Sunday E-dition: Joann Serafini supports Jameson Humane with core program

By Virginie Boone

Apr 07, 2024

ST. HELENA, Calif. —Joann Serafini grew up in upstate New York and had a successful career in television and movies, advertising and telecommunications before ever contemplating a life in wine.

Joann Serafini and Bali — Submitted Photo

Serafini first came to California in the 1980s and to Northern California in 1990, settling in Danville for her career. Along the way she met and married the love of her life, her late husband Don Ross, an aerospace engineer who had worked on NASA’s Apollo mission and was a huge lover and collector of wine.

Together they moved up to St. Helena in 2003 to be part of the wine community. With their home surrounded by cabernet sauvignon grapevines, it didn’t take long before they started plotting a winery of their own, and Shibumi Knoll Vineyards was born.

An estate cabernet sauvignon came first, vintage 2003, followed by a Russian River Valley chardonnay from Buena Tierra Vineyard. A Wine Spectator score of 97 for their 2005 chardonnay, one of the highest scores ever given to a California chardonnay, put Shibumi Knoll on the map.

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Shibumi Knoll is named for the novel “Shibumi,” which introduced the couple to the concept of Shibumi, a Japanese word describing a physical and emotional state of effortless perfection, the pursuit of perfection through simplicity.

In 2009 they added a Tierra Vineyards pinot noir. David Abreu has served as vineyard manager since Ross and Serafini bought their vineyard from Vineyard 29, with Thomas Rivers Brown making the wines.

Joann Serafini and Bali — Brian MacStay Photo

Serafini was widowed in 2016. Throughout it all, she has always had dogs by her side, namely black labs, who get their own photos and bios on the winery website. Very Important Dog Tucker Ross was with Serafini for 15 years before passing away in 2022. The Very Important Dog now in her life is Balthazar (aka Bali) Ross, another handsome black lab. Her pups have appeared in the popular “Wine Dogs” books and calendars.

“Wine and dogs go hand in hand,” she says.

So do dogs and generosity. Having met Monica Stevens through the wine business, Serafini has long been a supporter of Stevens’ animal welfare organization Jameson Humane. Serafini has now helped create and fund a new program, the Joann Serafini Training & Behavior Support Program.

“She wants to help in a big way,” Stevens says of Serafini. “Everyone is accepted. It’s not about income, it’s about frustration. Without vintners like her Jameson wouldn’t exist.”

Available for both cats and dogs, the program is intended to help people manage behavioral challenges and get through difficult periods with their pets rather than surrender them to shelters. A complimentary 90-minute behavioral consultation is part of the offering, with additional needs assessed on a case-by-case basis.

“I’m a huge outdoors person, and I love nature and animals,” Serafini says. “Monica and I, we are animal intuitives. We truly feel the sadness of what happens in our world to animals. I’m passionate about dogs especially. I do believe they are unconditionally loving, beautiful creatures, angels put on earth. They do amazing things; they save lives.”

Monica Stevens at the 2023 WineaPAWlooza — Tim Carl Photo

Serafini is hoping the program will give people a place to go to help train their dogs and hopes to also bring younger people in to learn about the responsibilities of having a pet, to cultivate compassion for animals.

“I’m so happy Jameson is here to support animals. There’s such a need,” she said. “I want people to know there is help, to not give up and get frustrated. A dog is like a person, an extension of your family. They have emotions and feelings. You have to have compassion.”

Jameson will hold its annual WineaPAWlooza fundraising celebration, a grand tasting, dinner, concert and wine auction benefitting its animals, on June 21-22. Shibumi Knoll will be among the vintners pouring.

Levity Corner

Caption contest. Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below

Vote for your favorite in the poll below (there’s not enough room in the polls for the complete answers).

"The latest in luxury cruises: the 'Canine Queen.'"
"When they said 'doggy paddle,' I didn't expect to take it literally."
"Guess we'll need a bigger boat... and a bigger lake."
"New definition of a 'boatload' of fun!"
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream—carefully, carefully, carefully, carefully, dog overboard is not the dream."

Last week’s winner

“I thought climbing the corporate ladder would be tough, but this is ridiculous!” 38% of the votes

Peter Kilkus sent in, “Why did Paul Franson hire Escher to design his place?” As a potential caption. Thank you Peter. Fun.

Last Week

In "Under the Hood: Napa County faces economic challenges due to aging, decreasing population," Tim Carl examined Napa Valley's shifting demographics and their economic impact. The area, famed for wine and luxury tourism, faces an aging, shrinking population, leading to a decline in labor force and GDP. This demographic trend, more pronounced among baby boomers, is changing the region's economic dynamics, particularly in sectors like healthcare and hospitality. Recent studies, including one by the National Bureau of Economic Research, show the potential for a notable decrease in Napa County's GDP, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies to address these demographic and economic shifts.

In "Journeying with Napa Valley Paddle: a voyage through the Napa-Sonoma Marshes," Drew Dickson last week recounted his experiences with the Napa-Sonoma Marshes, emphasizing the area's transformation into a vibrant wetland and biodiversity hotspot. He introduced Napa Valley Paddle, a venture inspired by his father's respect for aquatic ecosystems, offering guided tours for an immersive experience in this unique estuarine landscape. The article invites readers to explore and appreciate the natural beauty and wildlife of the region through personalized paddling adventures.

Dave Stoneberg reported on the imminent opening of the new Napa Valley Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) in St. Helena, slated for September. The museum, set in a former retail space, will potentially debut with an exhibit on Julia Child. Future exhibits include works from the Wyeth family and showcases like “Architecture in Music: Charles Brooks” and “The Lost Art of Department Store Windows.” The MAC aims to enhance its arts and educational offerings, building on the legacy of the Napa Valley Museum, founded in 1972 to celebrate the region's heritage.

In "Memorial initiative to honor early Chinese vineyard laborers of Napa Valley," Mariam Hansen highlighted the efforts to create a memorial in St. Helena Public Cemetery. This monument will acknowledge the contributions of Chinese laborers in Napa Valley's early industries and address their past segregation and discrimination. Planned for April 2024, the memorial will feature names and details of those buried in the Chinese potter’s field, with translations in Cantonese. The project extends to marking historical Chinese areas in St. Helena and Calistoga, supported by a fundraising campaign.

Penny Pawl announced the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County's annual tomato sale, set for April 13 at 1710 Soscol Ave., Napa. The sale features a selection of organically grown tomato seedlings, with Pawl advising on best gardening practices, including planting times, support structures and pest control techniques. She emphasized the importance of rotating planting locations and shared a unique approach to managing hornworms, highlighting their role as pollinators. The event also includes educational demonstrations and booths for gardening enthusiasts.

In "Dan Berger’s Varietal Views: Gewürtztraminer," Dan Berger delved into the complexities of Gewürztraminer, emphasizing its need for cool climates and the delicate balance in winemaking due to its unique properties, like high tannins. He discussed the grape's marketing challenges, particularly its pairing with spicy Asian cuisine, and praised top producers, especially in California's Anderson Valley, for their exceptional Gewürztraminers.

In "Sunday E-dition: The night I moved to Napa Valley, I met its most famous person," Paul Franson recounted his unexpected meeting with Robert and Margrit Mondavi, Napa Valley's renowned wine personalities, on his first day in the area. Moving from San Francisco in 1997, Franson chose Napa Valley for his love of wine. That evening, he dined at a small restaurant where he met the Mondavis. This encounter led to an invitation from Robert Mondavi to interview him at his winery. Franson's subsequent article, "The wine modernist," highlighted Mondavi's innovations in viticulture and winemaking. He reflected on Mondavi's legacy, including the renowned To Kalon Vineyard, and his interactions with other wine industry personalities. Franson's piece celebrates the impact of the Mondavis on Napa Valley and his own journey in the world of wine.

Next Week

Next week, Napa Valley Features readers can look forward to Lowell Young sharing an inspirational story about Chip, a former student with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while Warshawski tells us about local photographer, Mitchell Glotzer. The Master Gardener series continues with expert advice for green thumbs, and Dan Berger will discuss the burgeoning "wine lake" scenario. And the Weekender will guide readers through Napa Valley’s events. Anne Ward Ernst delves into the "Under the Hood" series with a critical look at the imminent PG&E rate increase. Additional insights and information, including an economic dashboard and reading recommendations, will also be featured for our engaged audience.

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Virginie Boone has written about the Napa Valley for more than a decade. Follow her Instagram @virginieboone or visit virginieboone.com