Next time you are visiting the Napa Valley, be sure to stop at Hurley Farms, a picture perfect farm along the Silverado Trail where you can drive in and purchase freshly picked produce, eggs from their free roaming chickens, herbs and plant starts along with Hurley's signature olive oils, mustards, vinegars and jams, made right there on the premises. Four lovely acres of fruit trees, berries, vineyard and vegetables adorn the farm, home to Sherri Hurley and her family.
Husband, father, mother, sister, daughter and aunt all help her run the farm and kitchen operations. Ecologically minded, Hurley practices organic methods to enrich the soil and sustainability of the farm as well as reusing and recycling where possible. In the midst of the California drought, Hurley also uses dry farming methods on their vineyard and mature fruit trees, which they believe stress the plants to bring out the fruits' intense flavors. This is indeed evidenced when Rachael Ray hailed Hurley Farms Apricot Jam as her very favorite!
The newest addition to the Hurley product line are shrubs, a fruit sweetened vinegar concoction that may be added to sparkling water for a refreshing and healthful beverage, or added to mixed drinks. An old idea making a revival, shrubs make the most of what the farm produces by using and preserving more of the season's fruits. Our favorite was the orange shrub which we included in our Spring 2015 shipment.
Ever seeking to expand creatively, Sherri plans to offer dried herbs next year from the abundance growing on the property. Look for more Hurley Farms items in your Harvest crates!