Tag Archives: napa

A Funny Thing Happened on the way BACK from St. Helena

‘White car’ syndrome has struck again- you know: as soon as you buy a white car, you notice all the other white cars on the road? That syndrome?

Case in point: Just back from my Color in the City trip to Wine Country, still fantasizing about what life would be like in St. Helena and beyond, I met an amazing artist, Jennifer Perlmutter, who did this en plein air painting (above) of this view (below) on Hwy 29 near Yountville…

I know! She painted exactly that area where I lived for a month all those years ago when I was first smitten by the area. In her work, Jennifer captures perfectly what I saw too- that magical sun glow on a magnificent landscape… ahhh, her painting makes me feel like I’m right there now. It’s beautiful, Jennifer!

(To see more of Jennifer’s work and learn about what motivates her to paint, click here)

Then my lovely friends, Nona and Derek, invited me to join them for a San Francisco Food Society event this past weekend- a tour of True Grass Farms in Valley Ford…

True Grass is a beautiful example of the food movement I described in my post about people in this region who are going far beyond growing grapes to harvesting heirloom grains, and raising cage free, cruelty free livestock, in a beautifully balanced life of modern technology and true rural living…

Meet Holly, Matt, Evan, and Guido, the founders, owners and real life russellors of the cattle, chickens, and pigs they raise on that gorgeous land behind them. (click on the picture to learn more about them and tune in here  tomorrow for my story!!)

THENNN, this morning, a lovely blog post lands in my email box (to read the entire article, click on the photo below)…

Yep, it seems that this part of the world has captured the attention of a few others besides me. I’m already calculating my next trip; where to go, what to see, who to meet… I’ll let you know what I come, um, up with :-)

 

 

Color in the City, St. Helena IV

There’s so much thought and care put into everything from the grapes and the wine to the food and presentation, the landscapes and interiors. People work hard here to create an effortless and inviting experience. And they really seem to enjoy sharing the fruits of their labor.

You make new friends; Everyone, meet Ashley (Go-to Gal at Tres Sabores) Julie (Owner at Tres Sabores) and Stephanie (Interior Designer, Color Expert, and friend)…

and really REALLY enjoy spending time with old friends; Everyone, these are my sweet ‘young’ pals, Patrik and Steven who shared a wine and cheese paring, olive oil tasting, AND lunch with me at the Greystone Culinary Institute.

Where in the midst of a ‘hard hitting’ day of filming-you know, digging into this ‘gritty’ heart of St. Helena- a simple coffee break turns into an indulgent treat; Everyone, this is JoAnne, my friend, producer, all around awesome gal really enjoying that cappuccino and ice cream delight (what’d they call that again?) at Sogni di Dolci. Yummm.

And if you really let you heart and eyes expand to something wonderful and spontaneous, you might notice something like this…

That’s right, this is a chicken in front of a piano in a barn….

This barn, the barn we found from a little ‘open studio’ sign we saw- and almost missed! Turns to be the studios of artist/sisters Jennifer Garden, printmaker (Everyone, say hello)…

 

And Anne Garden, painter and silk screen artist (we felt like instant pals when we met these ladies)…

The colors and figures in these works in progress are stunning. Jennifer does her printing downstairs and Anne paints up here in the loft…

You know you’re in love with a piece of art when you see it and you’re heart jumps and you immediately think, “I wish I had painted that”. I want this painting!

It’s true, as more and more people wander up to this magic place, the more tourist-y things begin to appear. But you can still be greeted and moved by the natural landscape, the presence of history and time, and the spirited makers that live here today.

I have just two more colors I need to add to my color palette…

I believe every lush shade, tint and hue of green can be seen in the scenic array of both tame and wild greenery out here. Here’s my best shot at harnessing those colors to just two:

It’s been such a cool investment of time and attention visiting St. Helena and Calistoga. As I said on day one, I wish I could spend a whole month here checking out the entire region; Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Rose… but alas, I have other things to do and other places to go. Rough life, it is…. not really :-)

Check back one last time tomorrow for a recap and whole color palette of my impressions of St. Helena. Feels great to share this with you.

 

 

 

 

Color in the City, St. Helena 2

This Summer, I was at Tres Sabores winery for a beautiful fundraising event with Project B Dance company (click here to see that post)

At this event, chef Daniel Brooks painstakingly selected (and foraged with the help of volunteers!) almost the entire menu from local in season foods. The movement in these wine country regions is extending way beyond organically and bio-dynamically grown grapes to other healthy crops like heirloom grains that can be milled into flours that are far healthier, tastier, and less upsetting to our systems then the current modified grains in most foods today.  With just a tad more research I found this remarkable little treasure nestled just off the Hwy 29 between Calistoga and St. Helena: Bale Grist Mill built in 1846. (click the photo for an excellent article)

That’s how I met Jeanne Marioni, officially the Volunteer Coordinator and Community Outreach person, but really: the woman who runs this mill from a familial earthy inspiring passion (click her picture for information about tours and visiting the mill)…

Sharon Pieniak, a graphic designer and photographer has been traveling indefinitely, landing here for awhile to volunteer her time in exchange for a place to stay for a few months. I know! How cool is that?!

 

This is a operating mill that offers tours and mills fresh flour and cornmeal every day for purchase to raise money and keep the property running.

As for Jeanne, when she discovered that one of her ancestors was a miller she set off on a trail that led her to basically rescue this place from ruin when Parks and Recreation started closing parks.

Jeanne found her ancestor’s name in this book of Millers, patents, and mill drawings

Her passion for family history reminded me about my own drive to paint which I'm sure comes from both sides of my family.

Jim, the Miller here, showed us the mill, milled some flour for us, and filled us in on millers’ phrases we still use today.

Keep your nose to the grind stone: millers often grab a handful of flour to smell during milling. If the stones are too close together they create sparks and can burn a farmer’s entire crop. So the phrase really means to pay attention to your work.

Wait your turn (turn of the wheel, the mill, the belts…)

Run of the mill (what grain is being milled that day)…

 

I could go on, but I’ll just be quiet while you enjoy more of the scenery around the mill…

What surprised me the most today was how diverse the terrain is, how long ago Native Americans and then Europeans were drawn to the magic of this land, and of course the bursting and banging of colors that seem to glow in the mysterious light of this landscape…

There are so many colors that jumped out at me today, but these really stood out around the Bale Grist Mill…

See you tomorrow for my next round of stops…

 

 

Color in the City St Helena

“Napa” has become synonymous with  ‘wine country’ here in Northern California. Actually, wine country stretches way beyond the city and county of Napa over an expanse of counties, towns, and regions with more than 400 wineries tucked into a most stunning (and colorful) terrain.

And there’s so much more to this country than wine. There’s a lifestyle here, for sure, that’s different from any other place I’ve been.

A few years ago I hired this tremendous trio of artists (Tricia George, Sierra Helvey, and Mina Reimer) and spent a month in Yountville painting this home that sat on a little knoll above mustard and lavender fields (the top picture was the view from the guest house) with a grove of olive trees and rafter of wild turkeys that greeted us every morning on our walk to Bouchon Bakery.

For many reasons, this is one of the highlights of my career…it’s also the moment I remember feeling the magic of this country and vowing to come back. I could easily spend a month just exploring, but this Summer I settled for a few day trips and mini-adventures focused in Calistoga and St. Helena.

So, let’s start here at Indian Springs in Calistoga.

I recently spent the day here with a friend and felt like I was not only in a different world, but a different state of mind. It’s no wonder really- Indian Springs is the longest continuously running spa (turns 100 years old this year!) in the area. The natural geysers gush hot healing mineral water into their Olympic size pool and the volcanic ash mud baths. (see the steam rising in this photo? That’s the water cooling down in a tank behind the pool)

I had a massage and relaxed by the meditation pond (below) before jumping into the mineral pool for the rest of the day… ahh, heaven…

I asked manager, Brian Rios, about the Merchant family who bought this place about 20 years ago. Without prompting he mentioned that the orange accents (the umbrellas and awnings etc.) were inspired by an artist’s work they saw in France.

besides the pool and spa there are bungalows and hotel rooms for lodging

lounging is totally encouraged in this inspirational setting that reminds me of the Flintstones and Palm Springs and Old Hollwood all at once...

So the artist who inspired the owners has now inspired me to include a bursting orange in my Color in the City palette for this remarkable region…

and the milky soft blue of the mineral pool that held me all afternoon must be included as well…

While you day dream about visiting this restorative place, I’ll work on my post for tomorrow… stay tuned for more Color in the City, St. Helena…

 

MidSummer Night magic: a visit to Tres Sabores with Project B

It’s kind of amazing how tiny moments and exchanges can align like stars to create something magic…

I got a phone call from someone looking for help with their home. I met with her and jumped right into moving things around to bring her family time and favorite things together… we have a wonderful conversation and next thing you know we’re talking about dance, my brother and her friend, Tanya Bello, the Artistic Director at Project B. Dance…

and next thing you know, I’m walking up the path of Tres Sabores Winery in Rutherford, California to this magnificent scene…

Dancers from Project B. on platforms in the vineyard…

and on the hillside…

and emerging from the underground cellar with a parachute.

All of this is set to enchanting music that floats over the vines and around the trees as we follow the dancers up a path to a sprawling old oak tree…

for one last magical dance.Then we make our way to the table of Julie Johnson, owner of Tres Sabores winery, and her husband and wine consultant, Jon Engleskirger, for an indelible offering of local foods grown, raised, and gathered right here. We feasted on Guinea Hen, root vegetables, tomatoes and the most delicious plums I’ve ever eaten.

All of this prepared by Michelin-trained Chef, Daniel Brooks, and his devoted team…

ah, the sweet sweet life…

Thank you, Leila, Tanya, Julie & Jon, Daniel, Stephen, Vilte, Tristan, Kelly, Lindsey, Norma, Chin-chin, Mei-ling, Katherine, Ashley, Seth, Anna, Arturo, Jamielyn, and so many more for a midsummer evening for fairytales and fantasy.

Stay tuned for my next Color in the City, Rutherford- of course!