Monte-Bellaria di California
Monte-Bellaria di California, located in the Russian River appellation, specializes in estate-grown lavender, bees, and olive oil. West Sonoma County’s mild Mediterranean climate yields high-quality, oil-rich lavenders, which are grown, harvested, and distilled on the estate. Their cut lavender, lavender buds, olive oil, honey, and beeswax are used to make their own Monte-Bellaria essential oil and hydrosols, soaps, fragrances, and culinary products. Monte-Bellaria is a popular destination on the Farm Trails spring and fall farm tours, and a swoon-worthy spot during high bloom season, when the lavender fields pulse in purple. In this Member Spotlight, we chat with proprietor Dr. Bill MacElroy about his farm and inspiration.
Monte-Bellaria di California, 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol; monte-bellaria.com
Farm Trails member since 2015
How did you start farming?
We started planting olives in 2002, originally, we were planning to plant approximately 10.5 acres to olives, but they turn out to be a very labor-intensive and water-intensive crop that takes a long time to mature. Later we started planting lavender for our bees and it turned out to be such a great crop we ended up planting 9.5 acres with about 35,000 plants. Our Farm Manager, Dr. Eric Sias, is also our resident beekeeper and makes sure everything is running smoothly.
What do you grow?
We grow Tuscan oil olives (producing more than a half ton of fruit per year). We also grow lavender ‘Grosso’ and the essential oil we distill is our key cash crop. We also raise bees and produce honey and use other bee goods (e.g. beeswax) in our line of spa products.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
It’s very rewarding to produce all the key ingredients for our products ourselves right here in Sonoma County.
What do you value about being a member of Farm Trails?
Farm Trails has been an amazing partner since 2015, when we did our first Farm Trails event—selling our handmade soaps, balms, and olive oil from the back of our pickup truck. Since, our relationship with Farm Trails has expanded and we now do nearly 3 times our average revenue on the event weekends. We are also excited about the Holiday Along The Farm Trails event, where we have a nice end-of year bump in sales due to the increased awareness provided by FT.
What advice do you have for a new farmer?
First, study and research thoroughly before committing to a planting/agricultural plan. Learn your trade—become an expert in what you are producing. Be sure you know what you are going to do to make money with your crops and business. Whenever possible, partner with local producers and manufacturers to help grow your business.
Photo credits: Lisa Rose/The Farmers Photographer, Chris Willis, Christina Cree Overall, Johnson Hoang, Allen Odenkirchen, Monte-Bellaria di California