Flora Bella Farms was
started in 1988 by James Birch in Three Rivers, California, just six miles from
Sequoia National Forest. The farm is composed of two distinct properties
separated by a little less than 1 mile. Flora Bella is certified organic
according to the parameters of 22 certification bureaus including that of
Switzerland (the most exacting certification) which calls for 7% of the land to
be left to natural growth. Flora Bella is a constantly evolving operation
comprised of many fields, apple, citrus, pear, and stone fruit orchards, as
well as a field in which wild blackberries grow between grape vines and olive
trees. Beside James Birch and Dawn Canter (the incredible owners of the
farm) what makes Flora Bella special is that the only water used to irrigate
the fields is the snow melt from the Sierra Nevadas; no additional water is
EVER introduced into the fields, causing for vicious bouts of water rationing
or flooding depending upon the year and time of year, this also qualifies Flora
Bella as a "Dry Farm". The most celebrated crop from James and
Flora Bella is his Arugula, unlike any you will ever try, at once giant,
supple, and crisp it hits the tongue with a sweetness only matched by a complex
stinging warmth somewhere between horseradish and strong mustard which lasts
just the perfect amount of time.
From Serena Herrick
Serena Herrick is our
bar manager. She is originally from
Colorado and is it is fitting that as we were putting together the drinks list
at Allumette, she dragged along her Caprock Gin and featured it in many original cocktails.
CapRock...
Jack Rabbit Hill farm is
70 acres of organic and certified biodynamic farmland outside of Hotchkiss,
Colorado. Distiller Lance Hanson and his wife Anna use one Holstien still
to make gin, vodka, brandy, grappa, white whiskey, CapRock bitter, and
more. The standards for the fruit, grain, and water used are very high;
only the best fruit from Jack Rabbit Hill, Ela Family Farms and Gunnison River
Farms. Water is sourced from the nearby CapRock geological
formation. The farm is run by 3 people including Lance and Anna and also
includes 18 acres of vineyards, 11 acres of hops, wildllife margins, pastures,
and farm animals. We use their products not only because of the selective
and discerning process and standards (which aligns with what we do at Allumette)
but because their processes result in delicious spirits. All of these
spirits are fruit based, including gin (Jonathan apple) and vodka (chambourcin
grapes). This unusual choice of mash in combination with the still
used and the slow distillation times produces very unique yet versatile
spirits.
