Summer Solstice Party & Father's Day Barbeque

We've been focused on the vineyards - the vines are lush, the fruit set is beautiful and we can honestly get lost wandering in the vineyards for hours.  When we're not doing that, we're at the picnic tables by the pond or on the patio making new friends.  The Missouri Wine Passport program has brought lots of new guests out and we've enjoyed watching them progress to the various level as they explore the Missouri wine industry.  We've even had some visits from other vineyard and winery owners as we all get to know each other better and learn from one another.  We've added 6 kinds of berries, some nut trees, maple trees to line the driveway and several varieties of herbs on the patio.  New events for the year have included doggie days, a weekend pass to the vineyard, Fire Pit Fridays and several new musical artists.  We've even added picnic benches and a new 11 foot fire pit!  Now - we look forward to one of our favorite weekends - the weekend closest to Summer Solstice and our summer party!  Enjoy music, the Father's day BBQ and just celebrating the summer!  Cheers!

Busy time at the vineyard

It is a busy time at the vineyard.  We're training the new growth, brushing off suckers and even thinning some shoots already.  The trellis wires are tightened and we even planted some lavender on the patio for color and fragrance.  We have now started our music series on the weekends and the Fire Pit Fridays are on in full swing.  We have also signed up for about 6 festivals and will be looking for help from friends and wine club members.  The newest summer event will be the 'weekend pass to the winery' - the ability to camp and sleep at the winery.  We'll have to see how that works but that is currently planned for June 17th.  That is also our barbecue weekend.  This weather has been unpredictable but we are determined to spend this year focused on the basics in the vineyards and the wine making.  The rest will take care of itself!

2 years - what a fun time!

We release a new wine tomorrow evening (Friday April 8th).  This is a red blend - something to sip by the fire pit.  The fire pit has actually become a symbol of ours.  As we visit other area wineries, they often comment that they have heard about the fire pit and stories people tell about sitting there, meeting new friends and ending an enjoyable evening.  To be honest, we use the fire pit even on days when we aren't open.  We will be up there working and start the fire as a place to come and warm up, stop and plan and reheat meals.  It smells great, gives us a reason to stop and take a break and quite frankly, reminds us of why we have created what we've created. 

Tomorrow, we are releasing a new wine - Fire Pit Red - a blend of Chambourcin (our favorite), Noiret (an amazing grape we grew in a small quantity but will be expanding), St. Vincent (love this grape for blending and drinkability) and Syrah (spicy and full of character).  Of all of our wines, this one is probably the most characterist of who we are.  This wine has a lot of layers, soft, subtle and unassuming but absolutely holds it's own.  We are excited about introducing this wine to our friends and guests - there is a story behind the wine and the label - we believe this is going to be the new favorite for the dry red folks.

And back to the 2nd anniversary celebrations - the weather is NOT cooperating.  We've got live music (but the wind is suppose to be so high, he won't be able to play); we've got fire spinners (can't spin fire if it's raining or storming) and we had to reschedule Becca's play day on Sunday (afternoon severe weather predicted - don't need a bunch of upset wet dogs in the tasting room).  Is this going to deter us?  Heck NO!  All 4 of us (William, Amrish, Becca and Shriti) plan to be at the vineyard all weekend to celebrate the fact that the past two years have been an amazing adventure - a journey that has exceed our expectations and has brought a lot of amazing people into our lives. 

This weekend - we are grateful for all the blessing we have had and the people we have met.  Come out and celebrate - have a glass of wine, share a bottle or take some home.  It is all about the friendship - Good fences make good neighbors, a Fence Stile makes neighbors, good friends!

Cheers!

Getting set for our 2nd anniversary celebrations

2 years!   Hard to believe but we will be at 2 years as a winery in just a month!  Lots to do between now and then - plant berries, plant nut trees, plant Maples for the drive, line up the saturday series of music, hope for better weather so we don't have to reschedule any of our artists, create Becca's doggie play area (so she can invite friends up), etc.  So - the good part, we get to get out and enjoy the spring.  The better part -- we have had lots of people who want to get out too so hopefully we'll have help and be able to spend time with friends (and make new ones).  :)

March Madness

For many, March Madness is about basketball.  Our madness is very different!  The weather has been maddening for a start.  And, we are almost done with the pruning.  We have also ordered nut trees, maple trees and berries to be planted - targeting April 16th as a planting day - let us know if you are interested.  Other madness?  Well, we're going to start opening up a couple of friday evenings starting March 11th - Firepit Fridays.  We are so looking forward to being able to dig out of the snow and enjoy our time with all of our friends that visit us on the weekends.  We aren't quite sure we are ready to wander into berries and nuts but what the heck - let's plant them and see what happens.  :)

Frosty February

Football is behind us and we are back from the grape and wine conference.  It is now time to prune the vines (although we may stop for the single digit days)!  Pruning is the beginning of our season - that is when we visit last year's story, put it behind us and write this year's tale!  This time of the year is when we pick the number of buds and spurs to leave - goal is to achieve the best balance for each vine. 

This is also a good time to think of the coming season (how many times should we have music at the vineyard?  how many events should we plan?  should we open up any friday evenings? lots of questions and lots of planning)!

Of course, now is when the greenhouse catalogs are arriving - should we add a berry patch?  more vines? fruit trees?  nut trees?  pumpkin patch?  roses?  herbs??  Oh wait - we need to deal with what we have planted and dig out of the snow first.  Ok - focus on the pruning and let's wait to thaw out.  We'll think about planting more stuff in a month or so!  :)

Frigid January

The extreme cold is disruptive and a little depressing - on the other hand, it is the perfect excuse to sit by the fire.  :)  So, that is what we have been doing on the weekends.  When guests come in, we sit by the fire with them and chat.  It is a slower pace for us but it has given us time to create some new friendships and deepen a few others.

We are going to hold off pruning for another couple of weeks.  We know that a lot of the vineyards have started already but February will likely be our starting time given the coldness and the length of the forecasted winter.

We will also be attending the Missouri Wine and Grape Conference the first weekend in February so hopefully, that will give us lots of great ideas and new things we can be doing!