What's New February 2020
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Whether it’s a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend trip for two, a getaway with friends, or a family road trip, Sonoma County beckons with its sprawling vineyards, green rolling hills, charming communities, and a fresh crop of new tasting rooms, shops, and other things to do.
February is the perfect time to explore Sonoma County as temperatures warm, flowers start to bloom and exciting food and drink events take place across the region. Discover what’s new in Sonoma County below with a round-up of the latest happenings, new openings, and things to do.
FEATURED
Sonoma County airport adding 4 more direct flights
In the next few months, three commercial airlines flying out of the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport are scheduling additional direct flights on existing routes.
Alaska Airlines adds evening flights to Orange County (SNA) and San Diego (SAN) to its existing morning schedule starting March 19; flights to SNA will depart at 9:50 a.m. and 5:20 p.m., with flights to SAN at 11:45 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. Beginning June 4, United Airlines will now offer two daily flights to Denver (DEN), at 8:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m.
American Airlines is scheduling a second flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) beginning Feb. 13, with flights leaving daily at 12:46 and 7:26 p.m. Plus, American will resume its seasonal flights to Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX) starting April 7, with the DFW flight leaving at 11:43 a.m. and the LAX flight at 3:57 p.m. American began the DFW and LAX flights on a seasonal basis last summer, and is bringing them back this year.
Offering a hassle-free experience with shorter lines, STS is the only airport offering scheduled air service into the North Bay region. For details about STS airport, visit sonomacountyairport.com.
Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport
2290 Airport Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-565-7240
https://sonomacountyairport.org/
Media Contact
Jon Stout, airport manager
707-565-7243
ATTRACTIONS
Sonoma Raceway launches high performance driving center
Drivers of all skill levels can enjoy high-speed thrills at the new experiential automotive program at Sonoma Raceway in eastern Sonoma County.
The Sears Point Racing Experience offers high-performance driving courses, racing programs, safe driver training, corporate outings, manufacturer showcases, go-karting, and more. Programs can use the raceway’s vehicle fleet or customers can test their own cars on the famed 2.52-mile road course.
The new venture builds upon the programs previously operated by the Simraceway Performance Driving Center. New programs, schedules and options will be rolled out in the coming months. The Sears Point Racing Experience will honor all previously purchased Simraceway programs and gift cards.
This continues the facility’s 46-year history of hosting an onsite racing school. Since 1973, the raceway has been home to four different top-tier performance driving/racing schools. The Racing Experience will operate from the existing 18,000-square foot facility next to Turn 1 of the 12-turn road course; karting operations will also continue at the ¾-mile Sonoma Raceway Karting Center.
Sears Point Racing Experience
Turn 1, Sonoma Raceway
29359 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
800-733-0345
https://www.searspointracing.com/
Media Contact
Diane Brennan, vice president communications and marketing
707-933-3918
WINERIES
Bacigalupi Vineyards moves annual tasting, seminar to Grand Cru
The Vineyard Designate Tasting and VIP Meet The Makers Seminar by Bacigalupi Vineyards gets a new location this year: Grand Cru Custom Crush, a state-of-the-art production facility that’s home to 20 of Sonoma County’s most sought after boutique wineries.
The Bacigalupi family has been growing grapes on Westside Road in the Russian River Valley since 1956. They contributed 40% of the fruit to the 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena that won the 1976 Paris Tasting, forever changing the way the world views California wines. Today their fruit is used for their own wine label and by their winery partners. They produce estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and a red blend called Fondare, as well as a small amount of Blanc de Noir, Zinfandel Port, and late harvest wines.
Set for 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020, the 9th Annual Vineyard Designate Tasting features wines produced exclusively from the grapes of Bacigalupi Vineyards, with a variety of participating wineries. It’s an opportunity to taste the Bacigalupi family heritage of three generations of grape-growing and wine-making.
Before the tasting, the VIP Meet The Makers Seminar from 12-1 p.m. focuses on Pinot Noir, presenting four winemakers in an in-depth panel discussion exploring their winemaking choices, vineyard block selection, and winemaking style, followed by a question and answer session.
Bacigalupi Vineyards
4353 Westside Road
Healdsburg, California 95448
707-473-0115
https://bacigalupivineyards.com/2018-events/
Media Contact
Nicole Bacigalupi
707-473-0115
Soda Rock Winery adds Healdsburg tasting room
Sample Soda Rock Winery’s exquisitely produced Bordeaux varietals in its new tasting room, located just north of the Healdsburg Plaza in northern Sonoma County.
While Soda Rock’s 150-year-old stone winery tasting room was one of only a couple wineries damaged during the Kincade fire, owners Ken and Diane Wilson had stored many of their wines off-site. Soon after, they opened a tasting room in an undamaged outdoor barn on the winery property. The barn tasting room stands next to the memorable Lord Snort, a 40-foot-long steel sculpture of a wild boar.
The barn tasting room remains open, but its hours have shifted to winter hours of 11 a.m.-4 p.m., while the Healdsburg tasting room is open daily, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Both locations pour the same wines. Soda Rock Winery crafts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Meritage blends.
Soda Rock Winery Tasting Room
409A Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, California 95448
707-433-3303
http://srw.winemindeddesign.com/
Media Contact
Soda Rock Winery
707-433-3303
Anaba Wines opens new hospitality center
Sample wines handcrafted from the best Rhone and Burgundian grape varieties grown on the Anaba Wines estate in its new Vintners House hospitality center.
Located in the Carneros wine region in eastern Sonoma County, Anaba Wines is named for the cool, upward-flowing anabatic winds that soar and swirl through its sustainably-farmed vineyards. These unique air currents make the vineyards more temperate, slow down the ripening process, and allow the grapes to develop more robust flavors and distinctive varietal characteristics.
Designed to evoke the region’s fog, wind, and earth, the Vintners House hospitality center features two seated tastings, the Classic Flight and the Estate Flight. The new facility includes fireside seating and a bocce ball court, with a paddle tennis court scheduled to open in April 2020.
Anaba Wines
62 Bonneau Road
Sonoma, California 95476
707-996-4188
Media Contact
Ashley Teplin, Studio 707
707-287-9727 x101
RESTAURANTS & EATERIES
Shige Sushi brings Japan to Sonoma Valley
Choose from a menu rooted in Japanese flavor fundamentals with specials inspired by the seasons at the new Shige Sushi & Izakaya in Sonoma, in eastern Sonoma County.
Raised in Tokyo, owner Shigekazu ("Shige") Mori was immersed in a food culture much more nuanced than seen on a typical Japanese menu in the United States. Following that philosophy, Shige Sushi & Izakaya features dishes made with care from the finest seasonal ingredients, presented in an artful composition, and served with deep respect.
An “Izakaya” is a type of Japanese bar that serves a variety of small, tapas-style dishes. The brief but ambitious menu starts with nearly two dozen appetizers, some as simple as tempura, while others are as sophisticated as tuna tartare with quail egg and arare (soy-rice) cracker sprinkled on top. The sushi list includes favorites like tuna and yellowtail, but also unusual bites like Hokkaido scallop or marinated tuna.
Shige Sushi has a variety of salads, from crab, avocado, and cucumber on mixed greens to fresh water eel and cucumber salad. The menu also includes Sashimi, Miso soup, tempura udon, and five desserts, such as mocha ice cream. Beverages include beer, wine, and premium sake.
Shige Sushi & Izakaya
19161 Sonoma Highway
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-933-9331
Media Contact
Shige Sushi & Izakaya
707-933-9331
TOURS
Task N Travel Concierge handles all the details
From a customized touring itinerary to event planning, dinner reservations, pet care, personal shopping, and more, Lupita Fernandez of Task N Travel Concierge can take care of anything you need done to create your perfect visit to Sonoma County.
Born and raised in the town of Sonoma, Fernandez brings 30 years of experience — most recently as a Fairmont hotel concierge — to her new venture. She specializes in travel itineraries, winery touring, and home, work, and event organization, but will tackle most anything — just ask. She also offers her personal concierge services in Marin, Napa, and San Francisco counties.
Task N Travel Concierge
P.O. Box 697
Sonoma, California 95476
707-310-4944
Media Contact
Lupita Fernandez
707-310-4944
SHOPPING
Astro Motel also selling vintage furniture, art
The Astro Motel in Santa Rosa, in central Sonoma County, now offers selections from its collection of authentic mid-century modern furniture and art for sale online at theastro.shop.
Cherry picked from auctions nationwide, the site features designers such as George Nakashima, Florence Knoll, and Charles and Ray Eames. The collection includes vintage furniture, fixtures, art, and craft items. Most of the pieces are rare or one-of-a-kind, and date from around 1963, the year The Astro first opened.
Built in the heyday of the American motor lodge, The Astro was ambitiously remodeled into a 34-room urban motel in 2017. It features original mid-century modern furnishings, a lush edible garden, and a passion for all Sonoma County has to offer. Retro, quirky, and fun, The Astro makes an ideal hub for exploring the area, especially for cycling enthusiasts (both rental bikes and basic repairs are available onsite).
The Astro Motel
323 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-200-4655
Media Contact:
Lizzie Simon
646-425-5381
Adelle Stoll crafts accessories for the modern minimalist
Modern accessory designer Adelle Stoll features her handmade goods in her new boutique in Montgomery Village, a premier open-air lifestyle shopping center in Santa Rosa, in central Sonoma County.
Stoll creates handmade handbags and jewelry with classic and bold architectural shapes, using soft materials and minimalist construction. Everything is created in Sonoma County, and Stoll presents new designs and wearable art every season. Modern women’s shoes, men’s accessories, and minimalist home-décor items are all in the design pipeline.
Hand-fabricated brass rods and hardware, and 100% German wool felt in vibrant, saturated colors define her work. The finest oil tanned leathers (sourced from the United States) are hand cut to create stylish accessories designed for years of use. All materials used are specifically chosen for their quality and durability.
Adelle Stoll
2405 Magowan Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707-291-4484
Media Contact
Adelle Stoll
707-291-4484
Barge North Company brings ‘slow fashion’ to The Barlow
Committed to stylish fashion that’s ethically produced and made to last, Barge North Company now offers its carefully curated wares in The Barlow, a 12.5-acre artisan and culinary industrial park in Sebastopol, in western Sonoma County.
All garments and goods are ethically made, and almost all of the lines they carry are manufactured in the United States, including the company’s own clothing line. They screen print all of their designs on the Northern California coast, using eco-friendly, water-based inks.
In addition to showcasing its own brand, the company makes a conscious effort to support independent fashion designers who embrace sustainability, producing high-quality fashion with less of an environmental impact. Plus, the clothing lines featured in the store all provide their employees with safe working environments and fair wages.
This is the second brick and mortar shop for Barge North Company, founded in 2017 in Mendocino, along the northern California coast.
Barge North Company
6780 McKinley St., Suite 140
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-503-6018
https://www.bargenorthcompany.com/
Media Contact
Barge North Company, Mendocino
707-503-6018
Rust Boutique features women’s fashion, gifts in Sebastopol
Get help finding the right fit, size, color, and style that works for your lifestyle or special occasion at the new Rust Boutique, a women’s fashion and gift shop in The Barlow, a 12.5-acre culinary and artisan industrial park in Sebastopol, in western Sonoma County.
Owner Alice Briggs created Rust to give each customer a highly engaging experience with one-on-one personal style service and a beautiful selection of curated clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and accessories that are affordable and stylish. The goal is merchandise that is unique, well made, and easy to wear. Whatever your style — Wine Country casual, Bohemian chic, dressy, and more — Rust will help you find it with a high level of customer service by an attentive personal stylist.
Rust Boutique
6780 McKinley St., #120
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-827-6181
Media Contact
Alice Briggs
707-827-6181
# # #
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.
Birgitt Vaughan
Director of Global Media Relations
Sonoma County Tourism
400 Aviation Blvd., Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95403