Zephyr Designer Retreat: San Francisco & Napa Valley + a GIVEAWAY!
Today I’m finally sharing the details of my trip this past fall to San Francisco and Napa Valley with the Zephyr Blogger/Designer Retreat, and I’ve also got an amazing giveaway for you! So make sure you read all the way to the end for all the details on how to enter!
For any of you not familiar with Zephyr, they are Zephyr Ventilation, makers of innovative and award-winning range hood ventilation systems. I spent two days with them, along with eleven other bloggers and designers, learning all about their top quality product line, as well as touring some beautiful showrooms in the SF design district and wine tasting in Napa Valley. The trip was a dream come true for a blogger who loves all things kitchen, design, and wine and food!
Zephyr Retreat: Day 1
We started our first day at the state-of-the-art Zephyr showroom in downtown San Francisco.
Examples of range hoods in the Zephyr San Francisco showroom.
We spent a good part of our first morning learning all the details about Zephyr’s ventilation line. Here, renowned designer and architect Fu-Tung Cheng talks about his background, education and design process. Cheng, one of the most influential kitchen design influencers of the last 50 years, has designed a specialty line for Zephyr since 2005.
Let’s be honest, ventilation isn’t sexy, like high-end ranges or marble countertops. But what I learned is that it is equally, if not more important to the overall efficiency of your kitchen. Especially if you actually cook!
Founded in 1997, Zephyr has been at the forefront of innovation from the start. They were the first to offer some of the strongest, yet quietest ventilation systems on the market. Here are just a few of their amazing features:
• Clean Air Feature: turns hood on once every 4 hours for 10 minutes.
• Zephyr RF Remote Control: yes, you read that right – remote control! The RF remote control commands the power and light of each Arc Collection range hood from a distance of up to 15 feet away.
• Bloom HD LED lightbulbs: an industry breakthrough offering 25,000 hours of life, these bulbs are dimmable, and remain cool to the touch.
• DCBL Suppression System: this system offers decreased noise with increased power and efficiency, using 77% less energy, making 77% less noise, and delivering 30% more cfm than standard hoods. DCBL offers the quietest (virtually inaudible), most energy-efficient and best performing range hoods on the market. *Note: when demonstrating this feature, our instructor held up a piece of paper and it was immediately sucked up to the hood, however, he had been speaking before he did this and it seemed perfectly quiet in the room. In other words, when the paper was sucked up to the hood, none of us had even known the vent was on!
• Self-cleaning systems: the first in the industry to offer a completely self-cleaning vent hood. All I can say is, I wish I had known of Zephyr six years ago when I was designing my kitchen remodel!
To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I’m an avid cook, and as such, there is a lot of grease produced. A high quality hood would have made all the difference in my kitchen. The one I have now is not only as loud as an airplane landing, but seems to blow the grease and smoke out into the room rather than sucking it up! You can bet that I will be putting a Zephyr hood in my next kitchen, and I’ll be recommending them to any client doing a kitchen remodel as well.
Our group of 12 bloggers and designers with Tu-Fung Cheng in the San Francisco Zephyr showroom.
Following our education at Zephyr, we enjoyed some time touring some designer showrooms, and had some late afternoon down time. Then it was time to change, and we were whisked off to a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco, Boulettes Larder.
This restaurant sits on the edge of the water in the Ferry Building. Isn’t it so cute? I love the warm, cozy atmosphere and all the copper pots! And the food is delicious. If you have never been and have an opportunity to visit SF, I highly recommend it. It’s small, intimate and cozy. It definitely feels like an authentic Provencal bistro!
Here I am with, from left; Paloma Contreras of the blog La Dolce Vita, Meagan Camp, and Katrina Stumbos.
The twelve designers/bloggers attending, along with the two lovely ladies from Zephyr, and designer Fu-Tung Cheng.
That view behind us? That’s the view of the water from the restaurant!
And as if that day wasn’t great enough, our next day was like a reward in itself! We were treated to a day of wine tasting in nearby Napa Valley (one of my favorite places on earth!)
Zephyr Retreat Day 2
Our first stop was the stunning Joseph Phelps Vineyards for a private tasting.
Arriving at the Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Their entrance is stunning.
The building is gorgeous, as well as the surrounding grounds and the views.
Our next stop was Hall Wines. The day we were there was only a week or two after their terrible fires, so Hall Wines was donating 100% of their tasting fees to wildfire relief. The wineries and restaurants were all so thrilled to have us. Their business had been cut by more than half, and many were really struggling. It was nice to know that we were not only having a fun day tasting wines, but that we were helping to contribute to the rebirth of the area.
I loved this old building on the Hall Wines property. We actually had our private tasting in the room on the second floor (you can see just a bit through the center window).
The view from that second floor window. So gorgeous!
After our wine tasting we went to another favorite restaurant, Bouchon, for lunch and took this photo in a grassy area nearby. If you get a chance to visit the Napa Valley area, Bouchon is a must stop! It’s owned by Thomas Keller, the chef/owner of the famous French Laundry, and has great French bistro style food (at much less expensive prices than French Laundry!) And the bakery attached to the restaurant has the best pastries I’ve had this side of Paris.
I want to say a huge thank you to all the people at Zephyr who made this trip possible – it really was a dream blogger trip and I am thrilled to have been a part. To Jennifer for all her coordinating, and to Erica and Sarah for being the most amazing hosts! Every little detail was thought of, and the whole trip was such a treat from start to finish. Your perfectionism and professionalism is a reflection of a company that cares about its products and its people. It was a delight to get to know you, and to be associated with a company of such integrity.
And now for the giveaway details!
Zephyr Range Hood Giveaway!
Guidelines are as follows:
1. Visit Zephyr’s website and select the range hood you want for your kitchen. (Don’t worry, you can always change this later if you desire. And Zephyr will help you to choose if you want their assistance).
2. Go to both Zephyr and Maison de Cinq on Facebook and “like” our pages.
3. Leave a comment below with the style you’ve chosen and your email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. A winner will be randomly selected on Thursday, February 28th. Please don’t forget to leave your email – otherwise I have no way of contacting you if you win!
Please note that Zephyr will gift the winner the range hood of their choice and will ship it at no cost within the Continental United States. The winner is responsible for the installation and any costs associated with it. *Content is only open to residents of the Continental U.S. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited.*
UPDATE: WINNER is Shannon Haynes! Congratulations to Shannon!
*This post was sponsored by Zephyr, but all content and opinions expressed are my own.*
In your lovely retreat at and with Zephyr did they mention if they tend to release new models at any specific time of the year? Thanks for a great write-up
I do believe they come out with new ones each year, but I’m not sure what time of year. Sorry about that – but I would check with them!
Thanks for stopping by!
I like Breeze II Under-Cabinet. Lovely.
The Wave Wall hood is gorgeous, I wouldn’t even know it was a range hood. Thank you for the chance. erinwins1@gmail.com
You’re so welcome! Good luck!
Looks like you had a fabulous time! What a great topic. I’ve been struggling with accepting that our range hood blocks off half the kitchen. I am so intrigued and in love with the flush mount Lux hood from the designer collection! Thanks for sharing!
-Stacey
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and learned from it Stacey! I know I sure learned a lot on the trip (as well as having a lot of fun:))
Great choice and good luck!
I’d take any of them! Im remodeling my kitchen March 5th! The tornado III looks beautiful. What a treat it would be to win. I havent been able to splurge on anything during this remodel. It’s all been budget, budget, budget. So winning would be incredible!
Fabtastic at comcast dot net
How exciting to be doing a remodel, sounds like this would be a dream come true for you!
Best of luck to you!
38″ Tornado III Insert
I have a professional chef in the family so I need something heavy duty. New house to be constructed next year.
Great choice! Good luck!
I have a traditional 1960’s ranch, and the Venezia Wall looks absolutely perfect, and would fit perfectly above my cooktop. I do some serious cooking and am looking to upgrade my kitchen as much as I can. Beautiful!
Sounds like a great choice!
Be still my heart. Well a girl can dream. Here’s to hoping my dream of having the Zephyr Cache under cabinet. Beautiful form and a couple of well needed functions. Thank you Sheila and Zephyr for sharing this opportunity.
You’re so welcome! Best of luck to you!
Sheila
Sheila,
I loved this!
And I’ll take the duo-wall hood!!
Good choice!
Sheila
xo
Interesting…I never pondered so much on range hood ventilation, not until your story. Thank you!
Now I want one for my kitchen, too! 🙂 I would love that Horizon Wall to add the smartness in my future Smart Home! ;P
email erinjoycem @ yahoo
That’s how I felt! It opened up a whole new world to me. My vent hood is so awful, and I didn’t even know this level of quality was out there until I saw the Zephyrs.
Best of luck to you!
VENEZIA Wall would be a dream come true! The perfect solution for our kitchen!
Thanks…
You’re welcome! Good luck!
Glad I saw this post! We were thinking of renovating our kitchen and this is so helpful. The Zephyr Layer Wall is perfect for our kitchen!
My email address is RichJoyce dot TM at gmail dot com
Yay! I’m glad too! Good luck!
Monsoon DCBL Insert, please!
Sheila your trip sounds amazing! What an experience, so glad you had this opportunity! We love to cook too, and one thing we are really looking forward to when we remodel our kitchen is having more substantial venting!! I can’t believe how many options there are on the Zephyr website, clearly they know their stuff! The Monsoon insert would be a dream come true for us! Thank you for hosting this giveaway Sheila!
Oh gosh, I sure hope if/when I move or remodel I can do a Zephyr too! And yes, they definitely do know their stuff:)
Good luck to you my friend!
Sheila
xo
This was a really informative post. Sounds like you had a great trip! I just love the Limited Edition Okeanito Wall – the mixed metals would be gorgeous in a cream/white kitchen.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It is hard to make something like range hoods seem interesting, so it makes me happy that you got something out of it!
Sheila
Looks like you had so much fun Sheila! Fabulous pictures of the event. Your range hood is stunning! Congrats on your excursion too so exciting!! I’m in love with the Sienna Pro Wall hood. settingforfour@gmail.com
The trip was so great! And thanks so much Heather – I love the outside of my hood and my mantel, but boy do I wish I had a Zephyr fan inside instead of my rocket-landing-but-doesn’t-really-work-model! haha
Sheila
xo
This is amazing! We are currently remodeling and I have a Zephyr hood already picked out. Winning this contest would be amazing! I love the Luce Wall
That’s amazing! Very lucky timing for you for sure:)
Good luck!
I really like the Venezia Wall Hood. We plan to renovate our kitchen this coming summer and would love to incorporate a Zephyr in the design!
Oh my goodness, that Trapeze Island Hood, yes please. Love it.
Glad you found one you like!
Good luck!
I learned alot from your post. Thanks for sharing!
Now Im excited to have a Zephyr Layer Wall on my new condo unit.
I’m so glad to hear that, truly! I learned so much from them, and will make a much better decision (a Zephyr!) next time I’m installing one!
Sheila
oh i forgot my email add: it is richelle dot aine at gmail dot com
Loved your blog! MONSOON DCBL insert 36”wide. We only have 17” depth and hood 22”. Had Hubby measure 😉.
Titalittle@att.net
Good for you for measuring:)
Wishing you luck!
Sheila
What an amazing experience! I would love to win one of these gorgeous vent hoods and like the Ravenna under cabinet II! I liked both of your Facebook pages too! 💗
Yay! Thanks CC! They are a great product – good luck!
Sheila
xo
Sienna Pro Wall. I’d love to have this. Cook bunches with a large family. Thank you for your giveaway. Hope I win.
They are a great product, especially for those who really cook!
Good luck to you!
Siena Wall. Your trip looked wonderful!
Emilyorlando@ymail.com
Thanks, it was!
Good luck!
What an amazing opportunity and fabulous trip you had! This certainly is a generous giveaway. I especially like the Anzio wall hood.
It really was! I was pinching myself the whole time:)
Good luck!
Sheila
Thanks for the info! We are about to start a kitchen remodel and I would love the Tornado III. Looks like it has all the bells and whistles 🙂
—Andrea H
They are the best! So glad you enjoyed it and sounds like it’s perfect timing for you! Good luck!
Sheila
What a wonderful trip! Your post was very informational about Zephyr products. I am building a house so this post was very helpful. The Sienna Pro Wall is beautiful and functional.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s hard to make facts and figures seem “fun” but really, if you cook, these are worth knowing! Good luck!
Sheila
My husband and I were just talking about removing the old cabinets above our stove, which also needs to be replaced, and adding a hood. So I would be beyond thrilled to add a little bit of a Modern touch to this 100 year old Home. I love the Milano.
Perfect timing for you then Tammy! Good luck!
Sheila
xo
Perfect timing for info! Hubby and I just went yesterday to start our research for a vent hood. We have the professional range now and are looking for the perfect hood. Can not stand the grease that is on my cabinets while we are using the range until our remodel starts in two months. Looking at the Tornado II insert. Pro Collection. Greatly Appreciated.
JLTRS@att.net
Seriously, I SO wish I had known about Zephyr when I did my kitchen remodel! I think if you go with one of theirs you will be happy – and if you are the lucky winner, even better!
Sheila
What a wonderful trip! I am so glad you shared this, as you know I need a range hood here shortly for our new home. I love many of them but think I like the Venezia the best. What a great giveaway! XO, Amy
This giveaway is perfect for you Amy! So glad you stopped by – and good luck!
Sheila
xo
Sheila I am blown away by this entire experience – thank you so much for sharing! What an amazing time you must have had and what a fantastic opportunity! I am so impressed with the line of products from Zephyr – the design and innovation are simply amazing, and I do think ventilation can be totally sexy! These are gorgeous products!
Aww, thanks so much Tamara! It was really a dream trip, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! And I can’t say enough about their products. I am not kidding when I say I will be having a Zephyr hood in every kitchen from now on!
Sheila
xo
I am wanting to redesign my kitchen and I’m so glad you posted about Zephyr. I’m like you, I didn’t know there is so much to choose from. I would love the Breeze I Under Cabinet for my new kitchen!
Best of luck to you – their products are the best!
Sheila
Your trip looks like it was fabulous. Thank you for sharing. I never knew there was a hood option that is flush with the ceiling. I’d love the Lux Island hood from the designer collection. Zephyr has so many really beautiful designs.
Hi Stacey! Thanks so much for stopping by. And yes, the trip WAS pretty great, as are Zephyr’s hoods! Best of luck to you!
Sheila
xo
What a beautiful trip, Sheila and what a privilege to be invited to Napa. Zephyr has beautiful hoods and I love the Limited Edition Okeanoto Wall.
It was beautiful – but what’s not beautiful about Napa?! Good luck to you!
Sheila
xo
What a fabulous trip Sheila!!! I certainly love all the features of Zephyr hoods!
Me too Joan! And yes, it was a wonderful trip! What’s not to love about Napa?!
Sheila
xo
Tempest I. Segobe@aol.com
I love what you said that ventilation is not exactly a sexy topic. Who pays attention to vent hoods? But I will confess there is more to know than I thought.
It’s so true! I never realized truly how important it is – especially since I have an industrial range. My next hood will definitely be a Zephyr!
Sheila
What a great experience Sheila! Napa is very near and dear to my heart, how great that you all were treated to a wonderful day there. When we did our kitchen re-do we did not replace the fan. Since we live to cook, Our old one really needs to be replaced!
I love the Moonsoon insert, it would be perfect for our home. Whether I win or not Ifingers crossed!) Zephyr is definitely the hood I would want!
Thanks Jamie! And I feel the same way about Napa – it is truly a special place:)
Good luck to you!
Sheila
xo
Ooops!…forgot to leave my email!!! tstan8@aol.com
What a fabulous experience! Going to Napa (Calistoga Ranch0 next month….so very excited as it is our first time in Napa! Took lots of notes….We are creating plans for our future “right sized” home and want an outdoor kitchen so the Cypress Wall Outdoor hood would be a good choice!…Any other suggestions with regard to Napa would be so appreciated!!!! Hope you are feeling better!!!
Oh Shirley, I’m SO excited for you! The whole Napa/Sonoma valley is gorgeous and you will have a wonderful time there (shoot me an email if you need any more recommendations as my husband and I are pretty avid wine tasters and have been several times:).
Good luck – they make great outdoor hoods! And thank you. I’m not all better yet, but I’m getting there!
Sheila
xo
What a wonderful experience and how great that you got to go to Napa! Gorgeous!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley! And yes, it was an amazing opportunity! So thankful that I went and now that I know about them, I’ll definitely be having a Zephyr hood in my next kitchen!
Sheila
xo
This is so exciting – want to get rid of the microwave/vent above my range…there is no room to see what I am doing as it is so low. Time to open up and see my culinary masterpieces. I would love the 30 Savona Wall in stainless! Thanks for this trip to the prettiest city in US. 🌉🏯💛💙💛
Hi Holly!
Oh I know what you mean, my old kitchen had a super low hood too and it was incredibly inconvenient! Their products are great – good luck!
Sheila
Looks amazing
It was great – thanks so much for stopping by!
Sheila
Your trip looks like so much fun!! I love San Fran! One of my favorite cities in the U.S! And I LOVE Zephyr’s hoods! I love the Pro Collection.. Especially the Monsoon II Insert. We are in the middle of a farmhouse build now and I have been searching high and low for a vent hood to go in that kitchen! Such a timely post for me! So thank you! Andyashleighhall at gmail dot com
You’re so welcome Ashleigh! Their hoods are amazing, and I think even if you don’t win you should try to buy one. They are truly the best on the market! Best of luck!
Sheila