Homegrown

Los Olivos Homegrown, at the corner of Grand and Jonata, is open for business again this summer, offering a terrific selection for all garlic lovers. If you think of garlic as just those tight white bunches you see in the supermarket, think again! Locally grown and hand-picked, Homegrown's selection included at least 15 varieties of different colors and strengths when I was there the other day. My favorite has a stronger than average flavor and is a beautiful deep purple. Homegrown is open on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 pm...do stop by. If you're not sure what to do with that fresh garlic, how about roasting it and then spreading it on bread or chicken, or putting it in fresh tomato sauce? Cut the garlic in half and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of the head.) When it comes out, the cloves will be soft and pop right out of the skins. Spread and enjoy!

Last summer we had such nice lunches under the trees at the Rideau Vineyard. The setting was lovely, the food was delicious and generously portioned, and together with a taste of wine, it made for the perfect place to take friends for a wine country lunch. I was disappointed when I learned that lunch was no longer available, but as it was winter when I learned this, I assumed it was because of the time of year and that they would begin serving when the weather improved and the visitors were in greater numbers. I was quite surprised to learn the other day that the reason they still aren't serving lunch actually has something to do with the County. Apparently they do not want anyone to provide food service in a "residential" area. You can appreciate the irony, I'm sure. They can offer wine tasting, but not lunch. (In fact, you'd think that they would support wineries offering people something to eat with their wine to mitigate the effects of what sometimes becomes too much tasting. ) I should mention that Rideau is still serving a charcuterie plate with meats and cheeses, but there are no sandwiches and salads paired with wine. For those of us who've enjoyed a lazy afternoon lunch at Rideau, it's a true loss. On the brighter side, in addition to tasting, Rideau sells some of the best barrel aged balsamic vinegar in the valley. It's delicious and pours like syrup. Yum.

Peaches at Buttonwood

The peaches have arrived at Buttonwood Farm, just down the road from downtown Los Olivos! Cool weather had delayed the harvest, but Saturday at the winery they were celebrating their arrival with peach trifle, sliders with peach chutney, grilled peaches...it was quite the feast. And even for those who didn't indulge, the first crops of peaches were available for purchase...one yellow (Flavorcrest) and one white (Elegant Lady), both delicious. Peaches are $2.75 a pound, either variety, or $2.50 a pound if you buy in larger quantities. Save your boxes for credit if you buy a larger amount.

I couldn't help but buy a few myself, and I'm planning to make several trips back. I hear they make the best peach ice cream ever, and I'm determined to see for myself! Sounds like ice cream may be a few weeks off, but there may be pies as soon as this week. Yum!

Locals Only

On Friday evenings, you might like to stop over at the Heather Cottage in Los Olivos and thank our friends at Daniel Gehrs for reaching out to the community. Although the tasting room usually closes at 6 o'clock, on Fridays they are open until 8 for local residents and they're offering free tastes of their latest hand-crafted wines.

Hope to see you there!