Nearby, more change is coming. Barney Aldridge, a local developer, is working to transform a 12.5-acre former apple-processing plant and farmers’ cooperative called the Barlow. Some of the site’s converted warehouses are already home to an eclectic array of businesses including the headquarters of the yerba mate company Guayaki; a glass blowing studio; a bronze foundry; and the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, which hosts art exhibitions, classes, concerts and an annual documentary film festival.

In the coming year, Mr. Aldridge plans to bring 30 additional businesses to the Barlow, including two wineries, a brewery, two bakeries, a coffee roaster and a pizzeria. “Basically, this will be a fully sustainable village of people making things,” he said. “People were always making and producing food and art here.”

Aside from riding Levi’s Gran Fondo, one of the main reasons to visit California a month ago was to visit one of my best friends who is opening a brewery in Sebastopol. The brewery, in fact, that’s mentioned in this New York Times article from Sunday about Sebastopol. A big hat tip to Seth and his venture.

This is a great piece of writing.