January 10, 2023
Our etched and hand-painted bottles are a cherished tradition at Flora Springs, a way for us to commemorate special holidays with festive, one-of-a-kind bottlings. Over the years, the popularity of these offerings has grown. With each holiday release, the etched artful label provides a unique Napa Valley wine to give or collect for yourself.
2017 Be Mine Blend
Our 2017 Be Mine Red Blend celebrates the most romantic holiday of all, St. Valentine’s Day. Combining Bordeaux varietals from our estate vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford and Oakville, the wine warms the heart with rich, mouth filling flavors of blackberries, juicy plums and ripe blueberries, graham cracker and a whiff of cocoa powder. Notes of violets, vanilla crème and a hint of fresh rain round out the palate. Though plush and full-bodied, this classic Napa Valley blend has a pleasing streak of acidity and sleek, elegant tannins that provide balance and length. The wine would make a sweet gift or accompaniment to a candlelit dinner for two. Only 30 cases made, limit two bottles.
Valentine’s Day Order Deadlines
Order deadlines for delivery start February 4. Check shipping times.
December 31, 2022
Note: The article excerpted below was originally published in Forbes and can be found here.
“2022: It’s A Wrap For Wine Writing”
by Lana Bortolot
BEST PACKAGING
From pretty packaging, savvy swag and an inspiring revival, here’s a roundup of some of the bottles and stories that caught my eye this year….
The winery packaged holiday blend of its 2019 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon in a specially etched bottle for its wine club members. This year’s edition is a quail bearing a cranberry-studded wreath.
Beloved in California where they have the honor of being the state bird, quails are known to travel in groups, with adults, both male and female, caring for their young. With his characteristic head plume and cranberry-studded wreath, our festive quail is anticipating the holidays. This illustration is inspired by Flora Springs’ matriarch and muse, Flora Komes, whose love for all living things, both great and small, was legendary.
Our Holiday Bottles
Created especially for our wine club members, our Holiday Bottles are a way of thanking members for their loyalty and providing them with uniquely elegant bottles ideal for festive holiday celebrations and thoughtful gifts. The brainchild of General Manager Nat Komes, whose grandmother, Flora, imbued him with a love for the holidays, each wine is meticulously etched and painted by hand, with capsules and back labels applied one by one. As the only Napa Valley winery to offer new holiday designs each year, we pour ourselves into this annual project, ensuring that each bottle is absolute perfection inside and out.
The Wine
Our 2019 Holiday Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from two outstanding, sustainably-farmed vineyards: the Komes Vineyard in Rutherford and our Windfall Vineyard in Oakville. Flavors of black cherry, red plum and kirsch are at the core of this plush and generous Cabernet, accompanied by notes of licorice, sweet basil, and a hint of menthol. A lovely oak component introduces notes of toasted marshmallow and vanilla to the palate, along with attractive hints of cedar and brown spice. This is a full-bodied wine with a soft mouthfeel and smooth tannins that lengthen the warm and satisfying finish. A perfect way to celebrate family during the holiday season. Learn more about this wine.
November 23, 2021
Since 2004, our etched and hand-painted Holiday Wines have been one of our most treasured holiday traditions. Created especially for our wine club members, these limited edition bottles are a way of thanking members for their loyalty and providing them with uniquely elegant bottles ideal for festive holiday celebrations and thoughtful gifts.
A Labor of Love: One-of-a-Kind Holiday Designs
Meticulously etched and painted by hand, with capsules and back labels applied one by one, Flora Springs’ Holiday Bottles are a labor of love from start to finish. As the only Napa Valley winery to offer new holiday designs each year, we pour ourselves into this annual project, ensuring that each bottle is absolute perfection inside and out. Our holiday illustrations this year were inspired by Flora Springs’ matriarch and muse, Flora Komes, whose love for all living things, both great and small, was legendary.
For millennia, the dove has been a universal symbol of hope, purity, gentleness and devotion across many cultures. It also represents the renewal of life, which is why our family chose the dove as a particularly meaningful illustration for our Holiday Bottles in 2021. Framed in seasonal holly and carrying an ornament gift, our dove welcomes the season of love with outstretched wings. See design.
Foxes are known to be clever, and a single fox crossing one’s path is said to bring good luck. Sitting in a bed of holly wrapped in his luxuriant, white-tipped tail, our Festive Fox is back on our Holiday Bottles for the second year in a row due to his popularity and our love for the design. No wonder, since the hand-painted gold of his fabulous fur coat glimmers more brightly on the “real-life” bottle than can be captured in a photo. See design.
As farmers we are always aware of the relationship between the earth and our sun and the solstices that mark the seasonal transitions. Attired in a golden crown and necklace, our Solstice Hare celebrates these cosmic occurrences from his perch on our Holiday Bottles. We like to imagine him watching over our dormant vineyards as the Winter Solstice approaches on December 21st. See design.
Polar bears are one of nature’s most majestic creatures, symbols of strength and endurance, and as a spirit animal, a signifier of transcendence. Representing this regal creature on our Holiday Bottles was a challenge because of his size and our desire to include as much detail as possible. Gazing at us as he makes his way through a snow shower, our polar bear carries a bright red bagful of gifts to ensure a merry and bright holiday for family and friends. See design.
Shipping is expected to take longer this year. Get ahead of the holiday rush and shop early. Order deadlines for delivery by the holidays are in effect. Check shipping times.
November 18, 2021
The Komes and Garvey’s have always been farmers first, and over 40 years the family has acquired 500 acres throughout Napa Valley, 300 of which are planted to vineyards. As farmers we are always aware of the relationship between the earth and our sun and the solstices that mark the seasonal transitions.
What is the Winter Solstice?
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, winter solstice is “the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of daylight.” The solstice marks the official start of winter.
When is the Winter Solstice?
The winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere occurs on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 10:59 a.m. Eastern time.
What Does “Solstice” Mean?
The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still). During the solstice, the angle between the sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator appears to stand still.
Winter Solstice Traditions Around the World
The shortest day and longest night of the year inspire mystical celebrations, both old and new, in anticipation of the sun’s return. According to Wikipedia, “The solstice may have been a special moment of the annual cycle for some cultures even during Neolithic times. Astronomical events were often used to guide activities. Many cultural mythologies and traditions are derived from this.”
The start of winter and the winter solstice are celebrated in cultures and religions around the world with various traditions, holidays, and festivals. Today, the winter solstice is a reminder to honor our connection to the natural world. Learn more about holidays and traditions around the December solstice including but not limited to Christmas, Feast of Juul, Saturnalia in Ancient Rome, Gody in Poland, and Chaomos in northwestern Pakistan.
Attired in a golden crown and necklace, our Solstice Hare celebrates winter solstice; we like to imagine him watching over our dormant vineyards as the winter solstice approaches on December 21st. Like our other holiday illustrations in 2021, the illustration is inspired by Flora Springs’ matriarch and muse, Flora Komes, whose love for all living things, both great and small, was legendary. Shop now, and see our Holiday Shipping Guide for helpful ordering details including order deadlines to receive your shipment in time for winter solstice.
January 31, 2021
Our etched and hand-painted bottles are a cherished tradition at Flora Springs, a way for us to commemorate special holidays with festive, one-of-a-kind bottlings. With each holiday release, the etched art changes and provides a unique Napa Valley wine to give or collect for yourself.
Our 2017 Be Mine Red Blend celebrates the most romantic holiday of all, Valentine’s Day, and is the perfect accompaniment to your date night candlelit dinner for two.
Or, delight your Galentine, mom, auntie, or sister with our playful Wine Love Stories.
Valentine’s Day Order Deadlines
Order deadlines for delivery by February 14 are in effect. Check shipping times.
August 21, 2019
Join us for a delightful holiday shopping experience at The Room.
Every December, our tasting room transforms into a Winter Wonderland. Come raise a glass with us and toast to the holidays, while shopping our exclusive Holiday Wines and Gifts, including our etched and hand-painted Holiday Wines are one of our most treasured traditions, a way for us to give you access to rare wines in one-of-a-kind bottlings. This year’s Holiday Cabernet-based blend features three festive etched designs:
Snowflake Ornament
Gingerbread Estate
Silver Bells
Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
HOLIDAY HOURS AT THE ROOM:
Christmas Eve: 10 am – 2 pm
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: 10 am – 2 pm
New Year’s Day: Closed
November 20, 2018
The idea for Flora’s Legacy wines – a tribute to Flora Komes, the woman who inspired Flora Springs – came from third generation family member, Nat Komes, Flora’s beloved grandson.
With its etching of a crown, the bottle itself is a nod to this amazing woman, who was born in Hawaii and often told stories about being descended from Hawaiian royalty.
Every year, we involve the whole family in the creation of these wines, selecting the finest barrels in the cellar and gradually narrowing it down to a blend of the few barrels we like best.
Learn more about these small, sometimes single, barrel lots hand selected by our family members. We would be honored to be a part of your family holiday gathering.
November 15, 2018
Ruth Harper, the illustrator who designed our 2016 Holiday Helper Cabernet Sauvignon and our 2015 Dashaway Chardonnay and whose work has been featured in many New York Times #1 best-selling children’s picture books, received an early Christmas gift.
Read more about the making of the 2016 Holiday Helper Cabernet Sauvignon.
November 13, 2018
Join us for a delightful holiday shopping experience at The Room.
Every December, our tasting room transforms into a Winter Wonderland. Come raise a glass with us and toast to the holidays, while shopping our exclusive Holiday Wines and Gifts.
Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
HOLIDAY HOURS AT THE ROOM:
Christmas Eve: 10 am – 2 pm
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: 10 am – 2 pm
New Year’s Day: Closed
November 5, 2018
Our one-of-a-kind Holiday Wines are a year-round labor of love. Each year, the artwork changes and provides a unique, limited-edition Napa Valley wine to give or collect for yourself.
We’re excited to expand our annual tradition with a beautiful new holiday-themed release, our 2016 Holiday Helper Cabernet Sauvignon. The charming label artwork was created for us by self-taught artist and illustrator Ruth Harper—who is best known for her work in many New York Times #1 best-selling children’s picture books.
This is the second wine label Ruth has created for us, and her whimsical watercolor of those hard-working but ever-cheerful elves wrapping their holiday gifts is a reminder that even Santa needs a little help!
Ruth began work back in December of last year. “Now that the holiday rush is over (and what a LOVELY Christmas we had!), I’ve settled down to resume creating – all warm and cozy, with a shivery snow-covered landscape outside. You should see the gorgeous frosty designs on my windows. Dark chocolate syrup in my freshly-ground coffee and a sweet Aussie at my feet warm my fire as I work…”
We love the comforting setting Ruth describes, and we love the final illustration even more. Below you can see the progression and evolution of this year-long project.
See the final 2016 Holiday Helper Cabernet Sauvignon label and browse all of our Holiday Wines and Gifts.