Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

4.9 (2042)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

3535 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

After 11 years we announce the closure of our beloved restaurant on August 24th. Over the years, we have been honored to serve you exquisite dishes paired with carefully selected wines, creating a community that felt like family. Your shared experiences have made our Bistro a special place for dining. Our dedicated staff remains committed to providing the highest level of service and culinary excellence until our very last day.
We invite you to join us for the remaining days, to savor your favorite dishes and toast to the beautiful moments we’ve shared.
August 24th will be the last day of our Restaurant.
Please make reservations as tables are filling up

Thank you for being a part of our journey
Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro

We are located just 6 minutes from Coddingtown Mall and 10 minutes from Downtown Santa Rosa surrounded by beautiful vineyards with an onsite garden for fresh, farm-to-table vegetables and herbs.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Bar Sun 4:45 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(707) 546-6462
Website
http://www.walterhanselbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Saul Barragan

Location
3535 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Neighborhood
Santa Rosa
Cross street
Willowside
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Bread & Butter$4.00
Cheese Board$28.00
Delice de Bourgogne, Petite Basque, Humboldt Fog, Fig & Orange Spread, Marcona Almonds, Honey, Crostini
- Three Cheeses$28.00
- Single Cheese$16.00
- Prosciutto di Parma$6.00
Beef Tartare$21.00
Whole Grain Mustard Mayo, Cornichons, Scallions, Capers, Quail Egg Yolk, Fleur de Sel, Crostini
Escargot a la Bourguignonne$18.00
Garlic-Herb Butter, Pernod
- Side of Bread$2.00
Grilled Dry Creek Peaches$22.00
Burrata di Stefano, Balsamic Glaze, Agave Nectar, Basil Oil, Fresh Basil
- Add Prosciutto di Parma$3.00
- Add Crostini$2.00
Royal Sweet Scallops$24.00
Pan Seared Scallops, Charred Vegetable Succotash, Micro Arugula, Passion Fruit Coulis
Taco of the Week$0.00
3 each, Yellow Corn Tortillas, House Made Salsa, Micro Cilantro
- M.P.$0.00

Soup ~ Salad

Soup of the Day$14.00
Chef's Seasonal Creation
Garden Heirloom Tomato$16.00
Balsamic Glace, Basil Oil, E.V.O.O, Micro Cilantro, Fleur de Sel, Red Onions, Warm Garlic Toast
- Add Burrata Cheese$7.00
Caesar Salad$15.00
Hearts of Romaine, House Made Garlic Croutons, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Tender Bocarones, House Made Caesar Dressing
Green Goddess Little Gem Wedge Salad$18.00
Garden Cherry Tomato, Charred Corn, Queso Fresco, Herb & Creamy Avocado Dressing

Entrees

Grilled Steak Au Poivre - Choice of Ribeye or Beef Tenderloin$49.00
C.A.B. Beef Marinated in Garlic and Herbs, Garden Grilled Zucchini, Brandy Green Peppercorn Sauce
Roasted Bone in Pork Chop$44.00
Pasture Raised Mountain View Pork, Charred Vegetable Succotash, Kale, Pickled Beets & Gravenstein Apple Salad, Apple Cider Reduction
Akaushi Beef Hamburger$22.00
Compressed Onion & Cucumbers, Tomato, Lettuce, Local White Pepper Jack Cheese, French Fries
Chicken Cordon Bleu$36.00
Free Range Chicken Stuffed with Prosciutto di Parma, Gruyere Cheese and Breaded in Panko, Garlic French Green Beans, Marble Potato, Savory Dijon Cream Sauce
Wild Alaskan Halibut$47.00
Potato Gratin, Spinach, Micro Arugula, Chimichurri Coulis, Classic Butter Sauce
Wild Mushroom Pasta$30.00
Fresh Tomato Fettuccine, Seasonal Wild Mushrooms, Charred Zucchini, Pea Shoots, Queso Fresco, Cream of Corn Sauce

Sides

Sides$9.00
French Fries, Potato Gratin, Sautéed Spinach , Charred Garden Zucchini, Garlic Green Beans

Desserts

Gravenstein Apple Crumble$13.00
Pecan Sable Crumbs, Tahitian Vanilla Gelato
Coconut Milk Panna Cotta$13.00
Dry Creek Peaches, Toasted Almonds, Raspberry Puree
Profiteroles$13.00
Pistachio Gelato, Valrhona Chocolate Sauce
Fiorello's Artisan Sorbet or Gelato$10.00
(pick two flavors) Apricot Chardonay, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Strawberry Gelato, Pistachio Gelato, Tahitian Vanilla Gelato

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Walter Hansel Wine Bistro.

4.9

(2042)

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

2,000 Reviews

s
scott Gold
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful experience as always and as tonight (8/24) is the last night they are open, the staff and chef will be missed.
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P
Pamela
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love this restaurant and are very sad to see it closing within a few days. One of our favorites and will be missed.
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L
Luis
San Francisco4 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It's always a pleasure to eat at Walter Hansel Wine Bistro. Food is excellent as usual, no matter what you order. he service is very friendly and professional. It makes me sad that this place is closing for good.
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R
Richard E
New Jersey4 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food, service and estate wine. Memorable meal and experience. We live in NJ and each time we visit Sonoma County we make it a point to make a reservation. Unfortunately the restaurant is closing for good so our experience was bittersweet as we really will miss this gem of a one of a kind experience but mostly we feel for the staff who although provided top notch service and attentiveness are obviously sad and concerned about their loss.
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L
Linda Gold
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love this restaurant for its amazing food and fantastic service. Pork chops and sides are perfectly paired and the chicken cordon bleu amazing. I will miss this place!!
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D
David
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on August 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
hansell is about to close...a huge loss....sorry to see them go...sign of the times....sad...
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H
Heather Gold
San Francisco28 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We sat outta d I was very comfortable. The service and food was fantastic, we are so sad to see them close but glad we got to say Thank you and best wishes on their next adventure.
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D
Donna Gold
San Francisco63 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food Sad that the rack of lamb was not on the special menu. We both had Chicken Cordon Bleu and it was delicious. Both of are desserts were great. Nice bottle of wine was enjoyable, .We’re saddened to hear that this Sonoma County treasure will be closing at the end of this month. Please stay open through the next few months until the new year 🤗
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J
James Gold
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Exceptional example of the bygone Roadhouse Diners that were a part of the early California motoring landscape. Absolutely tragic that they announced closure to be effective August 24th.
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M
Matthew
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another wonderful dining experience! It’s a fantastic restaurant and I always feel special when I dine there.
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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Bar Sun 4:45 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(707) 546-6462
Website
http://www.walterhanselbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Saul Barragan

Location
3535 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Neighborhood
Santa Rosa
Cross street
Willowside
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Walter Hansel Wine Bistro

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

HAPPY HOUR OFFERINGS

Soup of the Day$8.00

Tacos of Week$10.00

Salted Marcona Almonds$5.00

Peaches & Burrata$10.00

Cheese Plate$9.00

Regular Fries$7.00

Garlic Fries$8.00

HAPPY HOUR WINES

Walter Hansel Pinot$10.00

Walter Hansel Chardonnay$10.00

Walter Hansel Rose Pinot Noir$7.00

Walter Hansel Sauvignon Blanc$8.00

Bisol Rose Prosecco$7.00

Appetizers

Bread & Butter$4.00

Cheese Board$28.00

Beef Tartare$21.00

Escargot a la Bourguignonne$18.00

Grilled Dry Creek Peaches$22.00

Royal Sweet Scallops$24.00

Taco of the Week$0.00

Soup ~ Salad

Soup of the Day$14.00

Garden Heirloom Tomato$16.00

Caesar Salad$15.00

Green Goddess Little Gem Wedge Salad$18.00

Entrees

Grilled Steak Au Poivre - Choice of Ribeye or Beef Tenderloin$49.00

Roasted Bone in Pork Chop$44.00

Akaushi Beef Hamburger$22.00

Chicken Cordon Bleu$36.00

Wild Alaskan Halibut$47.00

Wild Mushroom Pasta$30.00

Sides

Sides$9.00

Desserts

Gravenstein Apple Crumble$13.00

Coconut Milk Panna Cotta$13.00

Profiteroles$13.00

Fiorello's Artisan Sorbet or Gelato$10.00

Dining areas

Additional information

Permanently Closed