The product of two years of planning and development, The Prisoner’s expansive new project occupies the space that once housed Franciscan Estate. But visitors who had the chance to stop by before the transformation may not recognize it anymore: Architect Matt Hollis and interior designer Richard Von Saal have transformed the 40,000 square feet into a wholly immersive experience inspired by the iconic aesthetic of The Prisoner’s labels.
Straightforward samplings of the wine are $40, by appointment or walk-in, and include wine, a bit of food, and a tour of culinary garden, vineyard, and The Makery, which is just beyond the tasting bar… where, of course, the wines are stored “in bondage,” their shackle-like holders suspended from chains. “The Makery Journey,” $65 and by appointment only, affords guests the opportunity to also purchase certain items from the makers-in-residence.
That small-plates pairing takes place in a dramatically long room, where four separate stalls off to the side house a rotating cast of local artists and craftspeople—the makers, as it were. They currently include culinary-bag company Aplat; Tsalt Seasoning, which utilizes The Prisoner’s wines, as well as other ingredients, to spice up pink-hued Mongolian salt; and more—which is why I enjoyed my lunch in the presence of that vibrating, jittering graphite skeleton.
It was the brainchild of artist Agelio Batle, whose works in that material explore the connection between the ancient life that ultimately turned into carbon, and the art that can be made today from it. The skeleton was set on a flat vibrating table lined with a massive sheet of mylar film, and with each jolt and shudder of the fabricated bones, it left a mark. After days or weeks or months, depending on when Batle believes it’s complete, the paper is removed, framed, and displayed for purchase.
Conceptual, to be sure, but the finished product is magnificent. And with a few glasses of The Prisoner’s wines in your system, it all starts to make perfect sense. The overlapping of the worlds of art, architecture, wine, and food here is fascinating, and an excellent addition to the Napa Valley.
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