One advantage of planting a vineyard out in the sticks (and on a mountain) is that nature helps manage it.  The trees provide habitat for beneficial birds and bugs, including this red-shouldered hawk who generously posed for a picture in Michael's Vineyard yesterday afternoon. 

When I pulled into the vineyard, the hawk flew gracefully from the pole we installed for him, and sat on the grapevine to get a better view.  He was scouting for ground squirrels and other rodents that damage the vineyard.  He solves our rodent problem so we don't have to use man-made solutions. 

This week, other volunteer crew in the vineyard include the sheep mowing the grass, and the turkeys cleaning up harmful bugs. Come by the ranch some time to watch the show!