Sonoma County’s wineries, restaurants and merchants are pulling out all the stops for the holidays this year, offering an assortment of food, drinks and crafts amid decked-out communal markets.
Holiday markets have become all the rage in Wine Country, with dozens of local establishments selling artisan wares while supporting the community.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to support small businesses, discover unique gifts and enjoy the festive atmosphere that makes Sonoma County so special during the holidays,” said Monica Lopez, general manager of Bacchus Landing. The wine tasting destination in Healdsburg will host its fifth annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 6-7.
Speaking on behalf of the Bacchus Landing team, Lopez said they’re thrilled to host the Holiday Bazaar, “bringing together local artisans, wine enthusiasts and our community to celebrate the season.”
In the spirit of the season, several holiday markets will donate to charities, including Kivelstadt Cellars in Sonoma. Held on two weekends in December, its annual Wine Garden Holiday Market will emulate a European Christmas village with a Sonoma twist. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for Kivelstadt’s market will be donated to the nonprofit Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.
In Windsor, Bricoleur Vineyard’s holiday market will donate proceeds to Santa Tim, a Sonoma County nonprofit that provides food, clothing and personal items to low-income families, and Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program that distributes holiday gifts to children whose families cannot afford them.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy our beautiful vineyard setting and kick off the holiday season with cheer, great wine and memorable moments,” said Sarah Citron, Bricoleur cofounder and CEO.
See where to sip, shop and celebrate the holidays with community in Sonoma County.
Nov. 29-30
Monte Rio Community Center
The Monte Rio Community Center will host a Holiday Wonderland Craft Faire from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 29-30. The market and craft fair will include handmade items from local artisans, including art, jewelry and home decor. 20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio, 707-865-2487, mrrpd.org
Dec. 5
Merry Healdsburg
A holiday night market will be held during Healdsburg’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration from 5-9 p.m., Dec. 5, around the Healdsburg Plaza. A number of local vendors will be selling a range of products, including clothing, jewelry, folk art, ceramics, home goods and hot prepared foods. See the full list of vendors online. Healdsburg Plaza, healdsburg.gov
Dec. 6
Korbel Champagne Cellars
Guerneville’s Korbel Winery will host its annual holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 6. There will be holiday drinks, food and gifts available for purchase from over 20 local artisan vendors. A 25-foot-tall Christmas tree will be brilliantly illuminated for photo ops. The event is free to attend. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Penngrove Winter Fest
The town of Penngrove will host its annual Winter Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 6, in its small downtown area. The event will include photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Krampus, an outdoor market, cupcake decorating with Odd Cookie Bakery, soap felting with Soap Cauldron, snow globe making with California Brick Chicks and more. There will be live music and entertainment throughout the day. Guests of the Winter Fest can enter their name at each participating Penngrove business for a chance to win a gift basket. The market is free to attend, and food and gifts will be available for purchase. Main Street, Penngrove, visitpenngrove.com
Wine Road
Wine Road will host its Holiday Wine Trail & Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 6, featuring over 30 local wineries. The event includes visiting several wineries, most of which feature local vendors and artisans to shop for the holidays. Participating wineries with market offerings include Balletto Vineyards, Trattore Farms and Winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Woodenhead Wine and many more. Tickets are $50 per person and include complimentary tastings of at least two wines at participating wineries. Purchase tickets on CellarPass. Sonoma County, 707-433-4335, wineroad.com
Petaluma Downtown Holiday Shopping Stroll
The city of Petaluma will host its Holiday Shopping Stroll from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 6, in downtown Petaluma. Local shops will be selling artisan gifts with extended store hours. There will also be live music and dancers, holiday treats and libations, photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free face painting and other activities at participating businesses. Downtown Petaluma, 707-762-9348, petalumadowntown.com
Martin Ray Winery
Martin Ray Winery will host a “Holiday in the Barrel Room” market from noon to 3 p.m., Dec. 6, at its Twin Fir Barrel Room. The holiday marketplace will include artisan goods, wine-related gifts and special Martin Ray offerings. Guests can also enjoy estate wine paired with chef-crafted bites. General admission is $35 and wine club pricing is $25. Reserve on Tock. 2191 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa, martinraywinery.com
Convene by Dan Kosta
Covene will host its traditional Sip & Shop with Santa event from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 6, at its Bacchus wine lounge. Santa Claus will be on hand for photo ops, and wine will be available to sample and purchase. The winery will also host a toy drive for children in need — to participate, leave a contribution under the Covene Christmas tree. All ages welcome. The event is free to attend; RSVP on Tock. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Suite 300, Healdsburg, 707-861-8199, convenewine.com
Dec. 6-7
Comstock Wines
Comstock will host a Holiday Magnum Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 6-7, at its Bacchus Landing tasting room. Guests can enjoy a flight of magnum wines from the Comstock wine library, snack on light bites and shop for handmade gifts from local artisan vendors. The wine flight is $30 per person. Up to four tastings are complimentary for wine club members. Reserve on Tock. 1290 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-3011, comstockwines.com
Bacchus Landing
Boutique winery collective Bacchus Landing will host its annual weekend Holiday Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 6-7, on the piazza. The market will include wine tastings, seasonal treats, live music and holiday gifts from local artisans. Free to attend, with items available for purchase. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg, 707-395-0697, bacchuslanding.com
Dec. 6-7, 13-14
Bricoleur Vineyards
Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards will host a holiday market across two weekends, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14. The market will include local food and craft vendors, photo ops with Santa Claus and wines available for purchase. A toy drive will be held each day of the market, benefiting Toys 4 Tots on the first weekend and the local Santa Tim nonprofit on the second weekend. Different vendors will be on hand each day of the market. Admission is $10 and free for guests under 21. Purchase tickets on Tock. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Dec. 7
Art Escape
Art Escape’s free Holiday Craft Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 7. The craft fair will include a local artisan market, face painting, wreath-making and other family-friendly crafts. Food and warm drinks will also be available. 17474 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-938-5551, artescapesonoma.com
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
The Sebastopol art hub will host a Holiday Art & Makers Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7. The market and craft fair will include unique, handcrafted gifts from over 30 local artisan vendors.
Abbot’s Passage
The Bundschu family behind Abbot’s Passage and Gundlach Bundschu Winery will be hosting a “Jingle & Mingle” family holiday crawl from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, at both wineries in the Sonoma Valley. Members of the wine family will be on hand to greet guests as they enjoy festive snacks and special bottle pours. There will be holiday shopping opportunities at Abbot’s mercantile with limited offers and surprises (plus games). Tickets are $40 per person. Collective members receive two complimentary tickets per membership by logging in to Tock to RSVP. Guests under 21 can attend for free. Reserve on Tock. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com
Dec. 13
The Barlow
The Barlow in Sebastopol will host its fourth annual Holiday Sip & Shop from 1-4 p.m., Dec. 13, at The Barlow. In addition to shopping at on-site shops, the event will include a keepsake Barlow tasting glass, wine tastings at participating wineries and a holiday gift basket raffle. Tickets are $25. Purchase tickets online. 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-824-5600, thebarlow.net
Dec. 13-14
The SoCo Market
SoCo Market’s fourth annual So Ho Ho Holiday Market will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 13-14, at Sonoma County Fairgrounds’ Grace Pavilion in Santa Rosa. The market includes over 150 local food and wares vendors offering everything from jewelry and vintage clothing to plants and home decor. Admission is free; parking at the Fairgrounds is $15. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, thesocomarket.com
Dec. 13-14, 20-21
Kivelstadt Cellars
Kivelstadt will host a Wine Garden Holiday Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21, at its Sonoma gardens and tasting lounge. The European village-style artisan market will include a host of wares from local vendors, such as flowers, pottery, jewelry and other crafts, as well as interactive art projects for all ages. A ticket to the market includes a complimentary beverage, either Kivelstadt wine or hot chocolate. A selection of specialty foods and drinks will also be available. Admission is $15 for adults and free for guests under 18. Early-bird tickets are $10 until midnight on Black Friday. Purchase tickets on Tock. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com
Dec. 20
Barn 5400
Local artisan collective Barn 5400 will host a Holiday Hangout marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 20, at the barn in Petaluma. The pop-up market will include seasonal tunes, festive food and locally crafted holiday gifts for sale. Admission is free. 5400 Old Redwood Highway, Petaluma, barn5400.com
The Sea Ranch Lodge
The Sea Ranch Lodge will host a Holiday Maker’s Market from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 20, at the coastal lodge. Guests can enjoy live music, get a warm drink from the on-site cafe and shop for unique gifts from North Coast artisans. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com