There’s a reason that Sebastopol’s Barlow has been one of the biggest scenes to be seen lately — and I’m calling it choose-your-own-adventure dining. Taprooms and tasting rooms are pairing up with nearby eateries to offer al fresco dining wherever you choose. So, say you’re up for sushi with your Seismic? Yup. Golden State Cider with a slice? Yes, please. But what I’m feeling extra excited about is Fernbar’s pairing with Region, a new wine tasting room with — breathe — self-serve machines that feature 50 unique wines from 14 appellations. Choose from $1 to $4 single ounce “tastes” to larger pours or full bottles. It’s like a classy vending machine for top-shelf wines. Sit at their outdoor patio and have Fernbar’s Chicken Liver Mousse, Smash burger, fried chicken sando or my fave — the umami bomb with veggies, sticky rice and roasted mushrooms.

Region wine bar gives visitors broad sipping experience in single location… Amid this changing marketplace, some local entrepreneurs recently opened the Region wine bar in Sebastopol’s Barlow outdoor eating, drinking and shopping mecca. Their new venture takes its inspiration more from the accessibility and affordability of area craft brewpubs to try to lure a new generation of wine drinkers.

A new wine bar in Sebastopol is the first of its kind in Sonoma County, pouring 50 small production local wines from self-serve machines. And yes, there’s great food and outdoor seating, too.

Who opens a wine tasting venue during COVID-19 closures and restrictions?…Next weekend, Johan Eide and Kerry Thedorf will, and their venue, Region, should arrive with some excitement. It will offer wines from two dozen high-end, low-production wineries, most located in Sonoma, for tasting and purchase, with guests serving themselves from high-tech dispensing machines. Food from nearby restaurants, special events, music, winemaker dinners … it may all be found at their space, Region, at the busy Barlow center in Sebastopol.

From boutique operations to major conglomerates, wine and spirits producers are raising big bucks for coronavirus victims, through donations, Cabernet hand sanitizer, even golf-putting contests—with help from some famous friends…