Hop Kiln (HKG) Winery and Kenwood Inn, Sonoma Valley

This was definitely one of the more pleasurable on-location photography assignments, nestled in the heart of Sonoma Valley, smack in the lap of luxury at the fabulous Kenwood Inn & Spa. Condé Nast rates the Inn as one of the Top 100 Destination Hotels in the World; I would rate it the top hotel I've ever nursed a cold in. (Yes, I was sick while there, but O, what a place to recuperate!) With port wine and piped-in Pavarotti on tap, and a fireplace in the boudoir, there really isn't any visible holds barred. Nary a TV on the premises, you are truly free from outside bombardment.

On to the shoot.

The shoot was supposed to happen at HKG's Tasting Room a couple of miles down the road in Glen Ellen, but due to some construction issues beyond their control, it wasn't in the perfect state for shooting. Since the two chefs and sommelier of Kenwood Inn have had a hand in creating the menu for Hop Kiln Winery's new tasting room venture, it was appropriate enough to work directly from Kenwood's kitchen.

Here are some of the highlights of the HKG wine pairing menu, some of the creators behind the food and wine selections, and the decor of the truly breathtaking Kenwood Inn.

Many thanks to Lissa Gruman (of Gruman & Nicoll PR firm), Karl Bruno (General Manager of Kenwood), and Jean Leggett (photography assistant extraordinaire) for all having a hand in this shoot. A final shout out to the fabulous chefs and wine director: Pastry Chef Khambay Khamsyvoravong, Executive Chef Andrea Di Loreto, and Wine Director, Ann Davis.

The ladies of Kenwood Inn

The pastry chef and one of her creations

The dining room

The view from my bed