Pharming in Phoenix - Not a Contradiction: Agritopia and Schnepf Farm

Wines from Garage East, Agritopia

Like most cities, Phoenix is composed of once-separate villages grown together into a mishmash of streets and neighborhoods - a fact that's easy to verify if you look at a map of Phoenix and discover Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue running parallel with each other a few blocks apart. Downtown is as urban as it gets, but as one moves farther out from the center of town, differences begin to appear. The area around Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek in the southeast quadrant of the city is dotted with small farms interlaced with suburban developments. In fact, the overwhelming majority of farms in Arizona are small, locally owned family operations (under $20,000 a year, according to the USDA) that still manage to produce most of the lettuce consumed in America, and an equally hefty quantity of cotton.

Ag stats aside, few of us are lucky enough to witness the birth of a new hip area, but southeast Phoenix is happening, and signs are everywhere. One of the coolest spots to visit in the area is Agritopia, the brainchild of the Johnston family, who began farming 160 acres in Gilbert in the early 1960s. Instead of selling off parcels to developers who had successfully pressured other small landowners, the Johnston clan developed it themselves, creating a planned residential community of 450 unique houses on 90 acres surrounding 11 acres of urban farmland, a chef-driven restaurant, coffee shop, winery and creative craftsman spaces. All the shops and restaurants are open to the public. The Johnstons gathered a consortium of other producers and makers to create Agritopia, reimagining the existing buildings on the property as housing various hand-made and locally related businesses, all in the most pleasant, grassy, tree-lined setting. The original family home, Joe's Farm Grill, is packed at lunch. The Coffee Shop offers fresh baked goods and local coffee, and a pay-it-yourself shop for produce and products from local businesses features tea, flour and crackers from local grower and grinder Hadley mills, coffee, chocolate and more.
 

Barnone (variously called barn one, bar none, or bar no knee, depending on who you talk to) houses a group of craft businesses such as paper makers, and a brewery, 12 West.

My FAVORITE stop on the property, however, is the winery in Garage East, run by Brian and Megan Ruffentine. It's a bright and welcoming tasting room for Arizona wines (grapes are grown in the Tucson area), ranging from tart whites to the deepest Tempranillo, reminiscent of Spain. 

Served with a delicious platter of locally cured meats, cheeses, medjool dates, honey and those Hadley Mills crackers, it's easy to while away hours here, either in the very hip and light interior, or on the shaded outdoor patio.

For a more traditional take on farming, There's Schnepf Farm. Other than the pure pleasure of saying “schnepf” while attempting to keep all your saliva in your mouth, there’s plenty to be found here for the whole gang. Breakfast is a big fave, thanks to the little patio on the side of the store and the hearty farm breakfast menu and baked goods. The store itself stocks a treasure trove of jams, salsas and local products. Schnepf’s is a real farm, 75 years in the business and run by the fourth generation of the family; they offer just-picked produce as well as u-pick whatever is in season in the fields. Thanks to this area’s unbelievably long growing season (September to July) and double harvest, there’s plenty to be found; however, most people come to Schnepf’s for its most famous product: organic peaches. The farm is the biggest producer in Arizona, and they ship all over. When out of season, there are always jams, salsas and what-all based on the fuzzy fruit. Schnepf's has special events most of the year; check their website for what's available to pick. They're closed July 5 through Labor Day.

As the city continues its relentless march (and the population continues to grow), these types of farms may shrink and disappear - so go now, when the going is good. More to come: another great local farm with a slippery twist...and a place with miles of aisles....

The Farm at Agritopia
3000 E. Ray Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 988-1238
http://thefarmatagritopia.com/

Schnepf Farms
24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-3100
http://www.schnepffarms.com/

Livin' the Lush Life at the Claremont

Few properties in the San Francisco Bay Area rival the Claremont Hotel for fascinating history.

Even the light fixtures are gorgeous

The "castle" sits high atop the Berkeley hills and is one of two landmarks that any local resident can identify from miles away--the other being the Mormon Temple in Oakland. In fact, the original "English castle" was built to please the wife of a Kansas farmer who struck it rich during the gold rush and purchased 13,000 acres on the site. Something must have rubbed off, as his daughter married into British Royalty in true Masterpiece style. The property changed hands, but was burnt to ruin in 1901. A pair of equally lucky miners won what was left in a checkers game, and proceeded to build the Claremont we identify today in 1905. Their dreams were shaken and stirred by the 'quake of 1906 and subsequent financial panic. The building was completed and opened it's doors to guests in 1915, just in time for San Francisco's Pan Pacific Exhibition.

Art in the lobby

Prohibition came and went, but repeal did little to lift the Claremont's spirits (literally). The nearby University of California forbade the sale of liquor within one mile of it's borders; an enterprising student won drinks for life by carefully measuring the distance from the school's border to the door of the hotel. With a few feet to spare, the Terrace Bar was born.

This can be yours for five grand

In 1937, a night clerk that had worked at the hotel since 1926 purchased the property and brought in big bands such as Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey for dancing and dining. The Claremont became a destination for dignitaries and prom dates. The hotel changed hands a few more times until it came under the auspices of Fairmont Hotels, who put up $40 million for a total restoration and an all-white make-over. Now known as the Claremont Club and Spa, visitors can come for a complete package.

Fairmont's renovation and modernization of the property might have made the interior stiff and cold; yet, they've managed to update restaurant, lobby, and rooms that continue to be warm and inviting. I was able to peek into the luxe President's Suite (with president's prices, $5K a night--but if you're the president of anything, you'd want to stay here).

Chef Joe explains it all to you

Which brings me to why I'm lounging around the Limewood Bar & Restaurant nibbling appetizers. The Limewood is the newest star in the Claremont's firmament; Chef Joseph Humphrey has a resume that includes stints at some of the most famous eateries in the U.S., and General Manager/Sommelier Benjamin Chanler Laurin (he of the fabulous French accent) have put together an impressive menu and wine list. Favorites are oysters with hot pepper vinegar and grilled and glazed Gulf shrimp.
The old girl on the hill continues to be a destination, and a great one. Frank Lloyd Wright's words still ring true; he dubbed the Claremont: "...one of the few hotels in the world with warmth, character and charm."