HEALDSBURG, Calif. (July 9, 2019) – Flowers Vineyards & Winery, pioneers of growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the rugged coastal ridges of the extreme Sonoma Coast, is pleased to announce the opening celebration of its new destination guest experience today, Monday, July 8. The 15.5-acre estate, located just minutes from downtown Healdsburg, features a hospitality house, the winemaking facility, indoor and outdoor seating, expansive gardens, an outdoor wood-fired oven, an educational culinary pairing program led by celebrated chef Jamil Peden (Campo Fina, Woodfour Brewing, Applewood Inn), and exclusive areas for mailing list members.
Photo Credit: Douglas Friedman
Flowers visitors are greeted by a grove of majestic redwood trees in front of the hospitality house, which was designed in partnership with Walker Warner Architects of San Francisco, a design and planning firm whose principals and associates believe architecture should be expressive, timeless, and always in unity with the natural beauty of the site. Picturesquely tucked into a forested hillside and influenced by the native landscape, the hospitality house captures expansive views of Mount Saint Helena and was designed to make guests feel at home and inspired to create an emotional connection to the site and the Sonoma Coast wines. The design elements of the hospitality house have a personal, connected touch, with an earthy, accessible sensibility. The Flowers team collaborated with local artisans such as ceramicist Zoe Dering for custom pottery and artist Evan Shively for organic wood sculptures as they embody Flowers’ spirit of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The gardens are framed by rammed-earth walls, creating intimate gathering areas for guests to savor Flowers’ wines and celebrate the scenery.
The Flowers winemaking team is led by acclaimed head winemaker Chantal Forthun, who has been with Flowers Vineyards & Winery for more than seven years and whose credits include Oak Ridge Winery, Bonny Doon and Rhys Vineyards. Forthun crafts wines using minimal intervention and native yeast fermentation as she wants Flowers wines to be a pure expression of the unique coastal terroir and the vintage. Additionally, Forthun guides Flowers’ estate vineyards meticulous organic farming practices that she believes produce grapes of the very best quality. Forthun’s experience, trained palate, and deep knowledge of coastal terroir allow her to create spectacular wines with a true sense of place.
Photo Credit: Douglas Friedman
To further showcase this special estate and its Sonoma Coast wines, Flowers Vineyards & Winery has onboarded celebrated chef Jamil Peden to lead the educational culinary pairing program, offering locally sourced, hand-crafted food pairings carefully chosen to enhance the overall experience, stimulate the senses and inspire conversation. Early in his career, Peden spent time refining his craft and technique at several acclaimed restaurants, including The Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, Woodfour Brewing Company in Sebastopol and Campo Fina in Healdsburg. Peden is inspired by Flowers Vineyards & Winery’s new guest experience and supports head winemaker Chantal Forthun’s minimal intervention techniques, showcasing the purest expression of ingredients.
Flowers’ new destination guests experience, located at 4035 Westside Road, four miles away from Healdsburg Square, will be open for tastings seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting experiences will include Experience Flowers, an opportunity to learn about what makes Flowers’ wines a unique expression of the Sonoma Coast, which features a welcome glass of Rosé of Pinot Noir and a flight of four additional wines alongside a locally sourced, hand-crafted educational food pairing. Shared bottle experiences in the gardens are also available. Advance appointments are encouraged as each party will have a dedicated host to guide guests through their tasting. Flowers can be reached by calling 707-847-3661 or visiting www.flowerswinery.com.
About Flowers Vineyards & Winery
More than 25 years ago, Flowers Vineyards and Winery pioneered the growing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the rugged coastal ridges of the extreme Sonoma Coast. Founders Joan and Walt Flowers had a simple goal: to make exceptional wine that captures the wild beauty of the land and the spirit of the Sonoma Coast. Flowers Vineyards & Winery is committed to stewarding the land using sustainable and organic practices at estate vineyards. All wines are made using 100 percent native yeast and minimal intervention winemaking. Flowers Estate Vineyards is located in the Ft. Ross-Seaview AVA. Sea View Ridge was planted in 1998 at an elevation of up to 1,872 feet and 1.8 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Camp Meeting Ridge was planted in 1991 at an elevation of up to 1,450 feet, 2.2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Both are planted along ridgetops to a mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones.
