Sonoma County leads the way in environmentally friendly weekend getaways. This agriculturally rich region north of San Francisco has long been known for its wineries. But now its reputation for sustainable architecture and dining grows, too. From hotels to restaurants, bars, and of course, wineries, there’s a widespread commitment to green living and entertaining in this region of Northern California.
Welcoming Hotels
H2hotel, one of the newest in Healdsburg, is modern and luxurious, and also LEED Gold-certified. It features a living roof of greenery, water bars that make cold still and sparkling water available to guests at any time, and EV charging stations. The guest rooms’ warm and inviting decor emphasizes the simple pleasures of natural beauty, like bamboo flooring and sumptuous organic linens. Patio and balcony access, as well as the tranquil pool, help bring the outside in.
Harmon Guest House, the sister-hotel next door, is also LEED-certified. Harmon, which is slated for a August 2018 opening, is immediately noted for its redwood sunshade slats and cable trellises. Guest have free access to the outdoors through the rooftop lounge, creekside park and pool, and interior courtyard. It’s a peaceful oasis in a busy word.
The Freshest Ingredients
The restaurants of the area also reflect the natural goodness of Sonoma County. Visit the Barlow outdoor open air market district in Sebastopol to see the apex of shopping local. Be sure to visit Zazu Kitchen + Farm, whose award-winning chef-owners believe in sustainable practices. Their local farm-to-table, seasonally-inspired menus incorporate their own fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Or, meet with friends and relax at the bar or table seating of Duke’s Spirited Cocktails in downtown Healdsburg. The bar serves up locally made and globally-curated spirits, wines, and liquors. Expert bartenders deliver handcrafted drinks with signature enthusiasm. Mateo’s Cucina Latina features unforgettable dishes combining Mexican/regional culinary inspiration and locally sourced ingredients.
Sustainable Wine-making
La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard is a relative newcomer to the Sonoma wine scene, but their Monterey series already 10 years in. The vineyard is perhaps best-known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and its newest wine, Pino Noir Rose. La Crema Estate is located in the picturesque Russian River Valley location. The estate’s activities for visitors center around a renovated barn. From the beginning, La Crema balanced a commitment to history with modernization. The barn is now the perfect backdrop for special celebrations and gatherings at La Crema Estate. Visitors enjoy wine flights, tours of the estate, and exclusive tasting experiences designed to educate, inform, and engage.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens also offers tours of the estate and gardens. Their long-standing vineyard-to-table approach drives recognized and certified sustainable growing practices. These include innovative irrigation, barrel washing and recycling, and natural pest control measures, as well as solar-generated power for vinting and bottling wine. Kendall-Jackson’s own Vintner’s Reserve series is popular, and its Chardonnay has been the most popular wine of this type for the past 25 years.
Sonoma County’s warm hospitality welcomes folks who love its wineries and local cuisine. And the area’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship ensures that the area will continue to impress visitors for generations to come.