Rain Did Not Dampen the Delights .. DeLoach Vineyards

It may be rainy season in Northern California Wine Country, but that did not stop an international coterie of journalists, authors, bloggers & permaculture professionals from enjoying a day of garden touring, wine tasting, and a delectable locavore lunch at DeLoach Vineyards.

At De Loach the entire approach to the land, from the vineyards to the culinary and insectary gardens, is fully organic and biodynamic: Awarded CCOF certification.

Our host, Jean-Charles Boisset applies sustainable principles, biodynamic farming, and organic methods to every aspect of the Boisset estates in California, France, Italy & Québec.

On the local level, in partnership with the Redwood Empire Food Bank, 100% of the proceeds from one of the excellent wines we tasted -- DeLoach Vinthropic Chardonnay -- are donated to the Food Bank.

Winegrower Eric Pooler spearheaded our tour, and allowed an up-close and personal look at the innovative bio-reactor - one of the first in the industry - that relies on micro-organisms to purify all the water used in the winemaking process so it can be called upon for landscaping and irrigation use.

Maria Mobilia is shown behind the camera, filming the tour for 
Your Garden Show.

In-depth coverage of my day at DeLoach Vineyards ...

Biodynamic Gardens & Wine Tasting on:

Alice's Garden Travel Buzz

The Hortiphile! Luculias at San Francisco Botanical Garden

Searching the internet can be enlightening.

As it was the other day when I discovered 'The Hortiphile' -- San Francisco Botanical Garden's blog written by Lisa Van Cleef: Lisa's not only super-savvy about plants, but a wonderfully engaging writer, too.

Richly fragrant Luculia had a starring role in a recent post: Photo courtesy of San Francisco Botanical Garden

Luculias grow in the Rhododendron, Asian Discovery, and Moon Viewing Gardens.

Should you be in the Bay Area, pencil in a visit to SFBG - a must-see on any itinerary!

Luculia - Plant of the Moment

A Garden Tale Worth Repeating .. Jimmy Nardello Peppers

'Jimmy Nardello'

Returning to my tour of Stone Edge Farm and Vineyards, head gardener Lena introduced me to these delectable sweet red peppers with an intriguing name.

Back home, my curiosity roused, I searched the internet before labeling the photographs I had taken as we explored the farm's ornamental and edible gardens, and the estate's modernist architecture and art.

I found the story about how the peppers were named on the 'Iowa Source' web site.

Reading the history of one Southern Italian gentleman, Giuseppe Nardiello, and his descendants exemplifies the endlessly engaging encounters that a love of gardening affords.

Needless to say, I'm itching to buy seeds and grow a crop next year--at T's community garden, of course! A side note: My Italian father introduced me to a melange of sauteed sweet peppers, and although I was not inclined to indulge as a child,

the zealous foodie I've become is mad about this dish.