A WINE OF THE TIMES

A Limited-Edition Wine from Bespoke Collection’s ÆRENA Galleries, Unreliable Narrator Captures the Essence of 2026 Mood of Uncertainty and Disbelief.
ÆRENA Wines introduces an annual collector’s bottling that taps into the zeitgeist of current culture. Each bottle will feature artwork visually communicating the mood of the moment. For our 2024 vintage, Unreliable Narrator, we’re debuting Edward Hopper’s Night Shadows. This wine is a limited production collectible treasure at a price point of $145 a bottle.

Unreliable Narrator is a socio-political statement of the times: an artful reflection of an unsettling time in human history when fake news, media meltdowns, alternative facts and Truth Social rants became the “norm.” Questioning, through a non-partisan lens who we can trust; from the leader of the free world to the US Attorney’s Office, clandestine services, and/or the media. Unreliable Narrator is both powerful and provocative, prompting us to really think about where we’re headed. Commemorating a time that left most in disbelief, this seductive red reminds us to question the questioner and truly think for ourselves, making us wonder how it will all finish…

WINE IMITATES ART

Edward Hopper’s Night Shadows is a classic piece of artwork from our private collection. Hopper’s use of clean lines, dark tonalities and strong compositional devices enhances the mystery of his chosen subject: a man on a mission in an empty city at night. The viewer becomes a voyeur, creating their own narrative of the man's destination at this late hour. Powerful and provocative, Night Shadows takes you into a world of the unknown. Guided by a solitary light, symbolic of the use of gaslighting in today’s socio-political landscape, our hero walks by himself. Where he’s headed is yet to be discovered. Hopper's sensibility in Night Shadows forecasts the film noir style of the 1940s, with its shadowy lighting and undertones of guilt and betrayal. Unreliable Narrator’s thoughtfully selected artwork will leave you wondering...what lies beneath the cork?...

ON THE PALETTE

An Enigmatic Proprietary Red Blend -
Bold, mysterious, and enigmatic, Unreliable Narrator reveals its true essence with each sip. Notes of sweet tobacco, coffee, sappy herbs, bay leaf, crushed fennel, cassis, caramelized fruit preserves, gunpowder, and rhubarb. on the palate; medium-plus body with assertive structure, medium-plus tannins providing grip and tension & fresh acidity balancing dark fruit and savory elements. Resulting in a long, savory finish with spice, graphite, and herbal lift, A distinct and unforgettable wine of the times.

THE BLACKBIRD VINEYARD

Located in the heart of the Oak Knoll Appellation at the intersection of Big Ranch Road and Oak Knoll Avenue, marked by the ever-present Ball & Jacks sculpture. The 100-year-old farmhouse and adjoining 100-year-old barn are home to much of the antique & vintage inventory as well as an always changing showcase of selected artist works from the galleries.

Ideal for Cabernet Franc & Merlot:

Clay Over Alluvial Gravel: The estate soil profile is highly unique, featuring a heavy clay topsoil layered over a well-drained alluvial gravel base. This exact composition is widely praised by viticulturists. The nutrient-rich clay brings exceptional power, structure, and depth to Merlot & CF grapes, while the underlying sand and gravel allow for efficient water drainage, forcing the vines to ripen to perfection.

Maritime Moderation:

Because Oak Knoll is located closer to San Pablo Bay, it experiences a significantly cooler microclimate than northern AVAs like Calistoga or St. Helena.

Acidity and Finesse:

Marine breezes and morning fog rolling off the bay cause cool nights that preserve natural acidity in the fruit. This slows the ripening process, ensuring the grapes develop complex flavors, elegant tannins, and optimal balance without becoming overly jammed or alcoholic.

“Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist. No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.”
– Edward Hopper