One Part Adobe, Two Parts Modern: Valley Bar + Bottle in Sonoma, California

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“We wanted Valley to feel like the type of wine bar you stumble upon in New York or Paris,” says Lauren Feldman, who started Valley Bar + Bottle in Sonoma, California in July of 2020 with friends Tanner Walle, Emma Lipp, and Stephanie Reagor. The team is made up of two couples: Lauren and Tanner, and Emma and Stephanie, who all met previously at Scribe Winery in Sonoma, where Emma Lipp was culinary director. They found a rare location in the historic Sonoma plaza in the Lesse-Fitch Adobe, constructed by Jacob P. Leese, the son-in-law of General Vallejo, in the 1830s. Made of local redwood, fieldstone, and sand clay dug from a pit in the plaza, the adobe has previously been a home, school, hotel, saloon, and many restaurants throughout the years. “It’s rumored that the original Bear Flag of California is buried in the adobe walls,” says Lauren.

Working with designers Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer of the Sonoma-based firm Hommeboys, the foursome stripped the building back to its bones, doing most of the physical construction and labor themselves. The resulting design is one part historic adobe, two parts modern: “We wanted earthiness and warmth with some levity to keep it interesting,” they say. With classic colors in unexpected pairings (mauve with red or pink walls, for example), hand-painted details, and layers upon layers of ceramics, Valley represents the new wave of food and culture in Sonoma.

the handwriting through valley was inspired by a drawing created by oakland bas 17 — Above: The handwriting through Valley was inspired by a drawing created by Oakland-based artist David Wilson and refitted as text by graphic designer Simon Renggli. The sign and address was hand-painted by Leah Tumerman of Two Top. The green paint on the exterior trim is Kensington Green 710 by Benjamin Moore. Photograph by Annamae Photo courtesy of Valley.

wooden peg rails are painted the same color as the wall: sulking room pink no. 18 — Above: Wooden peg rails are painted the same color as the wall: Sulking Room Pink No. 295 by Farrow & Ball. The wainscoting was done custom by the Hommeboys. Photograph by Conor Hagen courtesy of Valley.

“the culinary and farming traditions of sonoma are our foundation” 19 — Above: “The culinary and farming traditions of Sonoma are our foundation” says Lauren. Shown here are local flowers that get spread throughout the restaurant in various handmade ceramic vases. Photograph by Annamae Photo courtesy of Valley.

Tableware at Valley is sourced from various ceramic artists (“we are ceramics-obsessed” says Lauren): Sandwich Shop bowls and dishes, created custom for Valley; orange plates from ANK Ceramics; pink plates from HAY; and more from Luvhaus, Sarah Kersten Studio, MAP Ceramics, Ginny Sims, Silt Clay, and Heath Ceramics, as well as vintage ceramics. They have vases by Hiroko Ishida, Morgan Peck, Mondays, Jessica Hans, ANI Ceramics, and Freundeskreis.

fixtures and doors in the private event space, called upvalley, were already in 20 — Above: Fixtures and doors in the private event space, called Upvalley, were already in place, though not original to the building. Photograph by Evil Twin California courtesy of Valley.

the walls and ceilings came decoratively painted with mission inspired designs. 21 — Above: The walls and ceilings came decoratively painted with Mission-inspired designs. Working with local painter Tony Thom, they retained some details while stripping it back in order to expose the adobe beneath. The fireplace was the first fireplace in all of Sonoma, built by Civil War General Joseph Hooker, who once lived in the adobe. The tables are custom made by the Hommeboys, and the chairs are vintage Michael Thonet Armchairs with Ram Inlay. Photograph by Evil Twin California courtesy of Valley.

the barstools are michael thonet backless era bar stools in black and the penda 22 — Above: The barstools are Michael Thonet Backless Era Bar Stools in Black and the pendant lights are the Grain Pendant from Ravenhill Studio. Photograph by Emma K. Morris courtesy of Valley.

The floor is original concrete that was both painted and uncovered when the team took over the space. They decided to polish the whole floor down 1/16 of an inch to even it out, which revealed the terrazzo-like aggregate beneath. The bar and shelving was designed entirely by the Hommeboys, with wood paneling stained black. There’s a countertop in Topus Concrete 4023 Caesarstone on the guest side and a handmade butcher block on the service side.

wine at valley is organic, biodynamic, and/or made with regenerative and tradit 23 — Above: Wine at Valley is organic, biodynamic, and/or made with regenerative and traditional agricultural practices mostly of European origin. The Valley Wine Club is a monthly (local pick-up only) or quarterly (shipping or pick-up) wine club service available. Photograph by Emma K. Morris courtesy of Valley.

having opened in mid summer \20\20, the back patio served as the primary dining 24 — Above: Having opened in mid-summer 2020, the back patio served as the primary dining area for some time; it now continues to function and “continues to be this sort of secret garden for those who don’t know it’s there,” they say. Photograph by Emma K. Morris courtesy of Valley.

all sonoma residents, the team from left to right: tanner walle, lauren feldman 25 — Above: All Sonoma residents, the team from left to right: Tanner Walle, Lauren Feldman, Emma Lipp, and Stephanie Reagor. Photograph by Evil Twin California courtesy of Valley.

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