On the Map: Sonoma County Beers, Ciders, Spirits
There's more to imbibe in Sonoma County than just premium wines; and visitors can discover what that is by following the new Sonoma County Beer, Cider, and Spirits Map. The artisan beverage industry is booming in Sonoma County, and the map provides a perfect way to get first-hand experience of its many unique flavors and tastes.

Available in an interactive version online, or in paper form at Sonoma County visitor centers, lodgings, breweries, cider houses, distilleries, and other tourist gathering spots, the map provides details and directions to more than 40 producers of craft beer, ciders, and distilled spirits.

Whether on paper or online, the map serves as a guide for visitors to Sonoma County who want to create their own special craft beverage tour, or as a resource for locating and buying these unique products. The map was created by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, working with Sonoma County Tourism and Sonoma County GoLocal.

Sonoma County Beer, Cider, and Spirits Map
edb.sonoma-county.org/storymaps/beermap/index.html
Media Contact:
Francesca Schott, Project Coordinator
707-565 7222
Francesca.Schott@sonoma-county.org

FEATURED TOUR

Tour 'The Birds' Schoolhouse in Bodega
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds can walk inside the distinctive schoolhouse featured in that movie on two Sundays, on the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Schoolhouse owner and resident Mary Leah Taylor will host hour-long public tours at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. on May 24, and Sept. 6, 2015. The cost is $25, with all proceeds benefiting the Sebastopol Community Center.

Now a private home and a Sonoma County Historic Landmark, the Potter School was built in 1873 and held classes until fall 1961. In 1962, Hitchcock used the condemned school when filming his classic thriller. The Italianate structure sat vacant until 1966, when Taylor's parents purchased the building to use as a home and art gallery.

Tours will include the downstairs classroom used in the movie and the upstairs living room once used as a community hall. Taylor, who has lived in the old school off and on since 1970, will chronicle the history of the school, the filming of The Birds, and personal experiences of documented paranormal phenomena.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.seb.org or by phone at 707-823-1511.

Potter Schoolhouse Tour
Mary Leah Taylor
17110 Bodega Lane
Bodega
707-290-0417
www.seb.org/event/2454678-the-birds-potter-schoolhouse-tours
Media Contact:
Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
707-823-1511
sccc@seb.org

FEATURED WINE REGION

Fountaingrove Now 17th Wine Appellation in Sonoma County
With the naming of Fountaingrove as its newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), Sonoma County now has 17 official wine appellations, each with its own distinctive characteristics.

The Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau designates AVAs to allow vintners to clearly describe the origin of their wines, and to make it easier for consumers to identify the wines they buy.

The new Fountaingrove AVA covers approximately 38,000 acres in eastern Sonoma County, bordering Napa County, at elevations ranging from 400 to 2,000 feet and with a cooler climate than surrounding areas. The Russian River Valley AVA lies to the west of Fountaingrove; Sonoma Valley and Bennett Valley AVAs to the south; and Knights Valley and Chalk Hill to the north.

Fountaingrove currently contains five wineries and about 35 vineyards covering approximately 500 hillside acres. The new AVA is noted for its Bordeaux varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, as well as Zinfandel and Syrah.

Sonoma County Winegrowers
707-522-5865
Media Contact:
Sean Carroll, Marketing and Communications Manager
707-522-5865
sean@sonomawinegrape.org

 

WINERIES AND DISTILLERIES

Historic Wine Tool Museum Unveiled at Buena Vista Winery
An ultra-rare collection of historic French viticulture tools is showcased in the new Wine Tool Museum at Buena Vista Winery, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley.

A special permit from the French government was needed to bring the tools to America. From picks and plow blades to handcrafted barrel spigots, these items represent state-of-the art viticulture during the late 1800s, both in Europe and in California.

In the museum, the tools are theatrically displayed in artistic patterns against the ancient stone walls of the Buena Vista Champagne Cellars. And when the lights go out, visitors enjoy a 20-minute light, sound, and visual show, presenting the history of winemaking through its tools. The engaging program is narrated by Buena Vista's colorful founder Count Agoston Haraszthy, as personified by actor George Webber.

Tours of the museum are combined with tasting of exclusive current release Buena Vista wines and an exploration of the winery's recently renovated historic property and Champagne Cellars. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tours offers at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Reservations are required. The cost is $25 per person for the museum tour and tasting. Families are offered a museum-only experience for $10 per person; children are admitted free with a paying adult.

Buena Vista Wine Tool Museum
18000 Old Winery Road
Sonoma CA 95476
800-926-1266
http://www.buenavistawinery.com
Media Contact:
Buena Vista Winery
800-926-1266
tastingroom@buenavistawinery.com

 

Indulge in the Ultimate Russian River Wine Experience
Three wineries team up to offer the ultimate Pinot Noir tour and tasting experience in Sonoma County's lush Russian River Valley. Enjoy exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks at Benovia, Gary Farrell, and Dutton-Goldfield wineries. Learn about each one's winemaking styles while sampling some of the best the Russian River Valley has to offer.

The day begins with a tasting of handcrafted single-vineyard selections in a rustic ranch house in the Benovia estate vineyards. That's followed by a private tour, tasting, and catered lunch at Gary Farrell, a 30-year Russian River Valley pioneer perched high on a hillside with spectacular views. The day ends at Dutton-Goldfield, with a choice of two fabulous pairings by sommelier Nicole Kosta: a "Beast & Pinot" with artisan meat selections, or local artisan cheeses paired with several Dutton-Goldfield releases.

Contact any one of the three participating wineries to book the tour: Benovia Winery, 3333 Hatman Road, Santa Rosa, 707-526-4441, wineryvisits@benovia.com; Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-2909, concierge@garyfarrellwinery.com; and Dutton-Goldfield Winery, 3100 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-823-3887, info@duttongoldfield.com.

Ultimate Russian River Wine Experience
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
10701 Westside Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-473-2909
www.garyfarrellwinery.com/visit/russian-river-valley
Media Contact:
Nancy Bailey, General Manager, Gary Farrell
707-473-2909
nancy@garyfarrellwinery.com

 

La Rochelle Winery open in Kenwood
With remodeling of the former Kaz Winery property complete, La Rochelle Winery now welcomes visitors to its tasting room in Kenwood, at the northern end of the Sonoma Valley. Under veteran winemaker Tom Stutz specializes in small-lot, single-vineyard wines, mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but also some Pinot Meunier and sparkling wine.

The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and reservations are not required. However, for the full La Rochelle experience the winery does require reservations for its two more intimate, educational tastings.

The "Ultimate California Pinot Noir Experience" ($65) explores La Rochelle wines from vineyard practices to fermentation, barrel aging strategies, blending, and the benefits of bottle aging. Participants will taste an assortment of barrel samples and finished wines.

Or, join proprietor Chuck Easley for the intensive four- to five-hour "Become Your Own Personal Sommelier" experience (each participant purchases one case of La Rochelle wine). The morning session focuses on many different wine varieties, the basics of how wine is made, and understanding how personal tastes effect the wine experience. Lunch includes a discussion of the basics of food and wine pairing, and the afternoon includes "The Ultimate California Pinot Noir Experience."

La Rochelle Winery
233 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
707-302-8000
www.lrwine.com
Media Contact:
La Rochelle Winery
707-302-8000

 

Victor Hill Wines Opens Tasting Room on Sonoma Plaza
Sip the small-lot premium wines produced by Victor Hill Wines in its tasting room in a newly remodeled storefront on the southeast corner of the historic Sonoma Plaza. Victor Hill wines are made only with grapes grown in Sonoma County.

Winemaker and proprietor Vic McWilliams has more than 30 years experience making award-winning wines and managing vineyards in Sonoma. Co-proprietor Tom Hill grew up in Germany near the ancient wine-producing region of Franconia, and further developed his love of wine while living in France and Switzerland.

Victor Hill Wines
109 E. Napa St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-343-1595
www.victorhillwines.com
Media Contact:
Vic McWilliams
707-343-1595
info@victorhillwines.com

 

Sonoma County Distilling Company's Move to Rohnert Park Complete
Sonoma County Distilling Company now brews, ferments, distills, barrel ages, bottles, and offers tastes of its hand-crafted, small-batch whiskeys in one location in Rohnert Park, in central Sonoma County. The company is dedicated to operating locally and having every step from grain to glass be fully integrated into its business.

With all the moving boxes emptied and put away, one-hour tours ($20 per person) are available by advance reservation Thursday to Sunday. Tour participants walk through all aspects of the whiskey-making process — mashing and fermentation of grains, direct-fired alembic pot distillation, small barrel aging, and packaging. The tour also includes tasting three to five of the company's spirits.

Sonoma County Distilling Company
5225 State Farm Drive, Unit 18
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-583-7753
sonomacountydistilling.com/
Media Contact:
Sonoma County Distilling Company
707-583-7753

 

Sonoma County Wineries Fund Clean Water in Rural Kenya
Thanks to the sales of Sonoma County wines, Apondo Primary School in Kenya added a 465-foot borehole well, electric pumping system, two reserve water tanks, bathrooms, sinks, and a kiosk to make clean water accessible to households in the surrounding village. This February, Dominic Foppoli, co-owner of Christopher Creek Winery, and John Viszlay, owner of Viszlay Vineyards, visited the school to see these results of the first Vineyards to Villages (V2V) clean water project.

“Being able to meet the families and witness firsthand the impact that a project like this has on a region makes me and my family very happy to have played a small part in it,” said Viszlay.

Started by Dave Stare, founder of Dry Creek Vineyard, V2V raises money for water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects at very poor schools with little to no water infrastructure in the Kasipul Constituency of western Kenya. In addition to the physical improvements at Apondo Primary School, the school's 456 students will be taught the importance of hand washing before eating and after using the latrines.

In the Vineyards to Villages program, boutique family-owned wineries donate one-third to one-half of the sales price of designated V2V wines in their tasting rooms. Current participating wineries include: Christopher Creek Winery, Deux Amis Winery, Everett Ridge Winery, Fritz Underground Winery, Merriam Vineyards, Pedroncelli Winery, and Viszlay Vineyards.

Donations from the following wineries were used to fund the Apondo Primary School water project: Christopher Creek Winery, De La Montanya Winery, Deux Amis Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Fritz Underground Winery, Merriam Vineyards, Williamson Wines, Wilson Winery, and Viszlay Vineyards. V2V is managed by Global Partners for Development, a Rohnert Park-based organization that seeks to address community-level needs in the areas of health, water, and education in East Africa. For more information on Vineyards to Villages, contact Amy Holter at aholter@gpfd.org.

Vineyards to Villages
707-588-0550
www.gpfd.org/vineyards-to-villages
Media Contact Name: 
Amy Holter
252-717-3874
aholter@gpfd.org

 

Jordan Winery Makes Subtle Changes to Iconic Wine Labels
A new bottling line and a requirement to add "Sonoma County" to its labels prompted Jordan Vineyard & Winery to reevaluate every aspect of its wine labeling process, from design and printing to paper, ink, and labeling equipment. This resulted in a subtle new look debuting in April with the release of its 2011 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Jordan Chardonnay.

A review of past labels revealed an evolution of label sizes and colors. The new labels are a homage to the original designs for both wines, with longer labels both front and back. A photo gallery and description of the redesign process are online at blog.jordanwinery.com/2015/02/a-new-look-for-jordan-wines/.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery
1474 Alexander Valley Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-5250
www.jordanwinery.com
Media Contact: 
Lisa Mattson
707-431-5268
lmattson@jordanwinery.com

 

RESTAURANTS & BARS

Annie O's Music Hall Opens in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square
Live comedy and music will be featured at the new Annie O's Music Hall in Santa Rosa's historic Railroad Square. The club features a full bar plus local beers on tap, and a Culinary Institute of America chef is consulting on an "upscale bar menu."

Annie O's Music Hall is owned Sebastopol attorney, real estate broker, and general contractor Greg Clark and his wife, Liz. Clark named the club for his great-grandmother, Annie O'Connell, who owned the Resataur Hotel next to the train station in Watsonville, Calif., in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. Her hotel was also a venue for music and comedy.

Annie O's Music Hall
120 Fifth St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-542-1455
www.facebook.com/pages/Annie-Os-Music-Hall/416238265202572?fref=nf
Media Contact:
Greg Clark
707-542-1455
clarkco@msn.com

 

Enjoy Sustainable Fusion at Bistro 100 in Petaluma
The casual and bountiful nature of Sonoma County comes to the table at chef Garrett Adair's new Bistro 100, a fusion restaurant inspired by French cuisine and the Sonoma Wine Country. The all-day bistro menu features artisan cuisine, incorporating organic and sustainable foods from local farms and gourmet stores. All meat, dairy, fish, vegetables, beer, and wine come from within 100 miles of the restaurant's location in Theater Square in charming Petaluma.

Bistro 100 also offers lunch specials, happy hour, and an ever-changing and chef-inspired evening small plates menu. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, owner-chef Adair brings more than 20 years of experience to his new restaurant; since 2003 Adair has worked as a private chef for exclusive clients from New York to San Francisco and beyond.

Bistro 100
140 2nd St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-981-8228
www.bistro100petaluma.com
Media Contact Name:
Garrett Adair
707-891-8228
info@bistro100petaluma.com

 

Historic Stewart's Point Store Gets New Managers, Deli, Restaurant
A new deli menu and an upstairs restaurant space are signs of changes at the historic Stewart's Point Store. After 134 years of welcoming visitors to the Sonoma Coast, the Richardson family continues to own the store and deli, but have turned over daily operations to Coastal Hospitality Partners.

The wooden floors, the wooden refrigeration cases, and the antiques hanging from the ceiling and along the walls remain the same. New managers Terry and Lowell Johnson have introduced a new deli menu, with 15 new signature sandwiches, new baked goods, and more salads and to-go items. They've also reopened the historic dancehall above the store as the Roadside Deli & Bar.

An extension of the store's deli, the Roadside Deli & Bar is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, serving hot and cold sandwiches, side salads, homemade soup, plus a special homemade dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. The upstairs area also includes a full bar with three local beers on tap, and two big screen TVs. Future plans include a gift shop and visitors center in the lower level.

Stewart's Point Store
32000 Highway 1
Stewart's Point, CA 95480
707-785-2406
stewartspointstore.com
Media Contact:
Terry Johnson
415-328-3438
Terry@coastalhospitalitypartners.com

 

Char Burger Grill Opening in Santa Rosa
Mike Shatnawi, executive chef and owner of Sonoma County's Palms Grill restaurants, is debuting a new concept, the Char Burger Grill. The vision is to open multiple locations in Sonoma County in 2015 and 2016, starting with a flagship restaurant in late May in Montgomery Village Shopping Center in Santa Rosa.

Shatnawi brings his passion for using from-scratch recipes and fresh, seasonal, locally-grown produce to this new brand. All menu items are created to offer the best charbroiled flavor. The menu features charbroiled burgers and sandwiches, fresh salads, and soups. Side dishes will include onion rings, French fries, zucchini fries, sweet potato fries, and fried green beans. Char Burger Grill will also feature soft serve ice cream.

Char Burger Grill
722 Village Court
Montgomery Village Shopping Center
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-696-7379
www.facebook.com/charburgergrill
Media Contact: 
Lisa Shatnawi CMO
707-696-7379
lisa@palmsgrill.com

 

Hotspot: Gourmet Comfort in Cotati
Whether it's a late-night nosh (they're open until 2 a.m. on Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday or Saturday nights) or just a yen for a dinnertime blue cheese, barbecue, and bacon burger, the Hotspot dishes up gourmet comfort food in downtown Cotati, in central Sonoma County.

With a straightforward menu, casual atmosphere, beer on tap or in the bottle, and wine by the bottle, the Hotpot is a great place for a family meal or a quick bite and brew. Wine and spirits are also available.

In addition to a variety of burgers, the Hotpot offers "comfort cups" of mac-n-cheese, bratwurst and mashed potatoes, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, or spaghetti and meatballs. Other menu items include salads, sandwiches, chili, and a variety of fries, including shoe string and sweet potato. For dessert, there's chocolate mousse.

Hotspot
8246 Old Redwood Highway
Cotati, CA
707-242-6656
www.facebook.com/pages/Hotspot/685986628179358
Media Contact:
Hotspot
707-242-6656

 

Brew Coffee & Tea Brings 'Neighborhood Hangout' to New Heights in Santa Rosa
Located just north of the hustle and bustle of downtown Santa Rosa, the new Brew Coffee & Tea is dedicated to being a true neighborhood café, with the finest and freshest ingredients available in bountiful Sonoma County. With more than 20 years combined experience in the coffee industry, owners Alisse Cottle and Jessica Borrayo are on a mission to bring great coffee, beer, and food to their community.

Brew offers a menu of traditionally brewed coffee and espresso; a pastry case filled with the fershest offerings from Criminal Bakery and Noshery, Village Bakery, and Grateful Bagel; and a variety of lunch and late-afternoon offerings handmade in the café, from grilled cheese to quesadillas. Drinks include 10 rotating taps of locally crafted beer, bottled beers, and wines by the glass.

Brew Coffee & Tea
555 Healdsburg Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-303-7372
www.brewcoffeeandbeer.com
Media Contact:
Alisse Cottle and Jessica Borrayo
707-303-7372

 

BurtoNZ Bakery Features New Zealand-style Delights
Enjoy slow-cooked steak and cheese pie, sausage rolls, and other traditional New Zealand baked goods at the new BurtoNZ Bakery in Windsor. Owners Warren and Bobbi Burton advertise it as Windsor's first and only New Zealand-style artisanal bakery.

The menu includes savory items, like steak pie topped with mashed potatoes or a breakfast pie stuffed with bacon and eggs, to sweets such as pastry-encased custard squares topped with icing, cream-stuffed baked donuts, or lamingtons – little sponge cakes coated in chocolate, then dipped in coconut.

A native of New Zealand, Warren Burton met his wife Bobbi in Sonoma County. They married in New Zealand, and ran a bakery there before moving back to California in 2001. In the summer of 2013 Warren quit his job in the wine industry and enrolled in the San Francisco Baking Institute. The couple opened BurtoNZ Bakery in December 2014.

BurtoNZ Bakery
9076 Brooks Road S.
Windsor, CA 95492
707-687-5455
Media Contact:
Warren and Bobbi Burton
707-687-5455
info@ burtonzbakery.com

 

East Wind Bakery Features Eastern, Western Treats
The new East Wind Bakery in Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, focuses on wholesome, handcrafted goodies. Whether it's traditional Western and Asian baked goods or new and innovative tastes that owners Doug Quick and Tony Tam have developed, the emphasis is on using quality ingredients to create tasty, satisfying delights.

Just a few of the choices include Japanese-style milk bread, the highly popular Chinese BBQ park Kim Chi croissants, garam masala-spiced sweet buns, or conventional western cupcakes. East Wind is open for breakfast and lunch; in addition to baked goods, they offer sandwiches served on their house made breads and croissants.

They serve a selection of coffees, tea and other beverages from around the world; their Sea Foam Coffee includes Asian spices and a sweet-salty whipped cream. They also sell pet treats made with the same quality ingredients used in all of their products.

East Wind Bakery
3851Sebastopol Road #109
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-709-6098
eastwindbakery.com
Media Contact:
Doug Quick and Tony Tam
707-568-6081
info@eastwindbakery.com

 

Time for Tea at Muir's in Sebastopol
Take a calming step back in time with a traditional Scottish/English tea service at Muir's Tea Room & Coffee Shop in Sebastopol in western Sonoma County.

Inspired by the great conservationist (and Scottish native) John Muir, this tearoom offers coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, and a nature-themed gift shop in an historic Victorian home. Served on tiered racks, High Tea service features finger sandwiches, petit fours, scones, fairy cakes, a variety of pastries, and a pot of tea. Muir's also serves standard lunch items, such as sandwiches and salads.

Muir's Tea Room & Coffee Shop
330 S. Main St.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-634-6143
muirstearoom.com
Media Contact:
Muir's Tea Room
707-634-6143

 

Eight Cuisine hosts Wine Down Wednesdays
Get through the weekly hump day with Sonoma County wines, live music, and a special pairing of the Asian fusion menu at Eight Cuisine and Wine in Sebastopol. With a new sommelier now on staff, each week Eight Cuisine will partner with local wineries to present a new wine flight at Wine Down Wednesdays, along with wine discounts and a relaxing atmosphere.

Throughout Asia the number eight represents good fortune and prosperity. At Eight Cuisine, chef Steven Zhao prepares San Francisco-style Asian Fusion cuisine using fresh, local ingredients, and inspired by the eight culinary regions of China as well as the flavors of Japan, Thailand, India, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Eight Cuisine & Wine
7501 Healdsburg Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.eightcuisineandwine.com
707-823-8189
Media Contact: 
Kaitlyn Pintor
707-836-3306
kaitlyn@swzhaoinc.com

 

Papa's Pizza Moving Within Cloverdale
After 27 years at the same location on East First Street in Cloverdale, Papa's Pizza Café is moving just steps away. Papa's Pizza owners Mike and Denaire Nixon have bought the building at 105 N. Cloverdale Blvd. The new location is currently a tasting room and will be going through a major transformation to become Papa's Pizza. The projected opening of the new location is June 2015.

Papa's Pizza Café
117 East First Street
Cloverdale, CA 95425
707-894-4453
http://papaspizzacafe.com
Media Contact Name: 
Anae Balistreri
707-894-9882

 

LODGING

Bodega Bay's Bay Hill Mansion B&B Now Available for Group Rentals
Whether it's a reunion, a getaway with friends, or another milestone event, groups can now rent the entire private, luxurious, and romantic Queen Anne Victorian estate that makes up the Bay Hill Mansion bed and breakfast in Bodega Bay along the Sonoma County coast.

Previously the mansion's five luxurious bedrooms were only available individually, but now up to 11 people can enjoy the convenience of staying together in this 1.3-acre gated estate.

Enjoy the decks and seating in the various gardens. Relax in the spacious, tastefully-appointed living room, dining room, and den, where the 50-inch television can remain hidden in the cabinet until just before game time.

As in most well designed homes, the mansion's kitchen is a natural gathering place as meals are prepared. Guests can choose to make their own food, or arrange to have the staff take care of the grocery shopping, meals, housekeeping, and the group's activities schedule.

3919 Bay Hill Road
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
877-468-1588
www.BayHillMansion.com
Media Contact: 
Gina White
877-468-1588
Innkeeper@BayHillMansion.com

 

Home Away From Home at Casa Bella Inn in Kenwood
Enjoy a full gourmet breakfast using locally-grown produce and a selection of chef-baked pastries at the Casa Bella Inn in Kenwood, at the north end of the Sonoma Valley. As the inn's owner since April 2014, innkeeper Marga Frieberg works to transform this historic property with a modern vision that reflects the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Established in 1913 as the Monroe Ranch and previously known as the Birmingham Bed & Breakfast, the Casa Bella Inn features a combination of rooms, suites, and a separate cottage. It offers: spa services such as massage, a bocce ball court, a heart-shaped labyrinth, and a spacious sundeck with outdoor Jacuzzi and private guest cabanas.

Casa Bella Inn
8790 Highway 12
Kenwood, CA 95452
707-833-6996
www.casabellainnsonoma.com
Media Contact:
Casa Bella Inn
707-833-6996
info@casabellainnsonoma.com

 

TOURS

Walk, Nibble, and Sip with Sonoma Food Tours
Taste the town of Sonoma's best cuisine, wine, cheeses, olive oil, chocolates, and more, on a guided walk by the new Sonoma Food Tours. Experience "off-the-beaten-path" culinary experiences on this three-hour tour of six locally-owned and operated restaurants and boutique shops, all within walking distance of Sonoma's historic downtown plaza.

Explore Sonoma, learning about its history, architecture, and food. Tours for up to eight people at a time take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, rain or shine. The six tastings equal a luncheon meal. Adults of all fitness levels are welcome; participants must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol.

Known as the Head Foodie, Sonoma Food Tours founder Mia Steiger has lived in the town of Sonoma for nearly 20 years. She has watched it change from a small, quiet town to a top tourist and culinary destination. After participating in food tours on her travels, Steiger realized Sonoma makes the perfect food tour venue.

Sonoma Food Tours
617 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
866-736-6343
www.SonomaFoodTour.com
Media Contact: 
Mia Steiger
707-292-5658
mia@SonomaFoodTour.com

 

Enjoy Two-Wheeled Adventures with Sonoma Bike Guides
Experience the best cycling that Sonoma County has to offer with a guided bicycle adventure by Sonoma Bike Guides. Enjoy the crisp, clean smells of the redwoods while traveling down some of the best single tracks in the world, gaze out over miles and miles of vineyards, or soak in breathtaking coastal views.

Founded by Phil Fifer, a bike shop owner and professional bike mechanic in Sonoma County for more than eight years, Sonoma Bike Guides offers both mountain biking and road rides on luxurious, full-accommodation trips that are designed to let guests get the most out of their cycling experience without having to worry about any of the details. Sonoma Bike Guides also offers skills clinics for both mountain and road riding for small groups or individuals.

Sonoma Bike Guides
111 5th St., Suite B
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-583-1818
sonomabikeguides.com
Media Contact:
Phil Fifer
707-583-1818
sonomabikeguides@gmail.com

 

Dirt Gypsy Adventures Adds Craft Beer Tours in Sonoma County
Active travelers who enjoy a cold brew as much as a long day of mountain biking will love Dirt Gypsy Adventures' new CraftTour series, with multi-day treks combining the best mountain biking and the best microbreweries in Sonoma County and surrounding areas. As the birthplace of both mountain biking and the modern craft beer movement, this is the perfect place to enjoy both pursuits.

With four- and six-day itineraries that include meals and lodging, these professionally guided tours are heavy on both trails and ales. Experience some of the best riding in the region, followed by in-depth experiences at premier breweries. Dedicated to putting together itineraries that encompass the best of California riding, culture, and lifestyle, Dirt Gypsy Adventures provides comprehensive trips with all the details accounted for – meals, lodging, routes, transport, and entertainment.

Dirt Gypsy Adventures
844-464-9779
www.dirtgypsyadventures.com
Media Contact: 
Ryan Fowler
510-410-1140
ryan@dirtgypsyadventures.com

 

Wine Country Walking Tours Expands its Offerings
Wine Country Walking Tours, the original Healdsburg fine wine and foodie walking tour, offers something new for the gourmand, the bride-to-be and larger tour groups.

The popular "New Flavors of Healdsburg Tour" returns as "New Flavors of Healdsburg 2.0," with even more creative wine and food pairings. Imagine Mexican queso fresco morsels (roasted fresh Mexican cheese and cucumber) and pork Baracoa (slow cooked pork, chile haujillo, garlic and onions) with French-style wines from Sanglier Cellars.

In addition to Sanglier Cellars, guests on this four-hour tour will sample Stark Wines, Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Gustafson Winery, the Wurst Restaurant, Russian River Tea Company, Blackbird Café, and Shed.

The “Bridal Wine Cellar Collection Tour” provides a modern-day bridal shower for the bride-to-be who wants help creating a wine collection that she and her husband can share with friends and family over the years. Each bottle can be personally signed either by the winemaker or a member of the party, creating a memorable message.

At the end of the tour, the bride-to-be receives a lovely gift-wrapped basket filled with wines and other novelty items to begin the start of her own wine cellar. Private luncheon or dinner arrangements can be made, and can include a cake. Other packages include spa treatments.

And for larger groups, Wine Country Walking Tours accommodates up to 40 guests by arranging four tours with 10 guests each. All guests begin the day together to enjoy a tasting, gather into smaller groups, and then join together for one final tasting at the end of the day.

Wine Country Walking Tours
1083 Vine St. Suite 182
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-758-4725
www.winecountrywalkingtours.com
Media Contact: 
Kirsten Jones
707-758-4725
kirsten@winecountrywalkingtours.com

 

ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, ATTRACTIONS, AND MORE

Sonoma Stompers Ready for 2015 Professional Baseball Season
With new ownership and a new fan store, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club is ready to start the 2015 season. Sonoma attorney Eric Gullotta and his wife, Lani, bought the team in January, and the new fan store (234 W. Napa St., Sonoma) opened in February. The store carries Stompers merchandise as well as memorabilia from the team's inaugural season in 2014.

For the 2015 season, the Stompers will play 78 games between June 1 and Aug. 30, and will host 39 home games in the town of Sonoma, in Arnold Park, just north of the historic Sonoma Plaza.
Games begin at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 5:05 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 1:05 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets start at $4, and the ballpark offers affordable concessions, premium beer, and wine, plus free parking. Visit www.StompersBaseball.com, for information on tickets, promotions, kids camps, and the latest Stompers Baseball news.

Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club
234 West Napa Street
180 1st St. W.
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-938-7277
www.StompersBaseball.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YVeBUdNQD4
Media Contact: 
Theo Fightmaster
707-938-7277
theo@stompersbaseball.com

 

Annual Cohn Music Festival Expands, Moves to Downtown Sonoma
After years of hosting a successful annual fund-raising music festival at his B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, music promoter Bruce Cohn is renaming the event and moving it to a larger venue in the town of Sonoma.

Previously called the B.R. Cohn Fall Music Festival, the newly christened Sonoma Music Festival is slated for Oct. 2 to 4, 2015 in the Field of Dreams, just north of the historic Sonoma Plaza.

The three-day lineup of classic rock includes America opening for Chicago on Oct. 2; Pablo Cruise opening for Ringo Starr and his all-Starr Band on Oct. 4; and on Oct. 5, the Edgar Winters Band, Tommy Castro Band, and the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald and Gregg Allman.

Tickets prices are $89 to $119 general admission per day; $219 for front row seats; $350 for VIP seats with food and wine; and $500 to $1,000 for an on-stage experience.

Sonoma Music Festival
Sonoma, CA
1-888-810-2063 (info only)
www.sonomamusicfestival.com
Media Contact:
Michael Coats/Coats Public Relations
707-935-6203
michael@coatspr.com

 

Windsor's Independent Film Fest Debuts in May
The Sonoma Wine Country town of Windsor hosts its inaugural independent film festival on Friday and Saturday, May 30, 2015. Selected films will be shown at the Raven Theater Windsor.

As a grassroots, nonprofit event created by Windsor residents, the Windsor Independent Film Festival aims to feature the films of local filmmakers, encourage young Sonoma County residents to get involved in filmmaking, and present films – both local and international – in a range of styles and themes.

Although the emphasis will be on locally made films, the festival will showcase and promote independent filmmakers worldwide. The inaugural event will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015, and wrap up at 11 p.m. on Saturday, May, 30, 2015.

Windsor Independent Film Festival
195 Windsor River Road
Windsor, CA 95492
707-358-6972
Media Contact: 
Bethany Browning
707-235-9773
bethany@windsorfest.com

 

New Chamber Music Festival Debuts In Sonoma
With three weekends of concerts slated for July and August, the Valley of the Moon Music Festival will be the first in the nation devoted to classical and romantic chamber music on period instruments.

From July 18 to Aug. 2, an intimate house concert in a private home will be followed by six public concerts of classical and romantic works from composers such as C.P.E. Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms in the new 300-seat concert hall at Hanna's Boys Center in the Sonoma Valley.

After years of performing and recording this type of chamber music on period instruments, festival founders Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivian are convinced that these well-known pieces can be experienced in a new way, not only through the unique qualities of the period instruments, but also through a full understanding of period style. 

The festival will bring together renowned musicians from around the world who specialize in performing on period instruments, and give advanced students a rare opportunity to study in depth on period instruments by playing alongside and under the direction of these experts. 

Valley of the Moon Music Festival
P.O. Box 538
Sonoma, CA 95476
valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org
Media Contact:
Emily Polsby
510-912-3386
info@valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org

 

The Spa Gourmet delivers Luxurious Relaxation, Cuisine
A husband-and-wife team have combined their skills to create The Spa Gourmet, allowing visitors to Sonoma County to indulge in the ultimate feast for the senses with spa services and gourmet cuisine in the privacy of their vacation lodgings.

The Spa Gourmet delivers massage and spa services by Cindy Scott-Fuchs combined with Southern-inspired Creole cooking by Trip Fuchs, in the comfort and convenience of your vacation home.

A massage therapist for more than 20 years, Scott-Fuchs offers pampering rejuvenation from head to toe, creating a unique healing blend of therapeutic massage, spa treatments, and balancing energy work to relax your mind, body, and spirit.

During your massage, chef Fuchs will be preparing a gourmet meal customized to your personal tastes, using Sonoma County's highest-quality, locally-sourced food. Menus can vary from a light lunch to a five-course dinner, complete with after-massage hors d'oeuvres, wine pairings, and a decadent dessert.

The Spa Gourmet
520 Petaluma Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-494-7374
www.thespagourmet.com
Media Contact:
Trip & Cindy Fuchs
707-494-7374
cindy@mellowmommy.com

 

Pure Luxury Transportation Launches BlinkCar
BlinkCar offers fast, professional, on-demand car service in an increasing number of areas of Sonoma County, including Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma Valley.

Created by Pure Luxury Transportation, BlinkCar promises that all of its drivers are local, legally licensed, properly insurance, and professionally trained. The free BlinkCar app can be downloaded from google play (for android phones) or from the iTunes app store.

Founded in 1991 and based in Petaluma, Pure Luxury Transportation maintains a fleet of more than 130 vehicles, serving the greater Bay Area.

BlinkCar
4246 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma CA 94952
707-775-2920
blinkcar.com
Media Contact:
Jennifer Buffo
707-775-2920
jbuffo@pureluxury.com

 

OUTDOORS

New Trail Unveiled at Jack London State Historic Park
After two decades of planning and a year of trail construction, the new East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail opened March 14, 2015. Jack London State Historic Park serves as the “gateway” to the new 1.2-mile trail, which completes the existing Bay Ridge trail and allows access to a part of Sonoma Mountain never before available to the public.

This natural surface, multi-use trail, located approximately seven miles northwest of the city of Sonoma, crosses two private properties and a Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District-owned property, meandering along the ridge through oak woodland and open grassland habitats, and providing stunning views.

The new trail extends the Bay Area Ridge Trail, an evolving and growing network of contiguous trail for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians along the ridgelines overlooking San Francisco Bay.
The East Slope Ridge Trail will also add to the 20-plus miles of trails currently accessible within the Jack London Park's 1,400 scenic acres.

Jack London State Historic Park
2400 London Ranch Road
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
www.jacklondonpark.com/
707-938-5216
Media Contact: 
Anne Abrams
415-596-0902
goanne@comcast.net

 

New Sonoma County Regional Park Offers Trails, Views
The new 820-acre North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve offers outdoor enthusiasts the first public access on the mountain's north slope, with miles of trails and sweeping views.

Located about three miles up Sonoma Mountain Road from Bennett Valley Road, the new park lies next to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, giving open access to trails across both properties.

The North Sonoma Mountain park opened in February 2015, the result of 12 years of property acquisition and planning by Sonoma County Open Agricultural Preserve and Open Space District and its nonprofit partners.

The district paid about $20 million for five of the six sites that are now North Sonoma Mountain Park, starting with buying the 169-acre Jacobs Ranch in 2003. The ranch is now the park's entrance.

The North Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail (3.8 miles one way) begins in the ferns and redwoods on the south fork of Matanzas Creek. It climbs to about 2,000 feet elevation, and connects to the western boundary of Jack London Park.

The new park also includes a wheelchair-accessible vista point above the park entrance, and the Umbrella Tree Trail, a .75-mile trail to a lone bay tree and a picnic spot with views. (Note: the park does not yet have a drinking fountain, so bring water.)

North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
5297 Sonoma Mountain Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707-789-9644
parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Media Contact:
Sonoma County Regional Parks Department
707-565-2014
parks@sonoma-county.org

 

Luther Burbank Experiment Farm Becomes a Botanical Garden
Visitors to the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm in Sebastopol in western Sonoma County can more easily identify its various plants, thanks to new engraved signs that list the common and scientific names for each. This brings the farm into the same category as the University of California Berkeley and San Francisco botanical gardens.

Although Burbank made his home in Santa Rosa, he developed and grew thousands of new hybrids, cross breeds, and selections on his 15-acre Gold Ridge Farm in Sebastopol from 1885 until 1926.

Restored by the efforts of volunteers, the city of Sebastopol, and the Western Sonoma County Historical Society, three acres of the original farm are now the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm, dedicated to preserving, studying, and promoting Burbank's work.

Burbank introduced more than 800 new varieties of fruit and nut trees, flowers, vegetables, ornamental shrubs, and grains, including the Shasta daisy and the common baking potato.

Previously, plants on the restored farm were marked with aluminum numbers on wooden posts, and visitors looked in a brochure to find the name. Squirrels chewed the signs to sharpen their teeth, and the wooden posts rotted.

The new engraved signs were installed by volunteers, thanks to a grant from The Rotary Club of Sebastopol and with consultation by professor Richard Whitkus of the biology department at Sonoma State University.

Luther Burbank Experiment Farm
7777 Bodega Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-829-671
www.wschsgrf.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQYPLQR1bmg
Media Contact: 
Erin Sheffield
707-481-3488
erinsheff@gmail.com

 

Casini Ranch Family Campground Adds Cabins, Vintage RV, Sluice Box
Casini Ranch Family Campground in Duncan Mills, just four miles inland from the Sonoma County Coast, is ready for the camping season with several new facilities, including a sluice box to search for "treasure" and an accessible cabin to make camping available to all.

The wooden sluice box will let campers experience the hunt for watery treasure. Buy a bag of authentic mining rough in the campground's general store, and use the sluice box to discover all the treasure hidden inside – gems, minerals, arrowheads, fossils, shark's teeth, and more.

The new ADA camping cabin sleeps four with a queen bed and bunk beds. The cabin has electricity and access to an ADA restroom next door.

Also new this year, Casini Ranch now offers the "Honeymoon Trailer," a vintage RV available for rent. The renters choose the campsite, and the trailer will be set up and ready when they arrive.

Or, the campground has also added Riverfront Cabin 7, a rustic camping cabin that sleeps four comfortably and overlooks the river.

Casini Ranch Family Campground
22855 Moscow Road
P.O. Box 22
Duncans Mills, CA 95430-0022
707-865-5503
www.casiniranch.com
Media Contact: 
Sharon Kennedy
707-865-5200
admin1@casiniranch.com

 

ART

Art Museum of Sonoma County Debuts in Santa Rosa
The Sonoma County Museum has new two new names and identities — the Art Museum of Sonoma County, housed in a renovated warehouse space at 505 B. St. in downtown Santa Rosa, and the History Museum of Sonoma County, which continues to occupy the former post office building.

The "new" art museum features 4,600 square feet of gallery space, with soaring 20-foot ceilings and skylights, plus museum-quality temperature and humidity controls, with museum-quality security. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Friday. Admission is $7 adults, $5. An outdoor sculpture gardens lies to the west. The art museum officially opens April 11, 2015.

Art Museum of Sonoma County
505 B. St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-579-1500 x11
www.museumsc.org
Media Contact:
Diane Evans, executive director
707-579-1500

 

222 Paul Mahder Gallery Creates Museum-like Setting for Art
There's plenty of space to contemplate the art at Healdsburg's new 222 Paul Mahder Gallery, the largest single-floor gallery in California.

Located in a unique 1940s-era double Quonset hut just a half block from Healdsburg's historic central plaza, the gallery features dark ceilings arching more than 30 feet overhead, polished black concrete floors underfoot, white stucco walls 10 to 12 feet high — and world-class contemporary art.

Owner Paul Mahder also owns a gallery in San Francisco, and represents artists from Northern California, throughout the United States, and worldwide, including artists from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Russia, and Bulgaria. Rather than specializing in a particular style or media, Mahder says what he looks for is an "authentic voice."

The museum-like setting in the spacious new Healdsburg gallery allows Mahder to display works of all sizes, and prices range from $350 to $280,000. The gallery also hosts concerts and other community events, and is available for rent.

222 Paul Mahder Gallery
222 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-473-9150
paulmahdergallery.com
Media Contact:
Paul Mahder
415-515-1210
paul@paulmahdergallery.com

 

Rocking Art: New Santa Rosa Gallery Opens with Work by Janis Joplin, Grace Slick
Distinctive high-energy artwork graces the walls of the newest gallery in Santa Rosa's historic railroad square. Area Arts features artwork by rockers Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. It also displays work by Tom Everhart, who worked with cartoonist Charles Schulz and is authorized to use the "Peanuts" images in his fine arts paintings.

Area Arts
105 Fourth St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
707-541-6521
www.areaarts.com
Media Contact:
Area Arts
707-541-6521
info@areaarts.com

 

Kitty Hawk Gallery Open in Sebastopol
Contemporary fine art and handmade goods from around the world have a new home in the Kitty Hawk Gallery and Boutique in downtown Sebastopol, in western Sonoma County. The gallery will host monthly opening reception parties for new art exhibitions featuring work by local and bay area emerging artists.

Items available in the boutique include handmade scents and candles from Brooklyn; hand-loomed and ethically sourced clothing from Peru; one-of-a-kind artist goods; and a variety of clothing, toys, books, antiques, cards, and pillows. Kitty Hawk is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Kitty Hawk Gallery and Boutique
7203 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-861-3904
kittyhawkhome.blogspot.com
www.kittyhawkgallery.com
Media Contact: 
Grace Levine
707-695-8501
kittyhawkhome@gmail.com

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Sonoma County, located 30 miles north of San Francisco, provides a genuine, independent, and adventurous wine country experience, featuring more than 400 wineries, 100-plus organic farms, and 55 miles of stunning Pacific coast.

For a free visitors guide or information on hotels, wineries, events, spas, attractions, and dining in Sonoma County, visit www.sonomacounty.com or call 800-576-6662.

Birgitt Vaughan
Sonoma County Tourism
707-522-5826
bvaughan@sonomacounty.com