Hi Folks,

The past week (and so far THIS week too) we have enjoyed absolutely picture perfect weather for growing spring veggies.  I am so happy with the way everything is looking both in the greenhouse and out in the gardens. (View Photos)

We have just about caught up at the Farm with the planting, and are just about on track timing-wise to start harvesting and delivering all those yummy vegetables and herbs by the May 4 start date of our Food Guild.  (We actually have a few juicy greens ready now - and I will have some for sale this Saturday at City beverage, 915 Burke Street in Winston-Salem and next Tuesday at the Krankies Farmers Market, Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem)

There are a lot of things happening (as always) at the Farm and the Winery & Restaurant too. Here are a few things that you might be interested in knowing about - and possibly participating in…

Sanders Ridge Featured on NC Weekend - UNC-TV (http://flash.unctv.org/ncweekend/4152010_sandersridge.html)
The morning after the first airing - Neil went into Boonville for gas and chicken feed and 5 different people stopped him and asked if he was signing autographs! Each time the segment aired, phone calls and emails poured in from all over the state.  The additional visitors and well wishes from friends have been simply amazing (and very much appreciated)  Special THANKS go out to UNC-TV, John Litschke of J. Martin Productions, and Brandon McCann - Regional Tourism Director for the Cascade Highlands (www.TheCascadehighlands.com) - for producing such an outstanding representation of our winery, the restaurant - and US!

HUGE Beer & Wine Beverage Sale & Tastings - THIS SATURDAY - at City Beverage (I’ll have Organic Vegetable & Herb Seedlings plus Sanders Ridge Wines to taste there too!) Starts at 9am, 915 Burke Street in Winston-Salem
Many of you local folks may already know about the City Beverage Semi-Annual Tent Sale - but for those of you that don’t you might want to check it out.  It’s just about the biggest wine and beer sales event there is in these parts - with big discounts on all kinds of imported and domestic spirits - microbrews - you name it!  (When I first started the Farm business 4 years ago, Spencer invited me to park my truck there and sell veggies and plants - and I signed up Food Guild members who have been with us ever since!)  I’ll be there this Saturday too with a truckload of Seedlings and I’ll have Sanders Ridge wines for you to taste too!  For more info see http://www.citybeverage.com

Seedlings NOW Available (USDA Certified ) (They always sell out pretty quick - so don’t wait!)

We have over 1800 vegetable and herb seedlings all plump and juicy and ready to be planted out - in our gardens as well as YOURS!  They are now for sale at the two weekly markets listed at the end of this email.  I will also keep a few trays of everything at the restaurant and winery if you are planning a visit out this way...  (you can send me an email with a list of what you want and I will have them ready and waiting for you.

Monthly Birding Walks and Lunch with guide Ron Morris

Our first two April walks were very fruitful! Folks saw and heard quite a few different birds.  The highlights were a nesting pair of owls.  Ron was able to set his scope on two nestlings in a hollow tree - and everyone got a good look. They also saw great blue herons nesting near the marsh at the edge of the big lake, a kingfisher, wood duck, and an osprey! 

Reservations for the May and June walks are already coming in.  For the schedule and sign-up, go to http://www.sandersridge.com/eventcalendar/birding_trail_walk.htm

Garden Tour and Cooking Demo with Chef Starr
The April tour was a good time for all.  Although there was not as much to see growing in the gardens as there will be for the May tour - we had a seriously huge amount of the sweetest spinach to cook up.  Chef Starr showed us how to make Pesto from fresh spinach and oregano - then she put it together with some sautéed onions, garlic and heavy cream over pasta.  Ummm. Was it ever tasty. We have 2 spaces left for the May tour - and spaces are filling up for the June - September tours!   For the schedule and sign-up, go to http://www.sandersridge.com/eventcalendar/garden_tour_and_lunch.htm

That's the News for this week!

Warm Regards,

cindy

Cindy Shore
Sanders Ridge Vineyard, Winery & Restaurant
& Sanders Ridge Organic Farm
Certification ID #0827G by QCS of Gainesville, FL
www.sandersridge.com
3200 Round Hill Road
Boonville, NC 27011

336 677-1700