Quixote Winery

Sunday, June 19, 2011

This quirky, boutique winery is worth a visit for its unique architecture. Designed by Viennesse artist Hundertwasser, this appointment-only winery is set against the Stags Leap Palisades.

Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser

If you've already done a wine tasting before arriving here and think your vision is a bit blurred because you're seeing only wavy lines and green stuff growing on the roof, rest be assured that in this respect, you are seeing fine.

The building was constructed with no straight lines and the roof was planted with grass and trees. Huntdertwasser capped the buildings with gold turrets to elevate man's sense of himself. One of his other design principles was color was king...all too evident from the labels the artist created.

Founded in 1969 on property adjacent to the Stags Leap Winery, Quixote employs organic farming principles to produce its Petite Syrah and Cabertnet Sauvigon. Since its 2001 vintage, the winery has used twist-top bottles. The staff was welcoming and very informative. When bad weather [hail!] delayed our group's departure, the staff en masse entertained us. I did buy a bottle of the Petite Syrah as it had my favorite note of black pepper and spice against the backdrop of dark berries.