A lot of people have asked, “What’s going on at the winery”? So here is a sampling of our quarterly newsletter that goes out to Wine Club members all over the country… inquiring minds want to know….. OK?
_________________________________________________________________
Here goes:
First of all, we want to mention how we are always reaching each year to becoming more and more sustainable. We’ve been asking and researching… just what does “sustainable” mean? There are so many variables, and when you dig deep, you’ll find that no one really has a clear definition.
Our statement: “We are Sonoma County, California, Family Winegrowers. We work hard everyday to produce high quality grapes that are the foundation for our world class wines. We are dedicated to caring for our land and keeping it healthy for future generations. We preserve the land, water and air where we live and work and that we share with our neighbors”.
Check this out….
Gophers, Moles and Voles, OH MY! We have 2 owl houses going in in the vineyards. Owls like to hunt at night, of course, and they don’t like to hunt near where they live. So we also are installing a portable 15′ perch that can be moved around the property to where serious gopher activity is spotted. It is like putting up a billboard for the owls, “Dinner served here”.
FINALLY getting the solar power installed. Something we’ve done on each property we’ve lived on over the years and now excited to be able to run the house, winery (including bottling line) and the irrigation all from the sun!!! Someone said to us yesterday that we are very far behind on installing solar. (Have only been on this property 3 years). I mentioned, that like planting trees, yes 10 years ago was the best time…. the next best time is TODAY!
Did we say irrigation??
Next topic…. RAIN. There is NO rain in sight. We are preparing for severe drought conditions…. AGAIN. (We could still get some good rain in Feb & Mar, but there is no snow pack in the mountains and it is looking so far like a very very dry summer. Stay tuned for THAT news update.
If you come and visit, and our garden plants look a little neglected, it is because we are seriously conserving water…..
OK…. let’s talk about the 2012 vintage.
It will be in the French Oak barrels another 7 months (22 months total). Hear me now and believe me later…. 2012 is going to be “The Vintage Of The Decade”…. you heard it here first, folks!!!
Slow deep ripening with lofty sugars resulting in beautiful alcohol content, balanced acidity and profound rich colors. To put it simply…. it is super yummy… mmmmm. (You may want to increase your allocation for this one).
Come on by and let’s do some barrel sampling. I will be releasing my tasting notes soon.
And lastly dear friends, I want to extend one last call to join us in Portugal at the end of May. We only have 2 available spots left. Are they for YOU?
Can it get any better than this? Sip wine on sun-drenched plazas; Visit ancient monuments; Tour museums full of grand masters; Enjoy the cuisine and wines in private winery tours; Float for 2 days through the Duoro Valley, the most famous of wine regions in Portugal.
This is a small exclusive group escorted by an insider guide; private transportation, tours and winery tastings; gourmet cooking classes; fine dining; and upscale boutique accommodations.
Visit: www.great-adventures.us/TaraBella/Portugal2014.html
Call or email Bo Matthews at: bo@great-adventures.us
415-624-6405
I know this was a long letter… but I’ve missed talking to you…..
Regards,
wendy
Dogwood Trees?
Well…. I WAS going to plant a Dogwood Tree in this barrel…. but Presley and Thornton have their own gardening ideas….
House Concert with Sweet Burgundy Trio
Amazing food, people & music. Thank you to all who attended, making this such an eventful night.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to “Sweet Burgundy”…. Lynda, Kathleen, Dawn Rose……your music, voices, energy was so beautiful and infectious….. we couldn’t help having these huge smiles on our faces!!! Thanks again for a fabulous evening!
We had a lot of fun and I hope you did too!
Strict Supervision
Presley and Thornton supervising the yard work from their favorite bench in the sun….. “Hey Boys…. How’s it going?”
Table Grapes
We have BUD BREAK on the table grapes (Seedless Ruby Globe), along the outdoor kitchen.
This means that in one to two weeks, the Cabernet Sauvignon will start to bud….Back to work.
Looking For Dinner
Mr Coyote has a path he travels quite regularly on his travels looking for his next meal…… I think he has his heart set on the chickens that live down the road.
Vine Pruning is Complete
Pruning is complete….. and the rows are mowed and tidy. California finally got a nice dose of rain so our
drought and the threat of water rationing is kept at bay…. for now.
These beautiful vines will be poking their little green heads out during “Bud Break” within the next few weeks….
Owl Houses in da House
Quarterly Newsletter
A lot of people have asked, “What’s going on at the winery”? So here is a sampling of our quarterly newsletter that goes out to Wine Club members all over the country… inquiring minds want to know….. OK?
_________________________________________________________________
Here goes:
First of all, we want to mention how we are always reaching each year to becoming more and more sustainable. We’ve been asking and researching… just what does “sustainable” mean? There are so many variables, and when you dig deep, you’ll find that no one really has a clear definition.
Our statement: “We are Sonoma County, California, Family Winegrowers. We work hard everyday to produce high quality grapes that are the foundation for our world class wines. We are dedicated to caring for our land and keeping it healthy for future generations. We preserve the land, water and air where we live and work and that we share with our neighbors”.
Check this out….
Gophers, Moles and Voles, OH MY! We have 2 owl houses going in in the vineyards. Owls like to hunt at night, of course, and they don’t like to hunt near where they live. So we also are installing a portable 15′ perch that can be moved around the property to where serious gopher activity is spotted. It is like putting up a billboard for the owls, “Dinner served here”.
FINALLY getting the solar power installed. Something we’ve done on each property we’ve lived on over the years and now excited to be able to run the house, winery (including bottling line) and the irrigation all from the sun!!! Someone said to us yesterday that we are very far behind on installing solar. (Have only been on this property 3 years). I mentioned, that like planting trees, yes 10 years ago was the best time…. the next best time is TODAY!
Did we say irrigation??
Next topic…. RAIN. There is NO rain in sight. We are preparing for severe drought conditions…. AGAIN. (We could still get some good rain in Feb & Mar, but there is no snow pack in the mountains and it is looking so far like a very very dry summer. Stay tuned for THAT news update.
If you come and visit, and our garden plants look a little neglected, it is because we are seriously conserving water…..
OK…. let’s talk about the 2012 vintage.
It will be in the French Oak barrels another 7 months (22 months total). Hear me now and believe me later…. 2012 is going to be “The Vintage Of The Decade”…. you heard it here first, folks!!!
Slow deep ripening with lofty sugars resulting in beautiful alcohol content, balanced acidity and profound rich colors. To put it simply…. it is super yummy… mmmmm. (You may want to increase your allocation for this one).
Come on by and let’s do some barrel sampling. I will be releasing my tasting notes soon.
And lastly dear friends, I want to extend one last call to join us in Portugal at the end of May. We only have 2 available spots left. Are they for YOU?
Can it get any better than this? Sip wine on sun-drenched plazas; Visit ancient monuments; Tour museums full of grand masters; Enjoy the cuisine and wines in private winery tours; Float for 2 days through the Duoro Valley, the most famous of wine regions in Portugal.
This is a small exclusive group escorted by an insider guide; private transportation, tours and winery tastings; gourmet cooking classes; fine dining; and upscale boutique accommodations.
Visit: www.great-adventures.us/TaraBella/Portugal2014.html
Call or email Bo Matthews at: bo@great-adventures.us
415-624-6405
I know this was a long letter… but I’ve missed talking to you…..
Regards,
wendy
It’s COLD out there
25 degrees yesterday morning.. The grapes LOVE the freeze. Shuts them way down and prepares them for pruning…… brrrrrrr
Rockstars