A Day in the Life of a Missouri Winery

More Medals!

2010-06-01T11:41:00.002-05:00

The results from the Taster's Guild International Wine Competition are in and we won a silver on the Cherry and Traminette, and a bronze on the Concord and Cranberry. Yay!

Seyval Blanc in Bloom

2010-05-19T12:12:00.002-05:00

Ste. Genevieve Herald

2010-05-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

Sainte Genevieve Winery Wins Medals At Finger Lakes Event

The Sainte Genevieve Winery has been awarded a double gold medal for one of its wines at the prestigious Finger Lakes International Wine Competition event held this spring.
The winery’s Traminette, a semi-sweet white wine made from 100 percent Traminette grapes grown in Ste. Genevieve County, won the double gold.
In addition, its Cranberry wine won a silver medal and three wines––Blackberry, Cherry and Concord––won bronze.

The New York State-based Finger Lake competition drew over 3,000 wine entries from all 50 states and 15 countries.
The family owned and operated business was established in 1983 by Chris (Linus) and the late Hope Hoffmeister, making it the first winery in the county in contemporary times.
Their daughter, Elaine (Hoffmeister) Mooney, returned to the winery after receiving her degree in enology from the prestigious California State University- Fresno and now is the firm’s winemaker.

The winery also has won awards in prior years at other competitions, including the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition and the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.
“We’re proud of the medals,” Mooney said. “We have a commitment to making quality, hand crafted Missouri wine in small lots, and we’d like to have a wine that suits every palate and every pocketbook.”

The Sainte Genevieve Winery’s vineyards and wine-making facilities are located in Sainte Genevieve County on acreage that was formerly the family farm.
The winery has a presence in downtown Ste. Genevieve at its building and garden patio on Merchant Street, where wine tastings are offered.
The winery produces almost two dozen different wines, including its popular line of fruit wines.

Apple Lees

2010-05-05T09:41:00.002-05:00

We racked the apple wine yesterday and this is a picture of the thick settlings at the bottom of the tank, called lees, draining out of the bottom valve. I love this color, and after looking at it, I have realized this is the color we painted the walls of our dining room. John, my husband, calls it "old gold" from the colors of the University of Missouri- Columbia, where we met.

Ladybug

2010-05-04T10:06:00.000-05:00

I will have to admit that I really like this picture.

Pink Leaves

2010-05-03T11:14:00.006-05:00

The Concord produces beautiful pink leaves in the spring, and I just love the burst of color in the middle of all that green. Here's a similar picture from April 2006. Happy Spring!

A Walk Through The Woods

2010-01-21T08:53:00.002-06:00

It's All About the Cranberries Over Here

2010-01-12T07:38:00.002-06:00

and one very helpful, very cute daughter. Here she is helping me stir (punch down) the (still) (barely) fermenting cranberries.

Restart

2010-01-06T08:48:00.002-06:00

Adding more yeast to the Cranberries again

This Morning's Sunrise

2010-01-05T08:01:00.003-06:00

the dead of winter

Cranberries

2009-12-31T08:24:00.002-06:00

19 bins of cranberries

The cranberries we got in Wisconsin are still fermenting, well, some of them anyway. Cranberry is one of the hardest wines I make, but it is fastly becoming one of our most popular wines. I recently brought in all the bins of cranberries to warm them up, and you can see in the middle of each bin I added more yeast, 71B, which is supposed to be more acid tolerant. I think 5 bins are actually fermenting, hoping to get the rest of them fermenting soon, and then add some yeast nutrient.

A Light Dusting

2009-12-30T12:10:00.003-06:00

One of the first snows of the season, it barely flurried this morning, just enough to take a much anticipated picture or two (or three.) The first two pictures are indivual snowflakes on our old Concord vines, and the third picture is of the floor mat right outside the door.

Hope your holidays are going well, and you can delight in the season and the "icing" that winter can put on the familiar.

Same Building, Different View

2009-12-29T09:17:00.002-06:00

I like this one too, also not taken by me. I like the white-ness of the porch and the sky.

Open Daily

2009-12-28T08:16:00.003-06:00

This picture was taken this fall and emailed to me, and for whatever reason I thought it was a fresh take on a building I've seen a zillion times. I like the angle, and the shadows, and the way the flag is blowing. Come by this winter for some authentic radiator heat, and of course, oodles of great wines to taste. We're open until the end of the year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed early at 3 p.m. New Year's Eve, closed all day New Year's Day and then start with our new hours of being open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays from January through March.

Muffin Top

2009-12-23T09:21:00.006-06:00

Some people think this is a muffin top, and it is.
some might consider this a different version of a muffin top

this is a winemaker's muffin top

These are pictures of my fermenting apple juice in a variable capacity tank. The first day or two it just rose high like a yeast bread and the surface bubbled just a tiny bit. Now it has large clear bubbles covering the surface and extending far and wide across the tank, and smells divine. Mmmmmmmmm.

Chicken with Rosemary Butter Sauce

2009-12-02T12:11:00.004-06:00

This recipe was recommended by Sara and I tried it last night with our Seyval Blanc, and am having it again for lunch today and all I can say is, "wowsa!" I'm a very big fan of dishes with such full flavor and so little ingredients. It came from Taste of Home so you know it's going to be a winner.

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz. each)
4 tblsp. butter (divided)
1/2 cup Sainte Genevieve Winery Seyval Blanc wine
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary

In skillet over med. heat, cook chicken in 1 tbsp. butter (4-5 min. each side, til juices run clear). Remove from pan and keep warm.

Add wine to pan; cook over med-low heat, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Add cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Stir in rosemary and remaining butter until blended. Serve sauce over chicken.

Daddy's Girl

2009-11-04T09:01:00.002-06:00

Having a family business isn't always easy. The line between employer/employee, father/daughter is often muddled. We're doing our best over here, though, and this picture sure does warm my heart on this chilly fall morning.

Quick Paint

2009-10-31T22:48:00.005-05:00

We hosted a quick paint this year as part of the Plein Aire event in Ste. Genevieve, and this is our favorite local artist, Chuck Drost doing what he does best. Brilliant.

From Bog to Bottle!

2009-10-23T09:08:00.010-05:00

Me with the hip boots on in the cranberry bog

Tamarack Tree

wild swans on a flooded part of the marsh

This is how they get the cranberries out of the water, this conveyor belt carries them to a truck, and the truck is like a sieve that lets the water out and keeps the berries

two different types of cranberries in one bog

Dad and I took our annual trip to Wisconsin to buy cranberries from Mary Brazeau Brown and her Glacial Lake Cranberry Marsh. This year the weather was a balmy 64 degrees. As always, I took many pictures.

Wine and Food Pairing at Chef's Stop in Festus

2009-10-16T08:09:00.003-05:00

Thursday October 22, 2009

Our holiday entertaining menu will be presented by Personal Chef Debbi Gordon and will feature updated appetizers for spontaneous get-togethers. Bite size bliss begins here!

Mini Caesar Salads: chopped and served in mini cups;
Cranberry-Mustard Pork Tenderloin: Pork Tenderloin baked w/whole cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, thin sliced and served on mini buns or cocktail croissants;
Sun-dried Tomato/Basil Polenta "Pizzas": Seasoned Polenta rounds baked w/a sun-dried tomato & basil pesto, then topped w/shaved Parmesan cheese;
Cocoa Marshmallow Puffs: Chocolate Marshmallows baked in a Crescent Roll...this is truly a one-bite bliss!

Wine pairing will be provided by Sainte Genevieve Winery! Sainte Genevieve Winery Another stop along the Route du Vin!

Cost: $30.00 per person 3 easy ways to register: call 636-937-3333; register on line at Chef's Stop , or register in person at Chef’s Stop

Bolduc Braised Short Ribs

2009-10-13T08:05:00.002-05:00

3-4 pounds bone in beef short ribs
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1 medium onion, peeled and cubed
1 garlic bulb, peeled and sectioned
1 Tablespoon flour
1 bottle Sainte Genevieve Winery Bolduc
1 14 ounce can reduced sodium beef broth
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Working in batches in a large pot, cook ribs in oil on medium high heat until well browned. Remove from pot and set aside. Add parsnips, carrots, onion and garlic; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in flour and cool one minute more. Add wine, broth and Dijon to pot, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Return short ribs to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer over low heat, covered but with the lid cracked, for 2 hours. Remove cover and simmer over medium high heat for 30 minutes. Season to taste with thyme, salt and pepper. Serve over soft polenta or mashed potatoes. Makes 4 servings.

Recipe courtesy of my sister in law, Amanda, one of the best cooks I know. Yum-O!

Pears

2009-10-05T11:54:00.003-05:00

Cecilia helped Dad this morning weigh some local pears.

Art!

2009-09-29T08:33:00.000-05:00

Julie Wiegand to Conduct Painting Workshop on October 1 in Ste Genevieve

This year, the Ste Genevieve Art Guild has invited Julie Wiegand, a gallery artist at Gateway Gallery in Clayton, to conduct it's annual autumn workshop on October 1. Past invitees have included Billyo O'Donnell, Thom Buttner and Michael Anderson.

Growing up in what was once the "small town of Chesterfield, Missouri," Wiegand writes, her "youth was spent discovering nature, art, music and sports." Today, with her art studio in a one room schoolhouse in Berger, Missouri, Wiegand states, "A large percentage of my oils are painted en plein air and I truly enjoy this challenging and rewarding work. Many of my plein air subjects then become larger studio works. There is true joy for me in capturing a mood with light and color." Julie Wiegand is also a partner in an impressive artist cooperative known as the Gateway Gallery on Forsyth Boulevard in Clayton, Missouri.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2009. Many of the participating artists will meet between 8:00 and 8:45 AM for coffee and juice at Studio de Michel on North Main Street before heading out to the workshop location, the Moses Austin house and grounds, located at South Main and Gabouri Streets. About fifteen artists will be seen carrying their painting supplies, portable chairs and easels in backpacks, shoulder bags or rolling carts. The workshop location, in case of rain, will be announced on that day.

At 9 AM, Wiegand will begin the workshop with a short lecture and painting demonstration in oils. Artists of varying experience, from beginner to professional, will then begin their own paintings, in their chosen medium, under the close instruction of Wiegand. After a short lunch break, the workshop will continue until 4 PM culminating in a group critique. Some artists will then break for a short supper and then head out to begin their first painting for the Art Rendevous plein air competition, before the daylight fades.

There are a few seats left for the workshop. Artists wanting to learn how to paint outdoors are invited to attend. The public is invited to stop by and observe what happens at a plein air painting workshop. Once in awhile, an eager visitor or art collector will buy a wet painting off an artist's easel.

The Art Rendevous plein air event and competition will continue through Thursday, October 8 at 2PM and will culminate with a reception, auction and awards ceremony at 188 North Main Street at 6PM. The public is invited. The weekend of October 9 to 11 is filled with other art events such as the Autumn Daze Art Festival, Art Rendevous and the Promenade des Arts held downtown in various locations including the Lion's Club Park and the "Mammy" Shaw House.

Comedy Showcase

2009-09-16T09:49:00.001-05:00

Don't delay, get your tickets now!

Bad on So Many Levels

2009-09-15T13:03:00.002-05:00

This is me, circa 1986. What was I thinking? I clearly wasn't. Like my side ponytail, or my huge glasses, or the sunglasses around my neck (how did I wear those?)or the photo taker's fingertip? How about those old whiskey barrels, have to blame that one on Dad. Nevermind the blatant underage drinking, the best (or worst) is the plastic cup.

New Labels

2009-09-11T07:51:00.002-05:00

Here is what our new grape labels look like. I have been showing you the full color fruit wine labels as they come along, and now we have this label that will go on all the wines we make out of grapes. So far we have the Concord and LaRose Rose ready. Once again, Chuck did an amazing job on the picture. These new labels are just now hitting the shelf. Let me know when and where you are seeing them.

A Better Perspective

2009-09-09T07:59:00.003-05:00

I thought the picture I posted yesterday was pretty cool, until I saw this picture on Diane Wilson's facebook page. It's evident that she's the professional photographer. Check out more of her pictures, and just all sorts of good info on her shop at Center for the Arts. Brilliant.

Tour of Missouri

2009-09-08T13:04:00.000-05:00

"Linus, You've Got a Loose Sprocket"

2009-09-01T13:06:00.005-05:00

It's funny (not really) how quickly this scene...

can turn into this scene.

First day of picking grapes this year, and something has to go wrong. That wonderful harvester, the one I could write a poem to, is the same one I could kick in the shin on days like today. I don't know how to fix it, and I don't think Larry, Moe or Curly do either, but they are trying. I was clearly no help when one of the guys said, "Linus, you've got a loose sprocket," and I gave a little giggle. I can't help it that I think of The Jetsons and Spacely's Sprockets everytime I hear that word. They all gave me a dirty look when I snickered, so I excused myself back up to the winery to make better use of my time, like blog. =)

I hope we have better luck tomorrow.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

2009-08-28T09:02:00.001-05:00

Asleep On The Job

2009-08-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

The Living is Easy

2009-08-25T08:41:00.005-05:00

This is a picture of Lynn Rose Terry and Friends playing Summertime under the grape arbor at Jour de Fete. With the warm breeze, a glass of sangria, delightful music, Cecilia dancing around me and Charlotte asleep in my arms, I was the happiest woman around.

Buying Local Blackberries

2009-08-21T08:28:00.004-05:00

Last week we bought homegrown blackberries and started fermenting them. We put an ad in the paper, and gardeners pick their blackberries, freeze them, and then we pick a day and everyone gets their berries weighed and we start the fermentation and they go home with a check. The first picture is Dad looking at the scale full of blackberries, and the second picture is Melvin Roth's pick up truck full of frozen blackberries he and his wife picked this year. We think these local berries make the best tasting blackberry wine around.

Unwelcome Guests

2009-08-20T12:24:00.002-05:00

We have two hornet's nests on the property and we haven't quite figured out how to get rid of them yet. They need to find a new home soon, preferrably before harvest because all those sweet grapes attract so many bees. Any suggestions?

Nice Article

2009-08-18T08:47:00.002-05:00

Here's a link to a nice article printed over the weekend in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Come to Ste. Genevieve this fall, you won't be disappointed.

After Hours

2009-08-14T13:22:00.003-05:00

Our tasting room has a wonderfully large front porch and last Saturday evening we sat under the arbor with our good friends Sara and Chuck and their kids and watched Jour de Fete close up shop for the night. This is Cecilia and Char (short for Charles) peeking over the railing of our big front porch.

These Are Long Days

2009-08-13T14:20:00.002-05:00

We are super busy over here. Somehow we're juggling bottling, labeling, fermenting cherries, crop thinning (a month later than expected), shoo-ing away birds, cleaning bins to put harvested grapes in, getting the harvestor out and running once around the yard to make sure it's working, buying local blackberries, cleaning house to entertain travel writers, ordering yeast, and bottles, and T-shirts, all the while with a baby on my hip.

This is Dad taking a break after we bottles and labeled 56 cases of Concord to be delivered to the Sam's Club in Cape Girardeau.

Bring on the harvest of 2009!

Sangria

2009-08-12T08:16:00.004-05:00

Jour de Fete was a scorcher for sure, but we would expect nothing less from the Missouri summer. The Sangria was a big hit; who can resist cool wine and fresh fruit on a hot day. It was nice to see Vicki Meyer and her friend from Shady Grove Vineyard and finally put a face to the name.

Veraison

2009-08-07T08:29:00.001-05:00

New Label

2009-08-06T08:36:00.002-05:00

Here is another outstanding design by Chuck Drost. Dad gave him some ideas, and Chuck outdid himself again. He said the two people picking strawberries on the left are Dad and I. Come to the winery and check out the new label yourself, or look for it soon on a shelf near you.

Foggy Morning

2009-08-05T07:50:00.001-05:00

funny how this picture and the link can make summer and winter look so different, and this foggy morning picture taken back in December 2007 can make August and December look similar.

Mommy's Little Helper

2009-07-31T10:26:00.003-05:00

Cecilia is going to start coming to work with me on Mondays, after a nice long summer at home with my husband. She has grown quite a bit since the last time we saw her here on the blog. She's much more active now, and very "helpful." This is a picture of her inspecting the hose on the output of the filter.

Simple Sangria

2009-07-28T09:18:00.003-05:00

1 Bottle White Wine (Vignoles, Valle Rhine, Amoureux, or Vidal)
2/3 cup sugar
3 oranges sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 lime sliced
1/2 liter ginger ale or club soda

Pour the wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the fruit into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges and add sugar. Chill overnight. Add the ginger ale or club soda just before serving using chilled wine and lots of ice.

Shake Your Tree

2009-07-27T13:05:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of the Cherry Picker up in Michigan. The machine grabs a hold of the trunk of the Cherry tree, then this canvas fans out around the tree like wings. The machine shakes the tree, all the Cherries fall onto the canvas, and back to conveyor belts.

Fermenta-shon

2009-07-23T14:57:00.002-05:00

Dad just got back from a quick trip to Paw Paw, Michigan on Monday with 2 tons of fresh Montmorency cherries, and they are fermenting away. They smell divine. We don't crush them, we ferment them whole using carbonic maceration. Each plump cherry has it's own fermentation going on, and when you pop one in your mouth it fizzes, and tastes sweet, with just a hint of the alcohol forming inside. Sumptious!

Jour de Fete

2009-07-20T10:17:00.002-05:00

On Saturday August 8th, and Sunday August 9th, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri's most historic town hosts it's annual Jour de Fete celebration with arts, crafts, entertainment and exhibits.

Jour de Fete Wine Cooler
1 bottle Sainte Genevieve Concord Wine
1 bottle Sainte Genevieve Cranberry Wine
Orange Slices
Fresh Cranberries

Chill all ingredients. Mix the wine together and add fruit just before serving.

This wine cooler is refreshing on a hot summer day and pairs well with barbeque.

Out and About

2009-07-17T09:22:00.003-05:00

Want to taste some Sainte Genevieve Winery wine but you're not going to be in Ste. Genevieve? Don't worry, we're coming to a spot near you.

On July 25th we will be sampling and selling wine at the Sappington Farmer's Market on Watson from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On August 1st, we will be sampling and selling wine at Lukas Liquor in Ellisville.

On October 22, we will pouring wine with a food pairing at the Chef's Stop store in Festus.

Norton Bunch

2009-07-06T08:55:00.001-05:00

Click here to see a Norton cluster this time last year.

Orange

2009-07-02T11:14:00.000-05:00

What a Difference 5 Months Makes

2009-07-01T14:08:00.003-05:00

Click here for the same view of the Concord 5 months earlier

Babies All Around

2009-06-30T10:54:00.005-05:00

Baby Riesling cluster
Baby Seyval Blanc cluster

Baby Concord cluster

Baby Charlotte asleep after the walk through the vineyard

Baby at Work, Part Deux

2009-06-29T08:39:00.003-05:00

Just like Cecilia, Charlotte comes to work with me everyday. She's a good baby- along for whatever the day holds. Thursday we labeled Cherry wine out here, and she wanted to be part of the fun. So, into the bouncy seat and on top of the table she went. Labeling wine was so fascinating that she promptly fell asleep. Who can blame her? Maybe I should try entertaining her this way in the middle of the night?

Art Walk and Wine Tasting

2009-06-25T09:15:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to tell you that on July 24th, 2009, the wineries of Ste. Genevieve County will be pairing up with the monthly 4th Friday Art Walk. 7 wineries will be pouring and selling wine at 7 different galleries in downtown Ste. Genevieve. We will be featured at the Center for the Arts, and our tasting room will also be open that evening. Admission and tastings are free. Art and wine will both be available for purchase as well. The event is from 6-9 p.m., just show up at any one of the art galleries in town.

I'm really looking forward to this event- hope to see you there!

Hooray!

2009-06-03T10:40:00.004-05:00

The results are coming in from the springtime Wine Competitions, and here's a list of the medals we've won so far.

Cranberry

Gold- Taster's Guild International Wine Competition

Silver- Finger Lakes and Pacific Rim International Wine Competitions

Traminette

Silver- Taster's Guild and Finger Lakes International Wine Competitions

Blackberry

Silver- Taster's Guild International Wine Competition

Strawberry

Bronze- Taster's Guild International Wine Competition

Seyval

Bronze- Taster's Guild International Wine Competition

In other proud moments, and the reason I missed the month of May for blogging, is this little cutie.

Charlotte Elizabeth, born April 30th, 2009

Modern Day Fertilization

2009-06-01T08:47:00.003-05:00

I took this video back in April, and I will explain soon why it took so long to post it. This is Dad driving the tractor through the new Concord vineyard spreading manure for fertilizer. The manure came from a neighbor along with the use of his "shit slinger." Pardon me, but that's what he calls it. And if you thought I was kidding about the dog that is obsessed with retrieving sticks just watch her bring me the stick while I am recording.

Jour de la Terre

2009-04-28T10:54:00.005-05:00

We had our annual Earth Day event last weekend, and my good friend, Sara, took some photos for me so I could share them with you. See what you missed out on? =)

Route du Vin glass and herb at Sand Creek

Pregnant me pouring our Ste. Gemme and passing out goat cheese stuffed mushrooms

Jeremy at Twin Oaks

Amy and Sara, avid Route du Vin customers, and valued friends. =)

How to build trellis using homegrown cedar posts

2009-04-27T13:36:00.005-05:00

I've talked here, here, and here about our love of cedar posts for our trellis. Here's a real tutorial. First you cut the cedar posts (see first link above) in the woods, sometimes split them if they are too wide, and then sharpen them. From there they get put on the wagon, usually a few at a time with the front end loader on the tractor.

wagon full of split cedar posts ready to go to the vineyard

Then Dad takes the post off the wagon, and carries it to it's spot in the row of grapes.

Then he holds the post, and lines it up straight with the vines, and other posts, and other rows while the tractor pushes it in the ground.

This is a picture of Dad motioning to push the cedar post into the ground.

This is the end result; rows and rows of new cedar posts out of our forest, ready to have wire attached and hold up vines.

Press

2009-04-24T09:07:00.002-05:00

Click here for a great article on our Earth Day event last weekend in the online version of the Wall Street Journal. Check back here soon for information on our next Route du Vin Event, the Progressive Dinner, or go to our website, Route du Vin Wine Trail to purchase tickets online, or call 1-800-398-1298 to order your tickets over the phone.

Bud Break!

2009-04-21T11:34:00.003-05:00

Riesling

Vignoles

Here are pictures of our 2009 bud break. You can see the Riesling are a little further along than the Vignoles. We are having a late spring this year, it has been long and wet and cold. Click here to see the Seyval Blanc bud break on April 12, 2006, and click here to see pictures of the Seyval blanc at bud break on April 2, 2007.

Happy Earth Day Weekend!

2009-04-17T09:26:00.002-05:00

I'll be busy today prepping 300 goat cheese stuffed mushrooms using this recipe from Martha Stewart. Hope you have your tickets for the Jour de la Terre!

I've Been Away

2009-04-07T08:30:00.002-05:00

Almost all conferences and seminars and wine competitions happen in the early part of the year because that time is the slowest around a winery. Last week I traveled in an Mt. Pleasant Winery RV to Geneva on the Lake, OH for a wine marketing conference called License to Steal. The idea is that wineries get together and "steal" each others ideas, whether it pertains to tasting room etiquette, or events, or facebook. I learned a lot and plan to implement new and fresh ideas throughout the Sainte Genevieve Winery.

Puppies For Sale

2009-03-24T21:17:00.003-05:00

If you thought I was kidding about selling eggs ( I wasn't by the way) you can be sure I'm not kidding about selling these puppies. This is only half of them. My Dad's registered Border Collie had 8 puppies around Valentine's Day and they are (hopefully) on their way to other people's homes- like yours possibly? They're cute as can be. I think they have sold two and are keeping one, so that leaves 5, count them, 5 more puppies to sell. You want one? They are excellent at keeping critters out of your vineyard. Their mom, Cassie, also chases shadows and water coming out of the hose and will give you a stick to throw for hours on end, Frisbees too.

Hand Pruning

2009-03-23T14:32:00.003-05:00

After Dad trims the vines with the hedger, we then have to go back through the vineyard and tidy up. This is what we are doing today. We have to get rid of all the rachii, and dead wood because they can breed disease.

Display

2009-03-21T17:01:00.004-05:00

Ste. Genevieve is revamping their Tourist Information Center. It will now be called the Welcome Center. Every month different merchants, wineries, and artists will be able to put up a display in one of their many display cases. This is our display; we have the month of April and since this is the first month they are doing it, we set up a little early. You can see in the front middle we are displaying the original artwork for the new Cherry and Blackberry labels, painted my local artist Chuck Drost. There are also coupons for each display case, so when you are in Ste. Genevieve, make sure you stop by the new Welcome Center, check out the new displays, and grab a coupon. Can't wait to see you!

2009-03-20T09:14:00.002-05:00

You know you can't live on a farm without chickens. They're laying eggs like crazy- anybody need a dozen?

Get Your Motor Running

2009-03-18T11:46:00.005-05:00

As promised we are mechanically pruning this year. These pictures are very similar to pictures taken this time last year. Dad is driving the tractor all around the vineyard, back and forth, reaching both sides of every row of grapes, pruning, pruning, pruning. It is a gorgeous day here. Spring is fast approaching and there is much to do. After he finishes pruning, there is compost to scatter, and dormant spray to apply.

Check back again soon for more spring time vineyard happenings.

Jour de la Terre

2009-03-17T09:50:00.002-05:00

The Wineries of Ste. Genevieve
Present
“Jour de la Terre (Earth Day)” on Ste. Genevieve’s Route du Vin
April 18 & 19, 2009
11am-5pm
Celebrate Earth Day this Spring on Ste. Genevieve’s wine trail! Each winery offers seasonal cuisine prepared with fresh spring herbs paired with their wines. Take home a complimentary herb seedling from each winery to start your own herb garden! Visit 6 wineries on Ste. Genevieve’s Route du Vin, as each winery will offer complimentary wine samples and special food pairings made with spring herbs for each ticket holder. If your passport is stamped at all 6 wineries your name will be entered in a drawing for “Jour de la Terre” 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 6 unique wineries on the Route du Vin:

Sainte Genevieve Winery

Cave Winery

Chaumette Winery
Twin Oaks Winery

Charleville Winery

Sand Creek Winery

Cost: $20/person until April 10, 2009; $25/person after April 10
(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 RDVWine Trail , or in the tasting room of participating wineries. Tickets are non refundable after April 10, 2009.

Wine & Food Pairing Menu:
Sainte Genevieve Winery:
Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms with Parsley Paired with Ste. Gemme
Charleville Winery:
Italian Pasta Salad with Oregano Dressing Paired with Chambourcin
Chaumette Winery:
Basil Pesto Marinated Chicken Skewers with Spring Carrot Salad Paired with 2007 Estate Chardonel
Twin Oaks Winery:
Homemade Salsa with Fresh Veggies & Cilantro Paired with Traminette
Cave Winery:
Grandma Strussione's Anise Biscotti & Pizzelles paired with Chardonel Off Dry
Sand Creek Winery:
Smoked Salmon Tar Tare' Dill Spread on Bagel Crisps Paired with Sweet Chardonel

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
2nd Weekend in February 2010: Romancing the Grape
For additional info, hours, and directions visit: RDV Wine Trail

Come Visit Me! I'll pour you some wine!

2009-02-25T14:34:00.003-06:00

I will be at the Schnucks grocery store in Cottleville this Saturday, February 28th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. pouring our Blackberry, Concord and Apple. Come by and say hello, and taste some wine, and maybe, possibly even buy a bottle. It's really a win-win situation- I get to meet you and you get wine. =) How bad can that be?

See you there!?!

Rolling Hills of Missouri

2009-02-17T08:46:00.002-06:00

Here's a picture of our long rows of "new" Concord. The "old" Concord was planted sometime in the early 1980's, and this "new" Concord was planted sometime in the early 1990's. So, they really aren't "new" hence the quotations. Today Dad is taking our tractor to a neighboring winery so they can fit it with one of their mechanical pruners, and all these vines will get a hair cut real soon. It seems odd that so much of the vineyard is unpruned right now, being that we are heading into late February, but one swipe with the "new" trimmer and we will be good to go. Pictures of that coming soon.

Winter Work

2009-02-12T11:34:00.004-06:00

In the winter we cut down and sharpen cedar posts for the vineyard from our woods. Then, in the spring we use them in the vineyard for trellis. It's all part of our sustainable farming motto here.

2009-02-11T20:27:00.001-06:00

winter sunrise

I'm Really Getting Into Winter

2009-02-04T08:34:00.002-06:00

Katie and Clyde own Peaceful Bend Winery in Steelville, Missouri. If you haven't been there yet, you are really missing out. Their winery is back in the woods, but not hard to find. It is beautiful there, and the wine is outstanding. Katie and I are friends in real life, but we are also blog friends. She has two blogs, just like me, a personal one and a winery one. Last week they did some sledding, and it looks like so much fun, and makes me laugh. If these videos don't make you like winter, or even the idea of winter, then your heart might just be an icicle. The video I like the best is on Katie's personal blog PeacefulkT's Pursuits, but there are lots of great video on the Peaceful Bend blog too.

Need Some Winter Encouragement?

2009-02-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

"There's a point where you can give up on winter--when temptation can enter your soul, prying its way in like cold air through the cracks in your cabin--around January sixteenth or so, and this can make you realize that February's coming, and beyond February, March.

See, I don't yet realize that March will be the hardest month. Early February's the coldest, and often the snowiest, but March, strange, silent March, will be the hardest.

The danger in yielding to thoughts of spring--green grass, hikes, bare feet, lakes, fly-fishing, rivers, and sun, hot sun--is that once these thoughts enter your mind, you cant get them out.

Love the winter. Don't betray it. Be loyal.

When the spring gets here, love it too--and then the summer.

But be loyal to the winter, all the way through--all the way, and with sincerity--or you'll find yourself high and dry, longing for a spring that's a long way off, and winter will have abandoned you, and in her place you'll have cabin fever, the worst.

The colder it gets, the more you've got to love it."

~Rick Bass fr. Winter -Notes from Montana

Snow, finally

2009-01-29T15:05:00.004-06:00

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

Tour of Missouri Comes to Ste. Genevieve!

2009-01-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

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).

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

2009-01-22T08:20:00.000-06:00

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

Clip Clop

2009-01-15T08:09:00.003-06:00

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

Our Biggest Tank

2009-01-14T12:52:00.004-06:00

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.)

Another New Website, and Ideas for Valentine's Day

2009-01-12T13:12:00.002-06:00

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.

2008-12-17T10:19:00.002-06:00

Just a couple things to tell you about to keep you in the know...

There's a new Mississippi River Hills blog. Check it out!

Want to taste some wine? I will be at Lukas Liquor tomorrow from 2-6 p.m. and I will be at The Missouri Mercantile store in the Mills Mall on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

See you there!

2008-11-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

Cecilia came with us on Saturday to help pass out cupcakes. She found these plastic grapes and thought they might taste good.

Chocolate Cranberry Wine Cupcakes

2008-11-24T14:45:00.003-06:00

Last weekend was our Wine Diva weekend with the other wineries in the area and we served these cupcakes along with our Cranberry Wine. What a treat for a diva!

3 Things That Should Be On Everyone's Christmas List

2008-11-13T05:35:00.000-06:00

Autumn

2008-10-27T15:00:00.005-05:00

I know it was less than two weeks ago that I was complaining about hot weather. Well, today the high is 48, and there is a wind chill. Guess I need to bring a heavier coat to work.

These pictures were taken today. I know the first two look similar, but I couldn't decide which one I liked better. You are looking over the Norton, and onto the lower Concord.

The last picture is what we think is a random Pinot Noir vine.

Last Day of Harvest

2008-10-16T13:18:00.004-05:00

Today is the last day of harvest. We are picking Vidal today. We usually pick the Norton last, but the Vidal was taking it's own sweet time getting ripe this year. We also have a few Rougeon and Chambourcin hanging out there that will get picked today also.

This is a picture of the back of the harvestor. It goes over the row of grapes and shakes them with finger looking beaters, then conveyor belts move the grapes up and over; out the side arm and into the bins.

This is Rose standing on the wagon making sure the grapes go into the bin. It's not as easy as it looks, the harvestor and wagon go at different speeds, and the terrain is not totally level so the arm moves up and down as well as side to side.
This last picture is the Vidal blanc juice coming out of the press. It's a little green, but will clear up when we rack it tomorrow morning. All white grapes are green when pressed. It foams a little too.

2008-10-08T11:23:00.003-05:00

Remember those Norton grapes we have been looking at all spring and summer? Well, we picked them on Monday. The fruit is beautiful, the chemistry superb, and the fermentation is progressing right on schedule.

2008-09-23T09:26:00.003-05:00

As we've seen here before, I have a sweet spot for the farm cats.

Sepia toned hay bales

2008-09-17T08:26:00.002-05:00

Baby!

2008-09-15T12:55:00.004-05:00

I propped her up one day over the summer when she could sit up but not very well in between these boxes of unlabelled Valle Rhine and Vignoles.

first taste of a local blackberry

Yesterday, 9.12.08

2008-09-13T07:36:00.000-05:00

just waiting for the sugar to rise and the acid to drop now

Today!

2008-09-05T20:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome

2008-08-30T22:37:00.003-05:00

If you found us through the St. Louis Magazine welcome! Our big, normal website is temporarily down and out, so here is my little blog. I originally started this blog because our tasting room in downtown Ste. Genevieve sometimes seems like a storefront, and I know it's so much more than that. There are quite a few wineries in Missouri who do not grow their own grapes or make their own wine (shocking, I know) and so since our vineyard is not open to the public, I wanted to make it available through this wonderful thing called the whole wide web.

If you are wondering about the pictures of the cluster of grapes, way back when early this growing season I started taking a picture a week of a cluster of Norton grapes, so you can scroll down and see the backward progression.

If you have any questions whatsoever about our winery, just email me at stgenwinery@hotmail.com

Picture Taken 8.28.08

2008-08-29T06:41:00.000-05:00

Picture Taken 8.22.08

2008-08-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

Absent

2008-08-15T20:43:00.003-05:00

Since my office is way out in the boonies I have satellite internet. It's supposed to be faster than dial up, and it is, but not by much. 19 days ago some part of the thing that helps me use the internet (can you tell I'm technically challenged) got struck by lightening and my internet service provider has yet to come out to the boonies and fix it. I say 19 days because that is what I told them the 5 times that I called them today, and once yesterday and the day before, and the repair man on Tuesday. Good times. Anyway (Artie Lange would say "wahhh!") here is my picture of the week, 3 weeks late, and two weeks skipped. All apologies.

The grapes are getting ripe, you can see, but we are a little late this year. Looks like Concord is a least a week away, and Vignoles more like two weeks away.

I'll keep you posted, and if you have any pull with the powers that be, ask them to kindly repair my internet.

Small Winery Lab Workshop

2008-07-28T20:00:00.002-05:00

A couple weeks ago I went to Mizzou and attended a small winery lab workshop. I went for two reasons. The first reason was that I teach a Fundamentals of Enology class at the local junior college and I wanted to hear Rebecca's take on teaching the lab work, and I also wanted to test my own pH meter to the university's to make sure mine was working well before harvest. You can read all about the workshop here and see a picture of me on the top picture with the two men to my left.

July 26, 2008

2008-07-26T17:28:00.000-05:00

2008-07-18T10:50:00.002-05:00

As you can see, the grape cluster is not getting much bigger. Instead all the growth is now happening inside the grapes themselves. Sugar is rising and acid is decreasing, although you wouldn't know it if you ate one today. It would be way too sour. Some of the early ripening grapes are going through verasion now, though, so harvest is in sight. Time to ready the crush pad, order yeast, and clean some tanks.

Week Eight

2008-07-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

Way Late

2008-07-08T18:18:00.001-05:00

I'm a couple days late. I got messed up with that holiday. What was I thinking taking a day off like that? Now I'm all behind.

Anyway, here she is, the little beauty is growing up right before our very eyes.