Flowers & Grapes Spring 2021 Issue 1

GARDEN | FLORAL | HOME | LIFESTYLE

Spring 2021

brunch bouquets, nesting, tulips, winemakers, and more

Maya Bartolf

Editor

media was launched as indie creative

endeavor while on furlough from my career during the Covid19

pandemic.

is a quarterly indie magazine.

Contributors

Special Thanks

| Marla Myles | Elizabeth Fenn | Debbie Rowlands |

If you would like to be a contributor or featured email us at

info@flowersandgrapes.com.

Advertising

No commerce or income is generated from links or content published

in all media of .

Volume 1, Issue 1. Flowers & Grapes magazine is published in Marin County by

Maya Bartolf San Rafael, CA 94904. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2021.

Text and photographs copyright © 2021 by Maya Bartolf. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine

may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Brunch Season Begins!

p.16 4 F & G Note

p.6

Celebrate Spring at Pacheco Ranch Winery

6 Cover

14 In the Garden

16 Wine Country

Wanderings

20 Seasonal

Celebrations

22 On the Potting

Bench

24 Crafted

25 Book Notes

26 On Our Calendar

27 In Bloom

p.12

Protect the Nest

What a perfect season to launch my new creative

endeavor,

. I love spring

because I am always encouraged by the idea of

new life and growth that this season offers. After

months and months of a barren winter garden,

suddenly sprouts appear and soon, blossom by

blossom, each will demand our attention of this

fleeting moment. Spring is full of life and new

beginnings.

I took for granted. Each day I looked for visual

poetry to feed my loneliness and soul. I slowly

began to see it everywhere in the garden, trees,

surrounding hillsides, and in the natural environment

of the wine country. I also found it in family,

friendships, art, books, movies, and culture. Beauty

is everywhere and it leaves us breathless. Beauty

inspires and nourishes us. It demands our attention

just like the pop of bright spring flowers.

In fact, the seedlings pictured above sprouted the

first day of lockdown last march during the Covid19

pandemic. I had hoped that by the time my zinnia

sprouts bloomed in summer this dark and uncertain

time would have passed. Summer did come

and the zinnias did bloom. However, we still continued

living each day with an unknown future.

After a long year of restricted life during lockdown,

this spring we are once again encouraged that

despite everything, life continues.

During the pandemic, like so many others, I experienced

the loss of loved ones, the loss of a job, and

the absence of some of the simple joys of daily life

shares this poetry I found

during lockdown. Seeing the world through nature,

landscape, and culture fed my creativity and nourished

my hope. Hope for new beginnings and a

deeper appreciation for all the little things in life.

Spring 2021 issue celebrates

the seasonal beauty of the wine country of Northern

California while inspiring a pursuit of the

beauty in your garden, home, and daily life. As we

all begin move forward together, find poetry in the

garden, the seasons, and in life. Celebrate it!

Maya Bartolf

flowers & grapes spring 2021

“… find poetry in the

garden, the season and

in life. Celebrate it!”

A year after lockdown, who would have guessed that I would be

launching a magazine! Creative play at a photo shoot for this issue

at Bartholomew Vineyards and Winery, March 2021.

My blooming fall garden abundant with life and hope for a brighter future following the life altering pandemic and

destructive wildfires in the wine country in fall 2020.

www.flowersandgrapes.com

Spring flowers fill a vintage fruit

press to celebrate the coming of

spring at Pacheco Ranch Winery.

Tulips, daffodils, narcissus,

anemones, scabiosia, spirea and

a variety of blooming branches

signal the blossoms to come

after a long barren winter.

O n a brisk and sunny morning in February, Debbie and Herb

Rowland graciously invited Flowers and Grapes into Pacheco Ranch Winery

(PRW), their family’s private historic 70-acre vineyard and winery in eastern

Marin County. PRW has produced complex cabernet wines at this historic

site for generations, and winemaking is still a family affair. Herb Rowland is

Ignacio Pacheco’s great-great-grandson and the manager of the vineyard.

His wife Debbie is the head of finance and distribution. However, while we

were there to capture the fleeting beauty of their blooming vineyard this

Dappled sunlight illuminates the orchard with yellow sorrel in the and fruit trees just beginning to bloom at PRW.

Right: Bright yellow sorrel the cabernet vineyards


Under the grand oak that welcomes visitors to the north vineyard is a wonderful place to sit and take in the beauty of the yellow

sorrel bloom along with the sweep of neatly terraced cabernet vineyards at Pacheco Ranch Winery. Right: The Pacheco Ranch

Winery family estate and (below) carriage house converted into modern winery framed by magnolia tulip tree.

spring, we also discovered the property’s

stately historical elegance and learned about

their family’s rich legacy as vintners in the

celebrated wine country of Northern

California.

It was a perfect day. A spectacular setting of

neatly terraced hills bathed in late afternoon

sunlight. The dormant vines dappled in light

were silhouetted by glowing aura of

golden Oxalis corniculate or yellow sorrel

carpeting the vineyard. The bloom of yellow

sorrel announces spring in this region of

Marin and it can be found covering hillsides in

the surrounding open space. While not as

celebrated as its seasonal sister, the mustard

bloom, found in wine country regions of

Sonoma and Napa, yellow sorrel is equal in its

delicate beauty of yellow spring blooms. Like

mustard, yellow sorrel provides valuable

nutrients for the soil when mulched and is

beneficial to our natural landscape.

We were so excited and hurried to get into

the vineyard to capture this spectacular scene

for our photoshoot. However, as we entered

an unassuming gate from the roadside, we

were stopped in our tracks by the elegant

historic Pacheco Family Estate and Carriage

House hidden behind a fruit orchard and

nestled between the surrounding terraced

hillsides. We just had to learn more about this

elegant historic site and legacy of winemakers

who made it their home for generations.

Today the Rowlands reside in this elegant

historic home and the carriage house has

been converted into a small modern winery.


The handsome white winery is framed

by a beautiful vibrant magnolia tulip

tree now at its height in bloom for

spring. PRW is a beautiful blend of wine

country rustic and the simple, yet regal

elegance of a time gone by.

The stately white, two-story Italianate

home built in 1876 by Gumesindo

Pacheco stands as a monument to their

family’s rich history in wine making in

Northern California. “The winery site

was originally part of an 1840 Mexican

land grant to Ignacio Pacheco and since

then, has been continually occupied by

his descendants” shared Debbie.

Ignacio Pacheco, who was one of

California’s early pioneers, settled in

what is now Marin County in 1840.


Ignacio is believed to have been the

first to plant grape vines in the region

and his influence can still be seen in

the names of places throughout the

area. The vineyards that climb the

slopes surrounding the historic

Pacheco home were revived in 1970

and have been expanded since. They

are planted solely with Cabernet

Sauvignon vines which are “dryfarmed.”

On site at Pacheco Ranch Winery, Maya Bartolf

creates the celebratory arrangement in honor of

Flowers & Grapes magazine launch this spring. A

variety of blossoming branches were placed in the

vessel first. Orange tulips anchor the rustic

arrangement. Daffodils, narcissus, and the delicate

spirea filler create unity through the variations of

while color and different texture. Purple anemones

give the floral arrangement deep contrasting color

for added pop!

The land has been in the family for

over a century and a half and to this

day remains a family affair. “A

heritage of excellence” has become

the slogan of Pacheco Ranch Winery

because of the rich family history that

can be appreciated in every aspect of

the estate bottled wine. We were so

appreciative to the Rowlands for

opening their stunning vineyard

and historic home to Flowers and

Grapes.

If you wish to visit this private

boutique family winery, reservations

are required and limited during

Covid19. Please contact Pacheco

Ranch Winery to schedule

appointments for tastings and event

planning. We invite you to celebrate

spring with Pacheco Ranch Winery

and more !


Art : Michael Schwab

It’s springtime in the Bay Area, and even as

you read this sentence, birds, squirrels and

other animals are preparing nests for their

newborn and newly‐hatched babies in

your trees, shrubs and hedges. WildCare’s

Wildlife Hospital admits hundreds of injured

and orphaned baby animals every spring and

summer, many of them victims of treetrimming

and pruning accidents. Nests are

camouflaged intentionally, and this means

baby animals too often become the victims

of chainsaws and clippers.

From his studio in Marin County, Michael

Schwab has established a national reputation

as one of America's leading graphic

artists. He has created national awardwinning

logos and posters for a remarkable

list of prestigious clients, including

Apple, Amtrak, the Golden Gate National

Parks, Major League Baseball, Robert

Mondavi, Muhammad Ali, Nike, Pebble

Beach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Robert Redford,

San Francisco Opera, Sundance, Sunset

Books, Wells Fargo, and now WildCare!

Mr. Schwab’s art is immediately recognizable,

bringing together striking combinations of

black and color to create unforgettable and

iconic images. WildCare introduces Mr.

Schwab’s beautiful and impactful art for their

Respect the Nest Campaign this spring!

To learn more about protecting the wildlife

nesting this spring in your garden checkout

WildCare’s recent Protect the Nest webinar.

Courtesy of WildCare


Magnificent Mustard

The coming of spring in wine country

T

he magnificent show of mustard blooms

among the grapevines announces the

coming of spring in Northern California. At

winter’s end, bright yellow mustard blooms seem

to pop up out of nowhere blanketing hillsides,

meadows, and vineyards. A mustard seed can

remain dormant for nearly 20 years waiting for

just the right weather and soil conditions.

Mustard bloom is one of the most exciting times

to visit the wine country. For a few short weeks,

this fleeting show makes a stunning backdrop

drawing many visitors from afar to capture the

spectacular moment in portraits and photos.

However, mustard also has a rich beneficial

history rooted in wine country.


A year after lockdown, who would have guessed that I would be

launching a n Indy magazine! Creative play at Magnificent Mustard

shoot for this issue at Bartholomew Vineyards and Winery,

March 2021.

The first mustard seeds were likely planted as a cover crop by the early Franciscan missionaries.

According to legend, missionaries also scattered the mustard seeds along trails between missions

to help guide their way back to each other by following the blooms along the routes. Early winemakers

walked the vineyards sowing seeds through a tiny hole in a sack slung across their backs.

The mustard variety growing regionally and planted by the early missionaries is the same as the

variety common in the Burgundy region of Dijon, France; known for its mustard of the same

name.

After bloom, the mustard plant is tilled under to provide a mulch of valuable nutrients and phosphorus

to feed the soil, vines, and emerging plants. Mustard is also a natural biofumigant, and the

pungency of its glucosinolate compounds deters nematodes that can damage vines. Some

wineries cultivate specially bred mustard containing high levels of glucosinolate to increase this

natural pesticide effect. Mustard is an essential and beneficial element of our landscape and in

winemaking in the region.

Whether growing wild or managed by growers, the mustard bloom is a spectacular seasonal

moment not to miss. Many will venture out to capture this spectacular seasonal display in photographs

or in social media posts. Just be mindful when visiting the sites of mustard blooms

whether in the natural landscape or at vineyards. Please do not disturb these beautiful blooms.


Visitors should not pick, step, or sit on the mustard plants. Always ask permission to venture into

fields or vineyards because most are private property. Following the above sustainable practices

during your visit will ensure a stunning show for future visitors to the wine country.

A prefect place to experience the glory of the mustard show while enjoying a wine tasting is

from the oak knoll overlooking the vineyards of Bartholomew Estate Winery in Sonoma.

Bartholomew Estate is nestled within the 375-acre Bartholomew Park so you can also enjoy

public walking trails that will bring you up-close to the mustard growing in vineyard. It is open

during the pandemic with face masks and 6-feet of social distance required for all visitors. It is

also dog friendly! Celebrate the coming spring with a trip to wine country and more flowers and

grapes!



Oranges, blues, and bright greens and

whites are woven into evenly throughout

the table design including center

piece, small arrangements, and even

cocktail toppers like the orange slice

and borage topping the Raymond Fizz.

o begins brunch season! After months and months

of terrible weather and a pandemic lockdown to

boot, we are craving gathering with friends and

family. Spring is a time to celebrate the season

and hosting a brunch will bring your family and friends

together in your garden and home. Give your table setting

and even your cocktails a pop of color with bright spring

flowers. Just as the food in your brunch menu, flowers and

fruit add a seasonal flavor to your table. Bunches of daffodils,

ranunculus, tulips in bold oranges and yellows mix with

the bright citrus bowls of deep greens, oranges, and yellows.

Contrasting blue placemats along with coordinating

vases give your brunch table a simple fresh look that is as

bright as the flowers in your garden! Lemon cypress

(Cupressus macrocarpa “Goldcrest’) topiaries add freshness

of bright green to balance and anchor the tablescape. It is

so easy to create! Just gather a few bunches of spring

flowers from your garden or grab a few bouquets from your

local farmers market or grocery store. Our brunch flowers

include a mix from @CypressFlowerFarms purchased at the

Thursday Farmers Market in Marin County with a few

daffodil blooms added from the garden of the editor.

Tangerines are from the grocery store and the limes along

with variegated Eureka lemons are from the editor’s citrus

container garden.

To make your own bright and fresh brunch tablescape with

a pop of spring color, you will need the following:

• One mixed bouquet in a similar

pallet or contrasting colors

along with a coordinating/

contrasting or neutral colored

vase to make the centerpiece

• Two bowls to fill with coordinating

citrus-lemons, limes,

oranges, and tangerines

• Two Lemon Cypress Topiaries

• Coordinating placemats, napkins,

and tableware that coordinate

or contrast for POP!



1. Select your flowers

Select your flowers from the

garden and/or purchase a

few bunches from a local farmers

market or grocery stores.

2. Choose your containers

Find a vase or vessel that coordinates

with your color scheme of your table.

3. Arrange your blooms

• Select your anchor or primary flower

(generally the largest and brightest) like the

vibrant orange tulips used in this arrangement.

• Distribute the primary flowers evenly

around the rim as seen in the photo below.

• Alternate secondary flowers the

daffodils, ranunculus, and narcissus with

primary orange tulips until the vase is full.

Make sure you step back to assess

arrangement looking for spaces to fill with

smaller flowers and foliage.


Photo: Jessica Slack

S pring is in the air! The delicate beauty of these precious silver and

pearl flower earrings from Jess Jewels Design will last way beyond this fleeting

season. Marin jewelry artist Jessica Slack brings an artful modern timelessness

to her jewelry designs. Many of her designs are inspired from nature and are

simple elegant organic forms. You can see more of her artful designs at @jessjewelsdesign

on Instagram.


Courtesy: Floret & Chronicle Books | Photo: Chris Benzakein

Floret Farm’s Discovering Dahlias

A Guide to Growing and Arranging

Magnificent Blooms

Written by Erin Benzakein with

Jill Jorgensen and Julie Chai

Photographs by Chris Benzakein

2021 SBN: 9781452181752

Available now at Floret Farms.

E

rin Benzakein shares her

passion and the rich

diversity for her favorite flower that

grows on her farm in Washington

State’s Skagit Valley. “These treasures

are one of the most well-loved and

widely grown flowers for cutting

because the come in a dazzling

rainbow of colors, they produce an

abundance of flowers from

Floret Farm’s Discovering Dahlias A Guide to

Growing and Arranging Magnificent Blooms

Written by Erin Benzakein with Jill Jorgensen

and Julie Chai Photographs by Chris Benzakein

ON SALE

MARCH 9, 2021

midsummer into autumn, and the range of shapes and sizes available is staggering.”

In Floret Farm’s Discovering Dahlias (Chronicle Books, 2021), the celebrated farmer

-florist and New York Times bestselling author shares all the secrets readers will

need for cultivating their own gorgeous dahlias. Erin’s deep dive into the subject

offers expert advice for growing, harvesting, and arranging these prolific bloomers,

along with a primer on the astounding array of dahlia choices of more than 350 of

Benzakein’s favorites. Erin’s collection of showstopping bouquets will inspire

readers to grow many varieties of this stunning flower as well as make their own

magical garden bouquets. Discovering Dahlias is an essential resource and a must-


Abstract Nature: Nick Taylor and Katherine Warinner

Marin Art and Garden Center

March 13—April 25

| Fri.—Sat. 10:00AM - 4:00PM|Sundays 12:00PM—4:00PM | Online

A two-person art show featuring sculpture by Fort Bragg artist Nick Taylor and largescale

monotype prints and other works on paper by San Anselmo artist Katherine

Warinner, who has lived and worked in Marin for 30 years. Marin Art and Garden

Center brings these two artists together to celebrate and protect the environment

that gives us so much to see and learn from.

Wildflower Walks at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve with Sonoma

Ecological Center

March 28, 2021 @ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Tickets Required

Join Sonoma Ecology Center naturalists at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve for one

of the most spectacular wildflower displays in all of Sonoma County. Experience a

pristine spring grassland with numerous species in full bloom.

11th Annual Spring Plant Sale at Petaluma Bounty

April 25 at 9:00AM to 3:00PM

Get your garden started! There will be thousands of plants for sale on Sunday, April

25th at the Bounty Community Farm, located at 55 Shasta Ave in Petaluma. With

over 27 types of affordably priced vegetables, herbs and flowers and 200 different

varieties to choose from, everyone is sure to find something for their garden!

Iris and Rose Bloom at the Russian Rose Company

April - May |By Appointment Only. |Tickets

April offers a wonderful window to experience the dazzling early display of irises and

roses at the Russian River Rose Company. With over 250 varieties of irises and 650

varieties of roses in their collection, visitors will be immersed by a gorgeous display

of seasonal beauty.

icons by Flaticon at www.feepik.com

Flowers & Grapes Spring 2021 Issue 1

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