Inspiring Picnic Spot of the Week: Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park, Chicago

Strong, early autumn storms are visiting much of the nation this week, but just behind them are the last tender morsels of summer — clear skies and temperatures in the low-to-upper 70's, assembling themselves as the last course in a seasonal feast. Our advice is to hunt-or-gather up some favorite picnic fare, pick a choice spot, then head directly there as soon as weather permits. The last slice of summer is the most delicious.

Nestled in the vastness of  a lush public green and surrounded by high walls, Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park, Chicago is just one such spot — our inspiring picnic spot of the week. The entrance is so subtle that many miss it, but if you walk to the Fullerton underpass (toward the beach) and spot a small, subtle Japanese gate, you'll know you're on the right track. Once past the gate, American White Birch, Hawthorne, and ornamental crabapple trees line your path — each used in sequence to draw your eye to the central structure, poised stag-like at the water's edge.

Magical, silent, holy. These are some of the words visitors use to describe Architect Alfred Caldwell's tribute to the Prairie School style and mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright.  Horizontal lines were thought to evoke the native prairie landscape and Caldwell's large, stone slabs meet seamlessly with their surroundings — creating perfect, sun-warmed platforms for spreading out a blanket and reading a book or enjoying simple repast of fruits, nuts, cheese, bread, and wine. When you're finished, butterflies, dragonflies, and over 200 species of birds will be there to escort you gently into the new and cooler season.

If you happen to be in Northern California, the J Terrace, too, is an elegant and pastoral place to soak in the late September sun. Sitting on our warm patio near a gently flowing creek you'll share a platter of peak season foods accompanied by carefully selected J wine pairings. Click here for cost and reservation information. 
  

Lincoln Park Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, Fullerton Pkwy and Cannon Drive Chicago, IL 60689 

J Terrace at J Vineyards & Winery 11447 Old Redwood Highway  Healdsburg, CA 95448

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Inspiring Picnic Spot of the Week: Pittock Mansion in Portland

Picnics are a way of life here in Sonoma County, so as summer dwindles down to a sliver, we encourage you to make time for one or two more fresh air dining experiences before autumn arrives with its shorter days and snappy air.

Our inspiring picnic spot of the week is Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon. Perched high in the West Hills, Pittock Mansion sits more than a thousand feet above the city's skyline, so it's a great spot to take in the view. Take the one-hour house tour or wander the gardens at no cost. There are picnic tables and benches for your use.

(If we weren't so busy with harvest, we'd consider heading there now!)  

If you're in Northern California, like us, and looking for more local ways to enjoy the last of the season, you should definitely check out the J Terrace experience. It's available through October and offers some of the most fabulous al fresco dining in the Bay Area. You and a friend will sit under the white canvas umbrellas on our sun warmed creekside patio while sharing a platter of peak season foods (the current menu is here) accompanied by carefully selected J wine pairings. 

The cost is $40 per couple ($35 for Club J members) and reservations are strongly recommended, although walk-ins are welcome, too. To make a reservation, call us at 707.431.5430 or request a reservation online.  

Another great way to enjoy the J Terrace is our upcoming September 22nd Harvest Party -- one of the best seasonal events in Sonoma —featuring our award-winning wines, seasonal hors d’oeuvres, and array of goodies provided by our favorite local food vendors. Pick up your tickets while they're still available!

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Glamorous Picnic Spot of the Week: The J Terrace

Lately on the blog we've been featuring glamorous picnic spots like the Palace of Fine Arts, but this week we can't resist featuring our own J Terrace as our al fresco pick because we just got this incredibly gorgeous new 360 degree view of it, which you just have to see.

The J Terrace experience is only available through October, so we do recommend booking your reservation now. You and a friend will sit under the white canvas umbrellas on our sun warmed creekside patio while sharing a platter of peak season foods (the current menu is here) accompanied, of course, by carefully selected J wine pairings. 

Cost is $40 per couple ($35 for Club J members) and reservations are strongly recommended, although walk-ins are welcome, too. To make a reservation, call us at 707.431.5430 or request a reservation online. 

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Glamorous Picnic Spot of the Week: The Palace of Fine Arts

 

"A fictional ruin from another time.” That’s how San Francisco’s stunningly beautiful Palace of Fine Arts has been described by some. When he designed it for the 1915 World’s Fair, architect Bernard Maybeck said he built the palace to show “the mortality of grandeur and the vanity of human wishes,” but he also wanted to prove that Greek architecture could fit within a California context -- adorning its underside with murals of California’s “four golds”: poppies, citrus fruits, metallic gold, and wheat.

The palace’s pale, peachy-gold dome glows luminously against the cooler colors of the city while a sparkling lagoon and plush green lawn sit astride the main structure -- making it the perfect place to have a picnic while you contemplate the mortality of grandeur.  

Items pictured, clockwise left to right: Droplet Wine Glass by Anthropologie ($18), Vintage Coracle Picnic Basket from Harrod’s on Etsy ($79), 2011 J Pinot Gris California, Crinkled Mini Baker in Yellow by Anthropologie ($10 to $28), Leaf Print Retro Napkins on Etsy ($20)

Pick up some lemon soy chicken at nearby Marina Supermarket or pints of delicious roasted broccoli and brussel sprouts from Real Food Company on Fillmore, which carries a good selection of local cheeses, too. And of course don’t forget to bring along some of J’s picnic-friendly wines. Our J Pinot Gris California is a fresh, aromatic white that goes especially well with picnic fare.

For an even more glamorous picnic, try the Terrace experience here at the J Vineyards estate in Healdsburg. You and a friend sit under a white canvas umbrella on our warm, creekside patio while sharing a platter of peak season foods (current menu is here) accompanied by J wines. Cost is $40 per couple ($35 for Club J members). The Terrace experience is only available through October and reservations are strongly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome, too. Call us at 707.431.5430 to make a reservation or request a reservation online. 

Club J | Directions | Event Calendar | Gift Boutique | Wine Shop