BrewView: Pageo Lavender Farm Lavender Margaritas
By Brandilyn and Christopher Mitchell
In 2015, #BrewView attended the first annual VinoFest, and it was held at the magical Pageo Lavender Farm. It was such a quaint and small event-only 15 wine makers or so-and as you walked around to sample wines you got to chat with the winemakers intimately. We met so many cool people that day, and wanted an excuse to go back. Vinofest has been a part of Central Valley Brewfest the last few years, but Pageo still hosts many wonderful events in its absence. You can host nearly any event there you like on the grounds and weddings are the most popular. How did they get us back for a visit? Their scrumptious brunch cocktails called to us!
Owned and operated by George & Patty Kapor, Pageo has a romantic back-story. The Kapors bought the property in 1998, with an inkling that they wanted to have a herb farm. They had visited an herb farm-restaurant combo in Connecticut called Capriland, and wondered if a small farm in Connecticut could support a year-long venture like that, one in California-with gorgeous weather 11 months of the year-certainly could thrive, too! Patty’s dad visited to check out the property and surprised the family by stating he used to live there in high school! Patty’s dad met her mom on the same property, when he went to rescue one of her family’s cows that got out of the yard. So how cute is it that people both fall in love on this farm *and* seal their love with a marriage on this farm, too!? They got started on their project and in 2007 hosted their first wedding on the farm. Their son Josh graduated from college and became the events manager, and one of their daughter-in-laws, Tina, makes most of the lovely items in the gift shop like the soap, sprays and teas. While weddings might be what they’re known for, their first passion is lavender. It’s everywhere! Imbued in every crevice possible, gracing us with it’s scent and beauty. Along with lavender, they grow other herbs and produce which they use to create their culinary delights. The menu changes seasonally with what is fresh! Yum!
They are open Wednesday-Saturday for brunch on the patio, and require brunch reservations. The patio is lovely year round with their heaters. When we called to RSVP, we requested a grilled cheese sandwich with broccoli salad as the side, a mixed berry spinach salad with homemade strawberry vinaigrette and a soup of the day. It was ready for us Saturday morning and we ordered a Spicy Lady and a Lavender Margarita on our first round with our food. I was skeptical about the Spicy Lady with the jalapeno, but it was the perfect balance paired with blood orange and was our favorite of the four drinks we tried. Look out Bloody Mary, the Spicy Lady has you beat! The Lavender Margarita was very bright and crisp. On our second round, we ordered the Cosmopolitan and The Molly Jane. Both were refreshing and easy-drinkin’. The garnishes for each drink were spectacularly beautiful, and I kept all the lavender sprigs, heehee.
We wandered around the gorgeous grounds and enjoyed the spring air of the valley, on a wonderful date that was long overdue (thanks, covid). We had our 2 year old daughter with us, and she had a blast as well, looking at all the plants and flowers and pretty lights asking us repeatedly “What’s that?” because she had never been anywhere this cool before.
Are you always trying to find unique gifts or want to make a unique cocktail? Buy a bundle of lavender and a bottle of lavender sugar that Tina makes on-site for a thoughtful present (or so you can make some delicious libations at home). Be sure to RSVP for their Mother’s Day Brunch on May 8th! Brunch will be from 11am-3pm, and will include non-alcoholic drinks for $48pp. (Cocktails are extra, and the children’s menu will be available for a cheaper price.) Looking for a mother’s day or engagement photo shoot? You can rent their lavender field for $35/hour for photos. Follow them on either Facebook or Instagram for more info on their seasonal vendor markets, U-pick days, and other fun events. Sip on, friends!
Pageo Lavender Farm
11573 Golf Link Road
Turlock, CA 95380
209-632-5052
