🎃 In Sonoma County, autumn is so much more than pumpkin spice lattes…
For those of us who have the great pleasure of residing in the wine country throughout the seasons, we are undoubtedly spoiled. With unparalleled views of rolling hills, amber skies at sunset, and the smell of crisp, fresh air during fall — the wine country experience falls nothing short of stunning. Now that autumn is in full swing, we get to indulge not only in a beautiful display of colors, but we also reap the season’s newest crops. Here, autumn is so much more than pumpkin spice lattes. With most of Sonoma County’s restaurants committed to the farm-to-fork philosophy, we can be sure dishes will be made with this season’s freshest harvest: apples, dates, figs, pears, squash, and eggplant, to name a few. And with a vast choice of wines to top it all off… Really, what more can we ask for? A Guide to Sonoma County's Pumpkin Patches: For those seeking that true fall experience, our family farms feature a variety of gourds for your autumnal mood and Halloween creations. Check out this list of local pumpkin patches where you can find entertainment for the little ones, do a little wine tasting, and pick the perfect pumpkins. The Matheson and Roof 106 Open in Downtown Healdsburg: Recently, Healdsburg native chef Dustin Valette opened his much-anticipated new restaurant, the Matheson. The tri-level experience includes the upscale restaurant, a sushi counter, two bars, and a rooftop lounge. Oh, and did we mention 88 wines by the glass? Meet EarthSEED, Sonoma’s First Afro-Indigenous Farm: Located in Sebastopol, EarthSEED honors traditional agriculture, where founder Pandora Thomas practices and teaches African agricultural skills that have endured and evolved despite centuries of slavery and diaspora. The farm boasts fresh fruit, flowers, herbs and yes, even popsicles. ...
What’s new in the wine country this month!
With summer winding down, the call of the outdoors still beckons. This month we're celebrating the opening of a new Healdsburg hidden gem and one of our new restaurants in Sebastopol by the Michelin Guide. Outdoor Activities (Besides Wine Tasting) to Try in Sonoma County: Yes, Sonoma County is a world-class wine and food destination, but we have so much more to offer than the sum of our wineries and restaurants. The natural largesse of the land provides stellar outdoor recreational opportunities in the air, on land and at sea. So get out there. Burn some calories, get the heart pumping and stimulate the senses by exploring the Sonoma you may not know. Forager, a Modern Mercantile Store Opens in Healdsburg: Congrats to our clients and friends who recently opened their new store, Forager, located on the historic Healdsburg Plaza. We stopped by to check out their eclectic mix of objects for the home that elevate practical, everyday living and picked up a few great pieces! Merchandise includes curated, artisanal products that are not seen everywhere else, alongside thoughtfully chosen vintage home goods and decor. To learn more, click here. Sebastopol Restaurant Honored by Michelin: Inspired by the “resilience and creativity of chefs” during the pandemic, Michelin inspectors have named Sebastopol’s Khom Loi as one of 10 notable new San Francisco and Wine Country restaurants in its online guide. [caption id="attachment_21320" align="alignleft" width="839"] (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)[/caption] ...
Local Sonoma County Business Confidence at a Six Year High, Led by Tech Firms
Every six months the Sonoma County Economic Development Board releases the results of it's survey of local business leaders. This winter, confidence is at a six year high--nearly making it all the way back from the very low confidence expressed (not surprisingly) in the winter of 2008....
Wine Country and Technology Team up to Drive Sonoma County Economic Growth in 2013
[caption width="480" align="alignleft"] The Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition, courtesy of Williamson Wines in Healdsburg[/caption] This morning I received the newly released Sonoma County Economic Development Board study of the Sonoma County economy, prepared by Moody's Analytics, a national economic research firm. Technology, led by the many medical device manufacturers in Sonoma County, wine and tourism (the wine country part) are strengthening and are expected to lead Sonoma County to grow faster than the state and national averages in the second part of 2013. These are all encouraging signs for a real estate market that continues to strengthen, and where values are at long last rising. Now all we need are more homes listed for sale! Now is not too soon to begin planning to sell or buy in 2013. Please email or call me with your questions, after New Year's Day. We are taking a short break now and look forward to working with you in 2013. Happy New Year! And take a peak at the report below, it has some interesting graphs and analytics. It likes back to my document collection at Scribd.com, where I have also posted the latest home sales statistics for the Sonoma County market through November 2012. Sonoma County Economic Development Report ...
Want to Get to Know Sonoma County? There's an app for that!
The new iPhone app from the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau is a handy tool for getting to know Sonoma County's wine, food, events and more....
Tropical Dreaming-a new design project in Hawaii by Wright-Simpkins, Inc.
Many of my friends and clients are entrepreneurs and small business owners in the community. From time to time in 2010 I plan to showcase them so that you can learn about some unique and vital services to Sonoma County and beyond. Christian Wright and Gerald Simpkins were friends and fellow Vizsla owners long before they became clients in 2003 when we found them an astonishing 1915 farmhouse on acreage in Sebastopol, since lovingly restored. We sold their charming cabin in Guerneville near the Russian River so that they and their dogs would have more room to roam, and also to be closer to their full-time home in San Francisco, where they ran a successful interior design business, Wright-Simpkins, Inc., serving clients all over the United States. Gerald and Christian have progressed along a path somewhat typical of second home owners in Sonoma County. At first they left San Francisco on Friday evenings and returned home Sunday afternoon. Eventually Friday reverted to Thursday and Sunday became Monday, stretching the weekend to nearly four days. Holidays meant two week stays whenever possible and they became increasingly involved in the community of Sebastopol and Sonoma County. The house had already had some extensive restoration by the previous owners and Gerald and Christian took it and the grounds to the next levels, so much so that the house and gardens have twice been featured on the West County Garden tour sponsored every year by Food for Thought in Forestville. In 2008, Gerald and Christian decided to move to Sonoma County full time, and sold their home in San Francisco. The recently opened a small studio and shop in Sebastopol at 2833 Old Gravenstein Highway on the way to downtown Sebastopol. If you care to stop by and visit, you might call first, to 707 829-9177 to make sure they are in. Oh, and in their spare time in 2009, they neared completion of a project in Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. If you, like I, are thinking of tropical weather these winter days, take a look! ...