Once a year the down-to-earth grape growers and winemakers of the Petaluma Gap micro region gather for a casual, pot-luck picnic under the hanger at Rockin' H Ranch Vineyard, tucked away by the meandering Petaluma River on Lakeville Highway.
A perfect, lazy day opportunity to share the latest and greatest vintages coming out of our cozy little, cool-climate terroir in what must be one of the Petaluma Gap winemaking region's best kept secrets of a private vineyard parcel.
Grilling up a bounty of sizzling, ranch raised meats was Petaluma Gap's tireless and truly dedicated Vice President, Mark Pasternak of his family-run, diversified Devil's Gulch Vineyard.
Also pictured is Paul Clary of Two Rock's Clary Ranch Vineyards, another hidden gem tucked into the swirling folds of morning fog that we can thank for producing some of the finest estate Pinot Noir and Syrah within the Petaluma Gap.
You can't miss the life-of-the-party, winemaker Don Baumhefner, also pictured above, on his mission to collect as many alter-egos as possible at one sitting! Look for the handsome fella with a plethora of name tags...(Kay, you really should not let him out alone!)
Though shadowed from the angle of my repose, Petaluma Mayor, Pamela Torliatt and winemaker extraordinaire, gallery owner Barry Singer compared tasting notes, perhaps on his 0'6 and '07 vineyard blend. It was my intention to capture the pair perfectly framed under an American flag by the breeze of the open-end of the private airplane hanger.
Met several new members of the Petaluma Gap, one lovely couple who had discovered the vineyard tour series after reading one of my blogs. After moving up to Sonoma County from Berkeley, they'd been looking for a great way to involve themselves in their new community and learn a little of the local bounty to boot. By joining the Petaluma Gap as friends of the association, they were pleasantly surprised at the perks of their membership cards! There's nothing to beat a wine tasting with the growers and winemakers themselves. The summer picnic and a holiday party in December never fail to surprise with so many amazing wines and their respective proprietors on hand not to sell, but to mingle and share their farming tales with fellow Petaluma wine afficianados.
As the Petaluma Gap gathers momentum in the coming years (several more tasting rooms are on the cards), there'll be more visibility within the community at large. Next chance to sip and swirl some fantastic local wines is at the upcoming Cinnabar Theater Music Festival classical music event, set to transport you to the hills of the balmy Med at my friends and fellow Gap members, the Azari's stunning Spring Hill Road Azari Vineyard and Winery on Saturday, September 6th.
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