Spending a day in the sun in Sonoma Valley mid-October is comparable to an ideal getaway in mythical Arcadia. Between the blue sky and the golden-green vineyards with peeking here and there purple grapes, gaining sugar, the air is sweet, and the life is good. Especially if you partake in the Day on the Farm harvest celebration at Landmark Vineyards – a historic third-generation family-owned-and-operated winery in Kenwood.
Fall festivities last Saturday at Landmark featured tastings of acclaimed handcrafted wines and a cornucopia of other earthy delights, like peak-of-the-season heirloom tomato salad, whole roasted pig, and a variety of brick oven pizzas, coming out piping-hot straight from a movable oven delivered by Rosso Pizzeria from Santa Rosa.
Among the noble wines presented to the discerning public there was award-winning Damaris Chardonnay, named after the founder of Landmark Vineyards – Damaris Deere Ford – great-great granddaughter of the most famous American blacksmith and the largest agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer, John Deere.The wine list also included creamy Overlook Chardonnay; rich Grand Detour Pinot Noir; Grenache, and Steel Plow Syrah – all 2008 vintage.
After enjoying al fresco lunch by the fountain and a metal sculpture of a charging horse, the guests were invited to a real horse-drawn wagon tour of the estate vineyards.
Two teddy bear-colored Belgian draft horses, Cindy and Daisy, accompanied by two docile dogs that were obviously enjoying the ride, took our group through the chardonnay and pinot noir vineyards, where the leaves were just starting to turn color.
There, we learned from our knowledgeable guide Pat that pointing the grape plants north-south helps them shade themselves from the hot California sun; that bluebirds are encouraged to nest close to the vines, since they are taking care of the insects, and that Landmark is now switching to becoming a certified organic winery.
Bocce ball court on premises surely attracted a number of hastily assembled teams in various stages of excitement, and Ma Vie en Rose played live by Laurent Fourgo & His Ensemble prompted more than one couple to dance between the dahlia flower pots and the festively decorated tables. Set in the beautiful foothills of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Mayacamas Mountain Range, Landmark Vineyards is now owned and operated by Damaris Deere’s son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Mary Colhoun. A veteran winemaker Eric Stern and associate winemaker Greg Stach create all the Landmark’s distinguished wines – many thoroughly enjoyed by the harvest celebration crowd.
Hospitable Mary Colhoun was present at the festivities greeting her guests – newcomers as cordially as regulars – and welcoming out-of-towners and California dreamers from near and far. Landmark Vineyards is located at 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, California. For more information or to join the wine club, call 707-833-0053 or visit http://www.landmarkwine.com/.
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