I recently had the pleasure of eating and drinking my way around all of California. Over a three week run I put some 2,000 miles on a (borrowed) Chevy Volt all while visiting sustainable farms, wineries, chefs and food producers. And just to be a bit of a humbrag, I did things I never thought I would, like make ice cream with the owners of Bi-Rite Creamery and hang out with Adam Savage from MythBusters to talk about food myths. And I even got to visit a favorite winery of mine, Medlock Ames where I learned how to make this lovely Lavender Splash Cocktail at their tasting room and bar.
Medlock Ames is located in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley and they make some of the best wines you'll ever taste. But what makes them really special is their commitment to quality and sustainability which extends beyond the production of great wine. This Lavender Splash Cocktail is just one example of that commitment. It's made with lavender organically grown at the Medlock Ames Tasting Room, shown below with winemaker Ames Morison.
To begin with, the 400-acre vineyard is completely organic, certified and all. In fact, only 50 acres of it is actually farmed. The remainder is left unaltered which is great considering the estate has a neighboring wildlife preserve. As a result, wildlife corridors have been built throughout the property so that wild pigs, deer, bobcats and mountain lions can make their way without being harmed. Or harming any of the grapes.