Beltane Ranch Party

It was gloomy and chilly this morning but developed into the first day in many months when we could sit outside. And so we did...at a wine pick-up party at Beltane Ranch, a 15 minute drive down the Sonoma Highway. Today they were featuring their new release wines paired with little bites of ahi tuna poke in a little cone and marinated skirt steak morsels on a skewer. We also ordered a charcuterie selection which came beautifully arranged in a box with a see-through lid and a separate brown bag of assorted crackers and a set of wooden utensils.

 Their theme was sustainability, so Wally the Wooly Weed Eater was given the day off from mowing weeds  to mingle with the guests. He is the adorable bummer lamb, hand raised by the shepherd, turned very very wooly, somewhat grumpy grown-up showing the effects of his labors in the muddy vineyard.

I love the laid back, somewhat rustic charm of this place. They must work very hard to keep everything running smoothly including, making wine, honey, and beautiful blankets from the wool of their sheep, selling the eggs from their chickens (which were also wandering around amongst the guests,) tending a big garden, hosting weddings and running a farm-style hotel/bed and breakfast.

We joined Dana and Jim and a group of friends sitting around one of several firepits, chatting, watching the little kids running around on the lawn, listening to music and sipping wine.  We welcomed the fire in the firepit when we arrived, but we were soon peeling off our jackets and scarves and enjoying the sun, the view, and the company in t-shirts. It's on days like this that we really do realize that we live in a beautiful place.

Back home, we chased the turkey out of the garden wondering if it is the same one that came around last year peering in all the doors. She did meet a tom then, disappeared for a bit and returned to show off her babies. If this is the same one, she has figured that she won't find her suitor in our house and just wanders around outside, chuckling and calling for her swain.

We await developments.