Vineyard Journal

What is a kitchen garden?

What is Hydrosol? I am frequently asked “What is Hydrosol?”  Hydrosol or “flower water” is one of the products of the steam distillation process.  As we are extracting the lavender essential oil by steam distillation, we are also creating hydrosol.  Hydrosol has similar properties to essential oils, although much less concentrated. The aroma is often soft and subtle when compared to the essential oil counterpart.  That subtlety creates a beautiful liquid that has many uses.  Frequent uses of Hydrosol: 1. Lavender Hydrosol as an Air Freshener or sheet spritz. All-natural lavender hydrosol is beautiful and practical option to deodorize and...

The tiny little olive trees are starting to get big.  It is very exciting to watch them grow.  Our olive harvest has started and we are learning so many new things.  It is very different from the grape harvest.  We are still very small with only 3 acres planted.  Hopefully that will change next spring as we are anticipating planting 5 more acres. Stay tuned!

Exciting changes on Robbs Road.  The road is almost finished being paved.  Easier access for all of you coming down for a visit and some wine tasting.  Read more about the project in the article by the Arizona Republic.   

As many of you know we moved to Willcox to start a vineyard.  Our goal was to help the burgeoning wine industry which was struggling to produce enough Arizona grown fruit to make Arizona wine.  For six years we planted, grew, and harvested grape varietals that were making amazing wine.  Life was great.  Then one night in the spring of 2017, while we were hosting a dinner for some folks in the pistachio world wanting to learn about grapes, I had a discussion with a gentleman who used to grow olives and make olive oil.  “Do you think we could...

As we are nearing the end of 2019 season, it is time to stop and reflect on the season, and Party!  Here at RLV, we call this party the “Harvest Hootenanny” and it is a HOOT!!  Year after year, I am so excited for this event.  I look forward to seeing all the regulars, and meeting all the newcomers.  People who venture to RLV from all over the state and country.  Some stay for one night and some for longer.  It is such a great, relaxing way to appreciate the beauty of Willcox, RLV and Arizona wines.  Many of the...