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 Last May, a few of us at Roblar Winery drove to Oregon to pick up a flock of Southdown Babydoll lambs. The name makes them sound like some newfangled designer sheep, but in fact these cuties are a traditional English breed, that almost died out due to the marketplace’s preference for larger cuts of meat.   

They were rediscovered a few years ago and gained renewed appreciation for their calm temperament, resistance to disease, and their small stature that makes them ideal partners in the mowing and weeding of orchards and vineyards We planted a new Sangiovese, Grenache, and tempranillo vineyard, and the sheep will winter there, grazing on a cover crop of barley, with plenty to eat. We have six Babydolls at this time, and hope to see our flock expand next year.