Southern Sonoma Country Life

And So This Is Christmas . . . Sentiments, Rituals and Recipes for Comfort and Cheer

Contrary to increasingly popular belief, Christmas is not cancelled this year. It comes in many sizes, shapes and forms and doesn't necessarily have to be celebrated on the 25th. After all, the 'reason for the season' was conveniently attached to the pagan winter light festivities in order to make the best of the darkest time of year, so bringing it on early, waiting a day or two or a week or two even wouldn't be too much of a problem!

Now more than any other time, it's perfectly fine to shake things up, tone it down, even ramp it up if we choose, as long as we do it with necessary caution and care. News has been a bit bleak of late and we're all tired of the on again, off again social restrictions. So finding comfort and joy and celebration in the small details and the company of those we love, even if it has to be by screen, is the key to taking solace in this 2021 festive season. 

I've enjoyed hearing from friends and family around the world as to the fun and innovative and sometimes super last-minute ways to make merry during these unprecedented holidays. And so I reached out on social media to find out what's in store for Christmas. 

If you're not feeling it this year, your plans have been altered or cancelled or you just fancy something new in your holiday activity line up, I hope at least one or two of these missives from around the globe will inspire your mood. 

And if you're batting down the hatches and hunkering down at home with the cat and a good book and a glass of something warm or bubbly (or both), then that's perfectly fine too. A new year is on its way. Yeah! 

"Christmas Eve we have a rousing rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas and a dear friend reads A Night Before Christmas before everyone goes home," says Andrea of Petaluma. "We skipped it last year and my teen insisted we continue the tradition this year."

"We have a long-standing tradition of going for a Christmas Eve neighborhood walk with a flask of good Cognac," says Adrian in Petaluma. "It's wonderful to see everyone's tree or lights in their window and hear the laughter of people having dinner parties. Love to have Becky on my arm as we walk in the cold evening air. Something we look forward to every year. It's sounds voyeuristic but it's very innocent enjoying the lights. Safe and outdoors. Perfect for introverts almost joining in."

And for Tina of Petaluma it's a: "Sunset walk on the beach on New Year’s Eve. Bye, bye last year and no hangover into the next!"

In fact, winter walks are popular at this time of year in colder climes too:

"We make mince pies with fresh apple added into them, then deliver our Christmas cards to neighbours and follow the village advent window trail," writes Kerry in Kent, UK. "Then on Christmas Eve we walk to the village pond to watch Mary and Joseph ride a donkey up the hill into the church."

Nancy in Petaluma is going to: "Make a hot cocoa board with gingerbread men, marshmallows, peppermints, etc . . . and then drag my family out to look at lights."

Helen in Queensland, Australia: "I watch the Love Actually movie to remind me of families coming together again and of the day I can go home (to the UK) for a cold Christmas . . . and I eat Queensland prawns with mango and avocados . . . yum."

"Our fam tradition is to gather and watch Polar Express together. And of course drinking lots of hot hot hot chocolate with marshmallows in our collected vintage Santa face mugs," says Renee, also of Petaluma. 

"Alice's Gluten Free Pear and Persimmon Cake is great for all the persimmons out there," shares Petaluma food writer and designer, Alice. 

"My family gathers to make tamales for Christmas Eve. Usually the Sunday before- it has been a tradition for 4 generations," writes Pilar, of Petaluma. 

John from Cincinnati shares his Mom's Spoonbread recipe from Virginia. "It's like cornbread, but better." His Mom's grandfather was good friends with (American naval officer & explorer) Admiral Byrd. "This recipe has been enjoyed for over 5o years."

John writes: "It's a family tradition every Christmas when my 40-something son and daughter kneel at my side and thank me for getting them out of Illinois when they were still in grade school. Really."  No offense if you're reading this in Illinois. John explains how he came to California when he was eight, left again at 13, wandered the US and France and when he returned to the States at 24, it was obvious to him that Northern California was: "The place to BE." Needless to say, John and family will be happy just to be home in Petaluma this Christmas. 

Elaine, who lives a couple blocks from John shares that she's looking forward to serving Italian foods as per her Swiss Italian family's tradition. "Torrone in individual boxes with lovely protraits, along with Panettone and a St. Honore cake . . . My Swiss grandparents would make a wonderful pastry that I can't find the recipe for: thin pastry squares, deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar . . . and a similar pastry which would be folded over and stuffed with a mixture of brandy, walnuts, sugar, and crushed dried figs, then deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar."

Kerry and I both concur that we love the 1992 Muppets Christmas Carol more than any other cinematic version of Dickens' classic. Wonderful and heartwarming for kids of any age! 

"Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you've got a Christmas tree in the living room." _ Nora Roberts 

And talking of trees . . . my sister-in-law Francesca is spending Christmas in Philly where she lives and works after a last minute change in plans to visit her Mom and family and friends in the UK for the first time in two years. It was hugely disappointing to make the decision at the 11th hour but potential lock downs in the UK and concerns about traveling back into the US were just too much to ignore. Seeing as she didn't have a Christmas Tree, when she stumbled upon one in her all time favorite color on sale, she knew it had her name on it. 

Click here for Francesca's video short! 

"And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent..." Taylor Caldwell. 

Hotel Petaluma Presents Petaluma's 5th Annual Gingerbread House Showcase & Competition

 

Photos: Hotel Petaluma

It's back by popular demand, the spectacular Hotel Petaluma Gingerbread House Showcase & Competition, Friday, December 17th through Sunday, December 19th. 

The community will vote for the People’s Choice winner. All winners will be announced on the final day of the showcase, Sunday, December 19th.

Showcase Days/Hours:
Friday 1pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm

Check out all of the event details on the hotel's  Facebook Event Page.

Health & safety protocols The hotel will be enforcing several protocols to help keep this event as safe as possible for everyone. Please make note of the following requirements for attendance: Masks must be worn at all times by all attendees No food or beverage will be permitted in the event space Practice social distancing Do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness We will not be having any communal activities during the event

Never Mind a Champagne Shortage — Look to the Best of Northern California's Sonoma and Mendocino Sparkling Wines for a Festive Toast

According to winemag.com a perfect storm of disruptions is set to create a global champagne shortage. Now this may sound like a First World Problem, for those who appreciate their wine in fine bubbly form, it's yet more news of the general state of global affairs to further flatten our fizz. Fear not — for those of us in Northern California wine country or in states where adults are considered grown up enough to accept a regular wine shipment or two, we need look no further than Sonoma and Mendocino Counties for some of the finest sparkling wines in the world.

"After a perfect storm of disruptions, the U.S. is currently in the early stages of a Champagne shortage that is expected to last several years," reports winemag. 

"First, the obvious issues. Supply chain issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic have left importers scrambling to anticipate what to order months in advance since delivery to the U.S. can now take twice or even three times as long."

Not surprisingly, the demand for Champagne dropped 18% by volume last year, according to Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade organization for the Champagne region in France. But then, towards the end of the year, people demanded their celebratory drinks back and champagne sales soared. This trend continued throughout 2021 as folk around the world figured if they were staying home to celebrate they might as well stock up on the good stuff of life.

By law, winemag reports: "Champagne must spend a minimum of 15 months on its lees to make a nonvintage bottling, which can blend grapes from multiple years. Vintage Champagnes, which are blended wines from a particular year’s harvest, age for at least two years and often much more.

As demand climbed throughout 2021, the Champagne region experienced unprecedented weather issues. First came scorching heat in March, which burned vines. Then, days of frost that froze them. In June and July, torrential rains created mildew on many of the remaining plants. Several growers lost more than half of their vines."

This years French harvest will be the smallest in decades and its Champagne futures even pricer than before. 

Here in Northern California, producers of sparkling wines are enjoying more attention than ever as Americans look increasingly to domestic products in the fine food and wine department. 

This is good news for our regional wineries and for the consumer with no shortage of access to the best North Coast bubbles. 

Here are some terrific options to order directly from the wineries or look for in your favorite wine aisle: 

Let's start with McFadden Cuvee Brut. Made by méthod Champenoise, this striking sparkling is 100% traditional and made with the McFadden family's remote Lake County estate grown, organic grapes (45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir). It is aged in the bottle for four whole years before it is released which helps to develop the apple and bready yeast notes that make this wine a fantastic sparkling for all occasions.

The McFadden's organically grown fruit won out over Roederer Estate and Scharrfenberger Cellars  for the past two years in the coveted Sparkling Wine category of the Mendocino County Fair which is a big deal, as both competitors make terrific bubbly. I was invited to the family's Blue Quail Tasting Room in Hopland this fall and sipped this prize winning sparkling there for the first time. Needless to say, I purchased a few bottles to bring home. Looking in my wine fridge, I notice they've disappeared!

 

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Next up, Petaluma Gap's beloved Keller Estate is thrilled to offer a super Brut Rosé. This wine is made in the traditional “Methode Champenoise” with 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay sourced exclusively from the family's La Cruz Vineyard. After a very gentle pressing to achieve a beautiful light pink hue, notes of rose and raspberry abound. The wine saw extended aging on its lees, giving depth to the bright and delicate profile. On the palate, pink grapefruit is followed by a long dry finish with the beautiful minerality that is classic for the Keller Estate terroir.

 

 J Cuvée 20 Brut opens with nuanced aromas of toasted almond, followed by notes of Braeburn apple, dried cranberry and ginger snap. A delicate dance of bubbles leads to a soft palate with flavors of lemon meringue pie, as the wine’s creaminess is whisked away by a lively finish. Pair this versatile sparkler with Dungeness crab cake or lobster roll, fresh popped white cheddar popcorn or goat cheese rolled with herbes d’provence. Who doesn't love a J wine? My dear friends Gail and Michael are known (and appreciated all the more) for their signature J Sparkling contributions to all shared festive occasions and I reach for this brand often to take to local parties.

 

 

Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor. I've long since been a fan and thoroughly enjoy a pour of any of the Roederer sparklers.

 

 

A well-rounded, supple texture surrounds attractive toast and nut flavors in this suave and mouthfilling Scharffenberger Sparkling wine. Notes of biscuit, peach and toasted bread give it a nice sense of maturity and complexity. Delicious and delightful and super well priced.

 

 

The Sonoma Brut Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine from neighboring Carneros is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvées. It is viticultural diversity that allows winemakers to consistently produce sparkling cuvées with complexity and clear fruit expression. 

Rose wines are often believed to be made only from Pinot Noir, but many of the best, including Domaine Carneros by Tattinger,

have chardonnay added for structure. In creating their popular California Brut Rose they work to create a balanced sparkling wine that emphasizes fruity and floral characteristics to a greater extent than in their Brut or Le Reve.

 

 

Winemakers are excited to release the new vintage of Classic Vintage Brut, which they consider the “flagship” of the Iron Horse bubblies. The 2018 exemplifies the Iron Horse style – melding the richness and finesse that comes from aging en tirage with the gorgeous, distinctive and delicious fruit of the winery's home place in cool, foggy Green Valley.

There are many more sparkling wines being made in regional wineries. Check out some additional producers here. 

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne (Sparkling Wine) is just right."

- Mark Twain

 

A Sonoma County Pallet — Bark, Berries, Bramble & Blossom & A Meyer Lemon Hot Toddy

Sunday afternoon I found myself caught in a rain storm walking my dog, Rosie up by the water tower in the hills above West Petaluma. I was wrapped up in a heavy raincoat and had set out with sturdy boots and so I decided to embrace the moment and, in having the hills to ourselves, the time to take a closer look at the gorgeous winter colors gracing the landscape.

Rosie doesn't mind the rain as long as I towel dry her and keep her warm back home. Having grown up in the UK  I'd have never ventured outside if I'd waited for the rain to stop! 

And as we're all so grateful for the rain this fall, there's really nothing more refreshing than a good drenching, that is given that there's the prospect of a warm shower and a hot cup of tea back at the house. It's not this way for all, sadly and it's reassuring to hear that Sonoma County is allocating substantial funding to emergency and temporary housing for the many who don't have shelter of their own. 

It's impossible not to sit indoors or lay in bed at night and listen to the pouring rain without thinking of those who huddle for shelter under freeway bridges and in the stairwells of parking garages. 

Here in Petaluma we are fortunate to have the hard working team and volunteers and donors of COTS, as well as several other organizations, including Petaluma People Services to provide food and warmth and a path toward permanent housing for those who are ready to take the necessary first steps. If you have any dollars in your budget to donate, now more than ever, these non-profits are amongst the many in our community that will put our donations to the best use in helping tackle the crisis of the unsheltered. 

How fortunate we are to have Helen Putnam Park and its surrounds on our doorstep. If you haven't had a chance to check out the new paths and trails, winter season is a great time to get up there for a bracing hike. Watch out for the poison oak which is loving this rain and though cleared from the paths as best as rangers are able, it pops up in abundance and even a slight brushing on a pant leg or dog's coat can wreak havoc. Leaves of three, let them be. 

There's a brand new parking lot on Windsor Drive, off Western Ave that leads to a more gentle pathway up into the park than the Oxford Court climb. It costs $7 to park unless you have a Sonoma County annual Regional Park Pass, which I highly recommend. A park pass makes a great gift for the outdoorsy and those who don't need or want any more stuff! 

The dwarf Meyer Lemon tree I bought at Cottage Gardens a couple of years ago is coming into its own and I look on each ripened lemon like a little yellow gem. I did make a cup of tea on my return after dripping back into the house as it was a little too early in the day for a hot toddy. That had to wait until after the sun went down!

Meyer Lemon Hot Toddy

1 oz. (2 tablespoons) bourbon

1 Tbsp. mild honey

2 tsp. fresh lemon Meyer Lemon juice

¼ cup boiling-hot water

Put bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a 6-ounce mug. Top off with hot water and stir until honey is dissolved.

Dreaming of Scotland? How About a Long, Luxury Wildlife Weekend at a Shoreline Ancestral Family Home On The Isle of Skye?

In 2022, Kinloch Lodge, Skye’s landmark hotel, celebrates its 50^th anniversary. To mark the occasion, it is introducing a new three-night package showcasing the very best experiences that the hotel has to offer, and giving guests a real sense of place. From a wildlife walk with the hotel’s own ghillie to a shoreline foraging session with the restaurant’s head chef, the package invites guests to join the Macdonald family in marking 50 very special years.
 
Originally built as a farmhouse, Kinloch Lodge was converted into a shooting lodge for the Macdonalds of Skye in the 18th century.

 

Today Isabella Macdonald is at the helm, welcoming guests into not just a hotel, but her ancestral, family home. It was opened as a hotel by Isabella’s father Godfrey, Lord Macdonald and High Chief of Clan Donald, and his wife, world-renowned cook Claire, in 1972.

 

 THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY PACKAGE

 
As soon as guests arrive, they are led into the hotel’s drawing room with its roaring fire and comfy sofas and the atmosphere is of being welcomed into a family home, not a hotel. As they relax and look at artefacts and heirlooms from the Macdonald family’s history (including a signed letter from Sir Winston Churchill), they are served a welcome ‘golden cocktail’ and the feeling of celebration can truly begin. Dinner on each of the three nights, served in the beautifully historic dining room, are three-course affairs, with inventive dishes using homegrown produce from the hotel’s polytunnels and taking inspiration from Claire Macdonald’s early recipes.
 
The first morning is spent with Mitchell Partridge, Kinloch’s own ghillie and part of the Kinloch team for over 20 years. Mitchell has an unrivalled knowledge of Skye’s wild places and the wildlife that can be seen on the island. Beginning from the hotel’s front door, guests will scan the horizon and the ridgelines for the swooping forms of golden eagles, a species that has prospered in the area since being reintroduced, before heading closer to the loch’s edge to spot porpoises and, hopefully, otters. Mitchell will give an introduction to bushcraft skills too, lighting a fire using traditional techniques. In the afternoon, guests will be able to enjoy walks around the Kinloch estate or head south along the Sleat Peninsula for a visit to Armadale Castle, the historic seat of Clan Donald and now home to an enchanting walled garden and museum.
 
The second full day takes on an epicurean feel. After a full Scottish breakfast, guests head off to Torabhaig Distillery, the newest whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. The building was built out of stone from the ruined castle in the bay and today has a removable roof so that the copper stills can be more easily replaced. Visitors will learn how the distillery is fed by the pure waters of the Allt Breacach and Allt Gleann burns before joining a tutored tasting of Torabhaig’s first edition whisky, a dram laced with smoke and peat. In the afternoon, guests join Jordan Webb, Kinloch’s head chef, for a foraging walk along the loch’s foreshore. Jordan will explain more of his food philosophy – seasonal produce, locally sourced and cooked with creativity, while teaching guests some foraging skills. From identifying seaweeds and sea herbs, to tasting and picking bog myrtle and sea buckthorn, there’s much to learn and enjoy. Guests will spot foraged ingredients on the menu for their three course dinner in the evening.

 

 
Price: Kinloch Lodge (Kinloch-lodge.co.uk, 01471 833333) offers a Golden Anniversary package from £899pp sharing, including three nights’ half-board accommodation in a cosy double with sea view, welcome cocktail on arrival, Golden Eagle and wildlife walk, shoreline foraging, tour of Torabhaig Distillery, walk around Clan Donald lands and branded apron.
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Red Barn Studios 14th Annual Holiday Show December 11th & 12th, 2021

Estrellas — Moments of Illumination Along El Camino De Santiago — An Inspiring & Moving New Memoir by Sonoma County Author Suzanne Maggio

My dear friend Suzanne Maggio has done it again — a second published memoir, this one penned during the extended stay-at-home era after an epic walk on the Camino when the world was still turning obliviously with regard to what was to come. 

Jokes ran rampant about time for writing best sellers and pulling off amazing feats of accomplishment during the months we were all stuck at home, with most people being satisfied with baking a plate of homemade cookies every other day. And so, I'm really impressed with my writer-pal for actually sitting down quietly and pouring her thoughts and experiences onto the page. 

I purchased several copies of Estrellas — Moments of Illumination Along El Camino De Santiago at Suzanne's book launch, this November, outdoors at Penngrove Market - one for myself & more to gift to friends who are searching for deeper understanding of themselves and the world in these tumultuous times.

Suzanne could not have timed her pilgrim walk more perfectly, on turning 60 the year prior to the pandemic and her poignant retelling of this profound experience is shared with all who pick up her book.

It’s astonishing how vivid her recall and how well it blends with memories & reflections on life before, during and after her month long solo walk. If you’re thinking of a Camino pilgrimage this book will clue you in on invaluable insight as to what to expect physically & emotionally. If you can’t see yourself embarking on such an expedition, reading Estrellas is the next best thing for walking it yourself - minus the blisters.

Bravo to this talented author who opens her heart with honesty & without ego or vanity.

Click here to order a signed copy of the book directly from the author. If you're in Sonoma County, Vibe Gallery in downtown Petaluma and Penngrove Market both carry signed copies of the book. Alternatively, order through your favorite bookseller or online from whichever bookseller you prefer. I like Bookshop.org when ordering online and I've added Suzanne's new book to my Sonoma County book list. 

Stockhome Restaurant and River Front Grand Central Petaluma Invite You to Celebrate the Annual Festival of Lights With an Outdoor Holiday Market December 11th, 4pm to 8 pm.

Petaluma's popular Stockhome restaurant is collaborating with Grand Central Petaluma on December 11th for the Festival of Lights.  

Stockhome will be serving warm Glög (warm spiced wine) and warm pita wraps at Grand Central Station, on Weller Street in a fun, family outdoor gathering that celebrates the decades-long tradition of the festive boat parade down the Petaluma River. In addition, Grand Central will also be hosting an outdoor holiday market showcasing numerous local vendors.

Support Young Artists & Art Media Entrepreneurs with a Pre-Order Scratch Zine Collectors Issue Number 4

Sonoma County, Petaluma-raised Stella Brown is blazing a trail as an art media entrepreneur with the release of the fourth issue of her internationally-collected, limited edition Scratch Magazine. 

In an online era of declining print subscriptions for traditional media, it's super exciting to witness and absorb soon-to-be art student graduate Stella's real world success in reaching beyond her current Northern California base to an impressive base of young artist contributors and fans around the world. 

I asked Stella, who is wrapping her undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz from her San Francisco base, to tell us how she found herself as editor-in-chief and publisher of the super cool Scratch Zine. 

"Scratch was started as a collective space for collaboration and expression of all art mediums," she explained. "It was originally intended to be a physical event in March of 2020 in Portland. As it became clear that we would all be socially distancing for a longer amount of time, the original concept was translated to print. Scratch is now an evolving web of connections for up and coming artists. The magazine is meant to represent a community space for art; it is alive and growing and has vibrant energy of its own. Each volume of Scratch is a curated group art show."

 

Each issue has garnered a continually growing audience and back issues are highly sought after amongst collectors. The multi-media artists and designers whose submissions make it into an issue reach out to one another across state and international borders. I expect we'll see great things for these youthful creative forces in the short and longer term.

 

I've preordered my copies and look forward to the tactile experience of perusing the varied, eclectic works in actual print. It's really so much more fun to hold a collection in hand than virtually scrolling a screen.

 

Stella attended Petaluma and Novato public schools before attending universities in Oregon and California. At 23 she's already a dynamic leader in her field.  

 

Check out the magazine's website: www.scratch-zine.com / follow on instagram: @scratchzine

Click here for website and pre-orders for new and past issues. 

Contributing Artists:

888vino888 (@888vino888)
Aja DeWolf Moura (@ajadewolfwoura)
Axel Steeno (@lexa_s.o.s)
BANGRS (@bsclothingsf)
benedetto b (@detronome)
Bryant Sina (@bryant.sina)
Build & Break Records (@build8breakrecords)
Classic Jasik (@classicjasik)
das wassup boss (late_2party)
Destroyedpeoples (@Destroyedpeoples)
Devin Jie Allen (@devjie)
Gage maurie (@gage_maurie)
Gunnar (@smorgus.board)
Hannah Ronningen (@hangbabyart)
iracema steurs (@ikbencema)
Jack Boucher (@Legomaniac1256)
Jacoby Zel Gutierrez (@jacobyzel)
Jonas Anderson (@on__island__time)
Josie Tolliver Shaw (@fishnjipz)
Lu Gold (@Prince__charming__lu)
Nik Cotten (@niks_photography_56)
祿 OROKU (@oroku.work)
Parker Luse (@mozarts.requeim)
Ryan Nurse
Sam Shin (@samshin.ai)
Sarah Pincock (@artmuseum.edu_ )
Sarah Sekula (@photosfordayz)
Sasha Grace (@sashagracephoto)
Sky (@ _dirtfarm)
Sofia Peters (@art_4urbrain)
Sophia Jean Van Dyke (@m.f.corncob)
S.O.S. clothing (@s.o.s.clothing)
starkey fossgreen (@star_key_f)
Stella Brown (@contra.pesto)
Tiger Brown
Tony DiPasquale (@hopelesscomix)
Undergroundteaparty: (@undergroundteaparty)
WARNING? (@unattaniable_warning_noise)
Zoë Gleitsman (@matzohballmama)

***Pre-ordered magazines will ship in 3-4 weeks, no guaranteed delivery before xmas***

Petaluma Gap Winegrowers' 2021 Holiday Recipe Pairings — Trombetta Family Wines 2018 Gap's Crown Chardonnay Paired with Pumpkin Sourdough Rolls

Here's the second in a series of recipes from the winemakers of the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA), chosen to pair with our wonderful local wines for upcoming 2021 holiday celebrations. This one is from Erica Stancliff, President of the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA). 

“We selected the wines that have received the highest scores over the last year of lockdown,” said Erica. “The business of growing grapes and making wine continues and we are grateful for the plethora of awards our wines have garnered over the last year. At last count, there were more than 100 wines that joined PGWA’s 90+ Point Club, since last year’s harvest. The Alliance staff asked winemakers to suggest which recipes they would pair with their wines." 

Click here to check out the Trombetta Family's excellent wines.