Wine Country has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Drawn to the glamour of Napa Valley, or the laid-back, rural vibe of Sonoma County, celebrities are coming here to enjoy the good life — some of them are even making their own wine.

From rock stars to movie makers, race car drivers to football players, check out the VIPs who are making wine in Sonoma and Napa. Find more celebrity hot spots in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country here.

Meghan Markle — As Ever rosé

Actor and Los Angeles-born Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle recently released a Napa Valley rosé as part of her “As Ever” lifestyle and kitchen products brand. The wine, released July 1 on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s birthday, is a Provençal-style rosé bottled at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood. Markle’s 2023 Napa Valley rosé — As Ever’s first wine — is already sold-out online, but a Napa Valley sparkling wine and additional varietals will follow, according to the PR team.

Jessica Biel — Prophet & Poet

Earlier this year, actor Jessica Biel unveiled her locally made wine brand at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Her Healdsburg-based label, Prophet & Poet, currently offers a Cabernet Sauvignon, two Chardonnays and two blended reds. Biel’s wine label originated in 2019 when Jesse Katz, winemaker of Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars, created a red wine blend as a wedding present for Biel’s younger brother, Justin Biel. Katz later suggested to the Biel siblings that they turn that wine into a label, and they were immediately on board. Katz tapped Christopher and Ariel Jackson, of Jackson Family Wines, to collaborate on the label’s inaugural release. Both Jessica Biel and Katz poured the label’s wine at this year’s BottleRock during a VIP Platinum Lounge event.

Max Thieriot — Senses Wines

Max Thieriot, the brainchild and star of the drama TV series Fire Country, co-founded Senses Wines with childhood friends Christopher Strieter and Myles Lawrence-Briggs in 2011. The Occidental winery sources grapes from the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, producing an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ayesha Curry — Domaine Curry wines

Restaurateur, cookbook author and food television personality Ayesha Curry teamed up with her sister-in-law Sydel Curry (Steph Curry’s younger sister) and Napa’s Coup de Foudre Winery to launch wine label Domaine Curry in 2015. The sisters-in-law share a love of wine and have been spotted sipping wine at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Their wines include the Domaine Curry Cabernet and the Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc.

Salma Hayek — Eisele Vineyard

Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault own Eisele Vineyard east of Calistoga. In October 2020, Hayek made a public announcement on Instragram, in which she thanked the firefighters who saved the Calistoga vineyard from the Glass Fire. “I can’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude for all the first responders that came to the rescue of so many people, animals and properties,” she wrote.

Brie and Nikki Bella — Bonita Bonita

The former professional wrestling tag team known as the Bella Twins announced in October 2020 that they were moving with their families to Napa Valley, according to People magazine. The identical twins had started producing their own wine in 2017 in partnership with Napa’s Hill Family Estate, its proprietor Ryan Hill and award-winning winemaker Alison Doran. Their first wine was a Cabernet Sauvignon named “Belle Radici,” which means “beautiful roots” in Italian, and the bottle was adorned with a sleek label depicting the twins. From there, the twins launched their own winery in Napa, Bonita Bonita.

Tori Spelling — The Tori Collection at HALL Wines

Actor Tori Spelling brought 90210 to Napa Valley when she announced on Instagram in November 2020 that she had partnered with HALL Wines to put together The Tori Collection of wines. “Getting the chance to meet and work with HALL and wine legend and my spirit animal Kathryn Hall was really exciting,” she wrote. Spelling handpicked 11 wines to include in her collection — ranging from a rich Cabernet Sauvignon to light and fruity rosé to canned wine, according to People magazine.

John Legend — LVE Collection Wines

Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning musician John Legend launched his LVE Collection Wines in 2015. Working with famed vintner Jean-Charles Boisset, Legend’s wines include sparkling rosé, as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay produced with fruit from Raymond Vineyards in Napa. Distributed nationally, the wines can be tasted at Raymond Vineyards and on tour with Legend.

Candace Cameron Buce — Bure Family Wines

“Fuller House” star Candace Cameron Bure and her husband, hockey player Val Bure, own Bure Family Wines in St. Helena. The couple began making wine in 2006, according to Wine Spectator. The couple likes to spend time in Wine Country and Candace Cameron Bure has been spotted at luxury restaurant SingleThread in Healdsburg. She shared in an Instagram post that she “brought a treat to drink” — a bottle of Screaming Eagle wine — when she took a friend to dinner at the restaurant in 2017.

Tamera Mowry-Housley — Housley Napa Valley

Actor Tamera Mowry-Housley, who got her start on the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” co-owns Housley Napa Valley with her husband, journalist Adam Housley. The tasting room is located in downtown Napa. The winery produces rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah.

Guy Fieri — Hunt & Ryde

Guy Fieri bought a 5-acre vineyard of Pinot Noir grapes in the Russian River Valley appellation in 2013. In his first vintage, he sold his grapes to Jackson Family Wines for its La Crema brand and to Williams Selyem winery in Healdsburg. He then launched his own wine label, Hunt & Ryde, named for his sons Hunter and Ryder. Fieri collaborates with local vintner Guy Davis, of Davis Family Vineyards, to produce Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and a Cabernet “Trophy” blend.

Francis Ford Coppola — Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Legendary film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola has been involved in the wine industry since buying Napa’s Inglenook Estate in 1975. Coppola expanded his wine empire to Geyserville when he opened his namesake winery in 2006. The winery includes a museum of memorabilia from his iconic films, such as The Godfather, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Apocalypse Now. In 2015, Coppola bought a second winery, Virginia Dare. Both are open to the public.

John and Nancy Lasseter — Lasseter Family Winery

Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen was founded in the early 2000s by Nancy and John Lasseter, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. The winery produces rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and a variety of red blends.

Robert Mark Kamen — Kamen Estate Wines

When screenwriter and producer Robert Kamen (the Karate Kid series, Fifth Element, A Walk In The Clouds, Taken and Taken II) visited Sonoma County in 1980 to celebrate the sale of his first screenplay, he fell in love with the land. He purchased a 280-acre mountaintop property and eventually transformed it into a world-class vineyard producing estate wines. Pop into Kamen Estate Wines’ tasting room in downtown Sonoma or make an appointment to visit the mountaintop vineyards.

Les Claypool — Purple Pachyderm at Claypool Cellars

The bassist and lead vocalist of the rock band Primus, Les Claypool has been living in the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County since 1994. His Claypool Cellars produces sparkling wine, rosé and Pinot Noir under the Purple Pachyderm label. Wine club members receive bottles signed by Claypool in their shipments and get invitations to exclusive concerts where they can party like (and with) rock stars. Taste the wines at their appointment only “fancy booze caboose” in Sebastopol.

Dave Matthews — Dreaming Tree Wines

Singer-songwriter Dave Matthews entered the winemaking game in 2000, when he opened Blenheim Vineyards winery in Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to demand from his fans, Matthews partnered with former Clos du Bois winemaker Sean McKenzie to launch Dreaming Tree Wines. Distributed nationally, and reasonably priced, they produce a Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County and other wines made with grapes from throughout California.

Jonathan Cain — Finale Wines

Musician and songwriter Jonathan Cain is the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for Journey. (The keyboards on “Don’t Stop Believin’”? Yeah, that’s him!). When he isn’t touring the world, he’s enjoying his own wine journey with Sonoma County vintner Dennis De La Montanya. Proceeds from their Finale Wines, which include a rosé of Malbec and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, benefit charity.

Dwyane Wade — Wade Cellars

NBA star Dwyane Wade discovered his love of great Napa Valley wines while wining and dining with teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. The former professional basketball player partnered with his friend, Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, to launch his own wine label, Wade Cellars, in 2015. Wade Cellars wines include a rosé and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yao Ming — Yao Family Wines

Former NBA All-Star Yao Ming fell in love with wine while playing for the Houston Rockets. Today, he owns and operates Yao Family Wines in St. Helena, producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The ultra-modern tasting room features food and wine pairings and a touch of memorabilia from Yao’s career in sports. He’s not only selling wine in Napa Valley, but also to great success in China, including in his hometown of Shanghai.

Charles Woodson — Intercept Wines

Former NFL football player Charles Woodson fell in love with wine and decided to learn more about the winemaking process during spring training for the Oakland Raiders, which takes place in Napa Valley. After a successful career in sports, including winning the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, Woodson started his own label, Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines. Intercept Wines include a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend.

Carmen Policy — Casa Piena

He might not have played on the field, but Carmen Policy helped bring the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl championships and was named “Executive of the Year” by the NFL and one of the “Most Influential People in Professional Sports” by GQ. Now retired, Carmen and his wife, Gail, operate Casa Piena (“Full House” in Italian) in Napa Valley, where they produce Cabernet Sauvignons that score high with Robert Parker. Wines are available on an allotment-only basis, with tastings available by appointment.

Dick Vermeil — Vermeil Wines

As an NFL coach, Dick Vermeil led the St. Louis Rams to their only Super Bowl championship, and also coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Born in Calistoga, it is no surprise that Vermeil started his own winery upon retirement. Vermeil Wines has a tasting room in downtown Napa and produces varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Vermeil attends all wine member events, signing autographs and sipping the fruits of his labor.

Mario Andretti — Andretti Winery

Mario Andretti is considered one of the most successful race car drivers of all time. With that success comes not only a Ferrari (or two), but also a winery in Napa Valley that he co-founded in 1996. Wines run the gamut, from sweet Moscato and Riesling to beefy Cabernets and super Tuscans. Andretti Winery offers food and wine pairings in an Italian-inspired environment. Winery guests frequently brush elbows with Andretti and other race car drivers, especially when races take place at Sonoma Raceway.

Kevin Buckler — Adobe Road Winery

Race car driver and team owner Kevin Buckler has been producing wine in Sonoma County since 1995 at his Adobe Road Winery. Winner of Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans and numerous championships, Buckler and his wife, Debra, produce a wide array of wines from well-known vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer. Taste the wines at Adobe Road’s downtown Petaluma tasting room, complete with racing memorabilia.

Randy Lewis — Lewis Cellars

Most race car drivers will never race in the famous Indy 500, but Randy Lewis has done it — five times. Lewis started Lewis Cellars in 1992 with his wife, Debbie, a longtime wine industry professional. Eventually the couple were joined by their son, Dennis. Their appointment-only Napa Valley tasting room features wines from throughout the region, which include Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon-based Cuvée.

Gavin Newsom — PlumpJack, CADE and Odette wineries

Gov. Gavin Newsom co-founded PlumpJack Winery in Oakville, CADE Winery in Angwin and Odette Estate in Napa.

No longer available / Not open to the public

Vince Neil — Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil launched his own “Vince” wine label in the early 2000s. Vince wines were produced by Adler Fels Winery in Santa Rosa, according to Wine Spectator.

Joe Montana — Iconic 49ers quarterback Joe Montana teamed up with winemaker Ed Sbragia to create Montagia, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Decanter. The wine was released in 1999, when Sbragia was the winemaker at Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena. In 2019, Montana listed his Napa estate for $28.9 million. It was later re-listed for $20 million less. The 503-acre ranch was originally priced at $49 million in 2009.

Dan Marino — Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino put his name behind the Sonoma County-based Marino Estates Vintage “13” California Cabernet, which benefited the Dan Marino Foundation, according to Wine Spectator.

Nancy Pelosi — Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul, own a private vineyard on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena.

Tommy Smothers — Late comedian Tommy Smothers — best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick — owned Remick Ridge Vineyards in Kenwood.

Janet Balicki, Elissa Chudwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Stierch contributed to this article. 

The post The Celebrities Who Are Making Wine in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

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

The post Where to Get the Best Ice Cream in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sonoma, with its rich history, scenic landscapes, and renowned food and wine culture, offers a wealth of experiences for all types of visitors. Whether you’re drawn to its picturesque plaza, surrounding vineyards or delightful dining scene, there’s no shortage of things to see, do and taste. To make the most of your time in this charming town, we’ve rounded up a few of the must-visit spots that will make for a perfect, laid-back day in Sonoma.

Sonoma Plaza makes everyone feel as if it’s their place. Designed by General Mariano Vallejo in 1835, it’s home to City Hall, a duck pond, rose garden and plenty of benches for prime people-watching. Start the day with espresso, waffles and mimosas at Sunflower Caffè (421 First St. W.), a sunny gathering spot right on the park that understands breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After, wander past the plaza’s Sebastiani Theatre (476 First St. E.) to check out what’s playing — the venue hosts both independent movies and occasional live shows.

A short drive away, raise a glass to Wine Country history at Buena Vista Winery (18000 Old Winery Road), in a tasting room that dates to 1857. The theatrical light-and-sound show at the winery’s Wine Tool Museum details early local history and stories of Buena Vista’s eccentric founder, Agoston Haraszthy.

Haraszthy’s historical tales continue at nearby Bartholomew Estate Winery (1000 Vineyard Lane). This was originally part of the same estate as Buena Vista, and guests are encouraged to wander the property just as the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista” might have done. At Bartholomew Estate, you can opt for a guided forest bathing experience or escape solo on more than three miles of trail before sitting down to taste wines and nibble on marinated olives, pickled veggies, baba ganoush and more from Sonoma’s Spread Kitchen.

Flavors of the season aren’t limited to wine. In their smart tasting room a short drive from downtown, Hanson of Sonoma (22985 Burndale Road) mixes warm boozy delights like hot chocolate made with organic espresso vodka. It’s hard not to love, especially on a chilly afternoon. For a decadent splurge, pair vodka martinis with Thomas Keller’s Regiis Ova caviar.

Back at the plaza, reserve ahead at Valley (487 First St. W.) for a locally inspired, farm-to-table dinner and thoughtful, low-intervention wines. The crispy rice with ginger and scallions, and a custardy boiled egg with spicy, umami-laden XO sauce are standouts among an ever-changing lineup. Interesting visiting chef collaborations and special events happen throughout the year.

With so much to see and do in the city of Sonoma, it’s no surprise national outlets often sing its praises. Sonoma has been ranked the No. 1 U.S. city for luxury on a budget, the top place to elope in the country and one of the most timeless towns in California.

The post How to Spend A Perfect Day in Sonoma appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Geography site WorldAtlas recently released a list of eight timeless towns in California — quiet locations off the beaten path, steeped in rich Golden State history. From Los Angeles county to the North Coast, two local destinations made the list for their long-lasting significance to the state: Sonoma and Healdsburg.

“These eight California towns provide a unique glimpse into a simpler, historic lifestyle, transcending the usual tourist trails with their rich legacies and picturesque charm,” WorldAtlas stated.

Beyond the tourist hotspots and heavily publicized establishments, here’s where to go in Sonoma and Healdsburg to experience the towns’ timelessness.

Sonoma

As the birthplace of the state’s Bear Flag, Sonoma honors its place in California history with a monument on the town plaza commemorating the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt that took place in the heart of the county.

Other vestiges of times past can also be found in the town, like the old Sonoma Barracks, the Mission San Francisco Solano and Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s abode. Tourists and residents alike can learn more local history via a free Sonoma Plaza History Tour in and around Sonoma State Historic Park. The park comprises several historical sites within walking distance of the plaza.

For a taste of modern culture, WorldAtlas noted the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (551 Broadway), where you’ll find rotating exhibits featuring acclaimed Bay Area artists. The Sebastiani Theatre, opened in 1934, provides an eclectic mix of comedy acts, indie movies, local concert performances and more.

Stay near the plaza to find some of the best places to eat. For brunch, try a farm-fresh egg sandwich or avocado toast with mimosas while dining on the garden patio of Sunflower Caffe. The Girl & The Fig offers innovative French fare like wild flounder meunière and steak au poivre. If you want to extend your local history tour, head over to the Swiss Hotel — which has been around since the late 1800s — for wood-fired pizza, chicken parmesan and housemade butternut squash ravioli.

Finish your Sonoma day trip with a pint of Guinness and live music at Murphy’s Irish Pub. Or try a glass of local natural wine in Sonoma’s new communal wine tasting space, Dos’ Bar.

Healdsburg

The town of Healdsburg is anchored by its historic Plaza, established in 1857. WorldAtlas noted Healdsburg’s prominence as an early winegrowing region, with early settlers “shaping a robust viticultural tradition.”

People can learn more about the town’s history at the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society, which features rotating exhibits and houses collections of historic tools, furnishings, paintings and Indigenous artifacts. For a more modern speed, check out the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, where various local artists exhibit their work.

It’s no secret that Healdsburg has an impressive dining scene. Among the eateries WorldAtlas recommended are Costeaux French Bakery, Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar and Michelin-awarded SingleThread. After dinner, enjoy a natural wine tasting at Williamson Wines or sip Champagne at the Parisian-style Healdsburg Bubble Bar.

For more ideas of where to go, eat, sip and stay in Healdsburg, check here.

The post Sonoma and Healdsburg Are Among Most ‘Timeless’ Towns in California appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

If you’d like to take a break from drinking, but not from your social life, Sonoma County’s bar and restaurant scene has plenty of alcohol-free options. And we’re not just talking tonic water.

The growing popularity of zero proof spirits have been a game-changer for mixologists, giving mocktails all the flavor and complexity of their signature cocktails, minus the alcohol. The rise in sober and sober-curious drinkers has driven demand for creative, food-friendly sippers made with vinegar shrubs, herbs, fruit juices, bitters and syrups. 

We’ve lined up some favorite Sonoma County bars that serve up fabulous mocktails and nonalcoholic beverages for Dry January observers and anyone else eager for a break from booze.

Fern Bar, Sebastopol

At Fern Bar, “free spirited” beverages are given spotlight treatment on the cocktail list rather than being pushed down to the bottom of the menu. And there’s no shortage of creativity — the mocktails include top shelf spirit alternative with housemade shrubs and syrups made with seasonal fruits and spices.

Mocktail Faves: Try the ruby-toned Euphoria, made with nonalcoholic gin, hibiscus, jasmine, goji berry, schisandra berry and prickly pear or the Free Spirits Margarita with zero-alcohol tequila, lime, agave and a vitamin B boost. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com

Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa

Stark’s is the go-to place for classic cocktails and giant steak, and a happy-hour hot-spot, but your visit doesn’t have to be booze-infused.

Mocktail Faves: The Fig-It-Out features black mission fig and allspice simple syrup, while the Piña Coolada has caramelized pineapple, coconut, lime and orange. Want something more old-school? Ask the bartender for a nonalcoholic version of your favorite cocktail or go for a bitter and soda — the bar offers housemade bitters. Railroad Square, 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com

Perch + Plow, Santa Rosa

Perch + Plow is serves up “boozy magic” cocktails, but the restaurant’s cocktail program also includes several standard mocktails and nonalcoholic creations made on request.

Mocktail Faves: The Strawberry Mint Smash is a refreshing blend of strawberry puree, mint syrup, lime juice and club soda. The Spicy Peach Pit — with peach puree, lime juice, habanero syrup and pepper garnish — offers a sweet-spicy kick. Try their mocktail flight for a sampling of several drinks. 90 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, 707-843-3582, perchandplow.com

Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg

Bravas is a Healdsburg favorite for tapas and paella on the back patio. Their Spanish-influenced food is great with flavor-packed, seasonal mocktails.

Mocktail Faves: The Warm Apple Cider — cider infused with cinnamon, clove and orange — is perfect for the cold weather. While the Pomegranate Fizz and Blood Orangina make use of seasonal winter fruits, combined with soda for those classic bubbles. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com

Lo & Behold, Healdsburg

Owners Laura Heffernon and Laura Sanfilippo are known for their cocktail-making magic — and that extends to alcohol-free drinks as well.

Mocktail Faves: For a tropical treat, try the Caribbean Queen, made with coconut, lime, orange and passion fruit. The Guava-Cucumber Cooler is super refreshing, while the Fruity Rumba — with kiwi, strawberry, lime and seltzer — is what La Croix dreams it could be. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com

Lazeaway Club at The Flamingo

The lounge vibes are strong at this beachy-themed restaurant inside the Flamingo Resort. Naturally, they’ve got some tasty booze-free cocktails that make you feel like you’re on vacation.

Mocktail Faves: The Pier Pressure is an exotic trip to Thailand with this concoction of Thai tea, honey, lime and a piña colada float or the Donald Palmer with roobios tea, guava, lime and Thai basil. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, lazeawayclub.com

Jackson’s Bar and Oven

Having one of the most popular happy hours in Santa Rosa, Jackson’s knows what they’re doing behind the bar. The craft cocktails are great, but the innovative mocktails shouldn’t be overlooked.

Mocktail Faves: The Bad Girls Club is fun and delicious, made with passion fruit, coconut, lime and sparkling water. But the Flavor of Love is a cutesy standout — lemon, ice tea and prickly pear with a pink salt rim. It feels like a leveled-up Arnold Palmer, without the dull association to golf. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com

Honorable mentions

Palooza Brewery & Gastropub

Among its impressive list on beers, wines and cocktails, Palooza offers a crisp and delicious mocktail. The Garden Gimlet has muddled cucumber, garden Seedlip, lime juice and elderflower syrup. 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com

Maci Martell, Heather Irwin and Sarah Steirch contributed to this article.

The post Best Sonoma County Bars for Mocktails and Nonalcoholic Drinks appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The boutique Sonoma interiors firm headed by Alex Mutter-Rottmayer and Austin Carrier marries thoughtful design with hands-on craftsmanship (see their richly detailed home in the March/April 2023 issue). Married since 2019, the two say they appreciate classic Wine Country design but think that the look is ready for a shake-up — a revolution they’ve pioneered in award-winning designs for Healdsburg’s Marine Layer tasting room and Sonoma’s Valley Bar + Bottle restaurant.

The couple are now launching three new capsule collections for their furniture line, Haus of Hommeboys, and opening a new woodshop and cabinetry studio just off the plaza in downtown Sonoma.

“It’s kind of scary,” admits Mutter-Rottmayer. “Doing all this work to see if anyone will actually like it. But we’ve always wanted to have a store. Every designer’s dream is to have their own showroom.”

Haus of Hommeboys, 141 Church St., Sonoma. hausofhommeboys.com

Mixing materials

Alex: “Design is in our blood. It’s what drew Austin and I together. We are always trying to mix the materials we are using, playing with different shapes in plaster, stone, wood. We definitely focus on more organic and natural materials. It’s what we are drawn to. It’s synonymous with California and this part of this country, and this gets routed back to our furniture line, which is very organic and earthy.”

Rustic inspiration

Austin: “We’ve been playing with wood for years. One of the capsule collections is dark, ebony stained, hand-notched cedar furniture. We wanted it to feel raw, rustic and edgy. The shapes are very anthropomorphized, inspired by the backdrop of California’s golden hills.”

On shaping design

Alex: “What’s the process? You just do it! One of the bedrooms we are designing had all of this green velvet from a photo shoot we were doing. And we were like, what if we just cover the walls in green velvet? What can you do with what you have? A lot of design inspiration and process comes from a desire to have fun with it.”

The post Award-Winning Sonoma Interior Design Firm Hommeboys Open New Studio appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

When you live in Sonoma County, you’re never lonely for out-of-town visitors. Family, friends, college roommates, even casual acquaintances are all eager to catch up with you and take in all that the region offers.

Now through New Year’s is high season for house guests, with the number of invading out-of-towners larger than the kids’ gift lists. For local hosts, it can be a challenge deciding where to take restless visitors, especially those on a budget. Farm-to-table restaurants and taquerias are a given. Winery tasting rooms? Natch.

Go any direction in Sonoma County, and you will wind up somewhere intriguing. You’re never far from good food, natural beauty and wine tasting. But with so many choices, we’ve creamed off a few foolproof excursions that will fill up a day and make your guests’ stay in Sonoma County more memorable.

Click through the gallery for a four-day itinerary that includes some not-so-obvious explorations of Sonoma County, guaranteed to please your guests as much as you.

Meg McConahey contributed to this article. 

Day 1: Into the Armstrong Woods and to the coast

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville is a great place to introduce visitors to the natural superlatives of Sonoma County. Magnificent, 1,200-year-old Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as coastal redwoods, tower in a way that makes humans feel very small and very serene. Redwoods are among the natural wonders of the world and among the planet’s oldest living organisms. And they’re an easy drive from anywhere in the county.

The Armstrong reserve features a 1½-mile, ADA-accessible trail, making this an easy outdoors experience for everyone in your group. Arrive early and with jackets to combat the marine chill. At 7:45 a.m., you’ll find an empty parking lot and the quiet woods, sans Segways and smartphone selfie-taking hordes. By contrast, visitors to Marin’s Muir Woods have to make a reservation.

After an hour among the gentle giants, depart as the parking lot begins to fill. Those arriving have had their breakfast, so now it’s time for yours. Coffee Bazaar in Guerneville provides house-roasted coffee and pastries. Or drive a little farther west, along the Russian River, to Duncans Mills’ Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery.

Founded in 1877, Duncans Mills is a quaint station on the way to the coast from the river towns, with a charming general store and a depot museum next to where the Northwestern Pacific Railroad once ran. If you still have Christmas shopping to do, then Duncans Mills is a good place to browse. Don’t miss Jim Raidl’s Jim and Willies, a real curiosity shop of quirky antiques and curios with a friendly proprietor.

On the road again, continue west. For some sea air and wide-open ocean views to amaze visitors from land-locked places, stop at the Vista Trail in Jenner at the mouth of the Russian River. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some harbor seals.

After watching waves crash in the fresh sea air, you’ll be ready for the drive south on Highway 1 to Bodega Bay. This is the classic Sonoma Coast scene of crashing waves, and trails along the bluff are accessible to most people. Check out the whimsical wind spinners at Candy & Kites, the colorful array of saltwater taffy at Patrick’s and the Japanese prints at Ren Brown Collection Fine Art Gallery.

Start heading inland for a hit of Alfred Hitchcock in the tiny town of Bodega. Snap a “The Birds” selfie outside the old Potter School, immortalized in the scene where schoolchildren run screaming and flailing from their classroom. It’s a private residence, so stay on the road. Then swing by the nearby Saint Teresa of Avila Church, also featured in the film.

You’ll be hungry by now. For lunch, consider the Estero Cafe in Valley Ford just a few minutes’ drive away. The restaurant pays homage to local farmers with its hand-lettered chalkboard menus and homestyle food. Its inventive brunches, sandwiches and salads make it one of the county’s top foodie destinations.

Day 2: Healdsburg for the holidays

Start your day by taking in one of the most spectacular gems of Sonoma County — Lake Sonoma. Then head to Healdsburg (a 10-minute drive) for a leisurely breakfast at Costeaux French Bakery.

Costeaux French Bakery is a frequent winner in baking competitions, and its fresh breads are served in Sonoma restaurants. But not many people know that Costeaux serves great breakfasts and lunches.

After breakfast, let the bookworms and audiophiles in the group browse the fiction, vinyl and CD selection at Levin & Company. Take the stairs to the mezzanine for its collection of local art, jewelry and crafts. Next, visit the antique markets — like Shoffeitt’s Off the Square and Antique Harvest — all within easy walking distance of the plaza.

No Healdsburg visit is complete without a winery stop, or two. Lambert Bridge boasts a tasting room with a large fireplace, making it a cozy place for sipping wines in colder months. The Healdsburg Bubble Bar, nestled in a quaint 1906 Queen Anne Victorian near the plaza, offers a wide assortment of sparkling wines.

As the sun goes down, head to Barndiva for a craft cocktail and dinner, and watch the outdoor lights twinkle over the quirky art on the patio. Don’t miss the eclectic collection of British Cigarette Cards at the Gallery Bar.

Day 3: In search of lost time, and more wine, in Sonoma Valley

Winter is a good time to check out the new museum exhibit in Jack London State Historic Park. Even if it’s too cold or wet to hike, you can take cover in the House of Happy Walls museum dedicated to the great writer and his wife, Charmian.

Right outside the park gate, Benziger Family Winery offers vineyard tram tours that will get you out of the tasting room and among the vines, which have their own sculpted beauty in winter.

Make it an outdoorsy day at Sonoma Botanical Garden, one of Sonoma County’s secret spots. Few travel writers have discovered it, meaning you may have this 20-acre garden of rare Asian plants all to yourself. Easy paths wind past ponds and through dense plantings of trees and shrubs with something of interest in every season. There is a nice gift shop for garden lovers as well as golf cart tours by arrangement for those with mobility problems.

In the town of Sonoma, the walkable square offers places to sip, shop and dine. For celebratory sparkles during the holidays, there’s SIGH Champagne bar. No reservations needed, and they always offer three flights of French, Californian and other tantalizing sparklers. If you have teetotalers or beer drinkers in your party, this is a great tasting room option. They also offer draft beer, regular wine and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snack-sized bites, both savory and sweet.

Sonoma Plaza offers holiday cheer and attractions for history buffs, from the Sonoma Mission to the barracks and Toscano Hotel, all within two blocks. There’s a big parking lot behind the barracks on First Street East.

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, consider Tasca Tasca (TT Tapas). Tasca stands for tavern or pub in Portugal. Chef Manuel Azevedo offers updated Portuguese tapas with a fresh Sonoma spin. They’re also open late. Or head down Broadway to HopMonk Tavern for bar bites and beer, washed down with live music on the weekends.

Day 4: Petaluma, Sebastopol and a farm-to-table finale in Forestville

The age of Petaluma, settled in the 1850s, might not impress visitors from Europe, but the downtown’s quaint storefronts, heritage homes and retro memorabilia will make even your English uncle or Swedish aunt melt. But first, start with breakfast at Della Fattoria, one of the country’s finest bread bakers, famous for its Meyer lemon rosemary boule. Try the breakfast toast with ricotta cheese, banana slices, toasted pecans and honey.

Downtown, check out the vintage guitars and mandolins at Tall Toad Music and the 1,800 varieties of heirloom seeds at The Seed Bank, owned by Baker Creek, one of the country’s leading purveyors of heirloom seed.

For the afternoon, get behind the wheel and drive the 17 miles to Sebastopol’s The Barlow. Designed to look like old farm industrial buildings — without the dirt and rust — this marketplace is good for browsing. Watch local makers in action at restaurants, wineries, breweries and cideries, and art, jewelry, glass, crafts, design and clothing studios.

If you want to arrange for a farm-to-table grand finale, you could make reservations at Farmhouse Inn’s upscale but surprisingly low-key Michelin-starred restaurant in Forestville. For a more affordable but still delicious option, Farmhouse Inn’s casual eatery Farmstand serves woodfired dishes and pizza.

The post Holiday Guests Coming? Here Are 4 Perfect Sonoma County Day Trips appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

With harvest in full swing, fall is one of the best times to visit the town of Sonoma.

This year, the town celebrates the 200th anniversary of the planting of grapes at downtown’s Misson San Francisco de Solano.

If you’re out early enough in the morning, you might catch a glimpse of a truck stacked high with bins of grapes coming down the road — picking mostly happens in the middle of the night.

Here are our suggestions for a perfect three-day weekend getaway itinerary, timed to make the most of early fall.

Friday

If you can swing it, try to arrive early enough in the day for a visit to the year-round Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Depot Park, 241 First St. W.).

The season’s bounty is doubled this time of year as the last of summer’s succulent tomatoes and corn meet fall pumpkins and chiles. Don’t miss flowers from Glen Ellen’s Oak Hill Farm as well as Mike the Bejkr’s fantastic whole-grain sourdough breads.

From the market, you can walk to Corner 103 (103 W. Napa St., 707-931-6141, corner103.com), where the gracious Lloyd Davis, a former banker who is active in the Association of African American Vintners, and his team focus on teaching about wine in a friendly, welcoming environment. The tasting option paired with food ($60 per person) is worth the investment.

In the afternoon, drive a few miles outside town to get in some country time with the sweet creatures living at Charlie’s Acres, a sanctuary that provides homes for goats, pigs, chickens and other farm animals ($50, 3201 Napa Road, charliesacres.org).

Later, dip your toes into the casual-chic scene at Valley Swim Club (18709 Arnold Drive, 707-243-3032, valleyswim.club), a walk-in-only outdoor dining spot modeled after an East Coast clam shack. Though there isn’t any actual swimming to be had here — that’s just the name. But there are incredible fried oysters, fish sandwiches and rice bowls to be enjoyed underneath cheery, red-and-white-striped umbrellas.

Back downtown, the speakeasy-style bar scene upstairs at The Beacon (497 First St. W., 707-721-1107) is a sophisticated, high-design counterpoint to the more down-home aspects of your first day in town, and it stays open until 11 p.m. Wind down with an excellent craft cocktail (the complex, herbal Mother Teresa is a favorite) while you chat with upbeat, in-the-know bartenders — always the best kind.

Saturday

Around the plaza, much of the early morning action centers around caffeine, when harvest crews fuel up for long days. There’s heavy traffic at the Peet’s and Dutch Bros. on Broadway, but you’ll want to head straight to Sunflower Caffé, (421 First St. W., 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com), where the coffee is rich and the delicious berry smoothies will keep you going all morning.

Sonoma Garden Park, just outside town, is a community garden, nature center and farmers market rolled into one (19996 Seventh St. E., 707-996-0712, sonomaecologycenter.org/sonomagardenpark). There are quiet places to picnic and stroll, as well as a Saturday morning harvest market where you can pick up great gardening advice along with your tomatoes.

Back in town, our favorite casual lunch is undoubtedly the Mexican street food from El Dorado Cantina (405 First St. W., 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/edk-cantina). The takeout outpost is the fun little sister to upscale El Dorado Kitchen.

Get your tacos to go and enjoy them across the street on the plaza. From there, you can shop and wander downtown a bit — browse beautiful, eco-friendly housewares at Jak W (124 W. Napa St., 707-721-1207, jak-w.com) or colorful gifts imported from Mexico at Hola Vida Collective (539 First St. W., 707-343-1442, holavidacollective.com).

It’s no fun to rush from spot to spot, and in doing so, you lose a lot of the uniqueness in the wines themselves. On a Saturday afternoon, one or two tastings is the sweet spot.

In addition to Friday’s Corner 103, here are a few other close-by favorites: Obsidian Wine Co.’s newly opened Base Camp (don’t miss the obsidian outdoor fireplace); Pangloss Cellars (gorgeous stonewalled surroundings); Darling Wines (youthful vibes, low-intervention winemaking); Winery Sixteen 600 (Grenache lovers and Deadheads must visit); and Sosie Wines (friendly people and French-style wines).

Dinner at downtown’s Tasca Tasca is a wide-ranging adventure into delicious Portuguese small plates (122 W. Napa St., 707-996-8272, tascatasca.com). Order a lineup of five or seven small bites and have your friends do the same. You can try much of the menu this way, though our favorites will always be the crab empanadas and the bacalhau, aka salt cod fritters.

If your appetite is larger and your mood even more mellow, go for heaping pastas at the Swiss Hotel (18 W. Spain St., 707-938-2884, swisshotelsonoma.com).

Sunday

A lazy brunch is undeniably the way to go on a Sunday morning in early fall. By far, our favorite casual spot is the back patio at Baker & Cook, a short drive from downtown. Go for excellent veggie quiche, French toast, biscuits and gravy, and also some of the most delicious scones in town from baker and former firefighter Jen Demarest (18812 Highway 12, 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com).

If you’re looking to linger in a resort setting, the patio at El Dorado Kitchen is a great bet. Try the smoked salmon Benedict or filet mignon and eggs (405 First St. W., 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com).

Downtown’s historic Mission San Francisco Solano is a lovely spot to explore after brunch. The simple chapel, with its delicate painted trim and religious artifacts, brings a sense of timelessness to a Sunday afternoon (114 Spain St., 707-938-9560, sonomaparks.org).

Before you head home, there’s hopefully time for one more tasting. At Bartholomew Estate Vineyards & Winery, you can combine that tasting with a short hike through the vineyards and up the mountain (1000 Vineyard Lane, 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com). Pause near the top to take a snapshot in your mind of the vineyards starting to turn fall colors — a wonderful way to carry the season back home with you.

The post How To Spend a Harvest Getaway in the Town of Sonoma appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Coupon code website Wethrift recently released a list of the top 10 U.S. cities that offer luxury experiences at an affordable price. The August list included two Sonoma County cities — and Sonoma ranked No. 1.

According to Travel + Leisure, the Wethrift study looked at 956 Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants as well as 348 luxury hotels across the country to come up with the 10 most affordable cities with 5-star experiences.

Seven of the cities on the list are located in California, and three of those are in the Bay Area. Healdsburg is No. 10 on the list and San Francisco comes in at No. 6.

“Sonoma is the cheapest city for a 5-star experience, with an average restaurant price of just $43.75 and an average hotel price of $518,” the Wethrift team stated in their findings. “In Sonoma, you can enjoy restaurants such as Valley, then stay a night over at the Cottage Inn & Spa.”

Valley Bar + Bottle, also known as Valley, made it on our list of the best restaurants in Sonoma County this year. Favorite dishes here fall under the $40 mark — like the half chicken ($38) and the crispy rice cakes with ginger-scallion sauce ($14).

The best restaurants list also includes Sonoma’s Bloom Carneros, where everything on the dinner menu is under $30. We recommend the Tacos Dorados ($19): crispy rolled vegan tacos with sweet potato puree, avocado, salsa, cabbage and spicy pickles.

In terms of where to stay, Sonoma Creek Inn ranks as one of Wine Country’s best bargains. Additionally, Wethrift noted The Cottage Inn & Spa, on First Street, has the cheapest rate for “250 square feet of charm.”

Healdsburg, No. 10 on Wethrift’s list, is known for its upscale, high-price restaurants like Valette and SingleThread. But there are also some more affordable Healdsburg eateries, such as the Downtown Bakery, Otoro Sushi and the Wurst Restaurant.

Find more places to eat, sip and stay on a budget in Healdsburg and Sonoma here.

The post Sonoma Named No. 1 US City for Luxury on a Budget appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Lifelong gardener Kari Copple doesn’t do anything halfway. She first got into growing cut flowers because of her three children.

“I would pick flowers from my garden for events at my kids’ school, and then I came up with the idea for a little cutting garden out in the field,” she says.

And it grew from there, along pathways and rows, in tendrils and vines and lots and lots of compost. Copple is now the owner of a 2-acre flower farm as well as downtown Sonoma’s 7th St. Flowers, a cheery blue and white roadside stand launched in 2021.

Nearly every Saturday from March to October, Copple parks a cart filled with two dozen colorful bouquets for sale at the end of her driveway. The flowers go out at 8 a.m. — and by 11 a.m., she’s often completely sold out.

“When they were little, my kids would sell lemonade and hot chocolate out here, so we get good traffic, and people just love the bouquets,” she says.

Plus, it’s a way to stay on top of the goings-on in the neighborhood. “I sit out with the cart, and I get to meet all the dogs. It’s a doggy world out there,” she jokes.

Copple grew up in a family of vegetable farmers who ran an open-air produce market in downtown Portland, Oregon. “Farming is in my blood, but not flowers,” she explains.

She’s says she’s always been outdoorsy and has gardened for decades despite losing an arm and a leg in an electrical accident when she was 19 years old. She uses a motorized cart to move throughout her growing fields.

She and her husband, Scott, moved to Sonoma over 30 years ago and raised their children here, moving into their current home in 1998. At the time, Copple was in full-time parenting mode. She grew roses and peonies as a hobby and planted a gorgeous formal garden in the front of her home, but she never imagined flowers as a full-time job.

“It was my love of gardening that morphed into all this — I am still very enmeshed in that gardening world.”

In 2019, Copple took an intensive flower business course with Erin Benzakein of Floret Farms, one of the icons of the farmer-florist movement, and decided to launch into farming full-time. Soon, her back field was filled with carefully laid-out beds of cutting flowers in a riot of colors and forms, all timed to the climate and season.

It wasn’t necessarily the path she had in mind at the time.

“What person approaching 60 years old takes on a full-time farm? This is a labor-intensive job,” she says. “You have to have a passion for the flowers — the work will be daunting if you don’t love it.”

Copple’s growing fields have been laid out for accessibility, with wider-than-normal 4-foot pathways to accommodate her motorized cart.

“I think I love to do things that seem to other people like I couldn’t do them. I do think the disability does play a bit of a factor in a lot of things,” she reflects. “People thought I couldn’t have kids, and I have three. People thought I couldn’t do a big garden, and here I’m running a farm. I think there’s always that part of me that is like, there isn’t anything I can’t do if I really want to do it. I do like to be that person.”

Copple starts her day at 7 a.m., snipping blooms while the weather is cool and piling them into 5-gallon plastic buckets she carries back to the garage on her cart. She arranges bouquets in the garage, which can take several hours, and stores bouquets and extra blooms in a large floral cooler her husband built this spring in a small outbuilding. The cooler makes it much easier to keep cut blooms fresh and conditioned.

Except for two helpers who come in one day a week to do some of the heavier work, Copple does all the farming herself — planting, weeding, running irrigation and harvesting.

She finds meaning in the long list of daily chores, as the garden has always been where she finds her peace.

“It’s very zen-like. I’m just in the moment when I’m out there,” she says. “Whatever it is — whether I’m planting, whether I’m weeding, my focus is so specific. I just really like that. I’m also a worker bee. I’m always doing, doing, doing. My husband is, like, ‘Are you ever going to rest?’ But I’m a doer.”

It’s taken a few years to figure out exactly how to dial in her production. “I’ve just ramped things up so much — it’s all business out here now,” she says.

During the pandemic, as she was starting out, she often gave away flowers in front of the house to help bring cheer to the neighborhood. As the business grew, she considered having a wholesale stand at the big flower market in San Francisco, but she didn’t want to be getting up at 2 a.m. to haul buckets into the city. And she’s not interested in becoming an event florist taking on large weddings — but she will create casual arrangements for small parties and take custom orders in addition to arranging bouquets for the Saturday cart.

Selling to the community has proven both rewarding and sustainable at this point in her life, when she wants to be busy but also have time outside of the farm. She became a grandmother recently, and last summer, Copple took a couple weeks off to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting iconic British gardens like Great Dixter and Sissinghurst Castle.

“I could do more, but there’s a work-life balance here for me. I want to enjoy life — my kids and my grandson. I want to have time to bike and walk with friends in the morning.”

Though she’s lived in downtown Sonoma for decades, flowers have brought Copple a deeper sense of community and family. Copple has been a mentor to a local ninth grader for the past five years, and her mentee loves being in the garden. Copple’s son and two daughters sometimes mind the stand and built the website.

A fellow florist often comes by on Wednesdays so they can harvest blooms together, and high-end designers like Sonoma’s Anne Appleman often pop by. They know they can hit Copple up for beautiful, locally grown material.

In July and August, she’ll have tons of vivid summery offerings — sunflowers, zinnias, amaranth, lisianthus, dahlias and late roses, all in colorful mixed garden bouquets and posies.

Lots of folks have a garden in this area, so she tries to grow varieties that are a little unusual, a little bit more difficult to source. A good bouquet means she needs variety in what she grows — taller spiky flowers, focal points, supporting characters and plenty of pretty foliage.

Arranging and stocking the cart is still the part of the business Copple loves the best. “This is all by word of mouth,” she says. “It was all like, ‘Hey, there’s a flower cart popping up on Seventh Street East.’”

“I get a lot of joy out of people getting joy out of the flowers.”

Kari Copple, 7th Street Flowers, 19885 Seventh St. East, Sonoma. 707-287-0589, 7thstflowers.com. Email or call ahead for custom bouquets. Flower cart with bouquets for sale on Saturday mornings through October.

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