A long time ago I fell in love with vampires. They were elegant, stylish and a little more than dangerous. There was something darkly magical in the way they could materialize from thin air, and change your life forever with one, quick bite. I was intrigued by mysteriousness of their lives that began at sunset; existing only through the deep, dark hours of the night. When the movie of Dracula starring Frank Langella came out, I was mesmerized. That summer I was a young apprentice at the Shaw Festival and had ripped out a poster of the movie to tape to my dressing room mirror. As I applied my makeup for each performance, he looked back at me with dark, smoldering eyes, unblinking, through the mist and fog. It was my first real crush on a sophisticated, elegant man.

Around the same time, I became obsessed with an artist. His name: Edward Gorey. His art was dark and gothic, yet embodied a subtle, ironic humor. I’d first seen his work in the opening credits for the PBS series MYSTERY! and I was in love. The drawings appealed to the dark academia streak in my personality. I wanted to live in those Victorian drawing rooms of black and white, and walk amongst the ancient cemetery relics beyond.

When I discovered that Gorey had designed the sets for the stage production of Dracula (also starring Frank Langella), I wanted to make a beeline for Broadway and immerse myself in that world. Happily, many years later, I discovered that his set drawings had been made into a play theatre set. I could now own a small piece of his toothsome art all for myself!

Click the video below for a fun little journey into the world of Edward Gorey’s Dracula!

When it came to this year’s TWS Hallowine pick, there was only one choice: the 2022 Vampire Vineyards Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes:

🩸dark cherry

🩸strawberry jam

🩸a little bite of spice

🩸whisper of smoke on the finish

Nice Bites:

🩸dark chocolate

🩸aged Brie or smoked Gouda

🩸pasta w/ creamy mushroom Alfredo

The bright acidity, spice and luminescent flavors of this wine did a beautiful job of cutting a swath through the creaminess of the Alfredo sauce I’d made to pair. Add to this a fresh salad of tender greens, and a crusty French stick smothered in home made garlic butter and we had a frightfully good dinner.

This bottle is also lots of fun your Halloween table. You can order the little vampire cape to dress up your wine bottle!

So have fun, my little creatures of the night! 🦇

Enjoy the holiday, be safe and may all your tricks turn into beautiful treats.🎃

Cheers!🧛🏻‍♀️🍷

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