New Travel Adventures Slated in Sonoma County, California
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF. – While there’s always something new to experience in Sonoma County, 2012 promises to delight visitors with the much-anticipated opening of a world-class music venue, the return of a premier cycling event, the diamond jubilee of a regional icon, and a year’s worth of bicentennial celebrations.
Green Music Center
Music will ring out on Sept. 29, 2012, as Sonoma State University’s Donald and Maureen Green Music Center marks its grand opening. The inaugural season boasts an incredible schedule, including orchestra in residence, the Santa Rosa Symphony.
The Green Music Center’s acoustical perfection has already attracted renowned musicians, such as Yo-Yo Ma, to experience its architectural and acoustical wonders. The main auditorium, the 1,400-seat, European-style Weill Concert Hall, is acoustically designed to rival great venues such as Boston Symphony Hall and Vienna Musikvereinssaal.
The hall’s acoustical attributes rivals that of Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood; but it surpasses Tanglewood in terms of flexibility and comfort. The three floors of Weill Hall – the Orchestra level on the floor, the Choral Circle in the middle, and the Balcony on top – boast handcrafted, European steamed beech maple seats that are designed to be acoustically neutral whether occupied or not. By opening a modular rear wall of the hall, the concert experience can include up to 3,000 concert goers in outdoor seating
Find out more at www.gmc.sonoma.edu
Amgen Tour of California
After a one-year absence, the Amgen Tour of California, a top professional cycling event, will return to Sonoma County. This year, the entire race kicks off in Santa Rosa on Sunday, May 13.
The first stage will also end in Santa Rosa. Events slated for the week prior will include a gala, a lifestyle festival, and cycling enthusiasts can even ride the route the pros will tackle. For more information, visit www.santarosa2012.com.
Golden Gate Bridge – 75th Anniversary
A big happy birthday to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. While not in Sonoma County (it’s 30 miles south), the Golden Gate was built, in part, by Sonoma County’s foresightedness when it joined the newly formed organization that helped finance the bridge, and remains a member today.
Sonoma County will be developing special 75th anniversary itineraries and activities throughout the year. Find out more at www.goldengatebridge75.org.
Fort Ross Bicentennial
If 75 years is a milestone, then hang onto your hats: Fort Ross is celebrating the bicentennial of its founding. That’s right, 200 years ago the settlement of Ross, the name derived from the word for Russia (Rossiia) was established by the Russian – American Company, a commercial hunting and trading company chartered by the tsarist government. It is the southernmost Russian outpost in North America.
Now it’s the Fort Ross State Historic Park, one of the oldest historical parks in the California State Park System. Events will take place throughout the year. Find out more at www.fortrossstatepark.org.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week
Sonoma County Restaurant Week, a seven-day celebration of our county’s farm-fresh food and premier wine. The event features three-course prixe fixe menus in three price ranges: $19, $29, or $39, at close to 90 restaurants. Many restaurants pair the special menus with local wines or offer specials on corkage for Sonoma County wines.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week
www.sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org
OTHER NEWSÂ
In other news, Sonoma County has new wine regions, wineries, hotels and attractions updates. Prepare your visit around new discoveries.
Start with a new food discovery at one of several eateries, or rediscover an old favorite at one of the county’s many award-winning restaurants.
The addition of two new official grape growing region and other new wine tasting experiences beckon visitors to explore more than 300 wineries.
Find a new way to relax at one of the 40 spas, or by letting one of the county’s great event planners take the worry out of your next great wine country event. It is time to book your wine country trip today at www.sonomacounty.com.
WINERY NEWSÂ
New American Viticulture Areas
Sonoma County has two new official American Viticultural Area (AVA), bringing its total to 15.
Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak: This appellation is located high on the slopes of Pine Mountain in both Sonoma and Mendocino counties. It spans 4,750 acres and contains 230 acres of vineyards, with another 150 acres of vineyards under development. The new AVA overlaps with the Alexander Valley and Northern Sonoma viticultural areas, but its mountainous soils and steep terrain makes it distinct.
Fort Ross Seaview: North of where the Russian River enters the Pacific Ocean and along the ridge tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean is Fort Ross Seaview. It’s known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes that bask in daily sea breezes. This area has 27,500 vineyard acres.
Lasseter Family Winery Now Open by Appointment
John Lasseter is well known as an animator, director and chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation studios. His winemaking skills are now making a debut to the public at Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen.
The winery has been in production since 2009, but was not open to the public. In November, that changed and the public is now welcome by appointment only. Tastings are hosted in the private wine room and last about 45 minutes. Guests get a chance to try four wines for $25. Tastings are available Friday through Monday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 707-933-2814.
Lasseter Family Winery
1 Vintage Lane
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 933-2800
info@lasseterfamilywinery.com
Media Contact: Krissy Randiny
707-933-2815
Karah Estate Opens Tasting Room
Located on 144 scenic acres situated in the hills of the Petaluma Gap, Karah Estate Vineyards and Winery produces some of the finest wine in the area. Now, visitors can check it out for themselves. The new tasting room is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Visitors can call for an appointment outside of these hours.
Built upon land used by the famous environmental artists Christo and Jeane-Claude to create their Running Fence piece in 1976, the winery is rich in history and folklore.
Karah Estate Vineyard & Winery
karahestate.com
707-795-3030
1010 West Railroad Ave
Cotati, CA 94931
Media Contact: William Donovan
Donovan@sonic.net
707-795-9523
New Winery Group, “Taste Route 116″ Formed
A small group of wine tasting rooms in the western part of the Russian River Valley wine appellation have banded together to form Taste Route 116. Winery members are committed to attracting guests from outside the area to visit and enjoy an exceptional wine tasting experience in the Russian River appellation.
Guests are encouraged to spend the day in the area, visiting member wineries and tasting the many world-class varietals this region has to offer. Wineries are near the Sebastopol, Graton and Forestville areas of Sonoma County.
Taste Route 116
www.facebook.com/tasteroute116
Media Contact: Sue Bonzell
707-823-3040
sue@gratonridge.com
Wine Tasting with the Count
California’s oldest premium winery offers a chance to experience this historic property while mingling with the “father of California viticulture”, Count Agoston Haraszthy. Actually, the role of the colorful count is played by local history actor, George Webber.
The Hungarian-born Haraszthy founded Buena Vista winery in 1857, and today it’s a California historic landmark just outside the town of Sonoma.
Tours with the count are available by appointment, Friday through Sunday, and include a full tasting of Buena Vista’s wines and a tour around the gorgeous gardens and stone winery buildings. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and costs $20 per person.
Buena Vista Winery
18000 Old Winery Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
(800) 926-1266
www.buenavistawinery.com
Media Contact: George Webber
(707) 694-5097
george@georgewebber.com
Simi Launches Jug Wine
Simi’s new jug wine, named Maiale Cieco, or Blind Pig, is a blend of 66 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Zinfandel and 14 percent Pinot Noir, all grown in Alexander Valley.
During Prohibition, Simi was one of the few Sonoma wineries to secretly stay open, charging visitors an admittance fee to see an advertised attraction, like a blind pig (maiale cieco in Italian). Once inside, visitors filled growlers (a ceramic beer jug) to take home.
Today, wine lovers can purchase a two-liter jug for $46, with subsequent refills for $36. (A green way to drink wine!) Pick up a punch card and receive half-off your seventh refill.
Simi Winery
16275 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-433-3686
simiwinery.com
Media Contact: Chris Bernstrom
707-433-6981
information@simiwinery.com
J Vineyards Now Certified Sustainable
Sonoma County just got a little greener. J Vineyards & Winery, specialists in Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wines, has achieved certified sustainable status through the California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance (CSWA). The sustainable certification covers all vineyard and winery operations.
J Vineyards & Winery, located minutes south of Healdsburg, owns 10 estate vineyards sprinkled throughout the Russian River Valley, totaling more than 250 acres of planted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris grapes.
“For the past two years, we’ve been diligently working on aligning J with CSWA’s commitment to wine quality,” said John Erbe, J Vineyards & Winery viticulturalist. “Our estate vineyards have been planted utilizing the latest techniques in water conservation, wildlife habitat corridors, and soil erosion reduction.”
Founded in 2010, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance program is a third-party verification and certification process. The program, based on 227 “best practices,” is designed to ensure environmental stewardship, the conservation of energy and natural resources, and socially equitable business practices. CSWA’s certification program has been a positive environmental awareness catalyst for more than 1,500 of the state’s top vintners and growers.
J Vineyards & Winery
11447 Old Redwood Highway
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-3646
www.jwine.com
Media Contact: George Rose
707-431-5233
georgerose@jwine.com
RESTAURANT ACCOLADES
Michelin Stars for Sonoma County Restaurants
In October the 2012 Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country announced its choices for the best restaurants in the Bay Area. Six of them are located in Sonoma County, one of them earning a star for the first time.
The Michelin Star is a coveted award for fine dining quality and has long been considered among the most prestigious culinary accolades. Michelin awards 0 to 3 stars based on the inspections of anonymous reviewers. The reviewers concentrate on the quality, mastery of technique, personality and consistency of the food.
Terrapin Creek restaurant in Bodega Bay is a newcomer on the Sonoma County list. Chef and owners Liya Lin and Andrew Truong were thrilled to be honored with a Michelin Star and proud of their small staff.
Cyrus Restaurant in Healdsburg holds two stars, the most in Sonoma County.
Cyrus Restaurant
29 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707- 433-3311
www.cyrusrestaurant.com
Sonoma County Restaurants with One Michelin Star:
Terrapin Creek
1580 Eastshore Rd.
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
707-875.-2700
www.terrapincreekcafe.com
Applewood Inn
13555 Highway 116
Guerneville, CA 95446
707-869-9093
www.dineatapplewood.com
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River Road
Forestville, Ca 95436
707-887-3300
www.farmhouseinn.com
Madrona Manor
1001 Westside Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
800- 258-4003
www.madronamanor.com
Santé Restaurant at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
100 Boyes Blvd
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-938-9000, 800-441-1414
www.fairmont.com/sonoma
Media Contact: Michelle Heston
707-939-2477
Michelle.heston@fairmont.com
MOVABLE FEASTS
Dinner Delivered While You Taste Wine
Enjoying a glass of wine at Windsor’s Vine Tastings wine bar and tasting room just became an even more relaxing experience. Vine Tastings has partnered with six neighboring restaurants to deliver meals to customers while they continue to enjoy the best wines in the world. Customers may ask to see the menus, and order from the restaurant of their choice. Members of the same party may order from different restaurants.
Vine Tastings is a tasting room and wine bar located on the Town Green in Old Downtown Windsor. They serve the wines of eight small, local wineries, all under one roof. Customers may order wines by the flight, by the glass, or by the bottle. They also have unique beers on tap.
Vine Tastings – Tasting Room and Wine Bar
9058 Windsor Road
Windsor, CA 95492
707-620-0833
www.vinetastings.us
Media Contact: Cathy Fallis
707-481-5177
clcathy@aol.com
Dinner Delivered while you Enjoy Wine and Live Music
Visitors may also get dinner brought to them while tasting wine and listening to live music at Cellars of Sonoma in the historic Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa. This hip tasting room in a wine bar atmosphere offers savvy wine lovers tastes of boutique and small lot wines that are not available in the traditional marketplace.
Now, customers may ask the host at Cellars of Sonoma for the menus of neighboring restaurants and order what they wish, to be delivered to the tasting room at no additional fee. Cellars of Sonoma provides dinnerware and a comfortable atmosphere with live music four nights each week, great wine, and no waiting in the lobby of a restaurant.
In addition, guests who are in the area on Tuesday nights may attend the live streaming broadcast at Cellars of Sonoma featuring owner Scott Jordan interviewing local winemakers, chefs, and other great personalities in the Sonoma County area. Guests may join in live at the tasting room, or sign in from the Cellars of Sonoma website and watch the broadcasts streamed live into the comfort of their own homes.
Cellars of Sonoma
133 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-578-1826
www.cellarsofsonoma.com
Media Contact: Scott Jordan
707-291-8685
Take Delicious Leftovers Back to the Room
Guests at The Hampton Inn & Suites in Windsor can now refrigerate and reheat leftovers from their delicious Sonoma County meals, with the addition of new refrigerators and microwaves in every room. They can also get a healthy start to the day with the addition of Greek yogurt and crocks of slow-cooked, hearty oatmeal to their complimentary breakfast buffet.
Hampton Inn & Suites Windsor-Sonoma Wine Country
8937 Brooks Road South
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 837-9355
http://windsorcasuites.hamptoninn.com
Media Contact: Scott Satterfield
(707) 837-9355
ssatterfield@rimhospitality.com
NEW CULINARY BUSINESSES
Belly Up to the Butter Bar
At the Epicurean Connection, customers get their fill of cheese, wine, beer and butter. This small eatery and specialty food shop has now moved to larger digs on the downtown Sonoma Plaza.
The one-of-a-kind “butter bar” offers cow, goat, sweet unsalted, and salted butters from creameries around the nation. Guests are invited to browse the shop’s selection of American artisan cheeses, brews, wines, artisan food items, and cheese making supplies.
Also lining the shelves are artisan olive oils, sea salts, jams, chocolate sauces and honey. Customers may also enjoy some of the Epicurean Connection’s take-out delicacies, including dishes featuring its very own fresh Delice de la Vallee cheese, chef made pesto, seasonal tapenades and sauces.
The Epicurean Connection
122 West Napa St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 935-7960
Media Contact: Sheana Davis
(707) 935-7960
sheana@vom.com
Iron Stone Restaurant
Iron Stone is a casual California cuisine restaurant that opened its doors in October. It is located in the Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa’s historical Railroad Square. They feature fresh cuisine made with produce, beef, and cheeses from local Sonoma County farms. The wine list is made of mostly boutique Sonoma County wines, with some local micro brews and craft beers available.
The co-owners are also brothers. John McNulty is the general manager and runs the front of the house, while Tom McNulty runs the back of the house as executive chef. Iron Stone serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
Iron Stone Restaurant
308 Wilson Street
Railroad Square
Santa Rosa CA, 95401
707-595-4348
Media Contact: John McNulty
707-595-4348
johnironstone@sonic.net
Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar
Southern food migrates north to Sonoma County at Sweet T’s Restaurant and bar. Owners Dennis and Ann Tussey have imported well-respected Memphis chef, Mac Edwards, to bring their vision of a southern- inspired, Lowcountry restaurant to Santa Rosa.
On the menu are classics such as shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and house-smoked barbecue, created with the quality local produce and meat of Sonoma County’s wine country.
Inside, the pressure cooker is the star of the show as fried chicken sizzles to crispy perfection. Outside, the focus is on a smoker that puffs away, filled with ribs, chicken and pork butt. Pair them with coleslaw, biscuits and a lot of napkins.
Sweet T’s is open for lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday.
Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar
2009 Stagecoach Road
Santa Rosa, CA
707- 595-3935
Media Contact: Ann Tussey
707- 595-3935
Sweett11@comcast.net
The BBQ Spot
Southern-style barbecue is on the menu in this spot on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa. Chef and owner Rob Fernandez was inspired by a road trip he made through the southern states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. He brought his inspiration home, and began cooking up barbecue at a local Farmer’s Market. In October he opened The BBQ Spot and diners have followed the trail of smoke rings since it opened.
The menu features brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs. Sides include baked beans, macaroni salad, coleslaw, French fries, and cornbread.
Those who are really hungry can take on the challenge of The Legend: a half rack of ribs, four pieces of chicken, a pound of brisket, a pound of pulled pork, a large order of fries, two sides and two pieces of cornbread. If you can eat it all in one sitting, it’s free. If not, the customer pays $38.75 and gets a to-go box!
The BBQ Spot is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The BBQ Spot
3448 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 585-2616
www.thebbqspot.net
Media Contact: Rob Fernandez
(707) 291-5906
Thebbqspot@aol.com
Recherché du Plaisir
This new Parisian-style confiserie (candy story or sweet shop) in Santa Rosa opened its doors in December. Owner Lucy Gustafson is a Sonoma County native who has been making chocolates and sweets for friends and family for years. She decided to take her hobby seriously and enrolled in the Ecole Chocolat’s professional chocolatier program. This sweet shop is her dream come true, featuring truffles, butter caramels, French-style macaroons and Linzer cookies.
Recherché du Plaisir, (pronounced ray-cher-shay doo play-zeer), is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Recherché du Plaisir
3401 Cleveland Avenue
Suite 9
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707.843.3551
www.rdpsweets.com
Media Contact: Lucy Gustafson
707-843-3551
info@rdpsweets.com
Hole in the Wall
While this new restaurant may be a bit hidden, visitors will be rewarded for their search with dishes like short rib hash, biscuits and gravy, or the chef’s recipe for housemade gumbo. Located in the corner of a strip mall in Sebastopol, Chef Adam Beers opened the Hole in the Wall after working at The French Garden in Sebastopol, and The Village Bakery.
At the Hole in the Wall guests will find California comfort food in a cozy restaurant with an open kitchen where you can watch Chef Beers work his magic. They’re open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of holiday closures.
Hole in the Wall Restaurant
972 Gravenstein Highway South, Suite 100
Sebastopol, CA
707-861-3777
Media Contact: Adam Beers
707-861-3777
Sprenger’s Tap Room
This new collaborative project between two local business partners is scheduled to open in January. Located in downtown Santa Rosa in the Brickyard Center, co-owner Kevin Sprenger plans to have 30 beers on tap, big screen televisions throughout the bar, and a pool table and shuffleboard.
Sprenger’s Tap Room
446 B Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-888-0890
Media Contact: Kevin Sprenger
707-888-0890
Kevin.sprenger@yahoo.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
New Suites at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, catering to discriminating travelers for more than 85 years, will soon unveil 30 newly renovated signature Mission Suites along with a new premier Winemaker Suite, aptly titled the “Jack London.”
The suites will respect the Inn’s mission-style architecture with the use of rustic woods and wrought iron, successfully capturing the essence and beauty of Wine Country.
An updated color scheme of rich blues and California whites complements the open- floor plan. Each handsomely appointed suite is highlighted by local artwork, entertainment and work desks with built-in smart media panels and new spa-like bathrooms featuring stone vanities and incorporating a combination of marble and tile detail.
The sprawling 1,010-sq. ft. Jack London Winemaker Suite will feature romantic garden views, a private free standing wet bar, and mixed-use work/dining table with built-in smart media panels. The luxurious bathroom, featuring a sunken Jacuzzi-style tub and the Inn’s signature apricot and cream products, will offer a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere to complement that of the Willow Stream Spa.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
www.fairmont.com/sonoma
707-938-9000
866-540-4499
100 Boyes Blvd.
Sonoma, CA 95476
Media Contact: Michelle Heston
michelle.heston@fairmont.com
707-939-2477
Sonoma County’s First Green Bed and Breakfast
More than 100 years old, Case Ranch Inn is on the cutting edge of modern travel and is the first area bed-and-breakfast inn to go through the Sonoma County Green Business Program.
Diana Van Ry and her husband Allan Tilton live a green philosophy by practicing water conservation, recycling, and other green tenets. More than 40 percent of their power is generated by two solar installations and they’ve installed an electric car recharging station.
Case Ranch Inn
7446 Poplar Drive
Forestville, CA 95436
877-887-8711
707-887-8711
www.caseranchinn.com
Media Contact: Diana Van Ry
707-887-8711
diana@caseranchinn.com
NEW WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS
Le Carre’ Salon and Spa Now Open
This upscale, full-service salon and spa is located on the corner of 3rd and Railroad streets in downtown Santa Rosa. It’s tucked inside a quiet courtyard of the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel.
Owners Maria Shahi and Jean Charles Castellisi each have their own award-winning talents and accolades. They offer every kind of beauty service a guest could want, from haircuts, to highlights, styling, extensions and makeup application.
Le Carre’ Spa treatments are inspired by the region’s abundant wineries and natural resources, using lavender, grape seed oils, and other natural items that are guaranteed to evaporate the stress from a weary body.
The highly trained staff offer a full menu of relaxing treatments including manicures and pedicures, soothing facials, relaxing massages, or a three-hour escape with multiple offerings. Weather permitting, the spa whisks couples to the outside Couples Cabana for massage treatments in the wine country air.
Le Carre’ Salon and Spa
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-636-7300
www.lecarresalonspa.com
January 27, 2012
Posted in: United States West