Southern Sonoma Country Life

Backyard Blossoms - Sonoma County Fair Hall of Flowers 2013

My favorite thing to do, after the races at the annual Sonoma County Fair is wander through the Hall of Flowers.

This year's theme of Backyard Blossoms brought the flavor of our more wooded region of Sonoma County to life in a splendid, multi-colored floral fantasy version of the sort of secret gardens we might hope to stumble upon in the wilds of the Russian River or beyond.

I overheard a little boys ask his Dad if they could build a tree house like this in their backyard. In your dreams, sweetheart, but hey, it never hurts to ask.

Tom Sawyer'ish and as charming as could be. Such a lot of work goes into this two week extravaganza - it's worth the $10 entrance fee just for this.

Check out more info on the 2013 Hall of Flowers here. The Sonoma County Fair runs through August 11th. Closed Mondays. 

Wine Country Hat Day at the Races 2013

Sonoma County's very own version of an annual kentucky Derby-style society highlight is Wine Country Hat Day at the races. A fundraiser for the Sonoma County Fair Foundation, trackside hors d'oeuvres and wine and tented seating during the races on Saturday August 3rd attracted a vibrant crowd of wine country movers and shakers, fashionistas and fun-loving fair officials (including Director on the Sonoma County Fairboard.
Marilyn Herzog - Marilyn Can Travel- pictured above left).

Details of the most original hat in a contest presided over by the bubbly Brent Farris of KZST Morning Show fame will be revealed in my next Petaluma Argus Courier print column, South County Notebook, on Thursday August 15th. Let's just say we Petaluma chicks made a big splash in the fancy hat arena!

Racy or demure, flamboyant head pieces made a statement, while others opted for vintage,  sophistictated and plain fun.

Two of my favorites: the black and white butterfly hat (above) and this gorgeous, vintage, turquoise ostrich feather 'best hat' winning wonder, apparently purchased at a second hand store in London. 

Fellas, it's not just about the Ladies at Wine Country Hat Day. Men are welcome too!

Polish Your Palate for Taste of Petaluma 2013

Cheers! Chef Patrick Tafoya of downtown Petaluma's number one little hole-in-the-wall, the bistro-Style SPEAKEASY toasts this year's upcoming 8th Annual Taste of Petaluma event (mark your calendars, foodies, for Saturday August 24th 2013) with his custom crafted summer melon soup shooter that he'll be serving to hundreds of gourmet event participants on the big day.

As one of the many 2013 Taste of Petaluma highlights, think chilled, blended canteloupe, honey, sweet and salty with a topping of exquisite basil crema on crispy prosciutto crumbles. 

Located in Helen Putnam Plaza in the heart of the city's boutique shopping district, SPEAKEASY is one of my favorite Petaluma eateries, not only for its unique and always quality seasonal menu of tapas-style share plates, but its passionate embrace of supporting local farmers, beermakers and wineries (within a 50-mile radius).

The enigmatic atmosphere inside this gem of a rare late-night hot-spot for dining (SPEAKEASY is open 'til 2 am)  attracts many of its regulars, lots of whom are fellow hopsitality staff in the post 10 pm dinner crowd.

Owners Roger Tschann and Amber Driscoll (pictured above with chef Patrick) have spent the past year perfecting the art of dishing up an array of tantalizing menu items, everything produced from scratch in one of the tiniest dining attractions in the county.

Inside seating accommodates 12 diners at any one time, so reservations are highly recommended. Outside, seating accommodates 20 - 20 more diners. "We made it through the winter with a wedding-tent sort of structure to keep outdoor diners dry and warm," said Amber, though the team is working hard on a plan to expand outdoor dining with a more permanent summer shade and winter warmth and waterproofing structure.

Henhouse Brewing Company and SPEAKEASY have a mutual appreciation of the best things in life being the smallest of productions and you can expect to find plentiful supplies of these popular, sought-after Petaluma beers on tap here alongside brews from 101 North and likely, soon Petaluma Hills.

Another highlight on the tastiest food trail in town is the bustling Social Club's second year participation in Taste of Petaluma. Located on Keller Street, (pictured below) next door to the downtown parking garage, the restaurant and bar hit the ground running since opening last September and has fast become one of the busiest spots in the South County for its terrific menus, cocktails and signature whiskey bar.

Chef Joseph Zobel has been with the restaurants since its inception, having moved north from San Francisco to be closer to the food sources for his classic American cuisine. 

Stop by the Social Club to spend Taste of Petaluma fundraiser tickets and you'll be in for a treat. On the menu for the afternoon is a tender, braised applewood pork shoulder taster, topped with the chef's delicious tomato jam, with roasted cherry tomatoes. The event takes place from 11 am through 4 pm - Ticket packages (10 tastings) are available for $40 starting at 10:30 AM at the event at Putnam Plaza 139 Petaluma Blvd. N.. 

A brand new smoker is a new addition to the Social Club, so expect to see a lot more slow-smoked specialties on the menu. 

During sampling of several 'Tastes' of Petaluma around town in a 2013 media preview (tough job every August, I know!), gregarious restaurateurs tend to serve samplings of some of their additional seasonal offerings. While the daily special of devilled eggs with slithers of smoked salmon and a glorious little gazpacho slider had many of us "oohing and aahing" in SPEAKEASY, Social Club's GM Damion Wallace's Farmer's Market cocktail of the week will undoubtedly be making a splash in print and online judging by the group's unanimous seal of approval.

This fine, frothy little summer cocktail consists of egg whites, local heirloom watermelon, bitters, fresh squeezed citrus and bourbon. Blink and this week will be over, so if that whets your appetite, you'd best head on over and pull up a seat at the bar. If you haven't already, check out the bar menu for great value and taste.

Next up on the preview tasting tour, nine-month-old Corkscrew Wine Bar, on the (sort of) corner of Western Avenue and Petaluma Blvd in the heart of restaurant row, served up yummy little pulled pork sliders on Bovine Bakery buns, as well as a dark chocolate and cherry truffle, both of which will be options for Taste of Petaluma participants on August 14th. 

GM Tim Bush (pictured above) is a many of multiple talents, bringing his Gypsy Junk Parlor band into the fold every once in a while during Tuesday regular music nights at Corkscrew. 

Owner Barbara Quilici-Rist is a world-traveled interior designer who turned her decades-long dream of owning a wine bar into reality late last year. The Marin resident, who farms strawberries, blueberries and raspberries on her country property, couldn't find a location in her home county that had the European vibe she was looking for. "In searching for the right ambiance I loved this corner spot, " she said, discovering that:  "this town's community spirit, involvement, events and parades" were the embodiment of what she'd been looking for.

This was my first visit to Corkscrew Wine Bar, which is open Tuesday-Thursday- 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, Friday & Saturday- 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sunday- 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cheese and charcuterie, panini, salads and seasonal specials are served inside and out, at patio seating positioned to watch the world go by. Proprietry blends of wine are on tap in addition to wines by the glass, beer and other beverages.

Pictured below, Andrew Ma of Andy's Kitchen and Sushi Bar on Western Avenue is  one of the most popular characters amongst Petaluma's cast of endeering and creative chefs. His warmth, sense of humor and generosity of spirit shines through his Sushi concoctions. The two-types of tuna, salmon, cucumber Taste of Petaluma Sushi Roll is the perfect example of his community spirit and though my food photography lacked sufficent finesse to showcase it, I'm highly recommending that you make a pit-stop for the Petaluma Roll on August 24th. 

Fifty one food purveyors will be serving up their Taste of Petaluma specialties at this year's event, in addition to wine and beer. Fifteen live music attractions are dotted around town to keep a crowd of up to 800 participants entertained en-route from one location to another.

Look out for super-fresh tasting of rustic salad (faro, lentil, arugula, apples, walnuts and salmon with lemon vinaigrette) at soon-to-open Free Range Provisions and Eats at 25 Fourth Street, opposite the Museum.

Three Twins Ice Cream will be scooping out its sea salted caramel, Madagascar Vanilla, Bittersweet Chocoloate, Mocha Difference, Mint Confetti and Strawberry Je Ne Sais Quoi at Yoga One on Kentucky Street.

I also like the sound of Rosso's in Theatre Square's housemade burrata, chicken wings with cacciatore 'hunter-style' sauce, braised with mushrooms, tomato and white wine. 

For the early birds or later on, how about a sticky morning bun and a sample of coffee or iced tea from Bovine Bakery's Taste of Petaluma table?

The folks from Nick's Cove will be on hand in Ooh La Loft on Petaluma Blvd with local rock cod ceviche, avocado, leche de tigre and cilantro. And this is just scratching the service on what is consisently one of the best gourmet food events in the North Bay.

Advance tickets are available at for $35 until the day before the event. Buy discount advance tickets from Cinnabar Theater between 10-2 weekdays (707) 763-8920 or online Tickets, 
Gallery One - 209 Western Ave., Petaluma 
Velvet Ice Collections - 140 2nd Street, Theater Square, 
Blush Collections - 117 Kentucky Street

Your ticket package for the Taste of Petaluma includes: 

• Strip of 10 dine-around tickets - One sampling item per ticket. You can purchase more tickets throughout the day if you like for $4 each.
• Street Map of sampling locations
• Menu of food and special events offered by participants
• Taste of Petaluma tote bag to first 1000 guests - Taste of Petaluma provides a plastic wine / beer tasting glass, but you are welcome to bring your own wine glass or beer tasting glass from home.

Tickets are non-refundable.

This event is a benefit for Cinnabar Theater, a 501(c)(3) California non-profit. 

 

 

 

 

 

Valley Ford Mercantile and Wool Mill Open House

Nine miles inland from Bodega Bay, the unincorporated little hamlet of Valley Ford is having a renaissance of sorts. The eco-friendly, agritourism sort. When, in years not too long past, motorists would whizz through main street (actually, one of Valley Ford, population 147's only streets) - State Route 1, en-route from Petaluma to the Sonoma coast, today's inviting picture is proving a popular pit-stop for expanding dining and shopping attractions. 

Here's the bucolic view from the parking lot beside the new Valley Ford Mercantile and Wool Mill , which opened in Spring 2013 and is now fully operational, thanks to the first deliveries of wonderfully clean and fluffy, organic wool from locally raised sheep. 

Eco-friendly wool mill entrepreneurs, Casey Mazzucchi and Ariana Strozzi are sheep and horse ranchers at the nearby and renowned Skyhorse Ranch. 

We all know that if something important needs doing, then the busiest people are the best to take it on. Ariana explained how she considered a huge need for an organic wool mill in

Northern California an absolute must-do mission, especially given the emphasis in this part of Sonoma County on sheep (for meat) farming and sky rocketing farmstead sheep milk production on organic farms in the area. 

Sheep ranchers had, until now, mostly discarded wool. That's all changed with the advent of Ariana and Casey bringing in a 10 foot needle felting loom and cording machine from Carolina. 

A lot of wool that we see at farmers markets and around Northern Cal knitteries has traveled the country and undergone various processes in several states before making its way out West. Locally sourced (within 150 miles), organic wool is of much more appeal for its limited carbon footprint.

Dreamy is not an overstatement for these luxurious organic wool mattress pads and comforters, already in production at the Mill, hand tufted and available in the Mercantile Store, which is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, from 11 am to 5 pm or by special appointment. 

Organic, chemical-free wool is being transformed into high quality, fire-resistant, non-allergenic home wares, the healthiest products on the market.

The mill welcomed its first local supply of neighboring wool last week, delighting fellow rancher, Deborah Walton with a sustainable outlet for the crafting of exquisite wool bedding, yarn and other useful wood products.

Ariana described the baby doll sheep wool from Two Rock Canvas Ranch as: "rich, clean, chocolate-brown and easy to work with". Meanwhile, their progressive first customer was: "Excited to support the first local wool mill in the North Bay". 

Author and B&B operator, to boot, Ariana explained how up until the 1900s, most bedding in Europe and the U.S.A was made from wool (though other natural products, including straw and feathers were often used). When the first metal coil box spring bed was manufactured in the late 19th Century, an innerspring core and cotton batting or fiberfill formed the basis of setting a standard for all sorts of potentially hazardous, chemical-filled and unnatural stuffing components. Far more popular in Europe, traditional, breathable wool bedding is finally making its comeback here in the States.

"I sleep with all-wool bedding and I've never slept as well in my life," she said. 

Organic wool boasts intensive healing properties. Used since ancient times to help people with asthma, arthritis, allergies, insomnia and heart disease, wool bedding acclimatizes to body temperature. That is one of the reasons that fishermen and ranchers opt for wool clothing in all weathers.

A range of clothing is being developed as the mercantile and mill's small team of six staff familiarizes itself with its machinery. Alongside its initial range of creamy, fluffy, hand-batted mattress pads and comforters, the store stocks wool blankets and clothing from several other organic vendors.Washing of wool and carding into bats or roving to begin the spinning process is also offered at the Mill.  See website for more info on upcoming tours and classes.

A Grand Opening takes place on Sat. Aug. 3rd, 2013 from 2-6pm.

Also open for business, in the same barn building in Valley Ford is an intriguing little emporium of alchemy, called HydroSouls, LLC (pictured below). Step into this pint-sized realm of botanical solutions for body, mind and spirit and its captivating display of plant-powered, planet-friendly lotions and potions for humans and our animal friends invites some further exploration. 

Retired professionals in the field of health care and fine dining, owner/alchemists and self-described couple of crones, Pat Rothchild and her partner Tana  O'Connaigh have spent the past few years meticulously creating an antidote to the challenges presented by industrially generated body products and medicines. Their line of blends, teas and perfumes has been popularized by word of mouth. A new storefront side-by-side with the region's first wool mercantile and mill makes for a seriously good organic-goods shopping expedition out West. 

If you've yet to enjoy brunch or dinner across the street at Rocker Oysterfeller's while out and about on our country roads, the kitchen and saloon at Valley Ford Hotel are well worth making an extended stop-off. Reservations are a good idea on weekends. 

Pick up a supply of homemade sausages, fresh rabbit, Valley Ford Cheese and Point Reyes Blue at neighboring Valley Ford market. During summer months, fruit stands pop-up out front. 

Dinucci's third-generation-run Italian Family Style Restaurant is an institution in these parts. And keeping it easy to follow the Valley Ford family tree, Ariana's daughter Wesley runs nearby Estero Café. 

 

Though it all seems to be happening out at Valley Ford this summer, you'll still find it one of the most rustic, unspoiled of near-coastal hamlets in Northern California.