Give us this day our daily carbs. At its simplest, bread is just flour, yeast, and water — but in the right hands, that humble starter becomes something essential: a desert-island must-have (with unsalted butter, please), the backbone of any great sandwich, and what you reach for to mop up every last drop on the plate.
Toast, Quail & Condor
Does a good slice of toast ever really go out of style? Not when it’s a thick slab of sourdough smothered with butter, cinnamon, and sprinkle of tonka bean, a fragrant spice with notes of vanilla and clove. This morning fast-breaker is part of the menu at Melissa and Sean McGaughey’s new retail bakery and café, where bread isn’t just a passion, it’s a lifestyle. 44 Mill St., Unit J, Healdsburg. 707-473-8254, quailandcondor.com
Fresh Focaccia, Pastasciutta
An oil-stained paper bag is the hallmark of focaccia perfection, and Italian baker Sonja Bugica wouldn’t have it any other way. Inside her tightly packed Italian bodega, stacks of fresh focaccia are topped with caramelized onions or tomato sauce, but the rosemary and salt version is the ideal — blistered, airy, and slicked with just enough olive oil to leave its mark. 21023 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville. instagram.com/pastasciutta707
Sunday Scones, Nightingale Breads
Early birds get the scones on Sunday mornings, the one day a week they’re made in the bakery’s wood-fired oven. It’s worth setting your alarm, because most are already spoken for by regulars who know pre-ordering is key for best choice of their sweet and savory flavors. Sleep in and it’s crumb city for you. 6665 Front St., Forestville. 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Baguette, Sarmentine
Santa Rosa’s French expat community bring their appetites for proper patisserie and bread — lucky for us. Alexandra Zandvliet’s pandemic-era startup has grown into three Sonoma county bakeries where crackly-crusted baguettes routinely sell out before noon. You’ll likely tear into one before you hit the freeway, so buy two. 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol. sarmentine.com
Parker House Rolls, Bijou
The aroma of a yeasty Parker House roll should announce itself well before the bread hits the table. The soul of this dinner table staple is its mile-high rise, and at Bijou, they practically levitate, tethered only by tiny flakes of sea salt. It’s a fleeting magic — soft, airy, gone in a breath — that speaks to chef Stéphane Saint Louis’ easy fluency across cuisines. 190 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-753-9155, restaurantbijou.com
Cheese Fougasse, Goguette
Lines form early at this family-run bakery, where proprietor Najine Shariat is often out front in her baker’s cap, greeting customers and handing out samples of the day’s bake. On Wednesdays only, that includes fougasse au fromage, an oblong loaf with Gruyere and herbes de Provence. Three slashes down the center open as it bakes, creating its signature look and a crust that begs to be torn apart and shared. Pre-order to make sure you don’t leave empty-handed. 59 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. goguettebread.com
Chef’s Choice: Pizza at L’Oro di Napoli
Michelle Wood of Jimtown and Then Sum
Most days, Wood has her hands — and steamers — full with her handmade dim sum, but on her days off, she heads for the truest Neapolitan pies around. Each pizza is hand-stretched and bakes in just 90 seconds. That pillowy halo around the edge called the cornicione holds in the restrained toppings: Tomato sauce, cheese, olive oil, basil, but really, the key to this pizza is in the dough. 208 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 707-981-7175; 629 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-541-6394, lorodinapolica.com
A great loaf of bread has a way of bringing people together, whether it's the centerpiece of a meal or a simple treat enjoyed fresh from the bakery. If you're exploring Sonoma County, make time to visit these local bakeries, cafés, and restaurants to taste the craftsmanship behind every slice, roll, and loaf. And if you're thinking about making Wine Country your home, Excellerate Real Estate is here to help you find the perfect place to enjoy all the incredible flavors and community Sonoma County has to offer. Reach out today and let's help you find a home you'll love coming back to—fresh bread optional, but highly recommended.
