No more eyeing that bowl of assorted discount candy reserved for trick-or-treaters. It’s high time to indulge in next-level treats only adults can fully appreciate — and we found just the ones for your Halloween cravings.
Read on below to find the best chocolate treats in Sonoma County, with sweet-toothed grown-ups in mind. Scroll through the gallery above for a sneak peek at all the chocolaty goodness.
Fleur Sauvage Chocolates
The chocolate bars and bonbons are edible works of art, almost too pretty to eat — but it won’t stop you. And for pickup only: a life-size dark chocolate wine bottle ($50). Up the adult factor with Fleur Sauvage’s chocolate and wine pairings, available at La Crema Estate, Baldassari Wines, WALT Wines, BACA Wines, Breathless Wines and Michel-Schlumberger Estate. There’s also Halloween-themed bonbons and chocolate sculptures on display at the shop.
70 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-892-2162, fleursauvagechocolates.com
Sonoma Chocolatiers & Tea House
Organic, local ingredients go into these handmade cocoa delights. Find boxed chocolates with over 150 flavors of truffles and caramels. Plus, nutty toffee, chocolate bars, almond clusters and Zinfandel peanut brittle for next-level, adult-approved treats. You can also reserve a special tasting with the chocolatier ($20 per person; minimum of four people).
6988 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com
Eye Candy Chocolatier
Beautifully crafted truffles and caramels are the main attraction at Eye Candy, which has a self-serve kiosk outside the shop for cocoa on the go, plus other chocolatey treats. A variety of adult-level truffle flavors include absinthe, amaretto, orange Tuaca, banana rum, Kona latte, vanilla brandy, Pastis anise, Jamaica rum and orange Grand Marnier. Also, find chocolate dipped fruit, chocolate-covered Oreos and European hot cocoa.
6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-888-0568, eyecandychocolatier.com
Volo Chocolate
Award-winning artisan chocolate using sustainably sourced cacao beans. Volo chocolate bars range from 62% – 73% dark chocolate (real chocolate-loving adults shouldn’t go any lower). The bars include such flavors as mocha, candied orange peel, Meyer lemon and olive oil, toasted hazelnuts and dried figs, and “MexiCali” with dried chiles and cherries. Also, find chocolate salted caramels and chocolate covered pretzels.
707-536-6764, volochocolate.com
Wine Country Chocolates
Find truffles and other chocolates made with local fruit and wines (like Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port). Fan favorites include Cappuccino-Tiramisu, Fresh Orange and Dulce de Leche. Other fun flavors to try include Crème Brûlée, Kahlua Irish Creme, Lemon Tart and Malted Milk. Also find other intriguing treats like sour cherry bark, chocolate dipped figs and sesame ginger chocolate bars.
14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 2, Glen Ellen, 707-996-1010, winecountrychocolates.com
Spend Halloween at local wineries and beer gardens
Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition
Charbay Distillery and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley will host the seventh annual Wizards of Elixirs Cocktail Competition from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for general admission on Oct. 28 at Brewsters Beer Garden in Petaluma. A mix of Wine Country’s top bartenders will compete to craft the best original cocktail made with Charbay Blood Orange Mandarin Vodka and a Perfect Purée flavor of choice. Among the competing teams are bartenders from Lo & Behold, The Matheson, Little Saint, Brewsters Beer Garden, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, Waterhawk Lake Club and more. Attendees can sample handcrafted cocktails, and food will be available for purchase. The event is a benefit for local nonprofits Una Vida and Petaluma Active 20-30. Must be 21 or over to attend. Presale tickets are $40, tickets at the door are $45, and VIP admission is $65. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Brewsters Beer Garden, 229 Water St., Petaluma, wizardsofelixirs.com
Halloween Tour and Tasting at Jordan Winery
Jordan Vineyard & Winery will host its annual Halloween soirée — which will honor the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby with jazz music and lavish 1920s decor — at 1 p.m. from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 at its chateau in Healdsburg. The event will include a welcome glass of Jordan Cuvée paired with Jordan Chef’s Reserve Caviar, followed by a walking winery tour and a seated food and wine pairing, prepared by executive chef Jesse Mallgren. The Halloween tour and tasting menu includes spiced ham deviled eggs, fried chicken sandwich and a lemon icebox cake, all paired with estate wines. Tickets are $95, with special pricing for wine club members. Purchase tickets online.
1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Halloweird at El Infierno, Oct. 30
Wine Country event producer and and promoter Jake Ward will present his annual, 21-and-over-only Halloweird event — a North Bay Cabaret Halloween variety show — from 6 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 30, at El Infierno Cantina in Santa Rosa. The show will include comedy, burlesque and drag performances, pole dancers, circus stunts, slam poetry, crowd games and other interactive elements. There will also be a costume contest, live art demos, tarot card readings, a photo booth, food menu and two full bars. Doors open at 6 p.m., the variety show starts at 7 p.m., Oakland band Van Goat performs at 9 p.m. and a post-show DJ dance party starts at 10 p.m. and lasts through midnight. Costumes encouraged. Tickets range from $25-$200. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
El Infierno Cantina, 120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, 707-494-6855, northbayevents.com
Halloween Candy and Wine Pairing at Dutton Estate
Dutton Estate Winery is currently hosting a wine and Halloween candy pairing daily through Oct. 31. The experience includes sips of five wines accompanied with an assortment of Halloween goodies. $45 per guest. Reserve on CellarPass.
8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-9463, duttonestate.com
Halloween Happy Hour at Notre Vue Estate
Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards will host a Halloween happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m., Oct. 31, on its hilltop terrace. The event will include a complimentary glass of wine and two slices of pizza, plus 10% off all bottle purchases throughout the night. $10 per person. Reserve on CellarPass.
11010 Estate Lane, Windsor, 707-433-4050, notrevueestate.com
Slay O’Ween at Bloom Carneros, Oct. 31
Bloom Carneros will host a 1980s-themed Halloween dance party from 7-10 p.m., Oct. 31, at the Sonoma restaurant. The 21-and-over event will include costume contests, DJ HurryKane spinning ’80s dance music and drag performances by San Francisco performer Lydia Darling. Proceeds benefit Wake up Sonoma. Tickets are $30 and available on Eventbrite.
Bloom Carneros, 22910 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-412-0438, bloomcarneros.com
Ready to upgrade your Halloween sugar rush? Treat yourself to Sonoma County’s sweetest indulgences — no costume required. Explore, taste, and celebrate the grown-up side of Halloween this season.
