By 707 correspondent Heather Irwin. Sign up for the BiteClub Newsletter.
Santa Rosa’s THE SPINSTER SISTERS starts up happy hour just in time for lazy summer afternoons (and sneaking out of work a little early) from 4pm-6pm Tuesday through Friday. Seasonal $5 cocktails include white sangria with stone fruit, the Konnichiwa (sake, matcha, and lemonade), and the Bloody Beer (Poleeko Gold with spicy tomato juice and lime). Beers and wines on tap are available for $3 and $4. On the menu: goat cheese toasts with strawberry onion jam and basil ($4), curry fries with smoked ketchup ($2), lamb meatball sliders, and grilled chicken satay ($2). 401 S. A St. at Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-528-7100.
Here in Wine Country, it’s been feeling like a long, hot summer for months, which may be good news for our cooler-climate cousins to the south. If you’re seeking a little summer swirling, IRON HORSE gives the official start of the summer a fitting welcome with the release of the new limited-edition bubbly, the 2009 Summer’s Cuvee. On Saturday June 22nd, they’ll be popping corks and serving up fresh oysters, lobster rolls, paella, and peaches and cream from 4:30pm-7:30pm at their relaxed Forestville vineyards. 9786 Ross Station Rd., Sebastopol, 707-887-1507. Tickets are $85 for nonmembers, $60 for wine club members.
Say “Happy Father’s Day” in style: If your dad’s a car nut (and really, are there many that aren’t?), CADE ESTATE WINERY hosts Tesla Motors’ meetup featuring test drives of the car awarded “best car ever tested” by Consumer Reports magazine. The event includes wine tasting, noshes, and a spectacular view of Napa Valley atop Howell Mountain. Saturday June 15th, 11am-3pm, 360 Howell Mountain Rd., $55 per person. RSVP to Shannon Meneghelli at 707-965-2746.
Sip your way into the sunset, starting today at GARY FARRELL VINEYARDS & WINERY in the Russian River Valley. Perched high on a hilltop, the winery introduces its First Friday Sunsets series. Visitors can taste premier pinots, light hors d’oeuvres, and listen to music the first Friday of each month from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Reservations are required, $35 per person. 10701 Westside Rd., Healdsburg, 707-473-2909.
