Southern Sonoma Country Life

Top Pick for Weekend Warriors — Windsor's Notre Vue Estate Hosts 4th Annual Tour de Cru Wine, Food, Music, Running, Biking, and Hiking Event

Wine lovers and fitness enthusiasts are invited to experience one of the most scenic and inspiring workouts in Sonoma County. Notre Vue Estate Winery in Windsor will welcome guests for a day of wine tasting, exploring the property, an outdoor lunch from The Wurst and live music from Rag Tag Sullivan on Saturday, June 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Guests will be able to hike, bike and run along the Estate’s private trails. Tickets are $55 per person, and kids’ tickets are $25 and are available at http://www.tourdecru.com. The winery is located at 11010 Estate Lane in Windsor (95492).

 Chamomile and mustard will be in full bloom as guests traverse the scenic trails winding through the 250 acres of vineyard and along the 350 acres of open space. Red-tailed hawks, turkeys, hummingbirds and perhaps a Golden Eagle or two will soar above as bikers, hikers, runners and walkers enjoy the views of the estate’s lakes and rolling hills. At the highest point on the property there are sweeping views to the east to the mountains above St. Helena and to the west as far as the Pacific Ocean. The Notre Vue Estate encompasses both the Chalk Hill and Russian River Valley appellations.

 There are five hiking, running and biking trail options which accommodate both novices and experienced athletes, ranging from 1 mile to 5 miles. Following an active morning on the trails, at 12 p.m. guests will return to the winery, crush pad and lakeside pavilions to relax and enjoy wine tasting followed by a lunch by The Wurst and wines from Notre Vue Estate and Balverne Wines. 

Notre Vue Estate encompasses 700 acres and was founded by Bob and Renée Stein in 1992. Approximately 350 acres are dedicated to open space and classified as “Forever Wild” under an agreement with the Sonoma County Open Space District. The vineyards are planted to 18 varietals.

Balverne Wines was established in 1972 at this property and continues today as a line of wines within the Notre Vue portfolio. The name Balverne comes from a hybrid Anglo-French term referring to the beauty of the site, with a literal translation as “A Place of Trees.” The label pays tribute to the wildlife on the property with the image of the red-tailed hawks that fly through the vineyards.

The winery welcomes visitors for tours and tastings seven days a week between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Notre Vue offers an assortment of tastings and experiences, including the Nouveau (a flight of the estate wines), Eau de Vie (a lakeside pavilion tasting), Cultivar (a tasting accompanied by paired small bites), Heritage (an educational tour with the winemaker, including a walking tour of the vineyards) and Sauvage (a tour, tasting and luncheon outdoors).

Beginning June 2, the winery is starting Summer Sundays, welcoming guests for an afternoon in the sun from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with live music by Jason Bodlovich and food from the fig rig (the girl & the fig’s food truck). There will be lawn games and more: there is no charge for attending but reservations are suggested, by contacting https://www.notrevueestate.com/events/June-2---Summer-Sundays. The series continues on July 7, August 4 and September 1, with a variety of musicians and food vendors. Food at these events is available for purchase.

Another fun event will be a drive-in movie on September 6.

 

Visit https://www.notrevueestate.com/ for more information.

 

California Rare Fruit Growers Garden Club Annual Tree Sale July 20th — Santa Rosa

The annual California Rare Fruit Growers of the Redwood Empire's annual tree sale will be at the Original Santa Rosa Farmers' Market behind Sutter Hospital at 30 Mark West Springs Road 95403 on Saturday July 20 2019 from 9AM until 1PM.

Dozens of uncommon varieties of apples, pears, plums, pluots, plums, figs, peaches, nectarines, cactus-pear, berries and more will be available. All trees are custom grafted by the CRFG Garden Club to be sold as a fundraiser for donations to students’ agricultural scholarships and other ag-related non-profits.

There are literally thousands of varieties of trees, vines and shrubs that bear edible fruit. Most people are familiar with only the most common varieties of fruits that are available commercially in stores. Many of these commercial varieties are available primarily because of the durability of the fruit for shipping, handling and storage rather than for best flavor.

Even though the best tasting fruits can be too fragile for commercial distribution, they are perfectly suited to the home-gardener. Anyone with at least a six foot by six foot patch of open sunlight can successfully grow a tree with delicious fruits, even if only in a box of soil on pavement. Properly selected fruit-bearing plants can also be used for edible landscaping, proving a pleasing visual display in addition to gourmet treats. Multiple fruit varieties can be grown on the same plant by means of simple grafting techniques, resulting in a "fruit salad" tree! One member has over 100 kinds of pears on one tree!

Rootstocks control the size of the tree, scions control the kind of fruit produced. Types M111 and Geneva 41 rootstock limit tree to 8-20’ high, are highly disease resistant, and have been tested to tolerate wet heavy soil like the Santa Rosa plain. Geneva 202 is a semi dwarf, and Bud 9 & Geneva 41 are extreme dwarfs, which can be kept to 4’ high and 4’ wide with pruning, but will need drip irrigation and staking their whole life, though fruit will be normal large size.

All trees for sale are about 2-3' tall, grafted in March. Note that small trees will outgrow taller root-bound trees within a year or two. Most trees cost $20 in 5 Gal pots. Multi-grafted trees cost more. You can get more scions from in January to add varieties to make a "fruit salad tree", $5 entry, by keeping your tree in the pot and bringing it in for grafting then. Hundreds of more varieties will be available in late January, and entry includes all grafting and pruning classes.. See CRFG-Redwood.org in December for dates and times.

Many of the best tasting fruits are only available from specialty catalogs and growers, or through hobbyist organizations like the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) garden club. CRFG promotes interest in all aspects of fruit growing, with special emphasis on rare and unusual fruits. North Bay CRFG members  in "Luther Burbank country" get together regularly to taste fruits, trade plants, and to swap tips on local growing techniques and what grows best in local conditions. One recent meeting featured over 200 different locally-grown fruits to taste! The results of prior "hard-core-expert" tastings are available on the club website, along with tips on growing, grafting, greenhouse construction, deer-proofing and other topics, at CRFG-Redwood.org.

Petaluma Arts Center Sip & Shop Pop-Up Market of Art & Crafts & Original Works - Free Entry Sat June 22nd 2-8pm — Cocktail Happy Hour 5-8pm

Mixed Media Collage Workshops (No Experience Needed) With Sonoma County Artists Jane Murphy & Michelle Chayes at SwallowTail Studios June 29th or July 13th

 

Workshops will be offered on Saturday June 29th OR July 13 2019. 10-2. 

Cost is $125. All materials will be supplied.

Future dates to  follow. Classes are limited to 8 people per workshop.

All materials will be supplied but you are encouraged to bring any personal images or bits that you’d like to work with. 

Class participants are going to work on wood panels prepped with a background paint and pieces will be started using two different transfer techniques, adding paper, images, stamps and paint to complete each piece. 

 

Email with questions or to sign up:

billchayes71@gmail.com

Swallowtail Studios is 5 minutes from Downtown Petaluma and easy to find.

It is suggested that you bring a bag lunch.

Michelle's work can be seen at: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/michellechayes/

Jane's work can be seen on her Pinterest “My Stuff” page:  https://www.pinterest.com/janeemurphy/my-stuff/

Canadian Captain Wendy Williams to Lead First Virgin Voyages Ship

I have yet to take a cruise, but if I was to take one anytime soon, this would be a good place to start. Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin have announced the appointment of Captain Wendy Williams as Master of cruise ship Scarlet Lady. When Captain Williams takes the helm of Scarlet Lady in spring 2020, she will become the first Canadian woman to be captain of a ship for a major cruise brand. The company also announced a brand-new lineup of itineraries for their premier 2020 season.

“Captain Wendy's extensive maritime background makes her an excellent choice to lead the Scarlet Lady, but it is her spirit and drive to approach life at sea differently that make her the perfect fit to join the Virgin Voyages family,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages.

Originally from the coastal city of Sept-Îles, Quebec on the Northeastern coast of Canada, Captain Williams resides on her hobby farm on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Captain Williams has more than 28 years of experience working on ships at sea. Her extensive background includes more than a decade as a deckhand in commercial fishing off the western coast of Canada as well as working as a ferryboat captain. Although she has spent more than 15 years working on the bridge of mega cruise ships, her role with Virgin Voyages will be her first promotion to Master of a cruise ship.

“I have salt water in my veins and nothing brings me more joy than being at sea,” said Captain Wendy Williams. “It's a dream come true to be working with Virgin Voyages, a company that is focused on creating an incredible experience not only for our Sailors but for our Crew as well; while also taking action to minimize our footprint on our oceans.”

Just last year, Virgin Voyages announced its Scarlet Squad program, an initiative dedicated to bridging the gender gap in leadership roles across the maritime industry, where women represent less than three per cent of the workforce. The program aims to recruit, support and mentor female shipboard talent, and to grow opportunities for leadership roles in marine, technical and hotel management positions on board.

While Virgin Voyages is still in the early stages of the crew for Scarlet Lady, the company has already recruited Captain Williams as well as nearly a dozen other female officers, including Jill Anderson as hotel director, Christin Wenge as safety officer, Lindsay Kerber as environmental officer, among other incredibly talented women engineers as well as second and third officers.

Virgin Voyages' intention is to create an onboard environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

New Voyage Offerings

In response to the U.S. government's frustrating new restrictions on travel to Cuba from the United States, Virgin Voyages has developed a lineup of new itineraries featuring destinations that its sailors expressed interest in exploring while on a voyage aboard Scarlet Lady.

Continuing the company's mission to provide its sailors with epic day and nighttime experiences, the all new itineraries will feature multiple late-night sail aways, including a midnight departure on all new sailings.

Virgin Voyages will now offer five-night Riviera Maya sailings to Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Cozumel and Playa del Carmen offer opportunities for sailors to experience some of the world's best diving, as the area is home to 26 coral species. Sailors will also have the opportunity to explore ecological and archeological treasures, including Mayan ruins, or opt to explore neighboring Tulum, the elevated Bohemian sanctuary with picturesque beaches and diverse nightlife.

For those who just want a quick getaway, Virgin Voyages' four-night sailings will now become Fire and Sunset Soirées including a sunset departure from Key West and a midnight departure from Bimini. Sailors will experience the cultural and boating paradise of Key West, paired with a day of rejuvenation in Bimini, Bahamas that's topped off by an exclusive late-night beach bonfire soiree. This celebration under the stars is exclusive to these sailings, and the artistic fire installations draw inspiration from the fireball sculptures on Branson's Necker Island and the alluring communal nature of a traditional beachside bonfire. Sounds great to me!

In response to Sailor demand for longer voyages aboard Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages has developed special seven-night sailings for the 2020 festive holiday season. Those looking to get a jump start on their holiday planning can opt for the all-new Holidaze and Nights and New Year's Ahoy voyages, which fall over the Christmas and New Year's holidays respectively, and feature stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and late-night sail aways in both Bimini, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

All voyages will feature a stop in Bimini, Bahamas, home to The Beach Club, a private club for Virgin Voyages Sailors while Scarlet Lady is on the island.

For more information on Scarlet Lady, future Sailors and First Mates (travel partners) are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com.

ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES

Virgin Voyages is a global lifestyle brand committed to creating the world's most irresistible holiday. With operations in the US, UK, and Europe, Virgin Voyages currently has four ships on order with master shipbuilder Fincantieri.

With its inaugural season scheduled for 2020, Virgin Voyages' first ship the Scarlet Lady was designed to reflect a yacht's sleek luxury. Featuring spaces designed by some of the top names in contemporary design, the Scarlet Lady will be Adult-by-Design, a sanctuary at sea for the 18+ traveler.

A dose of 'Vitamin Sea' will be naturally intertwined across the entire ship, with well-being activated through a mix of high-energy moments coupled with relaxation and rejuvenation. The Scarlet Lady will also feature alluring entertainment and 20+ world-class intimate eateries on board. Putting a twist on luxury, which the company refers to as Rebellious Luxe, Virgin Voyages will offer incredible value for its sailors with all restaurants, group fitness classes, soft drinks, and many more Virgin surprises included within the voyage fare.

Scarlet Lady will sail from Miami to the Caribbean in 2020, hosting more than 2,770 sailors and 1,160 amazing crew from around the world. Keep watch on virginvoyages.com for more updates.

 

Follow Virgin Voyages:

Instagram: @virginvoyages

Facebook: @virginvoyages

Twitter: @virginvoyages

LinkedIn: Virgin Voyages

YouTube: Virgin Voyages

Sky Hill Cultural Alliance & Petaluma Museum Association Present Schubertiade — Sunday June 16th, A Celebration of the Story and Music of Franz Schubert

Wines & Sunsets Live Music & Food Trucks Events Return to Paradise Ridge Winery's Russian River Valley Estate Amphitheater June 19th through September 18th

This summer, Wednesday nights once again mean Wines & Sunsets at Paradise Ridge Winery’s Russian River Valley Estate Amphitheater in Santa Rosa, June 19 to Sept. 18.

The Wines & Sunsets series was voted “Best Winery Event in Sonoma County” in 2017, just prior to the fires that ravaged the winery and many of the buildings on the property. This year’s Wines & Sunsets series will be held in the hillside amphitheater just below the tasting room and events center, which is being rebuilt and is set to reopen in November.

The amphitheater offers expansive views of vineyards and the Russian River Valley. Wines & Sunsets features festive live music, wines by the glass or bottle, and goodies from gourmet food trucks. Two of this year’s evenings are themed: Red, White & Bubbles on July 3 and Hot Havana Nights on Aug. 21.

Seating is family style, with everyone sharing tables. Click here for Advance tickets are $10 general or $5 for wine clubs members, and may sell out; if tickets are available at the door, it’s $15 general or $10 for club members.

Wines & Sunsets

Paradise Ridge Winery Estate
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-528-9463

prwinery.com/

Also, The Ranch at Lake Sonoma welcomes us to its warm weather line up. 

Listen to live music and watch the sun setting over the water at the new Sunset Music Series concerts at The Ranch at Lake Sonoma, in northern Sonoma County.

Enjoy local food, beer, and wine, and savor the view from the scenic Redwood Barn, perched high above Lake Sonoma, Sonoma County’s largest and most picturesque park. Held from 4 p.m. until sunset on the second and fourth Sundays from June 9 to Sept. 8, the free concerts will benefit local nonprofit groups.

The schedule includes: June 9, electric blues by Johnny Sansone & The Remedies; June 23, Two Lions Band singer-songwriters; July 14, indie rock by Justin Schaefers & The Blind Barbers; July 28, funk and soul by Trace Repeat; Aug. 11, brass and soul by Spike’s Awesome Hotcakes; Aug. 25, The Thugz jam band; and Sept. 8, country music by The Easy Leaves.

The Ranch at Lake Sonoma offers scenic horseback tours for all levels of experience, as well as providing a stunningly scenic rustic venue for weddings, corporate events, dinners, parties, and other gatherings.

 

Sunset Music Series

The Ranch at Lake Sonoma
100 Marina Road, Lot A
Geyserville, CA 95441
707-494-4449

www.theranchatlakesonoma.com

Let's Build A Park — Informational Town Meetings for Petaluma River Park Plans on the McNear Peninsula 5.30pm June 13th at Hotel Petaluma, June 24th at The Petaluma Library

Petaluma River Park is a nonprofit organization by forward thinking locals on a mission to build a public park for recreation, education, conservation, culture and community. A park for everyone. 

My husband, Timo is brokering the sale of the land from the historic McNear Family to Petaluma River Park group and is a keen supporter of the project. He'll be at both of the public town hall meetings this June on to speak and answer any questions from the transfer of ownership perspective. This will be a dream come true for our community. 

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A TYPO ON THE DATE IN THIS IMAGE - PETALUMA LIBRARY DATE IS MONDAY JUNE 24th. 

To learn more see PetalumaRiverPark.org