Roadside Attraction

 Nickel and Nickel is a premium Napa Valley  winery in Oakville, specializing in single vineyard wines. The buildings on the winery site are classic barns and outbuildings along with a restored  Queen Ann farmhouse dating to the 1880's , all beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained .The story of the buildings can be read here on their website, along with information on their wines if you are so inclined.
 A few years ago, they began to garden the strip of land out side the fence that borders Highway 29. This planting has become a focal point for passers-by --it is dramatic and colorful. I often wish more winerys would copy this for a solid wall of summer gaudiness.  Daniel Thomas,  the landscape designer here, has custom seed mixes made to his order. And yes, this is all grown from seed .

Last year it was the Zinnias and Cosmos; sunflowers were added the first time for the 2013 planting. This is a no-spray garden, heavy on compost  and at least the length of a football field.The highway is no more than 10feet away, off to the left.  After frost the whole thing is disc-ed under and the spring mix is planted; tulips daffodils and poppies. And incidentally, the wine is first rate.


This was taken from inside the fence; I confess to sneaking in early Sunday morning between some bushes where the fence ended. Yes my friends, I am a blogging trespasser.



 The building peeking through the flowers middle left is Mondavi Winery, across the highway. A perspective for those of you who may have traveled here.



  The Oz shot..standing right there as the sun was coming up was mighty nice.


 Here I am standing along the highway, of which you can see a snippet the left--a perspective of the width of the beds. The planting goes some distance beyond the Palm you see on the upper right.


Sunflowers--I wish  had room for them.


A bit more trespassing.


And on the way back home..balloons !


Comments

  1. Wow, it does look so colourful and cheerful and a much better sight than just barren land. And the hot air balloons are just a great sight to see!

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    Replies
    1. The weather conditions have to be just right for ballooning here..no wind, no rain, no fog !

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  2. If more wineries jumped on the garden bandwagon they would be the ultimate day trip destinations. Now if they would start serving food...

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    Replies
    1. It's a use permit issue here Sue..they all have kitchens and most serve food at no charge to wine club members, vips, etc.Well, quasi no-charge--you pay one way or another !

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  3. "will trespass for the beautiful blog photo"...not so bad really. At least you weren't picking the flowers. I mean you weren't right?

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    Replies
    1. Trespassing is incredibly liberating. Must do it more often.

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  4. Magical! Beautiful colors and the being there as the sun came up was to wonderful for words! The balloons are so vibrant! Gorgeous! Thanks for breaking the law for us!

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  5. I have plans for tomorrow morning, but probably no sneaky stuff. A perfectly legal Farmers Market photo shoot.

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  6. Thanks for trespassing, but they can't honestly think that people wouldn't stop for the happy combination of sunflowers and zinnias.

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