Chris Connell 2021-09-09 13:43:57
I have been the Culinary Garden and Grounds Manager at Vintners Resort for 5 years. Some of my first memories of vegetable gardens were at my grandparents’ and parents’ homes. This is where my love of food and gardening started. I moved to Sonoma County 25 years ago to attend Sonoma State University After working in some of the area’s farm-to-table restaurants as a server, my love for gardening was rekindled. I attended the Santa Rosa Junior College Sustainable Agriculture program and graduated with a degree in Sustainable Agriculture in 2015. After graduating I started to look for a place to work where I could combine my love of food and gardening. Vintners Resort/ John Ash & Co. was the perfect opportunity to make my dream come true. John Ash & Co. is the birthplace of farm to table cuisine in Sonoma County, and I am honored to carry on the tradition that was started here over 40 years ago. Describe your perfect Fall Day at Vintners Resort. My perfect fall day at Vintners Resort starts with a walk around the property and through the vineyards, marveling at the beauty that surrounds me. After my walk I would enjoy breakfast on the terrace of our River Vine Restaurant and take in the gorgeous views of the Fontana Pavilion and the surrounding flowers beds. I would get a massage at Vi La Vita spa and then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the indoor caldarium, and the outside pool. What is your favorite service offered at Vintners and why? My favorite service offered at Vintners Resort is dining at John Ash & Co. Our restaurant offers outdoor seating that allows guests to enjoy our fabulous fall weather and sunsets. I enjoy knowing that everything on my plate was grown and harvested locally and is at the peak of flavor. Seeing the produce beautifully plated and showcasing all the hard work that my team did is special to me. The team does an amazing job of preparing the dishes and highlighting all the ingredients from the gardens. What are your favorite fall dishes at the resort’s on-site restaurants? My favorite fall dinner at John Ash & Co. would start with local oysters and a bowl of our roasted garden squash soup. The main course that I enjoy most when the weather starts to cool down in fall is the brown sugar and balsamic braised short ribs, served with roasted carrots and estate grown sunchokes. The combination of these flavors reminds me of fall and brings a smile to my face. Explain Vintner’s Green Philosophy and why it’s important to you that the resort prioritizes sustainability. The green philosophy at Vintners Resort is that we want to have as little impact as possible on our environment. Our resort’s green philosophy is one of the main reasons I chose to work here. I’m very proud of the fact that we grow all our fruits, vegetables, and wine grapes sustainably. We have chosen to be good stewards of the land. I’m also happy to say that we have our own wastewater treatment plant, and we irrigate our landscape and vineyards with reclaimed water. For first-time visitors of Sonoma County, what’s your number one piece of advice to give to them? My advice is to make sure you have enough time to enjoy all that Sonoma County has to offer. Plan your trip so you can enjoy the coast, the redwoods, wineries, and restaurants at a slow pace. Sonoma County has a wide variety of things to offer and should not be rushed through. Why is your resort the ideal place to book a wedding? Having your wedding at Vintners Resort is the quintessential wine country wedding. Our venue is surrounded by vineyards and beautifully landscaped grounds. In addition to our venue’s natural beauty, we have a world class spa, hotel, and restaurants on property available to our wedding guests. What better way to relax or prepare for a wedding then enjoying a glass of wine at the spa or while overlooking the vineyards. Another reason is that our farm-to-table philosophy carries through to our weddings and events. Our Banquet Chef, Christopher Bialozynski, also uses produce from our garden and local producers for our wedding menus. What makes Sonoma County such a unique destination for food and drink lovers? Sonoma County is blessed with some of the best growing conditions in the world. The soil and the weather are truly unique here. The climate allows us to grow some of the best ingredients in the world for everything from wine, beer, and food. Having such a beautiful place to live and work is also an inspiration for farmers, chefs, vintners, and it shows in our wines and in our restaurants.
©Travel Trade. View All Articles.