Our Hopes for Our First Growing Season

In 2009, Celeste and I found a bit of property off Laguna Road with an old farmhouse overlooking an empty field, untended fruit trees and a kiwi grove running wild. Even then, standing under the five towering redwoods that spoke of the property’s history, we felt the tingle of potential. This year, we will see that potential realized. After a year in the greenhouse and two years in the field, our 3.75-planted acres of vines will finally bear fruit that will be sold to a winery.

Ask Clay: Advice from a Winegrower

I've been making wine out of my garage for 7-plus years now. I'm wondering, before you got into the actual winery/ranch, what did you do about licensing for making and selling your wine? I wanted to go to the next stage in this endeavor, but I have no idea where to start and was hoping you had some insight!

Establishing a Cover Crop: The First Step of Our First Growing Season

We've already taken our first step toward a healthy growing season by establishing a cover crop between our 109 vine rows. Located in the six feet between rows, the cover crop helps to reduce erosion, eliminate weeds, add nutrients to the soil and provide habitat for beneficial insects.

Exploring the Laguna de Santa Rosa

On Saturday and Sunday last weekend, we took our first walks along the new Laguna de Santa Rosa trail. Laguna de Santa Rosa is the largest freshwater wetlands complex on the northern California coast, and we can thank its collection of marshes, creeks, ponds, riparian forests and wetlands for collecting much of the Russian River’s floodwaters.