This was not your typical winery event. In fact, it didn’t really seem like an “event” at all – more like a buncha really nice folks simply hanging out together, sipping amazing wine, wandering around on a beautiful day looking at birds and learning about steelhead trout and salmon and the creeks in which they spawn.
In short, our first annual Fish Day was a great way to kick off the 2010 Michel-Schlumberger Worms to Wine Nature Series. We were blessed with great weather, plenty of HUGE steelhead trout, and two outstanding human beings as tour guides — Ranger Michael Carroll and Elliott Doss of California Fish and Game.
For those who missed it, here’s what went down…
Ranger Michael greets guests at the hatchery.
Checking out massive steelhead trout heading upstream, feverish to spawn...
Our intrepid guide, Ranger Michael.
A good 12 pounder.
Inside the hatchery.
Fellow ranger takes some measurements and records the results.
Then it was back to the Estate for wine and sunshine.
Fish expert Elliott Doss assembling guests to walk Wine Creek.
Elliott showing off his restoration work on Wine Creek.
Looking for steelhead -- we found some little ones!
Finishing off the fine morning with snacks, conversation and a personal tasting of Mike Brunson's favorite wines.
There you have it — Fish Day 2010! A portion of the proceeds from this event is going to Friends of Lake Sonoma. NOW is a great time to visit the hatchery (and it’s perfect for kids, too). Get out there and help out our piscine pals.
And mark those calendars for the next event in the Worms to Wine Nature Series. We will be hosting my very favorite winery event of the year, Bird Day, on Saturday April 17. Stay tuned for details…
Bass Wishes and Sanddabbly Yours,
tony
p.s. And a special message for those of you who attended the event – the chicken is O.K.!!!
