October 15, 2022
by Nat Komes, Flora Springs General Manager
When our family founded Flora Springs in the late 1970s, harvest was a family affair, with relatives and friends joining us from around the Bay Area to help us pick grapes over a couple of weekends.
As our vineyard holdings grew, we hired a full-time vineyard crew to help with harvest, though we still reserved a few rows for our family. In the early 1980s, everyone in Napa Valley picked during daylight, starting after sunrise and finishing up in the afternoon.
But our family came up with a better idea: why not pick the grapes at night when it’s nice and cool, and deliver them to the winery first thing in the morning for processing? It would be more comfortable for the harvest crew, and the fruit would better retain its acid and structure.
We jerry-rigged some lighting on a tractor and gave it a try, and quickly concluded it was a better way to go. Today, of course, nearly every winery in Napa Valley harvests at night; it results in superior fruit and happier vineyard crews.
This year we’re celebrating the fact that Flora Springs was among the first to implement night picking with a one-of-a-kind label created for our 2020 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc label. I worked with comic book illustrator, graphic novelist and digital comics pioneer, Steve Ellis, who developed one of my favorite labels to date. Against the backdrop of a full harvest moon, a menacing bat hovers above the Flora Springs vineyard where the crew brings in the Cabernet Franc for this wine. As I mentioned, harvesting at night keeps the grapes and pickers cool, but it may also attract the attention of these fierce creatures of the night!
September 27, 2022
Halloween is always a cause for celebration at Flora Springs, and all year long we look forward to releasing our Halloween Wines.
For 13 spooky seasons now, we’ve paid tribute to our ghostly history by producing special Halloween wine bottles for our Wine Club and Mailing List Members. Some years, as with our 2020 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc, a favorite label is sold out upon release.
12 pm – 11 pm
Wilfred’s Lounge
967 First Street, Downtown Napa
We invite Wine Club Members, locals, and friends to come and taste this one-of-a-kind new release and kick off the Halloween weekend at Wilfred’s Lounge in Downtown Napa. The 2020 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc is sold out, but we’ve held some in reserve exclusively for this event — very limited availability.
Reservations for lunch and dinner are recommended. Plan to stay awhile. Warm vibes, island hospitality, and tiki cocktails and cuisine await…Costumes encouraged!
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Wilfred’s Lounge
967 First Street, Downtown Napa
The Greasy Gills, the creatures from Oakland, will be playing instrumental twangy rock ‘n roll from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. To guarantee a table during the live music, make reservations for dinner. Seating at the bar is first-come, first-served.
Napa’s first and only tiki bar, the inspiration behind Wilfred’s Lounge lies with longtime Napa Valley family John & Nat Komes that brought you Flora Springs Winery. Our family’s take on a modern tiki bar is a layered experience that takes our passion for the beauty of Hawaii, the heritage of our vineyard and wine family, and an inspiring combination of food and beverage — that will take you on a journey you never expected, the way Uncle Wilfred would have imagined it. We’ve taken our roots and given them a twist to create a watering hole where both locals and visitors alike can experience the same touch of warm hospitality we’ve cultivated for over 40 years in Napa Valley. Learn more.
June 30, 2022
Join the 8th Annual Online Celebration of Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is often considered a blending grape, but after farming a small block near John Komes’ home on the Rutherford side of the Komes Ranch for decades now, we know this grape can produce a luscious, smooth and rich wine that stands on its own.
For ten years now, Flora Springs General Manager Nat Komes has paid tribute to our ghostly history by producing special limited-edition, one-of-a-kind Halloween wine bottles for our Wine Club and Mailing List Members, one of which is a Cabernet Franc named All Hallows’ Eve. Some years a favorite label is sold out upon release.
Cabernet Franc Day
How to participate:
- Join us online December 4. We’ll be talking about Cabernet Franc all day.
- Follow us on your favorite social site: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
- Enter to win: Tweet or Instagram with us on December 4 using hashtags #CabernetFrancDay or #CabFrancDay and @florasprings in your tweets/posts.
- We will pick one lucky Flora Springs fan to win a Flora Springs prize pack.*
Our Halloween wines from Napa Valley are some of Flora Springs’ most anticipated annual releases. Learn more about our Wine Clubs to ensure an allocation of these limited, popular seasonal releases.
*Must be 21+ to enter. Void where prohibited. Wine will not be included in prize pack. Chance of winning depends on number of entries.
October 10, 2021
Halloween is always a cause for celebration at Flora Springs. After all, with one of the few remaining Napa Valley Ghost Wineries in Napa Valley, we are constantly reminded that there are phantoms and spirits who walked here before us. For the last decade we’ve paid tribute to our ghostly history by producing special Halloween wine bottles, which have become some of our most anticipated and highly sought after annual releases.
Whether you’re fully ready to get your spooky on with all of your friends or just looking to amp up a chill hang, we worked some magic to round up a few tips to conjure up a spooktacular Halloween.
At-Home Halloween Party Inspiration
1) Cast Your Spell With These Bewitching Halloween Wines
Treat yourself and your guests with our one-of-a-kind Halloween-themed labels. Order early, as these limited-edition wines sell out quickly—plus, shipping may take longer this year. See this year’s spooky selections.
“With Halloween fast approaching, treat yourself to special bottles from Flora Springs. This iconic Napa Valley winery celebrates every Halloween with flair. This collectable bottle changes annually, but for each Halloween-themed label the winery’s General Manager, Nat Komes, collaborates with a variety of artists. Marc Sasso, an artist from New York known for comics, skateboards, and album covers, designed this “witches at a party” label. The sumptuously sleek wine inside is made with Cabernet Franc (the Good Witch of red grape varieties). It showcases dark berry fruit, mineral notes, and a supple texture for a serious wine with a whimsical touch.” Read more. —Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Bay Times
2) Impress With Jack-o-Lantern Baked Brie by The Okayest Moms
Easy to make, fun, and delicious—the perfect appetizer! Find the recipe here.
3) Serve Up Pumpkin Cacio e Pepe by My Diary of Us
A seasonally-inspired twist on a favorite pasta dish that’s cozy and hearty, find the recipe here.
4) Decorate Sustainably and On a Budget
Look around your house and repurpose your succulents, houseplants or other decor to create a festive setting.
5) Experiment With a Different Color Palette
Look to unique sources—like our 2019 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc label—and go beyond orange and black.
6) Make Your Photos Insta-Worthy
Wow your followers with an epic photo of your Halloween celebration featuring a surprise smoke bomb, just like @wishesandwine.
Or, dress all in black and find a gorgeous background like @napavalleytip.
What ideas do you have in your bag of tricks? Share your Halloween photos with us on Instagram—tag @florasprings and use #florasprings. We’ll share the best of the bunch and one lucky Flora Springs fan will win a Flora Springs prize pack.*
*Must be 21+ to enter. Void where prohibited. Wine will not be included in prize pack. Chance of winning depends on number of entries.
August 30, 2021
Join the 7th Annual Online Celebration of Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is often considered a blending grape, but after farming a small block near John Komes’ home on the Rutherford side of the Komes Ranch for decades now, we know this grape can produce a luscious, smooth and rich wine that stands on its own.
For the past seven years, Nat Komes has delighted in creating a limited-edition, one-of-a-kind Halloween Wine, a Cabernet Franc named All Hallows’ Eve.
Cabernet Franc Day
How to participate:
- Join us online December 4. We’ll be talking about Cab Franc all day.
- Follow us on your favorite social site: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
- Enter to win: Tweet or Instagram with us on December 4th using hashtags #CabernetFrancDay or #CabFrancDay and @florasprings in your tweets/posts.
- We will pick one lucky Flora Springs fan to win a Flora Springs prize pack.*
Our Halloween wines from Napa Valley are some of Flora Springs’ most anticipated annual releases. Learn more about our Wine Clubs to ensure an allocation of these limited, popular seasonal releases.
*Must be 21+ to enter. Void where prohibited. Wine will not be included in prize pack. Chance of winning depends on number of entries.
September 6, 2020
Join the 6th Annual Online Celebration of Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is often considered a blending grape, but after farming a small block near John Komes’ home on the Rutherford side of the Komes Ranch for decades now, we know this grape can produce a luscious, smooth and rich wine that stands on its own.
For the past six years, Nat Komes has delighted in creating a limited-edition, one-of-a-kind Halloween Wine, a Cabernet Franc named All Hallows’ Eve.
How to participate:
- Join us online December 4. We’ll be talking about Cab Franc all day.
- Follow us on your favorite social site: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
- Enter to win: Tweet or Instagram with us on December 4th using hashtag #CabFrancDay and @florasprings in your tweets/posts.
- We will pick one lucky Flora Springs fan to win a Flora Springs prize pack.*
*Must be 21+ to enter. Void where prohibited. Wine will not be included in prize pack. Chance of winning depends on number of entries.
September 25, 2017
It’s no secret that Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, and this year we are celebrating with special new Halloween releases, including 2015 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc, 2015 Ghost Winery Malbec, 2013 Harvest Witch Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.
These seasonal wines are spooky and sure to sell out! Shop Halloween wines.
Halloween is Tuesday, October 31st. Order deadlines for on-time delivery begin October 12th. See details for your delivery destination on our Holiday Shipping Guide.
About the Artist
Currently the official Artist in Residence at Coit Tower in San Francisco, Jeremy Fish has a degree in painting and a focus in screenprinting. His education and work experience has lead to a career as a fine artist and commercial illustrator. Finding a balance between exhibiting his work both across the US, and internationally in galleries and museums, he also maintains a presence designing skateboards, t-shirts, vinyl toys, album covers, periodical illustrations, murals, sneakers – and now, wine labels. His artwork is mainly about storytelling and communication, told through a library of characters and symbols with an emphasis on finding a balance with the imagery somewhere between all things cute and creepy. Jeremy has been based in San Francisco for the last 20 years. Learn more.