Summer in Sonoma County

Summer in Sonoma County ushers in a season of abundance and celebration.

It’s the height of the growing season—vineyards thrive, farmers’ markets  are flowing with fresh produce, and there is always a vibrant lineup of outdoor events.

It is the season for leisurely picnics, scenic hikes, and Sonoma County Signature Experiences.

Outdoor dining features farm-to-table meals that showcase Sonoma County’s rich agricultural heritage.

Summer also invites deeper connection with nature—whether it’s a peaceful stroll through green, vineyard-laced hills, a refreshing swim in the Russian River, or watching the sun dip.

In every moment, Sonoma County embodies the spirit of Wine Country for All of Us—welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and full of life.

New in Wine

Auteur Russian River

Set on a wooded hillside along Wohler Road near Healdsburg, Auteur Russian River is a new destination that blends modern design with agrarian roots. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and built by Earthtone Construction, the space feels connected to the Russian River Valley landscape, offering panoramic views, a redwood and steel hearth, and a covered terrace overlooking vineyards and forests. Guests are invited into immersive wine and culinary experiences that showcase Auteur’s expressive, terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

La Crema and J Vineyards Join Forces with Bay Area’s First WNBA Team

Two Sonoma County wineries, La Crema and J Vineyards & Winery, have teamed up with the Golden State Valkyries, the Bay Area’s first WNBA team. The partnership offers a timely opportunity to engage a new generation of wine drinkers. In April, La Crema was named the Official Wine Partner of both the WNBA and USA Basketball Women’s National Team — the league’s first official winery deal. That same announcement named Kendall-Jackson Wines, also a Jackson Family Wines brand, as the NBA’s official wine partner.

This year, La Crema deepened its support of women’s basketball by becoming the Official Wine Partner of the Golden State Valkyries. Meanwhile, in May, J Vineyards joined the team’s inaugural season as the Official Sparkling Wine Partner.

New in Experiences

The Barlow Happy Hour Crawl

The Barlow Happy Hour Crawl is a new, one-of-a-kind guided experience that invites guests to explore the vibrant food and drink scene within The Barlow marketplace in Sebastopol. Designed to showcase the best local flavors, this curated crawl leads participants through six hand-picked stops, each offering a unique taste. From craft cocktails and small-batch brews to artisanal bites and seasonal delicacies, the tour is a celebration of Sonoma County’s culinary scene. While the lineup of stops may vary nightly based on availability and fresh offerings, guests can expect to visit standout spots such as Wm Cofield for beer and cheese pairings, Kosho for expertly crafted daiquiris, Osito Style Tacos for bold flavors and drink pairings, and Pax Wines for a refined tasting experience.

Paradise Ridge Winery – Return to Paradise Sculpture Exhibition

Paradise Ridge Winery and the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation are proud to present Return to Paradise — a sculpture exhibition honoring the thirty-year legacy of Walter Byck and Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars, whose engagement through art have shaped the cultural landscape of Paradise Ridge. Curated by Jeff Nathanson, former director of the Museum of Sonoma County, the exhibition will feature works by more than a dozen local artists — each with a rich history of exhibiting at Paradise Ridge.

Featured artists with installations elsewhere on the property include David Best, Bryan Tedrick, Gale Wagner, and Laura Kimpton, whose iconic LOVE sculpture remains a visitor favorite. The exhibition will be installed in Marijke’s Grove, the winery’s outdoor sculpture garden, which has showcased the work of hundreds of sculptors since its inception in 1996. Return to Paradise will be a semi-permanent exhibition, with plans to grow over the next three years to include even more artists.

New Map Leads Fans to Sonoma County’s Peanuts Statues

A new interactive online map is now available to guide fans of Charles “Sparky” Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters to nearly 100 statues scattered throughout Sonoma County. After seven months of research, cataloging, photography, and geo-tagging, Visit Santa Rosa — a program of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber — has unveiled the map as a tribute to Schulz’s enduring cultural legacy. Sonoma County, Schulz’s longtime home, proudly showcases his influence through these character statues located in parks, plazas, and public spaces. In addition to mapping the statues, the guide includes photographs, and several “bonus” stops for dedicated Peanuts enthusiasts.

Transcendence Theatre Company

Transcendence Theatre Company, a nonprofit professional company based in Sonoma County, has delivered Broadway-caliber performances in both outdoor and indoor venues since its founding in 2008. The company gained national acclaim with its Broadway Under the Stars summer series, launched in 2011. In early 2024, the Sonoma City Council approved Fazio Field at the Field of Dreams complex in downtown Sonoma as the company’s primary performance venue.

The 2025 season will feature a dynamic lineup, including Broadway’s Best Night Ever (June), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (August), and Ladies of Broadway (September). Transcendence Theatre Company’s relocation to the Field of Dreams has transformed a logistical challenge into a vibrant new opportunity.

Beyond the Vine: Unique Tasting Opportunities in Healdsburg

Healdsburg is known for its world-class wines, but there’s a tapestry of flavors beyond the vineyard. For travelers in search of variety, Healdsburg features a diverse menu of immersive tasting experiences. These include a bespoke iced tea tasting at MacRostie Winery, Olive Oil tasting at Trattore Farms, Honey and Mead tasting at La Ruche, and a blind steak tasting at Journeyman Meat Co.

New in Cannabis

Mercy Wellness Lounge

Sonoma County has welcomed its first licensed cannabis consumption lounge, marking a major milestone for the region’s cannabis industry. Located in Cotati, the Mercy Wellness Lounge debuted with live music and a stylish, club-like ambiance. This pioneering venue is the first in the county to take advantage of California’s 2024 law (CA Assembly Bill 1775), which allows dispensaries to offer on-site consumption, serve hot food and non-alcoholic beverages, and host live events.

Spanning 9,500 square feet, the lounge offers an immersive, alcohol-free social space adorned with chandeliers, velvet sofas, and a state-of-the-art sound system. Plans are also underway for a 6,000-square-feet outdoor patio. Designed as a welcoming and inclusive environment, the lounge caters to those who prefer a cannabis-friendly alternative to traditional nightlife.

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