Geyserville Grapevine by deTraci Regula - October 2018
The autumn came down quickly this year, with some early cool days - and then a leap back up into the 90’s as we headed out of September. It feels like we are in for a real change of seasons somehow this time. I’m watching the trucks filled with grapes driving past on Geyserville Avenue. It’s one of the ways I know that we are an authentic wine-producing town - this time of year you can’t drive for too long without getting behind a farm vehicle or transport truck.
Our first Writer’s Group meeting at Isis Oasis was well-attended and a great deal of fun. The structure allows for new members to join at any time, so feel free to come the second Tuesday evening of each month, enjoy some light snacks in the Pavilion, and participate in writing games, receive personalized critiques and advice only on request, and other literary activities. It’s a supportive and inspiring environment and may be just the thing to get that novel or memoir or book of poetry out of the ether and onto the paper!
It’s fall, so that means that the monthly Geyserville Chamber of Commerce meetings are back on in force. Check out the Geyservillecc.com page for dates and times. But autumn really launches here in Greater Geyserville with theannual Fall Colors celebration. This year it happens on Sunday, October 28th, and as usual includes the annual vintage Kiwanis Car Show, with all proceeds benefiting our nationally-recognized Geyserville schools. The event technically starts at 10am, but those in the know make sure to get on the avenue early to stop at the annual Geyserville Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Pancake Breakfast at the main Geyserville Firehouse. Lines get long later on. For more information on the event, visit the web page at http://geyservillefallcolors.com. And if visitor parking is tight, we usually can squeeze you in here at the Isis Oasis.
As I move into my fifth year of living here full time in Geyserville, I’m still ashamed to see how little I really know about the viticulture and agriculture of the area. I’m always trying to learn more. As I drive by vineyards, I now can tell some different types of vines apart. I know that the heavy machinery I hear passing in the dark of night is on the way to harvest grapes, and on a fire-watch run last October I watched in fascination as harvesters were working near here as fires were burning in the distance behind them on the slopes of the Mayacamas hills. But there is so much more to discover.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices- One quick resource is at the official Sonoma County webpage, where“A year in the Life of a Vine” is a nice place to start to understand the annual cycles that this county lives by. This page, https://sonomawinegrape.org/sustainability/a-year-in-the-life-of-a-vine/ will also lead you to extensive listings on sustainability practices in Sonoma County, including the Honor Roll and annual reports. Napa County offers a different look at the process at their https://napavintners.com/napa_valley/life_cycle_of_a_grape.asp.
That covers the process for wines, but Sonoma County and Geyserville offers more than that at the third annual Beer, Wine, & Spirits Festival at the Geyserville Inn, which is sponsored by the Geyserville Lodging Association of which we are a part and also benefits the Geyserville school district. This year, this food and fun event takes place on Saturday, October 13th and tickets range from $35-45. You can book your tickets at Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geyserville-beer-wine-spirits-festival-tickets-45082370584. Participatingvintners, spirit makers, and beer brewers include Bear Republic, Epson Brandy, Alley 6 Craft Distillery, J. Rickards Winery, Peche Merle Winery, deLorimier Winery, and Bloody Bob’s. It’s a strictly 21-and-up event, so this time, leave the kids at home.
