My Painting "Ardiri Fall" on Wine Label

Two of my very best art collectors, John Campagno and Gail Lizak own Ardíri Winery and Vineyard--a 15 acre vineyard located in the Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon.

You can find more information about their beautiful Winery on their website: (http://www.ardiriwine.com).

Ardíri is Sicilian for “taking a risk” and can also mean “being consumed by fire“. Árdíri thus defines the concerted efforts to personally nurture vineyards in the Carneros appellation of Napa Valley and the Chehalem Mountains appellation of Willamette Valley. The vineyards’ unique Pinot noir clones have generated a traditional harvest of quality fruit that have been blended in French oak to form a striking and complex vintage especially complementary to meals.

Though I myself am a non-drinker, I find the art of wine making very interesting. The process is highly complex; an art form in and of itself.

The latest vintage, Chehalem Gold, is slated to be formally released on Memorial Day Weekend 2010. It is a white wine blend 50% Pinot gris and 50% Pinot blanc. My painting, Ardíri Fall is featured on the label. John and Gail have invited me to participate in the grand opening coming up Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th through 31st. They've done some extensive remodeling to the winery, and I'm excited to see it. I will be setting up my easel and painting on site. Ardíri has a spectacular view of Mt. Hood that I can't wait to capture.