Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tasters

With silky tannins, its sweet berry-scented nose intermixed with some forest floor and underbrush offer impressive aromatics. The wine is medium-bodied, with silky, noble sweetness and a fine, pure finish. It should drink well for… let’s just say, until the end of summer.

No, this is not a secret stash of Usonian Pinot Noir, but a confluence of historic Los Angeles architecture and the über of-the-moment social activity of wine tasting. Welcome to Barnsdall Fridays. Each Friday through Labor Day, this wine tasting, provided by Silver Lake Wine and paired with mini-tours of the Hollyhock House, is gracing the lawn atop Barnsdall Park.

Begun this past May, Barnsdall Fridays is the  brainchild of Marshall Lewy and brothers Ben and Avidan Ross. The three are all new members of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, a nonprofit adjunct of the park, whose goals are to increase  recognition of Wright’s landmark Hollyhock House, Municipal Gallery, Art Center and Theatre. In a brilliant move to spread the word about one of L.A.’s most prized and publicly accessible architecture gems to a new generation, they have lured newbies as well native Angelenos up to Olive Hill, otherwise known as Barnsdall Park.

Centrally located on the cusp of east and central Hollywood, Barnsdall Park sits on an atoll high above the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. From the Hollyhock’s front lawn, wine glass in hand, your view includes the Griffith Park Observatory and West Hollywood. Not a glimpse of the street below.

In addition to wine and culture, the Let’s Be Frank and Coolhaus trucks park themselves outside the Hollyhock, giving the crowd something to wash down with their Riojas. Each week the event seems to grow with more activities. Through August 30th, the Independent Shakespeare Company presents its Free Shakespeare in the Park performances. Bring a picnic and a blanket, and  if you come via Metro, bus or bike, you’ll get a free glass of wine!
— Joseph Shuldiner

Barnsdall Fridays Weekly Wine Tastings
Fridays though Labor Day
Wine tasting cost: Ticket prices are $15 in advance (up to one hour prior) and $20 at the door.
Guided Tours: Guided tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, the Hollyhock House, are led by its chief curator. Tickets that include a tour can be purchased in advance for $23 (the additional $8 fee goes directly to the Hollyhock’s restoration). Space per tour slot is limited. Purchase your tickets early in the week to guarantee a slot.

The Hollyhock House living room

The Hollyhock House living room

Wine tasters

Views of the Griffith Park Observatory from Barnsdall Park

Jeffrey Herr, Hollyhock House chief curator

Hollyhock House exterior detail

The Coolhaus ice cream sandwich truck

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