Sonoma Country Life

Feast your Eyes and Your Senses on a Friday Night SoCo Crab and Champage Supper

Crab season has hit Sonoma County at last, fresh from the Pacific and perking up December's winter menus here in downtown Petaluma's restaurant row. If you are in town this evening (Friday, December 4th), or you fancy a drive up from Marin, down from Santa Rosa or across from Sonoma, don't miss out on Della Fattoria's Fabulous, annual Crab and Champagne supper. Reservations are recommended, especially as there will be live, musical entertainment by Cuerva Band (An unusual interpretation of Americana Contra and Brazilian Choro)mixed with early 30's European folk music.to set a magical mood for tastiest crustaceans and top-drawer, festive bubbly.

Think Crab Louie Thousand Island, Avovcado, Black Olives & Ranch Egg for starters, Crab & Havarti Pressata, Catalan Beef Stew, Potatoes, Leeks, Fennel, Spanish Olives on Polenta Integrale or Ravioli Herbed Ricotta & Chard Filled Ravioli in Marinara, Shaved Parmesan to follow. Or how about Leek & Mushroom Bechamel, Picholine Olives, Pepper Flake Mozzarella & Bellwether Farms Ricotta?

707-763-0161 or elisa@dellafattoria.com

For all you Champagne Charlie's out there who can't get enough of sparkly toasts this Christmas and New Year, how about the ultimate Champagne tasting over at Vine and Barrel, Sonoma Country Life's favorite independent wine sellers, on kentucky Street, also in downtown Petaluma. If you have never been to one of V & B owner Jason's outrageous tastings, its time to remedy that on December 12th at 3pm prompt:

"This is my favorite event of the year and the 3rd Annual Champagne and Oyster Tasting," says Jason. "We will feature all the great Champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world from Bruno Paillard, Monopole and Heidseick and Lucien Albrecht from France to IronHorse, Schramsberg and J Sparkling from California to Zardetto and the great Proseccos from Italy over to the very best Cavas from Spain – including Salvatore Dali’s favorite."

There will be at least 20 different houses of Champagne and Sparkling pouring for this festive tasting. "We will dine on 500 oysters, the finest pate, wonderful caviar and the most delicious local cheeses," promises Jason, who does expect the event to sell out – as it has every Christmas. Cost is $30 per person to taste all so many of these enticing sparkling wines and Champagnes of the world along with delicious pairings.  Attendees are entitled to 10% off anything they want to purchase in Vine and Barrel that same day. A great chance to stock up for your holiday wines and champagnes while supporting local business.

(707) 765-1112 or jason@vineandbarrel.com

Men in Purple - Pressing of the New Wine

Having just slightly miscalculated the volume of juice he was about to extract in the garagiste's lair last night, the Italian husband was fortunate to have the help of a few good men (in purple - hands, feet, shirts!) to force the season's new wine through traditional press and into the barrel beyond.

And it just goes to show that German muscle, determination and technology (in the form of good friend, Rob Brockman, who innocently 'popped'  by to see the action en route to Cucina Paradiso for a civilized Friday night dinner with Karen) does succeed in kicking the casual Italians into top gear.

After shedding top layers (to keep clean for his supper at Cucina!), Rob was a one-man power house at the press, squeezing at least a couple more gallons than would have emerged had he not been on the spot and willing to get stuck in!

Pressing the new wine is a messy affair, let me tell you. Not for the faint of heart and certainly not for the house proud when the wine making process takes place at home.

What a massive sigh of relief when the last drop has been officially declared and our friend Mike hauls away the shallow skins for his happy cows.

It's done and dusted for another year, with the garagiste hard at it this morning with a power washer and a wicked clean up mission.

A Post-Harvest Half Century Celebration

Thanks to the many great friends and globe-trotting family members who made it to the vineyard for the post-harvest bash for the Italian Husband's "Festival of One", or should I say "Festival of 50". Quite a lot for one day- hence my lack of verbage. Let's just say that the balmy October evening was a total plus and the talents of our wonderful, volunteer crew of true gems in the deco department, oyster-schucking, pig carving, cleaning up ranks of real sweethearts made it a night to remember and saved my sanity. Not kidding!

(Cal West Rentals here in Petaluma did a splendid job in setting up party tents, lights and delivering tables, chairs, plates, silverware - the way to go if you are partying on a large scale at home in the future)

Festival of One (Crush House Central!)

Mission Accomplished - Harvest 2009

 

 
 

Friday Afternoon in a Late Harvest Vineyard

Hard to imagine from these vibrant shots snapped on this afternoon's stroll through the hillside vines that this most robust of Syrah crops for a late 2009 harvest were awash in Tuesday's tropical storm.

This hardy fruit seems to have weathered the storm incredibly well, with no sign of distress, in large part due to today's phenomenal 83 degree sunshine and a last, final sugar boost for the final few days of hang time.

Absolutely spectacular colors up there on the hill, in what is undoubtedly the most picturesque episode of the entire vineyard year.

With just one week to go before harvest, a seven day stint of sunshine would be just what the grape doctor ordered!

Sonoma County Majesty

 

A wise man once said: "WIne gives courage and makes men more apt for passion,"

Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD)

Viewing these stunning vistas over the hill and down the winding road at West Petaluma's Ridgeway Family Vineyards, it's pretty clear that the love of the vine has expanded in its inclusion not exclusively of the fine, cool climate Pinot Noir grape, but into just as passionate an embrace of the prolific pumpkin and mighty sunflower. 

How'd you fancy Mike and Teela's fall tapestry for your backyard? It truly takes a dedicated steward of the land to nurture such a private sanctuary, even for peaceful Sonoma County where gorgeous gardens and secluded vineyards abound.

World's Most Followed Travel Blogger Takes a Vineyard Tour in the Petaluma Gap

Ever had the urge to sell up shop and take to the open road? Indefinitely. Wheresoever and for just how long the road might take you? Fantasy or fiction? For one man it remains a mind-boggling, free-wheeling reality.

Today's most -tracked travel-blogger, one extraordinary Gary Arndt of Everything-Everywhere.com did the unfathomable by putting his home on the market, selling his biz  - yes, packing his kit, lock, stock and barrel and making a clean sweep of the front doorstep on his way out to discover the big, wide world.

Since 2007, Gary has enjoyed the rarefied, remarkable experiences of globe-trotting at his own pace, taking in unlimited and for most of us, undreamed of sights, sounds and cultural experiences of intrepid, unrestricted transcontinental travel.

So what was Gary doing in my backyard this sunny, early October afternoon? Tea time in the British/American vineyard easily extends to an impromptu, private homestead vino-tasting event when Petaluma's unofficial ambassador of travel and tourism, Anastasia Schuster stops by. This time with fellow Twitterer, Gary on a whistle-stop tour of Petaluma Gap cool climate vineyards, large and small.

Gary's travels are followed by close to 100,000 on-line fans - many of whom are most likely about to read about Petaluma for the very first time! 

Inviting him up into the hillside vines for a taste of a classic, sun-ripened cool climate syrah grape, I was wondering just how many backyard vineyards Gary has come across on his travels. "The first," he confessed as we peeked into the world's smallest un-bonded winery (shed) at barrels and bottles and the garagiste's collection of tubes and pumps and testing paraphernalia! 

Toasted Gary's travels with a bottle of 2007 Que Syra and sent him onwards on the road to everywhere with a bottle of Petaluma's best home vintage as a memento of his visit to these parts.

Keep an eye out for Gary around town tomorrow (Tuesday).

West Petaluma Grown Goblin Grog for Valley Vista Harvest Festival

Rolled out the barrel this morning for this year's vintage bottling of West Petaluma-made Goblin Grog, labeled especially for an upcoming Harvest Fair basket for moms and dads, friends and neighbors to splurge a little extra school cash in support of Valley Vista Elementary's outstanding Teaching Garden.

With National focus on a growing movement to press for healthier food for school kids, supporter and First Lady, Michelle Obama received a huge pile of handwritten letters from Petaluma students to let her know that they are indeed, doing their part here in agriculturally-rich Sonoma County to promote the goal of "Eat Local, Stay Healthy".

Valley Vista School's dedicated parent volunteers have steered the model teaching garden to a whole new level of community participation and everyone is welcome at the garden's main event of the year!

The school's fun Harvest Festival actually takes place on Halloween Day, Saturday October 31st, this year - kicking off with a tasty, homemade pancake breakfast with healthy fresh fruit juices and applesauce prior to an abundant opportunity drawing to win one of 12 huge baskets of various themed goodies. 

Mayan dancing, fall crafts, tasty food and an organic gardening demonstration will take place in and around the school's garden at 730 North Webster Street, Petaluma. 

Native plant sales, shrubs and winter starters will be available for purchase and guests are invited to join a discussion on seed collecting and storage with our newest grdening merchant in town, Baker Creek Rare Seeds.

Stop by the Harvest Fair from 9am to noon and you can catch an informative demo by Cricket Landscapes on how to recycle your lawn with sheet mulch.

Look out for worm composting, pumpkin decorating, pot painting and seed art, bean necklaces, holiday masks, a costume contest and face painting by Principal Emily Blecher!

Wine, Women and Petaluma Pumpkins!

Thinking of joining a no-strings social group that combines equal measures of fun and local philanthropy here in the Petaluma area? 

I’m always looking for a public place that captures the essence of our group and the community cause that we are supporting," says Krista Gawronski, leading lady of Petaluma's fast-growing Fabulous Women Group. "Our next gathering will be on Sunday, October 4th at The Peterson Pumpkin Farm. We will meet at 4PM this Sunday, October 4th at the farm, at 636 Gossage Avenue Petaluma."

This month, the Fabulous Women will be supporting Petaluma's Committee on the Shelterless. COTS anticipates losing 40% ($750,000.00) of its revenues in the upcoming year, while demand for services is multiplying. Says Krista: "If you are unfamiliar with the mission of COTS services, here it is:  COTS provides clients with the support they need to make the transition into independent living, their goal is to break the cycle of homelessness, and provide programs to get people back into being productive members of society."

Karen Nau, a previous member of Petaluma’s City Council and a member of the Fabulous Women is strongly committed to helping this important organization. "Our gathering will take place on her parent’s farm which has served the community for a long time. They have raised livestock, grown vegetables, and educated members of the community about farming, bees, and agriculture," says Krista. "The barn was just renovated for her daughter’s wedding.  It should be the perfect backdrop for our function. There will be beautiful pumpkins everywhere."

"Please join us for this social and meaningful gathering," says Krista, who as always, encourages new members to bring along a few girlfriends. "Bring a food dish to share or a bottle of wine, and your own wine glass. We will have food bins available for donations.  We appreciate your non perishables," says Krista.

In addition to the above requests, The Fabulous Women are requesting that members and new members bring easy soup or crock-pot recipes. "We are putting together recipe books for the COTS transitional homes," says Krista, who would appreciate anyone interested in coming along this Sunday  checking in with her on line ahead of time.  "We are not just looking for quick donations…we are looking for opportunities to educate the clients in the COTS program, " she says.