Anniversary plans

Spring is finally here!  The pruning is done.  I read somewhere that there are about a thousand decisions being made in the process of caring for vines - how to prune, how much load to carry, one trunk or two, etc.  1,000!!  I don't know if it's a thousand but we made the first of many of these decisions for this season as we pruned.  We decided not to carry fruit this year on the Vignoles, the Vidal and the Noiret.  We will plan for a half harvest on the Chambourcin, the Seyval and the Concords.

To make sure we have room for our tanks for our harvest, we have also started the construction on the addition to the existing facility.  The holes are dug, the posts are in and hopefully, the concrete will be poured in the next week (weather permitting).

In the meantime, let's celebrate our first year as a winery!!  This coming weekend, we plan to unveil our new shirts, have some live music, cake (can't have a party without cake) and maybe even some fireworks.  The first year hasn't been without the ups and downs - the most recent one being the storm last friday that took down the patio enclosure we have.  However, those aren't problems - they are just small bumps in the road and stories that someday will turn into tales told around the firepit! 

All in all, the ups out-weigh the downs by a huge margin.  We have met some fantastic people, developed many new friendships and formed some close bonds.  This weekend, we plan to play a lot and celebrate!

Good fences made good neighbors, a Fence Stile makes neighbors, good friends!