03/23/2015 - Artistic Inspiration and Wine made on Love

Slow Living Radio always loves stories of adventure and dreams, and stories of inspiration and our guests tonight bring us both. Phifer-Pavitt Winery was founded on a "date night" and continues to grow and be nurtured all around date nights of the founding couple.  And Nimbus Arts brings all forms of art to the public, giving therapy to abused teens and to veterans, and skills to schools and to anyone in the community who feels they may have an artist in them.  Some of their stories will bring tears to your eyes!

Suzanne Phifer-Pavitt

Phifer Pavitt Winery

 

Phifer Pavitt Winery is a dream of Suzanne Phifer and Shane Pavitt, who purchased twenty three acres on Silverado Trail in 1999. Over the course of several years of 'date nights,' the couple hatched the idea of their own Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in 2005.  The winery opened in November 2010 and is housed in a historic “Napa Valley vernacular” barn, with a board-and-batten façade and metal roof, nestled into a scenic spot looking out over views of Napa Valley. The barn was found in nearby Franz Valley where it was situated for more than 100 years before being relocated to its current home. The barn was ‘repurposed’ into a winery; repurposing has become a dominant theme. Suzanne and Shane work to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.  The décor includes numerous eco-chic elements, including reclaimed barbed wire ‘chandeliers,’ recycled blue jean insulation, recycled Wyoming snow-fencing paneling, a 1946 Farmall tractor and a walnut slab suspended from the ceiling in the upstairs tasting room. The latest addition to the tasting room consists of four salvaged large wood slab tables.

Shane grew up on the beach in Manhattan Beach, California and enjoyed a 20+ year career in the world of finance.  He loves the benefits and challenges presented by living in a small town like Calistoga.  He enjoys coaching youth football and baseball programs and the time it allows him to spend with his two sons.  His hobbies include snowboarding, running, mountain biking, hiking and not enough yoga.  

Born in Ringgold, Georgia, Suzanne has an MBA from the University of Southern California.  She transitioned from the corporate world to the wine world in 2004; she travels on behalf of the winery and in the summer of 2010 was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel for her efforts. Suzanne was also one of the founding participants in an annual exchange between women vintners in Bordeaux and Napa. She is actively involved in her sons’ schools and their sports teams. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena and Calistoga and she is also on the Board of the Calistoga Community Pool. She loves the great outdoors, skiing, diving, yoga, gardening and sharing a great meal and wine with friends.

 

Jamie Graff, Executive Director,

Nimbus Arts.

Nimbus Arts is dedicated to nurturing curiosity, fostering creative expression, and building a sense of community. In addition to on-site classes and camps, open studios, and lectures, they offer free public events, community service programs, classes in public and private schools, and collaborative art projects throughout Napa County.

Jamie Graff
and fellow artists

Hundreds of Hands: Mariposa Program

Nimbus Arts’ Hundreds of Hands: Mariposa program is an 18-month-long free public art leadership project with Mariposa, Napa County Office of Education’s middle school empowerment and anti-abuse program for at-risk Latinas.

Student leaders become “mosaic expert” instructors and travel out into the community to create mosaic butterflies, becoming role models, mentors, and furthering their mission of empowerment and public awareness of their work.

Nimbus stands strongly behind creating this style of project which is both community building and collaborative.

The mural will be installed at the Cope Family Center in late summer 2015.

Hundreds of Hands mosaic to be installed at Cope