Unlike in Napa, you’re allowed to picnic at most Sonoma wineries. But before you snag a table, demonstrate your good manners by purchasing a bottle of your host’s wine, lest you be thrown off premises by a cranky vintner.
Everyone rushes to the touristy Cheese Factory on the plaza’s north side. Don’t follow them. Instead make a beeline to the Cheesemaker’s Daughter, an itty-bitty shop, just off the plaza, that stocks a heady selection of local and European cheeses. Or visit Vella Cheese, famous for its dry jack, made here since the 1930s. Also stellar, Vella’s mezzo secco, which has a rind coated in cocoa powder; it goes great with nuts and fruit on a cheese platter. They’ll also vacuum pack your purchase to carry home. If you’re into jerky, Angelo’s Wine Country Deli makes it fresh; look for the cow on the roof.
For the best sandwiches and prepared foods, head to the Fig Pantry. Offshoot of the girl & the fig, this little roadside shop makes terrific dips and spreads, great for smearing on crackers or bread. There’s an espresso bar too, along with gelato and old-fashioned American-style sweets, like whoppie pies and rich, chocolaty brownies for a kick-ass sugar buzz. The deli makes everything you need for dinner, from paella to pork chops (but you’ll need a way to reheat the precooked foods). This is my favorite place to shop for food in the town of Sonoma—well worth a detour.
The only drawback? If you’re headed to Sonoma Valley, the Fig Pantry is in the opposite direction. To avoid backtracking, you can pick up good sandwiches at the Sonoma Market, a grocery store west of the plaza. But the Fig is where it’s at. Let traffic be the deciding factor.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:23 AM
[...] Pack the perfect picnic at Sonoma’s specialty-food stores. [...]