A Surprising "Dry Tripping" Destination: California Wine Country
"Dry January" may have come to a close, but if you have long-term resolutions to limit alcohol consumption, check out this unlikely destination: Sonoma County, California. From creative mocktails to inventive alcohol-free concoctions, the area is home to a burgeoning scene of expert mixologists and crafters. While you're in town, don't forget to take time to relax in other healthy ways by partaking in outdoor experiences in one of the most scenic regions on the West Coast.
Enjoy ciders on tap
Pomme Cider Shop & Taproom is introducing visitors to the emerging world of cider. Located just off the Sonoma Plaza, this bright and airy space exudes a charming French ambiance. Serving as both a taproom and a bottle shop, Pomme Cider Shop & Taproom boasts a diverse selection of local ciders and imports from Spain and France, complemented by a range of French rosés and champagnes. The venue offers an immersive experience with 18 ciders on tap, available by the glass or in flights, showcasing the best flavors from the West Coast and beyond. With over 100 bottled ciders sourced globally, patrons can explore a tapestry of cider varieties. Pomme goes beyond ciders, featuring pét-nats, grower Champagnes, orange wines, all available by the bottle. To enhance the tasting experience, the shop provides charcuterie and cheeseboards, creating the perfect pairing for noshing between sips.
Try unique citrus shrub drinks
Gold Ridge Organic Farms offers a delightful range of Citrus Shrub Drinks, also known as drinking vinegars. Rooted in 17th-century England and Colonial America, shrubs were originally used as preservatives for fruit. Lavender Lemonade, crafted from hand-picked Meyer Lemons, apple cider vinegar, and True English Lavender, present a refreshingly bright and floral flavor with a subtle sweet-tart balance. Another standout is the Mandarin-Kumquat, a hybrid citrus grown on the West County farm. blending the tartness of kumquats with the sweetness of Satsuma mandarin for a perfectly balanced and refreshing taste. These unique shrubs, along with all Gold Ridge Organic Farms' apple cider vinegars, are handcrafted locally by Little Apple Treats in Sebastopol. Additionally, the orchards are proudly Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Visit an innovative brewery
Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma is known for its innovative and often irreverent approach to brewing, with a commitment to producing high-quality and flavorful beers. Their Petaluma brewery and taproom have a distinctive, laid-back atmosphere, and its beer labels often feature whimsical and humorous artwork. Lagunitas Brewing Company offers two options for those interested in alcohol-free or low ABV beverages: a Hoppy Refresher and an IPNA (non-alcoholic IPA). The Hoppy Refresher is a zero-alcohol, zero-calorie, zero-carbohydrate, extra-low-gluten beverage with all the flavor of a highly hopped beer. The IPNA is a full-bodied, hoppy IPA with herbal, tea-like notes, and the aroma of lemon zest and just 0.50% ABV.
Take a taste of Sonoma home
Want to take the taste of wine country home with you? Look for this Sonoma-made seltzer. H20 Sonoma Soft Seltzer 0.0% is a unique beverage that combines the purity of Sonoma County water with the essence of winegrapes. Infused with 100% California varietal winegrapes, premium dealcoholized wine, and natural flavor extracts, this refreshment is the first wine-infused drink with zero alcohol. Catering to those who enjoy the taste of wine but prefer an alcohol-free option, H2O contains potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B12, with only 30-60 calories per 16 oz. can. It is a sparkling soft seltzer crafted to showcase the fine wine varietals, offering a California wine-infused experience with 0.0% alcohol, no artificial flavors, no added sugar, and no detectable sulfites.
Relax in nature
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy an endorphin rush in Sonoma County. From zip-lining between towering redwood trees to kayaking down the Russian River or whale watching from the headlands of Bodega Bay, where film director and screenwriter Alfred Hitchcock shot “The Birds” movie.
- Stop to smell the flowers in Jack London State History Park - Hikers, horseback riders, or nature lovers will delight in seeing blossoms along the trails of Jack London State Historic during peak wildflower season in February through August. To help visitors make the most of the natural splendor, the park provides a free online “Blooming Now” guide to the latest blossoms at the 1,570-acre park, with photos, names, and recently spotted locations. Visitors can seek out a variety of flowers, with names like California Buttercup, Pacific Hounds Tongue, and Checker Lily. The “Blooming Now” guide will be updated every two weeks through August 31, 2024. The guide is easy to print or follow online for walkers and hikers as they seek and identify the blooms found along the park's 29 miles of trails. In addition to admiring the wildflowers, visitors can enjoy the park's historic side and learn about the lives of famed author Jack London and his wife, Charmian, who made the place they called “Beauty Ranch” their home.
- Encounter the "living sculptures" of bonsai - Experience a world of serene beauty and intricate craftsmanship both indoors and outside, at Sonoma Botanical Garden's new The Art & Science of Bonsai exhibit. Take in a fusion of modern and classic forms, from graceful uprights to dramatic windswept styles with more than 20 amazing, tiny trees, meticulously nurtured and shaped by local artisans and each a testament to the patience and creativity involved in bonsai's contemplative art form. Then stroll the Garden's paths to see some of the full-sized species showcased in the exhibit (through March 22, 2024).