Kids in the Vineyard

As we vacation in the UP and visit other wineries and vineyards, I get a chance to talk to other people who opened their businesses for different reasons. Some just wanted another line of work, some were educated in winery and vineyard management and still others have a romantic affair with their dream of making beautiful wines. To be quite honest, I think everyone has their own reason. One of my main reasons appears in pictures like the one above and in my mind's eye. Our children LOVE the family farm. They do so many of the same things that I did as a child that it is hard to not live through them as they run, ride, swim and even work on the same land that we share with them. For 5 generations, each new set of parents have appreciated the satisfaction of watching their children grow up with the freedom to roam, play and work freely. There is something to be said for the Native American philosophy that the land is not ours to inherit but rather we are only stewards of the land our children enjoy. That, I think is why we are working so hard to grow the best grapes and make the best wine. Is there any better place to be a child?

Label

These are the two styles of wine labels with two different colors.

The "Taste of Hummelstown" event

Our first wine-tasting event was a great success. We were the most crowded table and we had a great time talking to people and letting them sample our wines. It was great fun educating people about our wines and talking to many people we knew or at least knew the local "Cassel" name.

Our first wine sale

Our first two bottles of wine were sold to the oldest "living" resident of the Cassel farm. Mr. Staver rented a room in the basement from my Father-in-law's grandfather before my Father-in-law was born.

Our Label

Bottling the Wine

Last night was our second time bottling with all our new equipment. It went pretty smoothly. We are only missing the labeling machine and labels, but that should be up and running the next time we bottle. It is quite an assembly line, with the necessary "sampling" done to determine quality.

Spring 2008

This picture is of us after we finished planting our first 600 vines. It was a long day but satisfying day.

The First Blog Entry!

This is the beginning of our "Cassel Vineyards of Hershey" Blog site. We are preparing to have our first wine-tasting event at the "Taste of Hummelstown". The event occurs on Monday, 7/19/10, from 6 - 8pm on the square in Hummelstown, PA. The tickets are $20/person which allows you to wander from table to table tasting delicious treats as well as sample our wines. It should be a lot of fun! Come join us!