Looking for beautiful fall tablescape ideas? You’ve come to the right place. Take a peek into our afternoon Harvest Party with McEvoy Ranch.
Harvest with McEvoy Ranch
While planning our recent retreat in Sonoma, I knew I wanted to host a very special afternoon of gathering. I dreamt of putting together a beautiful table where we could come together to enjoy a meal and unwind after hours of learning.
When my friends at McEvoy Ranch reached out to share information about their Harvest Candle with me, I was excited to include them in our afternoon. What better way to gather than with an autumn Harvest Party under a kaleidoscope of color changing trees?
We partnered with McEvoy Ranch to throw this memorable Harvest Party at Chateau Sonoma. We integrated McEvoy Ranch wine, oil, and beauty products into this wonderful gathering to create a serene afternoon where laughter and chatter lasted for hours under the warm California sunshine.
A little bit about McEvoy Ranch…
McEvoy Ranch was founded in 1990 by Nan McEvoy when she purchased 550 acres in West Marin County. The land was zoned strictly for agriculture, so with Nan’s love of Tuscan olive oil, she imported 1000 olive seedlings from Tuscany, and began McEvoy Ranch.
Many thought she wouldn’t be able to successfully grow the Tuscany-native trees, but she proved them wrong and became one of the first producers of quality olive oil in California! I love a determined woman!
When Nan purchase the land, she dreamt of leaving her grandchildren a place where they could enjoy a beautifully preserved landscape of northern California. The land has now become much more than a sanctuary for family and friends. McEvoy Ranch combines organic olives and grapes to offer olive oil products, organic botanical beauty products, and wine!
I have had the opportunity to visit the ranch, and it’s quite extraordinary! If you’re ever in the Petaluma area, it’s a must see!
On to the lunch…
When we arrived in Sonoma, I knew as soon as I saw Sarah’s driveway…this was the spot. There was no question.
We pulled together vintage beer garden tables and benches and began to put together our lunch. The tables were kept simple with vintage glassware and silverware and hand thrown ceramics (all from Chateau Sonoma).
My friend Natasha Kolenko arranged flowers for us, which made the lunch so much more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Flowers make such a big difference, and I always think they are worth the effort and investment!
The Harvest Candles from McEvoy Ranch were the perfect finishing touch to the table. Candles are always a wonderful addition to a table, but the Harvest Candles added so much more to the ambiance. The subtle scent of an ocean breeze and olive orchards wafted through the lane while we dined, and it was truly quite magical.
Hostess Gift Idea
Whether you’re gifting the hostess, or a hostess gifting your guests, the Harvest Candle couldn’t be more appropriate! The delightful earthy scent is sure to be loved by anyone, but even better is the meaning behind it.
This candle is an ode to the ranch at harvest time and the fragrance that signals its arrival, with notes of verdant new oil, freshly cut grass, and the cool ocean breeze any time of year.
Harvest is a dual-use vegan and soy free candle and body oil for an all over glow. The melted candle creates a pool of natural oils and the warmed wax doubles as a massage treatment for a deeply nourished body and soul.
Note: warmed oil creates a divine ritual, but can be deliciously messy too; pour oil over a safe surface and wipe up any excess with a damp cloth or towel right away.
Our lunch was incredible; prepared by Andreya Nightingale of Mortar Pestle Cooking. She crafted homemade pita, hummus, and delicious salads which were enjoyed with a glass of McEvoy Ranch wine.
The Rose
I am partial to the Rosebud Rose made by McEvoy Ranch. I sampled it years ago when visiting for a blogging trip. I loved the story behind it… Named after the McEvoy’s family friend, a sassy redheaded cowgirl. It’s the perfect thing to enjoy after a day out on the ranch!
One of my favorite elements from the Harvest lunch was the apple-filled vintage zinc buckets. We filled each bucket with water and dropped apples in to serve as floating candles during our lunch.
When I told Sarah (owner of Chateau Sonoma) about my vision, I think she thought I was a little bit nuts. We lugged around these vintage buckets from the other side of her property. Hunted for hoses long enough to reach the buckets, and then Casia spent a good 45 minutes carving the tops off the apples.
Once we lit the candles and stepped away, I think we all were in agreement that it was worth the effort. I just kept saying, “anything for the shot!”
As a way to tie McEvoy Ranch back into the food, I placed the estate blend olive oil out for us to enjoy with our homemade pita, hummus, and salads. It was a delicious way to come full circle!
As a creative, there are many times when my vision doesn’t come to life. However, this lunch was exactly what I dreamt it would be.
The ladies sat for hours chatting, laughing, and enjoying the beauty of nature. The handcrafted food, table details, and wonderful company exceeded anything I could have imagined our lunch would be.
A big thank you to everyone involved in making this dream a reality:
Chateau Sonoma (location)
LaCroix Marketing & Design
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