Wine Country Gardens

 Whether large or small, you can bet that any winery will incorporate some kind of garden, usually with a theme tied to the wineries image, each one giving you an insight into the owner's creative design sensibilities.  I have always found design inspiration among these gardens even if the garden as a whole did not engage me. Its like a treasure hunt, looking for the best of a thing or a person, something that delights my soul.

Gates and Paths
A truly successful design incorporates engaging paths and a gate beckoning you to enter a new and different space.

This shady entry garden was a cool retreat from the mid-day sun at Chateau Montelena in Calistoga CA. The Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) between the entry's stone walk creates a medieval ambiance that fits tidily into the castle's provenance.

"Seems only yesterday I was eight,
swinging upon the garden gate. Now my Grandchild has taken my place, is running the races I used to race..."
Penniluck McGinnis

Rustic, wooden and spanning a ravine you may feel as if you are taking your life in your hands by opening the gate and stepping through. I'm not sure if this feels welcoming but it appealed to the explorer in me and I took the chance.

 

Half open, I had to squeeze through to enter an otherwise "closed" circle garden. I had to walk all the way around the circle to find the entry gate and felt as though I was entering a forbidden place that few had the patience to find. The reward...a serene, eclectic array of herbaceous perennials surrounding an overgrown water feature. The consistent use of cobble stone on the path and fountain gave a sense of order. Whether accidental or intended, I felt as though I had discovered the Secret Garden. 

The rose-scent wafted on the late afternoon breeze calling you closer. The gate, wide open spoke a "Welcome, come see my beauties." The steel path border and fortress-like fence brought order to the otherwise raucous antics happening beyond it. The juxtapoisiton of formal and informal has been used in garden design for centuries and heightens the interest of a garden space.


Objects, Statuary, Art
Operative words: Choose carefully!
Please, please, please...every object you place in your garden has a voice. What is it saying about you, your design style, and your space?

The incredible detailed work on this arbor screams "I care about details" even though the design itself is whimsical. Choosing a few well made pieces that make a statement speaks louder than many flimsy, cheaply made ones. Seen at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, the statement is apropos.

Consider placement. The living rose adorns this garden lady's hair mimicking the stone flowers opposite and bringing life to a stone figure.

Silverado Vineyards installed a fountain mimicking a tropical bog with reeds and frogs. My take-away is how lovely the patina on the copper panels enhanced the sculpture. Without them the reeds would be lost among the similar colors of the stonework.

               

It's a small fountain with big appeal. Just look at the delight in this little cherub's face! Who can resist taking a closer look?

St. Francis has several pieces of wind art among their gardens. Located on the Napa Valley floor they are a natural choice and blend perfectly into the prairie style landscape. 

Repose and Reflection

Every garden needs places to sit and take in the surroundings. It might be tiny plants at the feet of a bench or a commanding view but every garden has something to ponder upon.

A simple terrace that provides shade, wildlife, and contrasting foliage creates a serene, restful ambiance.

The second story terrace at Opus One affords one a magnificent view in a modern minimalist setting. The trees, hedged at the top, obscure the building below and accent the view beyond.

At Benzinger in Sonoma Valley there were many settings for one to sit and view the garden and landscape views. If you have the luxury to provide more than one place to repose in your garden try to provide complete opposite experiences. Sunny vs shady, enclosed vs open, formal vs informal, etc.

With this view a seating area is a given. Located on a hill top, Schloss Johannisberg on the Rhine River in Germany, has magnificent views of the river valley and quaint villages. This seating area sits at the end of a long walk past the chapel and into the vineyards.

Wherever you are, inspiration for your garden can be found. All you have to do is go on a treasure hunt.