A Toast with HalloVine!

I was given an art opportunity that both thrilled and scared me. I'm sure you've all experienced these moments. Of course, I immediately said "Yes!" Later, I thought how in the heck I was going to accomplish it?

I was asked to create the 2009 HalloVine wine label art for the Napa Valley winery Madonna Estate. So taking some inspiration from Bacchus, I grabbed my paint brushes and my watercolors and worked. I actually painted two finished peices, very similar to each other. The originals, both available for purchase, are 8"x11" and will soon be listed in my Etsy shop.

A Little HalloVine History
I am the fifth in the series of notable Halloween artists to create a one-of-a-kind collectible HalloVine label. The label idea was created for the love of Halloween and in celebration of the most "spirited" day of the year, Halloween. This year's vintage is a 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Each year the actual wine is different, and each year a new artist is selected to illustrate the label. HalloVine is the perfect wine to sip on a chilly fall evening waiting by the fire for Halloween.

The winery owners admit that this is the most colorful label that has been created for HalloVine wine. That's me...color all the way!! The wine makes an excellent accompaniment for all your Halloween festivities. What a treat to see an actual wine for Halloween on the table!

Madonna Estate is a family owned and operated winery that has crafted fine wines for 87 years. The Bartolucci family has their origins in Italy, and today Andrea Bartolucci, his wife Susan, and their two daughters, Brette and Taylor are partners in the winery. They are the third oldest family still making wine in the Napa Valley. The daughters are the fourth generation family members to be involved in the winery. I also don't have to tell you, that Sue is an avid Halloween collector and very talented artist herself! You can see her wonderful art at TinsellandWhimsy.blogpost.com.

What sets the wines of Madonna Estate apart from other wines is that the grapes are organically grown in the Carneros District of Napa Valley, and they are dry-farmed. The dry farming makes the grapes smaller, but more intensely flavored because they have not been pumped up with water. The grounds are beautiful and the winery staff are so helpful and knowledgeable! They treated my eBay group, PFATT, to a spectacular tasting and tour last year.

Madonna Estate has a full service tasting room, where ten wine varietals may be tasted daily, with the exception of major holidays. The tasting room is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. The winery is located at 5400 Old Sonoma Rd. Napa, CA. the corner of Old Sonoma Rd, and Hwy 121. You do not need an appointment for tasting. Two picnic grounds are also available for your enjoyment. You may visit the website at www.madonnaestate.com , or call 1 (866) 724-2993, or (707) 255-8864 for more information.

You may order your HalloVine wine at Tinsel and Treasure Art show, Sept. 12, at the Alamo Women's Club, Alamo, Calif. We won't be actually selling the bottles due to state laws. Ordering is easy though! I will be there and can sign a label, if you'd like. The wine will be shipped directly to you. You may also order it from the Madonna Estate website, or by visiting the winery. This wine is a must for all lovers of Halloween and wine.

I was given a bottle from last year and I just love having it out on our wet bar. Of course, I will have to drink it this year, but save the label. What a great collection that would be, right? Halloween wine labels?

Happy Haunting!
~ Iva

Here's the second piece I painted that was not used on the label. Can you see the slight changes I made?