California: Food, Wine and the Art of Living Well

California feeds the world. It grows more food, and produces more wine, than any other US state, and has pioneered a farm-to-table culture that has influenced how the world thinks about food.  But the best way to experience it isn't in a Michelin-starred restaurant - it's sitting outside on a warm evening being served food by the person who grew it, and wine made by the person who made it.  In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page - the third in our California series - host Aaron Millar is joined by Honor Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing at the Wine Institute of California, and Juan Barajas, slow food champion and owner of the Savory Café in Woodland, Yolo County.  This is a conversation about exceptional food and wine experiences, but it’s also about the art of living well, California style - and how the greatest culinary experiences happen when you slow down and savour every sip. Highlights include: The hand and the land. Honor Comfort on why every glass of California wine tells the story of a place and the person behind it. Food as a miracle. Juan Barajas on watching almond blossoms open, smelling tomatoes in the Yolo County air and why the slow food movement is less a philosophy than a way of life in California's Central Valley. Stomp grapes. Clip vines. Get involved. California's small family wineries offer some of the most hands-on, personal visitor experiences in the wine world. Including stomping your own grapes! Farm Dinners. Candle-lit community tables and slow food events where the farmers do the serving - these are California's most memorable culinary experiences, and many of the best ones are hiding in small towns you've probably never heard of. The perfect California food and wine road trip. From Anderson Valley and Sonoma's wild coast to Russian River Pinot, Lodi old-vine Zinfandel, Paso Robles Rhône varieties and a final glass of Chardonnay watching the sun set over Santa Barbara's Channel Islands. Honor maps out the perfect trip. Find Out More Plan your California food and wine adventure: visitcalifornia.com British Airways flies directly to Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, and you can upgrade to club world for a host of additional benefits including lounge access, increased check baggage allowance, priority check in and boarding, and spacious seats that convert to a full flat bed. Book now on ba.com/california  Discover California wines, plan winery visits and find events: discovercaliforniawines.com Learn about California wine regions and varieties: capstonecalifornia.com Honor Comfort's family wine label: danielwines.com Juan Barajas, Savory Café, Woodland - savorycafeonmain.com | Instagram: @savorywoodland Read Wanderlust's California features at: wanderlustmagazine.com Intrepid Travel Thanks to our series sponsor Intrepid, the leading specialists in small group adventures. For over 35 years, Intrepid small group trips have connected travellers with passionate, locally based leaders in more than 100 countries. Find out more at intrepidtravel.com Wanderlust: Off the Page Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure. Wanderlust Magazine Wanderlust is the UK's leading independent travel magazine, taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join a community of passionate travellers, with print editions, exclusive content and more. Credits This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and James Bainbridge introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.