Sarah Stierch

Hi! I'm a freelance journalist and photographer based in Sonoma, California.

I write about (1) wine/beverage; (2) food; and (3) travel & lodging.

I currently contribute to Sonoma Magazine, Sonoma Index-Tribune, Santa Rosa Press-Democrat and NorthBay Biz. I have contributed to Huffington Post, Nuvo Newsweekly, Sonoma Valley Sun, and the Bohemian. I also have a blog, Sarah's Sojourn, where I share fun food and wine-related travel content.

As a photographer, I shoot historic sites, auto racing, and special events. My photography has been published by WAMU, California State Parks, ROAR, Washington Post, Utne Reader, NBA, Motorburn, Red Bull, Nature World News, Buzzfeed, Christian Post, KNPR, Thrillist, Frommers, Lonely Planet, Financial Observer, Hilton, PETA, Joie de Vivre Hotels, the National Park Service, and more.

I have been editing Wikipedia for over ten years. I am the former Wikipedian in Residence at the Smithsonian Institution and Library of Congress and former Susan B. Miller Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. My efforts to encourage more women to edit Wikipedia and cultural institutions to partner with Wikimedia has been featured in Smithsonian, Slate, the Atlantic, East Bay Express, the Daily Dot, The Mary Sue, Tech Republic, Linux Magazine and on KCRW, National Public Radio, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Additionally, I serve on the Advisory Board for Wikimedia DC.

9 Kid-Friendly Halloween Events in Sonoma County

Do you have a wee zombie or baby vampire in your family yearning for Halloween? Good news, you don’t have to wait until October 31 to celebrate all things spooky. We ate a bag of candy corn (ok, maybe two), and lined up this list of the scariest, spookiest, silliest Halloween celebrations for your little monsters.

7 Hot Halloween Events for Adults in Sonoma County

Halloween isn’t just for treat or tricking kids anymore! From cocktail costume parties and cult classic stage shows to cemetery tours, Wine Country residents of drinking age aren’t letting the kids have all the freaky fun. Click through the gallery above to discover the scariest, strangest, and downright craziest Halloween events for grown ups this season.

Coppola Family Launches Spirits Line Named After Historic Women

The Family Coppola announced today that they have secured a craft spirits license and will be launching a spirits line, adding another venture to the wineries, restaurants and hotels already run by the famous filmmaking family. The new brand ofÂ “small-batch, house-crafted, classically styled spirits” will be called Great Women Spirits and will include a gin, vodka and brandy.

8 Luxury Winery Experiences in Sonoma & Napa

There are times when a budget holiday just doesn’t cut it: a honeymoon, an anniversary getaway, a 50th birthday trip – these are all occasions that deserve making a splurge on. And in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country there’s plenty of ways to spend your hard earned dollars. But before you take out your checkbook or credit card, you’ll want to make sure you will get the best bang for your buck; don’t settle for an expensive, but less than extraordinary experience.

Calling All Wine Geeks: The Sims of Winemaking is Here

Ever dreamt of tending to your own vineyards? Waking up early in the morning to prune your favorite varietals as they form into juicy grapes ripe for the picking? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to be a winemaker, crafting fine wine to sell to the rich and famous – or even just your friends and family.

Prost! 7 Oktoberfest Events Not to Miss in Sonoma County

Get your lederhosen out of the closet and iron your dirndl, it’s Oktoberfest-time! Celebrations of German heritage and culture abound in Wine Country, where the riesling wine and dunkel beer flow like the Rhine. Dust off your stein and click through the gallery above to discover seven Oktoberfest events you don’t want to miss in Sonoma County.

Gorgeous Getaways

Whether perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or tucked away amongst mountain top vineyards, there is no shortage of luxury hotel offerings in Napa and Sonoma. For those seeking a more intimate and unique experience, boutique luxury hotel and resorts are plentiful. Often independently owned, boutique hotels and resorts offer unique experiences that differentiate them from their corporate counterparts.

Sonoma Magazine • 1st September 2017

17 Best Dog-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma

One quick browse through most Instagram or Facebook feeds and one thing becomes clear: there are a lot of people who love wine, and dogs (and their kids). Thankfully, if you visit Wine Country, you don’t have to choose between the two (or three). A number of Sonoma wineries are now allowing visitors to pair vino with Fido in ways which both dog-owners and dogs can appreciate: fine wine and artisan bites for “Mommy” and “Daddy,” endless bowls of water, treats and vineyard sprints for the beloved

6 End of Summer Wines to Drink Now

Fall may be around the corner on the calendar, but temperatures aren’t dropping in Wine Country anytime soon. Whether enjoying a barbecue during these warm weather nights or settling into a night of binge watching fall television releases, there is rarely an excuse not to open a delicious bottle of wine.