Laraneta Blog

Summer arrived just in time to make our first BBQ in the new picnic arbor a great success. Wine flowed with our laughter and we feasted on Joe’s hamburgers and the salads and deserts our friends and neighbors brought to share until the sun had set and stars began to spark across the sky.

Many of those who came to the party were growers. Some farm grapes, some olives – some grow both, as we do. For growers the beginning of summer is a reason in itself to celebrate. With the arrival of Summer thoughts of late Spring frost can be forgotten. The warm weather brings enthusiasm, hopes for the new crop and the harvest in Fall.

Although we were celebrating new beginnings, our beautiful flag flew high. Gratitude was in our hearts for all that we owe our selfless veterans and those in uniform today. Unfortunately, those few brave men and women among our millions are asked to sacrifice so that the rest of us may remain free to celebrate. We wish for a world where this isn’t so and remain grateful to those who put themselves in harms way to create it.

We are also grateful to our wonderful friends and neighbors who made Saturday so special. Thank you! It was an evening full of joy and companionship we will always remember and smile.

Here are some pictures taken to share with our friends who couldn’t be with us. Hope to see you next time.

Memorial Weekend BBQ

At this time of year our visitors are drawn to the beauty and grace of the wisteria trees at the end of the drive near the front door of Honey Oak House B&B. Many have never seen wisteria in bloom. Others who are familiar with wisteria tell us theyhave never seen it in tree form.

Wisteria is naturally a vine but it can be trained to resemble a tree or bush.  Most nurseries either have wisteria trees available or can order them. The purple blooms are also lovely but we chose the white.

The blooming season for Wisteria is Spring; in the winter they drop their leaves like fruit trees. The blossoms lasts about a month to 6 weeks – always the time is too short for me. Every spring I watch for those first tiny white flowers to emerge. It’s a bit sad to see the lovely bunches dwindle as the wisteria leaves begin to dominate the trees. The trees themselves are willowy and charming but I love the delicate tapering blooms best.

Wisteria trees in bloom. Hioney Oak House B&B at Laraneta Vineyards, May 2010.

Our picnic arbor is as complete as it will be until the grape vines we planted grow to add a leafy green roof. We hope it will be the perfect setting for our first vineyard party, planned for Saturday, May 29.

Picnic Arbor at Laraneta Vineyards

We are having a BBQ, serving chips and dips, hamburgers and hot dogs, salads, soft drinks, and cookies for desert. The cost is $17.50/person ($14 for wine club members). Laraneta wines will be available for sale at a discount for those who want to add that special touch to the day.

Come celebrate the beginning of summer with us at Laraneta Vineyards. The party starts at 4:00pm and will go on until about 8:00pm. You can stroll the vineyards or just sit around and enjoy the day with friends. Stay until the last rays of the setting sun tint the vines and the first stars come out in a clear night sky.

Sunset at Laraneta Vineyards

This is our first party so we are hoping to share it with many of our friends but we do have to put a limit of 40 guests so make your reservations early. For more information or to make your reservation contact us at BandB@laraneta.com or call 805 434 5090. Please RSVP by May 20 so we will have time to prepare.

We are looking forward to a fun filled day. Hope to see you on May 29.

Do you remember back in March the buds that were forming on the old wood after pruning? In April we had new leaves opening like tiny fans from the buds. Now we have tiny little bunches of grapes growing amid the leaf clusters that are turning the vineyards green. Here are pictures of the transformation.

We had such a fun evening at Vinoteca last Wednesday when we poured our Cameo (Vernaccia),Sangiovese, Sa Va (100% Merlot), and No. 5. Lots of friends came by to share the fun and it turned into a real party. Pamela, the owner of Vinoteca, had just gotten back in town and came by to help and enjoy the evening. Jeff, chef and general manager, prepared delicious tapas using our flavored olive oils; he created them to pair with our wines and they were right on. If you didn’t makeit, hope to see you next time.

Front window of Vinoteca in Paso Robles

Laraneta Winery will be pouring at Vinoteca Wine Bar in Paso Robles this Wednesday, April 14, from 5:30-9pm.  Jeff, chef and manager at Vinoteca, will be serving tapas he created to be paired with our wines and made with our olive oils. Yummm!

If you haven’t been by before, Winemaker Wednesday at Vinoteca is a very popular event. It is a good day to enjoy getting together with friends for a flight mid week. If you are in the area please plan to stop by.

This day, April 14, is special for us in another way. It is our daughter Andrea’s Birthday. We won’t be able to celebrate it with her this year but we will certainly be toasting her good health and wishing her a wonderful year ahead. Join us in wishing her the happiest of birthdays.

Sangiovese vineyard April 7, 2010

The silvery buds of March have become clusters of shiny new leaves that are turning the Sangiovese vineyard green. Of our three red varieties, the Sangiovese is the first to leaf out in the Spring and the first to harvest in the Fall.

To the far left, along the fence line,  you can see the tarps that act as a barrier against the burning frost that spills down from the higher elevations surrounding our vineyards. At this time of year temperatures are checked nightly. We have already started to use the frost protection machines that protect the young leaves and budding grapes from damage.

On our way back from China lake we saw the most incredible wild flower dispays along the 46 East. Daisy like wildflowers in brilliant colors – yellow, orange, violet – painted the hillsides along the road. It was spectacular – much more than the pictures I took which really can’t show you how beautiful the display was.

46 East Wildflowers

Joel and John at the Carriage Inn

We had a lovely time at the Carriage Inn in Ridgecrest. It is our second visit there and we hope to go back again next year. The wine enthusiasts are great folks. We were treated to dinner by our host, John Broyles. The chef standing next to him is Joel who created a lovely meal for us.

Thanks to everyone for welcoming us and showing us such a good time.

Last year on our way to Ridgecrest we saw signs for the historic Keene Cafe. This year we made a point to stop there for lunch. Our waitress, Margaret, was not only cheerful and welcoming, she was from Templeton! What a small world. Here is a picture of Joe in front of the restaurant.

Joe at Keene Cafe