An Elegant Wine Country Luncheon

This past August, my husband and I launched our new wine label, Balverne. Balverne is being reintroduced, with legendary winemaker Margaret Davenport in conjunction with the first winemaker of Balverne, Doug Nalle. The original Balverne wine label was a red tailed hawk. We have redesigned the label with the help of artist Bob Johnson of Healdsburg, CA.

My inspiration for the table settings for the launch luncheon was taken from the wine label. The centerpieces are metal, vintage birdcages made into flower arrangements. The colors and textures of the flowers, combined with the lace, burlap and wicker, completed an elegant wine country luncheon that you may experience on a trip to Provence. I conceptualized and styled the arrangements, which were beautifully executed by Anne Appleman Flowers and Plants of Sonoma County.

A four-course luncheon was created and catered by Les & Tara Goodman of Adafinaculinary in Santa Rosa, CA.

Dry Creek Peach, Bellwether Farm’s sheeps’ milk ricotta, curly lettuces with a crushed almond-honey vinaigrette, grilled California lamb shoulder with a parsley pistou, grilled summer squash “ratatouille, Hacienda Zuleta Andino – aged cow’s milk cheese from Ecuador with spiced wine poached cherries. The dessert table was to die for! Bing cherry hand pies, chocolate “Roca” toffee truffles, Cardamom glazed beignets and summer berry trifles. The menu was paired perfectly with the collection of Balverne wines.  For more interesting facts and history on Balverne, view our Press Release.

It was an amazing afternoon! A beautiful setting overlooking the vineyards, meeting new friends, and enjoying great wine and food.
A perfect Elegant Wine Country Luncheon!

Enjoy the journey!
-Renee