The Sonoma Table

Dame Gayle Okumura Sullivan grew up near San Jose and eventually found her way to Sonoma

County, setting down roots in the Dry Creek Valley where she and her husband and young

son devoted themselves to building and sustaining Dry Creek Peach, an historic, organically

farmed stone fruit orchard with 1,000 trees, the only dedicated, certified-organic peach

farm in the county.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the South Bay, Almaden, surrounded by apricot orchards. 

What’s your heritage or what would you like to share regarding your heritage?

I am third-generation Japanese, sansei. My parents and all my siblings (there are four of us)

were born in Canada though. My dad moved to San Jose to practice medicine, he was an

orthopedic surgeon. Food has always been an important part of our family. 

How’d you get into the food industry?

I moved to San Francisco once I graduated from college. When our son Patrick was born, my

husband Brian and I started looking for a place outside the city. We were looking for land to

work with and found Dry Creek Peach. 

Who inspired you to get into food and farming?

I had always thought if I could preserve land in some way, I would. The apricot orchards I

used to walk through to get to school when I was growing up no longer exist, they are mostly

tract homes for Silicon Valley. The history and practice are gone. It has been rewarding to

continue the work of Dry Creek Peach (24 years ago we bought an existing peach orchard)

and to work to improve it and to share it with others. We had no farming background before

buying the farm. My professional background was in technology marketing. 

So many people inspire us – our farm manager Eusebio Sayago, visionary chefs and dedicated

restaurant staff, the wineries that surround us, and growers and makers. 

What are you currently doing? Are you working on more than one thing?

There are two families involved with Dry Creek Peach – our family and our farm manager

Eusebio Sayago’s family. We all have different responsibilities. With Patrick now a young

adult and Brian retired from his financial position, they have taken on larger roles on the

farm. 

In addition to co-owning Dry Creek Peach, I am also the Executive Director of Healdsburg

Jazz. Music is such an important part of our life. If you have ever been to the farm stand, you’ll

see vinyl spinning and a great selection of music. We’ve been doing this since day one. Patrick

grew up with Healdsburg Jazz and is a drummer/songwriter/educator. Each year Healdsburg

Jazz hosts a nine-day festival in June that brings in over 100 top artists, and about 10,000

people come and enjoy Healdsburg, music, food and wine. Healdsburg Jazz also provides free

music education. 

Tell us a bit about your accomplishments.

When we bought Dry Creek Peach in 2000, many thought we would convert it to grapes. We

had no intention of doing that. We have expanded the orchard. When we bought the farm, an

acre was conventional asparagus. Now the orchard is 100% CCOF-certified organic and

dedicated stone fruit. We expanded the distribution and have strong relationships with

restaurants like Chez Panisse. We make jam, cobbler mix and seasonal Bellini mix. More than

anything, we work hard to create the healthiest orchard environment and grow the best-

tasting fruit. We are located in one of the most beautiful places in the world, with rich soil and

great climate. Again, I feel so fortunate. 

Have you found yourself being motivated to do more in your community – and if so,

in what way?

My mother always said, “Be of use and serve.” We love being part of the agricultural and food

community, the Healdsburg community and the music community. We do what we can to

support and serve these communities.  

What do you like to do for fun?

I love eating, travel and hiking. During a recent heat spell, we headed to Mendocino, swam,

spent the night and had wonderful meals there. We were in Mallorca in the fall (off peach and

jazz season) and dined at Ca’s Patro March, hiked Torres del Paine in Patagonia and

everything was spectacular.   I cherish Sunday mornings when I get them – watching CBS Sunday Morning (with coffee and a hard copy of The New York Times) and then Meet the Press. 

I love shared meals out on our screened porch, looking into the orchard, any time of year. 

Do you have favorite restaurants or cafes that you like to support in Sonoma County?

Some restaurants that feature our fruit include Diavola, Catelli’s, Corner Project, Matheson,

Baci, Kendall-Jackson and Downtown Bakery. We love them all! We also appreciate Russian

River Brewing’s annual Dry Creek Peach beer and Alley 6 peach brandy.

What do you enjoy about being a Dame?

I marvel at the accomplished and remarkable women who are part of Les Dames and the

work being done to support and advance one another. I feel like it’s a Who’s Who roster. We’re

all in this together and so much better together!

—Written by Dame Virginie Boone