Kendall-Jackson Winery Gardens

K-J Blooms of Bressingham Borders  (Alice Joyce photo)

Kendall-Jackson winery features perennial borders designed by British horticulturist Adrian Bloom: The son of famed plantsman, Alan Bloom, and the author of numerous gardening books featuring Foggy Bottom, Adrian Bloom’s personal garden in Norfolk. There is also a 2 1/2 acre culinary garden, with herbs and produce are used for the winery’s Wine & Food Pairings; and a Viticultural Demonstration Garden. Wine Tasting can be enjoyed year-round at Kendall -Jackson in Sonoma County, located near Santa Rosa in Northern California Wine Country.

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Valley of the Moon: Quarryhill Botanical Garden

Autumn - Quarryhill Botanical Garden (Photo: Christine Walker)

A botanical profusion of rare and endangered Asian species thrives in the naturalistic setting of Quarryhill Botanical Garden near Glen Ellen, in Northern California wine country. Continuing all through spring, summer and into the fall, collections of lilies from China and Japan offer colorful effects and scented displays at Quarryhill, located squarely within Sonoma County’s bucolic Valley of the Moon, where it spans some 60 acres. One-third of the terrain currently supports a unique woodland environment devoted to collections of plants from the temperate regions of China, Japan and the Himalayas. With more than 90 percent of the flora grown from wild-collected, scientifically documented seed, the collections have proven to be significant in North America.

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Stone Edge Farm and Vineyards

Stone Edge Farm Pyramid Photo © Alice Joyce

Abundant organic gardens and vineyards grace the artful surroundings and stunning architecture at Stone Edge Farm in Sonoma, where fine artisanal wines are produced along with “extra virgin” olive oil. The beautifully designed private estate–featured widely in national and local publications–may be toured by appointment only by emailing Culinary Director, John McReynolds. Join the Mailing List to receive invitations to special events, and to learn of special offerings on Stone Edge wines. Having tasted the soon-to-be-released 2007 vintage of Stone Edge ‘Surround,’ I’m enamored of the wine’s big, jammy, full-flavored blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, lingering delectably on the palate .

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