Carte: Holiday open houses, tastings, teas and more

PETALUMA: Holiday open house at McEvoy Ranch

McEvoy Ranch, a 550-acre olive oil and wine ranch west of Petaluma, will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 6, featuring self-guided olive orchard walks, a taste of the 2015 Olio Nuovo, apple cider and live bluegrass music by Mitch Polzak and The Royal Deuces.

Guests are asked to register for one of the three time slots: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. Fee is $5, free for kids 12 and under. A wine flight paired with small bites is an additional $15. To register, go to mcevoyranch.com.

The retail room will be open for holiday shopping, with items ranging from estate wines and olive oils to specialty foods and the 80 Acres olive oil-based body care line. A nonperishable food donation for a local food bank is encouraged.

McEvoy Ranch is open also open by appointment for wine and olive oil tastings. 769-4138 or visit@mcevoyranch.com. 5935 Red Hill Road.

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HEALDSBURG: Dine with Santa at Costeaux

Costeaux Bakery in Healdsburg will host a Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays Dec. 6, 13 and 20 in its festive, decorated cafe.

On Dec. 24, the bakery will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will offer Sicilian cannoli, pastry shells filled with ricotta, candied fruit and chocolate. Advance orders are required, and the cost is $25 for six.

The bakery also is taking orders for breads, pastries and holiday cakes such as a Buche de Noel, French Tuxedo Cake and Coconut Cake. Quiche, coffee wreaths and cinnamon walnut bread for Christmas morning brunch are also available.

To order, call 433-1913 or stop by at 417 Healdsburg Ave. costeaux.com.

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SONOMA: Brunch with Santa at Ramekins

Toast Santa with pomegranate mimosas during Ramekins' annual Santa's Brunch for the whole family, with seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the cooking school.

The event includes a buffet brunch with egg dishes, skillet potatoes, cinnamon raisin French toast and a holiday dessert station, plus coffee and hot cocoa. There will be holiday crafts for kids and photos with Santa.

Tickets are $60, $25 kids, free for kids 5 and under. Holiday cocktails and wine will be available for purchase.

To register, go to ramekins.com. 450 West Spain St.

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SONOMA COUNTY: Dining Out for Life

Food for Thought will host the 14th annual Dining Out for Life event on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 80 restaurants and cafes throughout Sonoma County.

Participating restaurants donate 25 to 50 percent of the day's sales to Food for Thought. For a complete list of participating restaurants, go to FFTfoodbank.org.

The event supports the Food for Thought Food Bank, a Forestville-based nonprofit that provides groceries, produce and nutrition services to 700 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses in Sonoma County.

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HEALDSBURG: Dry Creek Kitchen dinner series

Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen has launched a new, monthly Sonoma County Focus dinner and tasting series on Friday nights that features a local wine and winemaker.

The evenings begin with a tasting of hard-to-find wines directly from the winery and conclude with a four-course dinner presented by Executive Chef Andrew Wilson, with pairings provided by the winemaker.

On Friday, Dec. 4, the series will focus on Benovia Winery of Santa Rosa, which produces small lot, artisan pinots, chardonnays and zinfandels from the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast.

The cost is $125, including tasting from 4 to 5 p.m.; $105 for dinner only with paired wines.

To reserve, call 431-0330 or email dck@hotelhealdsburg.com. For a complete menu and future dates and wineries, go to drycreekkitchen.com. 317 Healdsburg Ave.

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SEBASTOPOL: Teddy Bear tea at Muir's

Muir's Tea Room invites children and their parents to bring their favorite stuffed bears for a festive Holiday Tea at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

There will be live entertainment and the traditional foods of an English Tea, including savory finger sandwiches, petits fours, scones and pots of tea.

Cost is $25 per person. To reserve, call 634-6143. Seating is limited. 330 S. Main St. muirstearoom.com.

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SANTA ROSA: Veggie Queen at Tierra

Sonoma County's own 'Veggie Queen,' Jill Nussinow, will give a pressure cooker demonstration and tasting at noon Wednesday at the Tierra Vegetables farmstand.

Nussinow will demonstrate how to cook a whole squash and heirloom beans in the pressure cooker, then will sign copies of her cookbook. RSVP required at the farmstand, 651 Airport Boulevard. 544-6141.

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SONOMA COUNTY: Wineries kick off the holidays

Sonoma County wineries are kicking off the festive, holiday season with all kinds of food and treats, plus Wine Country gifts. Here are a few that may be worth stopping by during your shopping expeditions:

Ten wineries in the Alexander Valley will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday during the annual Alexander Valley Black Friday Open House. $35, $10 designated driver. To reserve: blackfriday2015.eventbrite.com.

West Wines in Healdsburg will hold a Scandinavian Christmas from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday in its tasting room, which will be decorated with Swedish Christmas decorations. Glogg (hot mulled wine) and cookies will be served. Free. 1000 Dry Creek Road.

Korbel Champagne Cellars will hold a Holiday Shopping Spree and Tasting Weekend from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 4 to 6 in the Guerneville tasting room. Christmas Carolers and a Santa Claus sighting will accompany discounts on sparkling wine. 13250 River Road.

Trione Winery will hold a Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Geyserville winery. The whole family, including furry friends, is invited to enjoy an afternoon of food, wine, crafts for kids and a Santa visit. 19550 Geyserville Ave.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.