Did I Mention We're Done?

Well, we're almost there. We're waiting for a few tons (1 ton = 145 gallons, and a barrel is 60 gallons) of Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain. Monday, October 5th was our last harvest day for the VIADER estate fruit (See post about "Alan's Got Some Major Skills") -- well before the rains.

This past weekend was quite eventful at the winery. On Saturday our crew finished the pump-overs by noon, and we hosted our annual "Futures" Gala & Casino Games in the caves (read: glorified harvest party). With 42 people we were quite cozy in the tank room, and we later moved into the caves on the other side of the curtain to barrel taste our available futures from vintages 2007 and 2008 as we hit the casino tables. My brother Alan even gave people a taste of our two-week old 2009 Cabernet Franc pulled directly from the tank. It's quite a different animal before malolactic fermentation is completed, but it was showing so well.

Occasionally there's a slightly less glamorous side to owning a winery. Today, I had to wash our vineyard dog Lady, because she decided to get sassy with a skunk. (I forgot to mention we have those critters around here too). The weather was perfect today, but a dog never likes a bath...

This Sunday we're having our annual "family day" at the winery where Alan gives our employees the day off and we take over the cellar responsibilities. My little brother Alex, who is just in town for the weekend is going to be put to work processing the Howell Mountain fruit that will just be coming in. I volunteered to help too. What jeans go best with rubber boots? ;) Here's a picture from a couple years ago showing Alex covered in grape juice, with Mariela (Alan's wife) and Alan looking on.

Happy Friday,

Janet Viader

sales & marketing at VIADER