In 2014, Lynette Sonne founded FarmsteadEd, an organization whose goal is not just to get people to buy locally made products, but to see the small farms and ranches where the goods are grown and made. This is what’s called “agritourism,” and it has its spiritual home in Italy, where staying overnight on a farm and experiencing its culture up close bonds visitors to the work being done there in a special way. I had met Lynette several times in the past, and knew that FarmsteadEd had developed a SLO County Farm Trail for visitors to use, but I really saw her efforts up close during the 2023 Open Farm Day, wherein small family farms along the trail opened their gates to the public. That day, my son and I made tea in the garden at Niner Wine Estates, tasted olive oil at Olea Farm, learned about the honey-collecting process at Sierra Honey Farm, and swooned over lavender at Hambly Lavender Farm. Recently, Lynette’s also taken on the role of Executive Director with the Paso Robles Distillery Trail, so she knows a thing or two about the food and drink landscape of the Central Coast.
Websites: pasoroblesdistillerytrail.com / farmsteaded.com
Instagram: @farmsteaded / @pasoroblesdistillerytrail
20th Season Best Of: Media
20th Season Best Of: Gear
20th Season Best Of: Winemakers
20th Season Best Of: Miscellaneous
20th Season Best Of: Spirits
20th Season Best Of: Specialty
20th Season Best Of: Brewers
20th Season Best Of: Farmers, Ranchers, Fishers
20th Season Best Of: Chefs and Restaurants
Bonus Conversation: Why Are So Many Restaurants Closing?
Tuscan Mustang: Cal Poly student Mary Carli pursues her education “half a world away”
Sidecar Cocktail Company: Slinging poison, serving dumplings, and smooth jazz
LEGENDS: Sommelier-turned-farmer Rajat Parr
LEGENDS: Cult brewers Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing
LEGENDS: Chuck Hiigel, czar of Central Coast beer
LEGENDS: Taco Works brand tortilla chips with CEO Robbie Bayly
LEGENDS: Cattaneo Brothers jerky with CEO Katelyn Kaney
LEGENDS: Brown Butter Cookie Company with Traci Hozie Alderson
LEGENDS: Steak and Champagne Cake at The Madonna Inn with Amanda Rich
LEGENDS: Santa Maria Style BBQ at Far Western Tavern and Susie Q Brand with Susie Righetti
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