FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
What’s New in Sonoma Valley This Spring 2026
Seasonal Events, Culinary Experiences, Arts & Culture, and Exciting Regional News
SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Spring has arrived in Sonoma Valley, ushering in a season of renewal, vibrant events, and unforgettable experiences. As vineyards awaken and mustard blooms, visitors are invited to explore a dynamic lineup of wine tastings, culinary celebrations, cultural programming, and outdoor adventures throughout the region.
Wine, Spirits and Food
Smash Sonoma, a new concept from the team behind Glen Ellen Star and Stella, will open on the Sonoma Plaza in May, on the ground floor of Taub Family Outpost. The menu will be “Gott’s meets Shake Shack, but hyperlocal,” according to chef Ari Weiswasser.
New to Sonoma Plaza, Sol Rei Wine offers a unique indoor tasting experience featuring low-histamine, lab-tested wines available exclusively onsite.
Hanson of Sonoma Distillery launches Goodmellow, a new alcohol-free sparkling beverage made with real fruit, mood-enhancing adaptogens, and other locally sourced ingredients. It is available in Meyer Lemon Elderflower and Strawberry Hibiscus.
Wine lovers can celebrate the season at Ledson Castle Winery’s Spring 2026 Wine Release Event on Saturday, March 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy new wine releases paired with an oyster bar, gourmet pizza, artisanal cheeses, and live music.
Looking ahead, Friday Night Flights returns in early summer, encouraging visitors to extend their evenings with wine tastings paired with local dining, with many restaurants offering reduced corkage fees.
Easter Celebrations
Celebrate the holiday with festive experiences across the Valley. Larson Family Winery hosts its popular Adult Easter Egg Hunt April 2–5, complete with prizes and special offers.
On Easter Sunday, El Dorado Kitchen will offer a seasonal three-course brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring chef-curated dishes in the heart of Sonoma Plaza.
Arts, Culture, and the Great Outdoors
PushPak Wine Country Tours’ electric trike tours have expanded to two new locations: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn in Boyes Hot Springs and Hamilton Wines in Kenwood. The Kenwood location makes it even easier for visitors to get outdoors. The original location remains at Sonoma Plaza.
In honor of Jack London’s 150th birthday, Jack London State Historic Park will host a quarterly speaker series beginning March 27, exploring the author’s life and legacy. The series will feature a range of experts and scholars sharing insights into London’s life, work, legacy, and his connections to literature, photography, and the Bay Area.
At Sonoma Botanical Garden, the highly anticipated exhibition Fantastical Creatures (April 10–September 7) will showcase monumental sculptures inspired by the Zapotec calendar, blending art, culture, and nature in a vibrant outdoor setting.
The Sonoma Valley Authors Festival returns May 1–3, featuring acclaimed speakers including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and Richard Haass. A free community event, Authors on the Plaza, will take place May 2.
Transcendence Theatre Company’s Broadway Under the Stars summer season returns with major productions and live entertainment, including the Tony-winning Broadway blockbuster Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Radio Recall: The Soundtrack of Your Life, and the global smash hit Mamma Mia!
Bartholomew Estate Winery’s spring event series includes scavenger hunts and Mah Jongg gatherings. To celebrate the start of summer, the winery will also host the opening of the Oak Knoll with wine, food trucks, live music, and sweeping views of the estate.
The Sebastiani Theatre Gala will take place April 11 with a “Golden Age of Hollywood” theme, supporting the Sebastiani Theatre Foundation’s mission to enhance the theater as a year-round performing arts center.
Regional News and Accolades
- Platypus Wine Tours has been named a Top 10 Tour Operator of 2026 by Newsweek.
- Safari West will transition to nonprofit stewardship under the Safari West Zoological Society.
- St. Francis Winery & Vineyards becomes the official wine partner of the Golden State Storm women’s football team.
- The Patriots Jet Team returns to Sonoma Raceway for NASCAR weekend on June 28.
- La Prenda Vineyards achieves glyphosate-free certification, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable farming.
- Southwest Airlines expands service at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport with new nonstop flights to Austin, Texas.
About Sonoma Valley, California
Located in the heart of Northern California wine country, Sonoma Valley is a 17-mile-long area within Sonoma County and encompasses the city of Sonoma and the villages of Carneros, The Springs, Glen Ellen, and Kenwood. The birthplace of the state of California, as well as the state’s wine industry, this year-round destination is home to more than 100 premium wineries, 85 percent of which are family owned. For more information, visit SonomaValley.com, or follow us on Instagram at @sonoma_valley and on Facebook at @ExperienceSonomaValley.
Note to editors: Photos of many of the businesses mentioned are available at https://sonomavalley.smugmug.com/. If you need something else, let us know and we will do our best to get it for you.