What I Eat and Drink When I'm Staying in Sonoma

This may sound a little crazy, but even though I founded and own Gourmet Food & Wine Tours, I actually live across the country in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2020, like many small business owners, I wasn't sure whether my company would survive. After spending several months in survival mode, sharing a home in my beloved Sonoma with my adult children, we made the difficult decision to move to Tennessee.

So why am I telling potential guests this?

Because, surprisingly, living away from Wine Country has made me a better tour operator.

Every time I return to Sonoma, I experience the area much like many of our guests do. I fly across the country, collect my luggage, pick up a rental car, and almost always arrive hungry. While I may know every corner of Sonoma and Napa, I'm still looking for that first great meal, that perfect cup of coffee, and the places that instantly make me feel at home.

In other words, I get it.

And because I spend so much time traveling back and forth, I thought it would be fun to share exactly where I eat and drink when I'm back in Sonoma.

The Journey Home

My travel days usually begin with an early morning direct flight from Nashville to San Francisco.

After years of experimenting with different airlines, I've settled into a routine. I land at SFO, grab a rental car, and head north toward Wine Country.

The moment I step outside the airport, I take a deep breath.

There is something about the cool Pacific air that instantly feels like home.

I was born just south of San Francisco in San Mateo. My parents fell in love with California before I was born and decided to raise our family on the West Coast. I spent part of my childhood in Cupertino and later in the beautiful mountain town of Quincy in the Sierra Nevada.

Every trip back to California feels a little nostalgic. My parents recently sold the home they owned for nearly 50 years, so I no longer have family waiting for me here. Yet Sonoma still feels like home in a way that is difficult to explain.

And perhaps that's why I care so deeply about helping visitors experience it well.

Why I Care So Much About Good Food

If you're anything like me, you'd rather be hungry than settle for mediocre food. Period.

I'm admittedly picky when it comes to what I eat and drink. I prefer fresh ingredients, local businesses, and places where the owners genuinely care about what they're serving.

That same philosophy influences every food and wine pairing we select for our tours.

When I'm building a tour experience, I ask myself:

• What does this chef do exceptionally well?

• Which wine creates the best pairing?

• How does this stop complement the overall experience?

• Will guests leave talking about this dish tomorrow?

Every stop has to earn its place.

Where I Always Eat When I'm Staying in Sonoma

No matter how many times I return, there are a few places that always make it onto my list.

Sunflower Café

Fresh, farm-to-table brunch in a beautiful garden setting. Creative, healthy, and consistently satisfying. It's one of my favorite ways to start a Sonoma morning.

Spread Kitchen

Delicious Lebanese-inspired food created by an entrepreneur I first met during the lockdown years. Everything is fresh, vibrant, and incredibly crave-worthy.

El Molino Central

Living in Tennessee has made me appreciate California Mexican food even more.

Enough said.

Whenever I'm back in Sonoma, El Molino Central is one of my first stops for takeout.

The Coffee Trailer at Sonoma Swim Club

Friendly people, excellent coffee, and a perfect local vibe.

Sonoma Market

Part grocery store, part community gathering place.

I stop here for produce, smoothies, coffee, and ingredients whenever I'm staying in the area. The quality of the produce alone reminds me how much I miss California agriculture when I'm back in Tennessee.

My Favorite Sonoma Plaza Stops

Many guests ask where I personally enjoy eating around Sonoma Plaza.

A few favorites who also happen to be on our experiences  include:

• El Dorado Kitchen

• BV Whiskey Bar & Grille

• Delhi Belly Indian Bistro

• Capo Isetta Tasting Room and Bedrock

• Sonoma Cheese Factory for fabulous smoked turkey to go, coffee and pastries

Each offers something completely different, which is exactly what makes Sonoma such a wonderful food destination.

A Peek at Our Napa Food Tour

One experience I'm especially excited about this year is our Downtown Napa Food & Wine Tour.

Rebuilding Napa after the pandemic wasn't easy. Restaurant closures, staffing challenges, and changing visitor patterns required us to rethink portions of the experience.

Today, however, I think the lineup is stronger than ever.

Guests currently enjoy stops that may include:

• Japanese cuisine paired with sparkling wine at Morimoto

• French-inspired fare along the Napa River at the all new Normandie

• Eclectic Comfort-food favorites at Grace's Table

• Local artisan chocolates to finish on a sweet note from Anette’s

We also work with several other outstanding restaurant partners depending on the day and group size, allowing us to customize private experiences in ways we couldn't before. I love them all, including Compline, Tarla, Heston Napa, Oenotri and Chispa!

The Tasting Room That Feels Like Cheers

If I had to pick one favorite place to hang out in my down time it might be Capo Isetta.

The wines are approachable, delicious, and fairly priced. More importantly, the family behind the winery embodies everything I love about Sonoma. They're welcoming, authentic, hardworking, and genuinely enjoy connecting with guests.

After all these years, arriving there still feels a bit like walking into an episode of Cheers—where everybody knows your name.

Pair one of their reds with artisan truffles from Wine Country Chocolates, and you've got a pretty perfect Sonoma afternoon.

And honestly?

That's exactly the kind of experience I hope every guest takes home with them.