Summer is the perfect excuse for eating ice cream, drinking slushies, and not giving a hoot about the calories because you’ll certainly sweat them off, right? And while there are more than a dozen usual suspects when it comes to favorite summer sweets, this list goes a little deeper, featuring new and unexpected spots to quench your cravings.

Best Boozy

Cooperage Brewing

On a hot day, nothing beats a cold beer — unless it’s a hard seltzer slushy. This Santa Rosa brewery’s seasonal Sparklepants seltzer releases are spun into icy, dangerously delicious drinks that beat the summer heat with a sneaky kick. A tropical moment on sweltering days. 981 Airway Court and 575 Ross St., Santa Rosa. 707-293-9787, cooperagebrewing.com

Best Seasonal Selection

Darling Ice Cream Shop

The always-changing flavors at this charming Sonoma ice cream shop mean you’ll have plenty of reasons to return. A sister shop to Sweet Scoops on the Sonoma Plaza, this neighborhood fave is known for its Watmaugh strawberry, salted caramel and, if you want to go the soft-serve route, a sunny Pineapple Dole Whip. 201 W. Napa St., Suite 6, Sonoma. 707-343-1482, darlingsonoma.com

Best Pickle Slush

Once Upon a Slush

More like Italian ice than a Slurpee, these Boston-style slushes need a spoon — at least to start. And yes, they have a pickle slush that tastes precisely like a pickle. Not feeling that adventurous? Go for fruit flavors like cherry or orange creamsicle and add sprinkles, drizzles and layers of soft-serve ice cream for the full experience. 122 B American Alley, Petaluma. 707-763-9253, onceuponaslush.com

Best Halo-Halo

Tambayan Filipino Eatery

The name of this traditional Filipino dessert means “mix-mix” in Tagalog, and what a mix it is. This colorful combination of crushed ice, evaporated milk, coconut strips, sweet beans, fruit jellies and a scoop of purple yam ice cream is — trust me on this — the most surprisingly delicious dessert you’ve probably never had before. 600 Larkfield Center, Larkfield-Wikiup. 707-843-3824, tambayaneatery.com

Best Rolled

Pink Sugar Creamery

Ice cream is a treat in any form — it just seems more delicious in scroll-like rolls. At the former Yogurt Farms, wall-to-wall pink decor (including swings with fuzzy pink seats) sets the stage for rolled ice cream, a street-food treat from Thailand. Here’s how it works: A cream mixture is poured onto chilled steel plates that almost instantly freezes it. Dual spatulas then chop, pulverize and blend in candy, cookies, fruit or cake before the mixture is spread into a thin layer and finally scraped into tight, frozen curls. Fun for the whole family. 1224 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-368-3200, Instagram.com/pinksugarcreamery

Best Ice Cream Sando

Sebastopol Cookie Company

It’s all about the cookies at this hole-in-the-wall bakery. Fresh chocolate chip cookies are outstanding on their own, but in the summer, they add an ice cream middle. Just like milk and cookies, but better. 168 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-824-4040, sebastopolcookiecompany.com

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Whether the weather’s hot, cold or somewhere in between, there’s never a bad time for ice cream. From swirls of soft serve and sorbet to traditional scoops and creamy custard, everyone’s got a favorite flavor.

Are you a strawberry waffle cone, lemon sorbet in a cup or chocolate and vanilla swirl in a cone? But the real question is, would you dare to eat pickle sorbet?

Whatever your choice, Sonoma County ice cream shops have you covered.

Newcomers

Salt & Straw, Santa Rosa

The Portland, Oregon-based ice cream company is known for its fearless flavor combinations — think pear and blue cheese; Arbequina olive oil; strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper; or goat cheese with marionberries and habanero. Many lean more toward what you might expect on a restaurant menu than at a typical ice cream shop. Even their most popular flavors have twists, like the vegan coconut mint chip; sea salt with caramel ribbons; or fudgy brownie batter chocolate ice cream. If you’re an absolute purist, go for the double fold vanilla with gobs of vanilla bean. Gluten-free and dairy-free options abound.

The Monthly Menu Series are a food writer’s dream — weird, wonderful and divisive. At the start of each month, five time-limited, themed flavors drop. August’s Farmer’s Market series includes chocolate chip zucchini bread; tomato gelato with olive brittle; melon and prosciutto; peach jam miso brownies; and pickled cucumber sorbet. Oh, to be a taster in their test kitchen. 700 Village Court at Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa, 707-360-6349, saltandstraw.com

Pink Sugar, Santa Rosa

Furry pink swings, a wall of shimmering pink mermaid scales, retro-style pink pay phones and pink velvet barstools make for an oh-so-Instagrammable moment at Pink Sugar, Santa Rosa’s first Thai rolled ice cream shop.

Here’s how it works: Straus organic ice cream mix is poured onto chilled steel plates that almost instantly freeze it. Dual spatulas then chop, pulverize and blend in candy, cookies, fruit or cake before the mixture is spread into a thin layer and scraped into tight, frozen curls.

Favorite options include the Brookie, made with the standard vanilla base, fudge brownies, cookie dough and hot fudge; Cinnamon Toast Crunch with cinnamon toast cereal and caramel; and Banana Pudding with fresh bananas, caramel sauce and Nilla Wafers. 1224 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707-368-3200, Instagram.com/pinksugarcreamery

Longtime favorites

Darling Ice Cream Shop, Sonoma

The ever-changing flavors at this charming Sonoma ice cream shop mean you’ll have plenty of reasons to return. A sister location to Sweet Scoops on the Sonoma Plaza, this neighborhood fave is known for its Watmaugh strawberry, salted caramel and, if you want to go the soft-serve route, a sunny Pineapple Dole Whip. 201 W. Napa St., Suite 6, Sonoma. 707-343-1482, darlingsonoma.com

Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg

This ice cream shop is worth a special trip. Unique flavors include passion fruit, Thai tea, salted caramel and Dutch cookie, each inspired by local produce and the seasons. The menu changes frequently. 539 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3392; 116 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4426, thenoblefolk.com

Nimble and Finn’s, Santa Rosa and Guerneville

Cheeky by-the-scoop flavors include Front Porch Mint Chip (the mint is from one of the owner’s front porch), Meyer Lemon, Lavender Honeycomb and Whiskey Butterscotch. Add booze and you’ve got a sassy little float. We love the Permanent Holiday with creamy Meyer lemon ice cream, Lo Fi sweet vermouth and Goat Rock rosé cider, or the summery Strawberry Letter with strawberry sorbet, vermouth, elderflower and Champagne. 16290 Main St., Guerneville, 707-666-9411; 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-666-9590, nimbleandfinns.com

Sweet Scoops, Sonoma

Sonomans go wild for this housemade ice cream spot on the square, which always has 22 flavors, from simple vanilla to lemon custard and Mexican chocolate. Ice cream flavors rotate regularly; check the website for current flavors. 408 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-721-1187, sweetscoopsicecream.com

Fosters Freeze, Santa Rosa

This old school burger and ice cream spot is all about the memories. Maybe because you’ve walked there, or your mom and dad took you in the family wagon, or it’s just Tuesday. 1400 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-576-7028; 855 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-542-3212, fostersfreeze.com

Handline, Sebastopol

This restaurant in Sebastopol was built on the site of an old Foster’s Freeze and the swirled chocolate and vanilla soft serve is still a favorite. Don’t miss the affogato, made with eye-opening cold brew and soft serve. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Santa Rosa

The ultimate kid spot with half a dozen flavors like crème brûlée, mudslide pie, white chocolate raspberry and Dole Whip pineapple sorbet. 2188 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-545-9866, menchies.com

Dave’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Santa Rosa

This local artisan producer uses premium organic milk, organic cream and liquid nitrogen to make their ice cream. At a cool 321 degrees below zero, the liquid nitrogen keeps fat and water molecules small, making for a creamier ice cream. 320 W. Third St. Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2635, dgicecream.com

Goguette Bread, Santa Rosa

While known for their mélange of breads and pastries, Goguette also churns out delightful, French-style ice cream, or glacée. Using locally sourced or imported (from France and Italy) ingredients, find flavors like pear, lemon, chocolate orange, Madagascar vanilla and more. The bakery now also sells ice cream cakes, with such flavors as vanilla, strawberry, pistachio and matcha. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, goguettebread.com

Screamin’ Mimi’s, Sebastopol

It’s no surprise that Food & Wine magazine has named this Sebastopol ice cream spot one of the best in America. There’s always a line, there are always kids with messy chocolate grins, and there’s always a new flavor to try. When it comes to rich dark chocolate, there’s always Mimi’s Mud or Deep Dark Secret. 6902 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-823-5902, screaminmimisicecream.com

Two Dog Night Creamery, Sebastopol

Another instant-ice cream spot that uses organic local ingredients and natural flavors zapped with liquid nitrogen for soft, gelato-style ice cream. Seasonal flavors like Pineapple Whip and Lavender are a treat, while classic scoops, including Belgian Chocolate, Bananas Foster Crunch and Cotton Candy Fizz, always satisfy. Don’t miss the ice cream tacos! 6760 McKinley St., Suite 110, Sebastopol, 707-823-9376, twodognightcreamery.com

Angela’s Ice Cream, Petaluma, Forestville and Healdsburg

Formerly known as Lala’s Creamery, this spot looks like the soda fountains of old, with a marble-topped bar and brick walls, but in addition to the traditional confections and banana splits, it serves up unique flavors. If you want to pair burgers with your ice cream, head on over to the Healdsburg location, home to Iggy’s Organic Burgers. 134 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-774-6567; 1390 N. McDowell Blvd. East, Petaluma, 707-981-6910; 6671 Front St., Forestville, 707-820-1559; 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8636. angelasicecream.com

Petaluma Creamery, Petaluma

This historic creamery still makes house-made ice cream along with Spring Hill cheese. Most popular is the lavender ice cream, but Meyer lemon is also a contender. 711 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-9038, springhillcheese.com

Once Upon A Slush, Petaluma

Taking over the former Amy’s Wicked Slush location in Petaluma’s American Alley in 2022, Once Upon A Slush has won over slush fans with its assortment of shakes, slushies, floats and soft serve. There are childhood favorite flavors such as the blue raspberry slush and chocolate vanilla swirl soft serve, as well as seasonal summer flavors like black cherry, sour watermelon and cotton candy. Try the pickle slushie if you dare. 122b American Alley, Petaluma, 707-763-9253, onceuponaslush.com

Cielito Coffee and Ice Cream, Sonoma

This coffee and ice cream shop in the Vailetti Plaza shopping center on Highway 12 serves a wide variety of coffee beverages, milkshakes and ice cream. 205 Nino Marco Square, Sonoma, 707-343-7330, instagram.com/cielito_coffee_and_icecream

La Michoacana, Sonoma

You can’t miss this ice cream spot’s bright pink and orange exterior. It’s best known for fruit paletas, or frozen ice pops. Try their Mangonada: blended fresh mango with ice, swirled chamoy sauce, topped with mango chunks and tamarind candy, and a tamarind stick. 18495 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-938-1773, michoacana.com

Fru-Ta, Santa Rosa and Petaluma

All natural flavors, both traditional and unconventional. Among the more unique are rose petal, guava, cheese, membrillo, chongo zamorano and mamey. Four locations in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, frutaicecream.com

Frozen Art, Santa Rosa

The Alcazars have been making Michoacana-style ice creams since 2011, originally as La Real Michoacana, and they continue to expand their lineup of 40-plus flavors. It now includes Merlot chocolate chip, Kahlua, Mexican caramel, hibiscus flower, rum raisin and strawberry butter. The family comes from Tocumbo, Mexico’s ice cream-making capital. 500 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-331-2899, frozenarticecream.com

Squatch’s Ice Cream and Coffee, Rohnert Park

This nonprofit ice cream and coffee shop near Sonoma State funds a nearby student center and serves up Petaluma’s-own Mariposa ice cream. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 707-992-0841, squatchscoffee.com

Swirl Time Frozen Yogurt Bar, Rohnert Park

Another locally owned Sonoma State fave serving up great fro-yo with a smile. 1718 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-795-7900, swirltime.com

Honeymoon Frozen Yogurt, Sebastopol

This local yogurt shop is a favorite because of its organic ingredients and commitment to local farms. Plus, it’s open seven days a week. 7108 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-9866, honeymoonfrozenyogurt.com

Baskin Robbins, Various Locations

You can’t say 31 flavors without thinking of this classic ice cream spot. Daiquiri ice is among our favorite flavors. Locations in Petaluma, Windsor, Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. baskinrobbins.com

Cold Stone Creamery, Various Locations

A longtime chain favorite featuring simple base flavors from vanilla and chocolate to cake batter with dozens of mix-ins to make a truly unique scoop. Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma locations. coldstonecreamery.com

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Summer is (officially) here and that can only mean one thing for wine lovers: it’s time to pop a bottle of rosé. 

The hottest thing around when it comes to summer sippers, rosé sales rose 53 percent in 2017 – outpacing all other table wine sales. This year, sales are anticipated to be even higher. No doubt, many of us are now getting ready to rosé all day and make our contribution to the continued increase in pink drink sales. But with so many rosé choices, and so little time, where does one begin?

Don’t fret dear reader, we’ve got you covered. We tasted over 65 rosés and picked out the most delicious wines for poolside, riverside, oceanside, patio-side, picnic-side sipping. In short, a rosé for every occasion. 

RIVERSIDE ROSÉ

Taft Street 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Unscrew the cap, pour into your stemless plastic wine glass, and toast to summer as you float down the Russian River with a bottle of Taft Street’s rosé made with pinot noir grapes grown just a few miles from the iconic Sonoma County river. With its high acid and low sugar, it’s a dry wine with bright notes of raspberry, watermelon and strawberry. It’s a destined crowdpleaser.

Sidebar 2017 Rosé Russian River Valley
A side project of acclaimed winemaker David Ramey, Sidebar offers easy to drink wines that are meant to be enjoyed now (unlike Ramey’s coveted, cellar-worthy pinot noir under his Ramey Wine Cellars label). The first rosé we tried this year, it’s made from old vine syrah. It has a beautiful color that draws the eyes in and a taste of strawberry and cream that is lush and satisfying on the palate. A great reward after a long day of kayaking on the Russian River.

PINOT PLEASERS

Corner 103 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Unlock summer with this screw cap rosé that was crafted with pinot noir grapes specifically grown just for the purpose of making rosé. A salmon pink, it has a cherry and berry notes, with touches of herbs on the nose, and lush notes of melon and strawberry on the tongue. It’s Corner 103’s first foray into still rosé and was well worth the wait – pick up a bottle (or two) now, as only 56 cases were produced.

Balverne 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Reserve, Russian River Valley
Newer wine lovers might not recognize Balverne, but back in the 1980’s Balverne was poured at the White House to much acclaim. Today, at their estate property, located a mere mile or two from downtown Windsor, Balverne produces some of the best kept secrets in wine country. Their rosé is a real stunner, with lush floral notes, strawberry and watermelon, and a bright pink color that is the result of 20 hours of skin contact before fermentation.

Kenwood Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir 2017 
Kenwood’s rosé returns to the list as one of our favorites this year, after an impressive debut last year with its inaugural vintage. A beautiful bottle, pretty pink grapefruit shade, and lush, berry flavors paired with floral hints on the nose and tip of the tongue combine to create a package deal. On the label, an Indian Paintbrush flower, which is prominent along the Sonoma Coast during the summer, makes this a perfect oceanside wine.

RHÔNE ROSÉS

Quivira 2017 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé
Quivira has been producing organic wines for many years at their Healdsburg estate. Behind the label featuring Quivira’s wild boar mascot and under the screwcap lies a blend comprising three Rhône varietals intentionally grown just for this rosé: grenache, mouvèdre and syrah. Stonefruit rules here – if you love apricot, peach and nectarines you’ll love this like a hummingbird loves nectar.

Preston Farm & Winery 2017 Vin Gris
Per Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet “…that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and sweet is not this rosé. Winemaker/owner Lou Preston references Shakespeare when talking about his latest pink release, a blend of cinsault and mouvedre which are picked just for the purpose of crafting a rustic, nice, savory wine that is chock full of strawberry, orange cream and just plain goodness. Bonus points: it’s organic!

Three Sticks 2017 Casteñada Sonoma Coast Rosé
Anyone who has tasted prior vintages of this rosé will not be surprised that the current vintage has made the cut. This wine is all about fashion and function. The cute, stubby bottle shouts “old world” while the watermelon colored liquid goodness inside screams “rosé all day.” A Rhône blend, you’ll be struck with strawberry, grapefruit and a touch of tartness that will perk you up. A “see and be seen” rosé that is Instagram worthy.

RUSTIC CHIC ROSÉ

Reeve Wines 2017 Vecino Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir
Accessible wines are a speciality of Reeve Wines, which crafts pinot noir, sangiovese and riesling from eco-friendly vineyards, which they serve up at their rustic-come-hip Dry Creek Valley tasting space. This biodynamic rosé is a gem of a pink, and probably too good – it’s strawberry and sweet tangerine notes make it easy to drink and perfect for poolside lounging…you’ll be done with the bottle before you know it!

Belden Barns 2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
“Wish big” is the motto at Belden Barns, where Nate & Lauren Belden pour their small lot, handcrafted estate wines in a rustic, century-old cow barn atop Sonoma Mountain. Their salmon colored rosé will have you wishing for more. Lauren describes it as a drink worthy wine for “all occasions in life.” We concur, as this charming wine has a lovely, tart raspberry touch to it that makes it unique amongst its counterparts and worthy for sipping anytime, anyplace.

FUN & FUNKY FLAVORS 

Auteur 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Auteur remains one of the best kept secrets in wine country. Proprietors Kenneth and Laura Juhasz are obsessed with all components of the craft – from the soil to the final sip. That doesn’t just go for their chardonnay and pinot, but also their new rosé, with a nose that tickles the senses with mint, lemon and raspberry, and a taste of watermelon and stone fruit. The acid is just right, making it perfect to pair with a savory goat cheese, a baguette, and your best friend.

Anaba Wines 2017 Rosé of Grenache, Sonoma Valley
Made with grenache grown about a mile away from the quaint town of Sonoma, this wine is Anaba’s first foray into our best of rosé list. Leaning toward the trend of acid freak friendly wines, it’s an unusual wine with bold floral notes on the nose (rose petal, lavender), and fruit funky flavors in the mouth (lychee, kiwi, alpine strawberry). Pair worthy with paella or rustic pâtés.

A TASTE OF ITALY IN SONOMA

Alexander Valley Vineyards 2017 Dry Rosé of Sangiovese
Unscrew summer with Alexander Valley Vineyards’ rosé. A bright and lush wine, its nose is filled with lush strawberry, raspberry and honeysuckle with tiny touches of bubblegum and sweet berry in the mouth. It will please the palate of both dry rosé and sweet rosé lovers, with its nice balance. At $16, it’s pocket book friendly, too.

Passaggio Wines 2017 Tempranillo Rosé, Heringer Estate Vineyards, Clarksburg
This rosé is not for the newbie. A fruity, funky gem, it’s made from tempranillo – an Italian grape used to craft full-bodied red wines. Passaggio’s owner-winemaker Cynthia Cosco creates a unique rosé that will be the talk of the table when you pull it out of the fridge. It’s mouthwatering, with plentiful notes of cherry, lychee and a bit of currant. Wine nerds: get your hands on this before it’s gone.

OLD WORLD INSPIRED

La Pitchoune 2017 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
La Pitchoune has been gaining its footing as one of the most coveted producers in Sonoma County with their unapologetic wines that are reminiscent of the kind of farmhouse wines you’d find throughout Burgundy, France. Their rosé is a bright and bold sipper with an elegant floral nose and a plentiful mouthful of melon and blood orange. We couldn’t agree more with the winery’s suggested pairing with a game of bocce – just don’t forget a plate of oysters.

Claypool Cellars Pachyderm 2017 Sonoma Coast Rosé
A labor of love by acclaimed musician Les Claypool and his partner-in-crime, Chaney Smith Claypool, this rosé is a juicy, crisp wine inspired by the wines of Marsannay, a region in the Côte de Nuits area of Burgundy known for age-worthy pinks. Its notes of raspberry, peach and nectarine are lush upon taste, making it a wine able of standing up to buttery fish and lobster, or better yet, it is delicious on its own as you dance around the house to your favorite summertime record.

RUSSIAN RIVER ROSÉ

MacRostie 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé, Russian River Valley
MacRostie has been named one of the best tasting rooms to visit by Sonoma Magazine and it’s not just because of how cool their indoor-outdoor tasting room is – they also make some tasty vino, including their rosé. Rose petal and raspberry, watermelon and strawberry, all the classic notes that make rosé so yummy comprise this wine. Bonus points for the screw cap, which makes access easy when the mood strikes.

Dutton Goldfield 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Dutton Goldfield doesn’t mess around. This rosé uses grapes from two of the most coveted vineyards in Sonoma County, Dutton Ranch and Fox Den, where pinot thrives with hot days and cool nights. The tall, skinny bottle is chock full of bright berry, cherries and pomegranate with touches of apricot and strawberry. To put it simply: it’s a fruity, very tasty wine that will quench your thirst.

BOLD BLENDS

Acorn 2017 Alegría Vineyards Rosato
Zinfandel fanatics will recognize Alegría as one of the most coveted zin producing vineyards in the country. Acorn owns and operates the vineyard, where they share a selection of their bounty with a few lucky winemakers and keep the rest of their fruit for themselves, creating lush wines, like this rosé. A blend of zinfandel, cab franc, sanvgiovese, syrah, petite sirah and more, it’s chock full of lemon flower, cranberry, and dried cherry. It calls out for pairing with whatever you’ve got to grill.

Adobe Road Winery 2017 Rosé
A fun and funky blend of pinot noir, syrah, grenache, zinfandel and petite sirah, Adobe Road’s rosé features grapes grown in the newly designated Petaluma Gap AVA. The elegant bottle and deep pink color makes this wine a head turner, and what really matters (the wine inside) will please too. It’s acidic and easy to drink, with bold notes of cherry, strawberry and nectarine.

GET OUTTA TOWN

Educated Guess 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Napa Valley
One of the few Napa Valley rosés to make the cut, this wine by Educated Guess – best known for their pocketbook friendly cabernets – was a nice surprise on the palate. It’s a mellow, bone dry wine with delicate berry notes reminiscence of gulp-worthy Provençe-style rosés. Even better, it’s only 12 percent ABV and has a screw cap, meaning you’ll be filling the kiddie pool up with ice to sip the day away with this wine in no time.

Lazy Creek Vineyards 2017 Anderson Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
As if the name “Lazy Creek” didn’t call out for lazy summer days sipping rosé, right? Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley is known for killer pinot noir and this rosé makes good use of Lazy Creek’s sustainably farmed pinot. Notes of pink grapefruit, orange peel, and honeysuckle make it an elegant wine to pair with brunch-friendly foods (who needs mimosas when you have rosé?) and game meats.

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The longest day of the year is (almost) here: Summer solstice occurs when the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer which, this year, will happen at 3:07 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, June 21. Whether you prefer pagan-style parties or embracing the elements of nature through outdoor yoga, celebrate the arrival of the long, warm days of summer and the natural beauty of Northern California with these five summer solstice events in Sonoma and Napa counties. Click through the gallery above for all the details. 

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Fall may be around the corner on the calendar, but temperatures aren’t dropping in Wine Country anytime soon. Whether enjoying a barbecue during these warm weather nights or settling into a night of binge watching fall television releases, there is rarely an excuse not to open a delicious bottle of wine. Click through the gallery above to discover six wines to enjoy at the end of summer. 

Kenwood Vineyards 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($22)
Their first rosé since the 2008 vintage, Kenwood has created a tasty 100% pinot noir that has a rich personality making it a nice rosé to sip during the impending indian summer. It’s nose is filled with bing cherry and it tastes of plum and exotic spices, making it a great pairing with tajine or bacon wrapped dates. Also pairs well with day drinking.

Benevolent Neglect 2016 Riesling ($28)
The best riesling I’ve tasted this year, Benevolent Neglect has created an estate grown wine that represents Mendocino riesling to the t. It’s lush, floral, and chock full of apricot, candied meyer lemon and everything delicious about riesling. It’s not too sweet, either. The mouthfeel is elegant, silky and lingers. It’s a stand alone wine, but tastes great with spicy fish tacos or your favorite Indian takeout.

Belden Barns 2016 Estate Grüner Veltliner ($28)
When I heard Belden Barns was growing Grüner Veltliner (GV)  – the only growing in Sonoma County – I knew I had to get my hands on it. Commonly grown in Austria, Belden Barns’ estate GV is a bright, lemon curd heavy wine that has some of the best savory, acid on the market. It’s dry, has a light tingle of radish and flavors of honey and lemon in the mouth. Fans of sauvignon blanc and picpoul should grab this before it’s gone.

Landmark 2015 Overlook Chardonnay ($25)
It’s been 25 years since Landmark Vineyards released their first Overlook Chardonnay. The winery celebrates it with this anniversary vintage, which sticks to the tradition that has made this wine one of the most popular premium wines on the market. Aged in French oak for 10 months, 25% of which was new, this chard is balanced with classic notes of brioche, lemon curd and fresh baked sugar cookies. A great, go-to everyday chardonnay.

Donelan Family Winery Cuvée Christine Syrah ($48)
Syrah is the new pinot noir and Donelan presents a prime example of how wonderfully the Rhône varietal thrives in Sonoma County. It’s a bold wine, with lush flavors of dark cherry, dark chocolate, and raspberry. Even better? It’s a mere 14.2% ABV, making it great wine for a cool night by the fire pit or to share with friends at a hearty end of the summer barbecue. Buy one to drink now and one to age for five more years.

Jordan 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
Pop open a bottle of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and you’ll make friends you never knew you had. It’s a classic Sonoma County wine and ’13 vintage is no exception. The nose is filled with floral, elegant notes and black fruit. The flavor is juicy, velvety, and plummy with hints of currant and boysenberry. Nice acid and great tannins make this an age worthy wine. Decant for at least one hour upon opening.

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Canned and boxed wines are all the rage this summer. They’re portable – you can pop them in your backpack for a post hike, mountaintop toast or enjoy them at the park or poolside, where glass cups and bottles are not permitted. Even better? Most canned and boxed wines are under 14%, making them great session sippers for a long day in the sun. However, all these perks don’t mean a thing unless what’s inside tastes good. I tasted 15 boxed and canned wines produced in Sonoma, Napa & Mendocino counties – click through the gallery above for my five picks for the best to sip this summer. 

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No vacation dream is complete without scenes of lazy descents into cool turquoise waters. Half the pleasure of poolside living can be had out of water, sipping frosty refreshments on shaded terraces while enjoying the calming effects of the bright azure waters. Click through the gallery above for 16 wine country pools that will fuel your aquatic fantasies.

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Start shopping for that swimsuit because the pools at Coppola Winery opens Saturday, April 1, with reservations for pool passes and cabines starting March 9. 

When film director and winery proprietor Frances Ford Coppola opened Coppola Winery he wanted to create a “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life: food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.”

And he’s done just that. Coppola Winery was the first winery in Northern California to install a swimming pool and a bocce court. The 3,600 square-foot pool has 32 cabines, European-style changing rooms with all the necessary amenities.

Cabine reservations (starting at $135) include pool passes and lounge chairs for four guests. They have their own private showers, towels and playing cards. Cabines also have two Coppola signature perks: four bottles of Sofia Mini sparkling wines and a copy of the award-winning Zoetrope: All-Story magazine, published by Coppola himself.

Individual pool passes are also available (starting at $12 for children and $28 for adults) and include access to poolside service, two restaurants, four bocce courts, game tables featuring backgammon, card games and board games, and a children’s lending library. Individual passes are first come first serve, but reservations are available and highly encouraged.

Coppola Winery’s pool operates April 1-May 29 (Fri-Sun), May 30-October 1 (open daily) and October 6-28 (Fri-Sun). Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone at (707) 857-1471 or at francisfordcoppolawinery.com.

The post Pool Party Anyone? Coppola Winery’s Pool Opens April 1 appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

To celebrate the beauty of Sonoma County, we have picked 40 of our favorite local photos by staff photographers. Enjoy!

Tolay Lake Regional Park, located between the Petaluma River and the Sonoma Valley, is host to the Tolay Fall Festival. (Photo by Robbi Pengelly)

Lille Smallcomb, 5. and her mother Jennie of Santa Rosa in a mustard field near Kenwood. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Friends enjoy a hike on the bluffs above Goat Rock beach in Jenner. (Photo by John Burgess)

Front Porch Farm owner Mimi Buckley feeds a baby goat. The goats are used as the “mowers” on the farm. (Photo by John Burgess)

View over Bodega Head. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Members of the group Ballet Folklorico Jazmin perform during the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

Wise Acre Farm Great Pyrenees Buddy, watches over the flock off Arata Lane in Windsor. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Wright’s Beach Campground on the Sonoma Coast. (Photo by John Burgess)

Tamara Batista, 3, laughs as she floats in the water at Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

Warnecke Ranch near Windsor. (Photo by Chris Hardy)

Dressed as firecrackers, Malia Hughes, 5, left, and her twin sister, Brooke, take part in the 4th of July Kids Parade at the Healdsburg Plaza. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

Islands in the Sky, the Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park, foreground and the mouth of the Russian River, background. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Sonoma County Pride festivities in Guerneville (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

Above Bennett Valley, a vineyard basks in late fall light. In the background, Mt. St. Helena touches the sky. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Eric Austensen tries to catch one last wave before the sun sets along Goat Rock State Beach. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Safari West’s annual Wild Jungle Love tour focuses on the courtship rituals of some of the over 700 animals on the 400 acre wildlife preserve. (Photo by John Burgess)

A bench provides rest for hikers and spectacular views of Sonoma from an overlook along the Bartholomew Memorial Park loop. (Photo by Conner Jay)

A late winter sunrise over a valley oak in Windsor. (Photo by Kent Porter)

From left, Adele 3, Casey, Thomas, 1, and Janine Coleman at the Rivertown Revival in Petaluma. (Photo by John Burgess)

Sonoma vines in fall. (Photo by John Burgess)

Tre’von Brown, 16, left, and Jess Herrera, 16, right, of the Santa Rosa HIgh School Latinos Unidos club show off their calaveras make-up during a Dia de los Muertos celebration at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve. (Photo by Kent Porter)

The Helm and Sons attractions at the Sonoma County Fair. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

Flowers at the Sunset gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma. (Photo by Joshua Dylan Mellars

Sonoma County apple orchards. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

Wildflowers at the Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Saint Helena view. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

Harvest Moon in Sonoma County. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Whale watching at Bodega Head. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

Joseph Wilson, 10, and his grandma Anne Bradley ride “The Sizzler” at the Sonoma County Fair. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

People ride the “Wave Swinger,” at the Sonoma County Fair. (Photo by Crista Jeremiason)

People float down the Russian River by various methods of transportation toward Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)

Siblings, Carter Gardea, 9, Sophia, 7, and Camille, 12, jump into the pool at Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)

A Sonoma County bee. (Photo by Conner Jay)

Jack Gless plays with bubbles at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa. (Photo by Christopher Chung)

The J.C. Leissring Fine Arts gallery in Santa Rosa. (Photo by John Burgess)

Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. (Photo by Erik Castro)

Chad Harris, owner of Fremont Diner in Sonoma. Chad opened the diner for breakfast and lunch, so he could be home to pick up his kids from school. (Photo by John Burgess)

Flowers at the Sunset gardens at Cornerstone Sonoma. (Photo by Joshua Dylan Mellars)

The guest cottage at Landmark Vineyard in the Sonoma Valley. (Photo by John Burgess)

Jayson Collard, with his dog, Maliki, guides hunters into land above Lake Sonoma for hunting wild pigs. (Photo by John Burgess)

Sunset bike ride in Sonoma County. (Photo by Kent Porter)

Sunset over the Russian River Valley (Photo by Kent Porter)

Looking for things to do in Sonoma County? Click here. 

The post Sonoma County in 40 Photographs appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.