Local Flavor

Petaluma’s artisan food producers capture the taste of this place.

What to get the person who has everything? Delicious, local, scratchmade food and drink, of course. Petaluma is bursting with artisan food makers. The best part: You can pop in at many producers’ places of work to meet them in person and take home their products. Here are a few favorites that are open to visit.

GIN: GRIFFO DISTILLERY

What goes into Griffo’s gold medal-winning Scott Street gin? The light, crisp twist on a traditional English gin is infused with nine local botanicals, including coriander, grains of paradise, and wild-grown juniper, and then refined via one single run through “Betty,” Mike and Jenny Griffo’s towering copper still. The couple’s Petaluma distillery and tasting room offers samples of the distillery’s whole line of spirits.

CHEESE: MARIN FRENCH CHEESE CO.

One-Stop Shops

LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL IS THE FOCUS OF THESE FOOD-CENTRIC PURVEYORS.

Jupiter Foods is a socially responsible, downtown-based grocer that carries regionally grown and sourced produce and pantry staples. Several of the food purveyors featured in the store are from right here in Petaluma. Perfect to grab a tasty treat to take home with you or curate your own DIY picnic, Jupiter Foods is all about supporting the local food system and community.

Further afield, Rusty Hinges Ranch is a regenerative farm that hosts a monthly public food pickup that showcases locally grown produce and food items. The farm (located on Chileno Valley Road) hosts regular workshops, like art journaling and wreath making. And if the general store (open Tuesday–Thursday afternoons) doesn’t entice you to visit, then the fleet of mini donkeys and pigs will.

Marin French Cheese Co.

Not only can you sample brie, camembert, petite crème, and other buttery artisanal, soft-ripened selections from this historic cheese maker, but you can also grab a baguette, a bottle of wine, and make a picnic of it at the creamery’s lakeside property, located in the rural outskirts of town.

OLIVE OIL: MCEVOY RANCH

Just 15 minutes from downtown, McEvoy Ranch is a 550-acre oasis with rolling hills covered in Tuscan olive trees set amid ponds, vineyards, and native wildlife. Apart from taking in the scenic surroundings (be sure to book a tour), a visit must include a stop at the tasting room packed with olive oil skin care products, candles, home goods, culinary items, and, of course, tastings of McEvoy wine and organic extra virgin olive oil.

JAM: LALA’S JAM BAR AND URBAN FARMSTAND

File this under “only in Petaluma.” LALA’s Jam Bar does indeed offer tastings of its homemade marmalades, jams, and jellies. Inside the downtown shop, you’ll also find a nicely curated selection of goods from area artisans, plus weekly jam-making classes.

HONEY: LAVENDER BEE FARM

That’s some happy buzzing you’ll hear from busy bees zigzagging through the more than 5,000 lavender plants dotting the grounds of Lavender Bee Farm. It’s the reason for the unique floral notes so prevalent in its signature line of honey. Plus, the purple pastoral property is just a gorgeous spot to visit. Call ahead for reservations.

BEEF JERKY: ANGELO’S MEATS

Angelo Ibleto has been supplying Sonoma County with his house-cured meats and homemade sauces for the last several decades, but he is perhaps known best for his grass-fed beef jerky. The self-proclaimed “king of jerky” knows his meats, winning awards for his tri-tip, bacon, sausage, and more. Pick up a pack of jerky or any of Angelo’s sauces, salsa, and spice rubs at the Adobe Road location. –Ethan Fletcher • marinfrenchcheese.com

The country’s oldest cheese company has been handcrafting soft-ripened cheeses since 1865. Visit the cheese shop for California-crafted Brie and Camembert and anything else you’d need to enjoy a picnic on the scenic grounds. Open daily; check the website for hours.

G @marinfrenchcheesecompany e @marinfrenchcheese

LALA’s Jam Bar & Urban Farmstand

Stop by Sonoma County’s only jam store for small-batch artisan jams made with low sugar and no artificial ingredients. LALA’s carries “Made in Sonoma County” food products and unique gift items. Sign up to take LALA’s Jam Making 101 class held every Sunday.

lalasjams.com

G @petalumajams | e @lesliegoodrich

Your Best Skin

Benedetta is a leader in the clean skin industry, offering 100% botanical certified organic and biodynamic skin care created in Petaluma. Founder and pioneer Julia Faller formulated Benedetta more than 30 years ago, creating the first authentic, functional skincare of its kind. Their fresh preparations are uniquely designed to create healthy, resilient, and ageless skin by marrying the true science of botanicals in a system that will correct, protect (no SPFs), and rejuvenate.

Come to the flagship store in downtown Petaluma and feel the difference in their authentic preparations or book the 30-minute Benedetta Signature Facial and experience radiant skin. Benedetta also offers a wide array of crystals and other unique gifts. If you’re in San Francisco, visit Benedetta in the historic Ferry Building.