We had the opportunity to join Sonoma’s Mike [the bejkr] Zakowski at his home last month for some delicious flat breads. Under a veil of December condensation, a group of lucky friends huddled around his outdoor brick oven while he and girlfriend Christy assembled small, steaming miracles adorned with pumpkin sauce, fresh cheeses, dandelion greens and other brilliant toppings.
We love art, and the Bay Area is certainly renowned for its uniquely creative vision—a vision which Sonoma area collector Rene di Rosa excelled at capturing in his extensive collection at the di Rosa preserve. We were sorry to hear of his recent passing. Sarah recalls, fondly, interviewing him for a story and how all he wanted to talk about was how much he loved eating his lunches at Sonoma Market. We do too! We’ll miss seeing him across the salad bar, but happily know his passion for art and his support for the arts will live on through the di Rosa preserve.
Here is a short video we produced for Cult Sonoma, capturing just a fraction of the collection and di Rosa experience.
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!
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 . . . !
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:
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.
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!
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!
To create this album artwork, we started off with an original painting of a piano on fire and added Sarah’s original photography.
We then laid out the album art to develop a cohesive visual representation of the band’s unique music and personality.
These sample spreads from SONOMA magazine feature art direction and layouts by Peter and writing, copyediting and photography by Sarah.
As part of the process for helping SONOMA magazine launch their new lifestyle magazine, we created a prototype of the magazine using Peter’s style guide and graphic design and Sarah’s original photography
and writing. This prototype went on to inform the final style guide Peter ultimately created the magazine.