Business Beat – New winery proposed in Kenwood

Owners of a Sonoma Highway property have filed a use permit application with the county for a small 1,500 case winery with tasting by appointment.

Karen Hoyer Phillips is the owner of 8205 Sonoma Highway, a 3.5 acre parcel off the highway between Adobe Canyon Rd. and Hoff Rd. The property is called Casa Vecchia, and has been marketed for over a year on the Internet as an event center. Last year, the county allowed four special events on the property with a permit.

It is now proposed to turn the property into a 1,500 case winery, with wine tasting and retail sales by appointment only, Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An existing water tower would be turned into the tasting room. Existing buildings would be improved for wine production. According to a proposal statement, wine would be produced from an existing on-site two-acre vineyard, with planned expansion to three acres of vines, and the winery would be staffed by family members.

The use permit application asks for 12 charitable or special events a year, ranging in size but never more than 150 guests. Parking for small events will be on-site, and parking for larger groups would be off-site with guests shuttled to Casa Vecchia.

After the application was initially reviewed by the Permit and Resource Management Department, county planners determined the application was incomplete and could not be processed until additional information was provided, including more details about winery operations, special events, lighting, signage, vehicle trips, and parking.

The applicant has until March 5 to submit the required information. PRMD Project Planner Karin Theriault is the planner on the project, and she can be reached at 565-1908.

A Brewed Awakening in Kenwood

A new source for caffeine and goodies has landed in Kenwood, A Brewed Awakening. This is the coffee cart on wheels parked in front of Kenwood Farmhouse along Sonoma Highway.



A Brewed Awakening owner Jennifer Crosier with her children Lydia and Ronin.

Just drive through and you can pick from the whole gamut of espresso drinks, as well as a wide variety of Artisan Bakery pastries. The coffee served is from Hot Shots, which roasts its own beans, resulting in fine taste and quality. Don’t forget to try the specialty teas as well. And while you’re at it, order a “Scoop and a Shot,” a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso on top.

Kenwood resident Jennifer Crosier runs A Brewed Awakening, having come from a background in the food and hospitality business, including time at the Sonoma Mission Inn. She lives in Kenwood with her husband, Michael, and two children Lydia, 13, and Ronin, 8.

“I love doing this,” said Jennifer. “I like people, and I like to serve people, so this is perfect.”

A Brewed Awakening is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local bookkeeping service opens

Santa Rosa resident Sherry Davis has opened a home-based bookkeeping business, Davis Virtual Services, that provides small businesses with bookkeeping and accounting services. Sherry recently graduated from the Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper Program.

Sherry also attended Santa Rosa Junior College where she received a certificate for Virtual Office and is still waiting on her Bookkeeping and Administrative assistant certificate.

Sherry’s services include managing financial records such as monthly statements, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and other bookkeeping needs. She is also available for tax services. Her main interest is in helping businesses evaluate their financial standing and improve their returns.

Sherry is a lifelong resident of Sonoma County and has two sons and two grandchildren. For more information about Davis Virtual Services, call 225-0069, or email dsherry1@gmail.com.

State of the Valley Breakfast Forum

The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual “State of the Valley” breakfast forum on Friday, Jan. 22, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Sonoma Golf Club, 17700 Arnold Dr. in Sonoma.

Speakers include California State Assemblyman Jared Huffman, First District Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown, and City of Sonoma Mayor Steve Barbose.

Reservations are required. The cost is $35 for Chamber members, $50 for the general public. Email Kathy@sonomachamber.com, or call 996-1033 to register.

Landmark Vineyards concert series

This winter, Landmark welcomes guests to enjoy live music and winery activities on Saturdays in January and February, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Get cozy by the roaring fireplace with a glass of wine and listen to live music. Sip Landmark’s Overlook Chardonnay (92 points: Wine Spectator) or Steel Plow Syrah (94 points: Wine Spectator). If the sun is shining, pack a picnic, enjoy a game of bocce, and stay for the afternoon. Children are welcome.

Coming up: January 23 – Jason Bodlovich; January 30 – Michele Saga.

For more information on Landmark Vineyards, go to www.landmarkvineyards.com, or call 833-0053.