Park Winters: California’s Dreamiest U-Pick Flower Farm
It’s nearly impossible to describe Park Winters, a Yolo County U-pick flower farm, inn and event center. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, that’s entirely true. Entering the property is a bit like stepping into a painting; the grounds are so unbelievably stunning that they don’t quite feel real. The organic flower farm is perfectly imperfect, orderly but the slightest bit unruly, just enough so that guests don’t feel guilty for disturbing the blooms. The adjacent historic inn winks at the past, with lovingly restored white wood siding and iron railing, while providing modern-day luxuries like pillow-soft mattresses and a sparkling swimming pool.
History, farming and hospitality
Even the owners, John Martin and Rafael Galiano, are impeccable – mixing their welcoming attitudes with a wealth of knowledge – immediately making guests and visitors feel right at home. John explains, “My primary goal is to create a bubble over this property, a bubble of positivity where guests, when they come here, they can leave everything else behind and just enjoy the beauty.”
John and Rafael are intimately acquainted with the idea of leaving everything else behind to enjoy the beauty of their Yolo County property. Before creating Park Winters, the two lived in San Francisco – John working in hospitality at boutique hotels while Rafael leveraged his background in design by restoring historic homes. When the 260-year-old estate came on the market, John and Rafael not only fell in love with the property, but also the surrounding community. John recalls, “We found this place 15 years ago. Before we even decided to move here permanently, we would go to downtown Winters, and the community here just wrapped their arms around us immediately and made us feel so wanted. We felt the love and felt the confidence to uproot our life and feel at home in the country.”
U-pick flowers + farm-to-table brunch
Visitors travel from across California to visit Park Winter’s U-pick flower farm – but Rafael admits that they stumbled onto the idea. The original idea was a program called “Grow Your Own Bouquet,” which allowed couples to select flowers for their wedding months in advance while the Park Winters team planted, tended and harvested the blooms for the big day. Rafael explains, “The idea was, you’re getting married in six or nine months. We plant the seeds, we harvest those flowers, and we fold them into your wedding. But then, with the weather and just all the variables of what could happen, I decided I didn’t want to take on something so important as someone’s flower experience for their wedding.”
Pick Your Own Bouquet
Instead, the idea evolved into “Pick Your Own Bouquet,” a more relaxed and approachable experience. Guests are handed a bucket and clippers and invited to wander the flower fields at their leisure, collecting whatever blooms or foliage catch their eye. “People come after brunch or just to walk around, and they take home the season,” Rafael says. Pick Your Own Bouquet is available from February through November.
Enjoy the farm-to-table brunch
Most guests combine the u-pick experience with Park Winter’s weekend brunch. Rafael proudly notes that the region’s agricultural abundance is reflected in the menu. “The food is very, very local, very amazing,” he raves. “We happen to be in the breadbasket of California. Capay Valley is just about 14 minutes northwest of here, where all the amazing organic farms are located. When it comes to sourcing locally, it’s almost impossible not to.”
Stop and smell the roses
The environment at Park Winters is deliberately relaxed and unhurried, lending itself to a more memorable experience. After brunch and Pick Your Own Bouquet, guests are encouraged to explore the expansive grounds, taking in the seasonal flowers and the sensational views. John notes, “Guests can walk through the beautiful gardens and really linger as long as they like. It makes it just very interactive; just a lot of fun ways to enhance the experience.”
What grows at Park Winters Flower Farm?
Seasonality is at the heart of The Pick Your Own Bouquet experience. Part of the beauty is that no visit is quite the same. Early spring starts off with sweet peas and bulbs – think irises and tulips – then transitions into airy cosmos and Crayola-colored zinnias.
Ever the designer, Rafael also grows plants intended to add a textural element to bouquets, such as smoky fennel, cotton and okra. “My favorite flower is the scabiosa,” he admits. “It starts off like a black bulb and then opens up into this deep wine color.” He’s also a fan of the chocolate cosmos, which he planted after a past guest commented that the flower farm had everything but chocolate cosmos. “I planted the chocolate cosmos for her, and she’s never been back,” he laughs.
John, on the other hand, is partial to artichoke flowers. “It’s one of my favorite foods, but it’s just the most beautiful flower. So we grow them as flowers – we’ll go to Buckhorn (a local hangout in downtown Winters) to actually eat the artichokes.”
Beyond the bouquet: Educational experiences at Park Winters
Creative workshops and educational experiences are offered throughout the year in addition to the Pick Your Own Bouquet Experience at Park Winters.
Floral design classes
Seasonal wreath-making classes are held every Saturday and Sunday. The Park Winters team guides guests through the process of making their own wreath, using both fresh and dried flowers grown on-site. Rafael grows marigolds specifically for his trademark Day of the Dead wreathmaking class. He notes, “That one is very popular, so we do it for two weeks in a row. I play Day of the Dead music. We provide guests with all kinds of beautiful dried flowers, the wreath base and all the accoutrements for a Day of the Dead vibe. I’ve been doing this class for years, and it’s been amazing.”
Garden tours
Park Winters hosts guided garden tours throughout the growing season. With a mischievous grin, Rafael states, “I am the docent, and I never mention that I’m involved with Park Winters. I know I really pulled off my job when I get tips.” To keep his identity undisclosed, he does not refuse tips. He does, however, thank guests graciously…and promises to use the money to buy seeds and plants.
Visit Park Winters
John and Rafael invite you to visit their Yolo County flower farm. Come for the day, stay for the weekend or allow Park Winters to host your next special event. Rafael’s eyes sparkle as he concludes, “It is a true, one-of-a-kind experience that we put all our hearts and souls into giving you.”
Reservations are encouraged for the Pick Your Own Bouquet experience and the farm-to-table brunch.
Visiting Yolo County? Check out a few of our favorite agritourism destinations!
Article and photography by Hilary Rance. Aerial image of Park Winters courtesy of Park Winters.