I have a dozen lavender plants scattered around my garden, but I still like to tour the commercial acres of lavender this time of year.  Last year I visited the Lavender Bee Farm – this weekend we decided to pop into Matanzas Creek Winery, famous for their gardens, lavender farm, and acclaimed chardonnay.  

I convinced the kids it was worth the half hour drive because they could go hunting for bunny rabbits, ala Elmer Fudd.  We didn’t spot any, but at least the idea kept them busy while Mr. CG and I strolled the grounds. 

Their Spanish and English lavender is already in bloom !   Mmmm, can you smell it ?  

The French varieties (Grosso and Provence ) are just beginning to bud.

In a mere three weeks, the fields will look just like this:

What I love about Matanzas Creek Winery is that you can stroll the lavender fields and gardens without any appointment, unlike some of the larger lavender farms that are only open once a year on harvest weekend (mid June). 

The fields at Matanzas Creek are terraced with beautiful rock walls.

There are mature oak and olive trees scattered throughout. 

You’re welcome to park underneath the wisteria . . .

Matanzas Creek has some gorgeous water features too. 

It’s all very Giverny-esque.

You can sit out on the massive wrap around deck under the oaks. 

Plenty of splurge worthy homemade lavender products in the gift shop. 

I’ll take fifty please.

Or you can just spend your afternoon playing bocce ball under the tangerine umbrellas amid the surrounding gardens.  *** Sigh ***   Might have to dream of book a future couples afternoon right here. 

Matanzas Creek was featured in the New York Times travel section last summer – you can read the entire article here.  

It was ‘Passport to Sonoma’ weekend, so we stayed out of the tourist filled tasting rooms and just took in the valley view. 

We took a drive through Kenwood on our way to the Sonoma Creek Falls, which is the only waterfall in the county.   Just five minutes from the hot and dry Sonoma Valley floor are some marvelous hiking trails through redwoods. 

The 1/4 mile walk to the falls is easy enough for little tykes.  

I absolutely love the damp earthy needle scented smell of a forest floor.  Could someone figure out how to bottle this pretty please ?

Nothing’s nicer than the lull of the water as it trips over stones and rocks along a creek bed – it’s such great exercise for little feet too.   To me, only ocean waves can compete with the sound of a babbling creek. 

There’s something about a nature hike to the falls that brings out the Tarzan . . .

. . . and Jane in all of us.  

Now I know why Viva Terra is so brilliant selling their river stone bath mats.

After a long day filled with sensory delights, I returned home to see our own French lavender budding in the garden.  

Mmmmm, such an intoxicating scent !!

I’m looking forward to my own harvest next month – at least three pounds of deliciously scented organic lavender buds. 

Hey, what a great idea for a giveaway, right?  

Coming up next, a fireplace revamp you’ll love . . . can’t wait to show you. 

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