Home » Archives for August 2021

Month: August 2021

Farms and Ranches in Sonoma & Napa Valley

Farms and Ranches in Sonoma & Napa Valley

It’s late summer in Sonoma & Napa Valleys; the days are warm with spectacular evening sunsets.  It is a wonderful time to be in the wine country!  Here I share a few special farms and ranches to visit at your leisure.

The slower pace of an outdoor activity, like visiting a farm stand, can be very inviting on the weekends.  Crisp, fresh country air, rustic barns filled with flowers and local produce, and the notion of discovering something unique and tasty to bring home are all tenets of the leisure lifestyle.

Farms & Ranches to Visit  

In Sonoma and Napa Valley, a favorite place to visit on the weekend is a local farm or ranch to see something new and get inspired by whatever is fresh and seasonal.  You get a true feel for wine country when you stop in at these rustic farms, and receive a warm welcome as you wander around. Whether you’re up for a quick pitstop, or would rather immerse yourself in a few days of the experience, these are a few of my favorite spots. It’s always worth a drive to discover an abundance of seasonal fruits, vegetables, jams, linens, flowers, and baked goods. The California ranch community has been a part of my lifestyle all of my life: feel free to contact me anytime to chat about life amidst the gardens, land, animals—wild or domestic—and meandering creeks. Wishing you many moments of ease and happiness as you experience the Art of Leisure.

Oakhill Farm and Flatbed Farm

The lovely entrance of Oak Hill Farm; the Red Barn has been hosting these markets for years.

Sonoma Farm Stand

A colorful bouquet of fresh flowers just picked from the nearby garden.  Oak Hill Farm offers a large selection of flowers, vegetables, jams, and much more for the home.

Napa Valley Ranches

Red onions and lemon cucumbers harvested from the land.

Farms in Sonoma

A few tomatoes; these may be heirloom varieties.

Napa Valley Farm Stand

The Entrance to Flatbed Farm just off Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Garden

A few of the gardens at Flatbed Farm.

Sonoma Valley Farm Stand

Dried grasses.

Napa Farm Stand

Very special offerings from the kitchen.

Farm Stands in Sonoma and Napa

Colored candles for the home.

Sonoma Ranch

Flatbed Farm has an expansive collection of both dried and fresh flowers.  They also serve coffee most Saturday mornings with freshly baked offerings from a Sausalito baker.

Rows of fresh blackberries bushes growing in the summer sun, just waiting for someone to pick them.

Sonoma Berry Farm

These will be perfect for a homemade cobbler.  Sonoma Garden Park market and grounds offer fresh produce, take a stroll and visit the chickens or view the active bee hives on the property.

Sunflowers in Sonoma

Sunflowers growing on the east side of Sonoma at Sonoma Garden Park, at which the Sonoma Nature Journal Club maintains a small plot.

Wishing you much joy and happiness as you visit these farms and ranches.

A Space of One’s Own

Here I share a few homes in Sonoma and Napa Valley with lovely personal spaces.  It is always very satisfying to have a place which fits you perfectly and is at least slightly private.  These are properties, or areas of properties, where someone has created a very unique area for themselves.  Whether you are enjoying your home, garden, work or land for a few hours or a portion of the day, a special place to call one’s own is so appreciated anytime.

personal spaces

I just love this spot where an architect or landscape  designer might easily create new plans for clients or tend to their own Wine Country home and garden.

personal space

With clean, white cupboards just behind the desk, as well as a functional sink and counter space, this is a fabulous personal area.  Right outside the door is an abundant garden.

wine country garden

A few white peonies from the garden potting beds….

wine country homes

This lovely potting shed is the perfect size for garden tools or a gathering spot amongst the plants.  Here we see climbing roses and peony beds, with raised boxes of vegetables, herbs and more flowers in this nicely fenced area.

A large fountain holds court in a quiet corner; one can only imagine the peaceful sound of trickling water.

A very eco-conscious lawn, large enough for friends or family to enjoy or play a favorite game running the length.  Soccer is a popular in wine country.

Rose bushes and other very special plantings around the lawn providing both an abundance of open space as well as the finished feeling which comes from carefully selected flowers and trees.

A lovely pool space for relaxing, with another unique water fountain close by.  This home is located at 60 Loma Vista Drive, on the western side of Sonoma Valley, and is currently available to view or purchase.

This simple, private space has a lovely window nearby and an inviting mix of old and new.

Up in the western hills of Sonoma Valley, we find this warm toned personal space, perfectly suited for reading, relaxing and conversation, and made even more special by its many artistic touches.

In the same house, you will find this beautifully appointed bedroom with quite a few high quality architectural elements.  The light streams in from the north via a few well designed windows which provide an air of ease and calm.  Once again, we see a comfortable spot for quiet contemplation next to the fire.

A beautifully designed art studio, so perfect for a place of one’s own, with north-facing French doors to capture a plethora of premium light, optimum for seeing and painting.  A true artist or professional’s  dream room.  This property is available to view or purchase at 4550 Grove Street in Sonoma.

The winery building at Bartholomew Park Winery is another example of someone’s vision and desire for their own personal spaces.  Although part of the 375 acre historical park today, it has its origin as being the original residence for Count Agoston Haraszthy.  With an abundance of history here, as well as the vineyards, gardens, and a small lake, this was also the site of Sonoma’s first hospital.  You can view the complete history at Bartholomew Park.  At this time, Bartholomew Park is owned and operated by the Frank H. Bartholomew Foundation.

This balcony serves as a place for someone to step away and enjoy the view of vineyards and land.

Antonia’s Garden today is a much loved picnic area for the public.

Recently updated, this area of Bartholomew Park Winery features a private spot for members of the wine club, a well-considered place to peruse the vineyards and listen to the nearby creek as it meanders slowly through the land.

Peonies from the 60 Loma Vista Drive garden.  These flowers have long been a favorite for personal celebrations and to adorn one’s private space.  They can be grown with ease in Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

Wishing you many relaxing moments in your personal spaces wherever you may find or create them.  As always, feel free to contact me about any of the properties featured here or visit the winery.

Happy Summer to all.