Take a “hot” little trip to Sonoma County this weekend that will celebrate the ancient process of fermentation. (“Hot,” as in fermentation creates heat. Get it?)
The Freestone Fermentation Festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, will be held at Salmon Creek School. Visitors can participate in hands-on presentations by the award-winning Wild Flour Bread, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Freestone Vineyards and others.
Make it a weekend and book a room at nearby Inn at Occidental or Negri’s Occidental Hotel.
Scientists would go on and on about this biological function that, essentially, is an enzymatically controlled transformation of an organic compound. Blah, blah, blah.
Quite simply, Freestone Vineyards uses this phenomenon to create amazing wine from grape juice. It causes the yeast to rise in Wild Flour Bread’s delectible goodies. And, active enzymes are breaking down cedar shavings to create an amazing heat treatment at Osmosis.
See exhibits on how fermentation works. Sample bread, cheese, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, natto and kombucha. Learn about making fermented foods and drinks in hands-on classes, which will reveal many aspects of fermentation and how the diverse participants make it work for them. Feel fermentation at work by dipping your feet into a cedar enzyme bath.
From the first successful batch of fresh baked bread to that sublime taste of carefully cultivated wine, the practice of fermentation is one of connection with and reverence for microscopic life.
The Freestone Samba performers will provide festive entertainment. Tours of the school’s new LEED-certified building and nearby redwood trails will also be offered.
Admission is $5, and children under 5 are admitted free. Parking is $5. Hybrid automobiles, bio-fuel and two-wheeled vehicles park free.
For more information regarding the Freestone Fermentation Festival, please call Osmosis at (707) 823-8231. Visit at www.freestonefermentationfestival.com.
Comments...
2 CommentsWho would have thought in the Bohemian enclave of Freestone a first class festival would emerge. These organizers can show the big dogs in Sonoma and Napa how to do it right. This is must attend. I will be putting this one in ink on my 2010 calendar.
Wow Art – We just spotted your comment on the Freestone Fermentation Festival, which is SO gratifying. In fact we are already planning for next year’s Festival, which is firmly calendared for Saturday, May 22, 2010. See you there!