Kenwood may be best known in summer for its annual Fourth of July races, but the small town has a mix of fine dining and classic tasting rooms — Landmark, Kenwood Vineyards — plus launching-off points for great hikes.
Scroll on below to read what to do and where to eat, sip and shop in Kenwood.
What to Do
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
The short, shady waterfall trail is a great bet on a summer afternoon; more exposed ridgetop hikes are stunning but best in the early morning or late in the day. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org
Trione-Annadel State Park
Kenwood has two lesser-traveled park access points, popular with trail runners and mountain bikers — one on Schultz Road and one with a parking lot on Lawndale Road. Trails lead uphill toward the Ledson Marsh. 707-539-3911, parks.ca.gov
Where to Eat
VJB Cellars
Hit the sunny courtyard for a casual panini or woodfired pizza and a glass of Nebbiolo, then shop the Italian marketplace or pick up handcrafted chocolates from the Wine Truffle Boutique. 60 Shaw Ave., 707-833-2300, vjbcellars.com
Golden Bear Station
Joshua Smookler and Heidy He closed Sonoma’s highly regarded Animo to open this spot, which has elevated woodfired pizzas and housemade pastas plus Asian-accented entrées, such as a tonkatsu-style pork chop with dashi broth. 8445 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9148, goldenbearstation.com
Salt & Stone
A broad menu of salads, seafood and steaks, and a lovely outdoor vineyard setting with shade umbrellas and a bubbling fishpond and fountain. The indoor bar scene is one of the best around, too. 9900 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Where to Taste
Amapola Creek Winery
The newest tasting room in town, Amapola Creek was founded by industry icon Richard Arrowood and is now headed up by Brion Wise of B. Wise Vineyards. Guests taste from a lineup of serious high-end Rhone blends and Cabs from Moon Mountain. The tasting room shares a building with Muscardini Cellars, which offers a terrific weekend afternoon live-music series. 9380 Sonoma Hwy., 707-938-3783, amapolacreek.com
Vaughn Duffy Wines
Winemaker Matt Duffy and his wife Sara Vaughn started this small label 15 years ago, and last year, in true David vs. Goliath style, their 2021 Pinot Noir was named best in show at The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Though the couple source fruit from around the county, their super friendly tasting room is in Kenwood. 8910 Sonoma Hwy., 707-282-9156, vaughnduffywines.com
Chateau St. Jean
This is the grand, classic Sonoma Valley tasting experience, with a hundred-year-old French-inspired estate home, formal rose gardens and excellent wines, including the signature Cinq Cépages Bordeaux-style blend, which put the winery on the map 30 years ago. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com
Where to Shop
Mayacamas Home
Interior designer Shawn Hall worked on wineries and hotels for decades, but now she’s turned her vision to this new boutique in a small shopping center along Highway 12, with a worldly selection of ceramics, tableware and upcycled household goods. 9255 Sonoma Hwy., shawnehalldesigns.com
Swede’s Feeds
Treats for your pups and chickens, plus plants, garden tools and colorful recycled tin garden decor at this longtime locals spot. Beloved for the giant dinosaur sculpture that lurks along the highway. 9140 Sonoma Hwy., 707-833-5050, swedesfeeds.com