Many of you know that Kyle and I live just west of the winery—in my grandmother’s home, which we’ve been lucky enough to call ours for 26 years now. My kitchen window faces east, which means my daily view looks directly out at the estate’s trees.
Lately, with the evenings stretching longer, I’ve found myself staring out that window with a bit more awe. There’s a particular moment—maybe thirty minutes before the light fully shifts—where something almost magical happens. The eastern horizon begins to soften and dim, but the sun still hits the tops of those giant trees at full strength. They seem to glow from within.
It’s the kind of thing that’s genuinely hard to describe unless you’ve stood there yourself. I’ve lived with this view for over two decades, and it still stops me mid-dish.
These trees have truly become the centerpiece of the Harney Lane gardens. Even if you haven’t been here in a while, once you’ve seen that skyline, it stays with you.
While we have a few redwoods and other varieties, the largest and most impressive are our three Deodar cedars. Native to the Himalayas, you’ll find a smattering of them planted around the Lodi region from the same era. Based on old photographs of the property, we assume ours were planted sometime in the 1910s. I recently read that this specific type of tree was planted not just for its rapid growth and shade, but as a statement. It was an intentional planting by my great-grandfather alongside the original homestead—a signal that he was putting down roots to stay. Today, those trees span well over 100 feet tall, and the largest has a base girth of more than 20 feet.
These beautiful trees have a way of offering perspective. Between their sheer size and their long history, they help frame what is genuinely important. They have weathered so much over the last century, and still, they grow.
It is a quiet reminder that good things take time, that roots are always worth planting, and that the beauty of it all lies in the process.
Next time you visit—which I hope is soon—be sure to stand under those cedars. Look up. Take it all in.
Honestly, right now is one of my absolute favorite times of year to be at the estate. The days are warm but not yet hot, and the lush gardens just invite you to linger.
And if you can’t make it out to see us just yet, know that we put a little bit of this place into every bottle. Open something cold, find your own favorite window, and let out a deep exhale.
