It had not escaped my attention that though I have spent many years living in wine country I really had yet to write a single post truly focusing on the vineyards that bless my life and the lives of the communities that surround me. This is probably due to a boorishly boring indifference to wine itself. But the beauty of the vineyards are a mainstay in my daily reality and it was probably past due to pay homage and share with all of you. And today I do.
Go, little book, and wish to all
Flowers in the garden, meat in the hall,
A bin of wine, a spice of wit,
A house with lawns enclosing it,
A living river by the door,
A nightingale in the sycamore!
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Traversing early morning backroads I find this beautiful vineyard which lies next to the Russian River. What a stunning place to live!
Inspired, I continue my exploration, and, of course, I find another animal friend who comes to visit and I am (again) delighted. These large animals just light up my spirit immeasureably. Their curiosity kindles my own and my heart always always immediately opens. Yours?
Hello, pretty horse! Thank you for visiting me this morning! But now the activity at the fence has caught the attention of a number of cattledogs. I know better than to tangle with cattledogs, so I excuse myself and scurry back to my car! Whew!
Vineyards, vineyards. Back on track, I continue on my documenting way. I notice fog on the hills further south and I am anxious to catch and share one of the most engaging and beautiful elements with which we are blessed: the continual flow of fog off the ocean moving inland and gracing our surrounding hills and mountains in an ever changing spin of white and blue.
Further south I look across the road, upon which I may not stop except in an emergency, and photographing vineyards will not qualify, at a series of willow trees which always capture my attention as I have occasion to pass by, yet I have never known how or where to enter. Suddenly I see a small dirt road and I make the sudden decision to turn in. I’m so glad I did. I follow the dirt road and a few small signs, and here’s where I come out!
So I get one of my willows, and a big bunch of Christmas in the mix, charmingly so! How fun! This truly is a gorgeous spot, and after speaking with a woman there, I do promise to return to create a full post on this particular winery. For today I am sharing some of the images I was most struck by, which will serve very well for now and also as a precursor of what we will find in spring.
I was very impressed with the gardening principles at this vineyard. I took another snap of the cover crop growing between the rows of grapes. I am not familiar with these particular plants. Are you? I’m sure I will have a reader who will know and share with the rest of us.
One of the things I found here that pulled at my imagination and filled me with delight were these very old olive trees. The woman I spoke with told me they are each over 100 years old, and are slowly being transplanted from another location to create this amazing orchard.
When I saw these olive trees, I knew I would have to come back to meet the artistic and conscientious people who are creating this destination. Here is another exquisite result of their artistry. The orange trees are willows. The small man-made lake beyond is surrounded by the weeping willows that had called me here from the road.
Oh, yes. I will be back. Won’t you?
Love and country blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
Posted on December 12th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 14 Comments »
