Farmhouse Inn has launched customized excursions that allow guests to experience the best local flavors of the beautiful Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Personal service is a signature standout to the Forestville, California family-owned inn, as six personal concierges are available to organize a customized itinerary for each guest.
Ensuring that every visitor feels as a personal guest of the Bartolomei family who own the property, the new “Farmhouse Expeditions” experiences allow guests to experience the best local summer flavors of Sonoma County with hand-on activities.
The new “Farmhouse Expeditions” experiences include:
· Orchard to Jam: Guests pick their herbs of choice at Farmhouse Inn’s gardens followed by a tour of Dry Creek Peach & Produce while sipping on white peach Bellinis and peach tasting along the way. Then guests head to Relish Culinary center for chef-led instruction on making peach-basil jam followed by a fresh farm lunch incorporating fresh peaches and wine.
· Butchering 101: Butcher a pig with Duskie Estes and John Stewart of Zazu Kitchen + Farm: Guests learn about the farm where the pigs are raised, their diets and the right way of butchering. The class finishes with hands-on roast tying and guests can go home with a cut of pork.
· Summer Foraging Tour: Guests explore the Russian River Valley’s farms and learn about all the locally-sourced ingredients in wine country. The tour begins with a guided tour of Farmhouse Inn’s gardens with expert gardener Jana Mariposa, who will walk guests through beds of edible flowers and herbs. Guests then join farmer Adam to harvest seasonal vegetables at a local farm. The tour culminates with a garden-inspired picnic lunch on the guest’s private deck.
· Egg Collecting: Guests meet with Breakfast Chef Trevor to tour Farmhouse Inn’s chicken coops and collect fresh farm eggs before a complimentary three-course breakfast.
At the Farmhouse Inn, there are a wide variety of additional activities and events. On Thursdays, for example, the Inn hosts a Wine Hour hosted by Farmhouse owners Joe and Catherine Bartolomei. The Wine Hour features an acclaimed local winemaker who pours his or her wines for guests to enjoy.
Farmhouse Inn is known for its spacious and elegant accommodations. Guest rooms and suites are located in an historic Cottage, a converted spacious barn and in the Main House. Awarded four diamonds by AAA, Farmhouse Inn’s wine country accommodations feature feather beds, sumptuous linens, plush robes and hand crafted amenities.
The Inn is owned and managed by lodging industry trendsetters, Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, a brother/sister team who are fifth generation farmers, winery and vineyard owners and wine country residents.
The Spa at Farmhouse is a partnership between Farmhouse and Francis & Alexander. Peggy Francis and Loma Alexander (Francis & Alexander) have consulted, operated, and helped design some of the world’s most prestigious spas including The Spa at Auberge du Soleil, Solage in Calistoga, 29 Spa at the Mansion on Peachtree and The Spa at Palmetto Bluff. Exclusive treatments utilizing produce harvested on site are the cornerstones of the Spa at Farmhouse Inn.
The farm-to-table menu was conceived as a natural extension to the Sonoma farm-inspired experience that defines the Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant. Spring Forest Honey and heirloom cider apples from our own home Ranch along with herbs grown in Farmhouse’s kitchen garden are incorporated into the farm to treatment menu of spa services.
The restaurant at Farmhouse Inn , a Michelin-starred restaurant since 2007, has historically played the cornerstone role at the property. Under the guise of Michelin starred Chef Steve Litke, the food is sourced from the Bartolomei ranch or local artisan farmers and the menu is ever-changing and relies on what is fresh and of the moment in Sonoma County. The wine program offers guests the opportunity to taste and experience the finest wines of the Sonoma and Napa wine country.
The Farmhouse Restaurant opens for dinner at 5:30 Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday & Wednesdays). Reservations are required. Click here for more information on reservations and policies.
Farmhouse Inn, rated the third best hotel in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure, is located in the hub of the Russian River Valley approximately 90 minutes north of San Francisco. There are 107 Russian River Wineries located within 15 miles of the Farmhouse Inn.
Call (800) 464-6642 to plan your visit or visit the Farmhouse Inn website.
Images Courtesy of Farmhouse Inn
