It’s back! Sonoma Valley’s Food + News Bites! If you have food or booze news to report, email Sarah at sarah@sonomasun.com (priority given to charity events!).
NEWS
Congrats to winemaker Greg Kitchens’ of Don Sebastiani & Sons – this year marks his 15th vintage as winemaker for the Sonoma-based wine company. Kitchens’ started working there in 2001 as a lab tech and today serves as Foundation Wine Collection Winemaker (what a title!). Like many wineries, the harvest started early: “Harvest has started and is moving along quickly. An early bloom and the current intense August heat has pushed a number of varieties to ripeness much earlier than the norm,” shared Kitchens. Congrats, and now get back to work! donandsons.com
Speaking of harvest…Corner 103 is reporting that crop yields are smaller than last year “but just as tasty!” Check out my experience at Corner 103 in the last issue of the Sun. Be sure to send me your harvest updates!
Yeti has a new and improved outdoor patio at their Glen Ellen location. Overlooking Sonoma Creek, the Himalayan restaurant had a rather shoddy scene on their back patio, no where near competing with the “luxury” of nearby Aventine. Now, they have comfortable and modern furniture (even if it’s a bit of a mish mash), have figured out how to control the bees, and have heaters for chilly nights. 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen; 996-9930; yeticuisine.com
…and OSO also has new outdoor dining, finally. They’ve been battling some political and legal woes with landlords and so forth, but, they’ve been able to finagle some outdoor dining. They’ve got a handful of two tops out back ready for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy some fancy deviled eggs. 9 E Napa St., Sonoma; 931-6926; ososonoma.com
Crisp Bake Shop has applied for a beer and wine license so soon you can enjoy a glass of fine wine with that sandwich (or, cookie). 720 W. Napa St., Sonoma; 933-9999; crispbakeshop.com
Has La Casa been sold? Rumors abound about a recent sale to some members of the Sherpa community. According to sources, La Casa will continue to operate as La Casa, serving up Mexican food and one of the best happy hours in town. 121 E. Spain St., Sonoma; 996-3406; lacasarestaurant.com
EVENTS
Print out a flier and eat at Mary’s to raise money for Prestwood Elementary on Wednesday (9/2). Click on the flier image above and print it out. Take it to either Sonoma Mary’s Pizza Shack and 20% of your purchase (dine-in, take out or delivery) will be donated to Prestwood Elementary PTO. maryspizzashack.com
Press apples at Sonoma Garden Park on Saturday. The apple trees are producing at full force and you can use their old school apple press to make fresh apple juice. Nothing beats it! 19996 7th St E, Sonoma; 996-4883; sonomagardenpark.com
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend starts Thursday and runs through Sunday. The annual fundraiser is the largest in Sonoma County and raises millions for children’s literacy and non-profits throughout the county, including Sonoma Valley. We’ll be hitting up a few events during the weekend: winemaker’s luncheon at Balletto Winery, Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola, and of course the Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch where hundreds of wineries and restaurants will serve their best to hungry and thirsty guests. Join the fun: sonomawinecountryweekend.com
Sonoma Springs Brewery grand opening starts Wednesday, Sept. 9 and goes through Sept. 13 – yes, five days of beer! Each day they’ll be releasing a two new beers (one Wed. and one Thurs.) and having different celebrations, including catering by Rocket Sushi, pretzels from Mike the Bajkr, and a beer and food pairing with Palooza Gastropub. There will be fire dancers, President Obama, and if you wear lederhosen or a dirndle you can drink for $4/pint. Check out all the fun on their Facebook page.
Go Grenache at Suite D for their Grenache Day Night Celebration on Friday, Sept. 18. The event features 10 wineries that produce grenache wines (red, white and rose!). You’ll get to drink lots of tasty wine, eat lots of tasty food (wood fired pizzas, girl & the fig goodness, etc) and meet the winemakers. $50, all inclusive. figsuited.com
Sonoma Valley Crush is happening now but the big event is Sept. 25-27, held by the Heart of Sonoma Valley Winery Association. For $35 you’ll be able to get down and dirty in vineyards, sample grapes from the vine, go on crush pad tours, sample fresh pressed juice, and of course, drink a ton of wine from 13 Sonoma Valley wineries. It’s a good time – get a desginated driver! heartofsonomavalley.com
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