Sonoma County - California Wine Country Blog

Sonoma County Bluegrass and Folk Festival 2010

The Bluegrass and Folk Festival is known not only for its top-notch music but also for the sense of camaraderie among the crowd.The event features several national and international touring bluegrass and "Old Time" musicians...more

Wine Road Barrel Tasting Weekends 2010

Over 100 wineries in the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley will be participating in the 32nd Annual Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tasting taking place this weekend and next weekend.This is Sonoma County’s largest wine tasting event.

The general idea of barrel tasting is that you can sample wines that are still in the barrel and not yet finished—basically, a wine in progress...more

Tattoos and Blues 2010

Tattoos and Blues in Santa Rosa offers 3 days of tattooing and body piercing by some of the worlds finest artists.Competitions, seminars, live blues music, circus acts, and fine foods round out the festival.

There is a certain feeling of camaraderie in the tattoo crowd, a peaceful bunch with an edge...more

Sonoma County Restaurant Week 2010

Food lovers…rejoice.There are three foodie extravaganzas coming up in Sonoma County:

On Saturday we have the Winter Artisan Cheese Fair in Sonoma...more

Sonoma Valentine's Day 2010

Valentine’s Day is on Sunday and there are plenty of special events planned.Check out our food events page for a listing...more

Wine, Chocolate and…Chowder

The Wine and Chocolate Fantasy at Rodney Strong Vineyard this Saturday is the perfect event to take your sweetie to for an early Valentine’s Day celebration.

The Fantasy takes place in the vineyard’s very large barrel room which is filled with fine wines and great chocolates.Chocolate fountain, chocolate popcorn, handmade truffles, and another glass of wine please, dear...more

Mellow Weekend in SoCo

There are no big festivals scheduled in Sonoma County this coming weekend.So, if you’re looking for a nice, mellow time, without the crowds, and plenty of individual attention at the tasting rooms, this is a great time to come visit.

While you’re here, check out some of the area’s famous crab feeds...more

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival 2010

Don’t worry about the rain this weekend: The charming Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival takes place indoors.And this sweet, folksy event is a ray of sunshine in this otherwise rainy, thundering week...more

Winter Wineland 2010

Start the new year off right with the first big wine event of the year--Winter Wineland.Over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley Appellations are participating in this annual tradition...more

Martini Madness

The Sonoma Valley Olive Festival is in full swing and one of the festival’s most popular events is coming up this Friday: Martini Madness.Bartenders from all over Sonoma Valley compete to see who can come up with the best new martini.

Coming up next weekend: Winter Wineland

...more

Nutcracker Ballet, Sing Along Messiah, Carols in the Caves 2009

Christmas is coming and music is in the air.

The Santa Rosa Nutcracker Ballet(click for video), at the Wells Fargo Center this weekend, is one of the best Christmas traditions in Sonoma County and a terrific event for the whole family.I know, I know…going to see a local ballet production can be a scary proposition...more

Gingerbread Winery Contest 2009

Brrr, it’s cold outside.Plus, the forecast calls for rain this weekend...more

Holiday Parade of Lights 2009

Both the Guerneville and the Petaluma Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday.The Guerneville Holiday Parade of Lights celebration is so uncool it’s cool...more

Sonoma County Thanksgiving 2009

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Haven’t planned out your turkey day dinner yet? Try getting a last minute reservation at these Sonoma County restaurants serving Thanksgiving Day meals.

If you want to remind yourself of something to be thankful for, just go outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of Sonoma County.Go for a walk in the neighborhood, or head out to some of the area’s amazing parks: Armstrong Woods, the coast and Annadel are among the best...more

Holiday in Carneros and Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration 2009

If you like wine, this is a good weekend for you.

The Holiday in Carneros weekend allows you to drive through the Carneros wine region, which straddles both Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the south, and stop by at participating wineries to sample wines and some food pairings and take in all the holiday decorations and cheer.Many wineries offer special events such as holiday craft fairs or live music...more

Festival of Harps 2009

If you’re like me, and harps always make you think of angels and heaven… maybe it’s time for us to broaden our horizons and check out the 20th Annual Festival of Harps, this Saturday, at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park.From what I understand, there’s a whole world of harp music out there...more

Russian River Wine & Food Affair 2009

The Russian River Wine & Food Affair is such a cool event that you don’t even have to like wine to enjoy it—but it definitely doesn’t hurt. You drive around the Russian River area which, by the way, is gorgeous this time of year, and stop off at participating wineries for wine and food tasting, all for one price($60 weekend; $40 Sunday only; $25 designated driver)...more

Halloween 2009

This Saturday is Halloween! And if you find yourself in Sonoma County on Halloween eve, obviously, the best thing to do is go trick-or-treating.And, the best place to do that is on Macdonald Ave...more

Pumpkin Patches, Railroad Scare and Pinot on the River

There are a few events going on in Sonoma County this weekend, but, if I were you, I’d just get in the car, drive on the country roads and explore some of the area’s famous Pumpkin Patches.The weather is supposed to be crisp and mostly sunny this weekend, which sounds like a perfect fall day...more

Sonoma Pumpkin Season

October is pumpkin patch time in Sonoma.It’s a local tradition to head out to the farm, enjoy the scenery and the crisp, autumn air, and pick out your Jack-O-Lanterns plus the main ingredient for your homemade pumpkin pie...more

Tolay Festival and ARTrails 2009

Did I mention how much I love Sonoma County in October? Ok, yes, I know I said something about that in the past couple blog posts…but did I mention it today? There is no better place on earth than Sonoma in autumn. And this weekend, there are several events which show off this area to its best.
First of all, there’s the FREE Tolay Fall Festival Thursday through Sunday in Petaluma (and again next Thursday through Sunday).This is located on a gorgeous piece of property which is close to downtown Petaluma yet feels like out far away, in the middle of nowhere...more

Sonoma County Harvest Fair 2009
The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is one of my favorite annual events.My family goes there every year, and we’ll be there again this weekend (Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct...more

Hand Car Regatta, Celtic Fest, Oak Grove Fest

The Handcar Regatta is this Sunday…and, what can I say except I kicked myself after I missed the first annual event last year.It reminded me of the time in grade school when I missed one day of class that whole year, and wouldn’t you know it, that was the day the Goodyear Blimp happened to land in the field next to the school...more

Zin Topia, Crush and Glendi

Organizers for both the Zin Topia festival up in Dry Creek Valley and the CRUSH celebration in Sonoma Valley plan on these being annual events.But, right now, they are both brand new and being held for the first time this weekend.
The Zin Topia Festival is being held in the sunny and open Lake Sonoma Warm Springs Recreation Area and features small production Zinfandels, Sauvignon Blanc and uncommon red and white varietals...more

Tomatoes, Music and Katmandu

Phew, it’s a busy weekend ahead…
To start off, I want to let you know that there are still a few tickets left for the popular Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival on Saturday.Usually, the festival is sold out far in advance...more

Sebastopol Strawberries, Eloise and Hopmonk

It's been a very eventful week for me in Sebastopol.I work at an audiophile reissue label in Sebastopol called Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, we remaster classic rock and jazz on proprietary equipment and release the music on limited edition 24 Karat gold CD's and on 180 gram virgin vinyl...more

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2009

Labor Day Weekend is coming up, and that means Wine Country Weekend in Sonoma.
For many years, the Valley Harvest Wine Auction had been held on Labor Day Weekend.But, starting last year, the auction teamed up with the Sonoma County Showcase of Wine and Food which use to be held in July...more

Wine, Jazz and Rubber Duckies

The 2nd Annual Petaluma Wine, Jazz & Blues Festival is on Saturday, and this year it is moving to the Sonoma/Marin Fairgrounds instead of downtown.The music and the wine tasting will be taking place in the area where the concerts typically take place at during the fair...more

Accordions and Good Taste

Here at SonomaUncorked.com we have a soft spot in our hearts for the Cotati Accordion Festival.It’s a really neat crowd that gathers there...more

Everything From Apples to Guitars

A lot of big, annual events are concentrated in the Northwestern part of Sonoma County this weekend.
For families in particular, the Gravenstein Apple Fair (video) in Sebastopol is a big draw and it is one my favorite kid-friendly festivals.The event celebrates the local Gravenstein Apple, which, incidentally, has earned a position in the Slow Food movement US Ark of Taste...more

Sonoma County Fair 2009

It’s fair time! The County Fair begins tomorrow Tuesday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, August 9 in Santa Rosa.

Yes, our fair is corny—and we love it.Even though it’s large and well-organized, this is not a glitzy event...more

It's Goode to Be Hardy Wallace

We'd like to give Hardy Wallace of Altanta Georgia a big, warm Sonoma County "welcome." And congratulations for winning the Murphy-Goode Winery (in Alexander Valley), "A Really Goode Job--Wine Country Dream Job" contest.The contest had over 800 applicants who had to turn in a 1 minute video...more

Culture on the Coast, Magic in the Redwoods

Whether you love the coast or the redwoods, this Saturday is the perfect time to check out the spectacular, natural beauty of Sonoma County.

Take a gorgeous drive up the coast—about 20 minutes north of Jenner—to the Cultural Heritage Day celebration at Fort Ross: It’s a great event in a wonderful setting.
Back in the early to mid-1800s, Russian trappers founded the settlement and the area was home to a number of cultural groups (Russians, Creoles, Native Alaskans, and Kashaya and Coast Miwok Native Californians).The Heritage Day event is a celebration of this cultural diversity and history.
You can walk around the fort and see traditional arts and crafts as well as participate in a number of activities...more

Civil War, Dixieland, Catalan and Pizza

Civil War Days
I had a friend who was a Civil War enthusiast.(Perhaps “fanatic” is a better word.) And he participated in all those reenactments that take place throughout the country, such as the Civil War Days event that will be going on at Duncan Mills this Saturday and Sunday...more

Enmanji TempleTeriyaki BBQ and Pulsators Live at Juilliard
After the excitement of all those 4th of July celebrations last weekend, this coming weekend is really mellow in comparison.

First off, there’s the Enmanji Temple Teriyaki BBQ and Bazaar in Sebastopol on Saturday...more

Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July! See our listing (with videos and pictures) of all the Independence Day events throughout Sonoma County.Check out all the quirky celebrations in Monte Rio, dance to Wonderbread 5 at the fairgrounds, kick back with a hometown parade in Sonoma, and so much more....more

World's Ugliest Dog
This weekend, The Sonoma-Marin Fair brings to you ugly dogs.Really ugly dogs...more

Dads Love Blues
It’s a pretty mellow weekend coming up in Sonoma County, which is good since it’s Father’s Day.And it seems that on their special day, most Dads want to hang out at home, BBQ, admire their lawn, sit back and listen to the stereo...more

Balloons, Harmony and Peggy Sue

Wow, it’s a big weekend coming up, with some of my favorite annual events:

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic
I like hot air balloons—I mean, who doesn’t? Let’s say you’re driving down the highway and you see a hot air balloon in the distance.Doesn’t it always bring a smile to your face? Don’t you always point it out to whoever is riding with you? Of course you do...more

Doom and Gloom Vs. Good Beer

Beerfest keeps it pure and simple: For nearly two decades now, the festival has been all about beer, food and music.For the price of admission ($35, $40), you can drink as much beer as you like from the area’s best microbreweries, eat as much food as you like from some of the area’s favorite restaurants, and listen to tunes from the THUGZ, one of the area’s favorite bands...more

Classic Race Cars and Lamb

I just wanted to pop in a quick entry about my experience yesterday just outside the town of Sonoma in the Los Carneros wine region.I started the day at the Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races at Infineon Raceway...more

Carneros Heritage Fest Plus Vintage Cars

I love lamb, so I’m a big fan of the Carneros Heritage Fest, taking place this weekend in Sonoma.Each year, the Carneros wine region celebrates its history and heritage—and its namesake...more

Jazz, Ice Cream and Oysters

The “Big Deal” this weekend is, of course, the annual Sonoma Jazz + Festival in Sonoma.This year, some of the featured performers include: Joe Cocker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Chris Isaak, Ziggy Marley, and many more...more

Tribal Fest Video and Pics
We went to the Tribal Fest in Sebastopol this weekend--it was packed and a full of energy (lots of cheering, dancing, laughing women).Check out the video and photos here to see what it was like...more

Belly Dance, Cigars and Roses

A friend of mine tried to describe the Tribal Fest event to me (which is going on now through Sunday in Sebastopol) and this is what she came up with:
“Imagine you had a huge party and invited a bunch of dancers who are Burners and Goths and Goddesses and members of all kinds of different (sub-cultures)—or, you know, just doing their own thing and not a part of any group at all.And then you turn on some great music and everyone performs their own version of a belly dance...more

Treat Mom to Wine, Chocolates, Flowers and...Chili

There aren’t a lot of events going on this weekend in Sonoma County, which is just as well considering it’s Mother’s Day.And, being a mom of four, all I ever want to do on my special day is take it easy and get some R&R...more

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
{video-player title=cinco-de-mayo-santa-rosa-2009&width=300&height=160&video=cinco-de-mayo-santa-rosa-2009.flv&image=cinco-de-mayo-santa-rosa-2009.jpg}

Here's a quick glimpse of the Cinco de Mayo celebration earlier this evening in Santa Rosa.It was reported by the Press Democrat that approximately 7000 people attended...more

Roma Festival 2009

This Friday kicks off the 13th Annual California Herdeljezi Roma Festival.On Friday night from 7pm - 11pm at the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building, a mini film festival dubbed Romani Film Night will take place, tickets are only $10...more

What do Apples, Eggs, Butter, Tomatoes and Grapes All Have in Common?

This weekend, Sonoma County is holding festivals in honor of apples, butter, eggs, tomatoes and, of course…the mighty grape.

Apple Blossom and Butter and Eggs Parades
The Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival parade and the Petaluma Butter and Eggs Days Parade fall on the same day (as always).Both are very charming small-town events...more

Iron Horse for Earth Day

Iron Horse Vineyards is a natural for celebrating Earth Day.First of all, it has wonderful views of some of the most beautiful, unspoiled, countryside anywhere: An inspirational reminder of what it is we’re working to hold on to...more

Easter in Sonoma

My cousin Misha always said that one of the nice things about Christian celebrations was the opportunity to drink wine.If you’re like Misha, then Easter in Sonoma is like Heaven on Earth.
Start the day with an Easter Sunrise Mass by the big cross at Cline Cellars, which happens to be on consecrated ground...more

Of Fools and Fish

My son likes to go to the magic shop in downtown Santa Rosa.The owner is an actual magician and often does tricks for the customers, so it’s always a fun stop...more

Beer, Babes and Global Warming

As the main city in Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa has been trying to determine its identity for a while now.Is it the nightlife center of the county? (It’s not.) Is it the arts and cultural center? (To be fair, Santa Rosa has a lot to offer on that front...more

Savor Sonoma Barrel Tasting 2009

The barrel tasting fun continues this weekend, but on a much smaller scale.Savor Sonoma Valley which is a very intimate affair, takes place Saturday and Sunday with just under 20 wineries participating in picturesque Sonoma Valley...more

Sonoma County Bluegrass & Barrel Tasting

Mustard is in full bloom all over the county.And if you come up to the Sonoma County Bluegrass & Folk Festival this Saturday, you will see incredible fields of gold on Route 12 in Santa Rosa heading west into Sebastopol, were the festival takes place...more

Roll Out the Barrel!

The Wine Road Barrel Tasting Weekends is taking place this weekend and next.The whole idea around barrel tasting is that you can sample a wine that’s still in the barrel and not yet finished...more

Tattoos & Blues 2009

It can never be said that Sonoma County is a one dimensional place.In this part of wine country we vive la difference!
With that being said...more

St. Francis Winery - 30 Years of Excellence

Undeniably one of the most romantic and scenic wineries in all of Sonoma County, St.Francis Winery and Vineyards celebrates 30 years of winemaking this weekend...more

Amgen Tour of California - Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa is the largest city in the North Bay.Yet, it has no professional basketball team...more

Cloverdale Citrus Fair 2009

Get ready! Rain or shine! The 117th Cloverdale Citrus Fair (click for video & pictures) is coming and is one of the first California fairs of the year! The festivities kick off on Friday the 13th when the fair officially opens it's doors to the public and finishes on Monday, Presidents Day.Carnival style rides, games, arts and crafts, agricultural displays and contests and of course lots of live music...more

Wine & Chocolate at Rodney Strong Saturday February 7th
{video-player title=title&width=338&height=199&video=rodney-strong-wine-chocolate.flv&image=_Rodney-Strong-Wine-Chocolate.jpg}

The information on Sonoma Uncorked is based soley on what we locals would tell a close friend.With that said, there's not much going on this weekend...more

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival 2009
Well, the weather is a little dreary to say the least.But fear not, there are plenty of indoor activities this weekend...more

Winter Wineland 2009

Winter Wineland 2009 is the first big wine event of the year.Over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley Appellations all come together for a special winter celebration...more

New Years Eve in Sonoma County

It can't be denied that 2008 was a historic year.All the same, I can't wait to see it go! To all you folks out there with hope and faith in your hearts and minds, have a happy new year! Here's wishing you all the best!

I think the New Year's celebration at Hopmonk Tavern is going to be a barn burner...more

Holiday Season in Sonoma County
The holiday season is in full swing in Sonoma.Tomorrow the award winning group Chanticleer performs at St...more

OIGC Brings Down the House in Sonoma!!!

Oh.........my........god! "Get up off of that thang!" The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble brings down the house and leaves them begging for more at the historic Bartholomew Park Winery in Sonoma! I wish you were there!
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Ensemble is lead and inspired by charismatic and super friendly Artistic Director Terrance Kelly, who often interacted with the audience in a playful, joking kind of way.The night was full of highs, but at the end of the show the whole room became entranced; the group consciousness was raised and we were all transcended into an altered state of being...more

Sonoma County - Dancin' in the Streets

I love Sonoma County! Free spirited moments like the one shown above are what Sonoma is all about.The video above was taken last Saturday at the Holiday Parade of Lights in Guerneville and features the local band the T.H.U.G.S who specialize in Grateful Dead covers and play almost every Thursday night at the Pink Elephant in Monte Rio...more

Sonoma Christmas Tree Farms - Buy Local!

I spent some time over Thanksgiving weekend checking out Christmas Tree Farms in Sonoma.It was a bittersweet experience...more

Happy Thanksgiving
I just wanted to put out a short note to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! Be safe out there!...more

Holiday In Carneros 2008

This weekend officially marks the holiday season here in Sonoma County with the annual Holiday in Carneros wine tasting event.A mere $40 gets you 2 days of wine and food tasting with many of the wineries also featuring, special pairings, barrel tastings, music and arts and crafts...more

Sonoma Olive Harvest

The Sonoma olive harvest is in full swing! Olive picking and pressing for olive oil is taking place all over Sonoma County as we speak.When making premium olive oil it is important to pick the olives at the right time AND get the olives to the press immediately after they have been picked, to assure for best taste.
In 2 weeks many of the olive presses in Sonoma County open their doors to the public and have "community milling days"...more

Slowing Down in Sonoma

It's been an exciting and hectic and wonderful and stressful time in left-leaning Northern California lately.But now, with a historic presidential election behind us, it's time to take a deep breath and slow down...more

Sonoma County Halloween Weekend

Well it looks like rain is a strong possiblity for Halloween this Friday, what a bummer! Well, I know that is not going to stop my 10 year old son and for that matter many others.We all know Halloween brings out the "crazies"...more

Pinot Lovers Unite! - Pinot on the River

This weekend pinot noir enthusiasts unite in force to celebrate the esteemed varietal.Event sponsor The Pinot Report puts on Pinot on the River, a 3 day festival that starts this Friday and reaches it's peak on Sunday when the Grand Artisanal Pinot Noir Tasting event takes place at scenic Russian River Vineyards...more

Windsor Pumpkin Festival - Pumpkin Car Races!

The Windsor Pumpkin Festival is a free annual event that takes place this Sunday on the spacious Windsor Green.There's a pancake breakfast in the morning followed by the Parade of Pumpkin Desserts that starts at 11:30 at KC's Downtown Bar & Grill...more

No Chance Ranch

On Saturday, I went with my son to the No Chance Ranch Haunted House on Llano road and to phrase it appropriately, it was a hoot! The friendly and hospitable Brady clan that owns the farm, gets together and puts on a show for the locals, now 3 years running.The ranch is completely decked out with Halloween decorations, trinkets, a pumpkin patch, hay ride, snack bar, haunted house and a "chicken" house for young kids; and adult wimps...more

Tolay Fall Festival Petaluma

The Tolay Fall Festival takes place over a span of 8 days over the next 2 weeks.The festival runs Thursday through Sunday this week and next...more

World Championship Grape Stomp Mania!

This year's World Championship Grape Stomp was a barn burner! It was sort of a tournament of champions with a dash of celebrity to add a little twist.Bob Blumer from the Food Network's Glutton for Punishment show made it to the finals and posed a serious threat...more

Sonoma County Harvest Fair & The Doobies

Well it's time for the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, my single most favorite festival of the year! To me the the Harvest Fair typifies the Sonoma County way - irreverent, fun loving, easy going but yet when it comes to food and wine, very serious.This unique combination is rare in the world we now live in and the Harvest Fair really brings this all together in a special way...more

111th Annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival – Sonoma

This weekend is a great one! There’s that autumn crispness in the air, the colors of the leaves are starting to turn color and you can feel the season starting to change.The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival takes place all day Saturday and Sunday at the historic Sonoma Square and is a free event! The festival is the second oldest in California, the first being the Rose Parade...more

Glendi Festival in Santa Rosa and More

This weekend is full of culture! In Santa Rosa the Glendi Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday.International foods, kids play area, baked goods and a Klesmer band are the formula to get people dancing and having a great time...more

Sonoma Uncorked Welcomes Brad Henstock

SonomaUncorked.com would like to give a big welcome to Brad Henstock who will be covering the music and nightlife scene here in Sonoma County.What impressed me about Brad was not only his knowledge of the local scene and beyond (which is impressive!); but also his enthusiasm and earnestness...more

Sonoma Welcomes the Sun Kings!

Here come the Sun Kings! I was just checking youtube to see if there were any videos of this Beatles tribute band.I found one and I got to say, I'm very impressed...more

World's Biggest BLT Confidential

Just wanted to write a quick post about our good friend and writer Michele Anna Jordan who writes our wine and food blogs and is the author of the BLT Cookbook and creator of the "World's Biggest BLT." Michele did the first "World's Biggest BLT" event back in 2003 at the Kendall Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival.Then, last year, she teamed up with the Windsor Farmers Market...more

Jazz on the River and More

September is a big month for festivals in Sonoma.We kick the month off with 3 very significant ones...more

Sonoma County Harvest Fair News!

The Sonoma County Harvest Fair has made some important announcements.An exclusive event featuring the Harvest Fair's medal winning wines and food prepared by local chefs takes place on Friday October 3rd from 3pm-7pm, only the wine tasting pavillion and the wine sales area will be opened on Friday...more

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is here! This is the local wine and food event of the year.Or at least that's the buzz around it...more

Annual Cotati Accordion Festival

Another favorite event of mine is this weekend.The Cotati Accordion Festival, celebrating it's 18th year, starts this Saturday at 9:30 am at La Plaza Park...more

Russian River Beer Revival & Cookoff - Delivers Again

Well, I went down to Guerneville on Saturday, to the Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff.I went with a buddy of mine; not to cover it for the site, but to actually go out and enjoy myself...more

Big Sonoma Weekend

This weekend is packed with festivals! The Russian River Grape to Glass Weekend kicks off the festivities on Friday with the Winery Poker Run starting at 11 am, wine tasting and a movie at 5:30 at the incredible MacMurray Ranch.Details of all the events for Grape to Glass are here...more

Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol

The Gravenstein Apple Fair starts this Saturday at 10am.Apple sauce eating contest is at high noon and the apple pie eating contest is at 12:30 on both Saturday and Sunday...more

Alice Waters - Slow Food Nation

This past Sunday, writer Michele Anna Jordon interviewed foodie icon Alice Waters of Chez Panisse during the celebration of the Gravenstien Apple at the Sebastopol Farmers Market.Jordan and Waters talked about the Slow Food Nation event coming up and also about the "Victory Garden" in downtown San Francisco...more

Sonoma County Fair Summer Fun
{video-player title=summer-fun&width=482&height=305&video=Sonoma-County-Fair-2008.flv&image=Sonoma-County-Fair-2008-Video.jpg}
I caught the end of the opening day of the Sonoma County Fair.I went with my son (10) and my daughter (3)...more

Restaurant Eloise - What an Entrance!

This Friday the wait is finally over! After a lot of hard work and sweat equity, chefs Eric Korsh and Ginevra Iverson, a husband and wife team, open the much anticipated Restaurant Eloise.And what an entrance.....more

New Sonoma Videos

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the Old Grove Festival which I went to on Saturday night.As expected, it was a laid back event that delivered memorable moments...more

Old Grove Festival in Armstrong Woods

This Saturday you have an opportunity to do something really special.The Old Grove Festival takes place in Armstrong Woods in Guerneville at 5pm...more

Quartet San Francisco at Sonoma State

As I mentioned in my last post, the amazing Quartet San Francisco plays at 4pm this coming Sunday at Green Music Festival at Sonoma State.Quartet San Francisco was nominated for a Grammy for best classical crossover album in 2007 & 2008...more

Teriyaki and Free Music

The Green Music Festival kicks off this Friday at SSU with the Orient Express Gypsy Band.The Jackie Ryan Trio performs on Saturday.The Green Music Festival runs from Friday the 11th to Sunday the 20th...more

Sonoma 4th of July Fireworks

Happy 4th of July! Got back from the Sonoma 4th of July Fireworks a few hours ago and decided to put up the video of it because I enjoyed it so much.Unfortunately I did not make it to the parade in the morning or to the festivities on the Sonoma Plaza...more

Sonoma County 4th of July

I just wanted to put this video up now to show you a few of the 4th of July celebrations happening here in Sonoma County.I'll add to this blog post later in the week to tell you about some of these events...more

I Don't Know What to Say

I got to say it: If you can, postpone your trip to come up this weekend.Come up July 4th weekend or the weekend after instead...more

Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest - Sonoma Marin Fair
Elwood and owner Karen Quigley, from Seweel, New Jersey will be defending Elwoods World's Ugliest Dog Crown this Friday 6:30 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.Elwood's ugly bros are hot on his heels...more

Peggy Sue's All American Cruise Video and Pictures
Went to the Peggy Sue's All American Cruise classic car and 50's event this Saturday.Worked late and got a little video and picture gallery going...more

Sonoma County Father's Day Weekend

Had some great adventures last weekend.Ran into Eric Korsh and his wife Ginevra Iverson, two seasoned chefs from the NYC restaurant scene...more

Festival Season in Full Swing

Summer Festivals are in full swing here in Sonoma County! This weekend we have 3 big ones:

The Harmony Festival : This 3-day event is a hippie, new-age, green, sexy, musical, artsy extravaganza and, by far, the “hippest” festival in Sonoma County.

Beerfest : A mostly young and fun crowd tastes beer from over 40 breweries and noshes on tidbits from local restaurants while dancing to live music.
North County Wine Tasting : If you’ve been wanting to explore the northern wine regions of Sonoma County, this is your weekend...more

Healdsburg Jazz Festival

The Healdsburg Jazz Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary and kicks off today with the Fred Hirsh Trio and special guest Kurt Elling.
Saturday, heavyweight Charles Lloyd plays with his Quartet and Trio. Drummer virtuoso Eric Harland plays in both groups with Lloyd...more

Old World Sonoma County

Just went on a little "3 hour tour" up to Cellar No.8 at Asti Winery in Cloverdalemore

Sonoma Jazz + Memorial Day Weekend
Yes! Summer is finally here! It's Sonoma County Memorial Day Weekend and what better way to kick off the summer than the Sonoma Jazz + Festival! The Town of Sonoma is buzzing with visitors for the big event which pairs some of the world's best jazz musicians with some of our world-famous wines and chefs.On Saturday and Sunday, the Sonoma Plaza is host to small music ensembles, playing around the plaza at various venues...more

Santa Rosa Farmers Market

Santa Rosa Farmers Market, Santa Rosa Downtown Market, Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market; no matter what you call it theres no denying that the Santa Rosa Farmers Market is the best street faire North of the Golden Gate Bridge.And it happens every Wednesdays from May through the end of August! Whether your a local or a visitor, this is the place to be in Sonoma County on Wednesday starting at 5pm...more

Sonoma Valley Passport - Tribal Fest

Passport to Sonoma Valley is this weekend.If you did not buy advanced tickets, fear not...more

New Sonoma County Openings

It was an eventful weekend in Sonoma County, lots going on in West County.We met with Mark Malicki the passionate, driven chef/owner of Saint Rose Restaurant in Sebastopol which just opened last week...more

Passport and Castles

You can tell that Sonoma County is gearing up for the summer by the amount of festivals and big events taking place this weekend.
In her wine blog, Michelle lets you in on why she thinks Passport to Dry Creek Valley, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, is the best California Wine Country event of the year.(And, she also tells you why you can't go.)
Or, if you're more in the mood for some family-friendly festivals, there's the the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival, the Petaluma Butter and Eggs Days Parade, the Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff and Castles and Kites - Doran Regional Park...more

Grand Opening of Hopmonk Tavern, April in Carneros and Sonoma Jazz +

Sonoma County's favorite band the Pulsators christen Hopmonk Tavern for it's Grand Opening in Sebastopol Friday night.In addition to serving it's own brew, Hopmonk also serves up beer from Scotland, England, Belgium as well a nice assortment of California microbreweries...more

New Discoveries in Sonoma County - Wine Country

Something old, something new - Food writer Tom Samarati uncovers an old school Sonoma County butcher, Bud's Custom Meats and has an ephipany! As it turns out, Bud's is a "Meaty Paradise" serving up cuts of prime, organic pasture fed beef, ground buffalo, ostrich steaks, elk steaks and more.But that's not the end of the story...more

New Wineries in Sonoma County

I just read Michelle Baker’s wine blog about the musical chairs going on with Sonoma County wineries.There are quite a few changes taking place--C...more