Do some wineries have all the fun? or does it just seem that way…..

At the annual Day of the Doon celebration for Bonny Doon Vineyard wine club members, Randall Grahm and company finished off the impressive, multi-course meal created by chef Ryan Shelton and pastry chef Yoomi Shelton, with a firedancing ceremony.

After the incredibly graceful (and brave) Luke Mahler whirled balls of fire around the intrepid winemaker, in a beautiful ceremony of dance and invocation, chef Shelton ignited the huge paella pan (now filled with grappa) and stirred the flaming liquid, called queimada, adding bits of fruit and spices to the blend.

From northwest Spain, Galicia, comes this tradition of distilled spirits, ignited into a beautiful blue fire while a special incantation wards off evil spirits.

The potent queimada ritual must have been successful since no evil spirits showed up later to steal Yoomi Shelton’s bewitching peanut butter meringues and layered grape gelée candies.
The high spirited finale topped an amazing wine dinner. Truly spectacular!