Awarded “Best Event Site in the North Bay” since 1986, Marin Art and Garden Center is the premier location for your event.
The Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross is a special gathering place that sits on 11 acres of beautiful, expertly maintained gardens. Our awardwinning indoor and outdoor locations o er a peaceful garden setting to perfectly accommodate your milestone events, corporate meetings, and
We are also home to many vibrant programs including Yoga in the Garden, summer concerts, cultural programming, art exhibitions, and The Garden School.
Visit
the North Bay” since 1986, Center is the premier location
to learn more!
Ross is a special gathering place that expertly maintained gardens. Our awardlocations o er a peaceful garden setting to milestone events, corporate meetings, and programs including Yoga in the programming, art exhibitions, learn more!
A place to celebrate
Awarded “Best Event Site in the North Bay” since 1986, Marin Art and Garden Center is the premier location for your event.
Awarded “Best Event Site in the North Bay” since 1986, Marin Art and Garden Center is the premier location for your event.
The Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross is a special gathering place that sits on 11 acres of beautiful, expertly maintained gardens. Our awardwinning indoor and outdoor locations o er a peaceful garden setting to perfectly accommodate your milestone events, corporate meetings, and retreats—whether large or small.
The Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross is a special gathering place that sits on 11 acres of beautiful, expertly maintained gardens. Our award-winning indoor and outdoor locations offer a peaceful garden setting to perfectly accommodate your milestone events, corporate meetings, and retreats— whether large or small.
We are also home to many vibrant programs including Yoga in the Garden, summer concerts, cultural programming, art exhibitions, and The Garden School.
Visit maringarden.org to learn more!
We are also home to many vibrant programs including Yoga in the Garden, summer concerts, cultural programming, art exhibitions, and The Garden School.
Visit maringarden.org to learn more!
Lazeaway Club
Our Cal-Pacific cuisine taps the spices, heat, sweet and savory of far-flung travel destinations, combining them with the best fresh, local ingredients.
The Spa
From impossibly luxurious body experiences and massages to rejuvenating facials and waxing, the road to serenity begins at The Spa at Flamingo.
Vintage Space
Our retro-futuristic music lounge hosting a cosmic array of live music, stand-up comedy, dancing, DJ's, karaoke, trivia nights, and more.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Would you believe that Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was not the first Bohemian-themed song to which I was introduced while trawling CD bins in the ’80s? No, that honor goes to Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians and their 1988 single, “What I Am.”
And even though there’s no lyric with the blessed word—they’re “Bohemian” in band name only—the notion stuck with me. At least enough that four years later, when the movie Wayne’s World introduced Gen X to the genius of Freddie Mercury, I had been primed to accept the word, if not the lifestyle suggested by it.
But the real source, of course, is Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who beat Mercury by a century with La bohème, his rhapsodic opera about struggling artists and doomed love in 19th-century Paris. This is the ur-bohemian point of reference—and the one that I think most represents the aesthetic of this magazine—an aesthetic premise pre-soaked in wine, romance and artistry that has informed everything since, from chic style guides to the musical Rent And, of course, us.
The magazine you’re reading is a distillate of the Pacific Sun and North Bay Bohemian, its weekly forebears for which I’m also currently steward. It’s about striving for one’s passion in life in some of the most beautiful places in the world,
namely Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. These three counties have long practiced the art of living la vie bohème
Is it not apropos that Sonoma County’s Cinnabar Theatre just wrapped its season with a production of Puccini’s opera?
Admittedly, I have yet to see it and likely will have missed the production by press time (our critic loved it), but completely understand why it was performed here and now.
This is the North Bay’s bohemian moment. Why now? Who knows? But I’m convinced that it is. Or, as Edie Brickell sang, “I’m not aware of too many things—I know what I know if you know what I mean.”
Daedalus Howell Editor
PHOTO BY VICTORIA VON THAL
LIVE The cast of the Cinnabar Theatre’s production of ‘La bohème’ (from left—Nicholas Huff, Diana Skavronskaya, Daniel Yoder, Michael Kuo and Don Hoffman) seem to be having a good time.
Pairing Is Caring
To invoke the parlance of online meme culture, I was “today” years old when I realized that “Carneros”—as the popular American Viticultural Area shared by both Sonoma and Napa counties is called—translates from the Spanish as “Rams.” This is salient since I’m smitten with the Seasonal Wine & Food Experience at Ram’s Gate Winery, which is located—guess where?—in Carneros.
Seasonal Wine & Food Extravaganza at Ram’s Gate Winery
For the uninitiated, Ram’s Gate Winery is a mere hour’s drive north from San Francisco, making it a perfect day trip destination for those seeking an exceptional culinary and winetasting adventure. Especially with its recently launched Seasonal Wine & Food Experience. This new menu, a brainchild of winemaker Joe Nielsen and executive chef Ruby Oliveros, is an immersive, engaging and delectable way to experience the best of Sonoma’s wine country.
BY DAEDALUS HOWELL
Under Nielsen’s leadership, the Seasonal Wine & Food Experience aims to provide a comprehensive sensory adventure. This five-course menu changes with the seasons, reflecting the bounty of local ingredients and the flavors they bring. The wine-first approach ensures that each dish is curated to enhance the unique characteristics of the wines from Ram’s Gate’s cellar.
CHEF Ruby Oliveros joined Ram’s Gate in 2022 as the executive chef.
WINEMAKER Joe Nielsen became director of winemaking at Ram’s Gate in 2018.
Kitchen Maestro: Ruby Oliveros
With more than 15 years of experience, Ruby Oliveros joined Ram’s Gate in 2022 as the executive chef. Trained at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Oliveros honed her skills in some of the city’s top restaurants, including the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Her culinary journey has seen her rise from an intern to an executive chef, crafting menus and leading kitchen teams with finesse and creativity.
Originally from the Philippines, Oliveros blends her fine-dining expertise with the vibrant flavors of her heritage. At Ram’s Gate, she brings her passion for fresh, local ingredients and her knack for creating dishes that perfectly complement the estate’s wines. Her spring menu includes highlights like the pork belly “musubi” paired with the 2020 El Diablo Vineyard Pinot Noir and the herb sous vide veal tenderloin paired with the 2020 Richards Vineyard Syrah.
Winemaking Wizard: Joe Nielsen
Joe Nielsen’s journey at Ram’s Gate began in 2018 when he became the director of winemaking. Inspired by old California wines, Nielsen strives to capture a sense of timelessness in each bottle, balancing acidity, tannin, richness and body with precision. His tenure at Ram’s Gate has seen the introduction of innovative practices like native fermentation, partnerships with small-production coopers and new releases such as the single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sonoma Coast Rosé.
Promoted to general manager in 2022, Nielsen now oversees the winery’s hospitality, marketing and sales programs, ensuring that Ram’s Gate remains a premier Sonoma estate. His dedication to creating engaging and educational guest experiences is evident in the Seasonal Wine & Food Experience.
A Peek Into the
Seasonal Menu
The Seasonal Wine & Food Experience begins with a tour focusing on estate farming techniques and the winemaking process. Guests are then seated for a guided tasting where each wine, handselected by Nielsen, is paired with a specifically crafted food course by Oliveros. Here’s a preview of the spring menu:
Asparagus Panna Cotta with Dungeness Crab Paired with a fresh and vibrant white wine, this dish features a micro herb salad and lemon oil, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Carrot Soup with Pistachio Gremolata
A delightful bowl of creamy carrot soup topped with a crunchy pistachio gremolata, paired with a nuanced white wine that enhances its earthy sweetness.
Wedge Salad Featuring avocado puree, cherry tomatoes, radishes, Point Reyes Bay Blue Cheese dressing and bacon, this salad is a perfect match for a crisp and refreshing wine.
Pork Belly “Musubi” This dish showcases soy cured yolk, togarashi tempura nori, star anise teriyaki glaze and pickled daikon, paired with the rich and flavorful 2020 El Diablo Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Herb Sous Vide Veal Tenderloin
Paired with the robust 2020 Richards Vineyard Syrah, this dish includes fava bean hash and a red wine veal sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.
Logistics & Reservations
The experience lasts approximately two hours, with available times at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Priced at $160 per person, with a special rate of $110 for members, it’s an investment in a truly memorable day. Reservations can be made online for up to six guests. A $50 deposit per person is required when booking, which will be applied toward any purchase at the conclusion of the tasting. For larger parties, the winery offers private event options.
Ram’s Gate is also a dog-friendly winery. It invites furry friends to enjoy the Carneros sunshine on the patio while service animals are welcome indoors.
A Final Toast
The Seasonal Wine & Food Experience at Ram’s Gate Winery is more than just a tasting—it’s an exploration of flavors, a celebration of local ingredients and a tribute to the art of winemaking. Whether one is a wine connoisseur or just beginning a journey, this experience promises to leave one with a deeper appreciation for the craft and a palate full of unforgettable tastes. So, gather friends, reserve a spot and prepare for a day of indulgence and discovery at one of Sonoma’s finest wineries. Cheers! w
A Room of One’s Own
Welcome to the Blackout Rage Room
BY DON R. LEWIS
It’s hard to calculate when the undercurrent of anger and downright rage started to really come to the fore in society.
Sure, humans have always been an angry species, a quirky byproduct of being able to think, rationalize, form an opinion, and seek to feel heard and/or safe. »»
BY
PHOTOS
DON R. LEWIS
SWING Customers of the Blackout Rage Room are encouraged to bat away their angst.
People get mad for all kinds of reasons, and we’ve found myriad ways to let out the rage, hopefully without injuring a fellow human being. Be they punk rock mosh pits, scream therapy, drug or alcohol abuse or January 6 insurrections, people have been trying novel ways to let out some steam over the decades.
One way rage has recently been assuaged is via “rage rooms,” a room or space designed for people to vent their anger, frustration or stress by smashing or breaking objects in a controlled environment. Participants pay a fee for a specified amount of time in the room, during which they can release their emotions by smashing these items using tools like baseball bats, pipes, golf clubs, crowbars or sledgehammers.
These rooms typically provide protective gear such as helmets, gloves and coveralls, and are filled with items like old furniture, computer monitors, other electronics, glassware and all sorts of breakable objects that can be safely (and, entertainingly) destroyed.
Think of the scene in 1999’s Office Space where the trio of fed-up employees clandestinely steal a printer from their soul-sucking office, drive to a remote location and give it a beat down, complete with a curb stomp. Surely, the rage room phenomenon must have roots therein.
While one’s mileage may vary on how much one’s festering anger will be released after participation in a rage room, a big challenge can be finding one and not feeling like one is about to hang out with a bunch of Fight Club-esque lunatics. There also seems to be a real lack of these rooms in or around Sonoma County. Luckily, local entrepreneur Justin Brown has thought of all this and created Blackout Rage Room, a mobile rage room that can come to a house or office for some good old-fashioned clobberin’ time.
In speaking to Brown from his home in Windsor, he says he got the idea after observing his wife in her work with school-aged youth. “My wife works with students, and during Covid the students were actually starting fight clubs; they didn’t know what to do with their pentup energy,” Brown explains. “I started thinking these kids need something to
FOUNDER ‘Everyone is super excited, just so many people coming out and having a good time. You can hear them laughing, which makes my day,’ says founder Justin Brown.
««
do, and then I saw a rage room online and got the idea.”
After doing some research, Brown attempted to open a brick-and-mortar space but ran into several issues with permitting. “People didn’t know what to do with me or how to categorize me,” he says with a laugh. After a while, the process took so long that Brown decided to put the concept on wheels and to create a mobile space custom made from a toy hauler trailer. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
‘My wife works with students, and during Covid the students were actually starting fight clubs—they didn’t know what to do with their pent-up energy.’
— JUSTIN BROWN
SMASH Blackout Rage Room offers old cars for those keen on being a one-person wrecking crew.
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Brown says his biggest demographic so far has been adult women who have used his services for divorce parties as well as other gatherings designed to let off some steam.
including face shields.
“Everyone is super excited, just so many people coming out and having a good time. You can hear them laughing, which makes my day,” Brown says. “Also, it was surprising, but sometimes people come in for more serious reasons like, people pass away and need to release that anger or sadness.”
One obvious question is, do these rage rooms actually help people relieve stress, anger and anxiety? According to Elizabeth Scott, who is a wellness coach, author and health educator with a PhD in psychology from San Diego State, it depends.
When speaking to Very Well Mind, Scott says, “[These] rooms might provide some temporary relief from strong emotions. When you’re angry and frustrated, finding an outlet to release some of your tension can feel good.” She adds, “This may seem counterintuitive, but think about it: If acting out
your aggression makes you feel better afterward, you’re probably going to be more likely to be aggressive in the future, right?”
To this, Brown clarifies he’s not a psychologist but says that he’s seen many people comment after a session that it “feels like a weight has been lifted” from their shoulders and that the endeavor can not only be cathartic but a lot of fun. Interestingly, Brown says his biggest demographic so far has been adult women who have used his services for divorce parties as well as other gatherings designed to let off some steam.
Brown’s Blackout Rage Room has been participating in pop-ups throughout Sonoma County, including several at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, which he uses due to its easy access as well as roomy parking lot, since his 22-foot custom made trailer can hold
up to three people smashing things at a time.
One of his biggest events was a popup at Iron Ox Brewing in Santa Rosa. Plus he’s constantly thinking of places to do a pop-up. “My wife gets tired of me waking her up at 2 in the morning with a new idea,” he says.
Children ages 10-15 years are allowed into the Blackout Rage Room with a parent present. Current rates are $30 for a “mini-session” of 10 minutes and $60 for 20 minutes, which would also probably count for a workout as well. Brown offers a variety of rates for all sorts of parties. He says that while it hasn’t happened yet, he expects the upcoming election cycle to result in several bookings.
For more information, see the website at northbayblackout.com.
SAFETY FIRST The Blackout Rage Room supplies personal safety gear for visitors,
The Songwriter
BY ISABELLA COOK
Petaluma’s Sean Hayes
WISDOM When it comes to being a working songwriter, Sean Hayes observes, ‘With something like this, you have to be romantic about it, or it just won’t work.’
Something about California’s Bay Area seems to draw in free-thinking artists like a moth to a flame. And Sonoma’s own singer/songwriter, Sean Hayes, is no exception.
PHOTOS BY FREDA BANKS
‘The dilemma in all art and all those pursuits and in life is that so much of our initial instinct is to be someone else, and in doing that we don’t seem to realize that we just have to be ourselves…Realizing that is the longest journey you’ll take, and one you have to keep learning again and again and again.’
— SEAN HAYES
Hayes is a well-known musician here in the Bay Area, though he believes that job title doesn’t quite encapsulate the spirit of his perspective on the profession.
“To this day, I always say I’m not a musician,” said Hayes. “I’m really a songwriter, someone who doesn’t mind standing in front of a group of people and making a fool of themselves.”
Born in New York City and raised in North Carolina, Hayes made his way across the country to manifest his musical destiny out west. While the influence of his all-American roots plays into Hayes’ music, other surprising influences (traditional Irish tunes, for instance) have inspired him as well.
“I think it was a slow kind of discovery for me of what it means to be a musician,” said Hayes. “I didn’t realize this at the time, but I was coming at this from a very artist-centric standpoint, like a poet.
I definitely wasn’t thinking about the music industry—in fact, I was kind of scared of it.”
The first time Hayes took to the stage was not to perform music. Instead, he was drawn to the performance art form of theater, which he believes paved the way for his musical profession.
“I was headed toward the theater direction at the same time that I was getting the itch to write songs,” said Hayes. “Then I got this need to move around and travel, and it was almost really on the flip of a coin that I decided not to go into the theater stuff.”
Still, these lessons Hayes learned from acting added to his ability to craft a stage persona. He described the act of learning to adopt a persona to play a character as being based in one’s own personal identity.
“If you’re playing a character, like a Harvard-educated lawyer, there’s no
difference between that lawyer and yourself but your desires—who you are is still all you have to draw on,” explained Hayes. “You don’t actually change yourself to perform. You can put on a cowboy hat if you want to be a cowboy, and that’s 90% of the signifier that makes you a cowboy. But the place you work from is your own emotions and your life experience, not from somebody else’s.”
“There are lots of incredible players and creative people who just don’t have a screw quite loose enough to do [music] for a livelihood,” Hayes continued. “With something like this, you have to be romantic about it or it just won’t work.”
After choosing to pursue music and come out to California, Hayes lived and often played in San Francisco. Though he had no real intention of leaving his life in the city, he and his wife eventually began thinking of greener pastures (i.e., elbow room) and moved up to Petaluma. »»
ORIGINS Born in New York City and raised in North Carolina, Sean
way across the country to manifest his musical destiny out west.
“We loved San Francisco and weren’t really trying to leave, but…we needed to get a bigger place,” said Hayes. “We moved to Petaluma almost on a whim. It wasn’t an industry decision so much as family and life.”
Over his years spent immersed in the Bay Area’s rich culture of art and music, Hayes noticed one unique quality that he attributes to musicians of California’s central coast: their mentality.
“The Bay Area music scene attracts people with this do-it-yourself kind of mentality,” Hayes explained. “Whereas if you’re going to LA or New York, which are awesome and beautiful places for artists, it feels like those places question you, versus in [the Bay], being an artist is more like living.”
‘It feels like my aim with my music changes and is very day-to-day. But at the bottom of it, I like to get people to dance a little bit or give them the option to move and sway.’
— SEAN HAYES
Hayes made his
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The creative space Hayes suggests for those who want to turn their passions and ideas into products is one of doing. While it is easy to daydream day-to-day or do nothing at all in the face of possible imperfection, there is a point in every artist’s life where they must decide to write out their idea on a scrap of paper and leave fear of imperfection at the door.
Whether one is a creative by profession or by the nature of being human, it’s easy to appreciate art when the very act of living as a North Bay local invites a certain artistry to one’s life. Time and time again, San Francisco and its northern counties located just across the bridge have proven magnetic to those who want not only to create art, but maybe become part of the art themselves as well.
“The dilemma in all art and all those pursuits and in life is that so much of our initial instinct is to be someone else, and in doing that we don’t seem to realize that we just have to be ourselves,” said Hayes. “Realizing that is the longest journey you’ll take, and one you have to keep learning again and again and again.”
Even Hayes’ music-writing process is unique to his own style, needs and personal development. He is an advocate for allowing the passage of time to play an active role in changing the work one puts into the world. He also believes in feeding off the energy of each performance
and audience to change and adapt and continually create.
“It feels like my aim with my music changes and is very day-to-day,” said Hayes. “But at the bottom of it, I like to get people to dance a little bit or give them the option to move and sway. My songs are written down on these scraps, pieces of paper, and then they change as I sing over time too. And the music, well, it’ll keep evolving even after I’ve recorded the song.”
“Plus, the audience’s attention and energy can completely change the same song performed from night to night, which is always interesting to see,” added Hayes.
Hayes is set to take to the stage and perform for audiences up and down the West Coast for the summer of 2024. His stops include Bellingham, WA; Portland, OR; and a few locations in and around the Bay Area itself—Healdsburg and Oakland, for instance.
The creative space Hayes suggests for those who want to turn their passions
and ideas into products is one of doing. While it is easy to daydream day-to-day or do nothing at all in the face of possible imperfection, there is a point in every artist’s life where they must decide to write out their idea on a scrap of paper and leave fear of imperfection at the door. After all, there’s always room to evolve and change…but only once one dares to play.
“Artists may think they need another tool and other things before they can do what they want to do, but it’s all already there. You can literally record the song and have it in minutes,” said Hayes. “There’s nothing between you and putting something you’ve created out into the world other than yourself, pressing record and then pressing send.”
Sean Hayes next performs at 6pm, Friday, Aug. 23, at Preston Winery, 9282 W. Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, and at 7pm, Thursday, Sept. 19, at The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. For more information and tickets, visit seanhayesmusic.com.
Say ‘I do’ to the best venues in Napa and Sonoma
BY ADA IONESCO
Wine, Weddings&Song
The allure of getting married in California’s Wine Country is almost irresistible. Between the rolling vineyards, the unparalleled wines and the breathtaking scenery, it’s a wedding wonderland.
With so many fabulous venues in Napa and Sonoma counties, choosing the perfect spot to tie the knot can be challenging. Fret not, dear reader—this wedding-savvy guide will help navigate the crème de la crème of Wine Country wedding venues.
Chateau St. Jean: The Fairytale
For those whose wedding dreams involve a fairytale setting, Chateau St. Jean is the place. Forget about being “nestled” anywhere; this place stands proudly with its historic charm and manicured beauty. From the enchanting rose garden to the sophisticated chateau courtyard, every corner of this venue screams romance and Instagram-worthy backdrops. Bonus: The wine here is to die for, so guests will be happy even if the groom steps on the train.
Chateau St. Jean Winery, 8555 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. chateaustjean.com/weddings
Meadowood Napa Valley: The Luxe Retreat
If one is inclined to believe that a wedding should be a lavish affair, Meadowood Napa Valley is calling. This isn’t just a venue; it’s an experience. Picture this: a secluded private valley with venues ranging from a cozy fireplace room to an expansive lawn under the trees. And the food—Meadowood’s Michelin-starred chefs ensure the wedding feast is as memorable as the vows. This venue screams sophistication and elegance. Meadowood Napa Valley, 900 Meadowood La., St Helena. 707.531.4788. meadowood.com/weddings »»
WELL PLACED A classic place setting at Chateau
finds the wedding party within a comfortable distance of
PHOTOS BY MIKE LARSON
DREAM Chateau St. Jean Winery is a veritable Wine Country fairytale place to host a wedding.
St. Jean Winery
the band.
Cornerstone Sonoma: The Artistic Haven
Seeking an unconventional setting? Cornerstone Sonoma offers a quirky yet charming venue that’s anything but ordinary. Imagine exchanging vows amidst garden installations and modern art pieces. This isn’t a typical winery wedding—this is a venue for those who want their wedding to be as unique and artistic as they are. Plus, it’s a conversation starter; guests will be talking about the wedding for years to come (in a good way, of course).
Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Dr., Sonoma. 707.933.3010. cornerstonesonoma.com/weddings
V. Sattui Winery: The Vintage Charm
Loving vintage charm and rustic elegance? V. Sattui Winery is a match made in heaven. With its stone buildings and lush picnic grounds, it feels like a beautiful step back in time. The winery offers a range of settings, from intimate cellars to sprawling lawns, perfect for both small gatherings and grand celebrations. And the wine? It’s awardwinning, ensuring guests will be raving about more than just the dress.
V. Sattui Winery, 1111 White La., St Helena. 707.963.7774. vsattui.com/visit/weddings
The Carneros Resort and Spa: The Modern Oasis
Seeking modern luxury with a hint of rustic charm? The Carneros Resort and Spa should be at the top of the list. Located in the picturesque Carneros wine region, this resort offers everything from breathtaking vineyard views to chic, farmhouse-inspired accommodations. Whether opting for the apple orchard »»
CURATED An aerial view of V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena gives one a sense of the venue’s tastefully manicured grounds.
PHOTO BY UNWIND
Love is in the air…
For more than three decades, our creative family-run business has been spinning tales of love with blooms. We blend each bride’s dreamy ideas with our knack for design and picking out the freshest, seasonal flowers. Our signature touch? Crafting top-notch arrangements that blend sophistication with a whole lot of love. At Mill Valley Flowers, we offer a one-of-a-kind experience for your Bay Area nuptials; let us weave your love story into a lush and romantic tapestry of blossoms.
Drop by 54 Throckmorton Ave in Mill Valley, visit www.millvalleyflowers.com or call us at 415.388-7781 to start your love story with our award winning design team today!
MAYA ROSE WEDDINGS
Classic | Heartfelt | Emotive
Timeless wedding photography for crazy in love couples
or the elegant courtyard, Carneros promises a stunning backdrop for nuptials and top-notch service to boot.
The Carneros Resort and Spa, 4048 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. 866.860.2328. carnerosresort.com/weddings
SSS Ranch: The Secluded Sanctuary
Privacy and natural beauty take center stage at SSS Ranch. The wedding venue offers stunning natural beauty and historic architecture and is perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like an elegant escape, far from the hustle and bustle. The ranch’s rustic-luxe vibe provides a tranquil and romantic atmosphere that’s hard to beat.
SSS Ranch, 4600 Mountain Home Ranch Rd., Calistoga. 415.760-3432. triplesranchnapa.com
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa: The Garden Delight
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma blends sophistication and garden beauty. Its historic manor house and lush gardens provide a romantic backdrop for both ceremonies and receptions. Whether choosing an outdoor garden party or an indoor celebration in the elegant ballroom, MacArthur Place ensures a memorable wedding day filled with charm and elegance.
MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, 29 E MacArthur St., Sonoma. 707.938-2929. macarthurplace.com/weddings
Silverado Resort: The Grand Estate
Dreaming of a grand, country club-style wedding? Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa Valley is a prime pick. With its rolling green lawns and stately buildings, Silverado offers a variety of venues to fit any wedding vision. From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, this expansive resort can accommodate any needs while ensuring guests are entertained all weekend long.
Choosing the right venue is just the first step. Here are a few tips to ensure a Wine Country wedding goes off without a hitch:
Book Early: These venues are popular, and for good reason. Reserve the spot well in advance.
Weather Watch: California’s weather is generally lovely, but it’s still important to consider the season and plan accordingly.
Guest Experience: Wine Country is all about the experience. Arrange local wine tastings, gourmet meals and plenty of activities for guests to enjoy.
Local Vendors: Use local vendors who know the area and can provide top-notch services tailored to a Wine Country wedding.
Wine Country weddings offer a unique blend of romance, elegance and unforgettable moments. Whether focused on luxury, charm or a bit of both, these Napa and Sonoma venues provide the perfect setting for a wedding that’s as magical as it is memorable.
Cheers to finding the venue that’ll make the big day everything one has ever dreamed of. Now, go forth and plan a wedding that’s as fabulous as the wines to toast with!
VIEW The vineyard view from the dining area of Chateau St. Jean Winery is made for memories.
PHOTO BY MIKE LARSON
Picture yourself... Complimentary
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Land and Locals’ custom elixirs for that special day
BY DAEDALUS HOWELL
HERE Land and Local offers an array of locally-made products and experiences.
In the heart of rural Healdsburg, Land and Local is crafting more than botanical syrups and herbal elixirs—they’re weaving memories into every sip.
Founded by Kim La Vere, a Los Angeles native turned Sonoma County resident, this innovative company
is redefining how we think about celebratory beverages. Imagine wedding guests toasting with a drink that’s not only delicious but also a reflection of the seasons, the land and even the couple’s personal story.
La Vere’s journey to creating Land and Local is as rich and varied as the elixirs she produces. After a decade in New York City’s corporate retail grind, she made a decisive pivot toward a passion: local food and its culture. She honed her culinary skills at the Natural Gourmet Institute, traveled the world and worked at lauded restaurants throughout.
Now she’s both landed and local or, more specifically, all-in on Land and Local, where she creates culinary wellness experiences that “help others connect to place, seasonal eating and the simple life often forgotten in today’s fast-paced environment,” as La Vere explains on her website. This philosophy is evident in the custom elixirs she crafts for weddings, where every ingredient and flavor profile tells a story.
Creating a personalized nuptial elixir begins much like a catering meeting. “We talk about the client preferences and what flavor profiles they like,” La Vere says. She guides couples through the current product line, exploring what produce and flavors are available in different seasons.
“In spring, you’re talking about fresh greens and bitters like fennel and artichoke leaf, with all your citrus in season. Summer brings berries and stone fruit, combined with fun herbs like basil and mint. Fall transitions to roots like marshmallow root and spicier tones like horseradish, while winter offers earthy mushrooms and various roots,” she continues.
La Vere’s meticulous approach ensures that the elixir is not just a drink but a reflection of the couple’s journey and the season in which they are married. One couple chose a classic blend of rose, cardamom and Meyer lemon, after tasting several options. “Customization makes things so special,” La Vere notes. “There was so much intention in her wedding, so it only made sense that we also did this as the welcome drink.”
This personalized touch extends to the wedding guests, who receive beautifully labeled flasks of the custom elixir as gifts. These 100-milliliter travel-safe flasks are perfect for out-of-town guests,
La Vere’s meticulous approach ensures that the elixir is not just a drink but a reflection of the couple’s journey and the season in which they are married.
adding a practical yet thoughtful element to the celebration. “They’re TSA travel safe,” La Vere confirms, adding that she’s personally tested them during her travels.
One of the unique aspects of Land and Local’s service is the incorporation of produce from the couple’s garden or their family’s garden. “Even in catering, I love to incorporate produce that’s growing on the client’s property,” La Vere says. This practice adds another layer of intention and personal connection to the elixirs, making them truly one-of-a-kind.
For those looking to immerse themselves even further into the Land and Local experience, consider conducting a tasting at La Vere’s farm, or for that matter, booking a farm stay in its charming onsite cottage (which comes with a sumptuous breakfast expertly prepared by La Vere). It’s an opportunity to connect with the land and the process behind the elixirs, ensuring that every detail of the wedding drink is perfect.
Kim La Vere’s Land and Local is more than just a company; it’s a philosophy of living well and celebrating life’s moments with intention and creativity. By crafting custom elixirs for weddings, La Vere is helping couples create unforgettable experiences, one sip at a time.
Visit landandlocal.com.
The Legacy of
Marin City
LOOK BACK ‘The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story’ features a bevy of material about Black American life during World War II.
T»» Marin City’s Black history stories showcased at Marin libraries
BY KARY HESS
his summer, through Sept. 30, cool down in the Marin County Free Libraries (MCFL) while exploring a new immersive exhibit, The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960)
A comprehensive exhibit, it delves into Black American life during World War II in Marin. The experience spans all 10 branches of the library system and showcases photographs, keepsakes and personal remembrances from Black shipyard workers and their families, capturing their journey from the Jim Crow South to Marin City.
“A public library is a repository of stories, and those stories open windows and doors to lives you may not know or understand,” Marin County Library director Lana Adlawan explains. “We celebrate the stories of Black pioneers who came to Marin to start new lives against incredible odds.”
Between Sausalito and Mill Valley, Marin City is a vibrant and diverse community that traces its roots to the onset of World War II and the Marinship manufacturing operations. As the nation mobilized for war, families across the United States flocked to the San Francisco Bay Area to work in shipyards.
My own grandparents migrated from Minnesota with their new baby (my mom) in 1942 to work at Marinship in Sausalito and live in Marin City, though it was predominantly Black American laborers from the southern United States who answered this call to duty, contributing significantly to the war effort by constructing Liberty ships and tankers.
From the summer of 1942 until the war's end in September 1945, workers made 93 ships and launched them from the Sausalito docks, and were pivotal in transporting Allied troops and supplies across the globe.
The Legacy of Marin City exhibit is the result of a collaborative effort with the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society, the Marin Community Foundation, the County of Marin, Dominican University and the Marin County Office of Education. To fully experience the breadth and significance of the exhibit, it’s highly recommended that one visit multiple libraries across the county.
“This exhibit showcases the power of hope and love in families creating better lives for themselves and their future
‘We celebrate the stories of
Black
pioneers who came to Marin to start new lives against incredible odds.’
—
LANA
ADLAWAN, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
generations,” says Adlawan. “MCFL honors this history and centers it as a story of the place we call home.”
In addition, author Felecia Gaston’s newly published book, A Brand New Start … This is Home, is now available at schools and public libraries across Marin County and provides a deep dive into the lives of relocated workers and their families who faced housing and societal challenges during and after the war.
MCFL and its partners collaborated closely with Gaston, who is a preeminent historian and respected leader in Marin City, to bring this summer’s exhibit to life. Gaston, founder and curator of the Marin City Historical & Preservation Society and the nonprofit Performing Stars of Marin, has been a cornerstone of the community and was inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999.
Earlier this year, educators in Marin County were introduced to classroom materials based on A Brand New Start …
This is Home to teach Marin City history in local schools, ensuring that the legacy of this remarkable community continues to inspire and educate future generations.
“I am beyond excited to see Marin City’s Black history in 10 different libraries throughout Marin County,” Gaston said. “We are building community, increasing visibility to promote equality, connecting our communities, fostering appreciation and understanding of the significant contributions made by the many residents throughout the years.”
Experience ‘The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960)’ through Sept. 30 at all 10 branches of the Marin County Free Libraries. marinlibrary.org.
‘A Brand New Start … This is Home’ by Felecia Gaston is available at Book Passage, Driver’s Market, Sausalito Books by the Bay and the Marin County Free Libraries.
Voted Best Tasting Room
Think Pink
Marin’s Kendric Vineyards
BY DAEDALUS HOWELL
As they say, if you love your work, you will never work a day in your life. This was the guiding principle behind my side hustle as a wine writer a couple of decades ago. Though I still frequently write about wine, my word-to-sip ratio has ebbed as the wine has continued to flow. It’s hard to keep up, but it’s also hard to resist throwing down a few bon mots when a wine grabs one’s attention.
PHOTO BY DASHA
SPLASH Everything’s coming up rosé this season.
RED HILL Shopping Center
Introducing a familiar place to shop, dine and unwind.
Greg Bernson
‘The siren song of a chilled Kendric’s rosé overcame me. It was still made from pinot noir…though with a little early-picked chardonnay and viognier to keep it company.’
This was the case with a recent discovery I sought out after reading a review about the vineyards—a review, as fate would have it, that I wrote 15 years ago. When one has littered the internet with as many bylines as I have, it’s bound to happen.
Here’s a favorite line from my original review about this Marin wine: “It’s a Cinderella moment waiting to happen. It’s just a matter of time before some bonnie prince of the wine press passes over Napa and Sonoma, having traded the glass slipper for sips from a glass.”
The wine in question was the Kendric Vineyards 2006 pinot noir, expertly produced by winemaker Stewart Johnson from grapes grown on an 8.5acre vineyard in Marin County near the Petaluma part of the Sonoma County border, which is now known as the Petaluma Gap. My review was published in 2009, which means the wine had probably aged wonderfully by the time it ended up in my glass. It occurred to me that it was high time to revisit Kendric.
After some calling around (ignore the winery’s website—the stockists
listed were all out of stock), I found some Kendric at Ludwig’s Fine Wine & Spirits in San Anselmo. I hurried down there and found a contemporary Kendric pinot noir that would be suitable for a “compare and contrast/then and now” write-up.
However, this was during the recent heat wave (nearly 100 degrees that particular day), and the siren song of a chilled Kendric’s rosé overcame me. It was still made from pinot noir, after all, though with a little early-picked chardonnay and viognier to keep it company. The result is a bright, berry and citrus-hued wine with a spritz of honeydew melon and Meyer lemon to give it added hip-shaking verve.
“The ’23 is still suited to poolside quaffing, but it’s not quite as frivolous as past vintages,” says the author of the romance copy on Ludwig’s sale site. “It has a bit of wet stone grip that gives it a bit more mineral gravitas than other rosés I've made,” they elaborate.
Finally, a rosé that takes itself seriously. Definitely worth the 15 year wait. w
DRINK Kendric’s 2023 Petaluma Gap/ Marin County Rosé is the perfect summer sipper.
Emerge With Space
IMulti-media creator Space Walker
BY CINCINNATUS HIBBARD
n this season of butterflies, Space Walker has chosen “emergence” as the theme of our brief encounter. For four years—antedating the quarantine by just two weeks—Walker lived at the Isis Oasis temple of the divine fem in Geyserville. There, she was cocooned in self-healing and creative transformation, drawing on the energy of the land and the inspiration of the temple. Space Walker now emerges into the North Bay with two new albums of music, a ready show of paintings, a new oracle deck and an array of “high vibe” crafts. Walker is ready to fly!
PHOTO BY WILL CURRIER
EMERGENCE Space Walker is seen here with a cosmic orb at her former Isis Oasis residence.
Jeff Bartee Photography
BOHÈME: Space Walker, fashion is a first impression. How would you describe your style? I see you are wearing sequins and neon leggings, Doc Martens and two-tone glasses … you have an eclectic reference and strong sense of play.
SPACE WALKER: I would say my style is ceremonial high-fashion or spiritual street wear. (laughs) Rainbow is my favorite color; I love glitter and sparkles. As David Bowie says, “If we sparkle bright, he might land tonight!” You can see it all the way from heaven, so they can see me. I am favored and seen for sure.
Sometimes I feel quite shy, but putting this on can transport me to so many wonderful places and leads to conversations and connections that might not happen. I used to dress this way just on stage, but now it makes me braver in real life. The glitter isn’t just for show days; it’s for every day!
B: Your look is joyous. Space, the art that you created during your “deep solitude,” from painting to dance to tea, completes a high-vibe lifestyle set or, alternately, a whole-ass space world. I would call its vibe joy. You are one of the most radiantly joyous people I know. Tell us about joy.
SW: Joy keeps me alive! What I love about joy is that it leaves room for so much else. I used to chase and pray for a happiness that wouldn’t come. But unlike happiness, joy doesn’t need everything to be right; it can co-exist with things that are wrong. Joy has allowed me to navigate things easier. It’s carried me through a lot and brought me to a lot of cool places—places I never thought I could reach, or so fast!
Joy is a choice. I first learned it through other people having that. I thought, Oooooh, that’s nice. How do I figure that out? (laughs)
LYRIC ‘What started as my lyrical diary became an open love letter to my ideal world,’ says Walker.
BY
PHOTO
ANNIE EVANS
‘Sometimes I feel quite shy, but putting this on can transport me to so many wonderful places and leads to conversations and connections that might not happen.’
— SPACE WALKER
B: So, how did you figure it out?
SW: Through the wisdom of others. Through being present in things that brought me a piece of it—so art and music were a big part of that for me, just leaning into the joy. Why not have it be bigger? Why not be brave enough to play this song, even though I don’t know how it is going to be received?
B: Mention of your performance reminds me of the anthropological concept of “communitas,” the emergence of the tribal “we” in a moment of collective joy. Tell us about your music, Space Walker.
SW: I’m a genre-fluid musician. (laughs) The style of each of my songs reflects the feeling it’s supposed to invite. My main influences are Mother Nature, neo soul, hip-hop, house, funk, punk and jazz.
What started as my lyrical diary became an open love letter to my ideal world.
B: Threading back into the esoteric, tell us about the oracle deck you have divined. I believe it’s called B.D.E.?
SW: “Beneficial Divine Evolution.” Its original title was “Big Deck Energy.” You know, depending on where you are at in your life! (laughs) B.D.E. appeared to me via meditation, writing without judgment and divine bravery. The accuracy and relatability amazes me. It consists of 78 cards inspired by our chakras and the many paths in life, expressed in cosmic poetry, imagery and affirmations. You can find B.D.E. on Etsy (BlackStarBotanica) or in-person at my show merch table.
B: In addition to oracle readings and Reiki healings, you are also hosting a rock star charisma camp?
SW: StarPower 101 helps tap into each individual’s unique talents and presence. Touching the stage can help you learn confidence in everyday life. I can help you fight the pressures and inner urges to be more bland, and do things “the way they are made to be done,” and be a smaller and more manageable version of yourself. I also teach the live looping that lets me be a one-woman band on stage!
B: Space is sure to teach you something about joy and magic.
Reach out and touch a star: Space Walker can be reached for bookings or through her Instagram, @spacewalker92.
Sweetwater Music Hall is the legendary music venue est. in 1972 in Mill Valley. Known for hosting live music across various genres by both established and emerging artists, Sweetwater is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting the arts.
The Rock & Rye (attached to the venue) is open on show nights for dinner. Sweetwater is also the perfect venue for private events.
For more information on tickets, dinner reservations, booking a private event, and to join the Membership Program, visit www.sweetwatermusichall.com.
