Republic Airlines landed at Finely Creek Vineyards for their holiday luncheon
. The event was festive and fun, with great food and lovely surroundings. Just the thing for Republican Airlines personnel after a bustling holiday travel season!
The Buffet Lunch by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, included
a choice of select entrees, two sides, salad and holiday desserts.
The high flying lunch took flight with Spinach and Pear Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette.
From there, guests chose Beef Wellington or Chicken Stuffed with Brie. The Tenderloin of Beef was first class, including Mushroom Duxelle Wrapped in Puff Pastry.
For those choosing chicken, it was a savory marvel -- Chicken Stuffed with Brie, Wrapped with Proscuitto and Rosemary.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
rounded out each entrée, pairing well with Seasoned Farm-to-Table Indiana Vegetables and Rolls.
The fitting end of the meal? The sky was the limit, and calories no problem with Butter
Chocolate Mousse Torte. Delicious!
Guests remarked at how lovely the Finley Creek Vineyards barn was for a winter holiday party. Lovely, warm, and bursting with rustic charm! And of course, every party Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering does is perfection from start to finish. Guests enjoyed a “soft landing” at the bar, taking in lots of holiday spirits and camaraderie.
Finley Creek Vineyards is bee-friendly
Jacquie Bols, owner of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Finley Creek Vineyards, is all about organic and sustainably produced foods. She is also a lover – and protector – of everything natural and organic. And in addition to the food she prepares, that includes bees.
Finley Creek Vineyards has two thriving beehives filled with active working honeybees. These bees not only work hard to fertilize the flowers, vegetables and grape vineyards on the property, but also help nearby farmers fertilize their corn, soybeans, strawberries, and other crops.
Because we care about all bees in decline across the country, we hope you’ll join us in helping bees stay healthy and sustainable. Bees are needed to keep our food production safe and healthy, too.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Bee safe – Use only organically produced, non-chemical soils in your garden and lawn.
- Bee vigilant – Buy and plant only untreated natural organic seeds to produce safe flowers and foods in your garden.
- Bee sustainable – Landscape with bee-friendly plants, bushes, grasses and flowers that attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Compost yard and kitchen waste.
- Bee farmer friendly – Support local farmers and producers at farm stands and farmers markets.
- Bee Aware – Use only eco-friendly products. Steer clear of “neonic” (bee-killing) chemicals that hide in products in you may use inside and outside your home, including Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam.
All these products linger on the flowers bees pollinate and can sicken or kill an entire colony.
- Bee passionate! Spread the word about organic farming and produce. And keeping bee colonies healthy and thriving, as well as the earth green, healthy and sustainable!
Just making a few thoughtful changes in the products you buy and consume and the practices you employ at home can make a real difference to the natural world we depend on.
Sustainably yours,
Jacquie Bols
New trends in wedding reception décor
Wedding receptions are the part of the wedding everyone looks forward to! You mingle with lots of new people, especially friends and family of the wedding party, eat yummy food, and have a great time celebrating the newly wedded couple.
At Finley Creek Vineyards, we enjoy all the celebrating, too. We also take note of some of the great decorating ideas we see inside and outside our beautifully chic barn facility.
Here are some of the new trends we are beginning to see at Finley Creek:
- English Garden Weddings – We have seen seated wedding guests in aisles that look just like garden beds. That means lots of greenery and potted plants. The pots themselves can be wrapped in silky or semi-transparent fabrics to hide the pot and create a natural garden feel.
- The After Party - There are weddings and receptions, sure, but recently, we’ve seen quite a few after parties. The emphasis being on the late-night part of the evening, with bride and groom changing into casual clothes and the event becoming a fun dance party. Hors d’oeuvres, light desserts and special drinks are often a part of the fun!
- Big, airy, un-stuffy, open spaces are very on trend for receptions. Among the favorites are industrial, loft-style spaces, updated barns (like ours at Finley Creek Vineyards), rooftops, and even museums. These spaces are great fun to decorate and invite having fun!
- The big floral trend this year is vintage drama! Rather than soft, lush greenery, we’re seeing darker and more textured floral arrangements. Lots of dark reds and violet colored florals paired with contrasting ferns and palms. For spring, industry experts expect dogwood bouquets to be big.
- Laser-cut overlays on reception tables are gaining in popularity. They add depth, drama and texture when layered over solid colored tablecloths. Vintage statement candelabras with colored candles complete the look.
- Lots of fun lighting! We are seeing lots of lanterns – large and small – everywhere. Hanging lanterns are also a thing, and strands of hanging light bulbs are still in vogue.
At Finley Creek Vineyards, we are happy to help you plan and decorate as much or as little as you want. Let us know your theme and colors and we can go to town – or just tell us what you need to rent. Either way, our lovely grounds and updated party barn are ready and waiting for your next event or reception.
This Finley Creek summer wedding was a hit
Who said a wedding has to be stuffy?
Emily Richards and Aaron Hieneman held their wedding outdoors on a sunny summer’s day at Finley Creek Vineyards, and it was relaxed and picture-perfect!
By 3:30 in the afternoon, 150 guests had come to our picturesque, rolling Zionsville vineyard to witness the couples’ vows under a lovely billowing curtained canopy. The backdrop was of trees, farms and sky. You could hear birds chirping all around. The mood was peaceful and sweet.
A country-themed dinner followed the reception just a few steps away, in the Finely Creek Vineyard barn.
In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere, Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering provided farm-to-table hors d’oeuvres and sustainably produced southern barbecue. Everything was Indiana grown and raised, from the vegetable platter to the cheese and butter, right down to the Indiana raised chicken and beef:
HORS D' OEUVRES
Roasted Vegetable Platter with Arugula and Tarragon Dip
DINNER
- Jacquie’s own Southern Barbecue buffet
- Pulled Chicken - BBQ on Side Texas Style Beef Brisket
- Macaroni and 3 Cheese with a Parmesan Garlic Crust
- Baked Idaho Potato with Sour Cream, Bacon, Cheese and Butter
- Garlic Rolls
The reception progressed inside the rustic barn with music, dancing and drinks, lit up with elegant chandeliers. And outside, by the light of strung lights, crisscrossing the path leading to and from the barn.
The day was sweet, simple, delicious, and as you can no doubt tell from these photos, lots and lots of fun.
Cheers to the happy new couple!