By Katie Sweeney By Katie Sweeney | June 13, 2023 | Food & Drink, Feature,
Looking for a little getaway? These nine wine country venues boast flavorful fare and sips aplenty.
The Madrona turns one and continues to introduce guests to inventive sips and fare.
THE MADRONA
Boutique hotel The Madrona has just turned one. Enjoy a decadent weekend brunch, or come on a Wednesday night for the special fried chicken dinner. 1001 Westside Rd., Healdsburg, 707.395.6700, themadronahotel.com/dine-drink
COMPLINE
If you're only spending one night in downtown Napa, grab dinner at Compline. The restaurant has a comprehensive and exciting wine list and a satisfying menu of dishes, from Semillon to Syrah and duck fat fries to red lentil cakes. 1300 1st St., Ste. 312, Napa, 707.492.8150, complinewine.com
Outstanding cocktails at Fern Bar
FERN BAR
Inventive seasonal cocktails (white tea gin, persimmon, lemon, and salted almond) and phenomenal food (trout with green curry and hen of the woods mushrooms) abound at Sebastopol’s Fern Bar. 6780 Depot St. Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707.861.9603, fernbar.com
CHARTER OAK
Every weekday from 2:30 to 5 p.m., this spot has one of wine country's best happy hours. Certain drinks and highlights from the menu (the chicken wings, cheeseburger, and Caesar salad) are discounted and divine. 1050 Charter Oak Ave., St Helena, 707.302.6996, thecharteroak.com
Casey Thompson's genius is in the details (and fresh ingredients) at Folktable in Sonoma.
FOLKTABLE RESTAURANT
With an edible garden adjacent to the restaurant, chef Casey Thompson serves fresh seasonal cuisine at this Sonoma eatery. The food is playful yet elegant—we love the fried chicken goujons with charred jalapeno ranch. 23584 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707.356.3567, folktablerestaurant.com
PRESS
While it’s home to the world’s most extensive collection of Napa Valley wines, we love to enjoy a cocktail and take in the scene at the bar at Press. Tourists mingle with vintners, and everyone is having a great time. 587 St. Helena Hwy, St. Helena, 707.967.0550, pressnapavalley.com
The Matheson features three dining experiences.
THE MATHESON
The Matheson offers three unique experiences in the same building. Taste a variety of wines at the wine wall in the bar area, indulge in a six-course meal in the restaurant, or enjoy pizza, cocktails, and live music in the rooftop eatery. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707.723.1106, thematheson.com
SINGLE THREAD
The hospitality at Single Thread is unparalleled. It’s a truly luxurious fine dining experience from start to finish, worthy of its three Michelin stars. 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707.723.4646, singlethreadfarms.com
AURO
At Auro, the restaurant at the new Four Seasons in Calistoga, diners enjoy a five-course tasting from chef Rogelio Garcia. He mixes hyper-seasonal ingredients grown nearby with luxurious proteins like dry-aged bluefin tuna and Hudson Valley venison. 400 Silverado Trail N, Calistoga, 707.709.2100, auronapavalley.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF THE MADRONA; BY MARTHA CROMAR; BY ERIKA COLE; COURTESY OF THE MATHESON