Pietra Santa

This is tasting room for the Pietra Santa Winery in the Cienega Valley above Hollister. I always forget how beautiful and magical it is up by the winery.

Pietra Santa is Italian for Sacred Stone. The sacred stone in this case is the amazing soil from which grape vines and olive trees grow to produce crops for award winning wines and olive oils. To learn more about Pietra Santa, check out its website or Facebook page.

Wine grapes

Wine grapes at Leal Vineyards, off of Fairview Road

In 2013, wine grapes made the top 10 crops grown in San Benito County, according to the annual crop report. The local vineyards produced 15,733 tons of wine grapes on 3,885 acres. The combined gross value of their wine grape production was $21,771,500.

Vineyards are growing all over the county, on widespread acreage as well as on small estates. Click here for a list of local vineyards—and wineries.

The Peafowl of Casa de Fruta

Peacocks and peahens wander aimlessly around the grounds of Casa de Fruta. I came across this peahen near the swimming pool of the Casa de Motel, also known as the Peacock Inn.

Seriously, these guys and gals are all over Casa de Fruta. They walk through the parking lots. They hang near the pond. They saunter around the exhibits of antique farm machinery. They even stop and watch the kids ride the Casa de Carousel and gaze at folks eating their lunch on the patio of  the Casa de Wine.

Yes, a visit to Casa de Fruta for me is not complete without an encounter with one of the peafowls. Now, if only one of the peacocks would've strutted about with his feathers in full display. Next time.

Today, I'm linking up with The Weekend in Black and White. Please click here to see other B&B white photos from around the world.

Fundraiser for the Filipino Typhoon Victims at Leal Vineyards