The Ole! Report featuring Dalia Ceja

Let’s find a beautiful place to get lost in the mustard flowers…

Spring in the Napa Valley casts a strong spell, with its yellow-hued vineyards, 70-degree days and cool nights warmed by vino and night bocce ball (in my case). This time of year leaves a stunning yellow trail of mustard blossoms that literally causes cars to stop in their tracks and admire the bold beauty. It’s also the perfect transitional season to shift from boots and fussy layers, to light airy dresses, sandals and lots of sunshine.

Today’s look was inspired by the recent election of Argentine, Pope Francis. I swept through my closet and found this dress that I had purchased on my last trip to Buenos Aires. It’s made by one of my favorite Argentine designers, Min Agostini, whom I happened to stumble upon during one Sunday afternoon at the popular San Telmo Street Market. Agostini uses her skills as an architect to bring a new level of structural innovation, which I absolutely adore when designed right – hence the cap sleeve ruffle and bubble bottom. I can’t wait to go back! Ole!

(Min Agostini Teal Dress, Chloé Sunglasses, Vintage Jewelry, Kenneth Cole Nude Sandal)

Besos,

Dalia x

Oh hello, 2013!  This past month has already proved to be an exciting year with lots of exhilarating projects and events in the works. I’m so honored to announce (and be included) in the book launch of Rock and Vine – a stunning coffee table book which features the lives and innovations of eleven young change-makers who are shaping the future of wine through their own skill and style.

Authored by publisher Chelsea Prince, edited by Master of Wine Christy Canterbury, and photographed by Mary Steinbacher, the book introduces talented wine industry trailblazers who are primed to perpetuate and evolve the legacy of Napa and Sonoma Valley.

The eleven profiled Rock and Vine leaders include:

• Joe Wagner of Wagner Family Made Wine
• Nicole Marchesi of Far Niente
• Angelina Mondavi of Dark Matter
• Dalia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards
• Christina Turley of Turley Wine Cellars
• Tony Leonardi of BNA Wine Group
• Jason Exposto of Futo
• August Sebastiani of The Other Guys
• Jordan Kivelstadt of Free Flow Wines
• Morgan Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co.
• Danny Fay, Mike Benziger, and Ben Flajnik of Envolve Winery
• *Maggie Pramuk of Robert Biale Vineyards - writes the introduction

Here’s a sneak peek and behind the scenes look… Ole!

{The changemakers}

{Our welcome kitty}

{I never leave home without my cowgirl boots}

{Lipstick and vino go hand-in-hand}

{Bocce ball and wine anyone?}

{The only way to study for your EMBA}

p.s. A portion of all profits from Rock and Vine sales will benefit Wine To Water, a non-profit organization focused on providing clean water to people in need around the world. For more information on Rock and Vine and to purchase the book, please visit www.rockandvinebook.com - Chelsea, thank you again for your passionate vision and for bringing this beautiful book to life.

Besos,

Dalia x

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 – 6:08am

I woke up hearing tractors drive near my window while the faint glow of the crisp morning light started to peek in my room. Harvest had started! The campesinos {vineyard workers} had actually been picking since 2am. Feeling the excitement in the air, I didn’t even bother to hit the snooze button – I was up. The morning was damp, overcast and perfect for harvesting. Dressed in warm gym attire, I walked to the back of our Carneros property where they were already  busily picking Pinot Noir grapes.

I was greeted by my uncle Armando Ceja (our winemaker) who was tasting and sampling different clusters of fruit in a nearby bin. “It’s perfect,” he stated and then started to sort out leaves, twigs and fallen debri from a huge white bin. He was right, the fruit was juicy, plump and so sweet. I knew then that our 2012 vintage would be stellar! The crew was hard at work, moving fast, precise and skillful with the sharp knives in their hands. I couldn’t help but gawk in wonder and admire their hard work with nothing but the deepest respect.

As soon as I started snapping pictures, I got in a zone and remembered my childhood during harvest. I can recall following after the crews picking up clusters left on the vines and on the ground. My family went from picking grapes to award winning vintners and it’s because of the contribution of the Mexican labor force that makes it possible for Napa Valley wines to be enjoyed all over the world.

I couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring morning in our vineyards. Happy Harvest y’all! Ole!

{Armando Ceja, Winemaker}

Besos,

Dalia x

Auction Napa Valley has come and gone but I couldn’t resist highlighting the decadent wine filled weekend that raised $8 Million for charity! My mom and I attended Saturday’s iconic Live Auction Day at Meadowood Resort where we hosted a table, poured Ceja Vineyards wines & participated in one of the live auction lots.

The over-the-top live auction was held in a huge white tent where, for more than three hours, 800 bidders, vintners and media socialized, cheered and chose to bid on more than 40 extravagant live auction lots. Why should you bid? Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given more than $100 million to dozens of Napa County health, youth development and affordable housing non-profits – pretty awesome!

Top Three Live-Auction Lots

1. Chappellet: $720,000

• A 12-day African safari for four, dinner for 10 at the winery and four large-format bottles. Winning bid was $360,000, paid by two separate bidders.

2. Chappellet, Chateau Montelena, Gargiulo, Raymond, Shafer and Silver Oak: $460,000

• A private concert for 28 people with Lady Antebellum, two-night trip to London and six large-format bottles.

 3. Antica Napa Valley and Dalla Valle: $300,000

• Three-night excursion in Napa for four, 10-night trip to Tuscany for four and 16 large-format bottles {Yay Maya!}.

If that still doesn’t quite do it for you, the food just might. Famed chef, Thomas Keller kicked off lunch with Ad Hoc’s fried chicken and Gotts Road House stand served over 700 burgers during the live auction. Emeril Lagasse hosted a sunset dinner on the lawn that included salmon crudo and roasted Colorado lamb rack accompanied with more than 200 Magnums of wine to pair. Doesn’t get much better than that! Ole!

p.s. I’m heading to San Diego today with my EMBA class to sail with the USA Women’s America’s Cup team. More info later! Have a fabulous weekend!

Besos,

Dalia

After a long weekend attending my first 2 days of EMBA class, my family and I celebrated Sunday afternoon with brunch and a bit of wine tasting at one of my favorite wineries, known for its stunning panoramic views. Artesa sits high in the hilltop of the Carneros region in the Napa Valley and beckons both locals and visitors to experience their unique fusion of architecture, art and wine.

Sitting on their outdoor patio and sipping their Pinot Noir was undeniably one of the most relaxing afternoons I’ve had in awhile…Ole!

{J Crew Cardigan, Mossimo Dress, Vintage Boots & Belt, H&M Bracelets, Gifted Pendant Necklace via Annabella’s Boutique}

p.s. This upcoming weekend kicks off April in Carneros! It’s a fun & festive “passport” event with over 20 participating wineries {in Carneros & Sonoma} including Ceja Vineyards. Each winery offers live music, food, wine tasting and more. If you like jumping from fiesta to fiesta then this is definitely for you! I’ll be working at Ceja Vineyards all weekend so pop in and say hola! For more information and to buy tickets click HERE.

Besos,

Dalia x