Editors: At the end of the release, there's information on how to access high-resolution photos.

SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Discover innovative new delights in Sonoma County in the fall and winter, at a time when many new restaurants and tasting rooms debut. Here's a quick list of what's new in Sonoma County.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 707-522-5800 or 800-576-6662. For a complete calendar of upcoming events, visit www.sonomacounty.com/sonoma-events.

FEATURED

Slow Food in Sonoma County awards Snail of Approval
Fans of delicious food who are also concerned about social and environmental responsibility now have help when selecting a place to dine in Sonoma County — the new Snail of Approval honors.

Seven Sonoma County restaurants earned the Snail of Approval by embracing the Slow Food principles of “Good, Clean, and Fair food, for everybody.” The Snail-approved restaurants include Backyard in Forestville, Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria in Geyserville, Estero Café in Valley Ford, Naked Pig in Santa Rosa, SHED in Healdsburg, zazu kitchen + farm in Sebastopol, and the Black Piglet food truck in Healdsburg.

The Snail of Approval sustainability program is collaboration between two Slow Food chapters, Slow Food Russian River and Slow Food Sonoma County North. Each restaurant went through an approval process that included a detailed questionnaire, followed by a rigorous interview and on-site review. Plans call for adding other restaurants, and expanding to include artisan producers and farms.

Slow Food is a global grassroots organization with more than 100,000 members in more than 160 countries; it stands for local foods, traditional gastronomy, and time-honored food production.

Snail of Approval
Slow Food in Sonoma County
P.O. Box 1494
Healdsburg, CA 95448
www.snailofapprovalsonomacounty.org/

Media Contact
Peg Champion
650-492-0342
peg@pegchampion.com

WINERIES

Ryme Cellars pouring in Forestville
Blending old-world sensibilities with California's terroir and sunny disposition, Ryme Cellars recently opened a by-appointment-only tasting room in Forestville, in the Russian River Valley in western Sonoma County.

A collaboration of husband-and-wife team Ryan and Megan Glaab since 2007, Ryme Cellars specializes in varietals that may be rare or unusual, but are not mere curiosities. Most of the wines are made from Italian varieties, because of the great diversity and unique character of the wines.

All grapes come from conscientiously farmed organic or sustainable vineyards. The wines are produced with simple methods, with no cultured yeast, no temperature control, and no enzymes or other adulterants. They do not fine or filter. Many of the reds are fermented on the stems, and many of the whites are fermented on the skins.

Ryme Cellars
By Appointment
Forestville, CA 95436
707-820-8121
rymecellars.com

Media Contact
Ryan and Megan Glaab
707-820-8121
info@rymecellars.com

RESTAURANTS & EATERIES

Litchfield's restaurant debuts at Sonoma Coast Villa
Savor a fine dining experience in a rustic and romantic setting at the new Litchfield's restaurant at the Sonoma Coast Villa, just outside the tiny town of Bodega, slightly inland from the Sonoma County coast.

Executive chef Michael Mullins emphasizes locally sourced and organic ingredients, including some grown in the Villa's own herb and vegetable garden. Delicious local wines are available to create a truly five-star dining experience.

The Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa sits on a 60-acre resort property in a quiet valley just inland from the Pacific Coast, giving the sense of a tranquil European villa warming in the California sunshine.

Litchfield's at Sonoma Coast Villa
16702 Shoreline Highway
Bodega, CA 94922
415-526-6321
www.scvilla.com/dining

Media Contact
Charlie Litchfield
415-526-6321
Charlie@scvilla.com

Taste the Umbria region of Italy in Glen Ellen
After several decades in San Francisco, presenting a menu specific to his hometown of Umbria, Italy, chef Giulio Tempesta transplanted his culinary vision to the Wine Country hamlet of Glen Ellen, in eastern Sonoma County, with the opening of Umbria Glen Ellen.

After 21 years, Tempesta closed his San Francisco location in summer 2017. He then turned his attention to Glen Ellen, and the task of recreating the food, the décor, and the friendly service that made Ristorante Umbria in San Francisco so special.

Located at the Jack London Lodge, Umbria Glen Ellen presents both old favorites from the San Francisco menu and introduces innovative new ones. Tempesta uses delicious, fresh vegetables, and grows many of them in his own garden. The menu includes homemade oven-baked lasagna with tomato-meat sauce, homemade pappardelle pasta with oxtail ragu sauce, homemade ravioli filled with butternut squash, grilled fresh local seasonal fish, and more.

Umbria Glen Ellen
13740 Arnold Drive
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
707-996-4401
www.umbriaglenellen.com/ 13740 Arnold

Media Contact
Giulio Tempesta
707-996-4401
info@umbriaglenellen.com

Chicken Pharm serves up homegrown flavors, comfort
The focus in on chicken but you can also enjoy burgers and more in a hometown atmosphere at the new Chicken Pharm restaurant in Petaluma, in southern Sonoma County.

Located in the former Tuttle Drug Store (hence the “Pharm” in the the name), this family-friendly, neighborhood eatery features home-style cuisine elevated with local ingredients. Try mouthwatering dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, honey sriracha and buffalo wings, and a signature Kimchicken sandwich of fried or grilled bird with gojichang Korean pepper sauce and kimchee, served on a King's Hawaiian roll.

The bar features local beers and wines, as well as creative cocktails like the Must Be Your Mama's Car Bloody Mary garnished with a house-made biscuit (a nod to the classic American Graffiti scene filmed in Petaluma); the Ruffled Feathers with prosecco, jasmine bliss kombucha, and elderflower; and a Patio Mule with bourbon, pear, ginger, lime, and ginger beer.

Chicken Pharm
132 Keller St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-543-1278
chickenpharm.com

Media Contact
Chicken Pharm
707-543-1278
feed@chickenpharm.com

Simply Strudels offers sweet, savory delights
Bite into crisp, flakey layers of phyllo dough surrounding chef-inspired fillings at the new Simply Strudels eatery in Petaluma, in southern Sonoma County.

A European tradition, a strudel is any type of filling, rolled in dough and baked. They can be savory or sweet. After several years of selling its delights at local farmers markets and online, Simply Strudels has opened its doors in Petaluma.

Simple Strudels offers savory flavors like Bacon Potato Cheddar, Sweet Potato Pulled Pork, Mushroom Tarragon, and Garlic Spinach Potato. Sweet options include Vanilla Bean Cheese, Fresh Meyer Lemon Cheese, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheese, Double Chocolate Chip Port Cheese, Pumpkin, and Apple Cranberry. They also offer single-origin Fair Trade coffee by Ari LaRose, tea, and other delicious beverages.

Simply Strudels
600 Petaluma Blvd. S.
Petaluma, CA 94952
844-787-8335
www.facebook.com/thestrudelguy

Media Contact
Simply Strudels
844-787-8335
simplystrudels@gmail.com

The Barlow Welcomes Barrio: Fresca Cocina Mexicana
Experience contemporary Mexican-style street food with a gourmet twist at Barrio: Fresca Cocina Mexicana in Sebastopol, in western Sonoma County.

Located in The Barlow, a 12.5-acre culinary and arts business center, Barrio features satisfying, healthy, handcrafted dishes made with organic seasonal ingredients sourced from long-stand relationships with local farmers and ranchers.

Chef and owner Carlos Rosas has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 16 years, at Jardiniere, Kokkari, The Slanted Door, Lark Creek Inn, and Cavallo Point. For the last few years he has been creating new and healthy alternatives for Mexican food lovers and offering them at the Marin Farmers Market.

Now Rosas has opened the brick-and-mortar restaurant in The Barlow. Sample menu items include grits (polenta with scrambled eggs with arugula and salsa de chile seco) and choriloco (red corn tortilla with potatoes, handmade chorizo, scrambled eggs, pumpkin seeds, cheese curds, and salsa de chile morita with wild arugula for weekend brunch; chicken sliders and Torta El Chavo (torpedo bread with wild argula, chipotle aioli, pico de gallo, and pork belly) for lunch. Vegetarian dishes are available.

Barrio: Fresca Cocina Mexicana
6760 McKinley St. #120
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-329-6538
barlow.barriobayarea.com

Media Contact
Carlos Rosas
707-329-6538
contact@barlow.barriobayarea.com

The Farmhand dishes up gourmet deli delights
Enjoy gorgeous river views with delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, and take-home dinners at The Farmhand in Guerneville, in western Sonoma County.

Specializing in house-made food with quality ingredients, The Farmhand sources with all local products as often as possible. The place includes a gourmet deli, an espresso bar with fresh pastries, and a small market with locally made products and gifts, plus lovely views from the deck overlooking the river.

There's a variety of sandwiches and wraps available, including The Blast (bacon, lettuce, avocado, sprouts, tomato, and mayonnaise on wheat) and the apple and brie panini (with caramelized onions, Dijon mustard, and arugula on sourdough). Recent soup offerings included cauliflower and potato soup with roasted garlic and a sun-dried tomato tapenade. Salad options include fresh green bean salad with toasted garlic and chili flakes, and golden beet and goat cheese salad. The vegetarian lasagna and the beef stroganoff are popular take-out dinner choices.

The Farmhand
10530 River Road
Guerneville, CA 95446
707-604-7795
www.facebook.com/thefarmhandrussianriver

Media Contact:
Autumn Barber
707-583-6021
autumn@thefarmhandrussianriver.com

OTHER

180 Studios provides 15,000 square feet of makerspace
Creative folks will find professional equipment and workspace for metalworking, woodworking, fiber arts, robotics, and more at the newly opened 180 Studios in Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County.

Conveniently located just off Highway 101, the 15,000-square-foot facility includes workshop space, rental studios and storage space, classrooms, and meeting space. The studios include welding, fabrication (with 3D printers, laser engraver, and vinyl cutting), woodworking, electronics and robotics, and machining.

The goal is to meet the needs of both North Bay hobbyists and those wishing to sell the products they make. 180 Studios provides a dynamic environment to support teaching, learning, and practicing industrial arts, creative arts, engineering, and design.

180 Studios
150 Todd Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-843-4363
180studios.org

Media Contact
Nate Henry-Silva
707-843-4363
nate@180studios.org

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Find your passion in Sonoma County, located only 30 miles north of San Francisco and featuring more than 425 wineries, 100-plus organic farms, and 50 miles of stunning Pacific Ocean coastline.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 707-522-5800.

Birgitt Vaughan
Public Relations Manager
Sonoma County Tourism
400 Aviation Blvd., Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-522-5826
bvaughan@sonomacounty.com

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Find high-resolution photos of Sonoma County that have been taken since Oct. 10, 2017, and show Sonoma County is largely undamaged by the recent wildfires, visit

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