UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14D-9

SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT UNDER

SECTION 14(d)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. __)

SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Subject Company)

SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.

 (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

Common Stock, $0.0001 Par Value

(Title of Class of Securities)

835637109

(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

Craig R. Stapleton

President/Chief Executive Officer

SonomaWest Holdings, Inc.

2064 Highway 116 North

Sebastopol, CA 95472

United States of America

(707) 824-2534

 (Name, address and telephone number of person

authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of the person(s) filing statement)

x Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.

ITEM 9.                      EXHIBITS

The following exhibit is a preliminary communication by SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. made before the commencement of a tender offer.

Exhibit  Number	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated February 24, 2011