We shoot thousands of images every year here in Healdsburg and at the farm in Philo, but in the end we publish very few. Blessed to be content rich at barndiva, the temptation to post is ever present. But we’re increasingly sensitive to the fact there are way too many competing images in all our lives already. If the objective is to have a real conversation with you (it is), and if we value our sanity (we do), we’ve got to keep it real.
2021 was a remarkable year here at the barn. We are incredibly proud of being awarded a Michelin Star. For being recognized for a fifth year for the excellence of our wine program with two cups from Wine Spectator. The Barndiva Wine Company in the UK managed to survive another year of restaurant closures and still begin to thrive. But keeping it real means acknowledging that as proud as we are of these accomplishments (and we truly are) they resonate fullest in the knowledge that we end the year in good health and that we did not make it through another pandemic year alone. We were blessed to have made many new relationships in the food, farming and art worlds, while strengthening friendships we already held dear. Without these vital partnerships that connect us to our family’s core values - curiosity, sustainability, a belief that character matters, and crucially, the power of beautiful form in nature and in what we create - we would be lost.
To our extended family here and in Engand, our incredible staff, the farmers, vintners and artists near and far who inspire us daily, we thank you from a tender place for your support, your feedback, and for sharing our 2021 journey.
To all of you who broke bread or raised a glass with us this year - virtually or in the flesh - we send our wishes for a Happy New Years and the hope 2022 will be filled with bon chance and good health. Of looking forward to the next adventure, no matter what the challenges may be. Any year that gave us Walker, Lennon, Cleo, Asa, Ansel, and Luca; saw Carlo walking and LouLou riding a bike; resulted in bountiful harvests that fed us and the critters, found us of sound mind and good intent at the end, can’t be all bad. Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you. This year the bear ate more of our apples then we intended, but we were happy to oblige.
This is an album of personal favorites. Photo credit (and thanks) to Cathryn Hulsman for the shot of the small dinner party in the gallery, Moira Beverage for the image of Neidy and I in the gallery gardens, Emma K. Morris for Neidy’s scorched nectarine caramel semifreddo, and to wedding photographer Sabine Scherer for ‘the kiss,’ from one of our 2021 weddings - in fact thank you to all the special event photographers who made their images available to barndiva this past year. We’ve been expanding celebrations both large and small as we re-open studio barndiva. The response has been phenomenal.
Gardens loom large in our lives and I have included a few images here of two very special gardens we spent time in on our trip to England in September - both buoyed and inspired us considerably. To Fergus and the incredible team at Great Dixter, where Dan is now channeling his considerable talents, just…wow. Christopher Lloyd’s spirit was also alive and thriving at Gravetye Manor where, on a Sunday morning just after dawn in the walled vegetable gardens I experienced the most exquisite and sustained grace note of the year.
tagged with @michelinguideunitedstates, #michelinstar21, #eattheview , @HealdsburgChamber, @daniel.james, @socomeatco, @prestonfarmandwinery,@farmert, @gravetyemanor, @spontaneidy,@trytoputacorkinit,@whodoestheflowers, @gracekhalsa, @hayley.feldman, @texfel, @moshugana, @franciscoa, @hangrykorean,@sabineschererphotography, @emmakmorris, @lovehealdsburg, @winespectator,@castlewoodwines, @trillfarmgarden, jordy.morgan, @the_pig_hotels,@matthewjukes, @bottleapostle, @philoapplefarm, @amberkeneally, @nataliekerbyxo, @chefjeremycabrera