A vacant plaza spot this prime was bound to find a tenant sooner or later: It’s been just over three months since Thumbprint Cellars left its 15-year home at 102 Matheson St. on the southwest corner of the plaza, and now we know who will take its place. The Press Democrat reports that the Cline wine family from Sonoma proper will be opening an olive-oil shop called The Olive Press inside the former Thumbprint tasting room.
The Clines reportedly run three wine brands down in Sonoma — Jacuzzi Family Winery, Cline Family Cellars and Gust Wines — and already have two other Olive Press locations here in wine country. From the PD: “The Olive Press is known for milling its own high quality extra virgin olive oil in the Sonoma Valley using California grown olives. Vintners Fred and Nancy Cline, who offer tastings of their olive oil at their Jacuzzi Family Winery, have Olive Press shops in Sonoma and in Napa’s Oxbow Market.”
When I spoke to second-generation Thumbprint owner Carter Lindstrom-Drake back in February, who chose to move all his operations up to the winery’s idyllic estate up in Geyserville, he said he and his family were happy to be handing off their longtime home on Matheson to another family business with a strong community ethos.
Teresa Hernando, general manager of The Olive Press, tells the PD that “the Cline family was looking for a third shop location when the Cline’s daughter, Hilary Cline, spotted Thumbprint Winery’s tasting room at 102 Matheson Street.” She remembered: “It was just the perfect fit. Thumbprint Winery was there, family owned. We went up there and we met them and we just knew it was right thing to do. And we really want to supply locals with local olive oil.”
More from the PD on what to expect from Healdsburg’s newest plaza shop: “In addition to selling olive oil, Hernando said they will also be offering Gust Wines by the glass. She said they plan on having a soft opening next week but she does not have an official opening date while they await final health inspection approvals.”
The Clines’ olive oils give off big Mediterranean vibes. Here’s an Instagram video explainer from The Olive Press general manager Teresa Hernando on how to taste them properly. Stop by soon for the live version!
Note from Simone: This piece originally appeared in the weekly email newsletter I write for the Healdsburg Tribune, called Healdsburg Today. Subscribe here!
