In the News: Halloween at Flora Springs

October 9, 2014

Note: The following article, excerpted below, was published in the San Jose Mercury News on October 6, 2014 and can be found here.

8 great Halloween winery adventures

Vines gnarled like a witch’s back. Cobblestoned barrel rooms splattered with red stains. Labs brimming with beakers and gurgling mystery brews.

Face it — wineries were made for Halloween. This month, vintners from Sonoma to the Santa Cruz Mountains are unlatching their cellar doors to host costume parties, pagan balls, horror movie screenings, pumpkin patches and even a carnival for kids.

Flora Springs’ The Room Halloween Harvest Picnic & Movie Night

The bash: October’s movie night will feature attendees’ favorite scary movie — check the winery’s Facebook pagefor the final vote — screened in the rooftop lounge, plus a classic candy and popcorn bar. Want to make a night out of it? Begin with live music in the vineyard courtyard along with a picnic (bring your own or order via the winery two days in advance).

See our Events page for more information on the Movie Night Series (runs August – October every year) and all our events. For more information on visiting The Room, click here.

Check out our Halloween Pinterest board for spooktacular entertaining and decorating ideas.

Wine of the Week: 2012 Ghost Winery Cabernet Franc

October 7, 2014

Note: The following article, written by St. Helena Star tasting panel writer Catherine Bugue, was published in the St. Helena Star on October 6, 2014 and can be found here.

The name Wes sends chills up my spine; no offense to the designer, Wes Freed, who created the eerily fun label on Flora Springs’ Halloween-inspired wine.

The designer shares first names with the man who took horror to new heights in films like “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Fifteen years later, I still cringe when I hear just the name of a Wes Craven film.

Luckily, this Ghost Winery label can dominate dinner conversation on Halloween, not white masks. The wine ($50) is rich and fruity, more syrah-like than characteristic cabernet franc; but delicious – and good fun.

Flora Springs is one of the valley’s treasured ghost wineries: first built in the late 1800s, abandoned, and then gloriously resurrected.

You can see this Halloween label on FloraSprings.com, or by visiting the winery. If your name is Nancy, however, we highly suggest you don’t run through the hallways…

Learn more about the 2012 Ghost Winery Cabernet Franc.