A Taste of Fall

Indulge in a delightful Chardonnay brunch flight at the home ranch of Benziger Family Winery, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. through October. At the Brunch Bites & Morning Delights Tasting, each sip is perfectly paired with delectable bites infused with elements from the Benziger estate and local purveyors Bellwether Farms and Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie. A sweet treat from Wine Country Chocolates is paired with the winery's flagship Bordeaux blend, Tribute, delivers the ultimate finale to this delicious experience!

Join Muscardini Cellars on Saturday, October 12 for their 2024 Harvest Celebration in their beautiful backyard. This annual event (Muscardini's biggest event of the year) features live music, the release of their first ever Blanc de Noir, oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company, seasonal BBQ faire from Sweet T's, a harvest demonstration, and a flight of new fall release wines.

An unforgettable culinary experience is promised as McEvoy Ranch, known as the world's best estate-produced Extra Virgin Olive Oil producer, prepares to host the McEvoy Ranch x Hog Island Seafood Dinner on October 5. Guests will indulge in a four-course seafood dinner while enjoying insights from industry leaders including President of McEvoy Ranch Samantha Dorsey, Chef and Hog Island Cookbook Author John Ash, and Hog Island Oyster Co. Founding Partner/CEO John Finger. The evening will conclude with a book signing with Chef John Ash. Also at McEvoy Ranch, embark on a sensory journey with the launch of the first Olio Nuovo Experience on November 16. Guests start by picking their own olives in the orchard, running them through the mill, and tasting the Olio Nuovo moments after they are crushed. The experience culminates in a delightful lunch featuring Olio Nuovo, paired with their small-lot wines. Led by the president of McEvoy Ranch, Samantha Dorsey, this exclusive event is a must for olive oil enthusiasts.

Hi-Fi Happy Hour returns to Gundlach Bundschu on the third Thursday of the month, beginning on Thursday, November 21 through the winter for wine, records, pizza, and friends. Kick back and spend time with neighbors, new friends, and Bundschus, spinning classic favorites and indie gems. The event is free, but reservations are recommended. 

Dining News

Songbird Parlour, the unforgettable venue in Jack London Village that features a timeless lounge decor, is transitioning into a full-time restaurant this fall. With a hospitality-centric vision, the team is hard at work crafting a posh Victorian lounge and restaurant whose food, drinks, music, and decor evoke the vibrancy and energy of today's Sonoma Valley in the heart of Wine Country. Songbird Parlour will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 3:30-8:30pm, with daily social hours from 3:30-5pm. The restaurant also offers private dining options, accommodating up to 42 guests for dinner or 85 for cocktail-style gatherings – perfect for those seeking to create their own unforgettable Sonoma Valley moments.

There is news at Goodness Gracious, the private chef and catering service that offers fine dining experiences that include the best food, culture, and community of Wine Country.  Meet Chef Eric Moulton, their new culinary virtuoso with roots deep in Sonoma County's rich food culture. Born in San Francisco and raised in Kenwood, Eric's passion for cooking was sparked by his aunt's kitchen magic, adventures in Australia and Central America, classical study at Le Cordon Bleu, and stints in San Francisco's top kitchens. Now, back in Sonoma, Eric's philosophy is simple — let great ingredients shine. 

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is proud to announce the opening of The Terrace. Take your business lunch beyond the boardroom, stop in for a bite between wine tastings, or simply sit back and relax with a refreshing cocktail while overlooking the sparkling resort pool. Located just off the pool deck, The Terrace by Water Tower Bar serves delicious light fare alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine in a comfortable, casual setting.  Reservations are not required and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

This Thanksgiving, let El Dorado Hotel and Kitchen do the cooking and you can create the memories. Their Thanksgiving Stay & Dine Package includes a comfortable overnight stay and a delightful feast for two. Reservations for lunch or dinner must be made in advance.

Learn While You Travel 

Interested in the Best Winery Tour by USA Today 10Best? Explore the Benziger Family Winery's gorgeous Sonoma Mountain Estate in a 90-minute experience you will never forget. Guests will learn about their holistic approach to organic farming practices while sipping on wine. The tour includes a stop in the wine cave before ending with a seated tasting of Benziger winery-exclusive Biodynamic wines paired with local cheese and accoutrements.

Vice Present and Brand Ambassador Chris Benziger invites you to join him on his annual Harvest Hike on Sunday, October 6th and take in the beauty of the Benziger Family Sonoma Mountain Estate. Chris hosts the hour-long hike and wine tasting as he shares family stories, insight into Biodynamic farming practices, and details about their many award-winning wines from this unique Sonoma Mountain property. After the hike, enjoy a boxed lunch from the Glen Ellen Market.

Ever wonder why certain chocolates pair better with different varietals or styles of wine? Find the ideal chocolate bite to fit your palate at Muscardini Cellars' Winter Wine and Chocolate Pairing featuring Le Belge from December 1 through March 2025. Le Belge's Master Chocolatier, Chef Sebastian Beline of Paris, offers distinctive contemporary-style chocolates for an indulgent experience. The course begins with a cause-and-effect exploration of basic chocolate samples through the lens of one wine and then will focus on pure pieces of specialty chocolates paired with wines on a flight.

Muscardini also offers guests the chance to step into the shoes of a winemaker and create your unique blend through a Blend Your Bottle experience. Learn the process of wine blending, conduct hands-on blending trials with their varietals, and create the perfect blend that achieves balance through acidity, tannin, and fruit. Guests will also learn the specifics of creating a wine label and ultimately design one, with the option to make a take-home 375mL sample and order custom bottles of your blend!

For decades, Serres Ranch has worked tirelessly alongside Mother Nature to grow the finest quality grapes for some of the most acclaimed and recognized brands in the industry. Today, the fifth generation of the family is proud to present Serres Ranch wines. Visitors are welcome to visit the Ranch and learn more about what makes the Serres family story and vineyards unique.

Creative Pursuits

Unleash your inner artist at Imagery Estate Winery's  Imagery Fall Floral Arranging, Sunday, November 10. Use a variety of beautiful seasonal blooms as you learn how to cut, condition, arrange, and display flowers through demonstration and hands-on learning, then take home your creation. Imagery Winter Wreath Making experience is part of their Artist Workshop Series on December 7. Create lush and fragrant holiday wreaths using evergreen foliage, branches, and dry materials. Students will be able to design their wreaths with both natural and/or artificial materials. All materials and the first glass of wine are included in the price of both workshops..

Immerse yourself in the magic of the season at the McEvoy Ranch's festive wreath-making workshop in their greenhouse. Create a stunning, personalized holiday masterpiece using fresh, foraged greenery from their garden. Savor a glass of wine or your preferred non-alcoholic beverage while indulging in a delicious boxed lunch. This enchanting event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.

Uniquely Sonoma Experiences

Discover the beauty and history of Sonoma on Pushpak Motor's fun and unique electric trikes. Their newest tour invites riders to capture the magic of the sun setting over some of Wine Country's most beautiful vineyards. Cap your evening with a cozy wine tasting at award-winning Capo Isetta. Experience the vibrant colors of fall, the richness of the harvest, and the mysteries of the night sky at Sonoma Botanical Garden this autumn. Acoustic Sunsets continues each Wednesday evening through October 30 with live music in the outdoor amphitheater, wine tasting, and more. Visitors can attend a star party on November 8 with astronomers from the Robert Ferguson Observatory. Professional photographer Daniel Perales leads monthly photo walks to provide tips on the best way to capture the beauty of the season. Sonoma Yoga offers guided meditation hikes each month to connect nature, mind, and body. On November 30, the Garden offers a chance to craft a stunning holiday centerpiece that will last throughout the season.

Enjoy award-winning wines as you stroll through a Pumpkin Patch and pick out your perfect pumpkin. Larson Family Winery is thrilled to bring back its Pumpkin Patch event this fall, starting October 3 and running through the month. Nestled in the scenic vineyards of Sonoma, the winery offers a delightful mix of wine, autumn activities, and family-friendly fun. 

Bring your olives and join Community Mill Day, a favorite day of the year at McEvoy Ranch. On November 17,  gather with other small growers from across Northern California as they bring their freshly picked olives to the mill to create a true regional blend of olive oil. The Ranch will combine everyone's crop and mill a seasonally unique Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is always delicious. 

Explore the intersection of art and wine at Imagery Estate Winery's Collections Tasting with Gallery Tour, an immersive experience highlighting their most coveted small lot wines and the story behind each label. You'll also enjoy an intimate gallery tour and seated exploration of five unique wines led by one of our wine specialists, paired with local cheeses and accoutrements. Available for groups of eight or less, 21 years and over.

Shop Local! 

Enjoy Muscardini Cellars' Holiday Makers Market on Saturday, November 9. Sip their delicious wines, shop for unique gifts from local artists, and mingle with your loved ones. From handcrafted jewelry to one-of-a-kind pottery glassware, the Muscardini Cellars' Holiday Makers Market has something for everyone on your list. Wine by the glass and bottle, as well as charcuterie boards, will be available for purchase during the event.

Vintner Katie Bundschu's Abbot's Passage and Mercantile in Glen Ellen is gearing up for their third annual Winter Marketplace, a festive collaboration of women-owned small businesses across California, on December 8.  Sip, shop, play, and mingle with your friends and family as you shop for thoughtful holiday gifts from artisans and women-owned small businesses. A portion of the proceeds from the market will benefit Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit whose mission is to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, equitable, and respectful for every mother everywhere.

Congratulations

The Valley of the Moon Music Festival received the incredible honor of being voted "Best Festival" in this year's SF Classical Voice's Audience Choice Awards. According to SFCV, the weekly online newsletter that features a digest of all the latest cultural events, reviews, and hot deals in the Bay Area and Los Angeles regions:  “Readers made their appreciation for the Valley of the Moon Music Festival resoundingly clear in this year's vote... the festival's 10th anniversary, with the theme of 'Music Across the Americas,' was chosen as the favorite among the embarrassment of riches available to Bay Area concert goers during the summer festival season.” 

Looking Ahead

For the first time ever, NASCAR at Sonoma Raceway will “drive” deeper into the summer months next year when the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend moves to its new date of July 11 to 13, 2025. Sonoma's July NASCAR weekend, punctuated by the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, July 13, will be NASCAR's only visit to California in 2025. The challenging 1.99-mile road course set in the hillsides of wine country provides fans with the perfect setting for exciting racing as drivers battle through 10 turns and elevation changes over the 110-lap race.