We scoured Sonoma County for the “best of” and here’s our list of 2023 winners.
Every year we receive hundreds of submissions and scour on our own to find the “best of” Sonoma County. This diverse area offers a vast amount of quality so we painstakingly try to give props where props are due. Below you’ll find our extensive list for 2023. Congrats to our winners!
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Restaurant of the Year - Molti Amici
Molti Amici is a new Italian eatery in downtown Healdsburg where friends and family can gather to share good food, laughter, and a game of bocce ball on our back patio. The menu reflects the vibrant spirit of California combined with the rich culinary heritage of Italy. They partner with local farmers and artisans to create handmade pastas and pizzas. More info here...
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Winery of the Year - Vérité
With more than 50 “micro-crus” across four appellations, Vigneron Pierre Seillan carefully crafts each blend of Vérité. This mosaic of micro-crus provides Seillan with the palette of aromatics, flavors, textures, and structural elements he needs to craft the wines of Vérité. Each micro-cru is harvested and fermented separately, then aged in French Oak barrels of various custom toasts. More info here…
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Hotel of the Year - The Madrona
At The Madrona, guests get lost in the magic of their surroundings. Whether waking up to misty mornings, aimlessly wandering the leafy pathways and storied hallways, reveling in a convivial feast with kindred spirits, or quietly sipping cocktails on the porch to tangerine-hued sunsets, the stately manor welcomes curious travelers from all over for an experience filled with beauty, style, and delight. More info here...
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Brewery of the Year - Old Caz
Our brewery gets its name from Old Cazadero Road, a downright Jurassic path in West Sonoma County. This road connects the two former logging towns of Guerneville and Cazadero which still retain much of their wild, pioneering character. After countless hours spent driving and riding roads like Old Caz, they have gained an almost mythical status in our eyes. More info here…
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Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year - Laurel Glen Vineyard
2018 Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Once in the barrel, the wines showed prodigious depth and incredible character that wonderfully displayed the benefits of slow, even ripening. Many winemakers are comparing 2018 to the much-lauded 2012 vintage, due to the extended ripening time, fantastic balance, and excellent concentration of the grapes. More info here…
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Pinot Noir of the Year - Raen Winery
2021 Pinot Noir - Sea Field
Delicate white rose petals, orange peel and crushed pomegranate are followed by freshly picked raspberries, wild strawberries, and white tea. Coastal wet rock, sea moss, ripe red berries and a kiss of salinity transport us to the sea that sits just beyond Sea Field. Floral and violet notes follow, with lingering hints of crushed wild strawberries, offering an incredibly long and vibrant finish. More info here…
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Chardonnay of the Year - Auteur Winery
2021 Manchester Ridge
Youthful elements of star jasmine, passion fruit, nectarine, and lemon verbena charge out of the glass. Touches of exotic spice collide with flinty minerality and nerve, fusing a vibrant lingering finish. Sitting above the fog at 2,200 feet above sea level on the first ridgeline, Manchester Ridge endures the cold brunt of the Pacific Ocean. Growing Chardonnay in this environment is somewhat audacious, but it never disappoints. More info here…
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Sauvignon Blanc of the Year - Bedrock Winery
2022 Bedrock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Having a few more vintages of experience under our belts with the two small blocks of Sauvignon Blanc at Bedrock Vineyard, we are starting to see some subtle differences created by the gentle contours and soil shifts. Though planted next to each other, using the same Musqué clone on the same Los Robles Cobbly Loam soil, we have started to see an interesting, and happily complimentary, difference arise between the two. More info here…
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Deli of the Year - Stellina Alimentari
Stellina Alimentari, is a neighborhood haven for modern Italian delights! At Stellina, patrons can savor the exquisite sandwiches and canned fare. They are invited to indulge in the artfully crafted classic pastries, relish the unparalleled flavor of the world's best focaccia, and explore a diverse selection of loose-leaf teas. Adding a touch of New York charm, Stellina Alimentari also offers a delightful array of Italian cookies that pay homage to the city's culinary spirit. More info here…
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Burger of the Year - Lunch Box
This little gem in Sebastopol is cranking out some unbelievable burgers and sandwiches. The best part is that the menu changes often with new additions so you might be surprised if you’re a regular. We loved it because of it’s perfect engineering and bite. Bravo! More info here…
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Burrito of the Year - Los Arcos
At Los Arcos it is our mission to serve healthy, delicious, and nutritious food. We use only the highest quality local meats and produce available. We are an earth-friendly restaurant and we strive to be an active member of our community. There are many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available on our menu. Please let us know if you have any food allergies and we will do our best to meet your needs. Your meal is cooked fresh to order – the healthy choice. More info here…
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Plant-Based Dish of the Year
The squash lasagna at Little Saint is not only 100% plant-based, but insanely delicious. This restaurant, coffee bar, wine lounge, cocktail bar and music venue is located in downtown Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California. Born from a passionate collaboration between owners Laurie and Jeff Ubben, Director Jenny Hess, and Creative Director Ken Fulk, Little Saint is dedicated to climate justice, animal welfare, and kindness for all beings with a mindfulness of sustainable practices and support for emerging makers and musicians. More info here…
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Kid Attraction of the Year - Safari West
Discover wildest Africa in the heart of wine country! At Safari West, every day means adventure as we journey out in search of herds of wildebeest, romping rhinos and towering giraffes. From ring-tailed lemurs to the dazzling zebra, nearly 900 animals from over 90 unique species roam through our 400-acre preserve. All that’s missing is you. More info here…
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Public Golf Course of the Year - Northwood
Northwood Golf Course combines the magic of the architecture of Dr. Alister MacKenzie (Augusta National, Pasatiempo, Cypress Point) set amidst towering Redwood trees. It's like nothing you have played before, and prompted Travelin' Joe Passov of Golf Magazine to place Northwood on his top-5 MacKenzie courses... in the world! More info here…
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Dive Bar of the Year - Casino Bar & Grill
The Casino Bar & Grill stands proudly in the quaint town of Bodega, steeped in history. It serves as a revered roadside tavern, a cherished hub for locals, and a welcoming spot where both friends and newcomers converge for drinks, meals, or a friendly game of pool, immersing themselves in the genuine essence of Northern California's small-town culture. Despite its name, the Casino Bar & Grill does not offer any gambling activities. More info here…
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Wine Shop of the Year - Sonoma's Best
Todd’s selection is driven by hyper-local, small-production wines and remarkable collections from around the globe. Many of Sonoma’s Best’s offerings are small producers with limited production and very little distribution, which means most are not available outside Sonoma County and, in some cases, outside Sonoma’s Best. More info here…