Natural as Nature Intended
For A Life Well Lived
Food for thought
from Gabrielle Leonhard O’Connell
O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens
I have pondered, what is a life well lived for me and for those dear to me? My reoccurring core value centered around respect and celebration…to thrive from the gifts of the earth and in turn enable the earth to thrive. Then to celebrate the joys of well-being. It begins at my back door at O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens and extends to you with…
Respect for the role our individual acts contribute to the well-being of our extended environment.
Avoiding pollutants, toxic chemicals, soil erosion fosters a healthy Dry Creek stream that borders O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens. Our practices naturally support the re-population of steel-head trout. Dry Creek is a major tributary to the Napa River, which is a major water source of the San Francisco Bay, which is, of course, intimately linked to the Pacific ocean. Our daily organic practices on 13 acres impacts the global environment. Every person, everything we do matters.
Respect for our soil that springs life and joy to everyday life.
A thriving organic environment exists at the entire O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens. Our vegetable garden is rooted in homemade compost. That freshly pulled carrot, vine ripened tomato and melt in your mouth lettuce, provides so much pleasure and nutrients! Our robust O’Connell Family Estate Vineyard blocks are the foundation of purity in O’Connell Family Wines, made with the goal to authentically express the soil, vintage year and varietal characteristic through organic farming practices. A wonderful accompaniment to your meal or Happy Hour.
Respect of biodiversity naturally occurring in nature.
We have taken nature’s example to provide a complex habitat to beneficial bugs, birds and bees at O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens. Natural predators and organisms minimize the need of organic sprays, and fertilizers. It is fascinating to watch hawks dive into the vineyard to retrieve their daily food, ridding us of vineyard pests. A mono-crop has proven an unsuccessful approach to farming, yet few vineyards in California embrace this concept, making our approach unique and responsible. Popping a cork among blooming lavender, entertained by busy bees buzzing flower spikes then flying to their hives in one of our heritage oak trees is Happy Hour entertainment- at a distance! Happy bees equals a happy bee population in our environmental community.
Respect for food & product sources-with local a high priority.
Our bio-diverse organic farming program including herbs, fruit trees, and edible flowers and foraged plants naturally occurring in the O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens, provides the core ingredients for all GC Napa Valley products. We are proud to say they are born in Napa and made in Napa. GC Napa Valley Culinary products are produced at our certified organic kitchen at Gabrielle Collection taste+ in downtown Napa. Being just 15 minutes from O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens, supports a minimal carbon footprint in our environment.
Respect for environmentally focused buildings.
Our plans for O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate winery building with state-of-the-art employs the Energy Mass™ smart-building system, using only 20% of the energy required with conventional winery construction. The walls do not require wood in their construction, further lessening environmental impact. Increased humidity in the construction method Less evaporation from wine barrels saves wine, labor and energy for cooling. Another reason to celebrate!
Respect of natural health and overall well-being inspired by the circle of life.
Start with healthy living soils at O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens; treat harvested fruits, herbs and vegetables, and livestock with honorable processing methods; cook with organic and natural ingredients that nourish the body and soul; embrace earth-friendly consumption habits; then be sure to celebrate the joy of the day.
My parents created this lifestyle in our home. My mother, a food and wine chemist, would analyze back labels, often resulting in home-made body care and home care products made from non-toxic ingredients. She planted vegetables & herbs, worked with local farmers to supply our food and was an advocated of toxic free practices. This inspired Gabrielle Collection GC Napa Valley Culinary, Spa, and Home products use our organic O’Connell Family Vineyard Estate Gardens lavender and other essential oils as key ingredients.
Our tastings at Gabrielle Collection taste+ carried forward my mother’s cooking with her farm fresh approach. She was an amazing home chef, so good eating was the norm, with perfectly paired wines she hand selected. Our meals were greeted with a toast, celebrating gratitude for the day.
Respect for you.
O’Connell Family Wines are produced with great personal are at every step to purely bring joy to your wine and food celebrations. Gabrielle Collection GC Napa Valley Culinary, Home Spa and Pooch product line embodies our values of a life well lived grounded, literally, in and from the earth. No toxins, natural as nature intended. We want to share a life well lived with you.
Join Us
If celebrating a Life Well Lived is a priority for you, please join Gabrielle Lifestyle to fill your home with health supporting products made from estate and natural ingredients.