Barnsdall Wine Nights transform the park into something magical
ATTENDEES cover the hillside; Hollyhock House is in rear.
The sound of funk music, faint when I exited the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, grew louder with each step I took up the hill. Cheerful chatter worked its way through the pine trees and led me past food trucks to the top of the hill at Barnsdall Art Park, where I was met with huge smiles and a bright red wristband.
Every Friday in the summer, Barnsdall Art Park, at 4800 Hollywood Blvd., hosts a wine tasting from 5:30 to 9 p.m. I made my way over to a long table where sommeliers from Silverlake Wine poured glasses for attendees—everyone gets to try four wines.
SILVERLAKE WINE sponsors the wine tasting event.
A smooth pinot grigio started it off. I took a stroll around. The hill hadn’t quite filled yet, and the sun was still high overhead. I found myself chatting with Joanna Gang, the administrator for the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. These Wine Night events have been held for 17 years. They’re the primary fundraiser for the Foundation, which supports the various institutions within Barnsdall Park, including the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and the Hollyhock House, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Los Angeles. “We do 16 nights, and we sell out every time,” Gang told me. “I always say, bring your out-of-town guests, because it represents L.A. in the most magical way.” She gestured to the view of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory. She was right.
Second course was a sparkling rosé. It was a welcome surprise, and the bubbles helped wash down the artisan pizza I’d gotten at one of the food trucks. The hill was full at this point, and everyone’s sunglasses were out as golden hour began. The DJ shifted the air from retro funk to world music. A few people had begun to dance.
Next glass was a Tuscan merlot. “We’re entering red wine territory,” the moustached sommelier said with a wink. “Elegant.”
I laughed. I felt elegant. The temperature began dropping with the sun, which had just dipped behind the Santa Monica Mountains. Somehow, another slice of pizza had made its way onto my credit card and into my mouth. The conversations around me, once eager and focused, grew lighter as the world grew darker. Laughter was everywhere. The music took on a techno flair as acoustic day gave way to electronic night.
Final glass. Montepulciano. The music calmed, as had the crowd, which reached its crescendo with the sunset. Some began to hug goodbye. Those that stayed brought out sweaters and small lamps. As I got up to leave, I realized, if only for a few hours, Barnsdall felt like the only place in the world.
Wine Nights are every Friday evening through Sept. 11. To feel it yourself, go to barnsdall.org.
Category: Real Estate
