“Social dining is different than business dining. It’s very important to give people their space and privacy and to be extremely aware of the times to come through and interrupt… It’s like a dance.”—Percy Brandon, general manager
Nestled next to Vintners Resort in the beautiful Russian River Valley and surrounded by acres of vineyards, John Ash & Co. is an iconic fine dining restaurant in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country. Established in 1984 as a quaint 44-room inn, Vintners Resort has evolved into a full-scale retreat with 78 rooms, a beautiful 10,000-square-foot event center, bocce ball courts, a spa and more. The John Ash & Co. restaurant also went through a few expansions and renovations during this time, adding additional space and the esteemed Front Room Bar & Lounge.
John Ash & Co. is the first Sonoma County restaurant to introduce the concept of cooking with seasonal, locally sourced foods and produce while pairing exceptional recipes with wines from the region. Executive Chef Thomas Schmidt continues this legacy by bringing his extensive wine knowledge to the table and creating recipes to pair with the restaurant’s award-winning wine list. The restaurant also boasts a happy hour in their Front Room Bar & Lounge, where guests can gather in a more casual setting over drinks and light bites.
While the culinary experience of John Ash & Co. attracts guests from around the world, the atmosphere of the restaurant also plays a significant role in its appeal. Guests enjoy the soft and elegant ambiance of the space, dimly lit with chandeliers and high ceilings. The design of the restaurant invites privacy and intimate conversation, with a soundproof back wall and tables spaced generously apart. This creates an ideal atmosphere for business meetings. “It’s not this one big room, that you feel there’s this sort of echo…” says Percy Brandon, general manager. “There are a lot of spaces in which you can go and have private meetings. The environment is what we really have created throughout the restaurant.”
Outside, the expansive patio overlooks acres of vineyards, which are maintained by the property. There are plenty of spaces outdoors to choose from as well; the herb garden was also converted into additional outdoor seating in response to the pandemic. Guests can feel comfortable and welcome to have a business meeting over a charcuterie board, which eliminates the worry about food getting cold during longer meetings. Or, they may opt for a nice dinner with a few courses, which is a little more paced and allows guests to linger.
Brandon and his team are keenly aware and attentive to their guests’ needs and wants. This is especially true when it comes to serving and waiting on working guests. “Social dining is different than business dining,” says Brandon. “It’s very important to give people their space and privacy and to be extremely aware of the times to come through and interrupt… It’s like a dance. You have to understand where to start and where to finish.”
It is this quality customer service, paired with the exceptional food and wine that sets John Ash & Co. apart and why it continues to win Best Business Restaurant year after year in the annual NorthBay biz readers’ poll.
Photos courtesy of John Ash & Co.
