Buying Local Blackberries

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

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?

Sangria

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

Foggy Morning

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.

Simple Sangria

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.

Norton Bunch

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

What a Difference 5 Months Makes

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

Babies All Around

Baby Riesling cluster
Baby Seyval Blanc cluster

Baby Concord cluster

Baby Charlotte asleep after the walk through the vineyard

Picture Taken 8.28.08

Picture Taken 8.22.08

Absent

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.

July 26, 2008

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

Way Late

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.

Applying Lime

Too Much Water

This picture was taken last Thursday down by the marina in Ste. Genevieve. The flood gate is closed, and on this side of the gate, there is water everywhere, and on the other side things are normal. I guess after 1993 our little town is better prepared.

The Mississippi River is supposed to crest in St. Louis today. Let's pray for no more levy breaks, and a normal subsiding of the water.

Norton Bunch 6.27

much growth in 4 days, don't cha think?

6.23

We're back from vacation with loads to do today, and I'm not just talking laundry. Vines are being sprayed, grow tubes are being put on, unleaded gas is being delivered (that's a blow to the pocketbook) and wine is being racked. This little bunch sure did change while we were gone. Farm life is not put on hold until you return.