Petaluma Pints

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Known for: Hop-forward IPAs, lively outdoor tastings, resident brewery doggos

This OG in the Petaluma brewing scene continues to draw crowds to its outdoor space, which is being retrofitted with a new roof for year-round imbibing. Swing by for one-off beers at the new 15-barrel Disorderly House of Brewing, and keep non-drinkers happy with booze-free hoppy waters. Don’t miss the tasting roomonly Belgian strong ales aged in wine barrels.

HENHOUSE BREWING CO.

Known for: Barrel-aged beers that pack a punch, “zero-day” beers that draw a crowd

Expanding outside of its Santa Rosa flagship location with the 30-barrel Palace of Barrels, this Lagunitasadjacent outpost is where you can find by-the-glass pours of barrel-conditioned and bottle-aged beer. Don’t be surprised if you stumble across beers pushing 10% ABV or more, so fortify yourself with noms from the rotating food trucks.

Crooked Goat Brewing

Known for: West Coast IPAs and fruit-forward ales with fun riffs on goat names

This brewery kept the same things people loved about its original Sebastopol location—dog-friendly, delivery from local restaurants, and fun community events— and carried them over to Petaluma in 2022. You’ll be hard-pressed to not find a dog while you sip a citrusinfused IPA.

ADOBE CREEK BREWING

Known for: Small-batch beers with clever names, approachable taproom staff

Also new to the Petaluma scene, this Novato-based brewery recently brought its beers to 2nd Street, and the frequently refreshed tap list means you’re in for a new experience every time. The patient taproom staff are more than willing to walk you through a tasting flight of four beers, or offer advice on a pint that best fits your preferences, whether that’s a golden milk stout or a fruited kettle sour. –Kristen Haney

STILL THIRSTY?

BEER SPOTS WITH DIVERSE TAP LISTS, LIVE MUSIC, AND MORE

THE BLOCK

A culinary destination for food trucks and a few installed stalwarts like Zimi Pizza, The Block also boasts an impressive tap list of up to 30 beers. Sip a locally brewed Two Rock Brewing Company Redwood Empire aged stout or hazy double IPA during the $2 off “hoppy hour” weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m., or swing by later for bingo, trivia, open mic nights, and live music.

BREWSTERS BEER GARDEN

This family- and dog-friendly restaurant offers its own brews— typically a lager and an IPA—but the highlight is the Californiafocused draft list, all poured from taps outfitted with rusted kitchen utensils. Monday bingo, Wednesday trivia, and live music throughout the weekend (weather permitting) means there’s almost always entertainment on deck, but you can make your own fun with a house board game. –K.H.

Vine to Bottle

Brooks Note Winery’s Garry Brooks celebrates wines that reflect a sense of place and educates visitors on local grapes at the downtown tasting room.

Where to Sip Your Vino

DISCOVER PETALUMA’S DIVERSE WINE SCENE.

Sip on a handpicked zinfandel at Barber Cellars’ tasting room inside Hotel Petaluma. Be sure to hit Sonoma Portworks, the only Petaluma winery specializing in ports and after-dinner wines, at its tasting room at Foundry Wharf

Enjoy distinctive pinot noirs at Brooks Note Winery’s tasting room, or sit outside and sip chardonnay from Black Knight Vineyards. Book a tasting at Parum Leo Winery and Vineyard for small-batch wines in a classic vineyard setting. With more than 30 wines earning 90-plus points, Adobe Road Winery’s selection sings. Pick from a variety of local red, white, and sparkling wines with tapas at Vine & Barrel

Wines bottle shop or opt to pair vino with Italian fare at La Dolce Vita’s lounge. Tour the peaceful grounds of Keller Estate before a seated tasting, and make an appointment to visit Ron Noble Wines and sample estate pinots among the vines. –O.O.

EXPLORE RESPONSIBLY

Book a private tour with North Bay Wine Tours to sip safely around town.

WWalk into the 100-year-old former industrial garage that now houses Brooks Note Winery’s 7,000-square-foot tasting room and production facility, and you’re just as likely to be led through a tasting with winemaker and owner Garry Brooks as you are one of the staff. This hands-on approach was honed when Brooks left his job in IT management and, literally, had to get his hands dirty, working his way up from winery lab intern to bootstrapping the opening of his first winery with his wife Joanne—and it also applies to his wines.

Brooks works closely with farmers and growers to perfect the pinot noirs he’s known for, along with rosé, hard-to-find pinot blanc, and a handful of more esoteric offerings. And while the winery specializes in pinot noir sourced from around California, Petaluma Gap AVA pinot holds a special place in his heart.

“We’re making world-class wines from this growing region, and people are just now beginning to realize that,” Brooks says.

The cold winds and fog that funnel in from Bodega Bay are part of what set Petaluma Gap apart, leading to grapes with thicker skins and longer growing and ripening periods, which means a flavor profile that’s distinct from its Russian River and Mendocino counterparts.

“The result is more tannins and bolder, more interesting pinots. You don’t have to get them as ripe and jammy, and you can develop flavors that aren’t just sugar,” Brooks explains. “If you pick too ripe, you lose some of that sense of place, and we want you to be able to taste the vineyard coming through.”

For Brooks Note, that means a little more structure that manifests as darker fruit flavors and herbal notes for a depth of flavor that stands up to food. See the difference by reserving a tasting experience that ranges from current releases to a pinot-specific flight, both paired with local cheeses; or splurge for the winemaker single-vineyard tasting. –K.H.

Wines By Wind

GET TO KNOW THE PETALUMA GAP AVA AND WHAT MAKES THIS GROWING REGION SO SPECIAL.

Unlike most American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in California, the Petaluma Gap AVA is defined not so much by what’s happening below ground but by what’s happening above it. While many AVAs are affected by the soil type and water, the Petaluma Gap is largely influenced by the wind that blows in from the Pacific Ocean through the gap in the hills into San Pablo Bay. This natural wind tunnel, along with terroir, elevation, and irrigation, is what makes the wine region so special. The AVA is best known for its pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah. But, encompassing some 200,000 acres stretching southeast from Bodega Bay to Highway 37, Petaluma Gap has shown great promise in producing riesling and Bordeaux varietals. –Ethan Fletcher

Best Bites

One bite of the homemade fettuccine with shrimp and arugula at Cucina Paradiso, and you’ll know why it’s touted as one of Sonoma County’s best Italian restaurants.

Best Bites

At Stockhome, it’s all about the Swedish meatballs. Served with mashed potatoes, pickled cucumber, and lingonberry jam, this plate is a standout on the Swedish-inspired menu.

Clink Then Drink

Signature Cocktails and Spirits

Sip a cocktail featuring local spirits, enhance your home bar with handcrafted bitters and syrups, and explore alcohol-free libations.

FOR THE CLASSICS: GRIFFO DISTILLERY

Sip a flight of small-batch spirits in the distillery’s barrel room, or in cocktail form at the tasting bar. The award-winning Scott Street gin is a citrus-forward twist on a traditional English iteration, and the whiskeys highlight grain hand-milled directly into the mash kettle. Pick up a cocktail kit that makes recreating classic libations at home a breeze.

FOR THE THROWBACK: BARBER LEE SPIRITS

This grain-to-glass distillery does things the old-school way, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling in a historic brick building. Adventurous palates will appreciate the absinthe blanche, apple brandy, and moonshine, but traditionalists will find plenty to love in the single-malt rye and corn bourbon.

(Tip: Barber Lee’s coffee beans, aged in liquor barrels, give an alcohol-free jolt to your morning java.)

FOR MOCKTAILS AND MIXERS: FLORALUNA APOTHECARY & TRADING CO.

Its organic and wild-harvested elixirs and syrups elevate any cocktail, but FloraLuna also makes alcohol-free imbibing appealing. Stop by the Kentucky Street location to pick up the brand’s bitters and infusions, but the real treat is snagging a seat at the intimate bar and experiencing an expertly crafted mocktail that’ll have you rethinking your reliance on the hard stuff. If you’re sufficiently swayed, sign up for the mocktail subscription service.

FOR TWO IN ONE: MOYLAN’S DISTILLING AND STILLWATER SPIRITS

Brandy, whiskey, and grappa are the specialties of this Foundry Wharf mainstay, which produces spirits under both labels. Expect vodka, gin, and Asian pear and port-finished grape brandy from Stillwater, whereas Moylan’s specializes in port and sherry barrelfinished whiskeys. Schedule a private tour online.

FOR THE FINISHING TOUCH: BITTER GIRL BITTERS

This woman-owned bitters purveyor handcrafts its small-batch wares using homegrown and locally sourced ingredients. Owner and former bartender Erin Elizabeth Hines uses her experience in the industry to inform her line of bitters, growing many of the organic ingredients—including hops, roses, walnuts, and herbs—in her own backyard. Find the brand’s products at Barber Lee Spirits and Griffo Distillery and at plenty of Petaluma’s bars and restaurants (Easy Rider, Risibisi, Jamison’s Roaring Donkey). –K.H. •

PETALUMA PACKS A PUNCH WITH SIGNATURE COCKTAILS AND SPIRITS.

KAPU BAR

Reserve a spot at the newest tropical-themed bar in town, serving up classics and original concoctions under colorful lights. Try the Foster’s daiquiri.

MARIO & JOHN’S

Pick your poison from a wide selection of artfully crafted libations and seasonal specials at this moody tavern that gives Prohibition-era vibes.

MCNEAR’S SALOON & DINING HOUSE

Sidle up to the bar at this downtown watering hole for pub grub and drinks. Bring a few friends and order the Volcano, a liquid combo of fun flavors served in a 48-ounce bowl.

Torches

Check out this family-owned joint for its daily happy hour (served 4–6 p.m.), featuring noshes and house-brewed beers accompanied by a “shot of the week.” –O.O.

Petaluma Gap AVA

Defined by the wind that cascades over the vineyards, the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a unique growing region, producing hundreds of award-winning, 90-plus point wines, including pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah. Taste these exquisite, cool-climate, complex, and balanced wines at members’ tasting rooms, or ask for Petaluma Gap wines at your favorite wine retailers and restaurants.

petalumagap.com/taste-the-gap | G e Ö @petalumagap

Parum Leo Winery and Vineyard

Parum Leo (“little lion”) is located at the entry to Sonoma County and Petaluma on Highway 101. There’s something here for every kind of wine lover, including rosé, estate wines, and pinot noir from amazing vineyard sites around the county. Enjoy the elegant outdoor patio and tastings led by the winemaker.

parumleowine.com | G e @parumleowine