By Nancy Chuda founder and Editor-in-Chief of LuxEcoLiving and co-founder of Healthy Child Healthy World
Demetria Estate hosts a spectacular star studded event
Notorious (1946) has to be one of the most engaging films of all time. One of Hitchcock’s masterpieces. Very early in the film, Ingrid Bergman’s character, Alicia, declares at a party, “The important drinking hasn’t started yet!”
And in case your wondering why Notorious (in glorious black and white) was chosen to be screened in one of the most magnificent outdoor settings in the world, Demetria Vineyards, any film buff will tell you. Wine bottles are literally the “key” to the plot.
It’s not Greek to me!
The ancient art of wine making was a developed art in the days of the classical Greeks and Romans
Instead of bottles and corks (or screwcaps), they conserved wine in jugs and consequently drank them young. To improve shelf life, the Greeks added resin and the Romans added honey and raisins. And yet the sages waxed eloquently over the wines of the day (or past few months). Imagine what they would say about today’s wine making.
Demetria Vineyards takes great pride in their handcrafted wine and methodology.
Demetria Estate is located in California above Foxen Canyon in the Santa Ynez Valley
With traditional roots, John Zahoudanis was born and raised in a small village in Greece at the base of historic Mt. Olympus. His family has a long tradition in agriculture and for generations they tended a small patch of vines and made wine each year. Sadly, when John was a boy, the family farm was devastated by the dual tragedies of World War II and the Greek Civil War. Like many families of the time, John’s father relocated the entire family to the USA in search of greater opportunities.
And John carried on his father’s footsteps when he and his wife took a leap of faith and followed their desire to make a dream come true. Thus, Demetria Vineyards was established in 2005 with the goal of growing grapes Biodynamically.
What a treat! To sit under the stars sipping on the great Demetria varietals. Our evening began, literally in the courtyard, spellbound by the view and the aroma of wood fired pizza. We were immediately greeted by Demetria’s handsome staff and the service was excellent!
We each a choice of wine. A glass of their 2007 Pinot Noir or one of their stellar Rhone varietals accompanied delicious hors d’oeuvres.
While the food and festivities were taking place on the upper terrace, guests were moving their lounge chairs and blankets down to the lower garden in preparation for the outdoor screening.
It was hard to pull away from our tables and fine service. Especially the private reserve wine.
But as the sun began to set the smell of freshly popped corn caught our attention. Mother Nature dimmed the lights just in time to reveal two of the most magnificent celluloid images. When Cary Grant kissed Ingrid Bergman in 1946 together they made cinematic history.
Editor’s Notes:
Demetria Estate and Vineyards is a LuxEcoLiving4U destination. The next event will be held on August 25th and they will screen, A Walk In The Clouds with Kinneau Reaves
• Ticket price includes the following for two people: wine & appetizer arrival reception for 2 people, one bottle of wine to share, gourmet Flatbread buffet dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, all the popcorn & candy you can eat and the coffee-to-go station on your way out!
• Take an additional 10% off all wine purchases that night……(Non-members = 10% discount, 3 Bottle Members = 20%, 6 Bottle Members = 25% and 12 Bottle Members = 30% discount)
$150 per couple
Call or email to make your reservations today!
Tel: 805-686-2345.
