Sonoma County is home to a remarkable array of native plants, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our local ecosystems. These plants are not only beautiful but also play a critical role in sustaining the health of our environment. From the rugged coastal ranges to the sun-soaked valleys of wine country, Sonoma’s native plants have evolved to thrive in our Mediterranean climate—making them ideal for sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping. Native plants are uniquely adapted to the soil, rainfall, and temperature of their home region. This means they require less water, fewer chemical inputs, and minimal maintenance compared to non-native species. In landscaping, that translates to less work for property owners and more harmony with the environment. Seven Native Plants Ideal for Sonoma County Landscapes 1. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) Hearty as they are iconic, our state flower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its bright orange blooms are a

Afternoon Brief: Alecia Moore, Winemaker and Two Wolves Wine Founder, Announced as Keynote Speaker for 2025 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

The Unified Wine and Grape Symposium is proud to welcome Alecia Moore, winemaker and founder of Two Wolves Wine, as the keynote luncheon speaker to kick off the 2025 show on Tuesday, January 28...

Afternoon Brief, June 20th

Marchesi Antinori Will Take Full Ownership of Col Solare: Marchesi Antinori and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announce change in ownership in the premier Red Mountain Washington winery...

“Winemakers . . . are often pressured to do things like reduce staff costs, or costs generally . . . Wine is a social beverage – its production should be social too.” – Oliver Styles, winemaker at Winemaker Halcyon Wines- Hawke’s Bay NZ “There is also the battle to reduce costs yet increase quality. We need to be profitable to be successful but defend what we need to successfully create wines of quality and distinction.” – Mark Beaman, Winemaker, Kenwood Vineyards “Sustainability is becoming key. Organics. biodynamics, natural winemaking, to paperless systems. Everything we can do to reduce waste and give back and nurture the land and sky the better.” – Paul Dawick, Head Winemaker at Mills Reef, “. . . we need to see a new wave of winemakers who are focused on innovation, sustainability, and inclusion.” – Lauren Barrett, Principal Consultant, By and By Solutions LLC “. . . many grape growers are d

Afternoon Brief, May 31st

U.S. Department of Commerce Makes Affirmative Subsidy Determination in Trade Case on Glass Wine Bottles from China: In a victory for the U.S. glass industry, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has preliminarily determined that the government of China unfairly subsidizes its glass wine bottle industry...

Wine’s Most inspiring People 2024: Aaron Lieberman — Walking the Wine Walk for Oregon’s LGBTQ+ Community

By Kathleen Willcox   As any CEO (or parent) worth their salt knows, going out and doing the thing — instead of pontificating about the importance of going out and […]

Last night while I was sleeping, my heart beat 38,400 times. I didn’t ask it to keep beating through my slumber, nor did I thank it when I awoke. I just took my heartbeat, and my life, for granted. Shame on me. We do the same with wine. Sure, we enjoy the aroma, bouquet and taste. But we rarely reflect that this magical elixir is a natural farm product…a land preserver…a reflection of place and time…an artistic statement…a liquid food…a Biblical focus…a poetic inspiration…a cultural phenomenon…an economic engine…a noble beverage with humble roots which brings people together around the world. Wine is magic. So why don’t we tell people? Natural magic It’s easy to fret about the future of wine. Boomers are aging, younger generations are opting out, spirits are innovating and there are increasing warnings about the dangers of alcohol.  It’s deja vu all over again. We’ve been here before, and

Afternoon Brief, November 1st

California Scrambles to Finish Harvest: With a superb vintage in the offing, growers are racing against time to get the grapes into the winery...

Afternoon Brief, June 1st

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 01 TRENDING STORY   Sebastopol Vintner Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison in DUI Crash That Killed 1, Maimed Another Eric McDonell balanced on his right leg Tuesday […]