I have just come back from a mini eco-trip to the wine country in and around Paso Robles, CA, and I had a blast. My mission was to visit the Windrose Organic Farm, just a few miles east of the charming town centre. I was fortunate enough spend the morning with owner Bill Spencer who got off his dusty tractor and welcomed me into his home. Bill and his wife, Barbara, have owned the farm for 18 years and grow an enormously diversified collection of fruits and vegetables. From our conversation, which was interrupted with Bill having to keep an eye on his Sourdough Boule (baking in an enormous dutch oven in his 1929 stove, I really began to understand the tremendous importance of small organic farmers like Bill and Barbara, who pour their blood, sweat and tears into this farm, barely breaking even, to bring us food that is unlike anything that you could ever buy in a store. I will never, ever balk at paying a little bit more for a peach or tomato, that has been grown with such love and care and then driven before dawn to the farmer’s market. After biting into one of the Windrose Farm apples, I will never be able to eat one of those waxed, identical-looking fruits, that pose as apples at the store – if you ever see a display of identical and perfect looking shiny apples, be very suspect!
I also got to eat one of the best meals I can remember eating, at Artisan. This is a restaurant that is absolutely committed to sustainable cuisine at it’s very best and it’s honestly worth the drive from L.A. – especially if you book a room at the charming Hotel Cheval for some utter luxury with a little organic breakfast basket delivered to your door in the morning.
I’m back in smoggy L.A. now and am getting ready leave for NYC. I will be there Tuesday 23rd for a special Organic media event – I’ll keep you posted.
