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 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...

“I had a farm in Africa “ were words that profoundly affected me when I was a teen. The adventure, learning a new way of life, and the romance. After seeing the movie Out Of Africa I was enthralled, so I read the book, twice. Now in my 40’s I recall those words when I think of the direction my life has taken. My name is Michelle and I have a farm in Arizona at the foot of the Dos Cabezas mountains. I didn’t travel to another country. I didn’t even travel to a different state. I just went a...