Brew Detective | Hen House | Stoked

I'm saddened to know what's happening in County Paradiso, as well as the surrounding counties I know and love. We know first hand the havoc being wrought. Big thoughts and much love goes out to all of California as it again deals with raging wild fires. The entire state is in flames. My heart is heavy and I will write this quick review as a reminder to the people, places and beauty that I love. I give my thoughts to the mastery and bravery of Cal Fire as they combat this breathing monster. I hope they remain safe as they pursue the safety of others. I love you California.

Hen House | Stoked | Single Hop Pale Ale

Some of the tastiest beer in Sonoma County is brewed by Hen House. Centennial Hops were used to brew this delicious pale ale. The pale, murky-yellow ale has a strong nose. Good carbonation and a lasting head combine to enhance aromas of hops and malt.  Taste and aromatics match up well. I was Stoked to score a four pack from a local bottle shop here in PDX. I hadn't seen a Hen House can in a minute. It made me nostalgic. I was glad to grab some. Now I'm just hoping for the best, for one of the best places on earth. Be safe California.

drink craft beer responsibly,

80choices.

MacRostie

MacRostie | Pinot-production facility

My appreciation of MacRostie Winery and Vineyards was further enhanced by a recent return visit to the beautiful estate house in the Russian River Valley. Westside Road enchanted our family as we slowly curved along wine country—dappled by early fall rain. Blurring the painted landscape were the rows and rows of grape leaves that have started to change color. This region is heralded for its micro-climates, allowing growers to produce some of the best grapes in the world. Winding along the vines is intoxicating as topography mixes with agriculture. 

The MacRostie Estate House is attractive, standing alone with its clean lines and modern warmth. Turning into the rows of fruit feels different here, intriguing and inviting at the same time. MacRostie gave the region a face lift, creating a paradigm that's different, and perhaps better, at making a first impression. Hell, they've built a new template for aesthetics in wine country. Gould Evans was the architectural firm and Wright Contracting sourced out the construction.

Before stepping inside we were offered a welcome wine, hello 2105 Clockwise Sauvignon Blanc. We were given the chance to taste in the VIP room. MacRostie is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen is straight crushing it, pun intended. We settled in and pursued gluttony.

Pinot Noir | MacRostie |Vertical Tasting 2011-2013 

The vertical tasting of Pinot Noir's from the Wildcat Mountain Vineyard was outstanding. Being able to distinguish the year-to-year differences of the fruit was like being told a story, weather representing chapters, the earth's mantle the canon. My favorite of the three years was 2012, now murmured as a fantastic year. I really enjoyed the floral nose and dry subtleties. The mouth feel was outstanding, so much was going on without confusing the palate. Another uncanny Pinot was grown on 5 acres in Sebastopol. The 2014 Cummings Vineyard Pinot Noir was so smooth. It embodied the characteristics one would expect, but held onto a softness that made it incredible drinkable. This is an anytime wine, especially with fall upon us. 

It's almost too good to be true when a Monday includes fine wine shared with family. County paradiso strikes again. If you only have time to visit one winery, choose MacRostie. Drink responsibly.

eightychoices. 

(Free) Summer Music

Take the path less traveled, it's free!

Sonoma County has plenty of cool towns to hang out in, or if you're lucky enough, live in. Another inviting aspect of these Mayberry's of the North Bay are their summer concert series. More than a few of these idyllic communities eagerly throw some of the region's best free concerts. The word is out on Live at Lagunitas—city folks are buzz'n up for these shows. This year's slate of artists include Thao & The Get Down Stay Down (July 19) and White Denim (September 5). Other performers who will surely please are, Charles Bradley (August 29) and Unknown Mortal Orchestra (August 30).

If you travel north of Santa Rosa you'll hit Healdsburg. Every Tuesday there's live music in the plaza, a picturesque town center lined with cafes, wine tasting and boutiques. Might I suggest stepping into Bergamot Alley if you have the chance. They scene they've created is a much needed aesthetic to the area; they also have a concert series that follows the plaza performances. Tuesday's concerts are already occurring and will continue until August 30th. 

Keep trucking north and you'll be presently surprised by the blue collar/mid-west feel that Cloverdale emits. Each Friday night of the summer this beautiful town hosts a wonderful farmers market and food bazaar, later in the evening the music kicks off. I got hooked last year by a diverse lineup that rocked. Friday Night Live is definitely one of the best bets to make this summer. The lineup is as unique as it is impressive. Highlights on the schedule consist of, The Monophonics (June 17), David Luning (July 1), Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars (July 8), John Cleary and the Monster Gentlemen (July 29). The last performance of the season, which is most likely Ruthie Foster (September 2), should be a good one. If you have transportation I highly recommend making it to one of these events over what is sure to be a hot summer. You can't clover if you don't dale. Enjoy the California sunshine. 

eightychoices.

Valentine's at Catelli's

Catelli's restaurant in Geyserville creates some of the most fantastic food in all of Sonoma County. Their new American take on traditional Italian cuisine is beyond good, it's addicting. With a high-end wine list, of course, and a top-shelf bar, libations are paired with food that literally dissolves in your mouth. I'm talking about you, hand-made lasagna. The entire menu is impressive without being so over-the-top. Everything has it's own personality—loaves of garlic bread slathered in buttered and browned to a Parmesan perfection, Caesar salads tossed with basil in creamy dressing, and pasta that doesn't require teeth to be eaten. I'm beyond excited for my Valentine Day dinner date. 

How fitting that the day created for couples falls on a Saturday this year. Even more of a reason to get out and celebrate being loved. If you're still deciding on what to do, consider Catelli's. You can always take a chance of getting a seat at the bar, it's first come first serve, the rest of the dining area is reservation based. Geyserville is a beautiful small town, nestled into the rolling wine county landscape, reminiscent of yesteryear. Happy Valentine's Day. 

eightychoices.

Slime Mold

Composting is an everyday effort at the Watertrough Project. We have a DIY compost bin constructed with reclaimed pallets, chicken wire and fasteners. It's a two-stage basin near some of our roses and one of our raspberry patches. Recently, Agent M noticed a growth...slime mold. It was cool to see it manifested, knowing that it didn't just "sprout" up out of nowhere. Apparently it's a healthy sign. You know, protists feeding off of broken down plant materials. Anyhow, Agent M began searching the Tube. She showed me this amazing video. The first mold you see forming below is what visited our little habitat. Thankfully we live in an area that is still surrounded by nature and open space.

Slime Mold Time Elapsed Video | Music by: Higher Intelligence Agency | Delta.



Happy Earth Day. eightychoices.

Mobile Fidelity

West Sonoma county happens to house a pretty cool independent sound lab. Mobile Fidelity is a pioneer in recreating records. This boutique label independently invests in the research and development of audio technology. The Mo Fi goal is to offer faithfully reproduced high fidelity recordings that compliment the numerous advantages in modern audio systems.

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is an innovator in the reissuing of records. They mine their vinyl from original analog master tapes. Look for their releases in your local record store. To revisit a video once posted click here. Thanks.

eightychoices.

Seven Oh Seven

Take me home country roads, to the place that I belong.

Who does number 7 work for? Apparently us. On this day in May of 2006 we voiced our vows to one another, with the Pacific as our witness at Schoolhouse Beach. Seven years and counting. Thanks to all of our friends and family for giving us love and support. Many places have been home to us, yet Sonoma was and is home to us now. All my love goes into the partnership I have with my secret agent wife. You're the best Agent M. Happy anniversary. We're up to the challenge that is life's journey.                                     eightychoices.

"He who binds himself to a joy does the winged life destroy; but he who kisses the joy as it flies lives in eternity's sunrise."     -William Blake

Summer Magic

 Chief Seattle tried to remind us that, "humankind has not woven the web of life. we are but one thread within it. whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. all things are bound together. all things connect. (1854)

when we slow down enough to enjoy the present, we can all realize the grandeur that makes life possible, let alone stunningly amazing. it's sometimes tough to 'be here now'. recently i took the time to stop and smell the roses (actually i was in awe of the artichokes). what i saw inspired me to capture my appreciation for the buzz of life. being involved with a home garden is gratifying in a multitude of ways. a tasty portion of any home cooked dinner is the satisfaction of edibles moving from the garden to your plate (mmm yellow string beans with dill). wonderment only grows with each journey taken.

     beauty is all around us, the size & scale of which range from the largest creatures to the smallest insects. the natural world never ceases to amaze me. on any given day the artichokes will be brimming with bees, lace wings & arachnids, pretty cool.
     California has a gluttony of environmental splendor. recently a friend & i were privy enough to have seen 3 blue whales migrating along the pacific coast. the next day we were standing amongst the ancient redwoods.
     the blue whale is thought to be the largest living animal ever, that's right ever! once mature they can reach 98 feet in length while weighing up to 180 metric tons. then you're dwarfed yet again by the coastal sequoia which ranks as the tallest living organism on earth. forty-one living trees have been measured at over 360 feet. the current record holder is the Hyperion tree, stretching toward the sky at over 379 feet. west Sonoma county is one of my favorite native playgrounds. the natural beauty of this region is pretty ridiculous. i'm blessed to call it home...

time may be the barometer for human life, yet ecology & the environment need not such a device. if we as a species wish to thrive for generations to come, we ought to respect the natural systems that allow us all to breathe, eat, drink & inspire us to survive, let alone live.
   
"when all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money."   ~ Cree prophecy

there is a poignant proverb that relates to the polarization of man made modernity and convenience versus mother earth and the reality that life is impossible without her...

"I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man."
~ Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

enjoy the outdoors
~eightychoices

Good Times

     wow, it must be that i'm totally blessed. thanks M, you're the best & that makes me the luckiest hyper hypo ever! our team is mighty b/c of you. nothing like spending a beautiful day in the friendly confines of west sonoma county with great people whom i'm lucky enough to call my friends. thanks to everyone who's a positive force in my life.
     to the good times that come with gaining experience through the process of aging with someone who loves you. from the 507 to the 253 down to the 828 & of course the 707 it's been quite the ride. there's more to come...



~eightychoices