Deck the Halls with Local Flavors

Think locally when you sit down to write your holiday list, this year. There's little need to sit in traffic for those crowded, out-of-town, overheated mall shopping expeditions of the past.

Once we embrace the concept of seeking out the locally made amongst many market alternatives, it's refreshing to discover how much these choices actually simplify our lives. 

For starts, here are a few suggestions to point you in the right direction when penning that inevitably long holiday shopping list:

Let's begin with a beer - a good a place as any. Petaluma-based Lagunitas Brewing Company produces a wide range of enticing ales for most tastes. Stock up the fridge and you won't go wrong. Hoot and Linda Smith at Kastania Vineyards on the approach into town off the 101 would be happy to see help you select a variety of local cool climate wines from their cozy Tasting Room. Ridgeway Family Vineyards make some of the best Pinot Noir in the Petaluma Gap - look for bottles in most local wine departments as well as at Vine and Barrel on Petaluma Blvd downtown.

For after dinner chocolates and sweet lovers on your list, stop in at Viva Cocolat , also downtown, across the street from Vine and Barrel. McEvoy Ranch olive oil is as good as it gets for drizzling on winter salads with a sprinkling of pomegranates and crumbled goat cheese for added sparkle and makes for a decadent gift for the fussiest gourmet.

Bovine Bakery, newly opened on Fourth Street, takes orders for freshly baked Brickmaiden organic handcrafted breads baked in a wood fired oven. If not already a dedicated, hometown Della Fattoria fan, waste no time in checking out the bakery and cafe's take-home holiday specials. Go for Zoe's Meats in the Petaluma market for holiday platters and sandwiches, though Tara Firma Farm is the place to be for biodynamic, delicious turkeys, chicken and grass-fed meats for large festive feasts. In fact, turkeys at Tara Firma were in such massive demand this Thanksgiving, it's a clear sign that North Bay holiday tables are turning to local.

Last but not least, it's often all about the ice cream. The perfect scoop to top those indulgent, seasonal desserts. Don't stray further than the freezer section that stocks locally made Three Twins Organic Ice Cream, Straus Family Creamery organics, Laloos' slow farmed, field fresh, goat milk ice cream and Clover Stornetta's wide range of hometown winners.

Comments

[Lynn Wong]

I appreciate the mention!
Your source for quality chocolate,
- Lynn, Viva Cocolat

[Frances]

you are welcome, Lynn, I hope that you have a prosperous December as a downtown merchant

[Lesley]

How about a 1lb bag of Aqus Coffee or a gift certificate for Aqus or any of the local eateries, Wild Goat, Sugo, Central Market, Zazzle, Graffiti.....