Vineburg
FOOD & DRINK
Big plans afoot for the Castagnasso Horse Farm
The continued presence of a horse farm just half-a-block from Sonoma Plaza at 196 East Spain Street is a near miracle. A longtime home to Clydesdales owned by the Castagnasso family, the property was sold to new owners in 2021 when the Castagnasso family relocated to the East Coast. The property is zoned Medium Density Residential, but the new owners have no plan for additional housing and plan to continue to operate a horse farm to provide boarding for retired and rescue horses.
Circus of Flowers at Sonoma County Fair features a giant giraffe, humongous hippo
Santa Rosa A big tent of flowers at the fair The Hall of Flowers has been transformed into a fanciful and fragrant Cirque des Fleurs for the Sonoma County Fair opening on Thursday. Visitors will behold a high-diving hippo, a 30 foot tall two-headed giraffe ringmaster and a tightrope cycling clown set amid a riot of colorful flowers tightly packed into eight professionally designed display ...
A Historic Bank Is Now One Of Northern California’s Best Italian Restaurants
This historic bank in Northern California is now one of the best Italian restaurants in the state. Ristorante Allegria in Napa serves Northern Italian cuisine. Think clam linguine, gnocchi with pesto, and tagliatelle with bolognese. Enjoy these classic dishes in a unique and stately atmosphere. The old bank, built in 1916, has 35-foot ceilings and a breathtaking ambiance. Beautiful Italian music adds to the ambiance.
Lionel Richie Headlines Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel
Rick Walker has created magic in the Napa Valley. On Sunday, July 14, that magic reached a new crescendo with $4.5 million raised in one evening at Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala to support access to arts education programs. Nickel & Nickel in Oakville was the idyllic...
Sportsman’s report: Outdoor Pro, the go-to place for fishermen
The friendly and relaxed sales team at Outdoor Pro in Cotati greets every customer entering the store. Unlike many fishing equipment stores, every salesperson is a fisherman who will fish for anything anytime or anywhere. As with most fishers there are favorites. Anthony Mirviss is the Bass guy and assistant...
Explore Pioneering Bay Area Artist’s Abstract Art Exhibit at Sonoma Valley Museum
“Arthur Monroe: A Tow to Carry” is a bold new show at Sonoma Valley Museum of Art well worth a visit this summer. The late abstract expressionist painter and community activist was an important member of the Beat circle in San Francisco’s North Beach and later set up one of the first live-work studios in the landmark Oakland Cannery.
Santa Rosa hot sauce entrepreneur celebrates the end of his reality TV journey
An exciting and sometimes bumpy reality show ride came to an end Wednesday night for a Santa Rosa hot sauce entrepreneur vying for a $250,000 prize during the two episode season finale of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars.” Andrew Whiting, the founder of Hot Drops, and about 150 friends, family members and fans — some sporting black T-shirts emblazoned with “Team Andrew” on the back in bold white ...
City Experiments with Reusable Cups at Starbucks, Taco Bell and 30 Other Restaurants–with Return Bins all over town
A consortium of small firms is creating a renewable revolution within the boundaries of a small city in Northern California, which will be the testbed for a use-and-return concept for fast food drinks. Around 50 billion disposable drink cups are used every year in the US, but in the city...
Howard Backen, Purveyor of Wine Country Style, Dies at 88
Napa Valley’s wine country style owes a lot to AD100 Hall of Fame architect Howard Backen, who died on July 22 in Napa Valley with his wife, Ann Ernish-Backen, by his side. He was 88 years old. Backen, the co-founding partner of California-based firm Backen and Backen - Architecture...
The French Laundry named ‘most famous’ restaurant in California
A local restaurant was recently named the most famous restaurant in California. Chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville was crowned the Golden State’s “most famous” eatery in a July 15 story on the foodie website www.lovefood.com. The list was based on user reviews, awards and accolades and firsthand experiences of the Lovefood team. The story highlighted 50 restaurants, one from ...
This Week In Food: Saison's New Wine Bar Makes a Splash In SoMa
Saison's new SoMa wine bar has opened, a new Greek spot lands in the TenderNob, and Napa is getting its first Kansas City-style smokehouse and barbecue. Saison Cellar & Wine Bar has opened in SoMa, offering high-end and lesser-known pours of wine, a lot of them from France, along with pate and snacks from Maison Nico. As SFist reported in April, it's occupying two spaces on Townsend Street not far from Saison, 228 and 234 Townsend Street, one of which was formerly home to Petit Marlowe. One half is a wine bar, while the other half of the space, The Cellar, is reserved for members of Saison Cellar's wine club. Saison partner Mark Bright, who has long been the restaurant's beverage director, launched Saison Winery in Santa Cruz County in 2016, and later opened a tasting room in Los Gatos and the first Saison Cellar & Wine Bar in Scotts Valley. The new wine bar, formerly home to another Bright venture called Le Clos, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 2 pm to 10 pm, and most of the glasses are priced between $12 and $25.
Yountville: Where It’s Easy to Shop & Eat Like a Local
Yountville’s 3,000 residents and Napa Valley residents at large love Yountville’s small-town feel, walkable art lined streets, world-class dining, and easy-going, yet elegant vibe. For visitors of Yountville, the locals have one tip – do as the locals do. Take your time, talk to your neighbor, and enjoy all that this town has to offer. Whether you’re looking for something to sip, eat, a pick-me-up, or a great boutique, it’s easy to find the local favorites—they are all around you.
Winery Dogs: Woof-Friendly Mumm Napa Vineyards
When you think of a winery you think of lush green vineyards with row after row of crisp tasty abundance. You dream of barrel after barrel of wine stacked on top of one another holding what certainly tastes like heaven. You envision bottles of red and white filled with the exquisite vintage tastes of the past. But you don’t think of dogs, do you? Animal Fair has supplied you with four wineries and an importer that will give you a taste of their best Merlot and a look at their cast of canine connoisseurs.
An Interview with Alex Ehret of Ehret Family Winery
In 2024 I met Alex Ehret over an email and subsequent phone calls. Didn’t have the opportunity to meet him in person until last week. He arranged to meet as I was driving to the coast and could stop by. What a great treat hearing the family history, viewing the expansive vineyards and gaining a comprehensive understanding of their operation as well as meeting Alex in person.
Annual MAVA Cosecha Tasting: August 17, Napa
Now that we’ve entered the new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, public wine-tasting events have resumed, giving wine lovers a lot of opportunities to taste a wide variety of wines from all over. Every wine event occupies something of a niche, offering a particular view into the world of wine. For many it’s a particular grape variety, or a specific region of the world and its winemaking heritage.
Local Snacks from Marin for Back-to-School
Back-to-school time is around the corner, and the annual search for healthy, local snacks commences once again. Comet Corn, based in Santa Rosa, was founded by partners Sherry and Jeff Phillips, who proudly call themselves The Popcorn People. They source fresh kernels each month which are popped in organic sunflower oil and topped with homemade seasoning blends. Their Hippie Dust flavor is a best-seller, and they offer other tantalizing options like Maple Syrup and Coconut Curry. You can find Comet Corn at local health food stores such as Good Earth and Mill Valley Market.
Carl Kanowsky | The Collective Napa Valley Barrel Tasting
Since its beginning in 1981, the Napa Wine Auction (in its various iterations) has raised and invested more than $230 million toward helping the Napa Valley community address some of the challenges its youth face. This year, after suffering through COVID and all of its restrictions, the Napa Wine Auction...
10 Cutest Bars in California’s Napa & Sonoma Wine Country with Must-Try Drinks
California’s Napa and Sonoma wine country is not only famous for its wines but also for its charming bars that offer a perfect mix of environment, creativity, and flavor. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these top 10 Cutest Bars in California’s Napa & Sonoma are must-visits. Find the best spot with the help of your Jet Setting Fashionista, Emily Martin, to enjoy a delightful drink.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.