In life, usually the biggest challenges offer the greatest rewards. This is what drew me to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — Grapes that grow on the margins of viticultural regions. Preferring cool, foggy days to sunlit ones, these varietals have the potential to offer complete expression of their roots. However, this requires the subtle and intuitive touch of a good farmer and eventually the gentle influence of the winemaker.

We meet in downtown Healdsburg at 10:00am, where we fit you to a Marin hybrid bike outfitted with a helmet, bag, and comfortable gel-seat. Your guide goes over the “Rules of the Road” as well as how to operate the bike.
As we head out on the quiet country lanes of the Dry Creek Valley we take in all of the emerald green beauty of the grape vines, olive trees, and foliage of the area. Dry Creek Valley is known for its spicy red wines and crisp white wines,

“Dutch Bill” Howard was in fact, a Danish sailor born in 1823. Folkmann was serving on the U.S. Ship St. Mary, which dropped anchor in San Francisco Bay in 1849. Unable to resist the lure of California’s recently discovered goldfields, Folkmann jumped ship, stole a small boat and headed north, somehow acquiring an unclaimed timbered plateau that was to become the site of Occidental. Our vision at Howard Station Cafe is to serve healthy organic ingredients.

Public Tour Season – April through October
Tours include the Home with its original furnishings, the Greenhouse, a portion of the Gardens, and a summary of Burbank’s life and achievements. The Burbank Home, the Greenhouse, and the Carriage House Museum and Gift Shop are open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 – 4. Drop-in guided tours are offered Tuesday – Sunday from 10 – 3:30. Adults $7; children under 12 are free with an adult. Group Tours and Children’s Tours are available with advance reservations.

This is your chance to sample wines from the barrel, talk to winemakers and explore the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

Barrel Tasting is not a food pairing or themed event. It's all about the WINE...many wineries offer "futures" on their barrel samples. This is a chance to purchase wine now, often at a discount, then come back to the winery when the wine is bottled, typically 12-18 months from now. Many wines are so limited, buying futures is your only chance to purc

Now in its 17th year, the Sonoma International Film Festival (April 2-6,2014) takes place in the heart of Northern California’s Wine Country and features more than 90 hand-selected films including independent features, documentaries, world cinema, shorts and a showcase of Spanish language films. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance on Sonoma’s historic plaza. The Festival is dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world and inspiring fi

Saturday’s Parade down Main Street kicks off a weekend of fun for all ages!

Immerse yourself in the food and wine culture of Sonoma County at Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch. Kate MacMurray invites you to enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the historic MacMurray Ranch property while sipping and savoring the very best of Sonoma County’s rich wines and delectable cuisine.

With more than 200 wineries pouring thousands of wines (view the 2012 list of participating wineries here for reference), and over 60 local chefs whipping up divine pairings, Taste of Sonoma at

Make sure to stop by the Wine Garden at Russian River Jazz & Blues! Nestled behind the excitement of the main stage, it is the perfect spot to indulge in your favorite wines and music.

magnificent Sonoma Valley – home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines and wineries. Celebrate with world class wine and culinary delights, music and dancing in a private estate vineyard, VIP Receptions, wine tasting excursions, champagne brunch and wine auction in one of the most famous luxury wine destinations in the world.

Get the WOW factor: West of West (WOW) Wine Festival offers both wine lovers and the wine trade an insider taste of some of the most acclaimed cool-climate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs on the market today. Created by the West Sonoma Coast Vintners, an association of wineries and growers on Sonoma’s coastline, WOW will be held August 2-3, 2014 just one hour north of San Francisco in Sebastopol, CA.

WOW gives you unparalleled access to small production, limited release wines tasted in the

Sonoma County Harvest Fair is a celebration of the local harvest featuring three full days of all-inclusive wine tasting with 150+ wineries, wine sales, food pairing, craft beer & cider tasting, marketplace, chef demonstrations and workshops, the World Championship Grape Stomp and much more. Make plans to join us and taste the best of Sonoma County!

The hiking program at Kunde Family Estate is a unique opportunity to witness sustainable winegrowing and the grape to glass process firsthand. Guests will walk the property with either Fourth-Generation Winegrower, Jeff Kunde, or Sonoma Valley docent, Bill Myers, both of whom have tremendous experience and passion for environmental education. Designed for outdoor and wine enthusiasts, these tours are nothing like your typical wine tasting. Hikes are moderately strenuous and take guests from the

This year marks an important milestone for our chamber music festival as our 20th Anniversary season!

We're inspired as we look back on 19 years of musical memories in the Napa Valley, and we're gearing up for a season of performances that are sure to be remembered for another 20 years to come.

“The Sweetest Little Fair in Sonoma County” will be held next year on August 9th and 10th under the shade of majestic oaks in Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol. Join us then for a weekend of old-fashioned fun.

There’s something for everyone: live music on 2 stages, arts & crafts vendors, excellent local food, wine, cider & beer, contests & activities, children’s corner, and of course our famous heirloom gravenstein apples.

Join us for another unforgettable Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival and explore the wonderful tastes of Sonoma County with your favorite K-J wines. Our signature event reveals the delicious flavors of more than 175 heritage varieties of tomatoes grown in our expanded estate culinary gardens. Enjoy the perfect fall day with garden tours, exceptional wine and food pairings, dynamic wine and garden seminars and live music from the Carlos Herrera band!

This is the 22nd Annual Winter WINEland, a great opportunity to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines and save, save, save!! All wineries will be offering substantial savings on select wines, select food products or both!! Some wineries will offer food pairings and others may have tours. By mid December 2013 you will be able to download the detailed program to see exactly what each winery will offer for the weekend.....then plan your tasting adventure.

Eat, drink and exalt the enchantments of Sonoma’s famed green fruit at this year’s Feast of the Olive Dinner. 19 of the best local chefs and winemakers pair up to prepare unique menus for each candlelit table of guests in the glow of Ramekins’ banquet room. You’ll feel like family as you feast with friends, compare notes with your neighboring table or engage in an intimate conversation with your table’s own culinary luminaries. It’s a personal and not-to-be-missed artisan affair.

Families have enjoyed skating at the coolest place in Santa Rosa for over 40 years...

Grange hosts their annual Crab Cioppino Feed on the 3rd Sunday of January. This tradition has been enjoyed by many since first being carried out in 1953. The proceeds fund the Grange’s scholarship program and other operations.

This event sells out quickly. Reservations required.

The musical arts are alive and well in Santa Rosa. Few cities in America of comparable size support a regional symphony so vital, dynamic, and innovative. As the Santa Rosa Symphony gains a national reputation for stellar sound, bold excellence and community engagement, Sonoma County forges an identity as a place in love with classical music. While others struggle merely to survive, our orchestra strives for greater depth and breadth of artistry and accomplishment by:
Maintaining the highest sta