Valley Ford Mercantile and Wool Mill Open House

Nine miles inland from Bodega Bay, the unincorporated little hamlet of Valley Ford is having a renaissance of sorts. The eco-friendly, agritourism sort. When, in years not too long past, motorists would whizz through main street (actually, one of Valley Ford, population 147's only streets) - State Route 1, en-route from Petaluma to the Sonoma coast, today's inviting picture is proving a popular pit-stop for expanding dining and shopping attractions. 

Here's the bucolic view from the parking lot beside the new Valley Ford Mercantile and Wool Mill , which opened in Spring 2013 and is now fully operational, thanks to the first deliveries of wonderfully clean and fluffy, organic wool from locally raised sheep. 

Eco-friendly wool mill entrepreneurs, Casey Mazzucchi and Ariana Strozzi are sheep and horse ranchers at the nearby and renowned Skyhorse Ranch. 

We all know that if something important needs doing, then the busiest people are the best to take it on. Ariana explained how she considered a huge need for an organic wool mill in

Northern California an absolute must-do mission, especially given the emphasis in this part of Sonoma County on sheep (for meat) farming and sky rocketing farmstead sheep milk production on organic farms in the area. 

Sheep ranchers had, until now, mostly discarded wool. That's all changed with the advent of Ariana and Casey bringing in a 10 foot needle felting loom and cording machine from Carolina. 

A lot of wool that we see at farmers markets and around Northern Cal knitteries has traveled the country and undergone various processes in several states before making its way out West. Locally sourced (within 150 miles), organic wool is of much more appeal for its limited carbon footprint.

Dreamy is not an overstatement for these luxurious organic wool mattress pads and comforters, already in production at the Mill, hand tufted and available in the Mercantile Store, which is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, from 11 am to 5 pm or by special appointment. 

Organic, chemical-free wool is being transformed into high quality, fire-resistant, non-allergenic home wares, the healthiest products on the market.

The mill welcomed its first local supply of neighboring wool last week, delighting fellow rancher, Deborah Walton with a sustainable outlet for the crafting of exquisite wool bedding, yarn and other useful wood products.

Ariana described the baby doll sheep wool from Two Rock Canvas Ranch as: "rich, clean, chocolate-brown and easy to work with". Meanwhile, their progressive first customer was: "Excited to support the first local wool mill in the North Bay". 

Author and B&B operator, to boot, Ariana explained how up until the 1900s, most bedding in Europe and the U.S.A was made from wool (though other natural products, including straw and feathers were often used). When the first metal coil box spring bed was manufactured in the late 19th Century, an innerspring core and cotton batting or fiberfill formed the basis of setting a standard for all sorts of potentially hazardous, chemical-filled and unnatural stuffing components. Far more popular in Europe, traditional, breathable wool bedding is finally making its comeback here in the States.

"I sleep with all-wool bedding and I've never slept as well in my life," she said. 

Organic wool boasts intensive healing properties. Used since ancient times to help people with asthma, arthritis, allergies, insomnia and heart disease, wool bedding acclimatizes to body temperature. That is one of the reasons that fishermen and ranchers opt for wool clothing in all weathers.

A range of clothing is being developed as the mercantile and mill's small team of six staff familiarizes itself with its machinery. Alongside its initial range of creamy, fluffy, hand-batted mattress pads and comforters, the store stocks wool blankets and clothing from several other organic vendors.Washing of wool and carding into bats or roving to begin the spinning process is also offered at the Mill.  See website for more info on upcoming tours and classes.

A Grand Opening takes place on Sat. Aug. 3rd, 2013 from 2-6pm.

Also open for business, in the same barn building in Valley Ford is an intriguing little emporium of alchemy, called HydroSouls, LLC (pictured below). Step into this pint-sized realm of botanical solutions for body, mind and spirit and its captivating display of plant-powered, planet-friendly lotions and potions for humans and our animal friends invites some further exploration. 

Retired professionals in the field of health care and fine dining, owner/alchemists and self-described couple of crones, Pat Rothchild and her partner Tana  O'Connaigh have spent the past few years meticulously creating an antidote to the challenges presented by industrially generated body products and medicines. Their line of blends, teas and perfumes has been popularized by word of mouth. A new storefront side-by-side with the region's first wool mercantile and mill makes for a seriously good organic-goods shopping expedition out West. 

If you've yet to enjoy brunch or dinner across the street at Rocker Oysterfeller's while out and about on our country roads, the kitchen and saloon at Valley Ford Hotel are well worth making an extended stop-off. Reservations are a good idea on weekends. 

Pick up a supply of homemade sausages, fresh rabbit, Valley Ford Cheese and Point Reyes Blue at neighboring Valley Ford market. During summer months, fruit stands pop-up out front. 

Dinucci's third-generation-run Italian Family Style Restaurant is an institution in these parts. And keeping it easy to follow the Valley Ford family tree, Ariana's daughter Wesley runs nearby Estero Café. 

 

Though it all seems to be happening out at Valley Ford this summer, you'll still find it one of the most rustic, unspoiled of near-coastal hamlets in Northern California.

Comments

[Ariana]

hi,

thanks for a great write up of our happy little town and new venture! we are really excited by the overwhelming support and enthusiasm we have received.

Best, Ariana and Casey