Thrill every foodie on your list with these treasures produced right here in Edible Marin & Wine Country!

Fabulous Foods

It’s not Christmas without panettone, the traditional Italian bread. In December, when demand for panettone is at its peak, Emporio Rulli bakes over 9,000 pounds of both the traditional Genovese and Milanese styles. Using recipes handed down to owner Gary Rulli during his apprenticeship in Italy, Rulli uses only the finest wheat flour, pure creamery butter, golden raisins, pine nuts and the best Italian candied orange peels available for this golden bread. All this, combined with a 30-hour leavening process using a natural yeast starter from Italy, makes this bread a special holiday treat. It comes wrapped in gorgeous gold foil, ready to give! 464 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA, 415.924.7478, www.rulli.com.

Robert Sinskey Vineyards is known for making great organic and biodynamic wines. For a truly special gift this year, give those on your list one of the other wonderful products made at RSV - honey, jam, pear butter, organic lavender soap, or a wool cap knitting kit that includes wool shorn from the Sinskey sheep and sustainable bamboo knitting needles! 6320 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA, 707.944.9090, www.robertsinskey.com.

Chef David Katz not only co-authors the Potable Pairings column in each issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country, he also owns Panevino · Food for Wine, the highly acclaimed Napa Valley cateringcompany, and bakes “best we’ve ever had” grissini. Immensely flavorful and redolent of olive oil, these are unlike any of those bland breadsticks you might be used to eating. Look for two new flavors to compliment the No. 6 Grissini original: Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar, made with the award-winning cheese from Modesto, and a French Oil-Cured Olive. Visit www.panevino-napavalley.com to order on line or for a list of local retailers. Packaged in a brightly colored tube to prevent breakage, buy them by the case to have at the ready all season.

At the Fremont Diner on Highway 121 between Napa and Sonoma, not only is everything house-made and sourced from local farms, the food is incredible. Biscuits and muffins sell out fast in the morning and the crisp spicy fried chicken is a must for lunch. Dinner is also a mouth-watering collection of locally sourced concoctions. After you feed yourself, take home some of their fabulous homemade Lake County Pear Cardamom Butter you had with your griddle cakes to give to your friends! That and some homemade pancake mix would make a very special gift for the breakfast lovers on your list! 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, CA, 707.938.7370.

The packaging is reminiscent of the classic Tiffany blue gift box, but it’s what’s inside the boxes from Woodhouse Chocolate that will put you into a swoon. Handmade in the Napa Valley, traditional flavors such as mocha cream and bittersweet chocolate, and fun twists like Thai ginger, fill chocolate shells for an intense bite of pure chocolate heaven. The chocolate St. Nick is a great centerpiece for any table! 1367 Main Street, St. Helena, CA, www.woodhousechocolate.com.

The people at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company not only make award-winning blue cheese, they make it VERY easy for you to give their hand crafted cheese and Original Blue Dip and Dressing to friends and family all year round. Visit www.pointreyescheese.com for easy point and click gift giving sure to bring a smile to your face, and to the faces of all the cheese fans on your shopping list.

Fatted Calf hand crafts charcuterie; pates, salami, prosciutti, confits and a large selection of fresh sausages using the highest quality ingredients - all organic and hormone-free. Take a break from your holiday shopping and visit their deli at the Oxbow Public Market for a delicious lunch.

Re-energized, check out the other great products they have for sale including Rancho Gordo dried beans, the Apple Farm’s vinegars, jams and chutneys, and Loulou’s Garden’s jellies and jams. This is a one-stop shop full of yummy things for a gift basket. At Oxbow Public Market, 644 C First Street, Napa, CA, 707.256.3684, www.fattedcalf.com.

Please the non-drinkers and designated drivers on your list this holiday season with a bottle (or a case!) of the new, divine Golden Star White Jasmine Sparkling Tea. This sparkling tea is packaged in a beautiful bottle, looks gorgeous in a champagne glass, and is a refreshing alternative to the “other” bubbly… To find out where it is sold in your area, visit www.goldenstartea.com.

You will be welcome anywhere when you arrive bearing an assortment of Rustic Bakery’s organic products - flatbreads, cookies, cheese coins, granola and pan forte crostini, all packaged in a beautiful, engraved whitewashed tub, wrapped in cellophane, tied with a raffia bow and decorated with seasonal herbs. A box of their handcut organic sugar cookies, glazed and decorated with house-made colored sugars, will delight the child in everyone. 1139 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA, 415.925.1556, www.rusticbakery.com.

Your meat loving friends will love you for a 6 or 12-month membership in the Marin Sun Farms CSA. Rancher David Evans produces his grass-fed beef, chickens, eggs, pork, goat and lamb sustainably and humanely. Contact the MSF Butcher Shop in Point Reyes Station at 415.663.8997 for more information, or visit www.marinsunfarms.com. For a list of other CSAs in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties, see page 20 of this issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country.

Wow the cheese lovers on your list with a four, six, or twelve-month membership to the Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Club? Included in the full year “Cheese all the Time” club is monthly home delivery of a pound of artisan-made cheese, with a “little something extra” to bring out the full flavor of that month’s cheese. As an extra bonus, you also get a copy of Laura Werlin’s Cheese Essentials, which gives you the basics of cheese selection, care and serving. To order call toll free 866.433.7834 or visit www.cowgirlcreamery.com.

Blend your own wine to give to your friends, or give someone you REALLY love the chance to blend their own! In a private blending session, you will be guided by an experienced wine maker through barrel tastings and then create your own blend. You can even design your own label! Available by special appointment only at Michael Mondavi’s Folio Wines in Napa, and Crushpad in San Francisco. To arrange a blending session at Folio, contact Michael Abernathy at 707.256.2737. For a blending session at Crushpad in San Francisco, call 415.864.4232 or visit www.crushpadwine.com.

Jeri Howland, a professional tri-athlete who has won her age group in six Iron Man Triathlons all over the world, is the creator of Bungalow Munch Organic Granola, so we’re hoping that a bowl of her tasty granola might help increase our own strength and endurance. Bungalow Munch is made with all-natural, organic ingredients –oats, seeds, coconut and a splash of maple syrup. Packaged in re-sealable glass jars, this locally made granola makes a healthy and unique holiday gift. www. bungalowmunch.com.

We definitely want to receive a membership card to the “Bacon Club.” Black Pig Meat Co. is the brainchild of Duskie Estes and John Stewart who also own Zazu Restaurant and Farm and Bovolo Restaurant. We are major fans of their bacon—antibiotic and hormone-free and made from free-range, heritage hogs. To gift a monthly shipment of their “to die for” bacon, visit www.blackpigmeatco.com or call 707.523.4814. Do NOT leave yourself off of this list…

Every year during the holidays Dean & Deluca offers great gift baskets that make shopping a snap. This year two favorites are the “Oink” - a cute pig-shaped cutting board packaged with Fra Mani Salami and a knife, and the “Just Add Cheese” gift box – filled with crackers, walnuts, and other accoutrements to make your recipient’s cheese plate extra special. A discerning selection of California wines (chosen by our own Kerrin Laz!) and an extensive collection of spirits also make selecting gifts here a breeze. 607 St. Helena Hwy S, St Helena, CA, 707.967.9980, www.deananddeluca.com.

Tools, Tabletop, Cookbooks and more

At The Spanish Table in Mill Valley you will find cookbooks, spices, and wonderful clay and copper cookware from Spain for the paella-lovers on your list. Just make sure they invite you to the party! 800 Redwood Highway, Suite 123, Mill Valley, CA, 415.388.5043, or shop on line and have your gifts shipped direct at www.spanishtable.com. Looking for a gorgeous centerpiece for your favorite hostess’ table? Look no further than Green Door Design in Mill Valley. Susie Turner, the owner, will design the perfect living arrangement using elegant orchids, amaryllis or paper whites - and then teach you how to keep them alive! 231 A Flamingo Road, Mill Valley, CA, 415.381.1886, www.greendoordesign.net.

The Fork and Shovel community grew out of a desire to connect the farmers and chefs in Sonoma County and to encourage the public to patronize those restaurants led by chefs who are committed to using sustainably and locally grown and produced foods. The “forks” are the collection of cafes, bistros, catering companies, and fine dining restaurants that share this vision. The “shovels “ are, of course, the farmers. Show your support of this collaboration by purchasing its cute logo T-shirt for everyone on your list this year. The organic cotton tee is available at Artists and Farmers, a fabulous store in Healdsburg selling “Beautiful Objects Made with Respect.” 237 CenterStreet, Healdsburg, CA, 707.431.7404, www.artistsandfarmers.com.

Inspired by the landscape of our region, three local companies have created fabulous body and bath products to please everyone on your list. Brighten up the winter with Olivina Napa Valley’s new, creamy, Meyer lemon lotion and bath products made with Meyer lemon oil, olive extract and honeysuckle fragrance. www.olivina.com. Napa Valley Bath has a natural bath and body line created from 100% Napa Valley organic lavender. Ahhh - what would be more welcome during the holidays than the relaxing scent of lavender! www.napavalleybath.com. 80 Acres, the body care line recently launched by McEvoy Olive Oil Ranch, uses the organic extra virgin olive oil the Ranch is famous for in its body lotion, body balm, olive oil soap and body wash. All have a “green” scent developed to mimic the Ranch’s early-harvest oil. www.mcevoyranch.com

A gift certificate for a romantic weekend biking scenic Sonoma County is the perfect gift. As part of your stay at Healdsburg’s Les Mars Hotel, you may choose from road bikes, hybrids, casual cruisers, and the oh-soromantic tandem. The very helpful staff at this luxury Relais & Chateaux property will map out your scenic wine country bike tour - complete with gourmet picnic basket! 27 North Street, Healdsburg, CA, 707.433.4211 or 877.431.1700, www.lesmarshotel.com.

An original painting of a gorgeous, sun filled wine country landscape by San Francisco artist Ann Rea would be a VERY special gift indeed. If an original is not exactly within your budget this year, Rea offers prints of her work in many shapes and sizes – something to fit every giftgiver’s budget – from full size prints suitable for framing, to note cards. 415.387.2224, www.annrea.com.

Another talented painter, Connie Stone, has created a line of fold-over note cards featuring her lovely paintings of fruits, vegetables, seafood and gorgeous roosters. An assorted pack of 10 ($25, including shipping and handlinganywhere in the US) would be the perfect gift for your friends who still practice the time-honored art of the hand written note. astonesthrow@bham.rr.com. Now that people are getting back into the kitchen and cooking more often, Shackford’s Kitchen Store is the place in Napa to find every sort of cooking gadget, pot or pan you can imagine. In business for 35 years, the Shackfords still come down each day to work at their store.

Amateur cooks and professional chefs alike will be amazed at the selection of professional equipment and kitchen gadgets. Wandering up and down the aisles we counted over 21 different types of cookie sheets and 12 different rolling pins! 1350 Main Street, Napa, CA, 707.226.2132. In Marin, the go to place for all of your kitchen needs is The Tyler Florence Shop in downtown Mill Valley. Owned by celebrity chef and town resident Tyler Florence, this gorgeous shop sells just about everything you need for the kitchen, and more! Peruse their extensive selection of cookbooks in a comfortable library setting at the back of thestore. You will surely find something here for all of your friends who love to cook – and eat! 59 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA, 415.380.9200, www.tylerflorence.com.

Lisa Minucci is one of the most accomplished sommeliers in the business. We were thrilled to learn that she is not only passionate about wine and food, but that she also loves antiques. At Minucci’s Heritage Culinary Artifacts you can find sterling silver crab forks from England, advertising signs from the Midwest, antique corkscrews from France and American pottery. Find that one-of-akind, vintage gift here! Oxbow Public Market, 610 First St, Stall 14, Napa, CA, 707.363.4052, www.heritageartifacts.com.

Gather, by Georgeanne Brennan (Sasquatch Books), is the perfect book to help you and your friends prepare for the holidays. Brennan, an award-winning, local author, who also authors the What’s In Season feature in every issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country, inspires us to bring people together over good food all year long with seasonal recipes and menus. The book reflects her personal style of entertaining—simple, seasonal, and reflective of the natural world around us. Available at local bookstores.

And, last but certainly not least, consider giving a gift that gives back. There are many wonderful non-profits in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties that support the farmers, vintners, ranchers and the land that we treasure. Give the people on your list a gift that also supports these very worthwhile organizations by making a donation in their name to Marin Organic (www.marinorganic.com), or any (or all!) of the three land trusts that work to preserve open space, family farms and vineyards in our area - now and for future generations. For more information, visit www.malt.org, www.sonomalandtrust.org, or www.napalandtrust.org.