Wine and Design...and all for a great cause!

Helwig Pavilion and Winery Building

Some of you know by now that one of my favorite things....after great design....is good food and great wine! Throw in some great music and I am in heaven. I have recently had the great pleasure of visiting the growing Amador Wine Country a few times over the last couple of months, and it has been bustling with activity. There are new wineries popping up and wonderful events luring me back again and again. You may remember this blog post.

The latest "must attend" event is coming up soon....September 17th.... so mark your calendars for Triumph Uncorked Fundraiser! The new Helwig Winery, designed by dynamic husband and wife team, Paul Almond and Pam Whitehead of Sage Architecture is the fabulous location for a very special evening of delicious wine, gourmet picnics and smooth jazz. The event benefits the Triumph Fitness Program for Cancer Survivors and the Livestrong Foundation. My friend Pam Whitehead is not only one of the most talented architects in the region, but she is herself an 11 year cancer survivor...AND...the director of the Triumph Uncorked fundraising event in partnership with Spokes of Hope, an organization that supports cancer-related programs.

Helwig Winery Amphitheater with Picnic Pavilion and Winery Building Above

I thought you might enjoy a little peek at the Helwig Winery with its breathtaking amphitheater views of the Amador Wine Country...... isn't she a beauty?

Just a hop, skip from my front door.....aren't I just the lucky one? See the lady in the crocheted sweater? that could be you...sipping wine....snacking on goodies and listening to .....

Views from the Amphitheater

.......Utopian Dreams.....

Utopian Dreams 

Will I see you there?.  I'll be the one staring off into the distance at the Helwig Three sisters, wine glass in hand......

The Three Sisters at Helwig Winery

For all of the information about the event, and tickets (must be purchased by September 14th BTW! Ticket sales close by noon)....... hop on over HERE. 

Daytripping: Amador Wine Country

View from Andis Winery in Amador County

 Last Saturday Tim and I took a day trip up to Amador County in the beautiful Gold Country where wine growers have gained huge traction over the past five years. My friend Leanne invited us to celebrate her birthday at the first annual Barbara Festival which took place at Cooper Ranch. The tickets sold out in about three days....we were lucky to be on the waiting list and got tickets by the skin of teeth! Northern California is serious about its wines! 

Cooper Ranch has been growing grapes for five generations and has a stunning property. They generously hosted the sold out event on a perfectly beautiful day.

 Barbara is a grape that originated in the Piemonte Region of Northern Italy, and by lucky happenstance, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada have made a perfect home for growing Barbara, as well as Zinfandel grapes. Most, if not all, of the Amador wineries produce Barbara wines, as well as Sangiovese and Zinfandel wines.

This festival,was organized in partnership with the organizers of a "sister" festival held in Nizza Monferatto, Italy. At the event in Italy, three California winemakers were invited to present five California Winery barbera wines. At this festival, five Italian wineries presented their barbera wines, most of which are not distributed in California. It was a treat to taste the differences that environment can have on a grape.

Delicious Desserts offered by Clark's Corner Cafe

 The wine was not the only ingredient teasing our taste buds. Food purveyors  provided delicious dishes such as Duck Risotto, Pork Tenderloin with a spring corn and white bean hash, and blueberry and Fontina cheese lasagna. Some of the participants included Taste Restaurant (recipient of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence), Tuli Bistro, and Bocconato Trattoria. 

We tasted, we ate, we listened to the music, but what I love the most was just being here taking in the views of the rolling vineyards with the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the background.

 After we had thoroughly enjoyed the festival, we decided to take in a few of the wineries in the region Andis Winery. My friend Ruthie was the manager of the tasting room and I had been hearing rave reviews from many of my friends about a winery that not only was producing great wines, but had taken a very contemporary approach in the construction of their wine tasting facility. Andis Winery hired the talented architectural team of Sage Architects to design something memorable and different.

 Husband and Wife team Paul Almond and Pam Whitehead conceived of a modern contrast to the rustic  surroundings. One of my favorite elements was the use of wine barrel staves in the design as a screen along one side of the building. The weathered grey color and the texture of the screen adds a softness to the sophisticated exterior. 

For more photos you can hop on over to Sage Architecture's website HERE and read more about their thoughts on the design.  

 Andis was one of the participants at the Barbera Festival as well. After we tasted a few of their wines, we declared Andis as one of the top of our list. We came away with a delicious Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for summer and a red blend known as Painted Fields.

We relaxed in the shade and soaked up the beauty for awhile....

 before heading off to Leanne's gracious parents' home to take in a round of Bocce Ball and good conversation before heading back down the hill.....

 A day well spent....

For those of you who missed the festival, perhaps this will tempt you! 

This October 1st and 2nd, Amador Vintners are hosting:

THE BIG CRUSH

36 participating wineries, world class wine, fabulous food, live music and entertainment, 

Harvest in action.

Check it out HERE 

along with many other Amador Wine events coming up this summer.

What are you doing this weekend?

Seek and Ye Shall Find: Quixote

A little bit off the beaten path, in the Napa Valley, off the Silverado Trail in a place called Stag's Leap Palisades, you will find a place that looks a bit different: Quixote.

It has golden domes, roofs of grasses and mosaic columns...and there is not a single straight wall to be found.

It is a fairytale of a place created by men with a vision and a philosophy: "With Cervantes’ Don Quixote as our muse, let us all explore the difference between appearances and reality and engage in the noble pursuits of a knight errant."

With this in mind, wine maker Carl Domaini of Stag's Leap fame began plans for another winery with a man from Vienna. A man who was perhaps ahead of his time. Artist, architect, philosopher and environmentalist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) was perhaps one of the most well known Viennese artists of the 20th century, but was not mainstream by any means. Calling straight lines "the devil's tools" and advocating for environmental sensitivity way before is became fashionable, Hundertwasser was a man apart.

His ideals are evidenced in this magical winery that specializes in Petite Syrah. We found our way here and were lucky to find that the "by appointment only" visitation was not in effect. We were led to a very beautiful patio, which we had all to ourselves.

The mosaic work was stunning. All white and blue, the garden planting echoed the color theme with only blue flowering plants in sight. We found out that the craftsmen were at first non-plussed about the free form design of the mosaic. but were soon convinced this was how it should be done. I understand they were more proud of this project than any other, once it was completed.

We sat in the patio, and thoroughly enjoyed our tasting of wines. We felt pampered and it was so very pleasant, we did not want to leave.

Perhaps it was the perfect weather, or the brilliant surroundings.

Perhaps it was the charm of our knowledgeable wine expert, Rene Haug. His Swiss accent and generous pours certainly captured our spirits.

Or perhaps it was the very good wine.

Quixote wines have a history of producing exceptional wines that have scored typically in the mid 90's from Wine Spectator. We now know why.

We did not leave without purchasing quite a bit.

I hope you don't leave without clicking over to Quixote to learn more about it.

A Week in Napa Valley Starts with Ma(i)sonry

Ma(i)sonry

I was in Napa a couple of weeks ago and really...I had meant to blog about it sooner. But life has a way of turning things on their heads...me included. I had a wonderful day with two good friends, and aside from the sweltering heat ( I think it was 120 degrees....OK I'm exaggerating, but not by alot) we had so much fun. So, this week I am blogging about all of the things we did and places we went. (I know the title is a little confusing. I was there for the day, but YOU will be seeing our day all week!).

We came to Napa Valley for a wine tasting and book signing event taking place at Ma(i)sonry in Yountville. One of only three stone buildings constructed in Yountville, the building that is now Ma(i)sonry was built in 1904 as the primary residence of Charles Rovegno, an Italian immigrant lured to the fertile farmlands of the valley.

The newest owner, Michael Polenske, has taken this historic building and through careful preservation and meticulous renovation, has turned it into a showplace for fine art, carefully selected vintage furniture and beautifully crafted custom furniture, as well as a a boutique wine tasting venue. Ma(i)sonry has become a collective for a partnership of wine makers such as Blackbird Vineyards, Brown Estate, Joel Gott Wines, Lail Vineyards, Pedras Wine Company, Renteria Wines and Tor Kenward Family Wines.

Here is proprietor and curator, Michael Polenske with girlfriend, Kimberly Miller (editor of Daily Candy, San Francisco by the way!) Handsome couple, no?

Also an art and furniture collective, Ma(i)sonry is currently exhibiting works by Chiara Mondavi ( yes, THAT Mondavi) and Wade Hoefer. Furniture collective partners include such greats as Ron Mann, Alexandra von Furstenburg, Citizen:Citizen, and Hudson Furniture.

Front Room

Michael assembled a team of talent to renovate the building and the grounds with the help of Project manager, Paul Leary (also COO of Blackbird Vineyards....many hats!). Architects Douglas Thornley, Gould Evans/Baum Thornley, Designer Erin Martin , and Landscape Architect, Dave Roche of Roche + Roche worked to create the perfect marriage of historic preservation and modern design. Please check out the Ma(i)sonry website to learn all about the process. In the photo above you can see how the old stone walls were a rustic counterpoint to the new industrial modern staircase.

The spaces are filled with antiques and art, like the landscapes of Wade Hoefer shown above and below.

A piece by Chiara Mondavi hangs above a Bombe console.

Clever "art"!

Another piece by Chiara Mondavi sits above a console by Alexandra von Furstenburg.

The decomposed granite patio is full of furniture designed by legendary Ron Mann.

Doesn't it look lovely and cool here? I am sure it is wonderful on most days, but on this particular day it was hot, hot, hot!!!! I was very thankful that there was an abundance of a very refreshing citrus punch, and slices of cool watermelon, as well as delicious wines from the collective wineries. The table is all ready for the book signing for the Orlando Diaz-Azcuy book by Diane Dorrans Saeks, (which is available here)

Somehow Diane and Orlando managed to look serenely cool, collected and quite wonderful! Be sure to checkout Diane's blog, the Style Saloniste! She has a wealth of knowledge about design and architecture.

Many thanks to Michael and Kimberly for hosting such a fun event ! Ma(i)sonry is a "must see" for anyone planning a trip to the Napa Valley.

All photos by katiedid except those of the patio provided by Diane Dorrans Saeks