Hawk and Horse Vineyards, one of the very few biodynamic estate vineyard wineries in California, announces its first annual Wine Society Social, taking place on September 29 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.
Hawk and Horse Vineyards is a family-owned and family-operated vineyard and ranch practicing biodynamic viticulture on a historic property in the Red Hills AVA of Lake County, California, specializing in estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Latigo (port).
Guests will taste the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, a library reserve wine, as well as the current release, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and have a pre-release taste of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2009 proprietary dessert wine, Latigo.
You can take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the ranch, where you can not only the herd of Scottish highland cattle but also numerous ranch horses. The event also includes a local celebrity chef preparing a BBQ lunch (tri-tip, baked beans, salad and more). In addition, Phill Burton, the owner of Barrel Builders, will demonstrate how an oak barrel is made. The winery’s Wine Society members will be able to take their fall wine selection home with them when they leave.
The horse-drawn carriage features majestic Belgian Draft horses driven by Glenn and Dana Benjamin. Dr. Glenn Benjamin is also the veterinarian of Safari West, and can offer anecdotes about what it’s like to trim the hooves of a rhino or assist in the delivery of a baby giraffe.
A visit to Hawk and Horse Vineyards is a step back in time, to the white-fence-bordered pastures full of horses, a charming home-turned-tasting room with an antique Victorian bar, historic photos of the property and local memorabilia. Recently the California State Fair awarded Hawk and Horse Vineyards a Certificate of Excellence in Viticulture. Proprietors Mitch and Tracey Hawkins are recognized as some of the leading biodynamic viticulturists in California.
The winery farms its 18 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot biodynamically. The vineyards straddle slopes from a 15% grade to 85%, at elevations up to 2,200 feet, situated in the Red Hills AVA of California.” An unusual aspect most visitors comment on is that the soil literally glitters, due to the abundance of Lake County “diamonds,” tiny silica fragments which are the remnants of volcanic activity from the Mayacama and Vaca volcanic mountain ranges and nearby Mt. Konocti, a now dormant volcano.
The ranch is home to a small herd of Scottish Highland cattle as well as the horses and an enormous range of wildlife—from Red Tail hawks to bees, owls, bear, wild boar, bobcats, mountain lions and squirrels. Bird-watching brings glimpses of woodpeckers, bluebirds, herons, ducks and more. The property includes a plaque documenting the historical location of El Roble Grande, the largest Valley Oak ever recorded in California.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
