Picture of a View

      I just wanted to share this picture from the tasting room window that I snapped the other day.  This is the view from the end of the wine bar overlooking the pasture to the south.  You can see the mares and their new foals playing just 30 yards from the window.  The picture shows everything that we tried to capture in our tasting room by recreating the feel of a refined barn with tranquil settings outside every window.  The countdown to opening day has begun.  We are pretty excited about the prospects!

Final Inspection

Here is a picture of the final interior as we await the final round of inspections.  We hope to have the bar by next week and the wine is ready to be transfered as soon as we get the necessary inspections and permits.  The weather is going to continue to get warmer later this week so we can start to focus our time and effort on the vineyard. 

A Spring Morning in the Vineyard

I had the pleasure of witnessing this beautiful sunrise over the vineyard last Saturday morning.  I just wanted to share the beauty and serenity of the moment.  This picture is looking out over the vines from the patio on the back of our new tasting room.  It will be difficult for anyone to meet me there at 6:00 AM but it will also be a fine view in the evening.  The sun will set on the other side of the building and during the hot, summer days the patio will be in the shade.  Let's [plan on getting together to join a chilled glass of wine and the beautiful view.

It's Almost Time to Open- June 2nd

    Things are going very well in the new building.  Chris is working extremely hard to get it finished by the anticipated opening date of June 2nd.  Here is Dad inspecting the work Chris did on the ceiling with the help of so many of our friends.  As we speak, Cody is finishing the bar with some very interesting touches.  It will be very interesting to see people's reaction when they first inter this new tasting room.  If you were in our old tasting room/garage, prepare to be blown away.  The wine we are going to roll out to our friends in this new tasting room will really make our opening very special.  Please plan on joining us that day.... Write it down... June 2nd opening at 10:00.  It should be fun.

A Sneak Peak Inside the Tasting Room

Here are some picture of the awesome work that Chris and his able assistants, Cody, Mike, Greg and all the contractors are doing. The place is looking great. We are finishing the plumbing, heating and air conditioning, septic and electric simultaneously. Things are really coming together thanks to Chris and all our friend's hard work. We are scheduled for several final inspections these next couple of weeks and if we can get our licenses transferred we will be in our new building at the start of the Summer vacation (which is only 37 school days away, but who's counting?). Hope you can stop out and see us when we are ready to open.

Early Buds in the Vineyard

Just a few pictures of the buds which are beginning to push in the vineyard because of he very warm temperatures this spring. From left to right are the buds of the Chardonnay are the first to push leaves. Although the leaves are still small, they are becoming more susceptible to an early frost. The latest Ag Extension publication said that buds that are at this stage are still able to take withstand temperatures between 30 - 32 degrees without damage.

The second picture is the Vidal Blanc. These buds are still closed and they only show considerable swelling. According to the research, these buds should be able to withstand temperatures down to 28 degrees without considerable damage.

The final picture on the right is the Chambourcin and it also has swollen but unopened buds. Hopefully, all the buds will continue to hold out until the warm weather is here to stay. I guess we will just have to wait and see since we can't control the weather. If everything works out, the harvest could be up to 6 weeks ahead of schedule. I can't imagine picking grapes in August but it just may be the new vineyard schedule in PA. Stay tuned for updates throughout the growing season.