Published September 22, 2005

Major new Vintage Festival event tonight: “Ladies Night,” a tribute to Grand Marshals Nancy Lasseter and Marcy Smothers, two Sonoma Valley women who have raised piles of money and resources for the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home, which benefits from this luscious evening at Saddles Restaurant at MacArthur Place on Broadway. Ravenswood Winery president Joel Peterson is M.C. Husbands John Lasseter and Tommy Smothers are welcome along with many other men! Dinner includes wild mushroom soup, mixed field greens with Laura Chenel goat cheese, petite filet and tiger prawns, and Ultimate Bailey’s Mousse. Wines donated by Sonoma wineries. Tickets: $125. Call (707) 996-2109 or go to
www.sonomavinfest.org.

Sonoma Valley Regional Park Loop offers a rare three-mile moderate hiking experience, technically within Glen Ellen. The trail can be reached both from Arnold Drive just south of Jack London Village and north of the Sonoma Developmental Center, and from the park’s main entrance with parking lot on Highway 12. Some of the trail is paved, with many “rough-it” spots or tables for picnics.

Lachryma Montis, the Gothic Revival home of General Mariano Vallejo, was built in 1851-1852, and means “Tears of the Mountain” because of the spring visitors can still hear occasionally on the property. There’s a great museum in Vallejo’s former wine and olive storehouse. Vallejo’s daughter, Luisa, married Richard Emparan, was widowed three years later, ran her father’s water company, sold the property to the State of California, and continued as an active community leader until her death in 1943. Third Street West and West Spain Street, up the block-long driveway. Call (707) 938-1519 for more info.

Wine Country Treasure Hunt this Saturday. San Francisco urban sleuther Jayson Wechter designed the clues. Come alone and meet new friends, bring your own team or posse. Clues and riddles around Sonoma’s Plaza lead to a hidden treasure location somewhere around the Plaza, with prizes for most clues solved in shortest time presented at the celebration after the treasure hunt. Sign up 3 p.m. at Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma. Cost: $35 advance, $40 at hunt. Call (707) 938-4626.

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery has unusual murals that honor Mexican immigrants’ importance in the history of the California wine business. Check out the tasting room changes and cave tours, along with scenic hiking trails and picnic sites. 2000 Denmark Street, Sonoma. Call (707) 938-5277 or visit www.gunbun.com.