A Haunted Hallowine!
We’re discussing wineries that are haunted and hauntingly good wines for your Halloween pleasure. The spirit world has always been intriguing; unexplained noises, phenomenon, sightings, moving objects, often with the history of tragedy.
There is an actual tour of ghostly wineries throughout the country- you can book through wineries and travel agencies. We begin our stories with the famous Beringer Winery in Napa Valley. Beringer’s Rhine House is said to be haunted by Fredreick Beringer. The estate itself was modeled after some of the magnificent Chateau in France. Beringer was one of the first wineries founded in Napa in 1876, and it was one of the first wineries to use caves and cellars to store their wine. Employees say objects have been thrown around Fredreick’s former bedroom, and his liekness has been spotted walking the halls of the upstairs. There is a long list of paranormal activity that has been logged by employees there, some of whom just quit because it is too creepy for them. Brothers Jacob and Frederick emigrated to the US from Germany and purchased over 200 acres in Napa, turning the land into beautiful vineyards, including the grandiose 17 room estate. Jacob made the wines while Frederick handled the finances. Jacob brought in Chinese laborers to hand dig the tunnels into the side of Spring Mountain. Rumors abound for years that some of the workers died when cave-ins buried them alive. There are reports the walls moan and workers tell of an unexplained “freezing cold in isolated spots”. Other incidents reported are furniture being shoved, objects floating and being moved, missing items turn up in other parts of the mansion, doors shut on their own, even a full body apparition was seen, believed to be Frederick, who died there in 1901.
Trefethen Winery, also in the heart of Napa Valley, was first recognized as a boot leg operation in the 1920’s – founded in 1886 by brothers George and James Goodman, the winery was known as Eschol- Hebrew for Valley of the grape. During Prohibition the winery was believed to house a major boot legging operation. Rumor has it, once during Prohibition, a man came in to steal liquor from the estate. It is believed he was lynched in the rafters of one of the upstairs areas of the winery. Some have said they feel a presence while others have experienced seeing a shadow of a human-like swinging overhead.
Bartholomew Winery in Sonoma is almost known more famously for their hauntings than their family’s wines. The winery has served as a morgue, a women’s prison and a hospital. The main building of the winery, primarily used as offices today, is the scene of what has been reported as ghost visitations. The cellar where the wine is stored once housed women prisoners, and employees and visitors have reported hearing women’s voices speaking and even singing.
Miles Wine Cellar of Long Island is said to have a resident ghost who has slammed doors, and even shown a mist rising from the floor. One family member says a comforter on the bed is routinely flung across the room or found crumpled at the base of the bed as a regular occurrence.
The Biltmore in Asheville NC was constructed in 1886 by Geroge Washington Vanderbilt. His former library is said to be haunted. It was Vanderbilt’s habit to retreat to the library, particularly when a storm was approaching. Visitors believe they still see a shadowy figure in the library usually when the skies are dark, and storms are looming. Guests and employees often report hearing splashing in the pool and a woman’s voice (possibly his wife Edith) calling him to retreat from his library.
Other ghostly sightings of note at wineries include Simi Winery in Sonoma, where there is believed to be the ghost of proprietor, Isabelle Giuseppe (wife of one of the founding Italian brothers) who reportedly saved the winery during Prohibition by hiding a large stash of their wines behind fake walls. She later invented California’s first tasting room.
Freemark Abbey has had sightings of Josephine Marlin Tychson, who had the winery built in 1886 and was known to be California’s first woman winemaker.
At Charles Krug, “ A lady in white” paces the Redwood Cellars which were built in the 1870’s,according to guests and employees.
If these ghost stories aren’t enough to scare you, we’ve got some amazing wines and spooky labels on the shelves for your Halloween adventures. Here are a few.
Armida Winery Dry Creek- makers of Poizin complete with a red skull and cross bones for their label, the wine is “to die for” an inky black Zinfandel with seductive blackberry, plum and smoky oak aromas. We give it three bones.
The Owl and the Dust Devil A lovely Malbec blended with a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot was inspired by the watchful eyes of the Lechuza Owls that protect the vineyards at Finca Decero in Mendoza, Argentina. In a normally tranquil environment, the Remolinos, or whirlwinds can arise, and the Owls take flight in chase, until the mysterious Remolinos disappear into thin air. The wine is aged in small French oak barrels. Deep and concentrated dark fruit with hints of herbs, and a vanilla finish. There is a virtual showcase of the happening between the Owl and the Dust Devil on their website- quite a phenomenon. We give it two bones.
Ghostrunner “Ungrafted Red” is a Lodi appellation blend that includes Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah. Rich mixed berries and black cherry preserves with hints of spice, black peppercorn and a touch of bacon, we give it two bones, and the name says it all!
Minister of the Vinterior Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a creepy skull label surrounded by colorful flowers. The winemaking pair negotiants pull grapes from some of California’s most respected vineyard sites to create this devilishly good Cab. The nose is red currants and blackberries and hints of pipe smoke, while the palate is black cherry and espresso with a lingering vanilla finish. We love this fun little wine team who love to jest. We give it three bones.
Orwin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon (with the caped skeleton on the label) is iconic for its label as well as the juice in the bottle. Creepy and cryptic, the wine expresses a classic left bank Bordeaux style nose with ripe cassis, blackberry and assorted blue fruits. The bright finish rounds out with a lingering touch of orange peel. We give it three bones.
Stop by and we will gladly show you around the not so haunted aisles! Don’t be afraid, just come on in and explore the many ghouls and goblins that await for your Halloween pleasure. See you soon!
By CRBrown
