There’s nothing like autumn in Wine Country. Life at this time of year comprises epic sunsets that explode with color every night, the smell of fermenting grapes everywhere around town, and gatherings that bring out the very best of the local community. Here’s a closer look at some of the happenings over the next few weeks that have our attention.
Troubadour, the beloved Healdsburg sandwich shop on Healdsburg Avenue, has launched Le Dîner, a new pop-up dining experience that replicates the vibe of eating dinner in a romantic French bistro. Every night, the boulangerie is converted into a cozy and candlelit grotto with seating for up to 20 people. The dinner incorporates staples such as caviar, escargot, truffles, and dark chocolate into a five-course, pre-fixe dinner from chefs and co-owners Sean McGaughey and Melissa Yanc. Menus change regularly; one of the opening nights featured beef tartare and duck a’l orange. Reservations are required and the meal is $125 per person. Photo Credit: Emma K. Morris
Wine events in our part of Sonoma County bring together the best of the business, and the 24th Annual Wine & Food Affair is no exception. The shindig, sponsored by Wine Road, will comprise 50 wineries and is scheduled to take place November 5-6. Participating wineries will taste through current vintages, new releases, and wines in barrels right now; attendees also will be able to sample small bites of food at each stop. Many participating wineries also have live music and other forms of entertainment to enhance the experience. Tickets are $125 for the weekend or $95 for Sunday only.
Entrepreneurialism is alive and well in Healdsburg, and an overwhelming number of business owners in our tiny town are women. The local chamber of commerce is celebrating this cohort with a series dubbed “Women in Business Coffee Chats,” and the first of these events will take place on Thursday, November 10, from 8 AM -10:30 AM at Little Saint. Elizabeth Gore, co-founder of Hello Alice, will be the keynote speaker, and a panel discussion with Melissa Yanc (co-founder of Quail & Condor Bakery), Carol Beattie (board chair of Healdsburg Forever), Alice Sutro (founder of Sutro Wine) and Bridget Doherty (president of Encore Event Rentals) will follow. Tickets are $40 apiece, or $50 after November 1.
The coolest new spot to hear live music in downtown Healdsburg: the Furthermore Wines tasting lounge on Healdsburg Avenue. This swanky-but-narrow space opened earlier this year and is now booking some of the hottest jazz, blues, and world music around town. Upcoming shows featured Monica da Silva on October 29, Janna Mammina on November 12, and the Jeff Pierce Trio on November 19. Furthermore also is hosting a local arts holiday market on the weekend of December 9-11. While many of the Furthermore events are free and open to the public, others require tickets and/or reservations in advance. Be sure to check the website before heading out.
