Discover Sonoma

The East Coast has it’s fall foliage, but here on the West Coast the place to be in autumn is Sonoma County during the grape harvest, which takes place in September and October. The weather is perfect, there’s a thriving LGBT community, and the scenery is breathtaking.
From the Bay Area it’s a short drive and from other points on the West Coast, you can fly right in to Sonoma County Airport (STS). Hot travel tip: if you fly into STS in Santa Rosa you can fly out with a full case of properly packaged wines! It’s a great way to avoid wine shipping charges.
There are so many places to explore in Sonoma County, so having a car during your visit is highly recommended.

Santa Rosa
It’s the hub of the county and the only sizeable downtown, so if you like the city vibe, this is the spot for you to hang your hat. There are lots of hotel and eatery options and great central location for day visits to other spots in the county. We like the recently renovated Astro Motel for a cool mid-century experience. You’ve also got to make a stop at Brew – it goes from serving locally-roasted coffee in the a.m. to craft beer in the p.m. And try their avocado toast!
If you visit Santa Rosa the first weekend in October, you can experience Pinot on the River at the Old Courthouse Square downtown. On Saturday, October 5th, over 40 wineries and artisanal food vendors are participating in the event including Roadhouse Winery, which creates some of our favorite Pinots.

Sonoma
Time for wine tasting! But you’re going to need some snacks to soak up the vino. Start out your day by picking up a gourmet picnic lunch from Frenchie Picnics and Provisions. Create your own custom basket of cheeses, meats, nuts and the best baguettes west of Paris.
Stroll the historic Sonoma Plaza dotted with quaint shops, cafes, and tasting rooms. Our favorite stop on the plaza is Rancho Maria Wines. It’s like stepping in to a comfortable living room in old Sonoma where the team treats you like family during the tasting experience. The sign out front reads “Rosé all Day” and we’ll drink to that!
Just up the road in Kenwood is the tasting lounge for En Garde Winery. Talk about an elevated tasting experience. You won’t find any rustic barrels in this place. It’s plush couches, elegant tables, and beautiful stemware. But the team is anything but stuffy. You’ll feel right at home learning about their extraordinary wines from knowledgeable professionals and you may even get to meet the amiable Csaba, the owner and winemaker. You’re sure to love their highly-rated collection of wines.
Feeling relaxed from the wine? The perfect time to experience Sonoma Valley’s Magical Massage. Located inside a 22-foot wine barrel in Glen Ellen, it’s a destination massage and organic facial experience you will fondly remember.
Want to bring home a piece of Sonoma? Stop by Chateau Sonoma. It’s like a slice of French living in the California Wine Country. Their jams, candles, soaps and beautiful home décor items capture the rustic elegance of Sonoma.

Guerneville
Many consider the quirky town of Guerneville to be the gay hub of Sonoma County. It’s always a good time in this funky and friendly riverfront community.
A must-do while in town is a stop for breakfast or lunch at Big Bottom Market for their now world-famous biscuits. Yes, biscuits! After showing up several years ago on Oprah’s Favorite Things, they have garnered so much positive attention there’s even a new book titled The Big Bottom Biscuit. And they really are all that.
Right across the street is the tasting room for Equality Vines, a collection of regional wines. It’s the first cause wine portfolio dedicated to equality for all people. A percentage of all proceeds are donated or directed to partners in the ongoing fight for equality. One of the founders, Jim Obergefell famously challenged the Supreme Court to uphold his equal rights resulting in the legalization of same-sex marriage. I’ll raise a glass of Equality Vines and toast to that!
While Sonoma is not famous for its nightlife, there are a couple of fun spots to hit. The Rainbow Cattle Company has been a gay good time saloon for forty years! It’s a cruisy boozy fun time. Or visit the gay-friendly R3 Hotel with its lively pool scene and cocktail bar. Check their calendar for fun theme nights, karaoke, drag shows, and other fun bar activities their smiling and spirited bartender Rodger cooks up.
Hey ladies – coming up the weekend of September 20 – 22 is the 39th Annual Russian River Women’s Weekend. It’s three days of pool parties, entertainment, dancing, cocktails, and love. Visit www.WomensWeekendRussianRiver.com for more info.

West Sonoma County
Take a leisurely Sunday drive through West Sonoma County with its picturesque small towns and beautiful vineyards.
Start out with brunch at Howards Station Café in Occidental. It’s like taking a step back in time in this turn of the century converted train station. Try one of their famous Benedicts or the blueberry cornmeal pancakes with pure maple syrup. Delish!
If you’re in the mood for bubbles after brunch, head to Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol. They are known for their fabulous collection of sparkling wines. You’ll enjoy the experience at their outdoor tasting room at the top of a hill. Be sure to make a tasting reservation first.
For a unique tasting experience and outstanding wines, visit Marimar Estate, a Catalan-style winery with magnificent scenery and even better Pinots and Chardonnays. Here you can enjoy a tapas and wine pairing on their sun-drenched patio. Or schedule a guided tour through the vineyard and a trip to Marimar’s personal wine cellar where you can select a bottle from her library. Salud!

HealdsburgA visit to the upscale town of Healdsburg is worth the drive. The Healdsburg Plaza is the heart of the city and is home to dozens of galleries, shops, and restaurants. It’s the perfect wine country shopping destination.
If you get thirsty, visit Hart’s Desire Wines. It’s a great tasting room space with dramatic artwork. Try the Sangiovese Rose and be sure to say hello to the fun and original Shea while you’re there. She makes our day.
If you’re looking for quality wines at a value price, we recommend checking out Gustafson Family Vineyards. Most of their wines are in the $20 – $40 price point. On a warm day, their Riesling is the perfect bottle to put in your picnic basket and relax at the nearby Lake Sonoma.
Time to Leave Already?
Many LGBT visitors absolutely fall in love with Sonoma County and find it the perfect spot for a second home or for an early retirement pad. You’ll see! There are plenty of rustic cabins and small homes that are crying out for a new owner and renovation. If you like the idea of a modern wine country farmhouse but are not up for a project yourself, you may want to contact Mangiantini Construction. They’ve been designing, building and maintaining custom homes in Sonoma County for over 20 years. With their focus on quality and style, they’re the perfect pairing for the discerning gay homeowner.
We think the only part you won’t enjoy about visiting Sonoma County this fall, is leaving.

If you’re a business or attraction from Sonoma County and think we’ve missed a “must do” for visitors, please email jim@gedmag.com and we’ll review for our next Discover feature for the area.