Fall flavors in Sonoma County

With the arrival of autumn, Sonoma County is beginning to glow as the region moves to the rhythm of the seasonal harvest.

From Healdsburg to the Sonoma Coast, vines blush with ripe fruit, welcoming visitors to taste the results of hands-on care.

In this season, Sonoma County Wine Country becomes more than a place; it’s a shared experience rooted in community and hospitality.

The fall season brings celebrations that reflect the spirit behind the vines. Fireside dinners, winemaker hikes, and Sonoma County Signature Experiences offer intimate ways to connect with the land. This is Sonoma County Wine County at harvest: vibrant, inclusive, and unmistakably “for all of us.”

New in Wine

Solo Nostro Wines

Ted Seghesio, a fourth-generation winemaker from the historic Sonoma County winemaking family, has launched Solo Nostro with his wife, Dana. The brand’s first tasting room has opened at Bacchus Landing, a collaborative space also home to Dot Wines and Smith Story Wine Cellars.

Montagne Russe Winery & Record Lounge

Montagne Russe Winery & Record Lounge has opened its doors in downtown Petaluma. Founded in 2015 by Kevin Bersofsky, who began crafting small-lot Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah in his garage, the winery takes its name from the French term for “roller coaster,” a nod to the highs and lows of winemaking. After flourishing in the Healdsburg area, Montagne Russe now brings its unique concept to Petaluma with a new tasting room that doubles as a record store.

Overshine Collective

Former Google executive David Drummond is reshaping Sonoma County’s wine scene with The Overshine Collective, a collaborative group that now includes Martha Stoumen Wines, Reeve Wines, and BloodRoot Wines. Rather than traditional acquisitions, Drummond’s model gives founders equity and creative freedom, while consolidating backend operations like finance and distribution to boost efficiency and allow greater focus on winemaking. The collective builds on prior investments including Idlewild Wines, Armida Winery (rebranded as Overshine Wines), Comunità, and the Las Cimas Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, now planted with rare Italian varietals led by winemaker Sam Bilbro. As consolidation grows across the industry, Drummond’s approach preserves brand identity while promoting shared resources, collaboration, and expanded reach.

Sonoma County Winegrowers

The San Francisco Giants have teamed up with Sonoma County Winegrowers to launch an exclusive Giants Wine Club, a first-of-its-kind wine membership in Major League Baseball. Selections are handpicked by Evan Goldstein, MLB’s first-ever Master Sommelier, who brings a flair for pairing wine culture with baseball tradition.

New in Restaurants

Bijou Petaluma

Bijou, meaning “jewel” in French, is the latest venture from the team behind Petaluma’s Table Culture Provisions, chefs Stéphane Saint Louis and Steven Vargas with Marta Saint Louis. It offers a more approachable take on their Michelin-recommended cuisine in downtown Petaluma. The space features whitewashed walls, a concrete bar, minimalist tables, and exposed brick under warm metal-frame chandeliers. The seasonally rotating à la carte menu marries French technique with Sonoma ingredients, from duck-stuffed caramelle and truffle-topped croque monsieur to rib-eye with peppercorn sauce and Japanese sea bream with pistachio-caper sauce.

Waterhawk Lake Club

Waterhawk Lake Club, the new lakeside venture from the team behind Petaluma’s popular Brewsters Beer Garden, has opened in Rohnert Park. The venue features expansive views of Roberts Lake, luxe outdoor picnic seating, a fully redesigned interior, and a full bar led by beverage director Cappy Sorentino serving craft cocktails alongside approachable reimagined American classics.

The Burrow

Chef David Baeli and wife Elise have opened The Burrow, a welcoming, family‑oriented café. Designed by parents for parents, the cozy spot features a thoughtfully curated chef‑driven menu for adults—including smash burgers, grilled salmon, duck‑fat potatoes and seasonal salads—and a separate “kid‑tested” menu (buttered noodles, mac & cheese, chicken tenders and more), plus an outdoor play area stocked with toys and books to keep little ones engaged.

Levant

Levant, a homestyle Middle Eastern restaurant, has opened in Petaluma’s Theater District, offering flavors from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine prepared in generous, family‑style portions. Created by Arafat “Art” Herzallah of San Francisco’s Freekah—alongside local partners Saheer Kassis and Issa Musalla—the menu features cold mezze like hummus, labneh, baba ghanoush and muhamarra served with warm pita, hot bitesize dishes such as fried halloumi, falafel and cauliflower, and hearty entrees including kufta, lahme and the signature Jordanian mansaf with lamb, saffron rice and jameed.

Jimtown Store and Them Sum

After a five-year hiatus, the Jimtown Store in Alexander Valley has reopened under the new name Jimtown & Then Sum, helmed by Michelle Wood, chef‑owner of the acclaimed catering company Dim Sum and Then Sum. While the rustic charm of the circa‑1893 building remains largely untouched, Wood has infused the space with her signature Chinese‑American flavors. The revamped menu now blends traditional Jimtown staples like sandwiches, salads, breakfast pastries, coffee and deli items with dumplings, bao buns, spring rolls and poke bowls.

Salt & Sea

Salt & Sea, a new concept from Chef Jake Rand of Sushi Kosho, has joined the culinary scene at The Barlow in Sebastopol. Specializing in Hawaiian-style poke bowls, the eatery serves up marinated raw fish over seasoned rice with fresh, vibrant toppings like avocado, seaweed, and Maui onions. Rounding out the menu are inventive offerings such as spicy tuna nachos, Japanese-style finger sandwiches, bubble tea, and tropical fruit drinks.

Jimmy’s Lakeside Café

Longtime Sonoma County restaurateur Jim Goff has brought fresh energy back to the Windsor Golf Club with the grand reopening of the lakeside dining spot under a new name, Jimmy’s Lakeside Café. Goff, who ran Sky Lounge Steakhouse & Sushi Bar at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport from 2007 to 2022, is known for his mix of comfort classics, creative sushi, steaks, solid drink offerings, and broad appeal. At Jimmy’s Lakeside Café, he intends to carry forward that philosophy: approachable dishes using fresh local ingredients, with a polished yet casual vibe that resonates with both tourists and golfers.

New in Experiences

FieldNotes at SingleThread Farms

FieldNotes is SingleThread Farms’ annual farm summit, a full day celebration of culinary artistry, agricultural connection, and community gathering at their Dry Creek Valley farm. The day begins with a welcome beverage and access to a makers’ marketplace. Guests can select up to two hands-on workshops such as donabe cooking and dashi demonstrations with Chef Kyle Connaughton, floral design with Head Farmer Katina Connaughton, or a “Garden to Glass” cocktail session with Scott Beattie. Lunch will be a family-style meal sponsored by YETI and prepared by Chef Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse. In the afternoon, journalist Guy Raz will moderate a panel discussion on agriculture, hospitality, and sustainability featuring voices from the culinary and farming world. The evening program begins with a champagne reception, oyster station, and seasonal canapés in the gardens. Guests will then enjoy a six-course collaborative dinner| Saturday, October 18 | 9:00 am and 6:00 pm | Healdsburg

Collectors Lunch at Lynmar Estate

Lynmar Estate has introduced a new wellness-driven experience that blends beauty, nourishment, and science-based principles of longevity. Launching with an early fall menu, the Collectors Lunch is a four-course, open-air wine country dining experience inspired by the world’s Blue Zones; regions where people enjoy the longest, healthiest lives. Estate Chef David Frakes brings intention to every dish, while proprietor Anisya Fritz describes the lunch as “an act of love… for ourselves and those we care about.” This curated experience is offered Thursday to Sunday through November.

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For the Good of the Cause

Dog Day Out

Sonoma County Animal Services Dog Day Out program offers a unique opportunity for both volunteers and shelter dogs. Designed to give dogs a break from the kennel environment, the program pairs volunteers with medium to large dogs for day-long adventures, allowing them to explore the outdoors, local parks, or even dog-friendly Sonoma County wineries and tasting rooms. Volunteers are provided with all the essentials, leash, harness, water, toys, and an “Adopt Me” vest, so they can focus on giving the dogs attention, exercise, and socialization. Visit the dog-friendly Sonoma County page here.

Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

West Sonoma County just got greener. 1,517 acres of redwood forest and salmon streams are now protected, quadrupling Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. The addition closes a major gap between existing parks and preserves, connecting a vast expanse of contiguous wildlife corridors. This means a more connected habitat for wildlife and a healthier future for Sonoma County’s remarkable landscape.

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