Wednesday, September 1, 2010

deMenging of HalloVine as presented by Michael deMeng!


How lucky can one person be to have a class with Michael deMeng! I do know ...........pretty lucky..I first met Michael almost a year ago October. I was privileged to take a class with him. He is truly joyous about sharing his love of all things junk and his artistic secrets. Even the most insecure in their artistic abilities would find comfort and encouragement in his gentle, and positive teaching style. However, I know I am not alone in meeting Michael. He has traveled the world sharing his talents, and insights with many other fortunate souls. He is accomplished in many fields, and has an eager spirit for adventure whether it be finding bits and pieces of junk to use in his creations, traveling , or trying new things. He work defies description. He has the imagination, and artistic vision to take castoff junk and turn it into the most incredible works of art. This is what he says about his work, "My work is about transformations. It is about the transformation of the common into the sacred. Discarded materials find new and unexpected uses in my work; they are reassembled and conjoined with unlikely components, a form of rebirth from the ashes into new life and new meaning. These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and revolutions of existence: from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction. These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing."
It was during class that wine and our family winery, the subject of my other life, as well as, Halloween the favorite subject of my artistic life presented itself. I am very pleased to announce that Michael is the artist for our family winery's Halloween HalloVine wine label this year. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, and instructional skills, Michael is the author of two books, Secrets of Rusty Things, and Dusty Diablos. We feel very honored to have the artistry of his work and the artistry of our wine combine to make a truly beautiful presentation, and memorable taste experience.

To see more of Michael’s work you may go to http://www.michaeldemeng.com/ Following is his contact information assemblage@michaeldemeng.com


Michael will be teaching classes at Tangerine (a little artistic shop) 7038 Village Parkway in Dublin CA on September 26th, 27th and 28th. On Sunday September 26th from 5:00 until 6:30 there will be a special reception to reveal Michael’s HalloVine label and the HalloVine wine. He will also be signing his new book Dusty Diablos. If you miss this reception he will be available to sign his label and his book at noon on all three days of the class, and he will also be available after class (5:00) on Monday and Tuesday as well. If you would like to view more information, or get directions to Tangerine please go to this website http://www.elevenmorningstangerine.com/

The HalloVine wine this year is something very special. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2005. This wine has been aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, and then bottle aged to perfection. It is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Napa Valley fruit, 13.8 % alcohol. It has strong notes of black current, and is a rich and zesty wine that will continue to age beautifully, potentially for another 10 to 15 years. It has berry jam and supple tannins with a long sweet oak smooth finish. It pairs well with mildly seasoned beef, beef stews, and of course dark Halloween chocolate.

The wine may be ordered from the winery by going to the winery website http://www.madonnaestate.com/, and and then click the online store, or by calling Brette, or Roxane (Monday –Friday) at (866) 724-2993, or emailing brette@madonnaestate.com

Thank You Michael.......the perfect complement of art and wine!