The ultimate trip to Sonoma. A visit to the original WIlliams Sonoma, handmade pasta from Flour+Water, and wine at Silver Oaks Winery.
I love my job more than anything, but working from home can sometimes get a little isolating. So when opportunities like this come my way, I’m all in! Last month, I spent an amazing few days with Williams Sonoma, Fortessa, The Fairmont, and a group of lovely bloggers in Sonoma. We were wined and dined and wined some more… Here’s just a quick recap!
I’m a sucker for kitchen gear so it was fun to visit the original Williams Sonoma store. It just reopened this year – many of the charming details were replicated from the store that Chuck Williams first opened in 1956. If you’re in Sonoma, check it out. We were also treated to a pasta-making class:
Isn’t it fun to watch other people cook? Chef Thomas McNaughton of San Francisco’s Flour + Water Restaurant made handmade pasta for us. I’ve eaten a lot of pasta in my life, so this is a big statement: his pasta was the… best… ever. (It was even tastier on this beautiful dinnerware!). Check out his book, it’s a stunner. He also made a darn good kale & roasted squash salad too. I wish I had gotten the recipe:
I wanted one of everything from these gorgeous wall displays:
After lunch, we took a tour of Silver Oaks Winery – I especially loved their vegetable garden. I had major meyer lemon tree envy, and their kohlrabi was especially beautiful:
Our group! (bloggers from: What’s Gaby Cooking, Waiting on Martha, Sugar and Charm, The House That Lars Built, Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, Snippet and Ink, Coco + Kelley, Green Wedding Shoes, Intimate Weddings, Wedding Chicks)
The trip ended with a beautiful dinner at the Fairmont. Below Chef David Blum plates up chocolate soufflés for dessert.
Thanks to Fortessa, Williams Sonoma & The Fairmont for a lovely trip! This post was created in partnership, and is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fortessa. The opinions and text are all mine. (Some photos by Mark Poss).
I agree with you, one of each please for me as well. I just heard about Chuck Williams the other day…rest in peace.
I know! so sad…
This looks like a blast! I’m going to have to find an excuse to visit their original store now.
Love this. Thanks for sharing. Links aren’t working from my phone for the other blogs. Is it just me?
What an amazing experience! Sonoma is one of my favorite places in the world and Flour + Water makes the best pasta.
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Your photos are so beautiful! I love looking through your blog, it’s so inspiring 🙂 Also, those kitchen tool wall displays were making me crazy–I’m such a sucker for vintage kitchen gadgets. I mean, look at that mandolin!!
Sounds like a trip that I should plan in the near future. BTW…my kids were sent two of the cookbooks that you suggested for my Christmas present. Can’t wait!
oh, so glad! Hope they like them!
What a fun trip Jeanine. My kids grandparents lived near the Sonoma area – always a favorite spot!
We saw Scott and Nana in Charlotte and I introduced my daughter to your site. Can hardly wait for your book to come out!
aw, thanks Kathy! Hope to see you soon 🙂
Wow! Now I know what I would do if I won the lottery – organize this trip! Looks like you all had an amazing time and the pictures are gorgeous!
Ok, this sounds like an absolute dream. Spending a day with the Williams Sonoma crew, drinking wine and looking at beautiful kitchenware…. Gosh, that basically sounds like my version of paradise.
What a fun trip! I love love love WS and this trip seems like a dream (those kitchens are SO good!)