The Sweetness of Community & Tasty Delights
Written by: Chelsea Donsker
Photography: Marielle V. Chua
She greeted us with a cheerful "☀️☀️☀️, Happy 🥟🍷🌲 day!!!!" early in the morning, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the day. That’s Coral Wang of Maison Des Plaisances, a woman with an infectious and lively spirit, radiating brightness - she’s better than a cup of coffee to start your day
We rose to a stunning clear ocean view, and after checking the weather (a beautiful 70 degrees and sunny), Taylor and I hit the ground running on the remaining work to be done before guests arrived. We finished the last touches on the outdoor sink Taylor designed and built (which I’ll write about later), hung up string lights and red lanterns, harvested cherry blossoms, and tidied up around the property. Lani and Nathan from Big Spoon Sauce Co., Coral, and her trusty sidekick, Shumai, arrived around noon to help set up and prepare, and before we knew it, it was 2 pm, and our first guest pulled up.
Let’s flashback to August momentarily, when Coral had harvested plums and preserved them with salt and sugar to make a delicious red syrup. Fast forward to the present, where she mixed Pére Mata Cava, sparkling water, her homemade syrup, and one of her preserved plums into a wine glass. This Salted Plum Spritz is what Coral served as guests checked in. I mean, really, does a better combo for a perfect welcoming even exist?
Once everyone arrived, a few heartfelt announcements were made, and West County’s famous chili-crisp husband-wife duo, Lani and Nathan, kicked us off with a dumpling-making demo and workshop. Their many days of preparation - including a test run on our fire pit, hours in their commercial kitchen preparing dough and fillings, and also meticulously planning out each workstation, were in the spotlight of this event. Without their expertise, charm, and collaboration, this day couldn’t have gone as perfectly as it did.
Pork, Vegetarian, and Pescatarian dumpling ingredients separated each table, and, together, Nathan and Lani led everyone through a tutorial of rolling out dough “grandma style,” stuffing the filling, and folding. Watching thirty near strangers bond at each table as they rolled dumplings and drank Coral’s wine was a true delight. The pride each group had in being the “Pork Table,” the “Pesce Table,” or the “Veggie Table” was a reminder of the importance of camaraderie and community. Something that is slowly waning in a remote and audience-driven world.
Undeniably, the coolest part of the evening was when everyone was guided to the outdoor fire pit, tucked away between our line-up of 150-year-old Monterey Cyprus trees, a California Native berm, and our home. This cozy space is where we all gathered at golden hour to enjoy the dumplings that everyone had made. Taylor commanded the fire while Lani cooked on the open flames (cue Francis Mallman vibes), cooking the dumplings and serving them in three ways - simply boiled, as crispy fried wontons, and with a herby broth. Presented family style, accompaniments included Big Spoon’s chili crisps, sweet soy sauce, regular soy sauce, chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, black vinegar, sweet chili sauce, and homemade pickles.
While we savored the delicious food, many roamed freely around our beloved Paradox Ranch, taking in the warm weather and the stunning ocean view while holding a glass in hand - embracing the coming of Spring and its promise of new beginnings. It was heartening to see how everyone utilized our property's different nooks and crannies in their own unique ways. Watching others use these spaces we have yet to discover made me fall in love with our home a million times over.
As evening fell and our bellies grew full, we gathered around the communal fire pit for Mochi Cake (made by yours truly) and to hear Coral talk about the rich history of the Chinese workers who migrated to Sonoma as the nascent wine industry developed in the late 1850s. She explained how they were the first to build wineries, dig caves, plant vines, harvest grapes, and make wine. She eloquently carried on the stories that have become largely forgotten, all while pouring tasty local, natural wines: a Chenin Blanc from local winemaker Akari, founder of Yamachan Wine, and two of her own - a Cabernet, and a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend.
Moving into Spring and with warmer days becoming regular again, I’ll be reminded of flour-caked hands, wine-kissed lips, and property walkabouts. Of full moons, sticky dough, and red lanterns. Of smoke-scented clothes, fireside chats, and tendrils of steam from boiling pots. It’s a space and a mindset that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and it's right here, at our home. I hope you'll consider joining us next time, whether you've experienced the magic of this event or not.
Local photographer Marielle V. Chua largely contributed to this event with her incredibly talented eye. To see more of her beautiful photography and to get in contact, visit her website here.