During this summer and fall, the veranda and grassy lawn outside 2 Hawk Winery in Medford was packed with sun worshippers drinking wine and beer, and listening to music. In the winter, the crowd convenes around tall tables propped up on wine barrels or sits on horse-saddle chairs pulled up to the tasting counter.
On the other side of the vast Western-style room, however, is furnishing that could have been culled from a tasteful apartment: a show kitchen — with stainless steel appliances — opens to a dining room with a polished table and upholstered high-back chairs illuminated by a wine bottle chandelier.
Wander downstairs to the subterranean lounge space and the decor gets even more Ralph Lauren than yee-haw. Leather chairs form intimate conversation clusters against one wall and in the middle of the room is a wooden table that can comfortably seat a dozen or more people for hours.
The Cellar, as it's called, was inspired by the Napa Valley boutique wineries that Nisha and Rick Jackson toured a few years ago before they decided on the design of their 2 Hawk's tasting room.
In Napa, private tasting areas are inside wine caves, traditional cellars or living room-style spaces. "We incorporated all of these ideas into our Cellar," says Rick Jackson. "We really liked the idea that a group of people could have a private tasting party."
When a group books the Cellar, Jackson gives those guests a special presentation, explaining the wine he serves. When it's not reserved, other customers can settle in and sip, a level below the main tasting room din.
For more information: 2 Hawk Winery, 2335 N. Phoenix Road, Medford, OR 97504, 541-779-WINE, www.2hawkwinery.com
Read the complete article in the Ashland Daily Tidings: http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121231/NEWS02/212310306
Comments