Kenwood, CA

~ A Sensual & Intellectual Feast in Sonoma Wine Country ~

Sonoma Valley is a feast for the senses during the late summer and fall.  The natural beauty of our hills and vineyards, the aroma of crushed grapes in the air, and seemingly endless opportunities to wine and dine during September and October are sensual pleasures that draw thousands of visitors annually.

But there's more.  High-brow film buffs and everyday movie-lovers have yet another reason to travel here this time of year.  It's the Santa Rosa International Film Festival, a 7-day movie extravaganza, also known as the Wine Country Film Festival, which is marking it's 25th anniversary.

The festival kicked off on September 14th and it runs through Tuesday, September 20th.  The schedule lists movies about the arts, the environment, Latino culture, food, and a slew of films made and produced by creators of cinema from more than 20 other nations.  Over 125 movies will reportedly be shown this year.

Sonoma Valley's Deerfield Ranch Winery, located in Kenwood,  has been a major sponsor of this event and an opening night party was held there on the 14th.  There are two Santa Rosa movie theaters screening many of the films:  The Roxy Theater and the Summerfield Theaters.  A full schedule of showings is available if you take a look at the 37 page program posted online.

Local passes for the full run of the festival for Sonoma County residents cost $100 and provide access to all the movies being shown.  There are day passes for $50.  An assortment of other ticket packages cost from $65 to $500 and include a variety of benefits and privileges.

Deerfield's wine cave is a pretty amazing place to see.  I've been there for other events and it's beautifully constructed...very large and deep.  And now---for your viewing pleasure --- a pretty festival promo.  It was filmed at Deerfield and it gives you a peek of the wine cave.  It will arouse your senses.

sriff-Vimeo HD from Tylor Norwood on Vimeo.

An Inside Track & Outdoor Path in Kenwood, CA - On a Speechless Sunday

Friday Fotos - A Cottage Garden in Kenwood, CA

One of the nicest things about being a wine country real estate agent is the variety of landscapes I get to see. If you've read my blog with any regularity, you've probably noticed I post a lot pictures of Sonoma landscapes. I think we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The vineyards, open meadows, pristine hills---everywhere I turn it seems there is an abundance of natural beauty. Recently I was on a tour of a sprawling Kenwood country property. Tucked away behind the main house, several outbuildings, and a pool with a carefully landscaped patio, I found this charming and untamed Kenwood cottage garden. And behind it? A young vineyard next to an old Walnut orchard. Ah, the simple pleasures of a wine country agent!

I'd like to think I know Sonoma County pretty well, but once in awhile I'll travel down a road I haven't been on for quite awhile and find something new. As I was traveling past the Kenwood Restaurant and Bar, something shiny caught my eye. I glanced over to the right to see a huge sculpture in the middle of a field.

I pulled over to take this photo, not realizing it was a wind vane. After I found my camera and stepped out of the car, the wind vane was slowly moving in the right direction for me to get a getter shot.

Just incredible!

New Sonoma Real Estate Listings

The first broker tour of Autumn 2010 was light on new Sonoma Valley real estate listings. The highest priced home in Kenwood was a repeat showing of a property that first hit the market at $4,250,000 in mid-June. The price is now $3,795,000 and for that you get a 5000 square foot single level home and this pool with a gorgeous Sonoma Valley view.

Here's what the list of properties on tour this week looked like (sorry for the fuzzy font):

Cash is playing a big role in sales of Sonoma real estate. Buyers are paying cash for nearly 30% of all sales in the towns of Sonoma, Glen Ellen, and Kenwood. I wonder if this is true in other markets? Anyone care to weigh in?