Green Day in Green Valley

While the environmental movement it helped spawn has remained robust, excitement over Earth Day itself has waxed and waned. The many events and celebrations around the Bay Area this weekend may reflect a new wave of enthusiasm in capturing and honoring that spirit of "being green," from the Project Earth cleanup day at the Sonoma coast to the Green Apple Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco.

And in Wine Country, the inaugural Celebrate Earth Day in Green Valley at Iron Horse Vineyards aims to start an eco-friendly tradition.

"My family and I are deeply committed to the land and are as passionate about promoting ecological awareness and Green Valley as we are to making phenomenal wines," said Joy Sterling, partner/CEO of the winery. "We wanted to use our home place to raise awareness, raise needed funds and create a fun, grassroots event."

The all-green party -- a benefit for several nonprofit environmental organizations -- runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with world music, world food by winery chef Chris Greenwald, environmental speakers, and a "good energy" raffle.

Eight of Green Valley's well-known wineries -- and their delicious pinot noirs -- will be showcased at the event.

Sterling, who had thought about throwing an Earth Day party for a long time, said the celebration underscores the natural link between living green and the Green Valley.

"The theme of the food is world street food, but made with local products," said Sterling. "Everything will either be homegrown at Iron Horse or bought directly from the farms within a 25-mile radius."

Greenwald's food, served in the winery's distinctive grove of 30-foot palms and olive trees, will include Vietnamese-style sandwiches, crepes sauteed in duck fat, Sonoma lamb pastries with harissa, grilled beef kabobs with chimichurri sauce and noodles with kale and wild mushrooms.

Green Valley wineries pouring their wines include DeLoach, Dutton Estate, Dutton Goldfield, Emeritus, Hartford Court, Marimar Estate, Orogeny and Iron Horse.

Speakers include State Parks Commissioner Caryl Hart, chocolate entrepreneur John Scharffenberger and environmental writer Glen Martin of the San Francisco Chronicle.

One of the more intriguing "green" activities is a raffle for a year's worth of free energy in your home up to $4,000, and a year's worth of renewable energy credits.

"On top of not paying your energy bill, you'll be living carbon neutral," Sterling explained. "The credits benefit renewable energy sources, so it offsets your energy use."

Iron Horse Vineyards is in the heart of Green Valley, the small, anvil-shaped appellation bounded by Sebastopol, Forestville and Occidental.

Transportation to the event site, from a mown grass field at the entrance to the winery, will be provided by your choice of horse-drawn carriage or biodiesel van. Of course, you may also choose to walk, stopping by the winery's stunning gardens to check out the new shoots of spring.

Informational booths will be set up by the beneficiaries of the event: the National Geographic Society, the Rainforest Action Network, the Leakey Foundation and the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.

A $250 all-access pass, limited to 100 people, directly benefits the environmental action group Stop Global Warming (stopglobalwarming.org). Pass-holders are invited into the home of Audrey and Barry Sterling, founding partners of the winery and Joy's parents, for a private reception with the speakers. Iron Horse wedding cuvee will be poured from enormous 3-liter bottles called jeroboams and guests will receive sustainably farmed caviar and spoons to go with it from Tsar Nicoulai, one of California's premium brands.

"It's just spectacular this time of year," Sterling said of her parent's Victorian home, with its orchid collection and extensive gardens.

The party will get kickin' with a performance by Stiff Dead Cat, a twangy Bay Area band that will play acoustic "porch music" on the back of a flatbed truck.

Like other Earth Day celebrations around the Bay Area, the Green Valley event will use only biodegradable utensils and plans to recycle all of its waste.

"All of the kitchen scraps are going to be composted and picked up by Eco-Haul," Sterling said of the environmentally responsible disposal service. "Real Goods (the Hopland-based purveyor of green products) is providing the power for the party with a portable solar energy unit."

You can reach Staff Writer Diane Peterson at 521-5287 or dpeterson@pressdemocratcom

CELEBRATING GREEN

Other Earth Day events going on this weekend include:

Coastwalk and SSU’s Project Earth Club host cleanup at Doran Beach 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Meet at the Cypress day use area. RSVP: 829-6689, ext. 5.

California State Parks Foundation will hold an Earth Day restoration and cleanup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Annadel State Park in Santa Rosa. Meet at Warren Richardson parking lot, 6201 Channel Drive. 538-8734.

Wildwood Farm, a nursery known for its Japanese maples, throws a benefit party 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with live music and proceeds from sales supporting the Friends of the River and the California Native Plant Society. 10500 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. 833-1161.

Sassafras Restaurant will serve a four-course, all-organic, Earth Day menu paired with organic and biodynamic wines and coffee at 6 p.m. Sunday. $49 per person, plus tax and tip. 1229 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. 578-7600.

Napa Valley Museum presents a free lecture and slide show by Peggy Darnell from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday on environmental artivism. 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville. 944-0500.

California Academy of Sciences celebrates Earth Day Saturday through Monday with hands-on activities. 875 Howard St., San Francisco. (415) 321-8000.

San Francisco Zoo celebrates Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with animal awareness activities and interactive displays. 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco. (415) 753-7080.

Green Apple Music & Arts Festival unfurls in San Francisco tonight through Sunday with dozens of concerts at various venues, from Willie Nelson at 7 p.m. today at the Fillmore to Girlyman at 8 p.m. Friday at the Swedish American Hall. The festival culminates at 11:30 p.m. Sunday with a free concert featuring Bob Weir & Ratdog, The Greyboy All-Stars, and Marin Sexton at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. www.greenapplemusicfestival.com.

— DIANE PETERSON