Flowers & Grapes Fall 2021

GARDEN | FLORAL | HOME | LIFESTYLE 

Northern California Wine Country 

Fall 2021 

Rustic elegance, dahlias, pumpkins, farm animals, winemakers, and more ...

Support Us! 

Founder + Publisher 

Maya Bartolf 

Special Thanks 

| Dawn Andreotti | Rosa Bravo | Elizbeth Fenn | 

| Diane Davis | Christin Geall | Marla Myles | Elizabeth O'Brien | 

| Jessica Slack | Aimee Twigger | Kaleigh Rhoads | 

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You’ll find no paid ads on our pages. 

So, we rely on contributions from our readers to offer this magazine 

to you online for free. We invite our fans to support us by donating 

so that we can continue to publish this new artful magazine that 

captures the unique beauty of the wine country. 

Contact 

We are looking for contributors and would love to hear from you! 

Please contact us with any questions, feedback, projects, or collaborations 

ideas you might want to share at info@flowersandgrapes.com . 

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www.flowersandgrapes.com 

Volume 1, Issue 3. Flowers & Grapes magazine is published in Marin County by Maya Bartolf in 

San Rafael, CA 94903. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2021. No part of this magazine may be reproduced. 

in any form without written permission from the publisher.

It’s harvest in 

wine country! 

Zinfandel grapes almost at their peak at Bartholomew Estate Winery in Sonoma, CA.

Fall 2021 

6. Editor’s Note 

Warmth & Radiance 

8. On the Cover 

New Vibrations: The Happy Dahlia Farm 

24. On the Farm 

Meet Hombre at Charlie’s Acres Farm 

Animal Sanctuary 

30. Wine Country 

Wanderings 

Rustic Elegance: Nickel & Nickel Winery 

42. Book Notes 

Christin Geall On Texture 

The Happy Dahlia Farm 

p. 8 

p. 42 

p. 24 

Meet Hombre at Charlie’s Acres 

Farm Animal Sanctuary 

Christin Geall On Texture from 

Cultivated :The Elements of Style

p. 54 

Sweet & Savory 

Fall Events at Andreotti Family Farm 

p. 30 

p. 46 

Nickel & Nickel Winery 

46. Seasonal 

Celebrations 

Sweet & Savory: A Visual Feast 

52. Crafted 

Foliate Jewelry Designed by 

Jessica Slack 

54. Seasonal Picks 

Sonoma Garden Park 

Andreotti Family Farms 

Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees 

59. Fresh Picks 

Calendar 

We’ve got these events on our calendars! 

61. In Bloom 

Bartholomew Estate Winery 

Fall 2021

Warmth & Radiance 

F 

all is here! It is my absolute favorite season, which seems ironic for a person so obsessed 

with flowers and gardening. I love autumn because of its intense sensual nature—and that 

it also seems to slowly unfold here in the wine country. In all its splendor, autumn ignites 

our senses, enticing us to go outside to experience its radiant magic. Its cool breezes refresh us. 

And, autumn’s fruits grace both nature and our tables bringing us together to enjoy. 

Our long, hot summer days begin to shorten, offering a shady softer light on the landscape. 

Sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias linger while leaves and grasses begin to create a patchwork of 

rich color slowly blanketing the valleys and hillsides. While days can still be extremely warm, 

nights are chilly even under the warmth of a bright Harvest Moon. 

Changing grapevine foliage from green, to gold, then amber creates a striking spectrum of color 

in the vineyards. Leaves become the flowers of fall. Birds and wildlife feast on the seed heads of 

flowers. Grapes are at their peak of ripeness. We gather with family and friends to share our 

colorful cornucopia from the furrowed fields and farmers markets. Aromatic flavors of sweet and 

savory fill our houses. 

The friendly glow of Jack-O-Lanterns welcomes all on Halloween night. And on our coldest 

nights, no light is warmer or more welcoming than the light illuminating from inside our homes. 

Celebrate this radiance, warmth, and abundance by bringing the gifts of the season into your 

home to share with family and friends. 

6 flowers & grapes fall 2021

Above: In my happy place with my dog, Poppy, at 

The Happy Dahlia Farm in Petaluma. Right: Our 

first promotional booth at the Clucktown Collective 

this summer at The Happy Dahlia Farm. 

We are so grateful for our outstanding contributors. Thank your for sharing your creativity with us 

to honor this remarkable season. This specular issue celebrates the beauty of this season in wine 

country. Experience a kaleidoscope of bold color this fall at The Happy Dahlia Farm. Rustic 

Elegance will make you want to put on your favorite wooly sweater and take a stroll in the vineyard. 

Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary is where you can connect with farm animals and take 

in stunning vineyard views. While these stories encourage you to go out exploring, the pages in 

this issue are filled with inspiration and beauty to bring into your garden, home, and daily life. 

Our feature contributors will inspire you to bring the splendor and richness of nature and the 

landscape into your homes. Celebrated author and designer, Christin Geall, will inspire you to 

forage your gardens for bloom and bounty to add seasonal flair to holiday flower arrangements 

and decor. Aimee Twiggers, international food stylist and cook, shares her artful culinary 

creations that are a feast for the eye, and are sure to delight your palate with the flavors of fall. 

And before the stillness of winter blankets our landscape, remember to savor this moment of 

transformation. Go out. Gather. Reflect. Harvest the best from this challenging pandemic year. 

Honor your abundance and share it with community, family, and friends. And remember to 

celebrate its radiant gifts with more Flowers & Grapes! 

Maya Bartolf 

Editor | Founder 

Follow me to see more of my wine country adventures @MayaBartolf on Instagram... 

flowersandgrapes.com 7

New Vibrations 

The Happy Dahlia Farm 

by Maya Bartolf 

'American Pillar' (1902) in full display frame 

the turret of the Maison de la Rose -the residence 

of Jan and Michael Tolmasoff in 

Healdsburg, California. Blue Iris ‘Sea Power

At the intersection of East Washington and Adobe Road in 

Petaluma, California, one can feel the new vibrations emanating 

from the thousands of colorful dahlias that grow in the 

field at The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm. Among the playful 

kaleidoscope of colorful blooms, visitors are immersed in a 

sensorial state of being filled with beauty, life energy, and 

nature. While well-known for producing exquisite dahlias in 

their many varieties, the farm has blossomed into a sanctuary 

for the spirit, soul, and connection. The Happy Dahlia Flower 

Farm has become a place to experience the sacred seasonal 

rhythms of the farm, landscape, and community.

Owner and self-proclaimed "Flower Mama," Meagan Major felt this very same energy 

when she first saw the dahlia flower farm. It was in a picture shared via text by a friend – 

then known as the Aztec Dahlia Farm. And in that very same message, Meagan quickly 

learned that the owner was about to put the farm up for sale. “My heart took a breath 

and EXHALED... it was visceral," recalled Meagan. Trusting this intuitive sign deep within 

her, Meagan immediately took the first step towards purchasing the flower farm – talking 

it over with her husband and partner, Tony. 

Tony thought it, “the best stupid idea ever!” Together they along with their two young 

daughters took a deep dive into the fascinating world of dahlias and farming in the wine 

country. “It’s about surrendering what you think you want, what you think you know, so 

that the universe can realign you to something even more spectacular." Meagan 

continued, "I didn’t realize it would manifest itself in the form of a flower farm. I didn’t 

even know what a tuber was, but there I stood in front of 60,000 of them.” 

Photo: ©2021TheHappyDahliaFarm 

Meagan Major, Owner and Flower Mama bringing beauty to the world creating new vibrations at her dahlia farm 

in Petaluma, California. 



Above: What can be more beautiful 

that a sea of colorful dahlias? 

Below: Meagan and her husband 

Tony dance in the field celebrating 

one year at the farm and reaching 

their $50,000 GoFundMe campaign 

goal. 

A former make-up artist to A-list entertainers and 

celebrities, Meagan shared that she too was 

increasingly being drawn away from her current 

work in wellness and healing. Her spirit was 

leading her to the outdoors, farms, and the beauty 

of flowers. She confessed to secretly exploring the 

idea of working on a local farm and realized it was 

not financially realistic. “It’s about following a 

thousand tiny instincts that lead you to unexpected 

surprises," reflected Meagan. She signed the 

papers for the business the day of the Covid-19 

pandemic lockdown. 

With no experience in farming, Meagan knew she 

had to follow her heart into uncharted waters and 

trust that this was where she was meant to be in 

the universe. There was no business plan for 



I didn’t even know what a tuber was, 

but there I stood in front of 60,000 of 

them. — Meagan Major

launching a business during a pandemic. Restaurants, wineries, catering, special events, 

and weddings planners made up most of the customer-base she inherited with purchase 

of the farm. Customers whose businesses closed down or were put on pause within 

weeks of the lockdown. 

Meagan persevered through this unprecedented tough time for businesses through 

hard work – harder than she could ever imagine. Her creativity and business savvy as an 

entrepreneur imagined a new vision for the farm. One that was more than just selling 

flowers and arrangements. She saw the farm as a place of beauty, inspiration, and 

gathering. Her vision was the catalyst for awakening a new spirit and alternative model 

for the once traditional flower farm. The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm became a flourishing 

new space for individuals to retreat from their busy lives, connect to the rhythms of 

nature, and be energized by the beauty of the flowers and from community—an outdoor 

refuge from the long work at home days and pandemic life. 

On any given day during flower season and even off-season, the dahlia field has become 

a place of beauty, meditation, and playful communion. The Happy Dahlia Flower 

Farm holds workshops and events that uplift the soul, boost creativity, and promote 




community connection. From gigantic soap 

bubble playdates for kids, to romantic date nights 

picnics in the field, the farm is becoming a place 

for connection and play. Recently, a stage has 

been built as a focal point for music and 

entertainment such as movie night. The farm is also 

a family-friendly space for kids to be free, explore 

and learn from the farm and nature. Kids can 

experience chickens wandering about the field 

while playing among the colorful rows of blooms. 

They can also get their hands dirty in a fun new 

playground complete with a kid-sized potting 

bench. 

The farm has also become a place for education 

and community. The farm hosts workshops and 

Left: Care-free girl at play among the 

dahlias while offering a perfect Instagramable 

moment for her parents. 

Top: Kids frolic among the opalescent 

cloud of bubbles. Vibrant dahlias at 

their peak are exquisite attracting visitors 

from all over Northern California. 


The Happy Dahlia Farm is a place for the community to come together year –round with 

music, picnicking, and shopping locally at the Clucktown Collective seasonal market.



seasonal markets like the Clucktown Collective – 

a group of diverse local merchants and 

craftspeople who sell their unique wares. 

Meagan offers a variety of classes on growing 

dahlias, flower farming, floral arranging, and 

wellness. Meagan and Tony envision the farm 

will one day provide a venue for future festivals 

to support causes that matter, like protecting 

our environment and oceans. 

Left: Families gather on the lawn to enjoy 

the jazzy tunes of the band, Ms.Honeywell. 

Kids getting their hands dirty at the new 

playground potting bench. Flowers & 

Grapes promo booth at the Clucktown Collective. 

Farm stand and dream catcher. This 

page: Sound vibrations and crystals embedded 

in the furrowed dahlia field (below) balance 

the energy and create a new vibe at 

the farm. 

With her passion for wellness and healing, 

Meagan planned for the farm to also be a 

sanctuary for quiet meditation and wellness. 

Yoga classes are offered weekly out in the fields 

among the blooms. Sound healing ceremonies 

provide a direct therapeutic reset for the soul. 

Tonal modulations, vibrant color frequency of 

the dahlias, and the landscape create an 


immersive environment for visitors to detach from 

their daily lives. Crystals set amid the rows of 

flowers provide stabilizing and rebalanced energy. 

Above and right: The deep red ‘Mars’ 

dahlia and the stunning ‘Wyns Sensation’ 

dahlia at their peak not only 

draw flower fanatics from all over the 

Bay Area, but also the many pollinators 

like bees, butterflies, birds, and 

ladybugs. Below: Gongs resonate at 

the sound healing ceremony among 

the kaleidoscope of blooms creating 

a meditative and healing natural environment 

at the farm. 

In her extraordinarily challenging first year as a 

flower farmer, Meagan has even cultivated a 

growing community of loyal followers. Her dahlia 

devotees regularly support the farm by purchasing 

flowers and attending a variety of events. What 

makes her supporters so different from regular 

customers is that they appreciate her new creative 

model for the farm as a beautiful sanctuary and a 

dynamic communal space. Her amazing dahlialoving 

supporters have crowd-sourced over 

$50,000 in donations to support improvement 

projects on the farm. The fun new playground is 

one of many projects that will help expand this 

once traditional flower farm into a new dynamic 



A bee forages for pollen on ‘Wyns Sensation’ a starburst dahlia almost at its peak. 



venue for visitors to enjoy. “I am 

completely overwhelmed and blessed 

to have such support from my 

community,” shared Meagan. 

Above: Yoga in the field connecting mind, body, and soul 

with beauty and nature. Right: The new stage, picnic, and 

playground areas were manifested from the GoFundMe 

Campaign. Children’s music program. (Below) The new 

playground makes the farm a fun place to play for kids. 

While the new programs of activities 

and events attract people to the farm, 

the many stunning dahlias varieties 

remain the powerful magnets that 

draw visitors to this breathtaking field 

of color. The spectacular display of 

textures and shapes attract crowds 

throughout the season for Instagram 

selfies, family portraits, seasonal 

flowers, and even deep spiritual 

connections. You can even arrange a 

professional photo session for your 

family portraits online through the 

farm’s website. “Each variety has its 


‘Chimacum Katie’ dahlias mesmerize with their vibrant pink color and exquisite 

geometry drawing many pollinators and visitors from afar to The Happy Dahlia Farm. 

own personality, sculptural form, and vibrant energy," said Meagan. Her farming team 

even gives each flower variety a nickname reflective of its individual personality. Meagan 

uses these stunning idiosyncratic blooms to create many artful arrangements and 

bouquets to sell. 

The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm is a family run heart-centered business that produces the 

most stunning dahlias in the region while at the same time creating a unique visitor 

experience that draws the crowds from all over. We invite you to immerse yourself in this 

new energy created from Meagan’s inspired vision of a thriving farm, dynamic 

community, and a sacred place for connection with beauty. We cannot wait for you to 

meet Meagan and experience the new vibe at this incredible dahlia farm. 

Follow Meagan’s floral artistry, farming adventures, and community events on Instagram 

@thehappydahliafarm. Also, please check [ www.thehappydahliafarm.com ] for changing 

seasonal hours, a calendar of community events, and educational workshops. Don’t miss 

the forthcoming Holiday Wreath Class and Clucktown Collective Holiday Market. 



Meet Hombre 

Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary 

H 

ombre is a turkey and just one of many of the personalities you can meet at 

Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary [Charlie’s Acres] in Sonoma. Hombre 

inhabits the farm with a rescued fellow flock of turkeys: Mei Li, Sapphire, Franklin, 

Deborah, Tim, and Helen. All the usual suspects that you would find on a farm are 

there too, including many cows, pigs, goats, horses, steers, and other animals. The farm is their 

second chance and a forever home made possible by the compassionate community that 

supports this animal farm sanctuary. Charlie’s’ Acres is more than a picturesque farm nestled 

amongst vineyards in wine country, it is a place of compassion for animals where visitors can 

meet all these incredible rescued animals, hear their stories, and make a connection with them. 

Charlie’s Acres is also a place to learn about plant-based nutrition and sustainability. 

Our majestic, feathered friend, Hombre was first to greet the group of visitors led by Bella, a 

tour guide on the animal care team, along with Elizabeth, a dedicated animal care volunteer 

who is also the goat yoga teacher on the farm. They shared how Hombre found his refuge at the 

farm following a wedding ceremony that featured a turkey as part of a traditional Oaxacan 



Top Left Clockwise: A white pig icon marks the pen for potbelly pigs and Tofu, (center) who like most of the potbelly residents was 

purchased as a family pet. Visitors get to know the animals up close and learn fun facts about them from the Animal Care Staff and 

Animal Care Staff Volunteers at Charlie’s Acres. Volunteer and Goat Yoga Instructor Elizabeth, is greeted with a friendly kiss from 

Chloe the goat. This Page Above: Pigs enjoying their wonderful muddy pigsty set against manicured vineyard hillsides. Below: 

Espy, a goat with two prosthetic legs, greets visitors while animal care staff pets chicken. 

dance. If not for a compassionate intervention by a 

guest, Hombre was otherwise intended to be the 

feast afterwards. 

“Now Hombre shares a corral and barn with a crew 

of special needs goats “…and has whole heartedly 

accepted them as his family,” shared Elizabeth. 

Hombre greets visitors showing off his impressive 

size and coloring while making gawking sounds to 

ward off potential danger. “He is very protective of 

his goats,” Bella said. Hombre’s besties are a rooster 

named Joseph and Zipper the goat. For Hombre, 

Joseph, and Zipper along with all the other 

rescue animals, the farm is a place to live out their 

natural life as animals. Charlie’s Acres is a very 

special place that raises awareness of animal comflowersandgrapes.com 

27

passion. Its mission inspired by its founder, Tracy 

Vogt. Tracy has been an animal lover her whole 

life. She grew up volunteering at her local animal 

shelter and rescuing dogs and cats, including a 

very special chihuahua, for whom the sanctuary in 

named. Growing up in an agricultural community, 

Tracy was introduced to farm animals at an early 

age and learned that they were underrepresented 

even in the rescue world. In 2016, the Vogt family 

donated the property and construction costs of the 

sanctuary to create a refuge that gives farm animals 

that otherwise might have ended up on a dinner 

plate another chance at life. 

In addition to being a compassionate rescue sanctuary, 

Charlie’s Acres is a place for education. 

While meeting and connecting with different farm 

animals, visitors get to experience each animal’s 

unique personality and learn fun facts about them 

Top: Bountiful organic raised garden beds along with furrowed 

crops yield vegetables for the animals and farm staff. 

Middle: Visitors learn about how beautiful and tasty a plant-base 

diet can be during their visit to the organic garden on the farm. 

Bottom: Goat Icon marks where goats reside as visitors observe 

them at play in the field. 


A beautiful new visitor center and community garden will expand learning opportunities about animal 

compassion, gardening, wellness, nutrition, and sustainability at the farm. 

from the knowledgeable volunteers. Did you know that turkeys have very different personalities, 

likes, and dislikes? They can even remember human faces and will pick their favorite 

people. Mei Li along with Sapphire are two beautiful rescued turkeys on the farm, 

saved in 2018 in an act of Thanksgiving mercy. Both love to sit on laps and snuggle with 

visitors. You can discover more fun facts and learn more about their turkeys and all of the 

farm animals on their informative website at [ www.charliesacres.org. 

A visit to Charlie’s Acres will help you view animals in a more compassionate light. During 

your visit you will also learn more about living a “kinder lifestyle” on the farm which is 

about making more humane and sustainable choices in your daily life. A new visitor’s center 

along with a new robust community garden is currently under construction to facilitate 

farm administration and more educational programs. There are a variety of events including 

wellness classes and goat yoga! 

Charlie’s Acres encourages a more compassionate lifestyle through a plant-based diet 

and sustainability. Plant-based diets show compassion for animals by making more room 

for vegetables in your diet instead of filling up each meal with animal products as a 

means of nutrition. The farm hosts vegan events too! You can learn more on their website 

about how plant-based nutrition can be a more healthful lifestyle that can also offer major 

positive impacts on the health of our planet. Charlie’s Acres Animal Farm Sanctuary is a 

special place that encourages living harmoniously with animals while living more 

sustainably. 

flowersgrapes.com 29

Rustic Elegance 

Nickel & Nickel Winery

The unpretentious white post and beam main gate entry announces winery's devotion to producing 100 percent 

varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard in Oakville and beyond. 

G 

lorious roadside sunflowers run the length of a three-rail white fence 

marking the unpretentious entrance to Nickel & Nickel winery. Wild 

radiant sunflowers signal the slipping away of summer, while grazing 

horses and a whirling three-legged windmill set the scene of rustic elegance, 

in this picturesque Napa Valley winery. Driving up to the main gate you’ll 

think you arrived at a 19 th century farmstead instead of a modern high-end winery 

that produces some of the most compelling single-vineyard wines in the world. 

Located in Oakville on 47 acres, Nickel & Nickel harkens back to a time gone by 

while creating a visitor experience that evokes a seamless expression of historic 

elegance, bucolic charm, and modern wine making. 


Nickle & Nickel was founded in 1997 by the 

partners of Far Niente and opened in 2003. 

The land was first settled as a farmstead in 

1865 by John C. Sullenger, a gold, silver, 

and quicksilver prospector. The winery’s 

collection of classic barns along with the 

site’s original farmhouse featuring charming 

Queen Anne-style details, recall a 19 th 

century farmstead in its architectural detail 

and landscape design. The historic 

Sullinger House and farmstead buildings 

are arranged around three sides of a barnyard 

and surrounded by 80-year-old 

Sevillano Olive trees and a white three-rail 

fence. There is even a classic vintage 

pickup truck parked in the barnyard to add 

charm. Planned among centuries-old oak 

trees and the surrounding vineyards, this 

rustic landscape design evokes a vintage 

look while housing an ultra-modern cutting 

-edge, solar-powered winery. 

Above: A vintage pickup truck is parked in 

front of an enormous white fermentation barn 

built with reclaimed wood using traditional 

barn-building methods. A horse grazes on the 

front paddock with a beautiful backdrop of 

vineyards and the hillsides of Napa Valley. 


The enormous Gleason Barn originally built circa 1770 in Meriden, New Hampshire, 

was spared demolition and shipped in pieces to Nickel & Nickel. It was reconstructed 

at the winery in 2003 to house offices and a laboratory for the winemaking 

staff. Interestingly, the 5,800 square-foot north fermentation barns are the 

only new-construction buildings on the site. To give them a vintage feel, the contemporary 

barns were built with reclaimed century-old fir beams using traditional 

American barn-building methods. The South Fermentation Barn reflects a more 

light-filled, American architectural style. Both open and closed-top tanks are 

housed within the barn, and guests are often treated to tastings on a small mezzanine 

that provides an exciting view of harvest every fall. A traditional stone outbuilding 

provides access to the barrel cellar by descending a stairway that leads 


eneath the fermentation barn. Construction 

began on the one-acre cellar in June 2001 

and required digging 12 feet down, below the 

water table. 

The Sullenger House circa1884, is a 2,200 

square foot restored original Queen Annestyle 

home with surrounding white picket 

fence. Draped with climbing red roses, it 

serves as the historic and elegant focal point 

of the vineyard. Abandoned and neglected for 

more than two decades, Nickel & Nickel began 

restoration of the home in 2002. 

Left: Hay lofts and animal stalls of the original Gleason Barn 

(1770) are now glass-walled offices and a laboratory space 

for the wine making staff. Below: Rustic stone out-building 

integrates beautifully with the rural landscape design of the 

vineyard. 


The interior design of the Sullenger House 

evokes an authentic version of the early farmhouse, 

but now with the luxury appropriate for 

a world-class winery. The surrounding cottage 

garden design imbues the stately white 

farmhouse with an old-fashioned romantic 

charm while successfully recalling the gardens 

of the era. A rose arbor and a basket weave 

Left: A rustic path lined with golden sunflowers and native 

grasses lead out to the back vineyard. 

This page: A late summer display of roses climb the arbors and 

white picket fences of the cottage gardens of the historic Sullenger 

House. Bright pink coneflowers welcome pollinators 

and visitors to the garden. 


Above: Basket weave brick path runs and an allee of elegant white fragrant Iceberg rose trees in full bloom welcome visitors to 

the main entry of the historic Sullenger House ( circa 1884) and now serves as the winery’s main reception and hospitality center. 

Right: Cottage garden path leads visitors through abundant borders filled with colorful blooms and verdant foliage to barnyard 

where vintage truck is parked. 

brick path lined with an Iceberg tree roses welcomes visitors to the elegant farmhouse. 

A collection of antique and heirloom roses, ‘Yellow iris ‘ (Iris pseudacorus), 

crape myrtle, blue hydrangeas, assorted lilacs, viburnum, rhododendrons, and 

wisteria add romantic flavor in color and texture to this cottage garden. Late summer 

favorites like zinnias, cosmos and coneflowers add pops of seasonal color 

while attracting the usual suspects of birds, bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. A 

comfortable wraparound back porch offers visitors wine tasting in a lovely garden 

setting along with stunning views out to the vineyard. A ‘Crimson Queen 

Japanese’ maple tree (Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen') and 

‘Green Lace Japanese’ maple tree (Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Virdis’) are notable 

plantings along with a variety of small trees and shrubs that soften the hard edges 

of the elegant home while providing dappled shade for visitors to enjoy on 

hot days. Canopies of two majestic 32-foot ‘Canary Island Date Palm’ trees 


(Phoenix canariensis) stand at the front and 

rear of the house to create a crowning frame 

for this stately farmhouse and garden. 

Nickel & Nickel and other vineyard properties 

owned by the Far Niente partners are known to 

have some of the most beautiful gardens and 

landscape design in the Northern California 

wine country. Farm enthusiasts, garden lovers, 

and sophisticated wine cognoscenti will find 

Nickel & Nickel’s bucolic setting a comfortable, 

relaxed, and elegant place to enjoy awardwinning 

single-vineyard wines. From world 

class wine making and tasting experiences, to 

elegant gardens and a stunning a rural setting, 

Nickel & Nickel is a wonderful place to visit any 

time of year. It is the perfect place to celebrate 

all of the seasonal splendors of harvest with 

more Flowers & Grapes! 

Left: A dramatic century old oak provides 

shade for visitors to enjoy a 

glass of wine in the garden. 

This page: Stunning vineyard views 

from the gardens of Nickle & Nickel. 


…there’s a cinematic romance to the season, 

almost as if we see our world side lit – Christin Geall 

Courtesy: © 2020Culivated by Christin

Courtesy: © 2020Culivated by Christin 

I 

S there anything better than curling up with a good book in the fall? 

We are so excited to share a rich autumnal reflection from Christin 

Geall’s, Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style. Christin’s poetic 

writing and images elevate floral design to fine art. Her unique narrative 

style inspires nature lovers, flower fanatics, gardeners, and designers 

alike to think differently about their relationship to nature and the seasons, 

particularly as we work with flowers, gardens, and design. Christin 

is a writer who grows, designs, and photographs flowers, so her wonderfully 

comprehensive and entertaining book covers all aspects of flowers 

from planting and growing, to color theory and elements of design. With 

the sensitivity of an artist, this special excerpt (on the following page) 

conveys Christin’s love of the season in all its sensuousness. Her stunning 

artful arrangements celebrate the season’s gifts. We know you will be as 

inspired, as we are, to forage our gardens for blooms and bounty of this 

vibrant season! 

Christin Geall is a gardener, floral 

designer, photographer, writer, 

teacher, and owner of the floral 

studio Cultivated by Christin. She 

lives in Victoria, British Columbia, 

and travels widely to teach floral 

design and pursue her love of 

gardens and art. Follow her 

@cultivatedbychristen. 

Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style 

Written by Christin Geall 

Princeton Architecture Press 2020 

ISBN:9781616898205 | Buy A Signed Book 


We can use fruits, nuts, and vegetables 

in designs invoking the spirit of harvest 

time, expanding the range of 

textures in our work. 

—Christin Geall 

Courtesy: © 2020Culivated by Christin

On Texture 

Nothing sticks to a smooth surface. A certain roughness, and ugliness 

even, is required in our creative lives. 

—Eric Weiner 

There comes a point in autumn when fruit 

eclipses root. When we stop watering and 

start ripening—the tomatoes we push, 

squashes we harden, and flowers we encourage 

to set seed. 

The garden appears to lean into autumn’s 

golden light, almost as if knowing 

how beautiful it will look: a swan song in 

soft sun, followed by a brilliant feint as 

the light strikes cobwebs and calyces. 

And suddenly, as if we hadn’t been 

paying attention, we notice it all: the last 

shining blackberry, a backlit orange leaf, 

the powdery duff of a quince. 

Texture means many things to an 

arrangement; relief, light, softness, and 

also the inverse: clarity. Silhouettes slip 

into focus in the fall, and there’s a cinematic 

romance to the season, almost as if 

we see our world side lit—the sun’s glow 

close enough to draw our attention to a 

subject and yet diffuse enough to blur a 

scene. 

Can you tell I am smitten by the 

season? This feeling supports my autumnal 

gardening fatigue, of course. The garden 

and I are both healthily resigned in 

October. The plants have run their course, 

I’ve done my best, and all spring’s hope is 

finally exhaled. 

What we as gardeners have forgotten to 

do—cut back, pick, yank, weed—is 

there to see but no longer glaring. Fog 

ices our cake. 

Every autumn, I return to teach 

at the Cambo Estate in Scotland, where 

low-angled light and mist are as much a 

part of the success of the garden as the 

plant choices, which play to the Scottish 

weather. Seed heads are left standing 

until February to catch the dew and 

frost. Grasses arch, softening vistas, 

creating mystery, veiling burgundies, 

purples, and yellows. Garish asters and 

scorching rudbeckias are set to simmer 

behind a haze of seeds. 

Yes, I like to see plants age in 

place; I also know it’s better for the 

health of gardens and the critters that 

feed and shelter in them if they do. 

Texture—of leaf, flower, fruit, 

and seed head—is of primary concern 

in fall arrangements. Deep brown 

spires of perennials become sculptural, 

heavier, capable of balancing the saturated 

colors of foliage. We can use 

fruits, nuts, and vegetables in designs 

invoking the spirit of harvest time, 

again expanding the range of textures 

in our work. 

This passage was excerpted with permission from Christin Geall . Texture . Christin Geall, Cultivated: 

The Elements of Floral Design (New York: Princeton Architecture Press, 2020) 115-117. 

Excerpt notation: Nothing Sticks to a smooth surface. Eric Weiner, The Geography of Genius (New York: Simon 

and Schuster, 2016) 193.

Sweet & Savory 

A visual feast for fall 

I pressed the remaining sunflowers, 

pansies and calendula now that 

they are starting to disappear from 

the garden. — Aimee Twigger 

Garden Harvest Cake 

Courtesy: © 2021AimeeTwigger

Courtesy: © 2021AimeeTwigger 

The ground was littered with brown crispy leaves 

on my walk the other day so I took one home and 

used it as Inspiration for the shape of this bread. 

It’s flavored with pear, Parmesan, walnut and rosemary, 

and topped with some spiced pecans. 

— Aimee Twigger 

Autumn Leaf Fougasse— 

Parmesan Pear and Walnut

Spending my Monday 

day dreaming of walks in the 

woods, the sound of crisp 

leaves and dancing golden 

light shining through the trees 

while watching the rain outside. 

— Aimee Twigger 



Garden Harvest Cake 

… it’s an apple, blackberry and elderberry 

cake with toasted fig leaf caramel mascarpone 

frosting. decorated with candied Apple slices 

and dried foliage, because why not? 

— Aimee Twigger

I like to make the most of apple season and use them 

in sweet and savoury dishes. – Aimee Twigger 

Apple Pie Ice Cream 



Autumn is my favourite season as I love all the produce, especially apples and 

pears, there’s nothing more fun than going out and picking all the delicious 

beautiful produce and coming home and cooking with it all. — Aimee Twigger 

T 

he sweet and savory creations created by Aimee Twigger are a feast for the eye and senses. 

The narrative captions that accompany these stunning images give us a curated glimpse of 

her thoughts and inspiration from nature and her daily life as seen on Instagram. 

Aimee is a cook, writer, photographer and owner of Twigg Studios. She has an extraordinary 

gift of elevating ordinary ingredients into enticing delicious displays of seasonal faire that are irresistible 

to both the eye and the palate. Aimee is also a masterful food stylist, world traveler, and influencer that 

has gained a huge following in the culinary arts, travel, and photography worlds. 

While her wonderous imagery evokes the sensuous intimacy of interiors scenes painted by Vermeer, her 

recipes are made from simple wholesome ingredients that are often found as staples in your cupboards 

and at your local farmers market. Her recipes are accessible and delicious. Inspired by nature and the 

seasons, Aimee artfully captures the essence of earthly offerings from the countryside of Devon, UK, in 

which she resides. 

You’ll be captivated by her engaging posts on Instagram. They chronicle her culinary adventures and 

ordinary moments that inspire her recipes and creativity. Aimee writes that she grew flowers for the Garden 

Harvest Cake featured in our story, and then shares, “I’m not very good at gardening so it was quite 

an achievement.” Her compelling narrative is intimate and informal, offering a window into a life that 

appreciates the texture and bounty of nature and the seasons. For recipes featured in this story, visit 

www.twiggstudio. For more culinary and creative inspiration follow her on Instagram @twiggstudio. 


Every leaf speaks bliss to me 

Fluttering from the autumn tree.—Emily Brontë 

A 

nd so do the elegant foliate jewelry designs created by Jessica Slack. 

Just as nature brings a magic to autumn’s leaves, Jessica’s designs are 

imbued with an artful organic beauty found in some of our favorite foliage 

in wine country. “Wearing beautiful jewelry makes me feel alive. My love of 

nature influences each piece of jewelry,” shared Jessica. 

Grape, fig, Ginkgo, and oak leaves become stunning nature-centered creations 

that dance in their elegance like fallen leaves in the wind. “I use jewelry to capture 

the beauty of the outside world and present it in all its loveliness,” said Jessica, 

who lives and works surrounded by the natural landscapes of Northern California. 

Jessica creates her nature and landscape inspired pendants, earrings, and rings 

with metal clay, a process that she discovered a few years ago. “I fell in love with 

Courtesy: © 2021JessicalSlackJewelry 


Courtesy: © 2021JessicalSlackJewelry 

Top Left: Before and after image of a modelled fig leaf in clay metal. Top Right: Grape leaf presented 

on silver-wrapped cord. Bottom Left: Elegant Gingko leaf and pearl necklace. Bottom: Left Oak, 

fig, and grape leaves covered in metal clay. 

this material and the endless possibilities it offers,” shared Jessica. Metal clay is 

applied to real leaves then fired in kiln to emerge as pure silver leaves. “Since 

each piece is made from a real leaf no two pieces are the same,” Jessica shared. 

Her silver leaves with their many shapes and textures create unique and elegant 

forms. Jessica completes each hanging pendant with a necklace that complements 

its natural beauty, offering many stylish combinations. Jessica’s fine jewelry 

will make the perfect gift for any nature or jewelry lover. You can see more of 

Jessica’s beautiful work at www.jessicaslackjewelry and follow her creativity 

@jessjewelsdesign on Instagram. 

Quote from the poem, “Fall Leaves, Fall” by Emily Brontë. Published in A Book of Women’s Verse (Clarendon Press, 1921) . 


I 

f strolling through a sea of bright yellow sunflowers is your idea of a perfect fall outing, then 

bring the whole family for a fun-filled afternoon to Andreotti Family Farms in Half Moon Bay. 

You won’t want to miss out on the farm’s wonderful calendar of fall events, including a 

sunflower fairy tea party, a pumpkin patch with a haunted cornfield maze, and bountiful farm to 

table dinners. 

Sunflower season was kicked off this year with enchanting fairies in the fields. Imagine being 

greeted by friendly ethereal fairies in magical fields of bright yellow sunflowers and then having 

a tea party with them! The Andreotti family invites local theatrical and dance groups to perform 

so their events are fantastical - offering a high production level experience. 

Located just 30 minutes south of San Francisco, this family run business has been growing 

produce for over three generations since 1926. Year-round you can buy seasonal vegetables, 

including a variety of winter veggies, pumpkins from their gorgeous pumpkin patch, and 

sunflowers from the first U-Pick field in the state. You can follow the Andreotti family agriculture 

and fall adventures and seasonal magic on Instagram @andreottifamilyfarms. 

Fabulous fairies come out to welcome guests to the opening day at the U-Pick sunflower field at Andreotti Farm in Half Moon Bay. 


Even in the 100 degree weather of mid-summer, Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees brimmed with holiday cheer for our Winter 

2021 cover photo. Beautiful red roses climbing the rustic white three-railed fences set the perfect holiday scene in wine country. 

T 

oo early? It’s never too early to start planning for the holidays because they always come 

up fast. You’ll definitely want to get this on your calendar, so you don’t miss out on the 

quintessential Christmas experience in Sonoma wine country at Grandma Buddies 

Christmas Trees. Imagine strolling through four acres of verdant fir trees, set on a charming 

farm, surrounded by a white three-railed fence, with an enormous rustic white barn as the 

center-piece of holiday cheer. As you know, many of us here in wine country won’t have a white 

Christmas, so a magical and festive place like this creates holiday memories as well as amazing 

family holiday pics to last a life time. 

Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees is a wonderful family-owned business located in Sebastopol. 

We’d love to share more about this special place but you’ll just have to wait. It’s our cover story 

for the Flowers & Grapes Winter 2021 issue online December 1st! We just wanted you to give 

you a sneak peek of this enchanting place so you can join in the all of the holiday fun when the 

farm opens on November 26th! 

You can get a head start on your holiday decorating by pre–ordering from their website some of 

their amazing offerings in holiday décor and beautiful ornaments. You can follow all the holiday 

adventures on Instagram @grandmaschristmastrees and on Facebook @grandmabuddieschristmastrees 

. Go to www.GrandmasTrees.com for complete information on visiting this festive 

farm. We will definitely see you there! Ho! Ho! Ho! 


You can see where pumpkins and a 

variety of fall vegetables grow at the 

Sonoma Garden Park, in Sonoma, CA.

Orchard Days at Filoli Gardens 

Weekends, Sept. 25 – Oct. 31 | 10am - 5pm| Reservation Required 

86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 

An autumn visit to Filoli reveals leaves changing color from green to red and gold, fruit ripening to its harvest 

peak, and nature preparing for winter. The Gentleman’s Orchard will be open every weekend, September 25- 

October 31, for Filoli visitors of all ages to enjoy. Weave through rows of apple trees and grapevines, learn 

about food production past and present, and take a fall- themed photo in the exquisite autumn light. 

Clucktown Collective Outdoor Market 

The Happy Dahlia Farm | Oct. 2 | 10am – 5pm 

2478 East Washington St., Petaluma, CA 

The Happy Dahlia Farm will be in full bloom, and it will be a perfect time to shop at this unique collection of 

vendors showcasing local, unique, vintage, and one-of-a-kind products. Join them for a clucking good time, 

flowers, and more! There will be live music with Erin Honeywell from 12:30pm to 2:30pm and Oskey’s Ice 

Cream Truck all day. 

7 th Annual Wine & Halloween Candy Paring 

Meadowcroft Wines | Oct. 28 - Oct. 31 Reservation Required 

Meadowcroft Tasting Room, Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 

What’s the right wine to pair with a Snickers bar or Candy Corn? Make a reservation and join in the Halloween 

fun! You'll taste four wines chosen to pair perfectly with four classic candies. Wear your Halloween costume 

and you just might get rewarded for being the best dressed! 

Sugarloaf Woodlands Comes Home to Your Garden 

Oct. 30 | 10am - 12:00pm | Reservation Required 

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, CA 

Observe native California plants at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Learn how they can be used in your garden for 

beauty and interest. Join Nurseryman and Park Docent Bruce Hope in a riparian and chaparral exploration at 

Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek and is recovering well from 

the Glass fire. 

37 th Annual Pumpkin Festival and Costume Competition 

Oct. 30 | 8:30am –11am 

West Plaza Parking Lot, North and Vine Streets, Healdsburg, CA 

Pumpkin decorating with wheels, costume contest and more at the Healdsburg Certified Farmers Market. 

Please check website for details. 

Napa Gifts ‘N Tyme Holiday Faire 

Napa Valley Expo | Nov. 19 - Nov. 21 | 10am – 4pm 

575 3rd Street, Napa, CA 

Holiday music and cheer. Christmas ornaments & holiday decorations, fine & costume jewelry, watercolors, 

photography, pottery, metal work, soaps & lotions, garden & yard art, clothing & tie dye, blown & stained-glass 

items, crocheted & knitted hats and more! 

Christmas at Jordan 

Jordan Winery | Dec. 4 | Reservations Required 

1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 

Celebrate the holidays with a festive Christmas party at Jordan, featuring lavish décor, entertainment, library 

wines and our chef’s cuisine. Hosted exclusively for Jordan Estate Rewards Silver, Gold and Platinum 

members, Christmas at Jordan will be a festive feast for all senses replete with delicious food, fabulous 

decorations, and live entertainment. 


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Join our community! 


Leaves are fall’s flowers 

and grapes are its gifts. 

It’s almost harvest time at Bartholmew Estate Winery in Sonoma, CA.

icons by Flaticon at www.feepik.com 

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