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BVCA Newsletter April 2022

Sunday, May 1st: BVCA Spring Picnic at Galvin Park, 3330 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa

Join your neighbors for a picnic gathering on May Day. We have reserved the large picnic area from 1pm-4pm. Live music & some of your neighborhood grape growers will be there to share what they grow. (But remember: No glassware is allowed in the park, so please bring alternatives). We will provide some as well.

Q: A Trailer Park in Bennett Valley?

A: Yes... but! Way back in 1970, a proposed trailer park prompted a valiant group of Bennett Valley residents to organize. Their community coalition not only put a stop to the trailer park, but also led to the drafting of the Bennett Valley Specific Plan (now known as the Bennett Valley Area Plan) — a living document that to this day preserves our precious environment and way of life. This was an important moment in the history of our valley: [Read More]

Fun thread on how and why Eucalyptuses are everywhere in California.

Grape Grower Profile: Ken Hunt, Nolan Vineyards

• Raised in Ukiah, where the Hunt family still owns a 200+ acre farm that has been theirs since 1890

• Was facilities engineer for HP’s building and plant structures from ‘65-’74

• Ran his own construction company for many years

• 1992 - built the house he shares with his wife, Suzanne, himself

• 1995 - decided to plant some grapes. Took classes at the local junior college, where Syrah was recommended. Eventually planted four acres.

• 1998 - First harvest (for Matanzas Creek winery)

• Eventually co-founded the Bennett Valley Grape Growers - started with 5 other growers. They have a lovely new website where you can see all of your neighbors growing grapes in the valley.

• Ken does all his own pruning, spraying, mowing, and maintaining his permanent cover crop.