The Season of Ramps

Wild harvest, quiet flavor, and the wisdom of spring.

There’s a brief moment each spring when the forest floor begins to shift. Before the canopy fills in, before the vineyard fully wakes, something small and vibrant emerges in the shaded, damp corners of the land. A soft green. Broad leaves. A scent unmistakable once you know it.

Ramps: They arrive quietly, but they don’t stay long

At Gilchrist Farm Winery, ramp season has become a kind of ritual. A walk into the woods with a basket in hand, the ground still cool beneath our feet, Lucy never far behind. It’s a harvest that asks for attention — you have to know where to look, when to go, how much to take, and how to leave enough behind for the land to continue its cycle. There’s a respect to it. A rhythm.

Once gathered, ramps move quickly from forest to kitchen. Their flavor — somewhere between onion and garlic, but softer, greener, more alive — finds its way into pastas, eggs, and early spring dishes that mark the transition out of winter. It’s one of the first tastes of the season, and it carries with it a sense of renewal.

But ramps don’t end with the fresh harvest

When dried, their character deepens. The brightness softens into something more concentrated — a savory, umami-rich seasoning that adds depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. A small pinch can transform a meal, carrying the essence of spring forward into the months ahead. It’s this relationship between ingredient and transformation that continues to inspire us.

On April 30, Elizabeth will expand on this idea in her interactive lecture event, Healing in a Pinch, where she’ll explore how everyday spices and ingredients can support both flavor and well-being. It’s part of an ongoing series of conversations we hope to continue — rooted in curiosity, seasonality, and the connection between what we grow and how we live.

For now, we’re simply in the midst of it — harvesting, tasting, preserving, and paying attention. Because this is what the season offers, and we’re glad to be part of it.