The French Laundry Culinary Garden

The exclusive French Laundry Restaurant in Yountville, California in the Napa Valley is one of the most highly regarded restaurants in the world.  Chef Thomas Keller is known far and wide for his French cuisine with contemporary American influence and for the dazzling nine course meals he concocts at The French Laundry. 

The restaurant is named after the old stone building it inhabits, once a French steam laundry.  The beautiful stone masonry is juxtaposed with a modern copper sign near the entrance.

Directly across the street is the celebrated French Laundry Culinary Garden where produce is grown to serve in the restaurant.  The three-acre plot of land is carefully divided into perfect rows of vegetables and herbs, all beautifully managed by culinary gardener Aaron Keefer.

A map of the garden is framed in a rustic case and displayed amidst the rows of plantings for visitors to peruse.  I found it particularly fascinating to see which varieties of vegetables and herbs were chosen to be included this season.

There is a chicken coop on site at the garden surrounded with rows of beautiful greens.

The French Laundry bees were buzzing away as we strolled through the garden...

This abundant and beautiful space is the source for many creative and inspiring meals served at The French Laundry along with Thomas Keller's other local restaurants, Ad Hoc, Bouchon Bistro and Bouchon Bakery.  If you plan to visit someday be sure to make your reservations early.  The French Laundry requires reservations at least two months in advance.  We stopped at the Bouchon Bakery and the bouchons were phenomenal!