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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 M5DQ06+UjZxyvsObFfqqi9ivZa6qIVFq9e/5JcwBejgAGgNJqyejuUfZD0SQ9IZ/
 J2CwGaT0IG0O707h9ATMjA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001109355-04-000070.txt : 20040913
<SEC-HEADER>0001109355-04-000070.hdr.sgml : 20040913
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040913150340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001109355-04-000070
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040913
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040913

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000102588
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LESSORS OF REAL PROPERTY, NEC [6519]
		IRS NUMBER:				941069729
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1448 INDUSTRIAL AVE
		CITY:			SEBASTOPOL
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95472-4848
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7078242548

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2064 HIGHWAY 116 NORTH
		CITY:			SEBASTOPOL
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95472

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VACU DRY CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAPLETON CRAIG R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001207106

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01912
		FILM NUMBER:		041027384

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		440 NORTH FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			CHAMBERSBURG
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-622-1382

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		135 E. PUTNAM AVE
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06870
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>stapletonf4-0904_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000102588</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SWHI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001207106</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STAPLETON CRAIG R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>135 E. PUTNAM AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25550</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>368830</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Of the 368,830 shares listed, the reporting person disclaims ownership of 26, 693 shares which are owned by the reporting
person's wife, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such
securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Roger S. Mertz, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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