Being Picky Pays Off

From the very start, we knew that the quality of our ingredients would be paramount to our success.

For 30 years, Sam Calderon starts his day at 5am to tend to the farm he tills, seeds, nurtures, harvests, and turns for 8 months of the year.

With only 2 other farmhands, they steward excellence on 8 acres of life cycles.

With farming in his blood by his grandfather, he moved to Healdsburg at 20 years old from Michoacán with his wife and a baby - who is now 29 years old and had helped at Middleton Farms for 5 years.

Nancy was very picky, but I liked it.”

Nancy Stark was the first to purchase Middleton Farms from the original owner. Sam took a liking to her particular way of doing things. It resonated with his way of dedication to doing things right and setting a strong foundation for his career there. 20 years later, Annie & Montgomery Woods bought the farm and aid in the legacy of the land.

Our journey with Sam began in 2016 when our chef, Sean McGaughey, partnered with him at SingleThread and continued when we first established Quail & Condor Bakery in 2018.

Middleton shares a fence with Westside Elementary school, where the kids know Sam by first name and greet him each morning. Coordinating with the school, the students are able to walk the grounds with him and understand what it takes to grow food.

Sam's approach to farming is a perfect match for our culinary philosophy. He cultivates a diverse array of produce, from alpine strawberries to cut flowers, all grown with meticulous care and respect for the environment.

As we continue to grow and evolve, our partnership with Sam Calderon and Middleton Farms remains a cornerstone of our commitment to quality and community. We're excited to continue this journey, bringing you the very best that Healdsburg has to offer.

Next time you visit us, take a moment to savor the flavors of Middleton Farms in your meal. It's our way of bringing a piece of Healdsburg's rich agricultural heritage to your experience.