When the fog invariably rolls into San Francisco, the natives quickly flee for sunnier climes. It’s not necessarily as dramatic as it sounds, I am not talking about a flight to Palm Springs or Mexico, all that’s required to escape the gloom is a quick trip north, heading over the city’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge and then into California’s sun-drenched wine country.

The name synonymous with this part of the world is Napa, a scenic valley where well-known wine houses and big name restaurants serving California’s famed produce compete for attention. However, just next door is Napa’s considerably more low-key sister, Sonoma.

Here the idea of ‘old California’ is alive – this is the country of dirt roads, hand-painted signs, small-scale vineyards and even smaller organic farms. Rustic produce stands line the roads that wind through the hills to cellar doors, and family-run diners and charming restaurants offer simple, locally sourced food to sustain your journey.

At places like The Fremont Diner, you’ll find traditional US dishes, from biscuits and gravy (soft scones with a creamy white gravy) to buttermilk-fried chicken and waffles. Inspired by these moreish all-American classics, where the golden crunch of deep-fried meat is offset with the tang of pickles, I’ve created a fried chicken sandwich that evokes the flavours of an American road trip.

For the fried chicken sandwiches with homemade pickles recipe click here.