Thursday, January 29, 2009

Snow, finally

I'm one of those few people who actually like winter. I like the calm. I love the winter sunrises and sunsets on my way to and from work. I love snow- love how it puts a sheen and glimmer over everything. I hate when people complain about winter, I hate complainers in general. I try to change things I don't like, not dwell on the fact that poor little me is unhappy. I'm actually also in love with Maine; have my pink house all picked out near the ocean in York. One day, one winter I'm going to spend it in Maine, all holed up, all comfy with my flannel pajamas, slippers, wood fire, bread baking, and a gazillion books, and movies.

Isn't winter beautiful? If you're looking for a romantic vineyard- this is it. It isn't in the fall when we harvest- there's too many bees, and so much work. It's here, in these pictures, in the snow. The vines patiently wait to be pruned, resting their poor little tendrils and shoulders, slump over and put their weight on the wire for a month or two before we ask them to bear fruit again. They deserve this break.


I'm pretty sure this is our Norton bunch.
tendril
old Concord vines

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Tour of Missouri Comes to Ste. Genevieve!

Tour of Missouri Announces 2009 Host Cities
Third Annual Elite Pro Cycling Race, Sept. 7-13

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (January 27, 2009)Event organizers and Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today announced the start and finish host cities and the overall course for the third Tour of Missouri professional cycling race, scheduled for September 7-13, 2009.

The following cities will play host to a leg of the Tour: St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Chillicothe, St. Joseph, and Kansas City.

"We had a record amount of cities inquire about the Tour of Missouri," said Lt. Governor Kinder. "It is a testament to the success of the race. We faced a very difficult process of eliminating some great cities. Our commitment, however, is to continue to route the course to all areas of the state. This year, for the first time, we will visit the southeast part of Missouri while spending a longer time north of Interstate 70. In addition, we will be able to highlight some of the agricultural regions."

The overall course will take on a very different slant in 2009. For the first time, the race will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east starting in Kansas City to finish in St. Louis. Stage by stage courses will be announced at a later date.

"In keeping with tradition, we will change the course from year to year to keep it fresh," said Chris Aronhalt, the managing partner of event organizers Medalist Sports of the Atlanta area. "There will be new drama on the race route and we expect a few more hills. Overall, we have some great and very excited host cities."

The race will be contested over seven days and seven stages. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph).

Thursday, January 22, 2009

STE GENEVIEVE'S FOURTH FRIDAY ART WALK SKATES ON THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS

Ste Genevieve's Art Community Presents the Monthly Fourth Friday Art Walk on the Evening of January 23.

The artists and their supporters will put on their coats and hats and go out in chilly weather, once again, to enjoy the Fourth Friday Art Walk in Ste Genevieve, Missouri. This is the seventh month in a row that this event is being held.

Long known for it's historical buildings, and the artist colony which populated it in the 1930's, Ste Genevieve and it's art community is witnessing a resurgence lately. In 2008, four spaces were opened in the historic downtown district by artists to display art. In 2009, there are plans for four more to open. These eight new spaces are joining four others which have kept art visible in Ste Genevieve for years.

In addition, it has been announced that young people's art will be on display for the Fourth Friday event in a display called "Art at Sara's Antiques" from 6-9 pm. Iris Vincent, an art teacher and one of the organizers of the children and youth art exhibit, says that this display is planned for Fourth Fridays only, at this time. The other studios and galleries are looking forward to this new exhibit being a part of the Fourth Friday Art Walk.

The venues reporting to be open this Fourth Friday are Studio 221, The Center for the Arts, Galleria Ste Genevieve, Studio de Michel, Mo'sArt Studio, Art at Sara's Antiques and Only Child Originals. Other businesses, such as Ivy & Twigs and Miss Patty's Place, have been open to art walkers' delight on Fourth Fridays. "The Ste Genevieve community and local businesses have been very generous and supportive of the artists on Fourth Fridays," says one organizer of the event.

The studios and galleries try to have new work on display, featured and regular artists to visit with, and refreshments for visitors to enjoy. There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public. Maps for the Art Walk may be picked up at any art studio or gallery open during the Fourth Friday Art Walk.

For more information on the art studios and galleries in Ste Genevieve, on the web, visit http://stegenartwalk.blogspot.com



For more information or an interview, contact:
Mike Devaney
573-883-3783 or 573-915-1470

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Clip Clop



Here's another picture of Shadow, my horse. Click here or here for previous pictures of my "stud."

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Our Biggest Tank

This 4,000 gallon tank has only ever held Concord or Christmas Plum. Today we racked the Concord 2008 that was inside. We are still trying to figure out how to get the lees out, since there is only a small drain at the bottom. It used to be a milk truck, so I guess they didn't have "lees" in the milk. Thank God.

So, I climbed inside to try to coerce the lees out of the drain. I won't linger too long on the fact that I fell down and landed on my behind into the lees. It wasn't pretty, but it was cold. My little wet butt was cold all the way up to the farmhouse to take a shower. Did I mention it is 40 degrees today? Still didn't get the lees out; they'll wait for Plan B (whatever that is.)

The first picture is showing the tartrate crystals caked on the side. This is good because now they aren't in my wine anymore. This is also kind of bad, because since we emptied the tank today, they are still kind of wet, so they are easy (easier) to get off the side of the tank, but since the lees will be in there at least all of today, the tartrates will dry, therefore solidifying them forever more (sometimes it seems like) onto the inside of the tank.


In the second picture you can see #1 Just how big this tank is; #2 the lees that are the consistancy of applesauce on the bottom of the tank; and #3 the tartrates clinging to the side of the tank.

The last picture is the hole I climb in and out of the tank. Did I mention that I am 6 months pregnant? Good times. If I was any further along my belly nor my bottom would fit through this hole (at least that's what I plan to tell my assisstant tomorrow.)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Another New Website, and Ideas for Valentine's Day

We now have a Route du Vin website up and running. It has a list of all our events, a place to buy tickets to an event online, and a place to sign up for our newsletter. Exciting! Now if I could just get my regular website back... one of many work related New Year's resolutions. And if you are wondering about our next Route du Vin Event, here's some info.

The Wineries of Ste. Genevieve
Present
“Romancing the Grape” on Ste. Genevieve’s Route du Vin
February 14 & 15, 2009
11am-5pm

Roses are red, violets are blue, the Route Du Vin has something special for you! This Valentine’s Weekend, romance the one you love on the Route du Vin! An afternoon, or an entire weekend, in Ste. Genevieve enjoying fine wines and decadent foods is sure to help you find your Valentine passion.
If your ticket is stamped at all 5 wineries, your name will be entered for special Route du Vin giveaways!

A little more than an hour’s drive from St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, journey through the rolling hills, big skies, and beautiful views of the 5 unique wineries on the Route du Vin:

Sainte Genevieve Winery
Cave Winery
Chaumette Winery
Twin Oaks Winery
Charleville Winery

Cost: $20/person until January 30, 2009; $25/person after January 30th
(includes complimentary wine glass, and 10% off wine purchases made that day)
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Sainte Genevieve Winery:
800-398-1298, through our website www.RDVWineTrail.com , or in the tasting room of participating wineries. Tickets are non refundable after January 30, 2009.

Wine & Food Pairing Menu:
Sainte Genevieve Winery:
Elegant Fig Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Almonds Served with our Seyval Blanc.

Charleville Winery:
Olive Spread on Italian Toasts with Smoked Oysters paired with
Sparkling Chardonel with a Strawberry.

Chaumette Winery:
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Butter-Poached Grapes paired with
2007 Estate Chardonel

Twin Oaks Winery:
Delicious Profiterole Pastry Served Cold with a Sweet Cream Filling and Topped with a Light Dusting of Powdered Sugar. Paired with Our Crisp, Light and Fruity Traminette.

Cave Winery:
Through the ages, almonds have been thought to induce passion. We invite you to indulge in an assortment of Almond Biscotti dipped in Dark Chocolate, Macaroons, and Marzipan Cookies Paired Perfectly with our Crisp Chardonel Off Dry.

Sand Creek Winery:
Buttery Phyllo Cups Filled with Gourmet Almond, Cranberry Chicken Salad and Smooth Velvety Chocolate Truffles Paired with our Plank Road Red.

Join us on the Route du Vin year round for these seasonal events!
3rd Weekend in April 2009: Jour de la Terre (Earth Day)
3rd Weekend in May 2009: Progressive Dinner
3rd Weekend in November 2009: Wine Diva Weekend

Also, if you are looking for something to do in St. Louis for Valentine's Weekend, you can always find us at Westport for the Missouri Winefest.