What’s New in Sonoma Valley Spring 2025
Sonoma, CA (April 24, 2025) – As spring awakens across the landscape, the season breathes new life into the vineyards inviting visitors to linger, glass in hand, as the world blooms anew. Sonoma Valley celebrates the changing of the seasons with new dining options, Mother’s Day experiences and larger-than-life avian adventures. Read on for more.
Wine Country Dining
Chef Brian Limoges has launched Enclos, a fine-dining restaurant in Sonoma, with a menu inspired by the local landscape. The 12-table venue (related to Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards) offers an 11-course tasting menu and private wine experiences. Limoges, a veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens, brought his Michelin Star aspirations to Sonoma and this month the restaurant was added as a recommendation to the Michelin Guide - and hopes remain high that a star is in its future.
The team behind Glen Ellen Star, serving seasonally inspired dishes featuring a wood-fire cooking technique, recently opened Stella in Kenwood. The new “Cal-Italian” sister restaurant focuses on fresh pasta and wood-grilled meats. With a thoughtfully curated selection of Italian and local wines and a passionate team dedicated to hospitality, Stella brings the soul of Italian cooking into focus, where local ingredients and time-honored traditions come together in unexpected ways.
Looking for a unique way to celebrate or gather in Wine Country? Songbird Parlour's EPIC Fried Chicken Nights are back! Come join the Parlour’s community every Sunday for that crave-able plate of crispy fried chicken and farm-fresh sides. Or celebrate the rebirth of spring's bounty by experiencing the journey from soil to plate at the Parlour’s monthly Farmer to Table dinners. These intimate gatherings celebrate the passionate producers behind your favorite local ingredients, with farmers and vintners joining to share their stories of seasonal renewal. Songbird Parlour is a woman-owned, posh Victorian lounge and restaurant in the heart of Sonoma Valley’s historic Jack London Village. Its grounds are also a perfect, picture-worthy venue to plan your micro wedding, corporate event, or unique celebrations.
Embrace the vibrant flavors and aromas of spring—bright produce, freshly picked herbs, and delicate floral-infused desserts that awaken the senses, as Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering transforms your vacation home or special venue into a celebration of local bounty. Perfect for an intimate dinner, relaxing yoga brunch, baby shower, spring bachelorette, corporate event, or a fundraiser, each experience is unique and steeped in the rich stories of the community. Think farm fresh flowers, locally sourced ingredients, luxury meats, seafood, and boutique wines, all curated by the Goodness Gracious Eats Michelin-trained team. This spring, elevate your dining experience with a special fondue offering.
Mother’s Day
Need a special Mother’s Day idea? Indulge in Brunch Bites & Morning Delights in the Benziger Family Winery tasting room. The delightful Chardonnay brunch flight pairs each sip with delectable bites infused with elements from the Benziger Estate and local purveyors Bellwether Farms and Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie. A sweet treat from Sonoma Chocolatiers paired with Benziger’s flagship Bordeaux blend, Tribute, delivers the ultimate finale to this delicious experience. Available seasonally, April – October, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
Treat your mother to a truly special experience on May 11 at McEvoy Ranch. Indulge in an elegant afternoon tea service featuring a delectable menu of savory and sweet treats and explore the exquisite flavors of the McEvoy Ranch Tea Collection. The Ranch’s exclusive Victorian is the perfect setting to begin with a bit of live music from the grand piano, and then afterward, come back for some private shopping with local vendors in the adjacent Pavilion. This exclusive event is a must to make mom feel special. Book.
Adventures
\With vintage wheels as the ride and fresh adventures in the offing, West Wine Tours has officially joined the Goodness Gracious Family. Step aboard one of their colorful VW buses and discover the hidden gems of Napa and Sonoma. Your group will be whisked away to three intimate boutique wineries—each stop offering insider stories, award-winning wines, and breathtaking views. Enjoy a hearty picnic lunch and the kind of retro-chic adventure that turns a simple day out into an unforgettable celebration. Sign up for the West Wine Tours newsletter for first access to specials and their curated events calendar.
Continuing that retro vibe, Vines & Rides brings a new, stylish way to explore Sonoma wine country in a modern Volkswagen ID Buzz. The company provides private, door-to-door transportation for 6 passengers, so you can sit back, sip, and enjoy the ride while they handle the driving. Whether you're winery hopping, celebrating, or just soaking in the views, Vines & Rides takes you wherever your itinerary leads.
The 8th Annual Sonoma Valley Authors Festival, a captivating weekend where more than 20 world-renowned authors, speakers, and thought leaders will come together for stimulating conversations on literature, science, technology, and culture, will take place May 2–4, 2025. Held at the historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, this intimate three-day gathering offers an inspiring mix of presentations and engaging discussions, all set against the stunning backdrop of Sonoma’s Wine Country. Enjoy luxurious accommodations while immersing yourself in a weekend of intellectual and cultural enrichment.
Winged Wonders, a fantastical flock of giant bamboo birds, is landing at the Sonoma Botanical Garden this spring and will be on view from April 11 – October 31, 2025. Visitors will marvel at the majestic 20-foot wingspan of an Acorn Woodpecker in flight among the Garden’s oak trees and delight in encounters with larger-than-life owls, quail, and more. The colossal sculptures (up to 20 feet tall) will be made entirely from natural materials by Boston-based artist duo Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein to highlight the beauty and diversity of California’s native birds and the ecosystems that support them. The artists have completed more than 50 such installations around the world and have won numerous national awards and recognition. This will be their first installation in California.
Winery News
Get a glimpse at the history behind the birthplace of California wine. Bartholomew Estate Winery has created the Antonia Bartholomew Legacy Vineyard Tour & Tasting, allowing guests to explore Count Agoston Haraszthy’s centuries-old vineyards, the historic Haraszthy Villa, which is usually closed to visitors, and the legacy of Antonia Bartholomew, whose stewardship helped shape the estate. After the journey through time, the tour concludes with a tasting of award-winning wines crafted under the stewardship of the Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation.
In the spirit of community and collaboration, Passaggio Wines in Jack London Village is proud to welcome several exceptional producers to its tasting room: Grand Scheme by Tom and Crissy Witzcak, Once & Future by Joel Peterson, Rock and Clay by Kent Iverson and Carol Collier, Series by Kathe Kaigas and Topophilia by Jess Wade. By showcasing these talented winemakers, Passaggio Wines hopes to provide guests with a richer and more diverse tasting experience while helping our fellow vintners thrive. Visit Passaggio and discover the remarkable stories, passion, and artistry behind each of these remarkable labels.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards reimagines wine tasting with a transformative new experience that blends social wellness, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Secrets of Sonoma: Culinary Wine Pairings of Self-Discovery, inspired by Mediterranean mezze-style dining, is an experience that invites guests to explore how different flavors in wine and food interact to suit their tastes. This interactive experience encourages exploration, allowing guests to discover the wines and flavors they love most, making it easier than ever to select the perfect bottle to take home. The experience is available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., lasting 105 minutes. It is designed for parties of two to 12 guests.
Laurel Glen Vineyard has been producing elegant, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon for more than 40 years and now wine lovers are invited to learn about The Evolution of Cabernet, through a new tasting experience. The vineyard is now offering a tasting showcasing 30 years of their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, consisting of five wines selected from vintages of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. The tasting will be paired with small bites and a keepsake folder produced expressly for the experience. Laurel Glen believes there is no better way to appreciate the unique qualities of their organically farmed Sonoma Mountain Estate vineyard than to experience its evolution in the glass.
On Sunday, April 13, join Chris Benziger from Benziger Family Winery for Wild Path: A Casual Biodynamic Vineyard Tour. Immerse yourself in the world of biodynamic farming during a relaxed vineyard stroll, complete with a hands-on activity and wine tasting featuring our biodynamic wines. Stay and enjoy a curated boxed lunch from the Glen Ellen Market after the stroll.
And now, nondrinkers can enjoy complimentary Sonoma Mountain Spritzes on Benziger Family Winery’s Tribute Estate Tour and Tasting. Exploring the Sonoma mountain estate via tractor tram is an experience you will never forget, and you’ll see why Benziger was voted Best Winery Tour by USA Today. You’ll learn about the winery’s holistic approach to organic farming practices while sipping on wine or a spritz made with Sonoma Spirits Meyer Lemon syrup, sparkling water, and organic estate rosemary.
In honor of Earth Day, April 19, venture over to McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma for an Earth Day & Tea rejuvenating experience in their serene Upper Ranch Pavilion. Begin your journey at 11:30 a.m. with a gentle, all-level yoga class and immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of nature through every window. Afterward, savor a cup of their exquisite McEvoy Ranch Tea and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the Pavilion as you reflect on the beauty of our planet.
Unique Experiences
On May 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., McEvoy Ranch will host their first tapas class. Led by Chef Ed Metcalfe of Sushimotos, your experience will begin in the Upper Ranch Victorian, where you will learn how to explore and make your own tapas, then head to the Ranch’s exquisite Pavilion, where you’ll drink and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
For the fourth year, classical pianist and naturalist Hunter Noack will bring IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild™ to Jack London State Historic Park. On Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, 2025, the groundbreaking concert series will transform how audiences experience classical music by removing it from the confines of traditional concert halls and placing it in the great outdoors. The concerts at Jack London State Historic Park will be performed at 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the winery ruins. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the park, and bring a picnic and favorite beverages, plus lawn chairs or blankets to sit on (seating is not provided).
Embrace the spirit of spring at MacArthur Place, Sonoma’s award-winning boutique hotel destination, with 30% off their best rates and a $50 food and beverage credit through April 30. Savor seasonal flavors with weekly specials at Layla (including Pours at the Porch on Fridays), indulge in a signature MacArthur Place Massage designed to release tension and restore balance, and enjoy Sonoma’s mild weather, perfect for vineyard strolls, outdoor adventures, and al fresco dining.
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 which 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, the 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.