Block party highlights Freestone, fermentation

Fermentation was in the spotlight at the small western Sonoma County town of Freestone on Sunday as a number of businesses got together to showcase their crafts.

Visitors came to sip wine from Joseph Phelps Vineyards, learn about the cedar enzyme bath at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, sample the cheese at Freestone Artisan Cheese and nosh on bread fresh from the wood-fired oven at Wild Flour Bakery. There were also horse-drawn carriage rides and samplings of other fermented items like kefir and fermented beet beverage called kvass.

A group from Sacramento sat under a redwood outside Wild Flour Sunday afternoon, sharing Meyer lemon, pumpkin and white chocolate scones. Familiar with Freestone already, they jumped at the opportunity to explore it further when they saw the event advertised.

“We love it here,” Greg Howes said.

Freestone, the county’s first historic district, is fast becoming a destination for those interested in fermentation, said Michael Stusser, founder of Osmosis and one of the event’s organizers.

That seemed to be true for Sebastopol resident Sil Yin. “I’m all about probiotics, I’m a wellness advocate,” she said. “I love this,” she added, gesturing to the booths featuring fermented products. “These things are so health-enhancing.”