Category: recent projects

  • SONOMA magazine // Fall 2010

    SONOMA magazine // Fall 2010

    Once again sporting art direction and page layouts by Peter, the latest issue of SONOMA magazine—its second issue distributed nationally—features a story on the valley’s sublime Scribe Winery by Sarah:

    “Scribe Winery is exquisitely imperfect. This is where the sheen of Wine Country ends and its patchwork, outlaw lore bubbles to the surface. It’s where the dust billows over an irregular dirt road, escorted by a long row of palm trees that beckon you back toward the coarse hillsides and corrupt histories and overgrown, feral sweetness to a turn-of-the-century hacienda wiling away its hours in a state of gauzy, dilapidated bohemian grace. It’s where Andrew Mariani, his brother Adam, their uncle Andrew Avellar and Napa-based winemaker Kristof Anderson spend their hours making a neglected property whole again, and almost coincidentally, crafting lush, drinkable wine…[read more]

    We’ve been receiving rave reviews on this issue, and Sarah’s Scribe story in particular. Our favorite response, though, is this note from Adam Mariani of Scribe:

    “Beyond the beautiful writing and absorbing journey you take the reader on, we are moved by how well you captured SCRIBE.  It is re-inspiring to hear our manifesto spoken so well in your writing.  Thank you.”

    If you don’t subscribe, please go out and pick up a copy at the newsstand—or at least check out some of the content on the magazine’s web site!

    Also, be sure to check out the video we produced on Scribe Winery for Cult Sonoma!

  • video // Doe Bay Fest 2010

    video // Doe Bay Fest 2010

    Way back in August, the Belle Creative home offices took their show on the road to beautiful Orcas Island in the San Juans—we started off the workcation with a weekend at the stellar Doe Bay Fest enjoying meteor showers and some amazing music (we called it “band camp for adults.”) Check out our video recap and keep an eye out for Sonoma’s own Ryan William Lynch and his band Indian Valley Line . . . !

  • video // cult sonoma

    video // cult sonoma

    We’re under the spell of Scribe Winery . . . here’s a video we produced on the subject for Cult Sonoma!

    Update: We were able to return to Scribe Winery for their last bash before they remodel “The Hacienda.” The event was a collaboration between the winery and 18 Reasons:

  • A Sonoma Fourth

    A Sonoma Fourth

    Here’s to amber waves of grain, jumpy castles and red, white & rosés.  Another Fourth of July in Sonoma exploded in patriotic crepe-paper DIYisms, split-personality hometown bands, mustard-festooned wiener dogs,  dissenting zombies, karate kids and fabulous fireworks. All in all it was a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting, if Norman Rockwell wore glow stick necklaces and bermuda shorts while drinking estate cab at 10 in the morning. Sometimes, we think it’s the best reason for living here…

    Thank you to the Sonoma Community Center for putting on yet another fabulous event!  We’re already looking forward to next year!

  • SONOMA magazine // we scream for ice cream!

    SONOMA magazine // we scream for ice cream!

    Sometimes, work can be a grind.  But most of the time, we love every second of what we do—especially when Sarah gets to write stories for SONOMA magazine on topics such as cheese, beer, spas and ice cream.  No better reason for a little indulgence than in the name of research!


    PHOTO // ROBBI PENGELLY, SONOMA MAGAZINE

    Just in time for the hot summer months, check out Sarah’s article in the summer issue of SONOMA magazine on the best local ice creameries—you can read the article here.  Also be sure to pick up a full copy of the magazine for features on local food (including Sarah’s cheese article) and Francis Ford Coppola’s new Sonoma County winery.

  • video : cult sonoma // SVMA’s Mix

    video : cult sonoma // SVMA’s Mix

    Sonoma Valley Museum of Art‘s regularly occurring Mixes have become one of our favorite after hours activities in Sonoma.  Above is a short video we produced for Cult Sonoma on the most recent Mix—a masquerade theme complete with local punk band Static People and surrounded by the fabulous Silence, Exile & Cunning exhibit (see Miya Hannan‘s “Journey” installation below.)

  • 2010 Sonoma Valley Muse

    2010 Sonoma Valley Muse

    Each year, the Sonoma Community Center selects a prominent character from Sonoma’s history to celebrate as the years’ Sonoma Valley Muse.  Past years have been in honor of Jack London, “Big Alma” Spreckels and Robert Lynch.  A special event is the focus of the celebration, which raises much needed funds for the treasure of an arts and cultural center that is the Sonoma Community Center.

    This year, the honoree is Hanzell Vineyards founder James D. Zellerbach—who also served as U.S. Ambassador to Italy.  The Italy connection inspired the theme of this year’s celebration: Roman Holiday!

    We were once again happy to help create promotional materials and invitations to spread the word about the wonderful event.  You can learn more about this year’s event—and buy tickets—here!

  • SONOMA Magazine // summer issue

    SONOMA Magazine // summer issue

    We love working on SONOMA magazine—what better way is there to immerse ourselves in and celebrate the Sonoma Valley culture we hold so dear?

    The summer issue has been published and is now on local news stands.  This issue also marks a major step forward for the magazine as it is now being distributed nationally.

    Featuring Peter’s art direction and story layouts as well as two feature stories written by Sarah—one on local cheese producers and the other on local ice creameries—the issue’s theme is “food” and also features a story on Francis Ford Coppola’s new Sonoma County winery.

    Check out the web site for more information, or go out and find a printed copy to get the full scoop!

  • video : cult sonoma // Huichica Music Festival

    video : cult sonoma // Huichica Music Festival

    Another video we produced for cultsonoma.com—this one a summary of the first annual Huichica Music Festival at Gundlach Bundschu Winery.

  • photos // Huichica Music Festival : 2010

    photos // Huichica Music Festival : 2010

    As total music geeks, we were beyond thrilled to help Jeff Bundschu and the Gundlach Bundschu Winery team promote the exciting first annual Huichica Music Festival.  Featuring several of our favorite bands—Citay, Fruit Bats, Vetiver—the festival was a complete success and we’re already excited for the second annual ballyhoo.  In the meantime, a trip down memory lane via photography . . .

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