troops, but it became
the capital of a rogue
nation on June 14, 1846,
when American settlers,
of varying sobriety,
surprised the guards and
declared an independent
‘California Republc’
[sic] with a homemade
flag featuring a blotchy
bear. The US took over
the republic a month
later, but abandoned the
barracks during the Gold
Rush, leaving Vallejo to
turn them into (what
else?) a winery in 1860.
Walk just round the
corner to stock up for
an afternoon picnic.
Known for its dry-jack
cheeses (made here since
the 1930s), Vella Cheese
Co (%707-928-3232; http://www.
vellacheese.com; 315 2nd St
E) also makes delectable
Mezzo Secco with cocoa
powder-dusted rind.54 p97
The Drive » Head north on
Hwy 12 for about five miles to
Oak Hill Farm along tree-lined
vineyards.5 Oak Hill Farm &
Imagery Estate
At the southern end of
Glen Ellen, Oak Hill Farm
(%707-996-6643; http://www.
oakhillfarm.net; 15101 Sonoma
Hwy; h11am-6pm Wed-Sun
Apr-Dec; c) contains acres
upon acres of organic
flowers and produce,
hemmed in by lovely
steep oak and manzanita
woodland. The farm’s
Red Barn Store is a
historic dairy barn filled
with handmade wreaths,
herbs and organic
goods reaped from the
surrounding fields. Try
the heirloom tomatoes,
pumpkins and blue
plums.
Just farther north on
Sonoma Hwy, Imagery
Estate (%707-935-
4515, 877-550-4278; http://www.
imagerywinery.com; 14335
Sonoma Hwy; tastings $10-15;
h10am-4:30pm) boasts
bottle labels designed
by local artists; the
art changes with each
vintage and varietal. A
gallery houses the entirecollection of artwork –
over 200 pieces with
interpretations of the
winery’s signature
Parthenon symbol. The
heavy-sweet viognier and
moscato are popular, andTHE BEAR FLAG REPUBLIC
Sonoma has a rich history. In 1846 it was the site of a second American revolution,
this time against Mexico, when General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo deported all
foreigners from California, prompting outraged American frontiersmen to occupy
the Sonoma Presidio and declare independence. They dubbed California the Bear
Flag Republic after the battle flag they’d fashioned.
The republic was short-lived. The Mexican–American War broke out a month
later, and California was annexed by the US. The revolt gave California its flag, which
remains emblazoned with the words ‘California Republic’ beneath a muscular
brown bear. Vallejo was initially imprisoned, but ultimately returned to Sonoma and
played a major role in the region’s development.WALTER BIBIKOW/JAI / CORBIS ©NORTHERN.CALIFORNIA6
(^) SONOMA VALLEY