Frog's Leap Winery

We spent the morning walking around downtown Calistoga and then went on a tour and wine tasting at Frog’s Leap Winery. They practice dry farming—growing their grapes without irragation. They don’t get any rain between May and October, and planting without irrigation forces the grapes to push deeper into the soil providing a strong foundation. For this reason the vines produce for 60-80 whereas other vineyards replace their vines every 13-16 years. Frog’s Leap is also totally organic, and have been since the 80’s (man, the Southeast has to catch up!), growing without pesticides or fertilizers other than compost and cover corps to build the soil. They grow herbs on the borders of the vineyards to encourage “good” pests, to kill the “bad” pests. Interestingly, they are the only fully organic, dry farmer in the region. They employ 45 full time staff, using no seasonal pickers. And the farm is operated by 90% solar power. The vineyard is absolutely beautiful, and the wine is exceptual... come by the house and enjoy a glass with us when we return.