At Paloma Vineyard, most people know us for our award-winning wines and breathtaking views from Spring Mountain’s peak. But one thing that sets us apart from other wineries is our hummingbird population. At times, with hundreds of hummingbirds flitting around the outdoor tasting area and vineyard in the summertime, it can be challenging to focus on the wine, but what a sight to behold.
Our hummingbirds add a magical touch to the wine-tasting experience–guests come for the wine but stay for the birds! These native birds flock to our vineyard and many stay year-round.
Paloma Vineyard’s Hummingbirds
In the early days, Barbara started putting out a feeder or two in the summer to attract hummingbirds. Our guests loved the birds so she slowly got additional feeders and tested leaving them out over the winter. Initially, Paloma only attracted a handful of hummingbirds. But year after year, more hummingbirds flocked to our feeders– first 30, then 50, then 100.
Today, Sheldon puts out about twelve to sixteen feeders in the summer and, according to some of our guests that sip wine for hours and count the birds, we regularly have over 300 hummingbirds on our property. The hummingbird feeders are placed all around our deck, so our guests have optimal viewing no matter where they sit.
The hummingbirds are so captivating that we often find ourselves staging “interventions” to get our guests to step away from them and back to their wine tasting.
And although these birds are tiny, they eat a lot–we feed them 10 pounds of sugar a day in the summertime. When the hummingbirds aren’t flapping their wings around our sitting area, they sleep in their nests in nearby deciduous trees.
When Are the Hummingbirds Around?
The hummingbirds are most prevalent at Paloma Vineyard in the warm season, between May and October. That said, a handful of the hummingbirds skip migration entirely and stay year-round. We continue to feed them throughout the winter months to make sure they have a strong supply of food.
What Species of Hummingbirds Visit Paloma?
At Paloma, our guests have spotted almost all species of hummingbirds native to Northern California. Our most frequent visitors include Ruby Throated, Black Chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, Allen, Calliope, and Violet Crowned.
If you visit us between May and October, you’ll find the most diverse amount of species simply because there are more birds around. In the winter, most species migrate south for the warmer climate and a steady food source. But a few species, particularly the Violet Crowned hummingbird, stay around Paloma Vineyard from November to April.
Bird Watch and Sip Wine at Paloma Vineyard
At Paloma Vineyard, you can experience the best of both worlds: bird watching and wine tasting! If you’re an avid bird watcher, we suggest bringing your binoculars to see how many species you can find. And don’t forget your camera! Most guests are able to get great action shots of the hummingbirds feeding, a perfect memento after you leave.
Book a tasting with us today and enjoy the spectacular Hummingbird summer season. Watching the hummingbirds while you enjoy a glass of our Cabernet or Merlot with a stellar view from the top of Spring Mountain is as blissful as it gets.
Interested in learning more about the Paloma Vineyard tasting experience? Check out these posts!
- Sipping in Style: Inside the Tasting Room of Paloma Vineyard
- Paloma Vineyard: Where Wine Tasting Feels Like Home