American men’s magazine Esquire published its 15th annual “best bars in America” list this week, highlighting “places that managed to remain intrinsic to the fabric of drinking culture in America” during the pandemic. Among the 27 bars featured on this year’s list is Sonoma’s new Valley Bar + Bottle, a wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop that opened in the former Harvest Moon Cafe location in July 2020.
Founded by four friends (two couples) who previously worked together at Scribe Winery in Sonoma, Valley’s wine list focuses on natural wines, which can be paired with small bites and a selection of entrees, made from local produce and prepared by chef Emma Lipp, formerly the Culinary Director at Scribe, and chef Stephanie Reagor.
“We wanted it to feel inviting and open but also European and kind of cozy,” said Lauren Feldman, co-founder of Valley. “We didn’t change anything architecturally; we just wanted to make it feel humble and clean and as original as we could.”
The Valley wine list offers an opportunity to explore wines and grape varieties from other parts of the world. Apart from a few bottles from Sonoma Valley producers like Gail Wines, Source & Sink and Scriber Winery (of course), most of the lineup hails from Europe — France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and other European countries.
Valley Bar + Bottle, 487 1st St W, Sonoma, 707-934-8403, valleybarandbottle.com.