Bubbles
and Bites – Oh, My!
If I had to label the Summer of 2019 for this artist,
I might call it my “Summer of Great Escapes,” where I focused on realigning my
health and creative center. Instead of a one- or two-week long vacation this
year, I took what I refer to as mini vacations to see family and friends and to
experience something new. These escapes help clear my mind so I can proceed
with recalibrating my priorities and direction. After my miraculous escape from
a determined tree followed by a mini Florida escape, my third escape was to
Wine Country California, a wonderful way to combine family visit and vacation –
closing one season and entering another with a fresh outlook, new memories, and
a lot of good ideas for new paintings.
Elaine Weiner-Reed –
Gloria Ferrer Vineyard and Winery 2019
Part 2: Sonoma – Sedately, We Roam
Nirvana
of the senses: Two days, two vineyards, two tastings. One winner.
We
had found the perfect balance.
Part 1 (Napa) and the Wine Trolley behind us, my sister and I arrived in Sonoma late Saturday
afternoon, having made our way sedately through the glorious countryside from
Napa, calmed by never-ending vineyard vistas. I admit that we left our Napa spa
resort hotel behind us with some regret, but we found our Sonoma city hotel a
block from the town square to be comfortable and in a perfect location to begin
our multi-sensory explorations of Sonoma.
My sister and I would always joke about the fact that “wine time is
anytime,” but the fact is, we normally do not partake before 5:00 PM in our
current time zone. Consequently, it was with some trepidation and lingering
memories of wine-trolley-day that we reserved the only available time slot remaining
– morning – for the one tasting we could schedule for our only full day
in Sonoma. That 10:30 AM Sunday reservation was for the Gloria Ferrer Vineyard,
specifically for their “Bubbles and Bites” sit-down tasting. Not only was the
wine time slot taking us out of our comfort zones, but so was the focus of the
tasting, namely sparkling wines, or American “champagne.” Generally my preferred
wine is red and not bubbly: Pinot Noir, Syrah, or Merlot.
So, tired and dubious at best, at 10:30 AM sharp we were welcomed by our
vineyard hostess and hastened to the private dining room, the last party to
join the four wine aficionados already seated at our table. Large picture windows
offering views of the vineyard lent warmth to our bespoke table, elegant in its
floral arrangement and crystal place settings. Pretending to be on East Coast
time, I surrendered myself to the experience, intuitively knowing this would be
the piece de resistance of all wine tastings to date. I was not disappointed
(none of us were), for our last-minute reservation had teamed us with kindred
tablemates with whom we conversed, laughed, and toasted amiably throughout what
evolved into a sublime two-hour tasting.
Elaine Weiner-Reed –
Gloria Ferrer Bubbles&Bites Sept.2019
We each learned much more than ever before about wine-food pairings as
hostess Becky alternatively regaled us with highlights of wine-making processes
and specific historical or viniculture points of interest. Explanations of our
exquisite plate of gourmet treats was provided by the Chef, who had artfully
designed each hors d’oeuvre and placed them on the plate to align with each
bite’s companion wine. Specific ingredients were selected to perfectly pair
with a specific wine – which they did, resulting in us requesting recipes as
selective refills allowed us to explore a varietal in more depth. As a bonus,
we were treated to several additional off-menu prime wines, each served individually
in tailor-made wine glasses designed to bring out the flavor of each wine. As
we reluctantly prepared to leave, we were treated to a quick peek in the wine
cave, home to the large steel vats nursing future sparkling wines. So engrossed
was I in the entire tasting experience, I unfortunately took no photos of our
delectable bites or wines, but the photo of our menu (above) will give you a
good idea of our gourmet treats. Each wine was superb, and the Pinot Noir was
among the best I have ever had. My additional notes regarding specific food
bites include: 1) the caviar was Sturgeon roe; 2) the strawberries in the
trifle were bourbon-soaked.
Elaine Weiner-Reed –
Gloria Ferrer Vineyard Terrace
Gloria Ferrer’s Bubbles and Bites experience was my first tasting
in which food had been created specifically to pair with wines, definitely tantalizing
our taste buds as we took sips and tastes as directed to unleash flavors. Good
cooking is an art form I greatly appreciate. It isn’t common knowledge, but I
am a foodie, and as such appreciate good food – especially good food
artfully presented. I cook, often creating original dishes which generally
cannot be repeated because I use what is at hand and add spices and ingredients
alternatively based on instinct, taste, and experience. Being able to cook many
foods pretty well makes going out to eat a challenge because I find most
restaurants to be lacking in the imagination, taste, and spice departments. In
all categories, however, Gloria Ferrer excelled. As we completed our purchases
and said our good-byes, my sister and I moved out to the terrace to eat a bit
more and soak in the timeless beauty of the vineyards on that beautiful fall
afternoon. We had one more vineyard on our day’s agenda, but Gloria Ferrer remains
my all-time favorite, epitomizing what a tasting should be.
Our second and final Sonoma vineyard visit was to the Gundlach Bundschu
Vineyard and Winery, recommended by one
of my sister’s friends as being one of the oldest vineyards in the region. This
time, we chose to share a late afternoon tasting on the windy terrace of
Gundlach Bundschu, referred to as GunBun. There we sat, sharing a sandwich and wine
flight as we watched people, dogs, and butterflies traverse around the terrace.
It was another lovely setting in wine country, and it was here that we got a
glimpse of a real wine cave tucked into the Sonoma hillside – a surprise treat
to end our day in Sonoma. The following day, back to Sacramento and I was soon heading
home to Maryland, certain I would be reading my next Kate
Carlisle mystery with visions of the real
Napa and Sonoma dancing in my head.
Elaine Weiner-Reed -
Gundlach Bundschu Wine Cave
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| Elaine Weiner-Reed - Gundlach Bundschu Terrace |
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| Gundlach Bundschu - Love Lies Bleeding (Flower) |
Cheers! Until next time, live creatively and
fully.
Yours in Art,
Elaine
© 2019 Elaine Weiner-Reed (EWR)
All images and content remain the property of the Artist. No reproductions or prints are authorized. All rights reserved.
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