Join us in welcoming this summer with open arms as fragrant purple rows of lavender pepper the Sonoma County landscape, representing a change of seasons as we look forward to the slow, relaxing days of summer under the sun.

The lavender farms will be open to the public, celebrating the spectacular blooms with an array of sales and U-Pick events. Elsewhere, wineries are hosting paint and sip soirees, live music is popping up throughout the county, art exhibits are opening up with new expressions, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series return to Sonoma Raceway and Sonoma County Pride returns, featuring a Drive Thru Parade.

Below, explore new winery experiences, much anticipated restaurant openings, breathtaking art experiences and big hotel news.

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 & TASTING ROOMS 

Jordan Vineyard & Winery purchases a new Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard

This French-inspired, family-owned winery just purchased Mario Meola’s vineyard in Alexander Valley, which marks the first time that Jordan has purchased land since the acquisition of the 1,200-acre Jordan Estate in 1974. The property totals almost 45 acres with nearly 29 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon.

“We have been looking to purchase more vineyard land for a very long time,” said John Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of Jordan Vineyard & Winery, who acquired the winery from his father in 2007. “We have kicked the proverbial tires on a few properties and didn’t make any offers because we weren’t confident that those vineyards would produce grapes worthy of the Jordan master blend. This one is guaranteed and aligns with our focus on making the best Cabernet Sauvignon in our house style from a combination of estate and grower vineyards.” 

The new addition has been farmed with mostly organic principles to produce fruit-forward, subtly oaked European-style wines in well-drained, gravelly soils. Jordan’s Director of Agricultural Operations Brent Young will oversee farming of the vineyard for the 2021 vintage, which was planted from 1989 to 1994. Working closely with Winemaker Maggie Kruse and Grower Relations Manager Dana Grande, Brent will replant the vineyard after evaluating the first growing season’s yields and vine health for the Jordan house style.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery
1474 Alexander Valley Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 431-5250
https://www.jordanwinery.com/

Media Contact
Lisa Mattson
707-431-5268 
[email protected]
 

Sparkling Wine & Caviar at Patz & Hall tasting room

Celebrate summer in style with the new Patz & Hall Californian version of the decadent Champagne and caviar pairing at The Sonoma House. Sip on the gracefully-crafted Blanc de Blancs, sparkling Rosé and Brut sparkling wine flight, and experience how the flavors pair perfectly with Passmore’s Circle 41 caviar, sourced from Northern California along with local accoutrements.

Embark on a journey through three decades of Patz & Hall history with their wines, and uncover the distinct flavors brought forth by the small, family-owned vineyards that are the hallmark of Sonoma County winemaking. Savor the luxurious sensations of this experience, offered Friday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with reservations.

The Sonoma House at Patz & Hall
21200 8th Street East
Sonoma, CA 95476
707--265-7700
https://www.patzhall.com

Media Contact
Patrick Reilly
[email protected]

Tour de St. Francis on a pedal trolley while you sip

All aboard on St. Francis’ new pedal trolley! Embark on a one-of-a-kind vineyard tour and wine tasting adventure that takes you through the heart of St. Francis Winery’s Wild Oak Estate Vineyard. The fully sustainable, pedal-powered, tasting trolley will take guests on a fun and informative roving wine tasting adventure, exploring the winery’s 50-year legacy, viticulture, and production practices while sipping on the wines among the vines. This fully immersive vineyard tour is 90 minutes and available on weekends starting May 28th.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
100 Pythian Road at Hwy. 12
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
(888) 675-9463
https://www.stfranciswinery.com/

Media Contact
Ryan Budlong
[email protected]

RESTAURANTS & EATERIES

SingleThread brings approachable casual plant-based fare to highly anticipated Little Saint

Explore the varied flavors of meatless cuisine from Michelin-starred SingleThread’s newest dining experience this summer. Visitors and locals will be able to enjoy a community-driven dining experience in the 10,000-square-foot building previously housed by SHED, where music, art, film screenings, retail, and a bottle shop will fill up the space. Named Little Saint, the project is a collaboration between Jeff and Laurie Ubben, Jenny Hess and designer Ken Fulk, who formed Vertice Hospitality Group with local real estate and hospitality developer Tony Greenberg. A sustainable dining ethos is a driving force for the group, who owns the neighboring 24-acre Little Saint Farm that will supply produce for the menu.

This summer, guests will experience the unveiling of Little Saint and its salon-style cultural offerings, which will be led by the elegant expertise of renowned designer Ken Fulk. 

Little Saint
25 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448

Sean of the Bread brings fresh loaves and baking lessons to Kenwood

Add Sean of the Bread to the unique tapestry of Kenwood that is known for unique wine castles and award-winning family-owned wineries. After relocating to Kenwood upon leaving San Francisco during the pandemic, Sean Perry began selling starters to feed the baking frenzy during Shelter In Place orders. Now he wakes up around 4:00 a.m. to bake a different style of bread each day for his home bakery customers, who order online. Baked by hand with love, Sean offers Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Cheddar Biscuits, Sourdough and more to bread lovers who order 48 hours ahead of time. Sean delivers to anywhere within three miles of Kenwood for the time being.

As a professional baker who started out as a home baker, Sean also offers virtual Small Baking Lessons for biscuits, quick breads, pie dough, and cookies, and Big Lessons for bread, fermentation, sourdough and lamented dough.

Sean of the Bread Kenwood
Kenwood, CA
https://www.seanofthebreadkenwood.com

Media Contact
[email protected] 

The Lazeaway Club to debut at The Flamingo Resort

Delight in Santa Rosa’s newest poolside indoor-outdoor dining destination, where visitors and locals will experience Cal-Pacific cuisine with an exploration of the diverse flavors of our region. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlook the main pool and open out to the Lanai terrace adorned with mid-century modern furnishings, overhead heaters and fire pits. Savor the Pacific flavors from Mexico to Thailand with dishes that tap into the spices, heat, sweet and savory of far-flung travel destinations, and combines them with fresh, local ingredients.

Designed by restaurateurs Benson Wang and Anderson Pugash of Palm House Hospitality, the menu features tantalizing dishes like the Shaking Steak Frites with grass-fed ribeye, watercress, and tamari lime sauce; and the Citrus & Coconut Marinated Mahi Mahi Ceviche with green apple, spring onion, avocado, Fresno chili and crispy taro root.

The cocktail program at Lazeaway Club features reinvigorated house favorites including the Spice Trader with vodka, black tea, coconut marmalade, lemon, and five-spice, and the Summer Bird Mai Thai with aged rum, Curaçao, pistachio and Thai basil. Rounding out the beverage program is a curated selection of craft Sonoma wine and beers from local vintners and brewers.

The Lazeaway Club at The Flamingo Resort
2777 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-545-8530
https://www.flamingoresort.com

Media Contact
Kimi Ozawa
310-488-9449
[email protected]
 

Zimi Wood-Fired Pizza arrives at The Block in Petaluma

Savor the Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas at the newest permanent restaurant in The Block, Petaluma’s bustling street food park experience. The new stage has been set and live music has returned to liven up every Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon for guests to enjoy on the outdoor patio. The aromas from Zimi are reminiscent of the spirit of Naples, inspired by hearty, rustic dishes with refined toppings made from local produce in the rich agricultural town of Petaluma.

From the owner of Dino’s Greek Food, Zimi serves up fun flavors with red, green, or white bases topped with salivating flavors like garlic confit, pickled shiitakes and fig. The pies are named after Greek gods, like the Hades white-base pizza topped with smoked mozzarella, olives, fennel and smoked chicken, finished with green onions and Carolina BBQ sauce or the Pegasus with fontina, gruyere, oregano, purple potatoes, bacon, crème fraîche and Carolina BBQ sauce. Finish with a Cannoli to end the night.

Pizza Zimi
20 Grey Street
Petaluma, CA
707-559-5338
https://www.eatzimi.com

ART & CULTURE

Over 90 artists open their studios to the public during Art at the Source

Curate your own art tour throughout Sonoma County this summer with Sebastopol Center for the Arts’ Art at the Source Open Studios event. To ensure everyone's safety, current Sonoma County and California COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed. 

"This is the first in person open studio program held by Sebastopol Center for the Arts since the pandemic started over a year ago. We are so excited that the artists are showcasing their work to visitors because there is no comparison to the inspiration and joy that one gets from visiting an artist's studio," said Catherine Devriese, creative director of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. “A painting or sculpture or any original artwork is a long-lasting investment that can be enjoyed every day, as it brightens our lives and lifts our spirits.” 

This self-guided tour allows visitors to explore artist studios and discover long-lasting connections with the wide range of artwork found at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts Gallery, Corrick’s/My Daughter The Farmer in Santa Rosa, Gallery One in Petaluma, Oli Gallery in Guerneville, and virtually online. Art lovers can follow the bright yellow signs for the experience or use the free catalog available online and around the county. A selection of each participating artists’ work will be available via an online marketplace at SebArtsVirtual.org. 

Art at the Source
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
707-495-7588
http://artatthesource.org/

Media Contact
Catherine Devriese
[email protected]

Sutro Wine Co. Art Installation in Healdsburg

Local artist and winemaker Alice Warnecke Sutro, who owns Sutro Wine in Healdsburg, is one of the three local women artists that Little Saint commissioned for art installations on the modern grange building as the interior is being renovated. Alice is completing a full building façade installation of figure drawings done by free-hand, featuring consumers and producers in the town of Healdsburg.

Little Saint
25 North Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-509-9695
https://www.sutrowine.com/art

Media Contact
Alice Sutro
[email protected]

Oli Gallery debuts in Guerneville, brings art to the Russian River

Discover new original work by emerging artists and experience the creativity and our shared humanity at the newest showroom of fine art and jewelry in Sonoma County. Located in the heart of Guerneville and right on the Russian River, Oli Gallery exhibits an array of original works and giclee prints for art lovers to indulge in and collect. The gallery is made available online and is focused on helping new and emerging artists make a name for themselves locally and globally. Artists are invited to join the free artist platform through the website, and are given the opportunity to exhibit virtually or in person.

Founded by self-taught artist and Sonoma County native, Donavan Smandra, Oli Gallery features the works of several Sonoma County painters and sculptors, as well as the works of artists around the world. Visit in person Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Oli Gallery
16215 Main Street
Guerneville, CA 95446
415-298-1642
http://oligallery.com/

Transcendence Theater Company celebrates 10 years of Broadway Under The Stars with new season

Join the celebration of heroes, community, and 10 inspiring years of Broadway Under The Stars with the return of live musical theater at Transcendence’s home theater at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.

Tickets for each performance of their first show, “My Hero,” will be donated to frontline healthcare workers, and performances will be held at the Petaluma Fairgrounds, B.R. Cohn Winery and Skyline Wilderness Park.  “I am incredibly excited and proud to announce our 10th anniversary season,” said Amy Miller, Artistic Director. “This last year has been an extremely difficult time for so many. We have missed our community and being able to connect with them through live performance. I hope our season will not only entertain but uplift and inspire.” 

Additionally, the cast will be putting on a show titled “ROAD TRIP!” that transports the audience from Orlando to Nashville to Hollywood and New York on an epic musical tour of the great American road trip. They’ll then end the season with the highly anticipated 10th Anniversary celebration gala extraordinaire that will be held at Jack London State Park for magical evening performances from the greatest Broadway musicals.

Transcendance Theater Company
Sonoma County, CA
877-424-1414
www.bestnightever.org

Media Contact:
Clara Franco
[email protected]
858-699-4220

ACCOMODATIONS

The Flamingo Resort to unveil multi-million dollar transformation with Mid-Century Modern design, commissioned art, wellness, and culinary programs

The iconic 1957 Flamingo Resort, now part of the SPOKEN brand by Sonoma County-based Point Hospitality, is reborn with an entirely new arrival experience, via a showstopping wooden porte cochère, at the completely transformed 10-acre property. Captivating new art pieces guide guests throughout the hotel, starting with a golden HYBYCOZO sculpture as they enter, followed by a multi-ethnic, provocative lobby wall mural by Serge Gay Jr., a HYBYCOZO pendant chandelier in the entry foyer of the meeting spaces, and a stunning rope sculpture by artist Windy Chien which adorns the wall outside the main ballroom. The commissioned art is complimented by curated vintage and modern photographs, prints, and paintings throughout the property. 156 all-new guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and furnishings made of teak wood with brass and gold finishes.

“The rebirth of Flamingo Resort embodies our vision to create an environment where guests, locals and team members can embrace spiritual wellbeing and the adventure of life,” said Stephen Yang, Founder and Co-CEO of SPOKEN. “We are excited for guests and locals to stay with us to relax and find their flow. With all of the new design enhancements and soulful experiences, we believe The Flamingo has truly ‘SPOKEN.’ The transformed resort is well positioned to become one of the most desired year-round destinations in Sonoma County.”

The Flamingo Resort also reveals its new wellness, culinary and libations programming that celebrates the spirit of Sonoma County and invites guests to connect to the local community and the great outdoors. The resort offers its signature Tea Hour; yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and Wim Hof inspired breathwork experiences; canoeing; Sip ‘n Cycle bike tours; wine and craft beer tastings, Flamingo’s Bird Bath signature cold water bucket experience and the use of an Excursion Backpack that includes hiking sticks, binoculars, blanket, and water bottles for guests to go out and explore on their own. The wellness programming is integrated into the Flamingo Resort’s group business offerings. Meetings and event groups will enjoy the 20,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces for private dinners, events, retreats, conferences, and celebrations.

The Flamingo Resort
2777 Fourth Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-545-8530
https://www.flamingoresort.com

Media Contact
Kimi Ozawa
310-488-9449
[email protected]

Holiday Inn Express Santa Rosa North Opens

Stay comfortably at the newly opened Holiday Inn Express in the heart of Sonoma County, where complimentary breakfast is provided every morning with freshly brewed coffee for guests to jump start their day. This 98-room hotel, previously Hotel Santa Rosa, received renovations in both public spaces and guest rooms and offers complimentary parking and Internet access for all their guests. The outdoor pool and fitness center is open daily and the property also offers a Pet Walking Area for those opting to bring their furry friends along.

Meeting and event groups will enjoy the convenience of the Charles M. Schulz- Sonoma County Airport just 6.2 miles away. As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, guests will experience the IHG Way of Clean promise developed in partnership with world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services Ecolab and Diversey.

Holiday Inn Express Santa Rosa North
2632 Cleveland Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-542-5544
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/santa-rosa/stsca/hoteldetail