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Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa

May 19, 2022 by Linda Holt 9 Comments

Last week I had one of the most special experiences of my life. I was invited to attend the Signature Kitchen Suite, True to Food Tour, in Napa, CA. Oh…My Goodness….what a week! Food, wine, chocolate tasting, art lessons, vineyard tours and hands on cooking with the Signature Kitchen Suite appliances.

The name Signature Kitchen Suites might be new to you as it was to me. I only recently discovered them while at the kitchen and bath show in 2021. Signature Kitchen Suites (SKS for short) is the new, luxury division of LG. I’m sure most of you have heard of LG.

The resort

SKS accomodated the thirty plus designers at the Vista Collina. It is a beautiful resort in the heart of Napa, surrounded by vineyards. I took advantage of a couple sunny mornings and headed out to photograph at sunrise. There is also a wine cave on site where we had our first Designhounds gathering the evening before the program started.

Vista Collina Napa, CA
#vistacollina Napa

A day on the Wine Train

I arrived a couple days early and along with two friends, spent Mother’s Day on the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. I highly recommend it if you ever get out to Napa. Gourmet food, beautiful scenery and tastings at two different wineries.

The Wine Train, Napa CA
#Winetrain Napa

Signature Kitchen Suites Experience and Design Center

Our first official day was held at the SKS Design Center.

Located in the heart of culinary-centric Napa Valley, Calif., the multi-million-dollar “Experience & Design Center” features nearly 200 LG home appliances and serves as a brand epicenter exploring the intersection between technology and culinary innovation.”

Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
Designers getting ready to learn about SKS products

We had a full day of learning about the appliances, cooking on the different ranges and cooktops, and lot’s of food and wine. Using the recipes of The SKS chef, chef Nick, the designers created the most amazing meal. Let me just say that the Croissant bread pudding was the best dessert I have eaten in my life! I posted the recipe below.

It’s nearly impossible to cover all the highlights in a single blog post but check out this short reel on IG to get a sense of the SKS full day immersive experience.

Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
Immersion day at the SKS Experience and Design Center

My Top three appliance picks

1.Signature Kitchen Suite undercounter refrigerator drawers

After downsizing a few years ago, any appliance that saves space grabs my attention. These undercounter refrigerator drawers do just that.

For a single person or for those living in a small condo (hello), these drawers might be all that’s needed. The best part? Each drawer can be programed separately to be either refrigeration or freezer.

In homes where limited square footage is not an issue, these are great for extra food storage in the kitchen or pantry. Being under counter height, the drawers are easy access for kids or the handicapped.

SKS undercounter refrigerator drawers
SKS undercounter refrigerator drawers

Check out this short video of me opening the drawers and see the surprise at the top of one of the drawers.

2. LG all in one washer/dryer

Another space saving appliance that I LOVE is this all in one washer/dryer. For small homes or single people, this single unit may be sufficient. The separate compartment shown on the bottom is for those things you would like to wash separately such as a dirty dog blanket, delicates, or greasy dish towels.

LG all in one washer dryer

Another feature to note…ventless drying! For interior condos and apartments without access to external venting, this is such a great option.

LG ventless dryer schematic

I wish I had known about this all in one washer/dryer three years ago. Since it’s only my husband and myself now, our large sized washer and dryer is definitely over kill. Ironically, it is a LG set (which I love) and I saw my exact washer and dryer displayed on the floor.

One cool feature about my dryer is that the door opens two ways, from the side or from the top. I usually load it by opening the door from the side but empty it by opening the door from the top.

LG washer and dryer
MY LG washer and Dryer

3. The LG Styler

The LG Styler freshens cloths in minutes with a smart wi-fi enabled steam system. I don’t know about you, but most of the time, my clothes don’t need a full washing or dry cleaning but could use a little freshening up.This is what the LG Styler does. Using the power of steam, the Styler deodorizes and sanitizes.

LG Styler
LG Styler

The Styler comes in two sizes and does not need to be plumbed. The steam is generated by filling a container with water located at the bottom of the unit. Since plumbing is not required, the Styler can be placed in a master closet, in a hallway or even in the basement.

LG Styler clothes cleaner
LG Styler

A slight tap on the glass door exposes multiple setting options to custom clean your items. The styler also works great to sanitize hard to clean items such as stinky football or hockey pads, bedding, pillows and stuffed animals.

LG Styler Settings
LG Styler Settings

After our immersion day at the Signature Kitchen Suite Education and Design Center, we returned the next morning for some more learning and two design presentations. Jane Dagmi presented “Showing Your Story” and I presented “Capture the moment using your smartphone”.

speaking at Signature Kitchen Suites True to Food Tour
Capture the moment using your smartphone

Designhounds take on Napa and Sonoma

After our time ended at the SKS Design Center, we enjoyed the best that Napa and Sonoma has to offer. At the Hope and Grace Winery we were taught how to blend different wines to create a custom wine that matched our unique taste preferences.

Wine tasting in Napa, CA
Wine blending

There was chocolate and wine tasting at Kollar Chocolates, a sketching class at Sonoma Country Antiques, and a visit to Studio Roeper. Florian Roeper, the artist, creates the most beautiful tables and works of art with wood.

Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
Chocolate tasting, sketching lesson and Studio Roeper visit

Besides all the amazing experiences we enjoyed, one of the best parts of a tour like this are the human connections. Old friendships are renewed and new friendships are made.

Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
fun with SKS designers

The Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour also included gourmet dinners at a couple of Napa’s finest restaurants, wine tasting at several other vineyards and karaoke bus rides. This opportunity was a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

A HUGE thank you to Modenus who invited me to go on the Signature Kitchen Suite True To Food Tour and to everyone at SKS who made the week so memorable.

If you have any questions about the products I highlighted, or any of Signature Kitchen Suite or LG products please don’t hesitate to reach out. I specialize in design consultations so I can advise and help you select the best appliances for your kitchen needs.

Signature Kitchen Suite True to Food Tour in Napa
Napa CA vineyards

Signature Kitchen Suite, Chef Nick’s, Croissant Bread Pudding

Signature Kitchen Suite Croissant bread pudding

Related

Filed Under: Design, Travel Tagged With: CA, luxury appliances, Napa, Signature Kitchen Suites, SKSEDC

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gina T Pardoe says

    May 20, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Thank you for sharing! I marvel at the ingenious minds that continue to invent these products! I would have loved to have seen your photography presentation, too. I’m still rewatching your cellphone photography class, learning more and more with practice. ❤️

    Reply
  2. Sharon says

    May 22, 2022 at 7:01 am

    Linda what a perfect wrap to our SKS experiences. I loved every moment especially your photography presentation. I definitely look at things differently through the lens now.

    Reply
    • Linda Holt says

      May 22, 2022 at 7:04 am

      Thank you so much Sharon. It was such a fabulous opportunity and I really enjoyed getting to know you!

      Reply
  3. Janet R Lorusso says

    May 22, 2022 at 1:15 pm

    Fabulous recap, Linda! A wine train??? AND croissant bread pudding??? On the same trip? HEAVEN! It all sounds sand looks SO wonderful – thanks for sharing! Still hoping to get there someday!

    Reply
  4. Amy Wax says

    May 24, 2022 at 7:31 am

    What a great write up Linda. I loved seeing the videos in your post too, I am so glad you shared it all. it sounds like a terrific (and totally inspiring) experience! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  5. mary vraa says

    May 24, 2022 at 9:59 am

    That LG Styler sounds so useful! Especially since it can be placed just about anywhere. I’m overdue for a return visit to Napa….thanks for sharing such lovely highlights, Linda! More, please!

    Reply
  6. Stephanie Hsiang says

    May 24, 2022 at 10:11 am

    That looks like a heavenly trip!! And no wonder that dessert was so delicious–can’t go wrong with those ingredients!

    Reply
  7. Maria DeGange says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:32 am

    Oh my gosh, Linda this looks like a heaven experience-thank you for sharing!
    I have learned so much form this post. I hope to see you again soon…
    Hugs,
    Maria

    Reply
    • Lisa Peck says

      May 28, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      You managed to capture all the fun, learning and inspiration of this incredible trip! I really loved your talk on capturing magic moments!

      Reply

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I am Linda Holt and for as long I can remember I have had two passions, photography and decorating. This blog is about those two passions.

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