Strictly Business: Sonoma Valley business news, July 31

New tasting room: Laurel Glen Vineyards moved into the high-profile downtown Glen Ellen spot formerly occupied by Kivelstadt Cellars in early summer. Run by general manager Mike Wallis and partner Bettina Sichel, the winery is best known for its old vine cab. The tasting room sign is up and it will reopen as soon as it can, according to the team. Laurel Glen was formerly around the corner at 969 Carquinez Ave. and is now at 13750 Arnold. The Carquinez site (permitted for a tasting room) is currently available for lease. laurelglen.com.

Moving sale: Chateau Sonoma is gearing up to leave Cornerstone this fall with a moving sale, going on now. Everything is 20 to 50 percent off. The store’s new location is 453 First St. W. on the Plaza.

Fast work: Picazo Kitchen and Bar is opening its new patio along Highway 12 this Saturday, Aug. 1. The restaurant is currently open seven days a week for takeout. 935-3287

New food truck: Sonoma Mission Inn has launched its own food truck. CaliForno Street Eats, led by chef Jared Reeves, is offering “Farm to Truck” inspired offerings on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to dine around several private outdoor fire pits and/or appropriately distanced picnic tables.

Top tasting room: USA Today has released a list of the top 10 tasting rooms in the U.S. and downtown Sonoma’s Corner 103 is the only local spot to make the list. Voting is going on now a few more days. Visit 10best.com/awards/travel/best-tasting-room/corner-103-sonoma-calif.

Epicurean Connection reopens: Sheana Davis and Ben Sessions are now allowed to reopen the Epicurean Connection with a new retail permit and detailed COVID-19 safety protocols. They will offer a printed menu for each guest, who then select their items, and Davis and her team will personally shop for them and walk them each safely through the warehouse. The Epicurean Connection will open Aug. 7 and then on Friday and Saturday each week from 10 a.m. to noon, selling prepared foods including pestos, jams, tapenades, pasta, chili, soups, salads, weekly specials as well as guest producers including Relax and Eat Bread, Kicking Bull Farm, Farmer Landy Lancaster, Farmer James Cannard and more. They have added wine barrels at a safety distance for guests in addition to picnic tables, and a garden to the site as well. 19670 Eighth St. E.

Coffee: In honor of its 25th anniversary, Barking Dog Roasters has developed a coffee blend that supports Pets Lifeline’s new building; the blend is called Morning Paws. Available at 18133 Sonoma Highway.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.