The months of December and January are a special time in northern Sonoma County. Cities such as Healdsburg and Windsor come together to celebrate end-of-year holidays with community festivals. Once the calendar turns to 2023, local communities slip right back into events, many of which raise money for local charities. Then, of course, there are the openings—kicking off the new year with new stores, restaurants, and galleries. Here are some upcoming happenings that have caught our eyes.
Start the new year off with a bang and attend Winter Wineland, a two-day wine-tasting soiree from Wine Road of Sonoma County. The event comprises 70 different wineries. All participants receive a six-bottle bag at check-in. Some of the participating wineries pour wine straight from the barrels; a fun way to sample futures. Unlike other Wine Road events, this one does not include food, so plan accordingly.
Mill District is proud to support the second annual Healdsburg Elementary School and Fitch Mountain Campus Kindness Giving Drive. From now through January 6, 2023, students are collecting donations as part of this effort; the goals are to create positive school community and raise funds for enriching activities, school supplies, and special events that enhance a love of learning. As of today the schools were hoping to reach $30,000 and were still a few thousand dollars away. For more information, or to donate, click here.
The new iteration of Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville received a Michelin star after just three months of service—a truly remarkable feat. To celebrate, check out the Bubbles Lounge, which opened for walk-in guests last month. The bar is a great way to experience the restaurant without waiting for a booking. It’s also a sophisticated and romantic way to spend a night in Wine Country while enjoying world-class wines and one-of-a-kind small bites prepared by our friend Chef Douglas Keane and his team.
Residents of Healdsburg love their pets, and a special contest sponsored by The Healdsburg Tribune gives locals and visitors alike a chance to select the cutest critters in town. The third-annual Pet Photo Contest encourages locals to submit pictures of their pets by December 30, 2022. All submissions will then appear on the paper’s website, where people can vote for their favorites through January 20, 2023. The paper will publish the winners in the February 9, 2023, issue. May the best pets win!
Photo: Kim Carroll
