Two Visits to the Terra Sávia
Olive Oil Mill and Winery
“How did you find us?” The woman stepped from the shadows of
the steel warehouse. I was
dismounting and removing my yellow Scheuberth that had rendered a hotspot on my
forehead. “How did you find us?”
I’d been exploring off-freeway lanes near my new Sonoma
County digs and had taken a westerly turn onto Mountain House Road in
Hopland. “The poppies.” I pointed to a small stand of bright
orange blossoms swaying in a gentle springtime Mendocino County breeze. Seeds had been broadcast and taken root
in the soil at the margin where the asphalt apron at Terra Sávia
abuts the roadway. “I was thinking
of getting a shot of my bike with the poppies in the foreground.”
“That’s a beautiful bike,” she said, eyeing my ’07
Breva.
I stepped into the warehouse rubbing that hotspot and hoping
my eyes would readily adjust to the dimly lit interior. A few pallets of cased goods sat close
by next to a table with a bit of clerical equipment, a collection of papers
that reminded me of my home office organizational skills. A well used office chair was tucked up
to the table’s edge. As my eyes made their way from daylight
to warehouse light, a few more pallets came into view. To the left was a tasting bar.
“Like to try some olive oil? They’re all Italian varietals.”
“Just like the bike,” I said.
I hated to admit that I didn’t know procedure when it came
to tasting olive oils. Beer? Yes. Wine? Of
course. But olive oil? A one-ounce portion control pleated
white paper cup was placed in front of me. A small amount of the fist sample was dribbled inside. The woman began to explain about citrus
tones, nutty tones, where to taste and lingering qualities. Just like wine. With the second sample, we began to
compare and contrast…
Terra Sávia is a wholly organic small operation
specializing in estate grown wines – cabs, pinots, merlots and a nice Meritage
(rhymes with “heritage”) and a non-oaked Chardonnay; Italian varietal olive
oils from trees on the property and wildflower honey from their own stash of
bees.
Striking is the olive press imported from the home
country. The machine is active in
October as Terra Sávia organics are first crushed daily, to be followed by the
fruit of other local area growers.
Wandering through the facility, I see that local artisans
display seating and tables, all far too large to be packed home on a
motorcycle. Flat art graces the
walls and a classic Porsche begs one to salivate.
Outside, a rustic cabin awaits those wishing to stay for an
overnight experience.
I purchased a bottle of Tuscan oil and set to stowing it in
the diminutive Joe Rocket seat pack.
“Do you need a bag?” the proprietress asked. “Is it padded enough? Moto Guzzi. Where did you say that bike comes from?”
“About two hundred miles north of the rootstock for your
olive trees.”
And the conversation ensued. Guzzi and BMW tourers know the routine, as do many others,
I’m sure…
I didn’t taste wine on my first
visit because I don’t do alcohol – not even a sip – if I’m riding a bike that
new, cost more than my first house.
But I did return a few days later with family. I’d been charmed not only by the honest, small operation
feel of Terra Sávia, but also by the woman who showed such great interest in
the Guzzi.
She recognized me as the fellow from earlier in the week as
she poured first the Chard, then the reds. More conversation.
More of that honest, small operation, down-to-earth, workin’ the land
goodness – characteristics missing, sometimes, in the fancy winery spreads further
south in the Dry Creek, Sonoma and Napa Valley appellations.
Folks touring US 101 out of the Bay Area and north of Santa
Rosa: this is a stop not to be missed.
(Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.)
o0o
Notes:
1) The Meritage goes nicely with a grilled peppered New York
cooked medium rare. I drool as I
type this.
2) I need to go back and get that picture of the Guzzi amid
the poppies.
Resource: Information about this unique and interesting little place
is found at: http://terrasavia.com/
o0o
 |
| Terra Savia's statement of philosophy. One with which many might agree. |
Today’s Route: US 101 South from Eureka, Willets,
Ukiah or North form San Francisco, Marin, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg to
Hopland. West on Mountain House
Road at the burger joint. Look for
the Terra Sávia sign (and those poppies) on the right. Return? Continue on Mountain House Road through the rolling Coast
Range Hills of interior Mendocino County intersecting CA 128 in about ten
miles. East will return the rider
to US 101 at Cloverdale; west will take the rider through Booneville, along the
Navarro River and out to the coast and CA 1.
© 2015
Church of the Open Road Press
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