Francisco and Krista Solorio 1/9/21 Francisco and Krista Solorio 1/9/21

A little rain, hopes for more

This week we had a few days of rain. A few good soaks, puddle jumps, cozy evenings, and bejeweled plants. As we kick off the pruning season… a few photos from out and about this week:

Solorio Vineyard Management 5/30/20 Solorio Vineyard Management 5/30/20

Ocean Drive Along Highway 1 in Sonoma County

A Memorial Day ocean drive along Highway 1 in Sonoma County.

So many things were different this Memorial Day weekend. It definitely felt more somber with shelter-in-place orders. Its purpose also felt more glaringly obvious as we support brave healthcare professionals on the front line of our current enemy - COVID 19.

Every year when the weather warms up, the rains stop, and the roads dry up, we usually head to the coast in Sonoma County regularly to enjoy the mega sand box, calming sounds of crashing waves, hope of a whale siting, and the familiar cool, salty breeze. The change of scenery and perspective feels like a true adventure. With the parks still closed to encourage social distancing, we decide we would just drive by, take a look, and soak up the awesome Pacific views.

In Sonoma County, Highway 1 follows the coast for 56 miles (SF Chronicle). We focused on the stretch from the port town of Bodega Bay (Hitchcock’s The Birds, anyone?) to the delta where the Russian River meets the sea. For more history on the region, check the Sonoma County’s Coastal History.

In terms of wines and vines, the salty, cool air is vital to our micro-climate growing regions of the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley AVAs. Along with the foggy marine layer, the cloudy blanket that rolls inland and covers the sky in the evening, and rolls back out to sea in the morning, comes a daily cooling. This break in temperature gives the wine-grape-producing vines a much deserved and desired break. As the vines rest, the grapes maintain their flavor-balancing acidity. Cheers to that!

Here are some photos from our ocean drive.

Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/5/20 Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/5/20

Backyard Tourist: Checkerboard Vineyards

Note - this post was originally published 04.29.2015

This week we had a chance to visit the exclusive, literally hidden gem of Checkerboard Vineyards. Our kind host, Beth, gave us a tour of the vineyards, winery caves (with their inviting aroma and clinically pristine walls), and tasting space.

Checkerboard's vineyards are all estate and at high elevation. They grow Bordeaux varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Each vintage is expertly crafted and cared for by hand, from vineyard to bottle. This row of barrels holds their 2013 red wines.

Tasting space with a view of the vineyards. Checkerboard's offerings are based around their showcase Cabernet - current release is 2011 and after opening up was a stunning, serious Cab, dark, rich, and lush. Tastings are by appointment only.

Salut!

Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/5/20 Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/5/20

Backyard Tourist: Bale Grist Mill

Note - this post was originally published 04.28.2015

Last week we went for a walk in the trees. Once the summer weather rolls in and the rains stop for the season, anything without deep roots turns withers away in the sun. So, it's nice to walk among the vines or head to a park and enjoy walking among trees.

Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/4/20 Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/4/20

Backyard Tourist: Napa Valley

Note - this post was originally published 03.22.2015

It's great when you get a restaurant recommendation based on the wine list. Restaurants should have amazing food and presentation. But what if you want to start your meal with an awesome glass of wine and make your food selection based on the wine?

The Napa Valley Vintners organization released its "2015 Napa Valley Wine List Award" to recognize restaurants that support great local wines (the list isn't short - we are talking Napa Valley). Cheers!

Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/4/20 Francisco and Krista Solorio 5/4/20

Road Trip - Southern California

Note - this post was originally published 03.09.2015

Recently, we made a trip down to Southern California. And of course, we couldn't miss the view of the vineyards.

Francisco and Krista Solorio 4/28/20 Francisco and Krista Solorio 4/28/20

Napa Valley

Note - this post was originally published 04.16.2014

Why is it we rarely play tourist in our own back yard? It seems it's only when we receive visitors from out of town and want to show them the highlights of the area that we stop to see the sights and take a break from all those other things that keep us busy.

A few photos from Napa Valley this week: