Sunday, October 16, 2011

Call to Artists! Ironstone's 15th Annual Spring Obsession

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year, The Spring Obsession is a glorious entity in and of itself. An event that has grown and matured along side the many talented artists that have made The Spring Obsession such a fun and wonderful event.  Through the years, we have had the pleasure of watching The Spring Obsession artists grow, finding their niche and sucesses in the wide world of art.

In striking visual glory, inspiration for the canvas, The Spring Obsession also welcomes Ironstone's brilliant Daffodil & Tulip presentation. Master Gardner Larry Ringland brings forth that special weekend almost 600 half barrels of full color and delight.  With over 22 tons of daffodils planted throughout the grounds and into this barrel program, The Spring Obsession weekend is breathtaking.  A must see for everyone.

Team work prevails as the Ironstone Team tries to outdo the previous year's team in the decor of the Saturday afternoon's Artist Reception. From indoor garden parties to koi ponds to Obsession Wine trees, you never know what is in store! 

Our in house showman, Executive Chef James is always the hit with his Cooking Demonstrations on Spring Obsession Saturday.  Then again with his many food and wine pairing stations at the Gala Artist Reception that Saturday afternoon. 
You see him here at last years Oyster Station with Champagne no less! 


The Spring Obsession 2012 opens March 3 & 4th. at Ironstone Vineyards in beautiful Murphys. Artists are invited to download the prospectus for both the Theme Division and Open Division from this blog Ironstone's main site http://www.ironstonevineyards.com/

Mark you calendars now. This is an event you don't want to miss!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Vineyard Update from Winemaker Steve Millier

Out in the vineyard last week, Steve Millier, Ironstone's winemaker, was photographed checking the Chardonnay that will go into our Ironstone Reserve Chardonnay program. Looking good too!


On Monday October 3rd, we brought in our Sierra Foothills Estate Grown Viognier. The Viognier came in at 25 brix will go into our Reserve program. The flavors were wonderful and we are very pleased with the grapes.

Tuesday, Oct 4th, we picked our Sierra Foothills Estate Grown Chardonnay. Going into press the Chardonnay was at 24.2 brix and was showing intense flavors. This was a relief to get these grapes in before the midweek rain, which caused us a delay in harvest. We had possibly an inch of rain, but the soils in Murphys tend to dry quickly.

We picked our Muscat Canelli on October 7 & 8 ... stay tuned for more as the season progresses...

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Wine & Food? Chefs & Winemakers? All together now! Nov. 5th!

Yes, they all come together on November 5th here at Ironstone Vineyards for the 4th Annual Winegrape & Gourmet. Hosted by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, this winelovers afternoon features the Sierra Foothills’ top chefs preparing signature dishes which are paired exclusively with a wine selection from an award-winning Calaveras winery.  It can't be more fun munching and sipping all afternoon!  

This truely is a great friends get away event. Relaxing, fun and if you want, educational... yes, you can even learn a bit if you need to justify the afternnoon!  Some of our newer dining establishments will be here to show off their chefs along with our old favorites...

Here is a teaser that was released by the CWA;

Magnolia Café’s Polenta with Mushroom Ragu and Gruyere served with Albariño Acero from Metate Hill Vineyards.


Haven't tried Magnolia Cafe yet? Or Metate Hill's Albarino Acero? Ok then! Here you go!  All in one place!
This is such a fun event I suggest you get your tickets early and bring all your friends along... you can't go wrong!

For more info or to purchase tickets, check out CWA's website,  http://www.calaveraswines.org/my_weblog/4th-annual-calaveras-winegrape-gourmet.htm.
Remember, Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 4 pm at Ironstone Vineyards. $40 in advance, $50 at the door. 


A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Calaveras Food Bank

Friday, September 23, 2011

Artist Painting! Plein Aire Autos ...


"1930 Studabaker" by Katrina Edman
 Saturday is the day! Painting is the way, here come some of California's formost plein aire painters to have some fun in the sun at the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance. The show opens at 10:00 am, benefitting the California 4-H Scholarship fund. Come join the fun!  This year painting on site will be:

Betsy Blackard    http://www.gadurkee.com/index_3.htm
Suzanne D'Arcy  http://www.suzannedarcy.com/about.html
Gil Dellinger       http://gildellinger.com/
George Durkee      http://www.gadurkee.com/index_3.htm
Deanna Furtney  http://www.center4creativity.net/Bio-s.html
Nedra Russ          http://www.nedraruss.com/catalog1.html
Sonny Sorensen  http://townhallarts.com/galerieartists.html


This is such a fun day at Ironstone, with classic autos, muscle cars, antique trucks, motorcycles and even a few classic wood boats, there is something for everyone. Period costumes, live music, great food & beverage which is served by Lions Club International no less!  What a fun group that bunch is too! They also handle the beer booths at the Ironstone Concerts. With well over 300 autos you are sure to find your dream car, maybe take home a painting of it if not the car itself... we can always dream!  Also present are the local 4-H r's here with their projects, demos and presentations.  Word is out that there are as many as 75 of these young bright stars throughout the grounds to answer your questions or help you out if you can't find your way around.  Most certainly a day to set aside, come on out and relax at Ironstone Concours d'Elegance.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

CALL to ARTISTS, Plein Aire All Day at the Concours!

CALL TO ARTISTS * Plain Air painting opportunity, on site Saturday, Sept. 24th. as a part of the Concours d'Elegance. 

NO entry fee, no sales fees & a free lunch. Now what could be more fun!   This is a fantastic opportunity to capture those rare and fun autos of other eras, all in one location. Over 300 classic cars represented as well as classic boats, tear drop trailers and historic motorcycles. And if that weren't enough, costumes galore, 4-H animals and the stunning Ironstone Vineyards Gardens. 

Participating artists also have the opportunity to exhibit framed paintings for sale in Ironstone's Gallerias through October 6th.  Email for more information cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com

The Concours Foundation is a non profit organization raising funds for the California 4-H scholarship funds and the California State Faire Scholarship funds. In addition to the entry fee, funds are also raised through the live auction. Through the years, fine donated paintings have lead the bidding and helped the foundation meet their goals.  Should you wish to donate a painting, you may contact infor@concoursfoundation.com 

Registered Artists must be on site from 9:30 - 3:00 pm Saturday and are free to move throughout the facility and show site.  If you are interested in joining us that day, please contact Chris Gomez at cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com or call 209 728 1251 ext #45.
For additional information, here are two sites with great information

Monday, August 22, 2011

Wine Down the Middle, Fork of the Salmon that is....

Ironstone joins OARS for a great white water rafting trip down the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho Aug. 27th.  Considered one of the continent’s primo rafting destinations, this Middle Fork trip takes you through what are touted as legendary rafting waters. I can attest to the beauty of the high country forests, granite canyons & precious grassland having had the pleasure of representing Ironstone on this same voyage several years ago. 

The food is always outstanding on these trips, but the special treat on the wine trip is our very own Chef James will be on the waters with the group, cooking up a storm at every evening camp.  Paired with the foods, Chris Foppiano will be pouring select Ironstone wines to the happy crowd.  Now, challenging the waters isn't the only fun that goes on with these trips... take a look at the photos of "dress up" night.

Now, OARS didn't do that on my trip!  Can't wait to see what Chef James brings back!

Check out OARS link!
http://www.oars.com/idaho/middleforkwhitewaterrafting.html


Then, sign up for the time of your life!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

July 9, LAVAY SMITH AND Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers

Look out! Lavay is back! 
We love this wild and crazy lady.

Lavay Smith is internationally recognized as The Queen Of Classic Jazz & Blues in the authentic style of the 1940's and 1950's. Lavay's last album received a prestigious 4 & 1/2 Star review in Downbeat magazine.

For details on July 9,  Click Here;  http://www.ironstonevineyards.com/?method=pages.showpage&PageID=fbd86f9f-f8b3-d605-0c12-e2fc85607f1e&WineryID=ccfb1398-cbb1-13a8-2060-60519bcc4868

“Lavay is wonderful! She and her band are a breath of fresh air. It is so unlikely and so exciting that a band would appear on the scene today that plays classic jazz and blues so well and so convincingly.”

---Johnny Otis

“The San Francisco-based Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers are a notable exception to the retro-swing norm. The saucy vocalist and her eight-piece crew actually know the difference between jump music and bland R&B in corny suits. They have been a working unit since 1989 and sound as tight as the legendary musicians they choose to emulate.”
---Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe

“A lush vocal style recalling both Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington.”
----Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

“Splendid vocals and exemplary material.”  ---Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat

“Hands-down the best thing to come out of the jump/swing revival...the gal can sing her tail off.”
---Paul de Barros, Seattle Times

“First-rate vocals...magnificent arrangements...the best combo in town.”
--- Phil Elwood, San Francisco Examiner

“A living testament to the jump-blues era, Lavay is an impassioned singer.”
---William Stephenson, Jazziz

“As close to the real deal as you can get.”  ---Adam Mazmanian, The New York Press

“Pure class and a sense of humor...a time machine in vintage threads.”---Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue

“As a singer, Smith is both ravishing and compelling, and her band, led by pianist Chris Siebert, is world-class.”  ---Marian Wallace, Alternative Press Magazine

“Outstanding...the real deal. Unlike some retro-swing outfits that put posturing above musicianship, Smith and her red-hot musicians are schooled in the nuances of blues, swing, and bop.”
---Lee Hildebrand, East Bay Express

“The Skillet Lickers are bona fide jazz players, proffering chops and Basie-esque arrangements to shame all other modern groups of their ilk. Then there's Smith, whose sultry vocals readily betray the influence of Billie Holiday, Little Esther and Dinah Washington while sounding slavish to none.”
--Buddy Siegal, Orange County Weekly

“I love this band-they’re great!”   ---President Bill Clinton

Monday, June 6, 2011

Country Throwdown Com'n to Town! Murphys that is!

Mark your calendars! June 26 @ Ironstone! Here they come! Willie Nelson and the Country Throwdown Tour!
Check out the Willie page above! 
Buy your tickets here!  http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=Ironstone&search.x=74&search.y=8