Falcons Patrol Sonoma County Vineyard

[Submitted by Camille over at Huntington Wine Cellars]

Clouds of starlings undulating low across the Sonoma County wine country landscape are a common sight during harvest time of year. Next time you see one, think of William Shakespeare and Huntington Wine Cellars located here in Healdsburg.

Shakespeare’s single reference to starlings in Henry IV inspired Eugene Schiffelin to import some 60 of the European birds to New York’s Central Park in 1890. It seems Eugene held the haplessly romantic view that all birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s works should be represented in the New World.

Over a century and 200 million avian offspring later, the European starling has become a virulent threat to the United States wine industry. Thousands strong, a flock of starlings (known as a ―murmuration) can alight upon a vineyard and decimate it in minutes as the hungry birds tear apart ripening grapes to extract the seeds inside.

Many vineyards deploy plastic netting and other more invasive measures to protect their grapes. Huntington Wine Cellars is at the forefront in managing the threat posed by starlings in an environmentally sensitive way. In a twist on the ages-old sport of falconry, Huntington uses falcons to scare off—not kill—the starlings before they can inflict damage on the vineyard.

As harvest approaches, Huntington contractor Jim Tigan who owns Tactical Avian Predators launches daily falcon patrols to guard vineyards at most risk to starling damage. Native and non-native bird species can cause costly crop losses and have a detrimental effect on grape quality. The mere presence of the falcons in the vineyard is very effective in abating the problem in a humane manner.

Once harvest is finished, the falcons will be rewarded with time off before returning to their other jobs of airport, golf course and municipal water supply protection.

Located in Healdsburg, California, Huntington Wine Cellars crafts award winning premium wines that showcase their vineyard terroir and individual varietal characteristics. For more information, visit www.huntingtonwine.com or contact by phone at 707.433-5215.

Rent a Scooter and Putter at a Different Pace

One day I was working on this website and as I previewed an article, a Google advertisement popped up: Wine Country Motosports. And I wondered who they were because I am planning to write a short article on  motorcycling out along Skaggs Springs Road at the top of Dry Creek Valley. I wasn’t aware of any places who rented motorcycles–but I thought it would be good to know–when I did write that article.

I clicked on the ad–and arrived at Wine Country Motosports. AND I SAW that they rented electric motor scooters! How fun! I phoned them immediately. I wanted to rent one and scoot on out to explore further afield–for a laugh.

I arranged to rent a scooter that Sunday.

Sunday morning, I got up — I had my regular Sunday morning breakfast (Turkish coffee over a scoop of vanilla ice cream) and probably some toast and eggs with grilled tomatoes. I got dressed and drove up to their warehouse on North Grove Street in Healdsburg.

Ann was there to meet me. I told her I’d never driven a scooter before, but I felt it was something I could handle. She assured me it would be fine. She let me try two or three different ones before I decided which one I felt the most comfortable on. We sorted out the logistics: waviers, helmets, rental agreement, payments ($39 for half a day, $70 for a full day).

I putter out of their parking lot. Five minutes later, I was puttering up Dry Creek Road just going at a slower pace and enjoying the views. I puttered out Lynton Springs Road because I wanted to check out Ridge Vineyards along the way.

There, when I went into taste, I found Rob behind the tasting bar. I’d met Rob and his friend one night at the Ravenous After Hours and we ended up talking about living in Healdsburg and what it takes to be here and why we live here in the first place. Rob is a former investment banker from Chicago. He came out here to live his dream of wine. I stay a while and taste the wines and learn a few things about labels, wine clubs, and the winery itself (which I think I’ll save for another article).

I finished at Ridge Vineyards and continue to putter. I puttered along to Highway 101 and turned right to head out to JimTown General Store for lunch. When I arrive, Kevin (the sous-chef) comes out and says hello. I’d met Kevin and his fiancee Carrie on on the patio at Divine Affair the evening before my multi-media event. He comes out and I ask what he recommends: “Grill cheese sandwich and the beans. Oh…and a side of fruit salad.”

I order–apparently way too much because the cashier raised his eyebrow. And I explained that it was for two people. Stephen was going to meet me to take some pictures of the scooter for the magazine.

We eat. Stephen makes me pose for a few shots outside of the store–ugh. Not my favorite activity. This is one photo I liked though…an action shot with a wall of flowers in the background.

Then we head on up the 128 to Stryker Sonoma. I’d been visiting a few weeks before and I remember liking their Chardonnay and I wanted Stephen to try it.

That was it. I spent about a half of a day puttering around Dry Creek Valley and the Alexander Valley on an electric scooter. A different pace for sure. A different speed of fun.

Quick Links:

Wine Country Motosports
Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs
JimTown Store
Stryker Sonoma

Less frustration and more fun

During the summer, I was busy with my remodel and busy with work, and–well–just busy in general. I didn’t feel like I’d had a summer at all. I just wanted to have at least one day that felt like summer. I decided to plan a day on the river.

I’d originally been planning a bonfire at the coast–except I couldn’t find any beach that would let me have a fire–for fun. (I’ve now organized a camp out at Bodega Bay Dunes campground in September because they have fire pits and that’s the most I could do in between organizing my Lithuanian contractors–but I digress).

It turned out that Sunday, I’d finally organized a day out kayaking on the Russian River with a few friends. I went with a local river company in Healdsburg: Soar Inflatables (www.soar1.com). You can see in their pictures that their kayaks are two and three person rubber rafts. Not exactly what I’m used to, but I thought it would be fun just to paddle and float big rubber bumper boats down the river for a day.

There were six of us total: Quebec-Martin, Cindy, Marta, Pasquale, Humberto, and me. We divided up into the boats exactly like that. Martin and Cindy were relatively experienced paddlers. Pasquale and Marta were beginners. Humberto was a beginner and I was–stubborn.

The guide said: steering in the back and power in the front. So I took the back seat–because it doesn’t matter how much experience I have, I certainly don’t have the upper body of my friend Humberto. The other two guys in the other two boats took the back seats. We went along for a while, and I thought we were doing well. EXCEPT…Humberto (my boat partner) didn’t want to be “the guy in the front”. He wanted to be the guy and paddle the girl along the river…whatever–sigh.

We did eventually trade places (because that’s fair–don’t you think?). I took the front and he took the back. We struggled for a bit and I became frustrated at his inexperienced steering (zig zag back and forth, back and forth across the river). Also, I became frustrated at the amount of his effort he was making. He was taking three strokes for my one. I’m more than positive that he was frustrated at me too–but he was more gracious than I was about it all.

However, I remembered something Mike Hatfield (currently of cyanoptics.com) once told me about leadership: Have a plan. Communicate the plan. Let people make their own decisions on how to get there–because basically, if people have good information, they make good decisions. I eventually just let Humberto paddle. We would decide on the path down the river and I just let him figure out how. We got to where we needed to go with less frustration and more fun.

My lesson learned is just because I might know how, doesn’t mean I know best. And–effectively communicate the plan. We’ll get there eventually–with less frustration and more fun!

[Originally published on YukonJen.com, 19 Sept 2007]

Mill Creek Vineyards Music Series: The Bucky Walters

This Thursday evening, come enjoy a bottle of Mill Creek’s award-winning wines and you will be serenaded by the bluegrass stylings of The Bucky Walters, straight out of Arcata, CA. As Joey says, “This Ain’t Your Pappy’s Bluegrass!”

What: The Bucky Walters
When: Thursday, August 14th at 5:30pm
Where: Mill Creek Vineyards, 1401 Westside Road, Healdsburg (map)
For more info call (707) 433-5098

What’s Happening Healdsburg: 04 August 08

Tuesday, 05 August 08, 6:00 PM. Free. Get your jig on with The Gasmen performing Tuesday evening in the Healdsburg Park Plaza. Shop the Farmer’s Market, Oakville Grocery, Divine Affair, or Palette-Art for your wine country picnic.

Wednesday, 06 August 08, 8PM-11PM. Adam Lieb’s Locals Jam in the courtyard at the Palette-Art Cafe. Ongoing–that is…every Wednesday. You never know who will show up! Come for dinner, or just a drink. Contact Adam if you’d like to perform.

Thursday, 07 August 2008 7PM to 10PM. The Healdsburg Jazz Festival and Palette Art Café present the Thursday Night Café Jazz Series at the Palette Art Café. This week: Blue Seven with John Mihalik. A seven-piece group playing music from the John Coltrane - Miles Davis Era. Go for dinner, stay for jazz!!

Friday 08:08:08 The Olympics begin. If you want to experience the opening ceremonies with a few of your closest friends, in a social setting other than your living room, try the big screen TVs at the Healdsburg Bar and Grill or over at the newly renovated Western Boot Steakhouse.

Live from the Middle Reach Music Series at C. Donatiello Winery

Am on my way out to find out what the Live from the Middle Reach summer concert series are like at C. Donatiello Winery.

Every Sunday from 1PM to 4PM, the winery hosts a series of music. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Here’s the August list from their summer series:

August 3 Big Papa and the TCB
August 10 Casey Frazier
August 17 Chris O’Brien
August 24 Cary Pierce

What’s Happening Healdsburg: 28 July 2008

Tuesday, 29 July 08, 6:00 PM. Free. Tuesdays in the Plaza presents Stompy Jones, a jaunty blues sound of Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five. Shop the Farmer’s Market, Oakville Grocery, Divine Affair, or Palette-Art for your wine country picnic.

Wednesday, 30 July 2008, 7 PM. Free and open to the public. The Sonoma County Library Presents: Vilma Ginzberg, Healdsburg’s Literary Laureate, reading from her works. Healdsburg Regional Library. Forum Room, Piper and Center Streets.

Friday, 01 August 2008, 8:00PM – 10:30PM. Corked (the movie) screening at the Raven Theater. General Admission: $10, ages 21+ only. Screening will be followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Purchase tickets.

Wine Library of Sonoma County

Located inside the Healdsburg Regional Library; a special service and collection of the Sonoma County Library, the collection comprising 5,000 books on wine and related subjects, subscriptions and back-files to over 80 wine-related periodicals.

Meet Bo Simons, your wine librarian. He’s a wealth of knowledge and knows incredible histories of the area.

What’s Happening Healdsburg: 14 July 2008

Monday, 14 July 08, All day: Jamba Juice opens its first store in Healdsburg inside the Safeway. Finally, wheatgrass shots come to town! Put the good in your morning. 1115 Vine St, Healdsburg

Monday, 14 July 08, 7:00AM- 4:00PM: Visit Costeaux for their First Annual Bastille Day Celebration anytime during the day for unique events, including Eiffel Tower cookie decorating contest and can-can dancers. 417 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg

Tuesday, 14 July 08, 6:00 PM: Free. Tuesdays in the Plaza presents Johnny Rawls, a Southern blues musician. Shop the Farmer’s Market, Oakville Grocery, Divine Affair, or Palette-Art for your wine country picnic.

Thursday: 16 July 2008, Noon: Come to the new Copperfield’s Books for a talk and luncheon with bestselling author Elizabeth Brundage, who will present her new book Somebody Else’s Daughter, a psychological thriller about secrets, dark motives, adoption, and ultimately the collision of two very different fathers—biological and adoptive. Tickets are $55 and include the talk, lunch and book. 104 Matheson St, Healdsburg

Friday and Saturday, 8:00PM: Your last two nights to check out “Miss Saigon” at the Raven Theater - the updated adaptation of Madame Butterfly, a story of unrequited love set in 1970’s wartime Vietnam. Tickets are $20-$30. 115 North Street, Healdsburg

Saturday, 19 July 08, All Day: A Day in the Life of Healdsburg: 19 July 2008 is finally here. If you are in Healdsburg anytime during this day, take a minute of your day to capture your experience. If you video it, create a short video of your experience, tag it with Healdsburg Magazine and email a link to the video. If you photograph it, send in the photograph with details about who, where, when, and how or upload it to your favorite social network site (i.e., Flickr), tag it with Healdsburg Magazine and email a link. If you blog it, just blog it and send the link to your blog. We will take all (within reason) submissions and make a chronological new media collage.

Saturday, 19 July 08, Starts at 6:15AM: Healdsburg Harvest Century Bicycle Tour is Healdsburg’s annual tour where bicyclists pedal through the soul of Wine Country. Chose from 60, 37 or 23 miles to tour (not to race). Check-in between 6:15AM to 8AM. Price is $85 to sign up. To register click here. Healdsburg High School, 1024 Prince St, Healdsburg

Saturday, 19 July 08, 9:00AM: Visit the Healdsburg Farmers Market for their 30th Birthday celebration where they will be honoring one of its co-founders and first Healdsburg Literary Laureate Doug Stout with a bench dedication. North Street and Vine Street, Healdsburg

What’s Happening This Week: 07 July 08

Wednesday, 09 July 08, 7PM: Join Palette Art Café for some incredible West African music from Pa Bobo Jobarteh, a kora player born into a family whose musical tradition in West Africa began many generations ago in the eighteenth century. Steve Pile and Adam Lieb will be there to kick off Palette’s Wednesday Open Mic night. 235 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg

Thursday, 10 July 08, 5:30PM: Enjoy snazzy, flamboyant and groovin Dixieland style music from the St. Gabriel’s Celestial Brass Band at Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery. Come drink Mill Creek wine and eat some good old fashioned New Orleans Cajun food. Admission is free, but no outside alcoholic beverages please. 1401 Westside Rd, Healdsburg

Thursday: 10 July 2008, 8PM: Karaoke at the Bear Republic… What more is there to say? Come at 8PM, grab a Racer 5 and rock out to 80’s rock ballads, country or the classic karaoke hit “Baby Got Back.” You will be seeing me there singing badly to Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone.” 345 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg

Friday, 11 July 08, 11PM: Come attempt to cool off with mojitos made by Chelsea or KC while listening to Soul Singer Joni Davis, a singer/songwriter known for her piano driven ballads who started off at Ravenous. She will be taking over late night at Ravenous playing with folk singers Mia and Jonah. 420 Center St, Healdsburg

Saturday, 12 July 08, 4PM: During the day, I recommend visiting Sbragia Family Vineyards, a small, family-owned winery for their Lobster Feed on their beautiful terrace. Adam Sbragia will be hosting this event, so come and enjoy the view and wonderful wine. $85 for Wine Club members and $100 for General Public. 9990 Dry Creek Rd, Geyserville

UPDATE: This event is SOLD OUT, but another Lobster feed is scheduled for Saturday August 2 starting at 4PM, make sure to register early for this one.

Saturday, 12 July 2008, 9:30PM: Local Healdsburg legends, the Steve Pile Band are recording a live album at Hopmonk in Sebastopol. Come be part of the live audience this Saturday at 9:30pm. Doors at 9pm. Sebastopol band, Mr. December opens the show. Entrance is only $7 and it includes copy of the CD when it is released! 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol

Sunday, 13 July 08, 12PM to 4PM: Visit Wilson Winery this Sunday for Music on the Deck: A Fundraiser Event for the Children of Vineyards Workers Scholarship Fund. Admission is $25. Enjoy great food, great wine and great music and to help a great cause. There will be food, wine tastings, a Chinese Auction, and The Difference will be playing. 1960 Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg

Visit the complete What’s Happening calendar for more options.

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