Oktoberfest begins, winery event updates, plant sales, Depot Hotel sale
Sausage Emporium, Sonoma Valley Soccer and HopMonk Tavern all plan special events and foods to celebrate Oktoberfest starting Friday, Oct. 1
Sausage Emporium
Sausage Emporium is first off the blocks with their Oktoberfest attraction starting today, Friday, and running all weekend.
“Craft local beer” will only cost $5 all weekend, with a free stein of beer presented to all who come in costume Friday through Sunday. They are also serving German sausages and Bavarian sauerkraut. 31 E. Napa St.
Sonoma Valley United Soccer
On Saturday, Oct. 2, Sonoma Sunrise Rotary Club will host the annual fundraiser for Sonoma Valley United Soccer and will break out the “Howie,” a huge portable barbecue, to cook hamburgers, hot dogs and brats (sausage variety) along with beer, games and Bubble Soccer. Noon to 7 p.m. Sonoma Plaza.
HopMonk Tavern
HopMonk will add a sausage board, bratwurst sliders and sauerbraten to their regular menu for the month of October.
Nestlé USA Inc. recalls DiGiorno pizza
On Monday Nestlé USA Inc. recalled early 30,000 pounds of frozen DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust Pepperoni Pizza due to “misbranding and undeclared allergens,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
It turns out the 26-ounce pizza in the carton might actually contain frozen three-meat pizza, which contains textured soy protein and was produced on June 30, 2021 with Best By date of MAR2022.
Winery updates
Ty Caton Vineyards
Ty Caton has had to cancel his Oct. 2 in-person barrel tasting and wine futures event out of caution to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. He recommends enjoying his event virtually from Oct. 2 through 10.
Buena Vista Masquerade Ball canceled
“With a bit of sadness,” Jean-Charles Boisset has canceled his JCB company-wide Halloween Masquerade Ball for this year due to pandemic precautions. So they are scheduling the next one for Oct. 29, 2022.
Of course his announcement encourages ordering wine “for your Halloween celebration at home.” Jcbcollection.com.
Larson Family Winery
The entire family at Larson Family Winery has turned their back pasture into a pumpkin patch starting today, Friday, Oct. 1. Pumpkins are available only to guests who either pay for wine tastings in the tasting room or purchase reservations to the brunch, lunch or happy hour events.
They offer lunch and brunch packages on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 24. Brunches and a pumpkin are at 10:30 a.m., lunch and a pumpkin at 12:30 p.m., and happy hours at 3 p.m. $60 adults for brunch and lunch, $50 for adults at happy hour. $35 children at brunch and lunch and $25 at happy hour.
Hanson of Sonoma Distillery
Hanson of Sonoma Distillery makes loads of spirits, including their original organic vodka made from grapes instead of from potatoes or grain.
They invite spirit tasters and samplers to make their way to Hanson’s “Spirits Garden” and pond, which we assume refers to where you can sip their spirits, and not that you will be seeing intangible spirits floating around the garden. But then if you consume too many spirits, you might just see the other kind hovering.
They just added a new Bianco pizza to their menu with bacon, mozzarella di Bufala, nectarines and crème fraiche on a 72-hour hand-tossed sourdough crust, topped with chili oil ($22). They also offer a charcuterie plate ($35) and six Kollar chocolates ($30), or Thomas Keller’s caviar selection ($80 to $300). Sunday there’s Bloody Mary’s ($15). Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma. 343-1805.
Garden Club plant sale
Thinking about fall and winter vegetables and plants and wondering if rain will water them?
Valley of the Moon Garden Club holds its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Altimira Middle School.
Look for vegetable starts as well as succulents, perennials, herbs, annuals and plants from some of the 150 members’ gardens at reasonable prices.
All proceeds go to a high school scholarship, our school and community gardens, and the Monarch Pollinator Garden. 9 a.m. to noon. 17805 Arnold Drive, Sonoma just north of Boyes Boulevard. Enter at south entrance to the circle drive in front of the school. More info at vom-garden-club.org or 935-8986.
Remember that year-round local nurseries Sonoma Mission Gardens and Wine Country Garden Center are also selling vegetable plants.
Community breakfast pops up this Sunday
Aunt Momo is back in the kitchen for a good cause – scholarships, given out by the Valley of the Moon Knights of Columbus.
Aunt Momo says that the beignets are actually her mother’s recipe. "My mother's birthday is this Saturday and the Italian ricotta zeppoles (aka doughnuts) are her recipe and she would be tickled pink knowing they were being cooked at St. Francis ... you both worked hard on raising money for that school ..." which is a reference to her mother, the late Dr. Genevieve Roche, and myself serving together on the St. Francis School board.
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