After a few seconds, it dawned on us that paintings on display were the work of Malcolm Hughes, a local North Garden artist who captures the tranquility and mystery of the Albemarle County countryside is such a magnificent and touching manner.  Several of painting were created during some of Malcolm’s visits to Bundoran Farm.  If you look closely at one painting, “Evening Air” (see below) , you will notice the likeness of Casey Williams, former and much beloved Bundoran Farm team member, who volunteered to model for Malcolm.

I have always thought that one mark of a beautiful place is when talented artist come out a paint what they see.  Thanks to Malcolm for capturing the character of Bundoran Farm in oils.

"Evening Air" by Malcolm Hughes

I hope that this post finds everyone well and that you are staying cool through this very hot spell! The heat index today will be about 110 degrees, so the summer heat is certainly on. The rains have been plentiful this year at Bundoran Farm, providing good conditions for the pastures and orchards. Additionally, a small vegetable garden that we planted this year is thriving in these conditions. In fact, we presently have plenty of fresh organic cucumbers available for Bundoran Farm owners and nearby neighbors. So if you are in the area stop by the Baldwin Center and help yourself to a few. We also have a few zucchini and yellow squash available to the first few that arrive. Later in the season we will have some corn, sweet peppers, green beans and plenty of vine ripe tomatoes.

What a great way to enjoy and appreciate the bounty of the land.

Below are a few picture of our small garden and our recent harvest.

Here’s a link to the video Robyn O’Brien Video

The video is worth watching.

Design

Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards is posed to to be Central Virginia’s most comprehensive boutique winery and vineyard.  Located on Bundoran Farm and just minutes from the University of Virginia and Downtown Charlottesville, Pippin Hill Farm is envisioned as a fresh interpretation of the classic winery through expertise of a collaboration of artisans, winemakers, local farm producers and event designers.  Their design pays homage to the classic American form of farmstead house, barns and fields, and reflects on Pippin Hill and their design team’s vision for an understated structure that blends into the contours of the land, naturally enhancing the beauty of the property.

The design and construction reflects a commitment to their patrons, and equally important, to the environment.  The building incorporates a range of LEED and Green Engineering elements, including resource efficient timber and wood frame construction, cellulose insulation, geothermal heating and cooling system, rainwater harvesting and natural stone and wood finishes.

Wines and Vines

A member of the Monticello Wine Trail, Pippin Hill Farm is a boutique-scale operation defined by their signature wine production.  At its most basic level, their operational philosophy is to preserve and protect the rural agrarian nature of the farm environs.  Their five-acre vineyard is planted with Savignon Blanc, Petit Verdot, and Viognier varietals.  They will supplement their grapes with others from their co-op farm partners through a lease of their vineyard production.

Pippin Hill’s winemaking aims for quality and requires a high level of personal skill, experience and commitment.  It is structured as a unique partnership with recognized winemaker, Michael Shaps with Virginia Wineworks, utilizing their ‘custom crush’ production services for the range of Pippin Hill wines.  Custom crushing is an innovative process that allows individuals, grape growers and wineries to capitalize on an established winemaker’s facility and expertise to create distinctive wines for their own brands.

Pippin Hill sources all of their grapes regionally from Virginia’s finest vineyards.  For their premiere year, they are offering a range of wines including Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Meritage blends and seasonal sparkling Blanc de Blanc and Rose Wines.

Pippin Hill’s Tasting Room is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and features wine tastings and food pairings with the wines. Group tastings are available by appointment, in their Wine Bar Loft.

Here’s a link to a news clip that appeared on the local NBC affiliate about the opening of the Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards  - “Finishing Touches for Pippin Hill’s Opening”

This luncheon will be held at City Space, 100 5th St. NE, on the Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA. Doors open at 11:50 and the Seminar begins at approximately 12:10 pm.

For more information about this luncheon and other programs sponsored by the James River Green Building Council, visit JRGBC.

Their mission is to design and build high quality, lasting structures.  For them, the foundation of these homes is developing strong relationships, based on trust, with their clients.  For Alexander Nicholson, the client’s experience throughout the construction process is every bit as important as the final product.

Throughout the company’s history they have shied away from building in planned communities.  However, the preservation development model that Bundoran Farm utilizes has convinced them of the value of this concept.  They are excited to work with a development team that is creating a community based on respect for the environment, the agrarian nature of Albemarle County, quality craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

Jack and Mike along with their friend and construction colleague, Howard Pape, founded Building Goodness Foundation in 1999.  Building Goodness Foundation is a volunteer organization based in Charlottesville, VA that organizes skilled craftspeople, construction professionals, and other passionate volunteers in a positive, collaborative effort to design and build structures for communities in need.  Contributing their time, talent, and resources to local and international communities is a core value of our organization.

Below are the event details:

Cost:          Free

Date:         Thursday, February 24, 2011

Place:         Albemarle County Office Building  - 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA

Time:         6:00-8:00 pm

Note:  Display Stations will be available for viewing in the Lobby of the Albemarle County Office Building all day on February 24th



 Display posters on view in the Lobby with specialists on hand to answer questions/discuss issues; an interactive community survey with real-time responses; comment/suggestion boxes for community input.

Andrea Larson, professor at the Darden School of Business at UVa, with an insightful view on the global impact of sustainability-related innovation and its competitive advantage, will be offering the presentation “Opportunities” at the opening of the event.  Bill Edgerton, long time resident, advocate for efficient, affordable housing, and former Albemarle County planning commissioner, will present a summary and his perspective on the local climate action planning process underway and opportunities ahead.

Click here for further information:     Carbon – Our Energy Future and You

Congratulations to all involved including Sunbiosis Architects, Artisan Construction and most importantly, John and Diane Foraste, Bundoran Farm Stewards and owners of this lovely and sensitive home.

You can read to full story written by Zack Miller in most recent issue of  EarthCraft Virginia e-newsletter.

This morning we started an hour late since everything was covered with
ice…and then a lot of the ice turned to water and mud–shorting out
extension cords and generally making a mess.  Then it mercifully got
quite warm so I sent one of the crews up top to work on the cupola
roofing–which they were able to finish this afternoon…with one left
to go since we had to wait half a day for the ice to melt.

This was the first day I realized how much of a tapestry we are….woven
into all the other trades and their schedules as well as our own.  I
knew this was the case but today I could not go past where they had to
stop…kind of like running into a wall at high speed–and simply the
nature of a large project with a lot of coordinated interests.  While it
was hard0–i was glad i could see this for what it is….that we are all
in this together….and when I got back this evening–one of the
blockading trenches had already been filled.

Best of all–there was a great sunset at Bundoran Farm….it is always beautiful.

george abetti – geobarns