Sonoma Lavender, Food and Wine Festival

This annual festival features a five acre lavender farm in full bloom. Lavender lovers can wander the fields and cut fresh bouquets from the three types of lavender grown there, as well as study the 32 varieties grown in the specimen garden.

The hundreds of ways to use Lavender are explored at the festival with free seminars. Robert Kourik, master gardener and author of The Lavender Garden will speak on Growing Lavender. Mary Bergin, executive chef of Sur La Table and cookbook author, will provide a lavender cooking demonstration and tasting. Gary Erwin of Silveyville farms will discuss beekeeping and honey production. Sonoma Lavender owners, Gary and Rebecca Rosenberg will give hourly seminars on the benefits of lavender and Lavender Style.

Lavender cuisine by Lisa Hemmenway of FRESH! and wines by Chateau St. Jean, Kenwood Winery and BR Cohn will be available for purchase in a new olive grove. Profits will support the Education for the Arts program at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts subsidizing performances for 30,000 children a year.

New additions include the BUBBLE ROOM with free moisturizing hand treatments and serving “bubbly”, CHILL-OUT LOUNGE with chilled body wraps, EUCALYPTUS GROOVE to invigorate mind and body. Also new is the PASSPORT TO BLISS. Collect stamps for a free lavender gift. Other activities: Massage Envy massages, Portraits by Rebecca Gosselin, Paintings by Barbara Greensweig, Face painting and Purple Nails by Beauty Sanctuary, and a crafting tent featuring wreath making, lavender wands and crafts.