Philip Carter Winery

Happy Monday!  Today is the first day of #WineryWeek.  If you use Twitter, wine enthusiasts, wineries, and wine shops are tweeting about their favorite wines using this hashtag.  I would like to do my part in supporting the local wineries/ vineyards in my neck of the woods, Virginia.

Philip Carter Winery is located in Hume, Virginia and is known as the “First Family of Wine.”  They will be celebrating their 248th anniversary in winning the first ever gold medal in wine tasting in America.  That’s pretty special.  They are also very supportive of local artists.  I had my first solo art show there which included a virtual wine tasting. We had a blast!

They will soon release their 2008 Cleve, which a Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 35% Petit Verdot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has been aged in French and American oak for 18 months. Cigar box and smokiness dominate the nose with a hint of violets. On the palate the wine fills the mouth with black cherry and currants flavors, then finishes with firm, but silky tannins. As soon as I get my hands on a bottle I’ll be tweeting like crazy about it!

My favorite is their 2008 Chardonnay. Gold medal winner in the 2010 San Fransisco Chronicle Wine Competition, to the nose it has a delicately balanced citrus/ honeydew melon bouquet, with a honeysuckle finish.  On the palate it is butter and vanilla with a hint of oak. The finish it like eating a butter cream pie.  It is very smooth and refreshing.

Come join us on Twitter for #wineryweek, which was started by @TweSommelier.  For more information click here.

“Philip Carter Winery”

20 x 28 Oil on Canvas.  On display at Philip Carter Winery

Cheers! *clink*

-Erika

More Friggin’ Flowers and Screw Cap MisHap

“Getting to Know One Another”

13 1/2 x 16 1/2 Oil on Canvas Board, Oak Frame  $219

In my earlier post, I mentioned that I’m currently taking a break from vineyards and I am going crazy with my palette knife painting flowers.   I wanted to paint a colorful bouquet and give the flowers a three dimensional look, so it’s as if you can pick them right from the canvas.  I did however paint this while drinking a Bonterra Chardonnay from Medocino County, made with Organically grown grapes.

It was  particularly warm for a Virginia spring day  so I decided that it was time to break out the wine.  I drink Bonterra all the time so as I was admiring my flowers I started to use my favorite cork screw to pop open the cork.  Hmmmm, it wasn’t working.  “Wait a minute,” I thought, “I’m not even buzzed yet!”  To my surprise, Bonterra is now using screw caps.  So for future reference, don’t try to use a cork screw on a screw cap.  It doesn’t work…..

Cheers! *clink*

-Erika

(Bonterra photo courtesy of their website)

Neighborly Buds

This is one of the first paintings I ever painted.  I was practicing on painting clouds and working on my brush strokes for the sunflower petals.  I completed this in under 45 minutes.  I love sunflowers because they remind me of people. When I look at this painting I imagine many different conversations going on at one time like,” Hello, how are you?”  “Beautiful day isnt’ it?” ” and so on.  It’s not one of my best paintings, but it’s one of my favorites!

9 x 6 Oil on Canvas Board.  $28

Cheers! *Clink*

-Erika

It’s Flower Paintin’ Time

Now that Spring is here and the Phlox, Tulips, and Azaleas are blooming, I’m taking a quick (really quick) break from painting vineyards and I am focusing on flowers.  I was driving through Afton Mountain on 64 West and saw the most beautiful wild flowers on the side of the road.  I wanted to stop and pick some but I think that’s illegal! So I decided to paint some instead.

“Bloomin’ Frenzy”   9 x 12 Oil (unframed) on Canvas Board  SOLD

Cheers! *Clink*

-Erika

Vino Vacation

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!

Since I am literally running out the door, this post will be short and sweet:

Wine Quote of the Day:

“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking wine:

The arrival of a friend, One’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.”

~Latin Proverb

And remember:

Wine drinkers make grape lovers.   ha ha

This painting is currently hanging in my studio.  When I am mad at my husband,  PMSing,  etc., I look at this and imagine walking right into an Italian bungalow, propping my feet up and sipping a glass of 2001 Paleo.

28 x 45 triptych Oil on wrapped canvas  $475.

What are you drinking this weekend?  Are you going to a vineyard? Wine festival? Getting together with some friends?

I would love to hear from you.

Cheers! *clink*

-Erika

Virginia Wine at Julep’s

Julep’s in Shockoe Bottom (Photo from website)

(Photo Courtesy of Website)

Any time I can help the local economy, I’m in. Especially when drinking wine is involved.   Not so long ago, restaurants, local wine shops and grocery stores promoted Virginia Wines.  It was called  “Love By the Glass,”  and was organized by www.virginiawine.org.  By the way, if you need to know everything and anything about Virginia Wineries and events, this is the website to go to.  Julep’s, located in Shockoe Bottom, kicked off the Week’s promotion.  Virginia’s First Lady,  Maureen McDonnell was there to show her and the Governor’s support.

I was by myself so I went straight to the bar to taste some wine (hey, I needed to look busy!).  As I was tasting my Stone Mountain 2006 Petit Verdot, a young lady was standing next to me.  She was wearing some killer shoes so I had to compliment her on them. Come to find out, she worked for Barboursville Vineyards, the first vineyard I ever visited.  Her name was Jerilyn Monts and she was absolutely lovely!  Barboursville hired a great person to represent their vineyard!

As I was tasting the Kluge 2007 Albemarle Viognier, I munched on the fine cuisine that Julep’s had to offer: Roast Beef on Baquettes, Bacon wrapped scallops on cornbread, and fried pineapple.

I then met Sarah Huggins, who is the Executive Director of the Governor’s Mansion.  We had a great conversation about her job working for the Governor.  I was happy to hear that the Governor and his wife totally support local products, and as soon as the Governor took office he made sure that many of the products used in the mansion were produced in Virginia, including everything from wine to flowers to peanuts.  Thanks for sharing that with me Sarah!

In conclusion, it was a great event- Kudos to Julep’s and VirginiaWine.org for making this happen!

Tasting notes:

Stone Mountain 2006 Petit Verdot:  To the nose: Tobacco, Plum, and Raspberries.  To the palette: Real Licorice, Pepper Steak with Sauteed Onions, Black Currants.  Fermented in Stainless Steel and French Oak.

Kluge 2007 Albemarle Viognier: To the nose: Lemon, Pink Grapefruit, and Apples.  To the palette: Sweet Tarts, Lemon Zest with a honeysuckle and almond finish.

Since Barboursville was the first vineyard I ever visited I decided to post this painting:

“Bursting with Flavor”   Barboursville Vineyards

16 1/2 x 13 1/2 Oil on Canvas Board, Oak Frame Cherry Finish.  $214

Cheers! *clink*

-Erika

Episode 1

Welcome to Episode One! Enjoy the wine, music, and painting! Please take a minute to answer my “sports” question. Also, feedback is welcome.

Cheers!

ArtsyErika

Introduction:Bringing My “AHA” Moment to Life

Wait! Don’t press “play” just yet! Before you watch my “Official” Introduction, I want to share several things about my adventure in bringing this video to life. First, it’s one thing to paint in your own little world in your safe, comfy studio.  It’s another to do it in front of the camera, eventually for family, friends, heck, maybe the whole world to see!  Second, I didn’t realize how much I swing my hands all over the place.  Third, I roll my eyes a lot, and finally, it’s REALLY hard not to say “UM.”

With that being said, welcome to “Let’s Drink some Wine and Paint!”
(ok you can press the “play” button now!)

Tune in for Episode 1 on Thursday, February 11th!

Cheers!

ArtsyErika

artandvino@gmail.com          

Share

Taste Wine….Tweet!

This blog was inspired by Eagles Nest Winery, located in San Diego, California.  I met Dennis through Twitter, along with a lot of other great wineries.  Dennis recently conducted a “Virtual Tasting”  from his winery.

A “Virtual Wine Tasting” consists of the following:

1) Set up a time and date

2) Advertise it on your website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and any other socialmedia outlet

3) Invite local guests to attend the tasting and tweet about each wine

4) Invite out of town guests to buy the featured wines ahead of  time and conduct the tasting through Twitter.

That’s it! Well, there’s a little more to it, and Dennis even took it a step further to stream his tasting live.

To read more about Eagle’s Nest Winery and the virtual tasting, check out Dennis’ blog : WINE TASTING  SAN DIEGO.  His Twitter handle is @EaglesNestWine

For those who didn’t read my “Swirl, Sniff, Taste…..Tweet” blog, I will be conducting a virtual tasting to coincide with my Art Show on August 23rd.  I will be using #twinet during my virtual tastings.

Philip Carter Winery will be hosting my Artist Reception.  Known as the First Family of Wine, they have a rich history in wine making which I wrote about in “I Drank Some Wine With Thomas Jefferson.” Click on their website to read more about the history of wine making in Virginia.  My Art Show is on their calendar (Yay!).  Their Twitter handle a @pcwinery.

Cheers!

Erika

www.artandvino.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG

Swirl, Sniff, Taste……Tweet?

Greetings Wine Enthusiasts!  Before I get into the explanation of my blog title, I want to show off one of the pieces I have been working on in preparation of my Art Show at Philip Carter Winery starting August 8th.

“Vacation in Wine Country”

I am also VERY excited to announce that my Artist Reception, which is on August 23rd, will also be a virtual wine tasting!  As most of you know, I utilize Facebook and Twitter to market my paintings and my love for wine.

I have this increasing determination to learn as much as possible about Twitter and how Wineries are using this mega socialmedia  machine to market their business.  I have met a lot of Vineyards and Wineries from all over the world through Twitter, particularly Eagles Nest Winery in San Diego, California.  Dennis, the owner, has utilized Twitter in a way that has wine enthusiasts buzzing.  He recently conducted a virtual tasting which included a live stream and Tweeting.

You can read more about Dennis, Eagle’s Nest Winery, and his virtual tasting  on his  WINE TASTING SAN DIEGO BLOG.

Dennis has inspired me to create a new blog called “Taste Wine, Tweet!”   While I am not painting, I am going to work with Wineries on how they can also utilize Twitter and conduct virtual tastings.

To read more about virtual tastings, mosey on over to “Taste Wine, Tweet!”

As soon as I finish most of my paintings I will post them on my website www.artandvino.com.

IF YOU BUY A PAINTING, YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GIFTS:

If you buy onsite or live in Virginia, you will receive a bottle of Philip Carter Wine (valued up to $18) and a box of coffee infused chocolates.

If you buy a painting online, you will receive a pair of BoBerry Design Wine Glass Holders and a box of Coffee infused chocolates that pair wonderfully with a Merlot or other red varietal.

Cheers!

Erika

www.artandvino.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG