July 2024: Issue 43
Notes from the Cellar For The Curious When The Gardener’s Away Main Squeeze Better with Butter
by Joey Wolosz | Published July 31, 2024
A Note from Joey Wolosz
This past Sunday was our version of porchfest, with our house band, Phat Ankle, playing on the front porch. We shared the porch/stage, alternating with solo artist Kane Williams as he played his personal vibe from his guitar.
Giving our it our spin, we brought both the music and the pork to the porch, dubbing it Porch-etta Fest. Plates of porky goodness were served with cracklin’, housemade focaccia, Jeff’s Chardonnay mustard, and his preserved lemons, along with Phat Ankle favorites, including Britney Spear’s Toxic and Madonna’s Holiday.
Coming hot off the heels of planning for Porch-etta Fest is the logistical planning for Yountville Days Parade. A theme has been announced, and my mind is spinning with ideas to take it to the next level.
In this issue, the exterior of the Gentleman Farmer Bungalow gets some attention, the parade theme is announced, we explore the rhythms of the Balkans, and some little bites to pack a punch.
Joey Wolosz
Vintner, Cook, Porchetta Tested
Every day brings something new to our Studio for Gustatory Well-Being in downtown Napa, with summer bringing some focus to the outdoor spaces. We are quickly transforming our side yard into a wine garden with bright green heather, midnight hydrangea, sword ferns, creeping mint, and new Japanese maples to give some dappled shade. Redwood decking, terracotta hexagon tiles, and pebble aggregate provide hidden areas for people to sit, sip, and chat.
We are fortunate that all the original windows on our 1926 California craftsman bungalow fully function and open. Coming very soon are copper flower boxes to nest beneath each of the kitchen windows that overlook the wine garden. I purchased a vintage pulley on eBay, and we are installing a rope and pulley system to ferry baskets of wine to guests below. Odd pieces of furniture arrive weekly, and the intimate space is quickly taking shape.
In front of the bungalow, along First Street, we installed two light green St. Tropez-style umbrellas with scalloped edges and forest green piping, a shady spot with chairs and side tables for anyone who wants to sip a glass of wine and watch the world go by.
There is a small letterboard sign at the entrance to the front yard that reads, “Curious?” With everything this special space has become, I think this captures the thought of many who visit for the first time.
The space continues to evolve; it feels like it is creating itself, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
We’ve got our parade marching orders! Save the date, Saturday, October 5 for the Yountville Days Parade. Once again, Gentleman Farmer will have a float featuring our house band Phat Ankle, our groupies The Cankles, and many merry wine club members.
Samatha with the Yountville Parks and Recreation Department sent me the official missive. This year’s theme is “Garden Party.” In proper Gentleman Farmer fashion, we are putting our spin on it.
We will present “When The Gardener’s Away.” Our dandy contingent will have a garden come to life (literally) to throw a party. I’ll need flowers, butterflies, watering cans, gnomes, toadstools, and other enchanted garden dwellers to come to celebrate and party! Best costume competition with wine-drenched prizes after the parade. Suit up, show up, and garden-glow up!
Here is my rough sketch vision board of screenshots from an Amazon rabbit hole:
The parade starts at 11 a.m., so please plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. at the latest. You can arrive earlier if you want to practice the choreography and put the finishing touches on the float.
Stefan Nestoroski began playing the accordion at the age of 7, studying at the Music High School DMU Todor Skalovski–Tetoec and continuing at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
He has performed both as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles. He has been a judge in numerous international competitions.
Stefan teaches accordion online to students worldwide. Currently, he is creating Udemy video courses, aiming to spread and popularize the accordion, especially Balkan music. He promotes Macedonian music, which is a blend of Eastern and Western influences with complex rhythms like 7/8, 9/8, and 11/8, with rich ornamentation.
Stefan also leads his own band, “Grupa Zarina,” which specializes in performing Balkan folk music. Recently, the band released their first original song, which is dedicated to his hometown, Struga, Macedonia, with a video filmed in the city.
I have been studying music with Stefan since 2020. I recently had the opportunity to get to know more about him outside of our accordion practice.
You can find him on TikTok @accordionvibesforall and YouTube @accordionvibesforall.
Joey Wołosz: How has music, and specifically the accordion, shaped your life?
Stefan Nestoroski: I started playing the accordion when I was 7 years old. I found a very old Czechoslovakian accordion, which my grandad bought for my father and uncle when they were kids. They gave up on the accordion very quickly, and it waited for me for about 30 years. When I hugged the accordion for the first time, I fell in love with its sound very quickly. By the way, the accordion is the only instrument you need to hug in order to play. I started taking accordion lessons, which my grandad paid for. I will be grateful to him my whole life. Throughout my entire music education, he was the one who pushed me.
Playing the accordion is a very complex thing. When you play, you need to pay attention to the right hand (keyboard), left hand (bass), and the bellows (middle part); all these things need to be coordinated. It helped me a lot with my cognitive and brain development, improving my attention and patience. After learning a few songs, I started playing very often at family parties and gatherings for my friends and friends of my friends. I still do this all the time. I am always the guy in charge of good songs and fun, which also helped with my social and emotional development. The accordion is an instrument with a fascinating history. People from many cultures all over the world incorporate the accordion into their music. Playing the accordion connects me with the past and the global present and makes music a joyful part of my future.
JW: What is the origin story of Grupa Zarina?
SN: I studied classical accordion, and I really like classical music. However, when I finished the Music Academy, it was really difficult, almost impossible, to play classical music and earn a living in my country. Even though I was classically trained on the accordion, I had played Balkan music since I was a kid because I really liked it. Additionally, this type of music is very commercial – I could have gigs all the time.
At a friend’s birthday party, I played the accordion and met Stefan, the current drummer in Grupa Zarina. Stefan had previously played in another band that performed rock music and wanted to start a new adventure with a totally new band focused on Balkan folk music. He asked me if I knew someone who played the violin and guitar and mentioned that we could do a gig at a restaurant the very next Saturday. I had some friends from high school, so I called them, and they accepted. We started a regular gig every Saturday.
JW: What is special about Balkan music, especially Macedonian music?
SN: Balkan music is a type of music from the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. This unique area in Europe connects the East and the West and is influenced by Oriental, Arabic, Slavic, Roman, and Mediterranean traditions. It transcends the taboos and the rules of classical music and other music genres we know.
Macedonia is situated in the middle of the Balkan region, acting as the heart and bridge of this wonderful area. Its traditional music is very rich, characterized by complex rhythms and warm melodies. Folk songs are an important part of Macedonian culture and are often accompanied by lively circle dances. The music also features elements of Antique, Slavic, Byzantine, and Ottoman cultures that have influenced the country over the centuries.
JW: How are you promoting accordion music?
SN: I have a YouTube channel called Accordion Vibes For All, where I upload free content about the accordion, including performances, sheet music, and tutorials on accordion books. You can also find me on TikTok: Accordion Vibes For All.
My band, Grupa Zarina, also has a YouTube channel called Grupa Zarina, featuring many Balkan music covers, original songs, and live performances from our gigs. We have also promoted our music at some local festivals.
JW: Tell me about your initial connection to wine and food.
SN: My initial connection to wine and food began during family gatherings at my parents’ house. I remember the first time I was allowed a small sip of wine during a holiday dinner when I was a teenager. The wine was homemade by my father, a kind of rosé that paired nicely with the barbecue. After dinner, I had to play a few traditional songs while everyone sang along.
When I was a student, one of my best college friends was studying Wine and Beer Technology. His family also had a small winery with their own vineyards. He opened my eyes to the complexities and nuances of wine and food pairings.
JW: Tell me about some of your creative outlets.
SN: Besides music, a creative outlet for me is cooking. I love experimenting with new recipes and ingredients, which became more challenging when my wife decided to become vegetarian. I enjoy sharing my creations with family and friends.
Writing is also an important outlet for me. I am starting a blog called
One of the challenges I face is finding the time to devote to these activities amidst a busy schedule. However, I make it a priority because these creative pursuits are essential for my mental well-being.
JW: Friends and family excluded, who are two people you’d like to share a long lingering meal with and what would you serve?
SN: I would like to share a long, lingering meal with Frédéric Deschamps and Tony Robbins.
Tony Robbins has extensive experience and knowledge in various fields, including business, finance, health, and relationships. A dinner with him would be a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best. Additionally, he can provide a significant boost in motivation and inspiration for my personal and professional life.
For appetizers, a generous portion of Shopska salad—a traditional salad from Macedonia and Bulgaria, Ajvar (a Macedonian specialty made from baked, roasted, and fried red peppers), and oven-baked cheese dip. The main course will feature various types of fish and baked vegetables, complemented by some fine Chardonnay. For dessert, a rich chocolate mousse and an assortment of fresh fruits. This menu would provide a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience, allowing us to savor both the food and the conversation.
JW: What is your motto?
SN: I have two mottos: Without music, life would be a mistake. We are creators of our own destiny.
Simple preparations, done well, have a big effect. This is one of those recipes. The buttery flavor of bright, big Castelvestro olives is matched with a herb and umami-packed compound butter.
During these warm summer months, we have been serving olives stuffed with anchovy herb butter when our guests arrive with a chilled glass of rosé.
