In California, water scarcity is an ever-growing concern, and as droughts become more frequent, it’s vital that our landscapes adapt. At Allen Land Design, we’re passionate about creating outdoor spaces that not only look beautiful but are also resilient and sustainable. When designing landscapes for wine country or any drought-prone region, the goal is to choose plants, materials, and techniques that conserve water while enhancing the beauty and functionality of the space. Xeriscaping—the practice of using drought-tolerant plants and water-efficient design—is the cornerstone of sustainable landscaping. Plants like lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses are perfect for the dry conditions of Sonoma County, adding texture, color, and movement without relying on excessive water. One of our favorites, the California native sage, is not only stunning with its silvery leaves but is also a magnet for pollinators, helping support local wildlife. Beyond plant

Let’s look at some maps Last week I was in the middle of writing a post about how great this year was turning out. I thought, just as long as growers can avoid something disastrous, this could be a great vintage. Within 24 hours, the Pickett fire grew from a small blaze north of Calistoga to a towering wildfire that has since consumed 6000 acres. Of course, this comes on the heels of the Gifford fire in San Luis Obispo, which has taken out over 100k acres the week before. For some growers in Napa and Edna valley, harvest may be over before it starts. While the definitive kibosh will come from lab analysis, knowing how smokey it got and when is useful for metering expectations and determining the next step. And there are some super useful tools out there! The EPA has a wide network of air quality sensors throughout the country with varying degrees of concentration. The map below shows just how many of these stations are publicly available, so you can see where air quality is suffe

Sonoma County is home to a remarkable array of native plants, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our local ecosystems. These plants are not only beautiful but also play a critical role in sustaining the health of our environment. From the rugged coastal ranges to the sun-soaked valleys of wine country, Sonoma’s native plants have evolved to thrive in our Mediterranean climate—making them ideal for sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping. Native plants are uniquely adapted to the soil, rainfall, and temperature of their home region. This means they require less water, fewer chemical inputs, and minimal maintenance compared to non-native species. In landscaping, that translates to less work for property owners and more harmony with the environment. Seven Native Plants Ideal for Sonoma County Landscapes 1. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Hearty as they are iconic, our state flower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its bright orange blooms are a

             I recently returned from a wonderful trip to beautiful Kentucky for the ADI Craft Spirits Conference and Expo in Louisville. Global Package had a booth there, which was the first time we’d exhibited in more than a year and a half. What a joy it was to get back to meeting old and new friends at this event!                        Kentucky is gorgeous this time of year (see photos): lush greenery, blue skies, historic buildings, and wonderful people. And there’s so much to see: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby Museum, not to mention all the local distilleries and craft breweries. There are even many wineries!             While we think of California when it comes to wine, Kentucky has a good selection of vineyards and wineries, too, including the popular Purple Toad Cedar Creek

MAY 18, 2021 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Experience Rosé, a wine competition that focuses exclusively on expressions of pink wine — sweet, dry, and sparkling — has announced results of the 2021 contest. Taking top prize this year is Naked Wines’ W. Donaldson 2018 Sonoma Rosé from famed sparkling winemaker Wayne Donaldson (former head winemaker for Domaine Chandon). Judges’ praise included: “Ranier cherry”; “Brioche!” “Orange zest”; “Pretty on palate”; “Fresh-lush at same time”; Hibiscus.” In addition to Best of Show, the wine also took honors as Best Domestic Sparkling.  Mathis Wine’s 2020 Rosé de Grenache was awarded Best Domestic Dry; judges described the estate single-vineyard wine as “Plush wild berry”; “Celery salt”; “Red apple.” Best International Dry honors went to Wayne Gretzky Estates Okanagan Ro

As California Returns to Reopening, Some in Wine Country Wonder if It’s Too Soon In Pandemic: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement Monday that he’s ended the regional stay-at-home order and returned the majority of the state, including the six North Bay counties, back to the purple tier is welcome news to affected businesses. But business leaders are concerned the shutdowns aren’t over... The post Afternoon Brief, January 26th appeared first on Wine Industry Advisor. Url:https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2021/01/26/afternoon-brief-1787?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=afternoon-brief-1787 Published Date:Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:33:19 +0000 

We’ve added 10 more colors.  Now 14 colors.  The 3185 Murano corkscrew Streamlined handle version of the Double Power two-step extraction system.  Cap lifter included in the boot lever. Non Stick spiral. Comfortable soft-touch under-belly of handle. Colors: Black, Blue, Burgundy, Green, Lime Green, White, Red, Yellow, Lavender, Pink, Purple, Orange and Lt Blue. 4-5/8” long. Retails from $6.95 and comes in 14 beautiful colors. Call for your Free copy at 800-423-5855, orders@franmara.com, or virtually at,  https://viewer.zoomcatalog.com/franmara-2020-no-pricing