What Zooey Deschanel Discovered on a Trip to California Wine Country
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One of the most popular destinations for oenophiles in the world, California wine country comprises the neighboring regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. It's a section of the Golden State that brings to mind rolling, vineyard-covered hills, upscale resorts and extraordinary food. Oh, and you guessed it, wine.
Located north of San Francisco, people who visit the area tend to spend most of their time sipping on Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. For many travelers, a trip to Napa and Sonoma is about seeking out unforgettable culinary experiences.
But when actress, musician and food activist Zooey Deschanel and travel photographer (and former "Top Chef" contestant) Alejandro Toro visited the famous wine region to film the Purpose Project series created by Capital One and Tastemade, they discovered a resilient destination that is as much about people and sustainability as it is about food and wine.
See the full episode on Tastemade Watch
Eating What You Grow
Long Meadow Ranch, a family-owned agricultural business since 1989, is a triple threat in the Napa Valley. Known for their farm-to-table ethos, Farmstead is at once a winery, restaurant and (as the name suggests) a fully operational farm.
Upon arrival, Deschanel and Toro met with Farmstead's owner and operator, Laddie Hall, and farm-to-table and sous chef Kipp Ramsey. They discussed how farm-to-table dining can enhance your eating experience. "When you are able to eat right next to where you grow, you just understand your food so much better and have a better appreciation for that food," Deschanel observed.
"And it tastes better," Hall agreed.
After the trip, Deschanel told TPG that the ranch and its "amazing food" was her favorite experience from the trip. "[Bring] a big group and try everything," she suggested.
Napa may be best known for its acclaimed upscale dining spots, but it is first and foremost an agricultural region; and one that cultivates much more than just grapes.
That's why Deschanel and Toro were put to work planting kale and gardening. Touring the grounds with Ramsay, they collected crops and learned about some of Long Meadow Ranch's sustainable practices.
"What Long Meadow Ranch represents is an opportunity to have organic full-circle farming. It's not just a monoculture," Hall said.
It's a bit risky to focus on vegetable crops — instead of just grapes — in the Napa area, as the latter are considered extremely valuable throughout the region. However, Hall emphasized that a farm with variety affords a more healthy, well-rounded lifestyle. And with the no-waste policy employed at the ranch, it's far more sustainable.
When Deschanel and Toro got to sit down and eat, they were literally tasting the fruits of their labor (a fresh tomato and basil salad; creamy squash rice topped with roasted beets and kale). Nearly every ingredient was sourced from the ranch, just hours before it was prepared.
"When [my husband and I] sit down for dinner, everything on our plate is something that we grew, we raised. And then, what do we have in our glass? A beautiful wine that we made," Hall said.
Healing in the Valleys
But it hasn't always been an easy ride for Long Meadow Ranch. They, like many in the Napa Valley and Sonoma region, were affected by the wildfires that raged in October of 2017.
While fortunate to have no human or livestock loss or injuries during the natural disaster, for Long Meadow Ranch, the scare was real.
As the Nuns fire was expanding and getting closer to the ranch, the family and team worked together to seal and secure the winery buildings and home; to evacuate all livestock and employees; and to secure barrels and tanks filled with wine in the winery.
Hundreds of firefighters gathered on the property to fight a long, hard battle that was eventually won. The flames reached right up to the firebreak and some of the vineyards, which acted like a natural obstacle to the blaze. It was intense. And Long Meadow Ranch was more fortunate than others.
"Back in October 2017, it did take a lot of work in the days, weeks and months after the fires to communicate that Napa and Sonoma [were] open for business, and that it is safe and beautiful. We had to push through the sensationalist reporting and share with the world how incredible — and safe — this magical place is," Jeff Meisel, the vice president of brand marketing at Long Meadow Ranch told TPG.
"I recall the first outdoor wedding we had at Farmstead on Nov. 4. It was a beautiful, clear day and an incredible celebration. On a community level, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch opened our doors as soon as power was restored."
The early re-opening of Farmstead is just one example of how community members in Napa supported each other during the recovery.
After Toro parted from Deschanel and kept traveling across the region, he met folks all around the neighboring valleys who are continuing to help each other heal. In the aftermath of the devastation, they shared their crops and provided each other shelter. Years later, they're still offering endless emotional support.
"A lot of people had to rebuild," Deschanel told TPG. "The community is really strong here. The reason people move here is [they] love it so much. The passion for the land is so inspiring. The people who live here aren't here for a job — they're here because they love this place," she added. "It's really wonderful to see a community pull together."
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.