Spring in the Kestrel Gardens

Chef Jessica — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:02:11 +0000

April 8, 2013~Spring has most definitely sprung at Kestrel in Prosser. January and February I spent planning the Kestrel Gardens and ordering all of my seeds. I’m very particular about what we will grow, all must be non GMO and organic, in addition, the more unusual the better. We are lucky to be located in an area where organic-local produce is readily available, but I want purple snap peas and 18” Chinese Red Noodle Beans. How does Rattail Radish (in the above picture) sound? Probably strange, but I have to say I can’t wait to try it. It’s a pod radish, similar looking to a pea pod, and you can eat the entire thing. I can’t wait to try it in stir fries, salads….maybe as a gazpacho garnish.

After Flint, Juan and Mariano helped clean, rototill and irrigate the garden beds Felicia and I have been busy planting. We can already see 7 types of radishes, 6 types of lettuce, arugula, spinach, 4 types of carrots, scallions, 6 types of basil, parsley, cilantro, dill, caraway, mint, thyme, chives, feverfew, kale, 4 types of peas and so many more. This doesn’t include all of the other yummy vegetables we just sowed the seeds for or all of the things I have growing in the greenhouse.

Everyone can look forward to all of the great produce appearing on our lunch menus, Flights & Bites, wine dinners and samples starting in late spring. What are your favorite things to grow? Is there anything you would like to see us feature in our gardens? Let me know.

Chef Jessica

Old Vines

CarolinaFlor — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:18:41 +0000

I just did the winemaker notes for our 2008 Old Vine Merlot. “Wow!” You know there is really something special about old vines. The wines that they produce have a certain elegance about them that cannot be reproduced. At Kestrel’s Estate Vineyard, in the Yakima Valley, we are lucky enough to have Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot that were planted in 1972. It is pretty remarkable when you think about it; I was five years old and my wife had not been born yet, when these vines were planted by one of the previous owners of our vineyard. I am not exactly a newcomer to the Washington wine scene, having worked in the industry for some twenty-two years now. However, nineteen years prior to my arrival, Mike Wallace and his father-in-law had the foresight to plant wine grapes among the apple orchards of the Yakima Valley. I’ll bet they were the talk of the town. Fortunately, I am reaping what they have sewn, and produce elegant world class wines year after year from the vines that they planted so long ago.

Cheers,

Flint Nelson

Kestrel Wines

Spring in the Kestrel Gardens

Old Vines