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Permalink Reply by Machrihanish on November 9, 2007 at 6:38am

I recently had dinner at the Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant, www.farmhouseinn.com, which is in Forestville, CA. Forestville is in the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County. The area is rural. When you arrive at The Farmhouse Inn, you will not find perfectly manicured grounds or grand entrances. The grounds are simple but pleasing, which fit in with the natural surroundings of the Russian River. This seemed to us to be a place where you go to ‘read and write’, to collect your thoughts, to reconnect. The outside of the Farmhouse Inn feels like the name; a farmhouse, simple, rustic, and rural. The restaurant continues that feel except that you immediately sense the sophistication. The décor is meticulous, with well appointed and framed artwork, phrases tastefully painted on the walls, and two rooms with different types of ground level views.

We were told that seatings are spaced in 15 minute increments since that would overwhelm the kitchen. The restaurant was full by the time were enjoying our final course. The service was worthy of the Michelin star they earned. The wine director, Geoff Kruth, was pleasant, accommodating, and instructive. The Foie gras as a starter and the Rabbit as a main course (one of their specialties) were excellent. Geoff perfectly paired our food with interesting wines that we surely would not have chosen on our own. This is a place for trying interesting food with interesting wine. Foodies should try it.

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Permalink Reply by GirlwithaGlass on April 2, 2008 at 4:49pm

I'd love to make some suggestions. A great place that is not a restaurant is the Glen Ellen Village Market. They have an incredible deli and wine shop with seating inside or on picnic tables under the trees. When you leave there, stop by Wine Country Chocolates for dessert. You may also want to try some winemaker dinners for authenticity. What could be more authentic then eating in a cave or barrel room? Tell me more about what you consider authentic and I can make more suggestions. Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Pat on May 15, 2008 at 9:36am

Can you give me names of wineries that serve dinner in a barrel room?

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Permalink Reply by GirlwithaGlass on May 19, 2008 at 10:32am

It's a hard question to answer because so many wineries schedule dinners and events without much notice AND the dinners are usually announced first to members and fill up fast. Other dinners are pretty exclusive, to the trade and for special collectors and enthusiasts.

If you want to organize your own special dinner in a barrel room almost every good size winery will do it. Just call and ask. One thing to consider is whether they have a chef/kitchen on premises; it's kind of interesting that so many wineries hire a chef and catering company to actually prepare and serve the food.

Cline has parties open to the public on their grounds and the barrel room is open with live music, and several food/wine tasting tables. These parties have hundreds of people but are a lot of fun still because the grounds and barrel room are huge. Cline occasionally serves dinner in a grand banquet train car that is amazing. (I think it's way cooler then a barrel room.) Ledson is a castle and has awesome opportunities for special areas for dinner as does Jacuzzi.

Some wineries have luxurious, piece-of-art tables in their cave but rarely are tix available to the general public. Other wineries have tables brought in for larger parties. Benziger has a permanent table and if I remember correctly so does Ferrari-Carano. Roche offers barrel room dinners, but they are not regularly scheduled. I think Buena Vista does too.

If you have more specific needs, please ask and I'll see what I can come up with for you. Here's a pix of the dining car at Cline.

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