Sonoma County

Give to Help Sonoma County Wetland: the Laguna de Santa Rosa

Give to Help Sonoma County Wetland: the Laguna de Santa Rosa

One of our favorite walks is the Santa Rosa Creek trail in the Laguna de Santa Rosa. It is a spectacular trail that allows bikers, walkers and dog owners a peek of the characteristics that make Sonoma County a wonderful place to live: vineyards, horse and cattle pastures, corn fields and ponds full of ducks and geese.

Small Farming Not "Big Wine": Clay Writes Editorial About the Facts

Small Farming Not "Big Wine": Clay Writes Editorial About the Facts

With growing claims that wine growers are hurting Sonoma County, Clay Gantz wrote an editorial that appeared in Santa Rosa's The Press Democrat on October 17. Clay Gantz is the co-owner of Gantz Family Vineyards and 1st vice-president of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers. 

Bird Problems in the Vineyard

it seems that our love and attention has caused havoc in the vineyard. By making sure there is food and water for our feathered friends, they have decided that this is the place to be. And just about the time Kosta Browne wants our fruit, when the grapes are ripe with sugars, the birds have decided they want our grapes, too.

Veraison at Gantz Family Vineyards

Veraison reminds us of watching a person grow from child to adult in one season. The fruit changes from skinny, scraggly blossoms to firm, green clusters to ripe, mature berries. Like childhood, it happens so fast you could get whiplash, yet the daily search for a berry, a cluster or the first blush of color seems eternal.

Rock Climbing at Sunset Boulders on the Sonoma Coast

One of the coolest summertime activities was rock climbing on the Sunset Boulders at Goat Rock State Beach along the Sonoma Coast. Our oldest grandson, Gabriel, got into rock climbing a couple of years ago and even inspired his Grandpa Clay to join a rock climbing gym here in Santa Rosa. Sunset Boulders provided a beautiful, outdoor spot for all of us to act like mountain goats.

Flowering at Gantz Family Vineyards

We have flowering in Block 4 here at Gantz Family Vineyards. Block 4 was the home of an overgrown kiwi patch when we bought the property. Now, it seems to be our most vigorous block – perhaps because it’s at the highest peak of our property – so we’re not surprised to see it blooming first.