The midday sun sparkled and bounced on Clear Lake and the early California-Spanish style buildings. The smell of lavender wafted in the breeze. I closed my eyes and breathed in as deeply as I could.
On Tuesday, I went to meet with some of the folks involved in the upcoming 11th annual Wine Auction, set for Sept. 18. This year it will be held at Ceago Vinegardens in Nice. It used to be called the BarnesYard, once a ranch and walnut orchard with kiwi fruit and at one time there were 10 acres of cabernet sauvignon.
The name Ceago is derived from a Pomo Indian word pronounced “Shee-ye-ho.” It means “grass-seed valley.”
Certainly beautiful on the outside, the guts of the place are phenomenal.
Owner and steward of the land, Jim Fetzer”s practices are innovative and responsible. Ceago is certified organic and certified biodynamic. Fetzer said he works with the natural forces of life and the moon”s cycle.
According to www.ceago.com, “Biodynamics is a proactive approach to farming that looks at the individuality of each property and adds back with natural plant and animal life to emulate nature and create a self-sustainable environment. Biodynamic farming integrates agricultural, biological and ecological scientific knowledge into crop rotations, compost production, plant diversity, homeopathic sprays and soil and animal practices. These practices are combined with our natural life forces to go beyond organic standards to heal the earth for future generations.”
Biodynamics comes from the Greek words bios and dyn, which mean “life forces.”
Fetzer said he was inspired by Rudolf Steiner who, in 1924, gave a series of lectures creating the groundwork for an innovative way of thinking about the relationship of the earth and the formative forces of nature. Steiner explained the relationship of the health of soil, plants and animals and how it depends on reconnecting nature with the creative forces of the cosmos.
I love to learn. It was a great afternoon for that.
Fetzer told me the difference between a root day, a fruit day, a flower day and a leaf day. The days are associated with the movement of the constellations in the sky. He said he performs cultural practices according to those days. For example, he said he”s likely to be planting on a root day. Fruit days or flower days are best for wine tasting. Leaf days are earthy and subdued.
Fetzer loves gardening and it”s common to see him out on the property in jeans, working the land.
“Gardening is part of my lifestyle. We”re fortunate to live in a climate where you can grow all of these things,” he said.
In addition, nearly the whole spread is built with the earth in mind. About 95 percent of the buildings on the property are made from RASTRA, a wall panel made of about 85 percent recycled styrofoam and concrete. Used to build exterior walls, panels are filled with concrete and steel reinforcement, providing environmentally-conscious, energy-efficient buildings that provide a safe and healthy living environment.
Ceago serves as an amazing model for environmental stewardship.
Fetzer”s long-term vision is for people to learn more about the relationship with the earth, or as he says, “to find our place on the planet.”
Ceago Vinegarden is located at 5115 East Highway 20 in Nice.
For more information call 274-1462 or visit www.ceago.com.
“All of nature begins to whisper its secrets to us through its sounds. Sounds that were previously incomprehensible to our soul now become the meaningful language of nature.” ? Rudolf Steiner
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee news editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
