By 707 correspondent, Deirdre Bourdet.
Everyone’s got their cards and flowers lined up for Sunday (right?), but Sonoma County has a couple of sweet events to help you celebrate Mother Nature this weekend as well.
Saturday May 7th is Bee Day at MICHEL-SCHLUMBERGER, a part of the Healdsburg winery’s ongoing Nature series. Bee experts Kathy Kellison from Partners for Sustainable Pollination, Frédérique Lavoipierre from Sonoma State University, and local beekeeper April Lance will be on hand to chat about the environmental benefits of bees, bee-friendly farming techniques, and other ways we can help protect our honeymakers. Learn how to start your own hive, browse bee products, check out a sting-free observation hive, and taste freshly extracted honey from the estate honeycombs. An assortment of elegant Michel-Schlumberger wines will also be on hand to keep things, well, buzzing.
For last-minute reservations call 800-437-3060, or email jennifer@michelschlumberger.com. 1pm-4pm; $20 for adults (includes wines), $10 for kids under 18. Michel-Schlumberger Benchland Wine Estate, 4155 Wine Creek Rd., Healdsburg.
Local legend REDWOOD HILL FARM is also opening its doors this weekend for the last farm tours of 2011. Even if you made it to CUESA’s Goat Fest at the Ferry Plaza last month, you’ve got to hit the farm to see the goats in their element. Open House Farm Days are Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th. From 11am-3pm, members of the public can tour Redwood Hill’s certified humane dairy operations (which are also 100% solar-powered), stroll through organic apple orchards, learn to milk a goat, and of course taste a delectable range of artisanal cheeses, yogurts, and kefirs… for free.
Bring your cooler to take full advantage of special Open House prices on retail items, and keep an eye out for Goatzilla, the terrifyingly cute little goat I had the privilege of naming. Lots of (human) kids’ activities, a straw bale pyramid, and live entertainment both days ensure that everybody will be happily occupied. And, there’s plenty of wine tasting nearby to round out the afternoon.
No reservations necessary, but the farm does ask that people carpool because of limited parking. 5480 Thomas Rd., Sebastopol.
