Gifts of Sonoma
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Sonoma is a magical place where history, food and wine culture, and natural beauty meet. The charming town sits in a beautiful valley nestled between rolling vineyards and sweeping mountains. The area once abundantly supported a flourishing Native American population with a mild climate and plenty of fresh water, fish and game. The historic Sonoma Mission was founded in 1823 by a Franciscan Father, Jose Altimira, who declared Sonoma Valley the most beautiful site he could imagine for a mission dedicated to God's work. The mission, along with its accompanying barracks and out-buildings, are wonderfully preserved and create the north side of the quaint Sonoma plaza. The plaza is the heart of the town, where family and friends gather for events, picnics, the farmer's market and just to hang out. The picturesque streets surrounding the plaza park are filled with small shops, tasting rooms, galleries, cafes and world-class restaurants. Known for its superb wine and culinary delights, great shopping and perfect weather, Sonoma is the ideal destination for a romantic getaway, a relaxing vacation or an unforgettable journey for the senses. Sonoma takes you a step back in time when life was slower, people were friendly and the gifts from the land were cherished.
Sonoma is a culinary capital with wine, olive oil, cheese, fresh breads and lavender products as some of its treasured commodities. The missionaries brought grapes and olives to the region and thus the founding of these local industries began. The first commercial vineyard was planted with European varietals in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy from Hungary making Sonoma the birthplace of the premium California wine industry. Today, with over 60 wineries in the valley, many of the world's finest wines continue to be produced in Sonoma where the artistry of winemaking has become both a business and a lifestyle. Award winning olive oils come from this region, and with the recent popularity and newly discovered health benefits of olive oil, many ancient olive groves have been brought back into service, and many new ones have since been established. Award winning cheese is produced by Sonoma's famous cheese makers, such as Vella Cheese Company, which has been a town staple since the early 1930's. To accompany the delicious cheeses, there are several internationally acclaimed artesian bakers crafting all varieties of breads, pastries and other baked delights. The Mediterranean climate in Sonoma is perfect for growing lavender, and several businesses have taken the healing and health benefits of this fragrant herb to a grand new level, offering full lines of lavender products. One of these is the family-run business of Rock Hill Estate whose quality products are available on this site.
If you have visited Sonoma in the past, then you are certainly aware of how much it has to offer. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit our lovely town, then we can only recommend that you do, so that you can take with you the magical memories that so many others have in the past. And whether you have been to Sonoma or not, we are certain that you will enjoy strolling through the pages of this site, as you experience a taste of all the wonderful gifts that Sonoma has to offer!