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 !
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 !
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!
ReplyDeleteThe weather conditions have to be just right for ballooning here..no wind, no rain, no fog !
DeleteIf more wineries jumped on the garden bandwagon they would be the ultimate day trip destinations. Now if they would start serving food...
ReplyDeleteIt'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 !
Delete"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?
ReplyDeleteTrespassing is incredibly liberating. Must do it more often.
DeleteMagical! 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!
ReplyDeleteI have plans for tomorrow morning, but probably no sneaky stuff. A perfectly legal Farmers Market photo shoot.
ReplyDeleteJust love this Kathy! how beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks for trespassing, but they can't honestly think that people wouldn't stop for the happy combination of sunflowers and zinnias.
ReplyDelete