Everyone knows that, as a Mediterranean climate, Sonoma County is perfect for growing grapes. But what about that other Mediterranean fruit, the olive? Alas, we once had many olive farms in the region, since replaced, like the ill-fated Gravenstein apple, by the more-buck-per-pound grape. Enter the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival, which aims to restore the local olive to its throne. While there’s the Blessing of the Olives on Jan. 4 at the Sonoma Mission (11am; free), we direct your attention to olive guru Don Landis and his free workshop on curing olives in the home. Landis shares his personal recipe for “no lye” curing, and there’s a whole gang of samples on Sunday, Jan. 5, at Cline Cellars. 24737 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. Free; RSVP to Don Landis ([email protected]). For more info, visit www.olivefestival.com.
