la garagista
Gardens: Since we bought the property thirteen years ago, we have always made a valiant effort to farm naturally. We went about out first gardens completely backwards, learning the hard way (still learning) what to do, and maybe more importantly, what not to do. Over the years, we have grown established rose gardens, an orchard, two largish potagers that we harvest for our restaurant osteria pane e salute, a hoop house, a walnut grove, and now a vineyard. While we will continue to source from local farmers, our aim is to make the restaurant and the vinoteca completely sustainable from our organic fruits, nuts, flowers, and vegetables. The more we work the land, the more we want to give something back.
The Cast:For the summer of 2010, we were grateful to have a skilled, hardworking, and lively crew to help us run the show.
Lindsey: Linsdey has worked with us at the restaurant and here at la garagista for over two years now, fitting college in whenever she can. Now she's finished with a degree in fine arts photography from Reed College, and here for a brief stint this summer before returning to Portland, Oregon. She is also the daughter of reknowned local cheese-makers John and Janine Putnam of Thistle Hill Farm.
Victoria: We've known Victoria since she was eight and fell in-love with prosciutto and cappuccino. She's worked off and on at the restaurant for, well, a long time....Victoria returns to work in the restaurant, the vineyard, and gardens. She has one more year at St. John's College, and we're hoping she'll return after graduation to help us for the first official release of la garagista wines and champagne-style ciders.
Maya: The youngest member of the la garagista family, Maya does whatever needs doing, and makes a mean pizza and sour cherry torta. She has just finished her junior year in high school, and is now a senior!
Eliza: We've had an on-line romance with Eliza for the last year since she decided to move back stateside from Florence, Italy. She comes armed with fluent Italian, some vineyard and mercato knowledge, and great enthusiasm. We're looking forward to having her as our official "apprentice" at the restaurant and here at the vineyard.
Rebecca: Winter apprentice extraordinaire at the restaurant. But winter never ended, and Rebecca stayed on until just recently. She's off now leading an outdoor adventure in Alaska. She may come back for a stint in the fall. Fingers crossed.
Caleb: Factotum, market gardener, carpenter, electrician, planter, nocino-maker, designer, and house cook.
Deirdre: Stylist, perennial gardener, vineyardist-vigneronne-viticultura, flower arranger, event planner, rosolio-maker, designer, and house sommelier.
All in a Day's Work
