“It’s the epicenter of food and wine. To me, that’s what Sonoma County is.”

In addition to hosting multiple shows on the Food Network and hosting a radio show, Fieri operates three restaurants in Sonoma County: Tex Wasabi’s, and Johnny Garlics in Santa Rosa and in Windsor.

Find out why he is in Sonoma County, where he can meet the winemakers and know the people who are growing the food he cooks with.

And check out hot deals in California’s Sonoma Wine Country …

Hear Guy’s interview with Mike Cleary! Press the “Play” button above..

Zazu Restaurant owners and spouses Duskie Estes & John Stewart decided to open their restaurants in Sonoma Country. With local purveyors, a garden out back where they pick their food for the meals, and a family farm where they raise livestock and more, Duskie and John show what makes Sonoma Country great for food.

Check out John’s tattoo of the pig!

(And don’t forget to book your hot deals while they last…)

Hear Duskie and John’s interview with Mike Cleary! Press the “Play” button above..

Valley and Vineyards is a region of Sonoma Country. It encompasses communities like Boyes Hot Springs, Glen Ellen, Kenwood and Schellville.

Here you’ll find a wide range of wineries, acclaimed restaurants, and terrific places to stay. Three examples are the Fairmont Sonoma Misson Inn and Kenwood Inn and Spa, both on Highway 12 and the Gaige House Inn, an intimate luxury property in Glen Ellen.

All three are well located to visit the nearby wineries, shops and restaurants of Sonoma Valley. To really learn about how the grape goes from vine to wine, take the daily Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour between 11:30 and 3:30pm at the Benziger Family Winery.

The Rivers and Redwoods region of Sonoma Country is home to places like Cazadero, Duncan Mills, Guerneville, Monte Rio and Rio Nido. It’s also a haven for people attracted to outdoor adventures. It’s a terrific place to camp, hike, canoe and kayak. The region is also known for hosting great musical events. There are any number of welcoming places to stay like the Fern Grove Cottages and the Applewood Inn in Guerneville or the Inn at Duncan Mills in Duncans Mills. And, in Cazadero, you can stay in a bakery. But not just any bakery. Raymond’s Bakery, famous for its scones, breads and foccacia, now has two guest cottages. Imagine being surrounded by Redwoods and the aroma of baking bread.

One intriguing region for me is Western Sonoma Country. It’s home to colorful communities like Sebastopol, Graton, Freestone, Occidental, Valley Ford and Forestville. What I really like about this area is the emphasis on the arts. Western Sonoma Country has a rich variety of antique stores, gift shops with artisan products, galleries and lots of great dining like the Willow Wood Market and Cafe in Graton or the legendary Union Hotel and Negri’s in Occidental. When you’re in Sebastopol, try Infusions, an international Teahouse that’s new to the area. Lodgings are all topnotch from places like Avalon, a luxury B&B in Sebastopol to the Inn at Occidental.

Have you ever tried wine surfing? It’s a very safe sport and you don’t need a wetsuit. Gourmet Au Bay, the Sonoma Coast’s only Seaside Wine Tasting Bar and Gift Boutique invites you to pick a spot on their deck overlooking Bodega Bay’s fishing fleet, windsurfers and diverse sea life. Select 3 two-ounce glasses of the six California Premium wines being served at the tasting bar every day and they come out to you on a mini surfboard. Voila! You’re wine surfing. Gourmet Au Bay’s gift shop offers glassware, jewelry and other Holiday gift items. Make a stop there part of a coastal getaway by checking into one of a number of great inns on the coast and enjoy all that Bodega Bay has to offer.

The grape harvest always gets lots of attention. But in Sonoma Country, vying for its rightful share of the spotlight is the olive harvest. Have you tasted award-winning California Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Olive Press in Glen Ellen?

Located in Jack London Village which was built in 1881, the Olive Press produces olive oil for commercial producers, growers as well as hobbyists. They also have a tasting bar and an excellent gift shop. So, while you’re there, you can watch them press olives, taste some of the olive oils and maybe find just the right gifts for friends and family. There are many charming places to stay and dine nearby, so I suggest you make it an extended visit.

This postcard is brought to you by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau celebrating Sonoma Country; America’s Premier Wine, Spa and Coastal Destination.

This is one of those last minute suggestions, but if you have the time, it’s a neat event. Tomorrow evening at 6:30, acclaimed chef, John Ash conducts a cooking class at the New Vintners Inn Event Center located on the northern end of Santa Rosa.

This class is called Crab! Crab! Crab! He’ll create a delicious menu paired with special limited production wines. You’ll have crab in soup, salad, even rice paper. The event center itself is the newest addition to the Vintners Inn, one of our favorite getaway destinations. The center is perfect for company parties or retreats, weddings and other celebrations. And its adjacent to the 44-room inn and famed restaurant John Ash & Co.

This postcard is brought to you by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau celebrating Sonoma Country; America’s Premier Wine, Spa and Coastal Destination.