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
Engaged: Jameira & Greg
What do you get when you put together golfing, street bikes and Christian Louboutins? A raw photo design engagement session, of course. Check out our incredibly fun clients, Jameira and Greg. They’re getting married in early May of 2011 in Middletown– and we couldn’t be more excited!
Congratulations Jameira and Greg! See more amazing images over at raw’s blog. xo!
Monday Morning Inspiration: A Napa Styled Bridal Shower

photography by Robert and Kathleen Photographers
I thought I’d start the week off with a personal Monday inspiration from my bridal shower. A little over a year ago I celebrated with all the special women in my life at my grandmother’s home. It was a really amazing day put together by my mother and bridesmaids. You can see the full post here!
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!


















