February in Sonoma County paints a soothing picture of lush, rolling landscapes as the wild mustard blooms amidst the winter vines. Due west, along the 55-mile Sonoma County coastline, the Sonoma Coast is also in season, with a bounty of fresh Dungeness crab, and ample opportunities to spot the great whale migration or Northern elephant seals lounging on the beaches for mating season.  

Kissed by rainfall, edible wild mushrooms are now abundant, and visitors can join foraging experts to scavenge with Relish Culinary Adventures. Visitors can enjoy a wild mushroom lunch, head to Salt Point for a wild mushroom foray with SOMA Mushrooms, or bring home unique varieties at farmers’ markets across Sonoma County. 

The food and drink opportunities continue as Sonoma County celebrates the 5th anniversary of FeBREWary in Santa Rosa, a month-long celebration of craft beer, while Sonoma County Restaurant Week will continue the tradition of celebrating the finest foods from February 19th – 28th. 

Note: Visitors and residents are asked to continue to wear face coverings in public, practice physical distancing, and follow the public health authorities’ recommendations. Please be sure to review The Safe Travels Promise and our Coronavirus Updates before visiting. 

WINERIES & DISTILLERIES 

Pliny the Younger limited release goes virtual, sells out in 5 minutes 

The 2021 limited release of Pliny the Younger from the internationally famous Russian River Brewing will be bottled on February 3rd and orders will start shipping out on February 8th. This year, the coveted release was available for shipping to consumers within the state of California in a 12-bottle mixed case. Each case will include 4 bottles of Younger, along with a few other favorite beers hand-selected by owners Vinnie and Natalie. Every case was sold out in the first 5 minutes during the online pre-order that began on January 28, 2021. 2021 merchandise, along with a Pliny the Younger salami made locally by Journeyman Meats, will also be available online.  

Join them on Facebook Live for a couple of virtual tastings beginning the first Friday of February for two weeks. Russian River Brewing Company is open for outdoor dining at the Santa Rosa location.  

Russian River Brewing Company 
725 4th Street 
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 
707-545-2337 
https://russianriverbrewing.com/ 

Cline family launches new wine label: Gust 

Experience the romance of the Petaluma Gap, where the morning fog gives way to blustery winds like clockwork, and the passion for winemaking comes through from the second generation of Sonoma’s Cline Family Cellars. Gust is the brainchild of Cline siblings Megan, Hilary and Tom, launched to tap the potential of California’s most exciting new wine appellation, the Petaluma Gap. The Petaluma Gap has recently garnered recognition for its superb Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.  

Gust’s vineyards are located at the eastern edge of the district, where the gusts run into Sonoma Mountain and get funneled south, giving the grapes a breeze through the full afternoon sun. Tantalize your tastebuds with a sip of Gust, experiencing the full flavor development at low sugars, the round tannins, and the mineral-rich wines made with great finesse. Gust is currently building out a tasting room at Green String Farm, located in the heart of the Petaluma Gap, for visitors to enjoy in the near future.  

Gust Wines 
Petaluma, CA 
707-721-8661 
https://www.gustwines.com/  

Media Contact: 
[email protected]  

Sarah Quider named VP of Winemaking at Foley Family Wines 

Ferrari-Carano’s Executive Winemaker Sarah Quider’s new VP of Winemaking role at Foley Family Wines makes her one of the most influential winemakers in Sonoma County. Quider will oversee all 15 wineries and 25 brands in the Foley portfolio, including renowned brands such as Chalk Hill, Lancaster and Sebastiani.  

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a real role in shaping some of Sonoma County’s greatest brands, and I’m incredibly honored to be in this position,” says Quider.  “It’s gratifying to know that the hard work and passion I’ve put into my work for over 20 years have been recognized and will be a lasting part of this region’s legacy.” 

Quider began her winemaking career at Ferrari-Carano in 1995, and as Vice President of Winemaking, Quider provides leadership, guidance and support to winemakers at each of the Foley Family Wines properties with the goal of elevating its highly-acclaimed estate wines. 

Her winemaking approach emphasizes gentle techniques and careful blending. “My goal is to make complex, intense and seamless wines that strike a balance between rich and delicate,” she says.  

Foley Family Wines 
Sonoma County, CA 
https://www.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/  

Media Contact 
[email protected]  

RESTAURANTS & EATERIES 

Table Culture Provisions Open after investing in TSLA using stimulus checks  

One of the most exciting new restaurants in Sonoma County is launched by Chef Stéphane Saint Louis, 34, and Chef Steven Vargas, 28, who invested their pandemic stimulus checks as a last resort when they realized their SBA loans simply weren’t going to be available to them. The duo turned their combined $2,400 stimulus checks into a $17,000 windfall by investing in Tesla to launch a mobile kitchen and a forthcoming brick-and-mortar.  

Currently serving menus that celebrate their passion for of-the-moment ingredients at former Wishbone Restaurant, Table Culture Provisions is dishing out fried chicken, Haitian feasts, and classic French dishes like cassoulet, dry-aged steaks, trout en croute and a mouthwatering Monte Cristo.  The menu can change daily, as the chefs call local sustainable farm Green String Farms and a local fish seller to see what is available. Additionally, they have a local mushroom forager as a source for produce. Saint Louis and Vargas are using their Instagram to share their daily creations and what is available. Enjoy takeout Thursday through Sunday at their current pop-up before their mobile bistro opens later this year at 428 E. D Street.   

Table Culture Provisions 
841 Petaluma Blvd.  
Petaluma, CA  
707-796-3375 
https://www.tcprovision.com/  

Media Contact 
[email protected]  

Charlie Palmer Names Michael Lewis as Executive Chef at Dry Creek Kitchen 

Savor the newly tailored menu at Dry Creek Kitchen, now helmed by new Executive Chef Michael Lewis. The enticing new menu features entrees like Bodega Bay mussels, seared wild-caught Glory Bay salmon, and whole spiced Liberty duck for two. Pair it with a pour from Sonoma County’s finest vineyards or a well-crafted cocktail.  

Chef Michael Lewis is leading the reopening of Dry Creek Kitchen for both takeout and outdoor dining on the spacious patio in beautiful Healdsburg. The Pasadena, California native is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, and brings extensive experience from The Lakehouse at Calistoga Ranch, San Francisco’s Boulevard, and the bustling Los Angeles culinary scene where he had turns at Bestia, Herringbone, and Cento Pasta Bar. 

Like Palmer, Lewis is a firm believer in locally-sourced ingredients and developing strong relationships with the farming community. Of his new role, he says, “Dry Creek Kitchen embodies heritage, community and growth, and the key, intangible ingredient—genuine hospitality. Chef Palmer and I want to continue to honor the loyal patronage of the Healdsburg community, as well as take them and the culinary experience we provide into the future.” 

Palmer says, “Michael has absolute respect for the quality of ingredients we have access to here and brings with him the great partnerships he’s developed with our providers.  We’ve worked together on a menu that reflects the best of the season and continues Dry Creek Kitchen’s tradition of exceptional dining, and I think our patrons will find it really exciting.  I know we’re all eager to get back to work and I look forward to reopening our doors with Michael in the kitchen.” 

Dry Creek Kitchen is open for dinner and takeout from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Spirit Bar is open for wine, cocktails and bites from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with happy hour from opening until 7 p.m. 

Dry Creek Kitchen 
317 Healdsburg Ave.  
Healdsburg, CA 95448 
707-431-0330 
https://drycreekkitchen.com/  

Media Contact 
Kristen Gegnas 
[email protected]  

ACCOMODATIONS 

Kenwood Inn & Spa launches a day-use office space  

Take a workcation at Kenwood Inn & Spa, where a new private, day-use office space in the Mediterranean-style spa building overlooking the warming pool is available for reservations. With French doors opening to the pool, a mid-day swim can get the creative juices flowing during the workday. 

Fully equipped with an executive desk and chair, an easy chair, a widescreen Samsung monitor, and an HP color laser printer and scanner, remote work has never been easier. Guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi, coffee/tea service upon arrival, complimentary lunch delivery, a glass of wine, and a mini fridge stocked with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. This room can be reserved for a half day or a full day, and can be made by calling Kenwood Inn & Spa at 707-833-1293.  

For those who are taking an extended workcation, Kenwood Inn & Spa is where you’ll awaken refreshed to enjoy the complimentary wine country breakfast prepared in La Cucina and delivered to a reserved table in the romantic courtyard every morning. Take a mid-afternoon refresher with Kenwood Inn & Spa’s signature Wine & Cheese Mini-Picnic that can be enjoyed anywhere.  

Kenwood Inn & Spa 
10400 Sonoma Highway 
Kenwood, CA 95452 
707-833-1293 
https://www.kenwoodinn.com/  

Media Contact 
[email protected]  

WELLNESS & RECREATION 

Sonoma County Bee Company adds Flower Serum to line of natural skincare products 

Treat your skin to some flower power with Sonoma County Bee Company’s newest Flower Serum. A harmonious blend of their bees, the season and Mother Nature, this product nourishes skin with beneficial botanical ingredients safe for all skin types.  

Made from the flower tops harvested once bees have fed and foraged off them, the oil is thoughtfully and sustainably crafted by infusing olive oil with botanicals to extract the healing properties from flowers. Made with olive oil, meadowfoam seed oil, chamomile flowers, calendula flowers, and yarrow flowers, the Flower Serum is designed to leave skin feeling soft, supple and nourished.  

Founded by herbalist, chef, and beekeeper Candice Kosheba, Sonoma County Bee Company works as a collective of beekeepers with a goal of honeybee survival using natural methods and regenerative practices inspired by nature. Find their products online or at Miracle Plum in Santa Rosa, Dragonfly Floral in Healdsburg, and Dahlia and Sage in Cloverdale.  

Sonoma County Bee Company 
Sonoma County, CA 
707-756-6010 
https://www.sonomacountybeecompany.com/  

Media Contact 
[email protected]  

Red Tail Play Area, a nature-inspired playground, opens at Taylor Mountain Regional Park  

Families and kids can connect with the natural world at Santa Rosa’s first ever nature-inspired outdoor play area at Taylor Mountain Regional Park. The Red Tail Play Area is adjacent to the picnic area at Red Tail Trail, which leads into the 1,100-acre park. Forgoing the brightly colored steel and plastic found at conventional playgrounds, the Red Tail Play Area draws inspiration from the natural landscape of Taylor Mountain, using landform and natural construction materials, like rock and wood, which blend with the surrounding environment. 

The community play area includes a basket-style swing, a logjam climbing area, an embankment slide, and a replica, super-sized red-tailed hawk nest that encourages children to add natural materials to it. Interactivity is fundamental to the play area’s design, which encourages creativity and free play, an essential part of holistic healthy child development. An accessible trail ties the entire site together. 

“The new Red Tail Play Area is a place for families and kids to unleash creativity, build strong bodies and minds, breathe fresh air and create memories with loved ones,” said Sonoma County Regional Parks Director Bert Whitaker.  “With this opening, we celebrate another significant addition to Taylor Mountain Regional Park and strengthen our commitment to equal access for all people to outdoor recreation and natural spaces – and their proven benefits for mental and physical health.” 

The Red Tail Play Area is open for physically distanced recreation with COVID-safe protocols. Face masks are required for everyone 2 or older. Families must limit playground visits to 30 minutes per day when others are present and are encouraged to visit at non-peak hours or days to avoid crowds. For more information on safety at outdoor playgrounds, visit: http://socoemergency.org/outdoor-playgrounds-can-reopen-with-covid-19-restrictions  

Red Tail Play Area @ Taylor Mountain Regional Park 
3820 Petaluma Hill Road 
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 
707-539-8092 
http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Visit/Taylor-Mountain-Regional-Park-and-Preserve/  

Media Contact 
[email protected]  

# # #  

Experience Sonoma County, where Life Opens Up. Just as wine “opens up” when it’s allowed to breathe, Sonoma County inspires visitors to open up to new experiences.  

Just 30 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is one of California’s top food and wine destinations, home to more than 425 wineries ranging from rustic to regal. Hike among towering redwoods, cruise along rugged Pacific coastline, and get to know inviting small towns. Or, just sit back and take it all in. Because here, you’re free to go your own way.    

Sonoma County was named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s Wine Region of the Year. Discover why by visiting it yourself. Start planning today at www.sonomacounty.com or call 707-522-5800.  

Media Contact  
Anna Yan  
Public Relations Manager   
Sonoma County Tourism     
[email protected]