On the Contrary

Vine: Winter continues in the foothills and the snow has been washed away by rain.  We have had a long soaking rain for the last several days that is very welcome.  Up here in the low Sierras we have been notified that the first stage of drought watch is to be instituted by raising the rates on our water.  Since I only irrigate about 3 times a year during the growing season this will have little impact on me.  The soil up here is high iron clay and it retains water and combining that with timely drip irrigation, the plants require little water.  That would have changed had we not gotten the soaking rains we are seeing right now, but the water table is being recharge and I won’t water the grapes until early July.  The lawn is a whole another issue.  Grass really has shallow roots.  Oh well.

The picture shows the vineyard after the winter snow was washed away.  You can clearly see that we have not pruned, which is a month away, and the rows have been sprayed out.  There is nothing to do before pruning but wait for the buds to swell and start to break.  Then we prune.  You can see how the cover crop of grass and clover is starting to green up nicely and holds the soils in during the rains.  It will be mowed once probably in late April before it is allowed to go to seed in late May and then a final mowing after it dies out when we start our dry season.

Wine: Last Friday for my birthday I went to San Francisco for a day of just pure enjoyment.  When we go to San Francisco we try to schedule one new adventure each trip.  On arriving in the city around noon we went to the de Young Museum to see the new building and of course the art.  By the way if you live east of San Francisco, come in over the Golden Gate Bridge, take US 1 right after you get off the bridge, follow the signs to the Golden Gate Park (Balboa Street off US 1 I think, you kind of have to loop around because there is no left turn), then take 10th street into Golden Gate Park.  It will take you directly into the parking garage for both the de Young and the Academy of Science (also a wonderful visit). Funny but the most striking thing to me was to see a beautiful silver beer tankard crafted by Paul Revere. Really gave me a thirst for a cold beer.  Actually that is not totally true and it was a great afternoon.  There is, however, some modern art I don’t think I will ever understand.

Then it was down to the Ferry Building for a couple of glasses of wine at The Ferry Building Wine Merchant after checking out the shopping.  The Ferry Building usually ends up being the center of our visit because on Saturday morning we are going to buy fresh vegetables and meat at the farmers market for dinner at home that night.  The Wine Merchant has a very good selection of wine, and I always ask for an interesting Syrah and they never let me down.

Then it was off to SPQR (SFStation) in Pacific Heights for dinner.  SPQR is a smallish restaurant opened by the people that were involved with A16.  It doesn’t take reservations so we got there about 5:45 and found a nice table for two and shortly thereafter the restaurant was full with many people waiting for tables.   The menu is fun and all Italian with some fried specials.  We ordered hors d’oeuvres of fried chicken livers and a salad of wild arugula, roasted carrots and ricotta salata that was amazing.  Candace had the Lasagna and I went for Cannelloni of pork sausage, ricotta, spinach and pecorino.  I had an Italian wine and I can’t remember the name.  I was having so much fun I forgot to write it down.  I would highly recommend SPQR.  It is very casual, small, and very good.  By the way the cab ride both to and from was a very pleasant surprise.  Both cab drivers were old time San Francisco residents who were really truly interesting and, surprise upon surprise, the ride was not a constant cycle of acceleration and braking while you swerve through traffic, but just a nice smooth ride.  What is happening to the world as we know it?

After dinner and before returning to our hotel, we had a couple of glasses of wine at a wine bar near our hotel and people watched.  All in all, it was a perfect day.  The next morning we walked over to the Ferry Building to peruse the Saturday market and pick up dinner to cook at home.  When we got home we had purchased fresh bread, olive oil, filets, cheese, and mixed greens, arugula, fruits, at the market and had a delightful dinner.  I know, it is tough duty, but somebody has to do it.  Carpe  Diem.