"Here I am, in my kitchen," Daniel says as we start our talk recorded back in November when the first of the rains were coming in. I’ve been sitting on this recording for too long, like I think it’s a fine wine waiting for the tannins to settle. Never mind any silly reasons for the delay: I am no longer hoarding one of my favorite conversations-- with Mr. Daniel D’Agostini (: A farmer, teacher, writer, photographer, among many other things, this OG Amadorian is not only dynamic but Bio-Dynamic, which we learn is a holistic and sustainable way of stewarding the land. 

We talk at his 'stead, the Abbondanza Lavender Farm in Amador's Shenandoah Valley, while (appropro-ly) sipping Zin and slurping split-pea soup. "True stories are easy to tell because they're true," as he begins telling another one. As always, I wish I talked less and let my guest talk more, but Daniel maneuvers around my interjections with such grace and insight. I learned. I laughed. I truly enjoyed. And I hope you do too!