Rich in wine, fresh produce and aromatic olive oil, California’s Sonoma County also abounds in natural beauty and outdoor pursuits. A trip to this bountiful region is a true feast for the senses, nourishing the body as much as the soul.
Six shallow glass cups, similar to tealight holders, are arranged in a half circle before me, each filled with olive oil and labelled with intriguing words like, ‘Arbequina’, ‘Tuscan’, ‘Minerva’ and ‘Picholine’. There is also a side plate arranged with small snacks; Marcona almonds, creamy houmous, daried Gravenstein apples and sea salt-flecked crackers. I inhale the aroma from each mini cup of oil, detecting floral and fruity aromas, before sipping the liquid gold, letting the viscous liquid coat the back of my throat. The oils range from mild and melon-like to grassy and peppery, each delicious and piquant in its own way. Along with this gorgeous tasting, my visit to Goldridge Organic Farms (goldridgeorganicfarms.com), located just outside the Californian city of Sebastopol in Sonoma County, includes a scenic stroll through olive groves and fragrant apple orchards.
Dotted with hundreds of family farms, dairies and creameries, Sonoma County is undeniably a thriving agricultural hub. Around these parts, there is a running joke that all the fabulous produce and provisions that feature so prominently at Napa’s fine dining restaurants actually come from neighbouring Sonoma County.
This fertile region produces its fair share of wine, too. At Pax Wines (paxwine.com), a tasting room within The Barlow — a former apple processing plant converted into a complex of wineries, cideries and shops — I savour a 2021 Syrah reminiscent of ripe, juicy blackberries. Though Pax has quite the following for its cool-climate Syrahs, it also cultivates lesser-known varietals such as Vermentino and Trousseau Gris. The credit goes to Sonoma’s varied geography. From the mist-shrouded coastline to warmer, sunnier valleys tucked between mountains, the county claims no fewer than 19 different wine appellations, otherwise known as AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
The following day, I decide to explore this exceptionally drinkable (and walkable) landscape for myself, starting at the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, an 805-acre park full of ancient, towering trees. The air is clean, cool and damp. Sunlight illuminates the crowns of the redwoods, occasionally beaming down to the fern-carpeted forest floor. This is a refuge in its truest sense.
Leaving behind the hushed redwoods for the coast, I stop en route at Duncan Mills, a tiny historic Victorian village that houses a cluster of cute shops, including a general market-cum-boutique-bookstore called Poet’s Corner (bookshop.org/shop/poetscornerbookshop). Dozens of Victorian homes were built across Sonoma County’s pint-size towns at the turn of the 20th century, well after the days of the California fur rush trappers, the Spanish missionaries, and the indigenous Pomo, Coast Miwok and Wappo tribes before them. This rich heritage serves as a reminder that Sonoma encapsulates much more than its present-day identity.
By lunchtime, I’m in the tiny coastal community of Jenner. At Café Aquatica (cafeaquatica.com), I devour a scrumptious, rainbow-coloured salad on a picnic table out back, facing the Russian River. The setting is sublime. Later, I meet Suki Waters, proprietor of WaterTreks EcoTours (watertreks.com), for a kayaking excursion. We plan to make our way through the estuary, where the river meets the ocean, before heading out to boulder-strewn Goat Rock Beach. We’re on the water within minutes, with Suki sharing fascinating titbits about native plants and marine life. Dozens of curious harbour seals pop up and play peek-a-boo as we paddle. Low water levels make it challenging to go out during drier parts of the year, I’m told, but on this fortuitous spring day, the conditions are in our favour, the sun shining high above and yellow wildflowers dotting the shore.
A few hours later, I reach the city of Healdsburg, a city surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. Over dinner, I reflect on the day, thinking that I’d gone from forest bathing and floating with seals to tucking into succulent pear salad and maitake mushroom tempura in the span of less than 12 hours. This is the magic of Sonoma — a legacy of agriculture, wine, nature and history enduring side by side. Spying several citrus trees rustling near the restaurant’s veranda, I take a moment to admire the bounty all around.
WHERE TO STAY
The Stavrand Russian River Valley: A historic hilltop estate in Guerneville, Sonoma County. At its heart is the 1920s, 21-room Belden House, which has been completely refreshed for modern travellers. Rooms are sprawling yet cosy, softened by mosaic-tiled fireplaces, bright wall coverings and soaking tubs. Guests can enjoy a range of considered amenities, from a sparkling pool and relaxing hot tub to firepits stocked with s’mores kits, plus a fleet of bicycles for exploring the grounds (and beyond).
MORE STATESIDE STAYS FOR WINING & DINING
Rooted in the earthy tones and deep wine reds of Napa Valley, this vineyard-encircled resort pairs wine country elegance with a rich cultural calendar — think wine flights from boutique producers, seasonal art classes with local creatives and weekly tastings from small-batch wineries.
Southbridge Napa Valley, St. Helena
Not only is the acclaimed Merryvale winery next door, but St. Helena’s restaurants and boutiques are within an easy stroll from this Californian hideaway. Sip vintages in the heart of Napa’s wine country by day, indulging in chef-prepared dinners by night. Unwind in spacious rooms with fireplaces and vineyard breezes drifting through French doors.
This Penobscot Bay favourite is home to award-winning Natalie’s Restaurant, where locally inspired dishes — from Maine Lobster Eggs Benedict to seasonal, sea-caught creations — celebrate the coast’s bounty. Pair culinary experiences with visits to nearby vineyards, sampling regional wines that complement the inn’s thoughtful menus. Beyond the table, cooking classes, chef-led tastings and personalised gastronomic adventures make every stay a feast for the senses.
Dining at the resort’s Cress on Oak Creek restaurant comes with an immersion in nature, featuring seasonal menus, candlelit tables by the water and wines that mirror the richness of the surrounding red-rock landscape. Days unfold in a balanced rhythm of adventure and restoration, from sunrise hikes and hot air balloon flights over rugged canyons to sound baths, sensory healing and stargazing under Sedona’s vast skies.
Just beyond this ivy-draped manor, lavender-lined paths lead to the beach, where the call of seals mingles with the crash of Pacific waves. Spend your stay flowing effortlessly from coastal adventure to restful moments. Wander windswept Half Moon Bay before returning to your terrace for a glass from the inn’s curated wine list.
