Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/646914
106 / the tasting panel / march 2016 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH FRED DAME, MS Fred Dame, MS, VP/Prestige Accounts for American Wine & Spirits (a division of SWS of CA), with Allyson Gorsuch, Estate Wine Director of the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, CA. A Conversation with Allyson Gorsuch Fred Dame: Did you ever imagine you would work in a farmhouse? Allyson Gorsuch: (laughing) No, I did not. But this one is special. The property started out in 1873 as a hop farm. I don't think the Michelin Guide was available then. And now you have one star. My, how quickly things can change in a century and half! Farmhouse Inn is a bit off the beaten path but the beautiful hotel and great cuisine make the trip special. How did you find your way here? I actually came here to work a harvest. I had gotten my Certified Sommelier Certificate in St. louis, where I'm from, and realized I had never seen a grape on the vine. I was actually living about five miles from here. I went to work in Napa for Cakebread Cellars in events. I then got a job working here on Sunday nights as a sommelier. ESTATE WINE DIRECTOR, FARMHOUSE INN, FORESTVILLE, CA photos by Hardy Wilson