Ready, Set, Go

     Once again we are preparing to open for a new season here at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey.  As the weather gets warmer, we turn our focus to the chores left undone outside.  This season's pruning began back in January with Vidal Blanc and 2 rows of Chardonnay.  Unfortunately, it then got cold.  Getting cold is something we expect in January and February so we have no complaints about cold weather.  We need cold days and nights to cold stabilize our wines, reduce the disease and insect levels for the upcoming year and to make us stay inside to finish our wines.  We thought the cold would last a few weeks and after we finished our wines we would be able to get out and finish our pruning.  Here we are in the second week of March and still setting record cold temperatures!  This morning's low of 1 set a new record.  The old record of 7 was set back in 1901!  I'd say we have had enough cold weather at this point.  

     Today we spent the morning pruning in frigid temps and snow but spent the afternoon thinking about Spring as we assembled our new deck chairs and tables.  When the sun finally warmed it up enough to go out on the deck, we set up our new tables and chairs on the snow and enjoyed a glass of wine in the sunshine.  Friends Cody and Cole Ebersole joined us trying out the new tables and chairs.  When opportunity knocks, you don't have to ask us twice.  We are really looking forward to our grand Re-opening this Saturday, March 14 at noon.  We will have our new deck and 6 new vintages to release for the first time ever.  It is going to be a whole lot of fun despite the cold weather and snow we have had for the past 3 months!