Cooking
My family moved to Marin county, just north of San Francisco, when I was only three years old. It must have seemed like moving to the country for my parents. In front of the house there was a stable rather than a garage and a huge fig tree instead of a lawn. My parents took up organic gardening and even raised chickens.
But it's only been in recent years that there has even been a farmers market in Marin and most of the produce certainly isn't grown there. While the street my parents live on is zoned "light agricultural usage" it's really an anomaly. The average home price in Marin last year was over eight hundred thousand dollars, and farming long ago lost out to property developers.
So it was with great interest that I learned about a winery in Marin. Mount Tamalpais Vineyards and Pey-Marin Vineyards are run by Susan and Jonathan Pey, two seasoned wine professionals who clearly know what they like in terms of wine. Speaking with Jonathan Pey I learned that winemaking has an even longer history in Marin than in neighboring Sonoma or Napa and that while economic conditions are challenging and production is low, the soil and climate makes for excellent European style wines.
At a pre-release event this weekend, I got a chance to try the 2003 Vin Gris de Marin, a crisp and refreshing dry wine perfect served chilled all summer long. I also got to try their Pinot Noir and Merlot which were both rich, elegant wines yet very drinkable. You can find their wines at local markets such as Mill Valley Market, Plump Jack, or Woodlands Market and at local restaurants such as Insalatas, Fork or Luna Park. You can also purchase them online or try them this Friday May 7th at Woodlands Market from 5-7. Drinking local wine is a great way to reconnect with one of the things--the "terroir" that made Marin county so desirable in the first place.
- A Visit To Straus Creamery & Cowgirl Creamery
In the San Francisco Bay Area we are very lucky to have such incredible dairy products produced in our own backyard. Though many enjoy the milk from Straus Family Creamery and cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery very few have seen exactly where those products...
- Is Hunger A Taboo Subject?
The first year I participated in the Hunger Challenge, one of my commenters basically said that anyone who was hungry in this country was lazy. I was also told by a blogger that she wouldn't participate in the Challenge because it was her personal...
- More Marin Restaurants
Hi everyone! I'm still on vacation, but I wanted to let you know that the restaurant review I did of Kappa is now online at SF Station In addition, here are some MORE places to eat in Marin For Chinese: Tsing Tao Restaurant 907 B St, San Rafael...
- Restaurants In Marin
Having grown up in Marin county, sometimes people ask me where to eat there. Honestly, I haven't lived there since 1989! But my parents still live there so I go over from time to time. When I was growing up there were a couple of fabulous French...
- Chicken Feet Make Me Dance For Joy
Photo by Melissa Schneider When I saw that Marin Sun Farms had chickens with the feet attached, I plunged into their farmers’ market stand to buy one. Imagine how delighted I was when I got home and discovered the head as well. But I don’t...
Cooking
Vineyards in Marin?
My family moved to Marin county, just north of San Francisco, when I was only three years old. It must have seemed like moving to the country for my parents. In front of the house there was a stable rather than a garage and a huge fig tree instead of a lawn. My parents took up organic gardening and even raised chickens.
But it's only been in recent years that there has even been a farmers market in Marin and most of the produce certainly isn't grown there. While the street my parents live on is zoned "light agricultural usage" it's really an anomaly. The average home price in Marin last year was over eight hundred thousand dollars, and farming long ago lost out to property developers.
So it was with great interest that I learned about a winery in Marin. Mount Tamalpais Vineyards and Pey-Marin Vineyards are run by Susan and Jonathan Pey, two seasoned wine professionals who clearly know what they like in terms of wine. Speaking with Jonathan Pey I learned that winemaking has an even longer history in Marin than in neighboring Sonoma or Napa and that while economic conditions are challenging and production is low, the soil and climate makes for excellent European style wines.
At a pre-release event this weekend, I got a chance to try the 2003 Vin Gris de Marin, a crisp and refreshing dry wine perfect served chilled all summer long. I also got to try their Pinot Noir and Merlot which were both rich, elegant wines yet very drinkable. You can find their wines at local markets such as Mill Valley Market, Plump Jack, or Woodlands Market and at local restaurants such as Insalatas, Fork or Luna Park. You can also purchase them online or try them this Friday May 7th at Woodlands Market from 5-7. Drinking local wine is a great way to reconnect with one of the things--the "terroir" that made Marin county so desirable in the first place.
- A Visit To Straus Creamery & Cowgirl Creamery
In the San Francisco Bay Area we are very lucky to have such incredible dairy products produced in our own backyard. Though many enjoy the milk from Straus Family Creamery and cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery very few have seen exactly where those products...
- Is Hunger A Taboo Subject?
The first year I participated in the Hunger Challenge, one of my commenters basically said that anyone who was hungry in this country was lazy. I was also told by a blogger that she wouldn't participate in the Challenge because it was her personal...
- More Marin Restaurants
Hi everyone! I'm still on vacation, but I wanted to let you know that the restaurant review I did of Kappa is now online at SF Station In addition, here are some MORE places to eat in Marin For Chinese: Tsing Tao Restaurant 907 B St, San Rafael...
- Restaurants In Marin
Having grown up in Marin county, sometimes people ask me where to eat there. Honestly, I haven't lived there since 1989! But my parents still live there so I go over from time to time. When I was growing up there were a couple of fabulous French...
- Chicken Feet Make Me Dance For Joy
Photo by Melissa Schneider When I saw that Marin Sun Farms had chickens with the feet attached, I plunged into their farmers’ market stand to buy one. Imagine how delighted I was when I got home and discovered the head as well. But I don’t...