Saturday, September 14 2013

Today was a very interesting day, we started with our normal punch downs and then planned the rest if the day. Little did I know what was in store for me. I tried to do everything, or as much as I could. From punch downs to sweeping floors the team were on their feet. I washed empty vats and sanitized equipment. I got to see free run barreling , I also worked with a press. New equipment and a new experience. Everyday I have a brand new idea of the "wine industry", no glamour, no glory, just a bunch of people working together to achieve the same goal. That one goal is a great product.  

Wednesday, September 11 2013

Today was another full day. I got to see Happy Canyon for this first time, it really giving you a great example of a different growing region. It was hot dry and dusty, much more than the Fiddlestix vineyard. Without being protected by a mountain chain this area is really exposed to the elements. It is still a gorgeous place. 

From this photo you can see how the heat here really effects the plants. Notice the brown leaves and dry soil, this place is completely opposite from the area I've been work.

  

  

  Other than that quick trip to collect samples my day was spent at the winery. Today we removed all the stems from the 9.3 tons of grapes we collected yesterday in order to get them ready for fermentation. I must point out also how dangerous all the equipment is, you really need to be aware of what's going on around you and also need to trust the people your working with. I now know why Kathy stresses protecting yourself and communication. She really has a great crew. Standing on top of the destemmer is a bit overwhelming, forklifts are push bins around and dumping grapes in your face as.

 Falling in this would really ruin your day. Today was another adventure and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

 P.s. I like Thai food!

Tuesday, September 10 2013

Let me start by saying this trip is an opportunity of a life time. However there really is no romance or glamor in this industry. After two days of waking up at 2am and hitting the fields before the sun has even touched the horizon I have truly learned the value of a well organized team and hard work.  When the sun finally decides to show its self the view is beautiful.  The landscape here is like nothing I've seen before.

The last piece of the day is spent at the winery processing samples and punch downs. The up shot is that I'm up before the sun and still working when it leaves us for the day. I love it here.

 

Monday, September 9 2013

Today was a brand new adventure. Starting at 7:30am and ending at 9pm. My day started with manual punch downs switch is by far the most exhausting activity I've ever done in my life. Not only are you trying to push a "cap" down, which can be as thick as a foot and a half, your also working against CO2 gas rising to the top and this must be done two times a day on every container. Not an easy task. After hours of punch downs Kathy and I hit the fields. I learned about looking, touching, and tasting grapes to find the proper picking time. It was an experience I will never forget. Every row was different in every area of the row. It was amazing to see how temperamental grapes are. After deciding what was ready to pick and climbing under vines to tie markers, we were back at the winery for the second session of punch downs. Today was long but fun and tomorrow starts at 2:45am. I hope to see, do, and learn more tomorrow.

 

Sunday, September 8 2013

I first have to say that this area is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. The rolling hill and miles of untouched land is really a sight to see.

Kathy was nice enough to give me a quick tour of Santa Barbara before heading towards her beautiful vineyard. After my tour we hit the winery to meet some of her amazing staff that makes all this possible. Kathy and I did some stamping of grapes. We finished that process around 11:30pm. The over all experience has been great. I'm still trying to get a handle on all this information, believe me there is a lot. Tomorrow is a whole new day with just as much excitement I'm sure.