It’s the official start of the holiday shopping-for-what-I-hope- is-a-unique-gift craze!  This landed in my inbox, and you know what?  It totally fit the bill of something truly different for wine pals:

Dear Eve,

If you’re anything like me, when you think of wine, you think of pairing it with cheese.  But David Hopkins, winemaker at Bridlewood Estate Winery in Santa Ynez, thinks there’s something else that goes well wine wine…art!  Hopkins says that as a winemaker, he is also an artist – he makes art you can taste.  This holiday season, Hopkins recommends pairing wine with art as a unique and personal gift to a friend or family member.  Below are some of his pairing tips:

·         Bridlewood Estate Winery 2010 Monterey County Chardonnay – If you choose this wine, Hopkins thinks a painting with soft and supple strokes pairs best. Because this varietal comes from an area in Monterey County where the days are warm, nights are cool and the abundant sunshine is tempered by wind and fog, a painting like this one of the Bridlewood Estate entryway reflects his vision:

 

·         Bridlewood Estate Winery 2009 Central Coast/Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon – Hopkins says if you could drink this painting it would display classic cabernet dark fruit flavors of blackberry and chocolate with hints of carmelized sugar and molasses, just like the Cabernet.  This painting of the Estate itself makes for a perfect combination with Bridlewood’s Cabernet:

 

 

·         Bridlewood Estate Winery 2009 Central Coast Blend 175 – Hopkins says his Blend 175 pays delicate attention to detail but doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.  He says this fun piece of work pairs perfectly with his Blend 175, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel:

So go ahead, mix cork with canvas this holiday season.  Try gifting your favorite bottle of Bridlewood wine (most bottles under $20) with a piece of art that represents those flavors.  The gift receiver will thank you for the wine and your creativity!

*All art pieces are from the Bridlewood Collection and were created by Central California Coast artists.