Wine Barrel Pumpkins Spawn New Napa Business

It took three and a half years, but Dave MacPherson has now made the transition from designing hotel guest rooms to carving wine barrel pumpkins.

MacPherson and his family first moved to Napa to oversee the 165-room addition to the Meritage Resort, which was finished in May 2012.

After the new wing opened, neither MacPherson -- a carpenter and construction consultant -- nor his family wanted to leave. MacPherson found more construction design jobs in the area, such as building the new "wedding in the vineyard" venue at Meritage.

Flash-forward to present day. MacPherson has launched David Wayne Designs in downtown Napa in a shop behind his home on Brown Street.

The business features objects made from Napa Valley wine barrels, including pumpkins.

"Jake Podesta and Kristin Walling Johnstone from Flora Springs Winery are displaying two in front of their tasting room and Jan Lee Fechter from the MarketPlace in Yountville is also displaying two."

The last wine barrel pumpkin made over the weekend -- a crazy face -- will be a gift from his daughter to her grandparents who will be visiting from Southern California this week.

MacPherson said he and Katie, 23, are planning numerous other wine barrel items for the Christmas season. Ideas include two types of Christmas trees and half-wine-barrel Christmas tree stands.

 The interest in wine barrels started in February as a weekend project but has now evolved into the major part of David Wayne Designs. Daughter Katie is assisting with the design work.