HERITAGE FARMLAND TOURING COMPANY DEBUTS IN SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
by Bonnie Carroll
This month I was among a group of journalists covering a delightful and informative premier tour of Heritage Farmland Touring Company, the brainchild of Mary Maranville, who has managed annual Farm Days events in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Our tour began with introduction by local rancher and land conservancy representative.
Touring guests of this new company will visit properties like the Ballard Walnut Farm to learn the in's and out's of growing nuts from owner Kerry Morgantine & family, who grow huge and delicious Chandler walnuts on their ranch. They feature an old world road side farm stand with an honor system, where locals can stop and purchase bags of fresh bagged walnuts.
Next on our schedule was a history of regenerative ranching at Zaca Ranch presented by owners Haley Firestone and Dennis Roy Patrick, who also recently introduced delicious Zaca Coffee (Yama and Jack's blend) we all tasted, while they shared fun anecdotes and introductions to their very entertaining alpacas and llamas. Zaca Ranch cattle are renowned in this area and a tour of this beautiful property is mesmerizing.
Zaca Mesa Winery
Last but not least on our tour was Zaca Mesa Winery, owned by the late John Cushman, and now run by his family. The tour included a history, viewing of the fields, barrel rooms and delicious luncheon enjoyed with sips of Zaca Mesa Winery favorites. It was stated during our tour that the focus of Zaca Mesa today is on quality not quantity, and this is obvious in the outstanding award-winning varitals currently offered. They have a wine club and huge following of loyal Zaca Mesa wine lovers around the world.
I've taken numerous wine tours through this area over the years, and this tour is really a cut-above-the-rest and should not be missed by event planners, tourists visiting the area, or locals who would like to meet the owners of successful area ranches and enjoy some of the most stunning ranch views in California. According to Mary these tours will begin in July, and for now will include the three ranches described in my story. The importance of perserving land in America, especially ranch land was address by a very interesting guest speaker from California Land Conservation. .
For tour information and reservations please contact Mary Maranville at Heritage Farmland Touring Company www.hertagefarmlandtouringcompany.com.
Carmel is one of my favorite escape destinations, just a short drive up the coast from Santa Barbara it offers a collection of amazing restaurants, featuring two Michelin Star venues, with menus to please the taste of any hungry visitor. On my recent trip I had some news worthy sips I hoped to share with you.
Giovanni with F&B Journalist Bonnie Carroll
One of the renowned Mediterranean restaurants in Carmel is Carmel Bistro Giovanni's, with a fun interior where you can watch the fantastic chefspreparing your outstanding dishes, and a lovely outside garden-like dining area. My dinner during this visit included tastes of a delightful lemon pasta with artichokes and salmon, and the linguini with clams that were both amazing.
The Mediterranean-Italian style toast with gravy is also a dish not to miss at Carmel Bistro Giovanni's, but the really lovely complimento is a glass of wine from their very amazing wine menu. The fun here is the silouette of owner Giovanni on the glass to remind you with every sip you are in one of the best dining institutions in Carmel, and if you are lucky enough to be there when Giovanni is in town he will come to your table and greet you personally, sometimes even send you an appertif! When it comes to fine hospitality Giovanni is reminescent of the late Maude Chasen, who was a favorite restauratuer of mine in years past. Reservations are recommended - they are located on northwest corner of Juniper & 5th St.
A great surprise on this trip was a stop at Flaherty's for a light supper following a fabulous day at the Monterey Artichoke Festival. My dear hotel owner and friend Carrie Theis, Hofsas House Hotel, recommended them. I ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque, convinced it would be something average, and was blown away by this rich and outstanding bisque, filled with chunks of lobster. The oyster Rockefeller appetizer was also quite good. My guest enjoyed a scrumptious lobster roll with slaw. We left there determined to go back on our next visit for full oyster and lobster entrees. Flaherty's is located on 6th between Dolores & San Carlos.
where locals can stop and purchase bags of fresh bagged walnuts.
Roy Patrick, who also recently introduced delicious Zaca Coffee (Yama and Jack's blend) we all tasted, while they shared fun anecdotes and introductions to their very entertaining alpacas and llamas. Zaca Ranch cattle are renowned in this area and a tour of this beautiful property is mesmerizing.
Last but not least on our tour was Zaca Mesa Winery,
owned by the late John Cushman, and now run by his family. The tour included a history, viewing of the fields, barrel rooms and delicious luncheon enjoyed with sips of Zaca Mesa Winery favorites. It was stated during our tour that the focus of Zaca Mesa today is on quality not quantity, and this is obvious in the outstanding award-winning varitals currently offered. They have a wine club and huge following of loyal Zaca Mesa wine lovers around the world.
I've taken numerous wine tours through this area over the years, and this tour is really a cut-above-the-rest and should not be missed by event planners, tourists visiting the area, or locals who would like to meet the owners of successful area ranches and enjoy some of the most stunning ranch views in California. According to Mary these tours will begin in July, and for now will include the three ranches described in my story. The importance of perserving land in America, especially ranch land was address by a very interesting guest speaker from California Land Conservation. .
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both amazing. 
complimento is a glass of wine from their very amazing wine menu. The fun here is the silouette of owner Giovanni on the glass to remind you with every sip you are in one of the best dining institutions in Carmel, and if you are lucky enough to be there when Giovanni is in town he will come to your table and greet you personally, sometimes even send you an appertif! When it comes to fine hospitality Giovanni is reminescent of the late Maude Chasen, who was a favorite restauratuer of mine in years past. Reservations are recommended - they are located on northwest corner of Juniper & 5th St. 
following a fabulous day at the Monterey Artichoke Festival. My dear hotel owner and friend Carrie Theis, Hofsas House Hotel, recommended
them. I ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque, convinced it would be something average, and was blown away by this rich and outstanding bisque, filled with chunks of lobster. The oyster Rockefeller appetizer was also quite good. My guest enjoyed a scrumptious lobster roll with slaw. We left there determined to go back on our next visit for full oyster and lobster entrees. Flaherty's is located on 6th between Dolores & San Carlos.
