In California, water scarcity is an ever-growing concern, and as droughts become more frequent, it’s vital that our landscapes adapt. At Allen Land Design, we’re passionate about creating outdoor spaces that not only look beautiful but are also resilient and sustainable. When designing landscapes for wine country or any drought-prone region, the goal is to choose plants, materials, and techniques that conserve water while enhancing the beauty and functionality of the space. Xeriscaping—the practice of using drought-tolerant plants and water-efficient design—is the cornerstone of sustainable landscaping. Plants like lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses are perfect for the dry conditions of Sonoma County, adding texture, color, and movement without relying on excessive water. One of our favorites, the California native sage, is not only stunning with its silvery leaves but is also a magnet for pollinators, helping support local wildlife. Beyond plant

Let’s look at some maps Last week I was in the middle of writing a post about how great this year was turning out. I thought, just as long as growers can avoid something disastrous, this could be a great vintage. Within 24 hours, the Pickett fire grew from a small blaze north of Calistoga to a towering wildfire that has since consumed 6000 acres. Of course, this comes on the heels of the Gifford fire in San Luis Obispo, which has taken out over 100k acres the week before. For some growers in Napa and Edna valley, harvest may be over before it starts. While the definitive kibosh will come from lab analysis, knowing how smokey it got and when is useful for metering expectations and determining the next step. And there are some super useful tools out there! The EPA has a wide network of air quality sensors throughout the country with varying degrees of concentration. The map below shows just how many of these stations are publicly available, so you can see where air quality is suffe

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

We’ve added 10 more colors.  Now 14 colors.  The 3185 Murano corkscrew Streamlined handle version of the Double Power two-step extraction system.  Cap lifter included in the boot lever. Non Stick spiral. Comfortable soft-touch under-belly of handle. Colors: Black, Blue, Burgundy, Green, Lime Green, White, Red, Yellow, Lavender, Pink, Purple, Orange and Lt Blue. 4-5/8” long. Retails from $6.95 and comes in 14 beautiful colors. Call for your Free copy at 800-423-5855, orders@franmara.com, or virtually at,  https://viewer.zoomcatalog.com/franmara-2020-no-pricing

The 3185 Murano corkscrew Streamlined handle version of the Double Power two-step extraction system.  Cap lifter included in the boot lever. Non Stick spiral. Comfortable soft-touch under-belly of handle. Colors: Black, Blue, Burgundy, Green, Lime Green, White, Red, Yellow, Lavender, Pink, Purple, Orange and Lt Blue. 4-5/8” long. Retails from $6.95 and comes in 14 beautiful colors. Call for your Free copy at 800-423-5855, orders@franmara.com, or virtually at,  https://viewer.zoomcatalog.com/franmara-2020-no-pricing.

Our fleet of vehicles and our expert drivers are equipped to provide you fast, courteous and dependable service. Work with our team to plan your order and time deliveries to take advantage of our convenient and cost-saving fast ship routes. We currently have 4 fast ship routes in Western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio which can save our customers money with planned deliveries.  Most routes run every 6 weeks and you may qualify for REDUCED COST delivery with 4 pallets! Your browser does not support HTML5 video. Green Route – Central and Eastern Pennsylvania Orange Route – Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio Yellow Route – Along I-90 from Buffalo to Sandusky Ohio Purple Route – Covers the Hudson Valley Region of NYS Call our Fast Ship route coordinator 315-539-3922 to see if your delivery location qualifies for this cost saving service. Visit https://bit.ly/45gUGyE to find out more! 

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h

ICE BAG® Collapsible Wine Coolers. (Magnum size also available).  These amazing bags have become a top seller in France and they are now ready to create more sales in America. The ICE BAG® is perfect for parties, picnics, and restaurant service. The ICE BAG® Works amazing well at chilling bottles, and folds down for easy storage.  The ICE BAG® is very strong and durable with sturdy loop handles. Just add ice, water and insert your bottle, and you are ready to go. Item #9028 (colors) and 9030 (Clear) are 9-5/8" high x 4-5/8" wide x 4". Easily holds wine and champagne bottles. Available in Clear, Pink, Purple, Red, and Blue. Also a larger size is available for magnums: #9032 (9-5/8" high x 6" wide x 5-1/2"). The 9028 & 9030 retail for around $6.89, and the 9032 retails for around $8.99.  Franmara, Inc has many more wine accessories, barware, and cheese accessories which are all available in our current catalog and at franm