“There's so many craftspeople and artisans up here. Everyone up here has a shared appreciation for seasonality and the quality of ingredients and that sort of lifestyle. And then visitors are coming to be a part of that. So we were really drawn to what a unique location that was, to not separate the agricultural side from the experiential side.”
We’re in great company with Kyle & Katina Connaughton, the husband and wife duo behind SingleThread Farms, a bespoke hospitality experience earning 3 Michelin Stars and a Green Michelin Star for their farm, restaurant and inn in the center of Sonoma Wine Country.
Here they work and live in harmony, Katina as the Head Farmer and Kyle as the Head Chef, to provide locally curated and crafted produce and products, one of the world’s best fine dining destinations and wine programs, paired with intimate accommodations to accompany it all.
In this episode, Kyle & Katina celebrate the story of their life - their young love, dedication to family, worldly travels, love of nature, passion for creativity, and collaboration with community - painting an optimistic outlook for a world inspired by a stronger sense of seasonality and locality.
Top Takeaways
[2:00] How a story of young love transpired into a life of worldly travels, the pursuit of culinary and agricultural passions, the raising of a family and the eventual return home.
[5:40] Kyle and Katina both found their “Ikigai,” Japanese for “your reason for being” while living in a small fishing village in Hokkaido, which has sparked great influence in their artisan collaborations, menu inspiration, seasonal purveyors and natural sense of place.
[13:10] Why the Connaughton’s did not want to follow the trend and open a farm to table restaurant in a big city, instead opting to bring people directly to the source that is Sonoma Wine Country.
[17:30] SingleThread both tells the story of the seamless past, present and future experiences that shape the farm, restaurant and inn and of all of the strong fibers of community members who weave together this narrative.
[21:20] How Katina’s farm brings biodiversity to wine country - supplying vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, honey, and olive oil to Kyle’s kitchen - while inviting guests to experience this bounty through her Farm Store’s fresh produce, florals and pantry line staples, CSA boxes, workshops and field walks.
[25:00] A peek into the kitchen of a 3 Michelin Star restaurant, where Kyle and his team get creative with each dish showcasing the best of what is in season, being sure to support their entire community of farmers, to nourish their own team and their community in need.
[39:30] A stay at the inn is meant to feel like you’re a friend visiting the Connaughton’s home. From a nourishing breakfast to endless snacks and an intimate dinner, Kyle and Katina take great care in the attention they give their guests.
[56:30] As SingleThread Farms continues to grow and flourish, guests can expect to get their hands dirty with more experiences and to have a new place to stay with an expansion of the inn under renovation.
Notable Mentions
- Russian River Brewing
- Quail & Condor Bakery
- Maison Healdsburg Wine Bar
- Troubadour Bread & Bistro
- Molti Amici Italian Eatery
