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Sonoma County’s new gem: The Barlow in Sebastopol

Posted by on December 16, 2013

Disclosure: I was invited out for an evening out at The Barlow, however, I will be frequenting here often. All opinions are my own.

If you’ve been reading me for awhile, by now, you know I have a love for local especially when it comes to artisans so when I was invited out for a tour of The Barlow in Sebastopol, which just opened this past November, I was in for a treat.  The Barlow is dedicated to all things Local. Art. Food.  Wine.

That’s right, all of my favorite things (pun intended?) in one complex.  From Art Galleries to Wine Tasting Rooms, to even Brewing companies available for those that have a love of beer.

The West Side of Sonoma County has some GREAT producers and artisans in the world, and this is what makes The Barlow so unique, they’re bringing them together under one location giving them the chance to grow.

Just what are some of the experiences you can partake in while at The Barlow:

ART

The Barlow is home to 5 Art Galleries in the Complex right now.

From the Tibetan Gallery & Studio where Tashi Dhargyal is working on a 5 year project with his thangka, the first thanmochi being painted outside of Tibet.  Tashi still uses traditional Tibet methods with his artwork, and this thanmochi is quite the site to see:

thangka

Other galleries in the complex include:

Bronze Plus Art Foundry:

If you’re a sculptor this is the place to go as they offer all the things you truly need to make your art possible.

CounterCulture Art Haus:

Features a wide collection of fine art originals along with glass, jewelry and sculptures from well known and emerging artists.

Wolfard Glassblowing:

Although Wolfard is not open to the public, this is where the glassblowing comes to be.  These exquisite oil lamps and candles can be found at Gift Stores, Art Galleries and within Catalogs.  Truly beautiful pieces of work.

Ben Kinmont:

Have a deep love of books especially when it comes to food and wine then this is the place for you.  Ben Kinmont specializes in 15th to early 19th century books specialized in food and wine.  He only finds the best and partakes in all gastronomy auction sales to find these rare gems.

Wine.

For those that come to Wine Country for the wine, you may just want to put The Barlow on your list.  In one complex, there are 5 tasting rooms to partake in.  Taste a little bit of Sonoma County while at The Barlow:

Marimar Estates:

Specializing in limited edition Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Marimar even farms and bottles organically keeping the wines bio-dynamic.  Founder Marimar Torres is the 4th generation of a family dedicated to winemaking and grape growing.

Marimar Estates Tasting Room

Wind Gap Winery:

Wind Gap Wines is a small, boutique wine created by Pam and Pax Mahle.  Their focus isn’t on making the perfect wine, but instead on honest, authentic and compelling wine from special vineyard sites.  Where does their name come from?  From the forces of nature that help shape wine, of course: various natural wind gaps.

MacPhail Wines:

Have a love of Pinot Noir then be sure to stop into MacPhail Wines Tasting Room.  The wines are very much a reflection of James MacPhail’s deep roots in the North Coast.

Freeman Winery:

They will be joining The Barlow in 2014, but for those that have a love of Freeman Wines, you can be happy to know they are coming this way.  True pioneers of cold-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

La Follette Wines:

Winemaker Greg La Follette  has opened up his own Tasting Room along with owners Pete and Terri Kight.  The distinction is really in how the wine is made.  A focus on small lot Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.  And, can I recommend a taste of the Late Harvest Chardonnay, a true example of how the picking of the grape can truly change the flavor of wine or perhaps it’s also the gift of Winemaker Greg La Follette.

La Follette Wines

Kosta Browne Winery:

When making a trip to The Barlow, be sure to make an appointment with Kosta Browne to go on a tasting adventure then stop in at the other wine tasting rooms apart of the complex.  They have the story that many have only dreamed of.  Starting off working in the restaurant industry before deciding they wanted to have their go at winemaking.  Saving tips along the way, they were able to purchase what they needed to begin.  The rest is history.  It started as a dream for Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, but it was a dream that soon became a reality.

Food. 

There are two restaurants currently within The Barlow right now.  Both have values that lie in picking the freshest ingredients possible to make really inspiring dishes.

Zazu Kitchen + Farm:

First is the story of Duskie Eskes and John Stewart.  True leaders of the farm to table movement picking the freshest ingredients for you.  Fans of the Zazu Roadside joint will quickly love their new home at The Barlow.   And of course, it wouldn’t be Zazu without some ties to their Black Pig Meat Co.  Keep an eye out for those “Pig” touches throughout the restaurant.

Zazu Kitchen + Farm

Woodfour Brewing Company

And then there’s Woodfour Brewing Company.  It first starts with your choice of drafted or bottled beer, and if you can’t decide, there’s the choice of a flight which includes 5 beers for just 8 dollars.  That’s a deal if you ask me.

Beer Flight

Then, your choice of food which is locally sourced and prepared fresh by Chefs Jamil Peden and Matthew Williams.

Sub Zero Ice Cream:

Looking for a unique treat then you will definitely want to stop into Sub Zero Ice Cream.  All made to order, giving you the freedom to choose what you want.  They even have non-dairy choice options for the dairy free.  But the best part is in how the ice cream is frozen, in a flash freezing method (liquid nitrogen) leaving your ice cream as smooth as possible.

Village Market:

Coming soon to The Barlow is none other than Village Market.  A local favorite in Sonoma County.  Get ready to grab those decadent treats.

And after all of that there’s still room for shopping therapy.  From Tamarind, a boutique clothing retail store that brings in local designers of clothing, handbags and jewelry right into the shop, along with more specialty stores such as The Soap Cauldron and Circle of Hands.

Tamarind

Jewelry from Local Artists showcased at Tamarind

After it’s said and done or before it all begins be sure to stop into Taylor Maid-Farms for a fun coffee drink and enjoy the surroundings of fun coffee bar.  Sip on your drink as you overlook the production area for Taylor Maid-Farms.

Taylor Maid-Farms

Walking throughout The Barlow you can see how they have cultivated the theme right into the businesses that have come to join in.  All things Local. Wine. Art.  Food.  Hope to see you there soon.

 

 

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