Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705606
1 0 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | J u l y - A u g 2 016 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m Eastlake, noting that engaging with music lov- ers when they're "feeling awesome in Golden Gate Park" is something that fits right in with the festival's goal of "giving people access to all the pleasure zones: food, wine, beer, art, music and personality." This year, Eastlake is even offering wine from his own label, Fount, with Grenache and a red blend rosé. "I add new wineries every year. I want to have a fun lineup that offers a wide range of styles," he says, adding that, "Outside Lands is the only air conditioned music festival. It's part of what makes it all work for both red and white wines. It all tastes good." Another bonus? The food, wine and art are as local as can possibly be. When the festival began in 2007, Wine Lands featured about 20 wineries in an inti- mate, homey atmosphere. It's since more than doubled in size (there will be 45 wineries this year) and has been moved to a larger space. Last year's popular mini-golf course, "The Back Wine," will be in Wine Lands' original location this year, so there will be two ways to enjoy wine with music. Another innovation is RFID wristbands, which festivalgoers can use for payment, eliminating the need for cash. One of my other favorite festivals, BottleRock (in Napa), takes places at the end of May. Its layout is a bit different, in that there's a central zone for most of the food ven- dors, with a focus on local chefs. The wineries are set along the festival's perimeter, closer to the stages, and each offers its own cabana where people can relax while enjoying the music. Sponsor JaM Cellars had a small stage in its location, where some of the performers played between sets — what a treat. I hope you enjoy our annual suppliers guide issue and, meantime, get out there and have some wine with your music. Cheers! Summer is in full swing and you know what that means: music festivals! Yay! (Yes I get a bit carried away with this stuff). I've been into them since I was a kid. My first concert was a "Day on the Green" at the Oakland Coliseum in 1982, with Journey, Santana, Toto, Gamma and The Tubes. At only 14 years old, I was for- ever hooked. There's nothing that can lift my spirits more than music. Oh wait, yes there is: wine with music. There are so many wineries today that host live music, be it as a concert series or simply a way to entertain visitors now and then. Any- time I come across the situation, it inspires me to stay a little longer. Then there are the wineries that use music as an inspiration. Cliff Lede in Napa Valley is an example. When I visited this past June, I not only enjoyed an amazing lineup of wines, but there was also an art exhibit featuring the work of Grace Slick (a previous one fea- tured Jerry Garcia's art) and (this is what really made me smile) the vineyard blocks are each named after owner Cliff Lede's favorite songs. Each year, a special bottling is made and named for the blocks it came from. The 2013 offering, called "Stardust Heaven," truly brought up some emotion on my part. (If you're a David Bowie fan, you understand the timing of this all too well.) It's a visit I won't soon forget. Now let's get back to the live music theme, and how the larger festivals have evolved over time. Today, it's more about an experience for all the senses. Recently, I spoke with Peter Eastlake, who heads up the Wine Lands expe- rience at San Francisco's Outside Lands festi- val, which takes place August 5 to 7 in Golden Gate Park this year. He describes the wine experience as "one part art project, one part concession and one part keeping it smooth." I've thought it was a wonderful idea from the get-go. What better way to connect wine with younger generations? I'm pretty sure there isn't a more entertaining method. If there is, let me know, because I'm there. "It's important to be where new audiences are and have one-on-one connections," says Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwmmedia.com. JULIE FADDA POWERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF It's Festival Season! EDITOR'S DESK