Entertaining In Style …Villa Creek Winery, The Talented Rusty Lipscomb, Throw a Shawl on Your Table

We have belonged to many wine clubs over the years but no one throws a party like the Cherry’s of Villa Creek.  The Cherry’s value their wine club members and no holds are barred when they throw their release parties twice a year.  The wine is amazing, the food prepared by Chef Tom Fundaro is a gastronome’s paradise.  The party is a friendly, fitting gathering of wine club members, and friends and colleagues of the Cherry’s.  The décor and setting always highlights their award winning wines in the casual  chic style they always pull off so effortlessly.

Camille Cherry and one of her friends serving their award winning wines.
Inside the tasting room…

The Cherry’s had the light fixtures constructed from old apple harvesting equipment.  The property was once an apple orchard.

The Cherry’s generously share some of their library wines with wine club members. Becca Chris’ darling assistant winemaker sampling the 2010 Bassetti.

We were greeted by this amazing fruit and cheese board. 

Chef Tom Fundaro wowed us once again
    
Olives, Mushrooms
    
Scallops on the half shell …calamari salad
    
Tom’s shishito peppers (always a favorite) and mussels on the half shell
On the grill…Paella & Lamb on the Spit & Sea Bream




    
Steve chatting up Becca about the new releases

And guess who just turned 35 Mr. Colin…can’t believe he is that old!  How did I get this old?

After we returned to the lake we were lucky enough to get an invitation to dinner on my friend Rusty’s terrace.  Rusty is an emmy winning former set decorator so you can imagine that dinner at her home is always an event. As if we didn’t already have enough wonderful wine.  We were treated to Justin’s Isocoles Reserve and the Venerable Focus.

Rusty has a jewelbox of a house.  Every inch is carefully curated and a feast for the eyes.  One day I will get good photographs. Rusty could make celery look interesting.

Having dinner on her terrace is magical.  She lives right next door to us and our terraces are at the same level.  Until I am lucky enough to go for dinner I forget the eden she has created in that small space.

The sunset like a fire in the distance. Wait did Rusty choreograph this? I am sure it did not look like this at my house right next door…

That’s my house in the distance. When we moved in next door I knew Rusty and I would be kindred souls.  I am so lucky to have her for a neighbor and friend. 

Lastly you don’t have to buy a new tablecloth to dress up your table everytime.  Use what you have.  Notice how Rusty draped a red shawl across the center of her table to create a little drama? We like to entertain at our outdoor fireplace when we have a small group. I have a small 48” portable table that I bought on Amazon that I place over my existing coffee table (it weighs a ton by the way). I used my burlap tablecloth as a base and transformed the top with a shawl from my closet.  Tablecloths can be expensive.  Use what you have and change out your napkins!