The Flora and Fauna Tour

The best part of spending time in Asti is being outside, enjoying nature--the "flora and fauna" if you will.

Asti engages all the senses, from the peaceful quiet, to the scent of lavender and roses, or the beauty of the surrounding vineyards and oaks. Wherever you are, there is always something to experience.

There are many places to just sit and enjoy, like the table under the Mulberry tree above...

...or by the poolside.

Perhaps an old iron bench is where you want to sit and reflect.

This grass knoll in front of the house is another place to sit and observe.

At night, we build a big fire and watch for shooting stars!

An occasional deer sighting is always a treat.

Even the pesky turkeys are amusing to watch.

You just never know what creature might turn up here.

After all, it is completely surrounded by wild, untamed land.

I'm always on the look-out for coyotes or mountain lions!

And yes, snakes! This one is a harmless garter snake, but there are rattlesnakes to watch out for too.

There are so many birds! I could sit for hours and just watch them...

...especially at dusk when they perform their dances and swoop down for a drink.

The bees love the lavender!

There is an arbor that runs along the front of the house...

...where a European table grape called Black Monukka happily grow.

They are the sweetest grapes ever!

Olive trees grow happily here too. In the late fall, we pick them and make our own olive oil.

No matter where you look, there is a view.

But my favorite view is looking east...

...toward Rodney Strong's "Wild Oak" vineyard.

It's like one big giant flat screen television! Except for the change of seasons, the scene stays the same. A huge patchwork quilt of cabernet grapes!