Palladium Introducing Its “House” Wines

Writer / Janelle Morrison
Artwork submitted by the Center for the Performing Arts

The Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to announce the debut of their Premium Palladium Wines. President/CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, Vice President of Operations Nick Tigue and Beverage and Concessions Manager Lisa Hillard led the initiative to develop the Palladium Wines. The Center’s staff selected a group of community partners to form a tasting committee.

The Basile Gift Shop features a wide variety of unique items, and they are always looking for new items to add that their patrons may like. Moskalenko had the creative vision to add Premium Palladium Wines to the offering.

“Our patrons are always complimenting the beauty of the Palladium and the gracious hospitality they receive during their visits,” Moskalenko said. “They love to attend engaging performances and leave our campus feeling inspired. Now they can celebrate those wonderful moments by taking home a bottle of Palladium Label Wine. The four separate labels highlight the magnificence of the Palladium’s architecture and are perfect for special gifts or entertaining.”

Members of the selection committee were thoughtful in their final selections to ensure that the wines would best represent the artistry and memorable experiences that the Palladium provides its guests.

“I think the four wines selected for the Palladium label are great examples of their respective grape and/or region,” said Patrick Poyser, wine selection committee member. “The standout favorite for me is the Laguna. It’s everything I love about the full bodied Chardonnays out of the Russian River Valley and makes a nice alternative to Rombauer. The wines represent the Palladium well, and I think people will enjoy them as a souvenir from a visit or event. The labels are gorgeous and show off the building, and the wine inside is great. I heard several people at the tasting say they were already planning to add them into gifts for visitors and friends and family.”

Karen Poyser, another participant in the selection committee, mentioned, “What I remember fondly was that it was such a fun time just enjoying the wine and trying to think what wines would be best to represent our Palladium as a souvenir for visitors.”

The selected wines originate from Italy and California. The Da Vinci Pinot Grigio is crafted from grapes grown in Delle Venezie region’s finest vineyards where Italian Pinot Grigio has been grown for more than a century. This crisp Pinot Grigio is exceptionally well balanced with floral aromas, ripe apple and tropical fruit flavors and a clean finish. Da Vinci Pinot Grigio is delightful as an apéritif or as a complement to light pastas, meat and fish. It retails for $25 per bottle and $250 per case.

The Da Vinci Chianti is crimson red with intense aromas of ripe fruit and flavors of fresh strawberry and plum. The town of Vinci is home to the world class wines of Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci. A cooperative of over 200 individual growers. Nestled between Florence, Pisa and Siena in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Cantine Leonard Da Vinci produces outstanding wines from hillside vineyards tended for generations. Expertly crafted, it retails $25 per bottle and $250 per case.

The Laguna Chardonnay is an exceptionally well-balanced and luxurious wine with flavors of apple pear and quince framed by subtle spice notes. Laguna is dedicated to producing world-class Chardonnay from the prestigious Russian River Valley. This land saw its first wine grapes planted as far back as the 1800s and has been home to the world class Chardonnay for more than four decades. In the Russian River Valley, a long growing season and cool coastal breezes result in delicate balance between crisp acidity and ripe fruit flavors. It retails for $35 per bottle and $360 per case.

Last but not least, the Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon is a memorable complement to a variety of hearty dishes. The rich expansive palate of California Cabernet Sauvignon offers flavors of black currant and blackberry that are framed by notes of toasted oak and vanilla spice. It retails for $35 per bottle and $360 per case.

The brilliantly designed Premium Palladium Wine labels pay homage to the structure’s exquisite architecture. The Center’s Graphic Production Coordinator Robyn Ferguson designed the label which features photography from Kevin Raber and Douglas Adams. Monarch Beverages provided the labels.

“The Center’s brand has a very modern feel, while the process of making wine is a very organic and natural process,” Ferguson explained. “The concept was to meld the two. The labels highlight the architecture of the Palladium in really interesting and organic ways…but are also just as bold as the taste and flavors of the wine they contain.”

Located along the Monon Greenway, guests can enter the Basile Gift Shop from the East Lobby of the Palladium. The gift shop boasts a wide selection of jewelry, art, books, cards and many boutique items, and every purchase helps support the Center for the Performing Arts. The shop is open 60 minutes prior to select Center Presents Palladium performances and during intermission.

Pricing ranges from $25-$35 per bottle and can be purchased in the Basile Gift Shop or by emailing Sharon Holyoak, the Center’s Gift Shop Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at sholyoak@TheCenterPresents.org. 

For more information, visit TheCenterPresents.org and thecenterfortheperformingarts.org/Plan-a-Visit/Basile-Gift-Shop.