red berry notes.

The post Three Sonoma County Wineries Leading the Way in Sustainability appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Book clubs are typically low-key affairs — conversations over snacks, perhaps a bottle of wine, in someone’s living room. In Sonoma and Napa counties, however, a growing number of restaurants, wineries and lounges are reimagining the format, turning literary gatherings into immersive, food- and wine-centered experiences.

At Songbird Parlour in Glen Ellen, that reinvention comes with an unusual twist: guests are encouraged to bring their own food. The restaurant’s quarterly cookbook club doubles as both a discussion group and a potluck.

“I’m into food, obviously, and I love building community,” said owner Lauren Kershner, who launched the Songbird Parlour Cookbook Club in early March. “So, to pull those two together was just a natural thing for me.”

Each quarter, participants prepare a dish from a selected cookbook and share it with the group. They bring their own plates and utensils, while the restaurant offers a curated list of wines for $10 a glass.

About 25 people attended the inaugural gathering, cooking from “Kachka: A Return to Russian Cooking” by Bonnie Frumkin Morales. Many discovered the event through the Sonoma County Foodies Facebook page.

While cooking for self-described “foodies” might sound intimidating, Kershner emphasized that the atmosphere is intentionally relaxed.

“Let’s just get together and have no real agenda,” she said. “You don’t have to overthink it or commit a lot of resources to it. People can just show up and be themselves.”

At Dutcher Crossing Winery in Geyserville, wine is the lead character in the Sips & Stories Book Club.

The quarterly gathering pairs a featured book with themed wines and light bites for purchase. At its February kickoff, about a dozen attendees discussed “The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It,” sipping as they traded impressions. The club is open to both wine club members and the public.

“We’re all about fostering community and creating meaningful connections,” said Lauren Fairlee, the winery’s wine club manager and the club’s founder. “[This] felt like a natural extension of that spirit.”

Ultimately, she added, “It’s about conversation, shared experiences and building relationships in a relaxed, welcoming environment.”

In Napa, Leilani Baugh, known as Chef Leilani, has taken a similar approach at Vin En Noir, her hybrid wine lounge and bookstore, where offerings spotlight people of color and women winemakers.

Her Books and Bottles club meets on the second Saturday of each month.

Baugh, an avid reader who often unwinds with a book and a glass of wine, said the idea came easily as book clubs surged in popularity.

“We already had a wine lounge,” she said. “Creating a book club there felt like the perfect idea.”

Though she gravitates toward thrillers and romantasy — a blend of romance and fantasy — Baugh lets members shape the reading list.

“I like talking with everyone to learn their reading tastes and preferences, so the book selections reflect the group as a whole,” she said. “That means we tend to explore a mix of genres — romance, romantasy, thrillers and other page-turners that spark great conversation.”

The evenings are deliberately informal, with wine and small bites available as guests discuss characters and themes. For Baugh, the aim is less about promoting products than about creating a sense of belonging.

“What started as people gathering to talk about books over a glass of wine quickly grew into something bigger,” she said. “It’s really about creating a place where people can slow down, enjoy a good book, sip a great glass of wine, and connect with others who love being a little bookish.”

Wine Country Book Clubs

Azur Book Club: Monthly meetups at the Napa winery feature wines by the glass and bottle. Azur Winery, 1014 Clinton St., Napa. 707-812-4203, azurwines.com

Books and Bottles: The club meets every second Saturday to discuss the latest book and sip wines by people of color and women winemakers. Vin En Noir, 1001 Caymus St., Napa. 707-637-4088, vinennoir.com

Silent Book Club: Not in the mood to mingle? Each month, members of the Santa Rosa chapter meet at a local bar or restaurant to silently read in each other’s company. silentbook.club

Sips & Stories Book Club: Quarterly gatherings include book-themed wines and snacks for purchase. Dutcher Crossing Winery, 8533 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville. 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com

Songbird Parlour Cookbook Club: Members meet quarterly at the restaurant to share dishes from a designated cookbook. Email info@songbirdparlour.com to sign up. Songbird Parlour, 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen. 707-343-1308, songbirdparlour.com

Sonoma Valley Regional Library Cookbook Club: Each month, members browse a selection of themed cookbooks, then prepare and share their dishes. Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 707-996-5217, sonomalibrary.org/events

The post In California Wine Country, Book Clubs Are Getting a Culinary Upgrade appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Stories abound about people who leave the corporate world to pursue life among the vines. The tale of Dutcher Crossing began that way until a wine-loving teacher convinced the original owners to help her realize a dream.

The story

Before launching Dutcher Crossing Winery in 2005, Bruce Nevins and Jim Stevens had already made their mark in the beverage world as the co-founders of Perrier North America. Turning their attention to wine, the partners purchased land in Dry Creek Valley and opened Dutcher Crossing Winery — named for a spot on the estate where Dutcher Creek and Dry Creek meet — with Kerry Damskey as founding winemaker.

Nevins and Stevens planned to run Dutcher Crossing for a decade before selling, but Debra Mathy had other ideas. Two years after the winery opened, she approached the partners at an industry event and made an offer. Her enthusiasm for the property and wines convinced them to sell early.

A Wisconsin native, Mathy fell in love with wine during a high school class trip to France. When she returned home, she told her father she wanted to own a winery someday. Mathy became a teacher but never forgot her high school dream.

Years later, when her dad was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, he encouraged her to follow her passion and offered help. Mathy’s father died a few months before the Dutcher Crossing sale was finalized.

Mathy has since expanded the winery’s estate vineyards from 35 to 75 acres and grown its portfolio from five wines to more than 30. Bordeaux and Rhone varieties are the focus of the winery’s 10,000-case annual production. Each year, Dutcher Crossing releases a wine called CFM Tribute in honor of Mathy’s father, with all proceeds supporting melanoma research.

The vibe

The drive to Dutcher Crossing is especially beautiful in late winter, when bright yellow mustard flowers bloom amid gnarled old vines that speak of Dry Creek Valley’s long and storied history.

The farmhouse-style tasting room features vaulted ceilings and leather wingback chairs arranged by a crackling fireplace. Large windows frame views of the estate vineyards carpeting the hillsides. Because Mathy is an avid cyclist, bicycles feature prominently in the artwork. A replica of the penny-farthing bicycle her father gave her — also pictured on Dutcher Crossing’s labels — sits alongside the tasting bar.

Outside, vineyard-facing tables sit in a covered breezeway, beneath a pergola, on a paved patio and alongside a pétanque court. Wine Country doesn’t get much prettier than this.

On the palate

Winemaker Nick Briggs, who took over from Damskey as head winemaker in 2017, has an affinity for small-lot wines and single-vineyard bottlings. He uses vessels ranging from concrete tanks to large wooden vats to make more than two dozen wines.

The 2023 Kupferschmid White ($46) from Dry Creek Valley, an unconventional blend of Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, is an aromatic pleaser with notes of peaches and apples. The 2019 Pritchett Peaks Vineyard Rockpile Zinfandel ($53) has a mouthwatering aroma of black cherries with a touch of oak, along with red-fruit flavors. The 2021 Cut Root Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($61) is a medium-bodied wine with a silky texture and bright, red-berry flavor.

Experiences include bar tastings at $20 per person and outdoor seated tastings with an optional charcuterie board ($40-$65). Picknickers can reserve a spot under the pergola ($50 per table), and pétanque players command the court for $90 per group, including bottle service.

Beyond the bottle

Lots of wineries these days are working to cultivate a community-friendly vibe. Dutcher Crossing is leaning into that trend with a wine-friendly book club. Held quarterly, “Sips & Stories” pairs a featured reading selection with wines and snacks. The kick-off event, set for Feb. 26 from 5-7 p.m., highlights “The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It.” It’s free for wine club members; for everyone else, wines by the glass and snacks will be available for purchase.

Dutcher Crossing is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday. 8533 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville. 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com

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.

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