Kathleen Hill: Larson Family Winery’s loss is our loss
Many of us have felt a sense of loss in the last couple of weeks, from those aware of the enormous catastrophe going on in Ukraine to the local catastrophe of the Larson Family Winery’s devastating fire.
While we know who started the fight in Ukraine, we do not know at this writing who or how the fire started at Larson.
It wasn’t just a barn and tasting room. It was the Larson-Millerick family history, a big part of Sonoma history and that of Schellville and Wingo, historic photos, and the history of the once-famous Sonoma Rodeo.
According to Pam Millerick Hellen, her mother, Rose, and Sylvia Scarafoni were sisters. “Mom grew up at Green Acres, a stone’s through from the Millerick Ranch. She and my dad, Jim Millerick, rode the bus together to grammar school” and eventually married. Sylvia married August Sebastiani. My dad and Tom Larson’s mom, Helen Millerick Larson, were brother and sister and grew up on the ranch.” So you can see how both, or all three intertwined families, have had important roles in Sonoma Valley agriculture.
From Larson Family Winery website: “Five generations have lived and worked this land. What began as a dairy farm, transitioned into the home of the largest rodeo in Northern California from 1928 to 1950s.
“We planted our first vineyard in 1978 and when we made more wine than we could drink, we opened the winery about a decade later.
“Today we bottle 5,000 cases of wine that we sell exclusively through our tasting room and wine club and farm 150 acres of estate vineyards.”
They also have a vineyard management company and donate their time and crew for many projects around Sonoma Valley.
The family, led by Tom and Becky, daughter Erica and sons Will and Wyatt all give of their time and knowledge.
Becky has long led 4-H learning and pursuits for kids of all ages in Sonoma Valley, and hosted fundraisers galore for both 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) at their winery property.
Of Becky Larson, Pat Leveroni Stornetta said, “Becky has always been extremely supportive of youth and agriculture.” A farmer and vineyardists herself, Stornetta chairs the Agricultural Advisory Board at Sonoma Valley High School.
When we wanted a vineyard at Adele Harrison Middle School on Broadway, one call to Becky Larson and she told me “We’re in.”
Soon she and their vineyard management crew came and showed science students how to plant a vineyard and participate, and for years since then they have shown up again each season and taught students how to do each step.
And Becky always brings their three lab dogs along, knowing that there are always a few kids who feel more comfortable petting dogs than pruning vines.
And when the Cha Chas discovered gnarly old vines with weeds growing five feet high around them at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home, again I called Becky and she said, “Tom and I will meet your there.”
For nearly two years, the Larson gang tried to revive those neglected vines and found it impossible. So they pulled out the vineyard and planted a new one, the latter under the guidance of daughter Erica for her Senior Project. And all for free.
Again, they came back and back, teaching the then-residents how vineyards, and even the outdoors, works.
Ironically, all of that vineyard burned in our fires two years ago.
But of course a few weeks ago Becky told me and the staff at VOMCH, which Sonoma County is now turning into a mental health residency program, that Larson will do anything they could to re-do the vineyard. That’s the kind of people they are.
Larson only sells wine through their wine club or at the winery, which is closed for the moment due to the fire. If you want to help, you might consider joining the club. Find out all about it at larsonfamilywinery.com.
Muscardini celebrates golds this weekend
Just back with wife Kate Eilertson from six months in Italy learning, drinking, and eating, Michael Muscardini celebrates his six gold medals and double gold from the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this weekend.
While in Italy recently Muscardini thought a lot about his Italian heritage from when his grandfather who began to make wine in Italy before immigrating to America in 1909. Muscardini got an Italian passport on this trip, feeling even closer to his Italian heritage, and is inspired to lean more to Italian winemaking style and principles.
Muscardini says, “Great wine is made in the vineyard. Sure, everybody says that now, but if you want a good balance between fruit and acidity, you have to grow it.”
Muscardini Cellars won a double gold at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for his 2016 Merlot from Sangiacomo Vineyards – a vineyard typically known for producing outstanding pinot noir and chardonnay fruit.
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