D'Vine Wine and Visitor Guide, serving Amador County, Calaveras County, El Dorado County, Placer County, Nevada County, San Joaquin County, Alameda County, Clarksburg and Delta region, Northern Sierra, Lodi Wine Region and Livermore Wine Region

Dvine Wine and Visitors Guide November 2008

Avio Vineyards	Scott's Seafood on the River
Lockeford Springs	The Spa at Wine and Rose
Wayne's World of Wines	First Sweet and Fortified Wine Tasting A Success
Board the Vine to Wine Tours Shuttle	Wine Education Pinot Noir
Culinary Corner	Past Issues

Strike the Perfect Note at Harmony Wynelands

"By Fran Benavidez"

If you’re in the mood to make some beautiful music with a juicy bottle of the good life, then turn your tasting tuner toward Lodi wine country’s Harmony Wynelands, where delicious wines flow and rousing melodies fill the air!

Nestled among luscious vineyards of old vine zinfandel, the winery, tasting room and event facility is a must-stop for wine and music lovers alike.

Winery owners Bob and Linda Hartzell opened their tasting room’s doors in 2002, when they began producing prized wines under their Wyneland Estates label. Linda’s son, Shaun MacKay, is the assistant winemaker, in addition to handling sales, marketing, and winery operations.

Harmony Wyneland’s unique namesake came about as the result of a South African journey the Hartzells made years back, when they discovered “wynelands” is used to describe many of South Africa’s grape vineyards. As for the “harmony” part, you’ll just have to read further to figure that one out!

Passing through the picturesque garden, visitors are treated to colorful blooming flowers and a peaceful trickling fountain that beckons visitors inside.

Upon entering the spacious tasting room, one can’t help but take in the immense keyboard instrument holding court over the entire building. Originally, Hartzell designed and built the studio to house the revered 1921 Robert Morton Theater Pipe Organ he acquired from San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater.

An inveterate pipe organ enthusiast, Hartzell can frequently be found tickling away at the console’s numerous ivories, and it is definitely a thrill to observe one of his impromptu concerts. As he says, “The atmosphere appeals to people.”

Wine tasters, take heed: If you have a glass of wine in your hand and Hartzell fires up the Morton, you’d better keep a firm grip on the glass and your stance, as this robust instrument means business. Through an elaborate maze of 1500 blaring pipes, guests can hear bells ring, whistles blow, and clippity-cloppity horse trots thunder from every angle and rafter of the studio, and that’s exactly how Bob likes it.