Tagged with " vineyard"
28 Oct
2011
Posted in: Food & Beverage
By Candice    No Comments

Friday Favorites: Porter Creek Wine

 

 

 

Porter Creek Winery will always have a special and meaningful place in my heart! My husband and I spent a week in the Russian River Valley on our honeymoon at the tremendous Farmhouse Inn which was only a mile away from Porter Creek. We had the most memorable afternoon there driving up the dirt driveway to the tasting room, playing with the wine makers dog who sat outside at the front door, and of course, tasted quite a bit of wine! We had several special bottles shipped home to us and always reminisce over our trip whenever we uncork one. So, for our first series of Friday Favorites I thought we would share our love for Porter Creek with you! I hope you are all getting together with family and friends over the weekend so bring a bottle of Porter Creek with you wherever you go!

I chose a lovely 2005 Fiona Hill Pinot Noir– which I am obsessed with. It is SO yummy! From the winemaker: This meticulously planted, steep hillside vineyard is situated along Westside Road at the entrance of Porter Creek with an ideal southern face. Hard clay top soil with a fractured stone bedrock places continual stress on these Pinot vines, resulting in a very expressive, unique vineyard designate wine. The nose has aromas of wild berries and forest floor, a weighty mid-palate and long silky finish.

 A second choice of mine but Lindsay’s choice would be the 2009 Chardonnay: The growing conditions of this terraced, hillside vineyard, with mature vines and low yields produces a very unique Chardonnay. George’s Hill vineyard extends from the hilltop down a steep terraced slope of approximately 30% grade. The soil profile consists of Franciscan, metamorphic hard clay with a bedrock of fractured stone material. The bedrock layer allows the roots to penetrate, but only slowly over time. Parts of the vineyard yield only one and a half tons per acre. The grapes are harvested in the early morning hours in order to preserve and capture the fruit at perfect ripeness. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in barrel as well as natural malolactic fermentation, and is aged sur lees. The 2009 vintage is extremely well-balanced. Aromas of lemon, lime and pear. Richness and mineral notes on the pallet, yet restrained with a long finish.

Diana’s 2009 Zinfandel pick would be a wonderful choice for your Thanksgiving dinner table: A classic example of Sonoma County Zinfandel. Aromatically, it has the explosive cherries and berries jam and on the palate it is rich and textured on the finish. Produced from hillside grown vines and blended with 10% Carignane for texture and overall harmony.

Cheers! xoxo

6 Jul
2010
Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Weddings
By Candice    10 Comments

A Wedding Story: Julie & Jason at Hartford City Hall and The Society Room | Hartford, Connecticut

Photography: Robert Norman Photography
Ceremony: Hartford City Hall
Ceremony Musicians: Millennium Music
Officiant: Mary Colburn
Reception: The Society Room, Hartford, Connecticut
Floral Design by: The Bride’s Aunt
Event Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Lighting Design & Entertainment: Rob Alberti
Cake: Modern Pastry

Julie and Jason were married in a late afternoon ceremony on May 8th at Hartford City Hall. Their wedding blended different Christian and Jewish traditions and was a huge celebration among their family and friends. Julie’s color story was a muted purple, moss green and white with accents of gold. With their busy lives in D.C. we were so happy to help them coordinate their wedding back home in Connecticut where Julie grew up. In looking through their pictures as we prepared for this blog post, I couldn’t help but notice how excited, happy, and joyful everyone looked on this day. Julie literally beamed– and let me tell you– she has the most beautiful smile. And Jason… well, every time he looked at his beautiful wife, he beamed too.

The morning began with the both of them getting ready in Glastonbury at the bride’s parents home. I absolutely loved the gown that Julie wore, which was embellished just below her hip with a fabric flower, feathers and crystals. She wore a gorgeous cage veil with feathers… perfectly classic and vintage! Her maids were all dressed in purple strapless satin gowns. The groomsmen wore black tuxes with purple pocket squares– while Jason wore some sentimental Curious George cuff-links.

Julie and Jason opted to have an emotional first look prior to the ceremony.

City Hall is a spectacular place for a ceremony– especially for this vintage affair. Julie and her parents were driven to City Hall in a vintage rolls royce, which pulled up front just in time for her to meet Jason at the end of the aisle.

After the ceremony the two of them dashed down the aisle to awaiting congratulations from family and friends. Could there not be a more perfect picture above and below? Robert Norman! After the ceremony, it was off to the gorgeous The Society Room of Hartford to celebrate! The room was lit by our friend, Rob Alberti (who also kept the crowd on their feet all night long!). Julie chose a gorgeous moss green pintuck linen with black lamour napkins. The centerpieces were tall, classic white arrangements… perfect for the setting. Guests dined on a delicious meal, with a generous display of delicious desserts to follow. Jason loves pie– and so the miniature pie dessert table was created!

Their hora was certainly a lively one! We love that a lot of family members, both jewish and non-jewish got lifted up in celebration!

Julie and Jason– congratulations! It was such a pleasure to be with you on your wedding day and to be part of your personal history. You two are a perfect match full of love and laughter. We wish you a life full of just that! We’ve also been secretly stalking your new blog.. and think all our readers should check it out, too! So visit Julie and Jason’s journey through wine and food, aptly named, Wine & Swine.

A big thank you to Robert Norman Photography for the beautiful images!
xoxo

9 Jun
2010
Posted in: A Jubilee Event, Featured Posts, Weddings
By Candice    10 Comments

A Wedding Story: Jamar & Nika in New Haven, Connecticut

Photography: Erik Maziarz and Carla Ten Eyck for Carla Ten Eyck Photography
Ceremony & Reception: The New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, Connecticut
Floral Design by: BLUSH Floral Design
Event Design, Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events
Lighting Design: Rob Alberti
Entertainment: Bon Musique and Elan Artists
Cake: Madison Chocolates
Favors: Jubilee Events
Gown: Vera Wang
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Beauty: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Maid’s Gown: Vineyard
Invitations & Paper: Lilah Paper
Calligraphy: Michelle Dowling

Nika and Jamar were married on a Friday evening in April.. much to the surprise of their guests! We worked for nearly a year on the big surprise their guest would encounter at their lavish “engagement party” at the New Haven Lawn Club in downtown New Haven. Only a select few family members and their bridal party knew about what was going to take place!

The design of their wedding was inspired by art deco, vintage french artwork, and the ambiance of the New Haven Lawn Club. Nika and I worked together to come up with the rich and colorful story of whites, silver, purple and red with a punch of hot pink for good measure! Here is our inspiration board that we designed for her and Jamar:

The story of Nika and Jamar began after being introduced by a mutual friend. It took some time for the two of them to get together after their first meeting… but once they did, it didn’t take them long to realize what a match they truly were. Fast forward a few years later and the two exchanged vows in a dim, candle lit ballroom surrounded by over a hundred of their nearest and dearest friends.

The day began warm and sunny— the perfect kind of day to have an “engagement” party! Nika and her Maid of Honor spent the afternoon getting ready in the bridal suite at the New Haven Lawn Club, with Jennie Fresa on make up.

When Elisabeth delivered Nika’s gorgeous white and green bouquet, filled with peonies, she cried! Peonies are Nika’s favorite flower, and with all the delay in travel after the Volcano eruption, we were not sure if peonies would be available… but Elisabeth was able to make magic happen! What an emotional surprise that lead to so many more on this very, very special day.

Below is a picture if Nika after seeing her best friend and Maid of Honor all dressed in her gorgeous, one shoulder purple Vineyard frock. Let me tell you, these two girls– soul sisters. They have such love and affection for one another– lifelong and dear friends!

Once her hair and makeup was complete, it was time to get her into one of the most beautiful Vera Wang gowns I have ever seen. It fit her like a glove and she looked absolutely radiant! Meanwhile, Jamar and his Best Man were getting ready for when Jamar would see Nika for the first time.. but right before that, we took Nika out front for some gorgeous (and quick!) bridal portraits.

Can a bride get any more beautiful?

Here Amanda and I are dashing to get her back inside before any early bird guests see!

Nika and Jamar chose to see one another before the ceremony and had an intimate first look just outside the room where they were going to be married. First looks are always emotional, sweet, and memorable moments.

Guests were gathering in the foyer to the Lawn Club, greeted with champagne and friendly smiles. Meanwhile, just beyond the wall, we were lighting the candles and putting the finishing touches on the gorgeous ceremony. I love Jamar’s boutonniere– a white rose with berries and a fiddle head fern. Nika’s Maid of Honor held a bouquet with seasonal purple flowers and red ranunculous. All of the flowers were absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was flanked by two enormous garden urns, spilling over with seasonal white flowers such as hydrangea, ranunculous, and tulips. BLUSH designed the arrangements with tall branches and pussy willows, which mercury glass candle holders hung from. Hundreds of votive candles lined every sill and mantle through out the room.

Moments before the ceremony we hid the bride and groom away from sight and finally opened the doors into the party. Guests walked in expecting to see an engagement party but were met with a romantic ceremony! Here are some of their reactions upon entering the room for the first time! Nika and Jamar were listening in the opposite room to their guests’ reaction as they came in.

As the ceremony began, the bride was escorted down the aisle by her father to a trio of Canon D. The assembled guests rose as they saw her– an incredible and awesome moment!

They exchanged vows, officiated by Nika’s late grandmother’s Reverend, who they had flown in from Virgina. It was very meaningful for them to be married by Reverend Talley, who gave a beautiful ceremony.

Right after the ceremony guests were greeted to the sounds of vintage French music wafting from the ballroom… Nika and Jamar hired the most incredible band, Bon Musique, to entertain at their reception. The Lawn Club catered a delicious cocktail and hor’dourve affair complete with a martini station, risotto station, and more delicious delights! Since their party was all about sumptuous finger foods, yummy cocktails, and dancing– we designed the room to have a nice cocktail party feel! BLUSH designed gorgeous table and mantel decor in purple flowers with red ranunculous, tucked in beautiful mercury glass vessels.

Rob Alberti lit the room in shades of purple and pink!

There were touching toasts by the Reverend Talley and their best man and maid of honor.

Nika’s sorority sister’s sang One True Delta and then the band rocked the night away until the last candle flickered out. What a great way to end an amazing day!

Nika and Jamar– it was such a sincere pleasure to work with you. Thank you for allowing Jubilee to be apart of your families personal history. Nothing but success, joy, love and happiness to you both!

You can also see this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty!

xoxo

8 Dec
2009
Posted in: Reception Sites
By Candice    3 Comments

Venue Spotlight: Priam Vineyards in Colchester, Connecticut

I was introduced to Priam Vineyards recently and had an opportunity to visit their property and speak with the owners. I just fell in love with the location! As you know, the Connecticut Wine Trail has grown in popularity and Priam Vineyards is the most magical and romantic site for a wedding, nestled in the Salmon River watershed area of Colchester, Connecticut. They have a breathtaking 35 mile view of the New England countryside and their property is composed of 40 acres — with 24 acres of grapes in production. The winery was built into the hillside at the base of the vineyard, as a New England style barn (which is pictured above). It is the ideal site for a vineyard style affair and they have several locations on their property — which can appeal to a smaller wedding and a large, tented soiree! Their tasting room and adjoining patio is an amazing location for small and intimate affairs of under 100 guests. Their upper field can hold larger guest sizes and is perfect for a tented event. They have several on site ceremony locations too, which make use of the gorgeous backdrop of rolling New England hills and grape vines.

The folks at Priam Vineyards believe in supporting local small businesses and farmers. They are also an eco-conscience property. To learn more about hosting your event at Priam visit their website!