BeautifulPlaces, a California wine country provider of short-term accommodations and culinary experiences, offers a variety of seasonal activities designed for food and wine lovers. Chef Max Porter-Elliott of Vine Dining leads immersive farm-to-table excursions that highlight the region’s best producers and culminate in a memorable gourmet meal prepared from the day’s discoveries.
Guests join Chef Porter-Elliott on visits to local artisans and farms, sampling and sourcing ingredients directly from the producers. Typical stops include Gipson’s Golden for honey, Littorai winery for estate-grown wines, Della Fattoria for handcrafted breads, and Green String Farm for freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. These visits provide both education and inspiration for the meal that follows.
After the sourcing tour, participants have options for how to enjoy their harvest. You can prepare the meal yourselves using recipes and a step-by-step virtual cooking guide developed by Chef Porter-Elliott, or you can opt to have a full, chef-prepared meal delivered and presented at your lodging. Both options emphasize seasonal ingredients and the regional flavors of California wine country.
Accommodations are curated to match the wine country experience and include a selection of private homes and estates. Options range from intimate cottages to larger properties such as the private, 80-acre DragonsLeaf wine estate. Pricing for the farm-to-table experiences varies according to the chosen lodging, length of stay, menu selections, and the specifics of the itinerary.
These culinary excursions are suitable for couples, small groups, and anyone seeking a hands-on, informative food-and-wine adventure that showcases local producers and classic California ingredients.
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Cuisine: Chef Josh Thomsen, The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, Berkeley, Calif.