Sonoma County’s natural beauty is augmented by amazing architectural design and decor choices among local hotels, wineries, and restaurants. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the soul.
Picturesque Wineries
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens in Fulton, CA, is one of the most visually thrilling estate and garden tours. Expansive gardens are dedicated to the natural ingredients for wine-making (e.g., fruits, herbs); others are for education and inspiration through their beauty. These gardens also grow specialty produce, red and white wine sensory gardens, beehives, and heirloom tomatoes. These ingredients support the vineyard’s wine and food pairings menus; guests choose from wine with cheese, chocolate, or 5-course meal.
La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard’s activities for visitors surround a renovated, landscaped barn that showcases original beauty of the structure. The updated decor and amenities are ideal for contemporary gatherings like wine tastings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, as well as Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé, new in 2017. Visitors enjoy the spiral staircase and airy architectural style. The patio off the barn is the perfect location for wine flights, vineyard tours, wine-and-cheese pairings, and barrel tastings. La Crema is committed to education and culinary arts through engaging and interactive experiences.
Eclectic Tastes
The Barlow, an outdoor market district in Sebastopol, California, is the place Zazu Kitchen + Farm can be found. The restaurant delivers on local, farm-driven menus, where American and Northern Italian flavors dominate. The restaurant’s clean and modern look, bright colors, and wood tables are welcoming and bright. The award-winning founders have a strong farm-to-table and snout-to-tail philosophy. They concentrate on seasonal and locally focused components, always looking for something new and exciting.
Spoonbar, located in the h2hotel, serves regional and seasonal fare, where familiar ingredients are prepared in innovative combinations. In nice weather, the open-air seating brings the outside in.
Downtown Healdsburg’s Duke’s Spirited Cocktails is the place to go for drinks and light fare. The bar serves traditional favorites and today’s artisan creations with locally produced liquors, wine, and spirits. The proprietors also curate a collection of exclusive spirits, wine, and liquors from across the country and around the world. Duke’s unfussy yet elevated local hospitality is enough to make any visitor feel like a true local.
Speaking of around the world, Mateo’s Cocina Latina in Healdsburg serves a dynamic menu of Mexican-influenced dishes complemented by locally sourced ingredients. Patio dining and freshly made margaritas complete the meal. Be sure to ask about the authentic, homemade habanero sauce!
Calming Accommodations
Sonoma’s h2hotel and next-door’s Harmon Guest House focus on natural and organic design and decor choices, from bamboo flooring to organic linens to water bars. Guests of h2hotel also enjoy pool and patio access, while Harmon guests can visit the rooftop lounge or the hotel’s interior courtyard. The result is understated elegance and a peaceful ambiance encouraging total relaxation.
Sonoma County has so much that visitors can see and do. From expansive wineries to a broad array of restaurants and bars each pursuing their own vision of excellence, visitors are all but guaranteed to find something amazing.
