SoNapa Grille: The Essence of Sonoma County and Napa Valley

SoNapa Grille represents the essence of both Sonoma County and Napa Valley, arguably two of the greatest wine regions in the United States. The restaurant embodies the California wine country lifestyle with an inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of a winery tasting room. Chef-inspired Northern California cuisine is served in a rustic, yet warm and casual wine-centric atmosphere. SoNapa is more than just a restaurant—it signifies passion, enriched experiences, and simplicity. 

SoNapa founder Adam Barringer is himself quite a colorful and interesting character, a former mayor of New Smyrna Beach who is also an Ironman triathlete. Barringer is a first level sommelier who once taught wine courses that generally covered the major wine regions and styles globally and included topics such as viticulture and tasting. It was then that he developed a passion for Sonoma County and Napa Valley, hence the name SoNapa. 

 Before opening SoNapa, Barringer was managing partner for both Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill and helped open the Bonefish Grill in Jacksonville Beach, many years ago in the same center SoNapa is now located.

Barringer debuted his first SoNapa location in New Smyrna Beach in 2008 with his lifelong friend Chris Botting. When they opened their second location in Ormond Beach in 2021, they took on Joe Bates as a partner, who had also worked for the Outback restaurant chain. It was a partnership created through friendship and a mutual love of wine. Their third location opened in March 2022 in Jacksonville Beach—the location we recently visited.

The chef of the Jacksonville Beach location, Sean Conners, once traveled the world as lead guitar for a rock band. He started at SoNapa as a dishwasher 12 years ago and has now worked his way up to executive chef. One of his standout signature creations is the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with lemon beurre blanc and verjus-pickled grapes (see recipe on page 82). The dish paired beautifully with a Chalk Hill Russian River Valley Chardonnay. 

Another of Conners’s creations is the Short Rib and Portabella Mushroom Ravioli: beef short ribs and mushroom ravioli with truffle cream sauce, parmesan cheese, and garlic toast. Terrific flavors that also paired well with the Chalk Hill Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

SoNapa offers a whole host of appetizers and an array of flatbreads, such as the Central Valley flatbread with figs, prosciutto, goat cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, and balsamic. Also of note is their Thai Coconut Curry Mixed Grill: honey ginger chicken and a 4-ounce filet served over coconut lime rice and topped with cabbage, carrots, edamame, and a Thai coconut curry broth. 

Because wine is central to SoNapa, many of their menu items are infused with wines when fitting.

Happy hour at SoNapa starts at 4:00 from Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday) and offers some menu items for $8. Two private dining rooms can accommodate up to 45 guests.

SoNapa Grille owners Adam Barringer and Joe Bates, joined by marketing director Emily Dunbar, present a mix of wine tasting and rapid-fire business talk through their podcast Grapes & Debates.

SoNapa Grille, 2400 3rd St. S., Unit 101, Jacksonville Beach,  

(904) 595-5650, www.sonapa.com

For scallop recipe and wine pairing…

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Author: Arbus

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