Sonoma County’s wineries, restaurants and merchants are pulling out all the stops for the holidays this year, offering up 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 fourth annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 7 and 8.
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 Glen Ellen, Abbot’s Passage Winery and Mercantile will host a Winter Market Dec. 8. According to founder Katie Bundschu, it is “inspired by the warmth and festiveness of traditional German holiday markets, combined with my love for supporting women-owned businesses and bringing people together.”
The Abbot’s Passage Winter Market will feature local vendors such as Sonoma-based jeweler Elizaberry and vintage clothing and vinyl shop Trove, among other food and craft merchants from Sonoma and Napa counties.
“Guests can expect a festive day of shopping one-of-a-kind treasures from fine jewelry to home goods, connecting with makers who share their stories, and enjoying seasonal bites from local favorites Rozmary Kitchen and Love Park Pretzels,” Bundschu said.
Kivelstadt Cellars in Sonoma will host its first-ever Wine Garden Holiday Market this year. Held on two weekends in December, it will emulate a European Christmas village with a Sonoma twist.
“This event was born from our desire to create a space where the community can gather, celebrate the season and support local artisans,” said Kailey Priest, director of marketing and PR for Kivelstadt Cellars. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for Kivelstadt’s market will be donated to nonprofit Sonoma Mentoring Alliance.
Several other holiday markets will be donating to local charities in the spirit of Christmas, such as the annual market at Bricoleur Vineyards.
“What makes this event even more meaningful is that the $10 entry fee will be donated to the Santa Tim organization, which provides gifts, food and other support to local families in need during the holiday season,” said Sarah Citron, cofounder and COO of Bricoleur Vineyards. “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.”
See where to sip, shop and celebrate the holidays with community in Sonoma County.
Wineries
Korbel Champagne Cellars, Dec. 7
Guerneville’s Korbel Winery will host a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 7. The event is free to attend, and there will be holiday drinks, food and gifts available for purchase. Each purchase made from a local vendor will enter guests into a prize drawing. Prizes will be announced at 2:30 p.m.; must be present to win.
13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Wine Road, Dec. 7
Wine Road will host a Holiday Wine Trail & Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, featuring 30 local wineries. The event includes visiting several wineries, most with local vendors and artisans to shop for the holidays. Participating wineries with market offerings include Balletto Vineyards, Quivira Vineyards, Trattore Farms and Winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Woodenhead Wine and more. Tickets are $40 per person and include complimentary tasting of at least two wines at participating wineries. Purchase tickets on CellarPass.
707-433-4335, wineroad.com
Bacchus Landing, Dec. 7-8
The boutique wineries at Bacchus Landing, among other local retailers, will host an annual weekend Holiday Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 7-8, on the piazza. The market will include wine tasting, pizza, live music by Nick Foxer and holiday gifts from local artisans, such as books, games, apparel, household items and wine gift packs. Among the participating Bacchus wineries are Dot Wine, Smith Story Wine Cellars and The Setting Wines. Free to attend, with items available for purchase.
14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg, 707-395-0697, bacchuslanding.com
Convene by Dan Kosta, Dec. 7
Covene will host its traditional Sip & Shop with Santa event from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, 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
Abbot’s Passage, Dec. 8
Abbot’s Winter Marketplace returns this year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8, at the Glen Ellen winery and mercantile. A ticket to enter includes a glass of wine, snacks, crafts and family-friendly activities. Vendors at the market include Napa home goods store Juniper Station, Napa second-hand store Field Day, Sonoma-based jeweler Elizaberry, Sonoma vintage clothing and vinyl shop Trove, and more. Rozmary Kitchen and Love Park Pretzels will have food available for purchase. Tickets are $25 per person, $15 for club members and complimentary for children under 5. Purchase tickets on Tock.
777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com
Comstock Wines, Dec. 14
Comstock’s Holiday Market Sip & Shop will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 14, within the Comstock Wines Library. Guests can enjoy a special flight of wines and light bites as they peruse offerings from local artisan vendors, such as chocolates, ceramics, paintings, ornaments, wreaths and more. Featured wines include Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. $30 per person; complimentary for up to four club members. For people 21 and over only. Reserve on Tock.
1290 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-3011, comstockwines.com
Bricoleur Vineyards, Dec. 14-15
Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards will host a holiday market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 14-15. The market will include local food and craft vendors, photo ops with Santa Claus, wines available for purchase and a toy drive for the local Santa Tim nonprofit. Different vendors will be on hand each day of the market, including Volo Chocolate, Wolf Coffee, Sura Botanicals and many more. Tickets are $10 and free for people under 21. Purchase tickets on Tock.
7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Bannister Wines, Dec. 14-15
Bannister Wines will host a holiday market from noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 14-15, at its Geyserville tasting room. The market will include a number of local artists and craftspeople selling original work, from paintings and ceramics to clothing and skin care products. There will also be wine gifts available, including Bannister’s new sparkling Ribolla Gialla and organic olive oil.
21035 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-387-0124, bannisterwines.com
Kivelstadt Cellars, Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22
Kivelstadt will host a Wine Garden Holiday Market at its Sonoma gardens and tasting lounge from 1-5 p.m., Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22. 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 — a choice of Kivelstadt wine, mulled wine, winter cocktail, cider or hot chocolate. A selection of specialty foods and beverages will also be available. Admission is $15 for adults and free for youth under 18. Purchase tickets on Tock.
22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com
Restaurants
Valley, Dec. 7-8
Valley, formerly Valley Bar + Bottle, will host its Winter Market from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 7-8, at UpValley, the restaurant’s top-floor dining and gathering space. Sarah Lonsdale, co-founder of Remodelista, curated the mix of vendors for the market, which includes food, tea, textiles, ceramics, clothing and other crafts. Guests can drink and snack on nibbles while they shop.
487 First West, Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com
Valley Swim Club, Dec. 8
Valley Swim Club will host its inaugural VSC Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8. The market will include wares from local makers available for purchase along with drinks and pastries from the Swim Club’s coffee truck Dive Bar Coffee and wood-fired pizza from Ollie’s.
18709 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-243-3032, valleyswim.club
Towns, Merchants and Community Centers
Monte Rio Community Center, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1
The Monte Rio Community Center will host a Holiday Wonderland Craft Faire from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 30; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 1. The market and craft fair will include handmade items from local artisans, including art, jewelry and home decor.
20488 Hwy 116, Monte Rio, 707-865-2487, mrrpd.org
Falling for Dainty, Nov. 30
Healdsburg jewelry store Falling for Dainty will host a holiday market featuring over a half dozen local vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 30. The event will include free photobooth pictures and complimentary wine tastings from Dutcher Crossing Winery, which also has holiday wine gifts for sale. Other vendors include SoCo Candle Co., Nori’s Nursery, River Girl Hat Co. and The Bundt Baby.
240 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8367, fallingfordainty.com
The Barlow, Nov. 30
The Barlow in Sebastopol will host its third annual Sip & Shop at The Barlow from noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 30. The event will include live music, wine tastings at participating shops, a commemorative wine glass and a raffle with prizes from Barlow retailers. Tickets are $30 online, $35 on the day of. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Sonoma Family Meal. Purchase tickets online.
6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-824-5600, thebarlow.net
Penngrove Winter Fest, Dec. 7
The town of Penngrove will host its second annual Winter Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7, in its small downtown area. The event will include photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Krampus, an outdoor market at Hello Penngrove, cupcake decorating with new bakery Odd Cookie, 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 Penngrove business for a chance to win one of three gift baskets. The market is free to attend, and food and gifts will be available for purchase. Learn more and see other participating businesses at visitpenngrove.com.
Main Street, Penngrove, 707-888-5659, visitpenngrove.com
California Indian Museum, Dec. 7
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center in Santa Rosa will host it annual Native Artist Showcase from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 7. Along with shopping opportunities from Indigenous vendors, the event will include food, raffles and community activities.
5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-579-3004, cimcc.org
Art Escape, Dec. 8
Art Escape’s free Holiday Craft Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 8. The craft fair will include a local artisan market in addition to 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, Dec. 8
The Sebastopol art hub will host a Holiday Art & Makers Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 8. The market and craft fair will include live music, food vendors, unique gifts from over 30 local artisans and a performance by the Sebastopol Community Harmonia choir.
Barn 5400, Dec. 14
Local artisan collective Barn 5400 will host its Merry Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 14, at the barn. The family and dog-friendly pop-up market will include locally crafted holiday gifts and wintertime goodies. Admission is free.
5400 Old Redwood Highway, Petaluma, barn5400.com
The SoCo Market, Dec. 21
SoCo Market’s third annual So Ho Ho Holiday Market will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 21, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The market includes over 150 local food and wares vendors, live performances covering top Christmas hits and a special appearance from Santa Claus. Admission is free; parking at the Fairgrounds is $10.
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, thesocomarket.com