Three Things to Do in Wine Country in August
Author:Annette HanamiA welcome new dining option in Saint Helena, an authentic Neopolitan pizzeria in Sonoma and a fresh new look for Hotel Healdsburg, all happening in Wine Country in August.
A casual trattoria marks the start of a new era at Charles Krug
The opening of Cucina di Rosa at Charles Krug is the culmination of a multi-million restoration and renovation of the historic Carriage House and Redwood Cellar begun in 2007. The Redwood Cellar, encompassing both the tasting room and the newly opened trattoria, was designed by Howard Backen of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger using reclaimed clear heart redwood from the winery’s original tanks in dramatic fashion.
Cucina di Rosa’s casual menu designed by chef Richard Haake includes paninis, antipasti, salads and traditional Italian snacks that would satisfy at any hour of the day. The offerings, including daily specials, are pure wine country, reflecting the changing bounty of the CIA Student Farm at Charles Krug Winery. Guests can dine inside the stylish Cellar or picnic al fresco on the beautiful winery grounds.
As an on-premise, walk-in winery cafe, Cucina di Rosa is a welcome addition to Napa Valley dining scene providing the full wine country experience without a strict schedule. Which is just what matriarch and namesake Rosa Mondavi would have wanted it. The opening of Cucina di Rosa coincides with Peter Mondavi’s 100th birthday this fall. The trattoria’s initial opening hours are Friday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2800 Main Street, St. Helena
Artisanal pizza at The Barlow is the perfect vignette
Photo by Michael Mesker
The artisanal community The Barlow was the perfect location for chef Mark Hopper’s new Vignette Pizzeria. The menu is spare – antipasti, flatbread, fire-roasted veg of the day, and pizza – which highlights the quality of ingredients and authentic Neopolitan technique even more. The current pizza selections according to chef Hopper are “more about simplicity and variety”, driven by what they like to eat now. Think Meatball Parm, Manhattan with chopped clams or a creamy Mushroom Alfredo. The highly coveted, hand-built Stefano Ferrara wood-fired oven, the focal point of the 62-seat restaurant, was imported from Italy and cured for over ten days. The custom brilliant blue tile was his wife Denise’s favorite color. Open daily Noon to 10 p.m. 6750 McKinley Street, Sebastopol
Get a taste of Sonoma wine country in the fresh new spaces at the Hotel Healdsburg
Photo by Paul Dyer Photography
Designer Myra Hoefer combines Wine Country casual with urban elegance in the re-designed lobby spaces of the Hotel Healdsburg. The new glassed-in porch is the perfect setting for their “Les Clos” single-vineyard tastings ($45 pp) that take place on the first Sunday each month at 3:30 p.m. The next walk-around tasting of Hirsch Vineyards takes place August 3, presented by producers Hirsch, LIOCO, Failla, 32 Winds, Williams-Selyem, Siduri and Littorai. An optional dinner package ($125 pp) at the property’s Dry Creek Kitchen is also available. 25 Matheson Street on the Square.
