The most anticipated event of the year, Green Feast is an unforgettable evening – a community celebration of local food taking place on a September evening on the fields of South Coast Farm. Over the next few months, The Ecology Center is pleased to highlight the local purveyors who make this event possible.

Spotlight on Green Feast 2010 Purveyor: Edward Sellers

Edward Sellers was established by entrepreneur, sailor and pilot Ed Sellers and his wife, Dani, who, as Rhône varietal enthusiasts, fell in love with Paso Robles when they learned the growing conditions of the area closely resembled those of southeastern France.

Edward Sellers grows and handpicks most of their grapes from the calcareous-rich hillsides found on the west side of Paso Robles. Paso Robles’ climate, soils and vineyard diversity make the town ideally suited for growing Rhône varieties of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Consault, Counoise, Roussane, Marsanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc.

The Estate Vineyard is situated in the heart of Templeton Gap, a microclimate greatly influenced by the Santa Lucia Coastal Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. This area is characterized by clear, sunny days with temperatures reaching into the high 90s. By late afternoon, those temperatures cool as much as 40 degrees as the Pacific Ocean’s misty marine layer creeps through the mountain pass. This fluctuation is critical to the varietal characteristics found in Edward Seller’s wines.

To find out more about Edward Sellers and their wine club, click here.

The Ecology Center would like to thank Edward Sellers for their generous contribution to Green Feast 2010.

The most anticipated event of the year, Green Feast is an unforgettable evening – a community celebration of local food taking place on a September evening on the fields of South Coast Farm. Over the next few months, The Ecology Center is pleased to highlight the local purveyors who make this event possible.

Spotlight on Green Feast 2010 Purveyor: Bonterra Vineyards

On 378 acres of steep hills and rolling valleys in mountainous Mendocino County, California, grows one of the world’s premier organic vineyards: Bonterra’s McNab Ranch. The land was first recognized as ideal for grape growing early in the 20th century. Since 1987, Bonterra has farmed this fertile expanse according to advanced organic practices. Each element of its carefully balanced ecosystem has a role in creating the ranch’s signature bounty.

Bonterra was one of the first major vineyards in California to commit to organic and sustainable winegrowing. Their processes are regulated by the government and independently certified to ensure that no artificial fertilizers and conventional pesticides are used on the vineyards. Today the vineyard is an environment of incredible diversity; soil, plants and animals work together to create a web of natural balance where all the elements thrive.

The Ecology Center would like to extend its gratitude to Bonterra Vineyards for their continued support of our mission. To keep up with the latest development at Bonterra sign up here.

The most anticipated event of the year, Green Feast is an unforgettable evening – a community celebration of local food taking place on a September evening on the fields of South Coast Farm. Over the next few months, The Ecology Center is pleased to highlight the local purveyors who make this event possible.

Spotlight on Green Feast 2010 Purveyor: Ventura Limoncello Co.

Ventura Limoncello celebrates the rich tradition of Italy while embracing the adventurous style of California. Like all things Italian, Ventura Limoncello radiates passion and pleasure. Ventura Limoncello offers two handcrafted limoncello liqueurs: Originale and Crema.

The all-natural limoncello infusions bring together a generation-honed recipe with locally grown fruit. Ventura Limoncello uses only carefully selected lemon varietials, grown in the protected valleys and rolling hills of Ventura County, California. The fruit is allowed to ripen fully in steady sunshine, tempered by fresh breezes from the Pacific.

About the infusion process: James personally selects only the best lemons from the most innovative growers. Manuela and her team meticulously peel tissue-thin strips of zest by hand. Not even a speck of white pith escapes her discerning eye.

In clear glass urns, the zest is steeped in alcohol to extract the precious oils. The sun then has to relinquish what it imparted when the fruit slowly ripened. The control of the process is now under Manuela’s direction. Following the long line of alchemists in her family, she combines the aromatic essence with sugar, tasting and adjusting until perfect.

Limoncello Crema is whole milk combined with infused alcohol to create what can only be described as a lemon creamsicle. Absolutely no artificial colors or preservatives are used in our handcrafted product.

The Ecology Center would like to extend a huge “Thank You” to James and Manuela. You can keep up with Ventura Limoncello on their Facebook page.

The Ecology Center presents, Kitchen Gardening, the third class in its partnership with The Center for Living Peace, on Saturday, July 17th from 1-3pm. Thanks to our friends at The Center for Living Peace, The Ecology Center is able to provide an off-site version of our much-loved DIY sustainability education program, Backyard Skills, in the city of Irvine.

If you haven’t yet visited The Center for Living Peace, Saturday, July 17th is your chance! Join The Ecology Center founder and director, Evan Marks, as he leads a lesson in sprouting. In this class, students learn how to grow delicious, nutritious edibles in small spaces, the benefits of sprouting nuts and seeds, and how-to sprout! All students will go home with their own, fully-prepped sprouting jar. Cost is $30. Interested? Register now to save your spot!