Fire

While each season has a place and a pace, there are a few days in each season where I'm not quite sure what the day is trying to be.  This time of year is one of those times when the leaves have already fallen and we have some gloomy days.  The colors of fall have given way to brown and more brown and it could be my imagination but we don't have as many truly sunny days either.  It is supposed to be the start of the festive season with Thanksgiving gatherings and family visits but it isn't quite festive yet (no snow, no decorations, no lights).  I'm just plain cold and I don't enjoy being outside. 

Well, actually, I do like being outside but only if it's by a fire (see the picture taken by a guest at the winery firepit a week or so ago).

Maybe it's the nice glow with the warm colors, maybe it's the warmth and the great smell or maybe it's because whenever you sit by the fire, people show up.  If you're sitting at a table, it is unlikely that people you don't know are going to just take the seat next to you but sit by the fire, and the chair next to you will be occupied in no time!  Everyone stares at the fire and starts to talk.  Stories are openly shared without pretense or formalities.  Bottles of wine are passed around to fill empty glasses as if we're one big group and everyone takes turn poking the fire or adding more wood.  Folks who were leaving will stop by the fire for a quick warm up and end up staying 'a bit longer'.  Jackets and blankets get shared and before you know it, you've made new friends.  Ah - that is the warmth of the season feeling after all!

Change of pace

The vineyard work is all done for the season.  The wine is in the tanks.  The days are getting shorter and while it is a beautiful fall, the chill in the air tells me we are closer to winter than I'd like.  It's a different pace now - with Halloween just behind us, and Thanksgiving right around the corner, the year will be over before we know it.  The challenge for this time of the year is to stay active and yet, not overcommit!  With football (and hockey) in full swing, school activities ramped back up and the list of chores that we didn't get to while we were focused on the vineyard, thinking of what to do next isn't a problem. 

With the clock being turned back this weekend, we are reminded that it will be darker earlier.  We pondered - do we change our hours or will folks still come out Saturday evenings?  We decided to keep our hours the same and add some fun stuff to do - last year we didn't have the indoor space to continue the music through the winter but this year, I think we have a cozy space for folks to gather in so, we've booked music on Saturday afternoons now.  The firepit has always been a draw (and I am sure we will head there right after the music each saturday).  And, as we were clearing another block so we can maybe plant more vines next year, we came across a rockpile so we are moving the rocks over by the pond to build a second, much bigger firepit!  This is the season to gather with friends and family so we figured we'd provide a couple of cozy options!  We certainly enjoy hanging out there so we are looking forward to this season where we can sit and chat with folks as they come in.

Fall Fun

What a great fall we are having.  So the new portion of the building is now open and last weekend we had lots and lots of folks come out and have a look.  Now we are adjusting schedules - we have been open friday evenings and that has been great so we will play it by ear for the coming few weeks.  It is also time to bottle more Viagem so we will also be offering the 'port blending' workshop in the coming weeks.  Another point on the scheduling - we weren't open last year on the day after thanksgiving but we had several calls asking if we were so this year, I think we will consider it - any thoughts?

It has been exciting to host the last few events - we've had a wedding reception, 3 rehersal dinners, a couple of family reunions and a few private parties.  So - now that we have the new space, I'm curious to see how people will use this space.  It's quite open, private and has direct patio access.  I know that we love it because we can be working outside, see someone coming and run in to greet them!  All the natural light is just great and I know that the new space was handy when we had the fire spinner last week!

So, in the coming weeks - port blending workshop and re-introducing the spices (including the mulling spices)!  If you have any requests or suggestions, please let us know!

Winery Grand Opening

Longtime coming but it's is time!  The tanks are full.  The crush pad has served it's purpose this fall and we are now ready to welcome friends and family to have a peek at the new (slightly expanded) indoor space and extended patio.  It is that time of the year when harvests are in, the days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning and it is time to gather with friends and family to spend some quality time together!  Hello fall!

Fall at the vineyards

This is such a busy time at the vineyard and yet, it is also the best time at the vineyard.  The vines are at their best - full canopy, ripe fruit on the vines or in some cases, we have just harvested.  The weeds are under control so if you want to take a walk in the vines, you actually can!!  If you walk into the tasting room, you may catch the distinct smell fermenting wine.  Oh yeah - the downside - fruit flies!  But, all in all - a year of hard work is every where to be seen, smelled and experienced!  The days are still nice so folks come out for a picnic or a stroll in the vineyards.  The evenings are cool so we sit by the fire and enjoy a glass of wine with our friends.  We all know what a busy time this is with kids back in school, football, all the various barbeques and fall fests but it is still great to stop, take in the fall colors and enjoy the season! 

Outside on the outside!

Well, the building is closed in (not completed but the outside stays on the outside now)!  :)  We now have our tanks, filter, press, crusher, hoses, fittings, etc. and everything is in a space that is completed from the inside and closed in.  We hope to harvest and crush in the next week or so.

We are also opening up on Friday evenings starting the friday after labor day so a lot of excitement at the vineyard!  Looking back, this has been quite a journey and not one that we could have managed without our great customers and friends.  Later in the fall, we plan to have a special celebration to thank all the people that have helped, encouraged, put up with, guided, and been responsible for our progress!  Stay tuned - it includes you!

Harvest and Fall

As you have noticed from all the winery newsletters you get from all the wineries, it is harvest time!!  This year, that includes us!  In preparation, we have been working on the extension of our winery building.  The crush pad was completed a few weeks ago, the new structure is now all closed in and we are working on the insides getting ready for delivery of our tanks.  The filter and press have already been delivered.  Just a few short weeks and we will have it all enclosed and functional.

So, with the summer as hot and humid as it was, we have decided we will make the best of fall!  What does that mean?  That means we will open up on Friday evenings for the fall - Fall Fridays!  That means cool fall evenings enjoying the vineyards and hopefully some great stories and bonding by the firepit.  We will kick this off with our 'Songwriters Unplugged' evening on Friday, September 17th!!  We will likely go through October and into the early part of November!  Fence Stile Fall Fridays!