Stuhlmuller Vineyards: An Evocative Crush Snapshot
Stuhlmuller Vineyards offered me the chance to come shoot while they are taking in fruit. Due to the vagaries of scheduling and brix, I missed shooting the fruit in the bins, but caught the chardonnay pressing and some other lovely harvest shots. I hiked down through the vineyards towards the Russian River, trying, in vain, to capture on film. at least, two turkeys and a rabbit who dogged my steps. An incredible almost-Fall day, temperature about 90 degrees F., slightly misted blue skies, hanging grapes, turning leaves, gorgeous vistas….a true Alexander Valley afternoon to remember. It was actually the Last Day of Summer 2012. Stroll with me: Just as Wine Road favorite auteur John Beck explains in his Wine-Road-executive-produced...
Read MoreWine Road Member Meet & Greet & Lunch
A Wine Road Winery & Lodging Luncheon Meet & Greet Mixer @ Wine Road World HQ? Count me in! Our plan is that our lodging members can set up their presentations at tables in the HQ- winery members will then arrive and meet and greet each and every lodging in the room, leading to relationships, comp tasting and specials cards to our lodgings from our wineries, and a knowledge of each other for both. We mixed in a lunch (we had a Food Truck on tap- but they stood us up- which led to the mad dash to Safeway which worked out fine….) and delicious Wine Road wines. This is a cooperative, fun-loving, convivial hospitality group of warm people; we had such a great time! The more we know each other, the better is your Wine Road guest...
Read MoreArmida Winery
Armida Winery, baby of brothers Bruce and Steve Cousins, welcomes and entertains visitors at the top of its long, vineyard-surrounded driveway, home to daily tastings, Wine Club events and, a new offering, for private events, lovely entertaining spaces, both inside and out, with a commercial kitchen. And don’t forget the Armida Cottage- romantic digs, with lovely, thoughtful, personal touches and amazing views, private, special, snuggled at the top of the driveway above the distinctive deck, bocce ball court, pond and hexagonal TR, home to poizin, Antidote, and all the Armida favorites. Here at Armida, there really is, to botch Gertrude Stein, “A THERE THERE”: Vineyards, winery, winemaker, tasting room, estate: all here. The very name,...
Read MoreVintners Inn & John Ash & Co. Restaurant
Vintners Inn and John Ash & Co. Restaurant, presented by Ferrari-Carrano, tucked away on Barnes Road, right in the vines, surrounded by gardens, is reminiscent of a sweet French country inn, with romantic accommodations in villa-styled digs with fireplaces and private balconies or patios, full of flowers, creature comforts and guarded by Normandy poplars to further set the French theme. This green-styled, four diamond inn offers the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, wedding, private event, and luxurious dining; specials and packages are available. Lots of activity or quiet, restful peace can be found here: from the bocce court hidden in the garden under the impressive old oak, to the vineyard jogging path, the gorgeous, flowering gardens, bubbly spa...
Read MoreHealdsburg: Late Summer Skinny
As summer draws to a close along Wine Road, figured I would give you a brief compilation of what has caught my eye as particularly cool or unique or incipiently so as I roam about the ‘burg. In no particular order: The Taverna Sofia is getting close to opening, late October, in the former space occupied by Bovolo at Copperfield’s Books on the Downtown Healdsburg Plaza. I love the trompe l’oeil mural depicting a right smashing view of Santorini’s Oia- looks like baked goods and Mediterranean classics, al fresco and also inside. This is the patio to the south. Over on Mill Street, I have heard rumblings of a new place called The Parish Cafe, New Orleans and Cajun styled food. Under construction remodel, mysterious…. Our...
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