Princess Frivolo

The long forgotten tale of Princess Frivolo

Art and Story by Jahn Kloss

You’ve heard of all the myths. Now, the real story about how Princess Frivolo came to be.

There was a chill in the air that evening in the spring of 1848. You could hear a creaking wagon and a pony’s hooves. Painted on the side of the wagon were the words “Ol’ Noceto.” The driver was an elderly tramp that sat majestically as his long beard blew in the gentle breeze. His wares were lamps and lanterns to sell to the men working the mines. The foggy mist wandered through the fields and twisted ancient oaks of the sierra foothills. The sky was dark like wine.

So inspired by the tranquil scene, Ol’ Noceto ordered the horse to halt and he climbed down from the wagon. Taking a deep breath, he looked upward and winked at the thick stars of the Milky Way.

Ol’ Noceto then reached into his worn leather satchel grasping a handful of grapes and cast them near his feet. His tattered boots could now be seen in the dark as bright sparkles twinkled like fireflies around the grapes. The old man hammered a wooden stake into the ground and hung a lantern on it to mark the trail. Once lit, he smiled and boarded the wagon and journeyed westward. In the distance he waved goodbye. The hiss of the fuel burning in the lamps was the only sound heard in the silence.

But suddenly came the sound of exuberant, scampering squirrels rolling out a long scarlet carpet. Just behind them was a grand parade of reveling troubadours playing strange instruments atop carts pulled by camel-like beasts. The musicians sang and shouted, “Good Food, Drink and Mother Earth!” At once, springing from the rich soil, were twigs, then vines and then came forth the pungent aroma of fresh fruit. Everything that grew atop the hill began to dance frivolously and celebrate.

The last marcher in the parade was a bohemian traveling artist. He lifted the brim of his hat and turned his head to observe amid the merry dancers, a most enchanting sight. Growing from the ground was a fabulous woman, richly adorned; her head bound with grape wreaths and her arms branching out proudly. The artist inquired, “Who are you to steal my heart?” She exclaimed, “I am the Princess Frivolo!” Mesmerized by her beauty he quickly grabbed his bottle of ink, quill and paper. He sketched furiously until he was satisfied. The artist weak from effort fell fast asleep at her feet.

The morning sun rose gently in the east. The grapes warmed in the dawn’s light. All that remained from the festivities on the dusty trail was an artist’s portfolio. A passing gold miner picked it up. Peering inside, he saw it contained a portrait of a lovely woman, arms reaching out to heaven. “I bet it’s valuable,” he thought. So the portfolio was sent by stagecoach down to Sacramento and sold. Unfortunately, it was lost to history and forgotten for over a century and a half. But the story was not. Over time, artists told other artists about the beautiful woman of the Amador hills; miners told other miners of the artist’s portfolio that was found on the Shenandoah Trail. Their children told their children and so on.

Suzy and Jim Gullett began their wine business on Shenandoah Road in the 1980’s. They heard of the story of Princess Frivolo and wondered if it was true. The Gulletts drove down into the valley to investigate the many stores and galleries in Sacramento. Ready to give up, they arrived at one last shop the oldest part of town. This place had wonderful things that were described in the story. Were these clues? Hanging on each side of the doorway were the most delightful antique lanterns. Once inside, they walked down stairs that were covered with vintage scarlet carpet. At the bottom they could see all sorts of odd musical instruments. In the midst of it all was an art portfolio. Suzy undid the cloth ties. There it was! It was the original sketch of Frivolo that was drawn by lamplight on that magical night so long ago. Suzy and Jim acquired the art and brought the princess back to Amador where her roots are.

The Mayor of Plymouth awarded the couple the key to the city for recovering the portrait. Suzy reminded the townspeople that it is the Princess that should be honored, since Princess Frivolo is the vine-est of them all!

And so, our princess adorns bottles of Moscato Bianco by Vino Noceto to this very day.