Napa Charm
When you mention Napa, California, most people think of wine and vast panoramas of vineyards stretching over the horizon. If you’ve been there, perhaps you were mesmerized by the mountains and rolling hills which turn the rows of vines into a hypnotic interplay of rhythmic designs. You probably enjoyed sampling the numerous wines which have earned respect of vintners worldwide.
Perhaps you were also charmed by the beautiful rose gardens adorning the wineries, and possibly, you even noted that there are as many varieties of roses as there are wines. Did you also notice that each row of vines has a rose bush planted at the end, and thought they were there to entertain the tourists?
Au contraire! The rose bushes have a very important purpose: To warn of a disease which is devastating to the ambitious vines and maturing grapes. This disease will attack the rose bushes first, thereby alerting the growers to the impending disaster.
These are a few of the enchanting roses, photographed by this artist while her husband was in the tasting room, enchanted by the wine!
~ Fran Di Giacomo, OPA
"Napa Charm"
40 x 30
By Fran Di Giacomo
