tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45155292453970990232024-03-12T20:28:45.875-07:00Harvest RubbishCommentary from the cellarStingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-84613236195132370452009-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-17T05:37:10.868-07:00Landslide in the Douro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSMLIS79bZVmBkF_siGVJwlsm159VfKeIhRIe6fMnFxSAKJagfAiPjhl_72GEmSQfVz5He3VV_aCDY3PN8Ro099b5plIDDA9GxLvlFcofvhttGob0ygsg5JRLWqfuXpS4JppawyCjMIw/s1600-h/From+the+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSMLIS79bZVmBkF_siGVJwlsm159VfKeIhRIe6fMnFxSAKJagfAiPjhl_72GEmSQfVz5He3VV_aCDY3PN8Ro099b5plIDDA9GxLvlFcofvhttGob0ygsg5JRLWqfuXpS4JppawyCjMIw/s320/From+the+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393544871430185858" border="0" /></a><br />There was only one tank left in the cellar to press when the rain started, and with it came the hillside. Everyone was fine, just a little shaken. A messy, but memorable way to finish the harvest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSMLIS79bZVmBkF_siGVJwlsm159VfKeIhRIe6fMnFxSAKJagfAiPjhl_72GEmSQfVz5He3VV_aCDY3PN8Ro099b5plIDDA9GxLvlFcofvhttGob0ygsg5JRLWqfuXpS4JppawyCjMIw/s1600-h/From+the+front.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdimceAp16S_PGQVvkL9E_Q5Qtij1FjMbJl2UsP5avfWFhKbFWpHl_-IBghjAkCRorKFSMCpqtc7BLdIP_6Tv5YtytXCRUyM1IHFc7-fFq5m-TlC8YYvz3u9TzCZqo2g0ruZSaADHJuE/s1600-h/front+door+after+some+clean-up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdimceAp16S_PGQVvkL9E_Q5Qtij1FjMbJl2UsP5avfWFhKbFWpHl_-IBghjAkCRorKFSMCpqtc7BLdIP_6Tv5YtytXCRUyM1IHFc7-fFq5m-TlC8YYvz3u9TzCZqo2g0ruZSaADHJuE/s320/front+door+after+some+clean-up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393544297836430386" border="0" /></a>The front of the house after many hours of clean-up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0w3IJbdQkmDiUl3WLsecFxN9elG5-tuFRzPGq4-d2Bwh-FXO4cETDA8McHCsX2HBUMWJI4pHgpmzRUB15n4BIwkCVhLkgzPSdCxyHRFCHvHdLlCkX_mSeeG-u8cXmm7r_Vvo4OwVFXE/s1600-h/backhoe+from+the+inside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0w3IJbdQkmDiUl3WLsecFxN9elG5-tuFRzPGq4-d2Bwh-FXO4cETDA8McHCsX2HBUMWJI4pHgpmzRUB15n4BIwkCVhLkgzPSdCxyHRFCHvHdLlCkX_mSeeG-u8cXmm7r_Vvo4OwVFXE/s320/backhoe+from+the+inside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393543396178026850" border="0" /></a>The backhoe from the inside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0bA1fz4JnRUYNsctnbvKo7fW9CF7aTMtY_x1jwlfL2NKHxRzy6palkdgeyTFsTOor97Je93r_fqt0q5hSWiIW617E5yliD5cJ6S1C8iInuPW6mS7HhX_YiWQIHTFPyZY7hGACom9gpQ/s1600-h/pre-landslide+pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0bA1fz4JnRUYNsctnbvKo7fW9CF7aTMtY_x1jwlfL2NKHxRzy6palkdgeyTFsTOor97Je93r_fqt0q5hSWiIW617E5yliD5cJ6S1C8iInuPW6mS7HhX_YiWQIHTFPyZY7hGACom9gpQ/s320/pre-landslide+pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393540086012997074" border="0" /></a><br />The pool pre-landslide.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7fBxDneSxov6bIDjK__fyZ1UqOPebpjl9wBQ-rwR2CJRkb8DWoQYu3COheBTCx6_odAp-avCFO159XS-lvo1VUudrjMC7lzj7rjXXDnhIu5qfQK1cAh-10MLCDHxYS7cjfcDCrOUkI/s1600-h/the+pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7fBxDneSxov6bIDjK__fyZ1UqOPebpjl9wBQ-rwR2CJRkb8DWoQYu3COheBTCx6_odAp-avCFO159XS-lvo1VUudrjMC7lzj7rjXXDnhIu5qfQK1cAh-10MLCDHxYS7cjfcDCrOUkI/s320/the+pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393539520355216546" border="0" /></a>And after.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-36418777295700851102009-10-01T13:46:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:59:37.671-07:00A Little of the View<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKdM8MhaKgx9UwJkJlFBAZ1-QLQgrkeBbuxgZpm9cjdj8t6l56_x4HXHsQynKegBA0Befla6gXxI1WN_F7Ag0jfE1lHyU_kmPcbkN4croSsjICp1o-SVCI7jk7QhaUejhh1xllyDFG6o/s1600-h/gone+to+lunch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKdM8MhaKgx9UwJkJlFBAZ1-QLQgrkeBbuxgZpm9cjdj8t6l56_x4HXHsQynKegBA0Befla6gXxI1WN_F7Ag0jfE1lHyU_kmPcbkN4croSsjICp1o-SVCI7jk7QhaUejhh1xllyDFG6o/s320/gone+to+lunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387737471229940466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJojWujqU0K_U_8yjj7vgbzrCP_LlGNGs0gQXeOetmFL7X-Y2lKwry-HFun2mB7Ekv6UIetKxrgDZ_GvWprQFL-cfNZSqaDlzvOSJ_PaKmsWTIFEXXckbXE3Pmg-FisZiMIKxevDoYl8/s1600-h/morning+walk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJojWujqU0K_U_8yjj7vgbzrCP_LlGNGs0gQXeOetmFL7X-Y2lKwry-HFun2mB7Ekv6UIetKxrgDZ_GvWprQFL-cfNZSqaDlzvOSJ_PaKmsWTIFEXXckbXE3Pmg-FisZiMIKxevDoYl8/s320/morning+walk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387737001956770306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4zt-ATBQ3oALe4SM8K6DRQ59yq6Itd6oUzBeEPv9rZnJZA54NL-H4qZklqzkwFAdpmcyxOOaWekhh3B6OPO8UdjsNIkGRWxGafiN1QgrFcZEcU3JylDS0zDff3Vxr-iBuuZzoAx7-L4/s1600-h/terraced+roadside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4zt-ATBQ3oALe4SM8K6DRQ59yq6Itd6oUzBeEPv9rZnJZA54NL-H4qZklqzkwFAdpmcyxOOaWekhh3B6OPO8UdjsNIkGRWxGafiN1QgrFcZEcU3JylDS0zDff3Vxr-iBuuZzoAx7-L4/s320/terraced+roadside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387736703288416354" border="0" /></a>Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-68762071545096691822009-09-25T15:19:00.000-07:002009-09-25T15:31:08.540-07:00Douro Fruit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_5a8oCeJo7s6wjEDyw7fnXvicyOwxOW0ErNCM2c96ru07VOPo56wjHTg0J8zi9JEoojgXl8aLgDLLreXAl9RHGsVqaJe1qnHQQ2kO4Z9h-NDl0CvlZsr_fkKPTRqHdWQHCGDRBnF4gY/s1600-h/IMG_0522.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_5a8oCeJo7s6wjEDyw7fnXvicyOwxOW0ErNCM2c96ru07VOPo56wjHTg0J8zi9JEoojgXl8aLgDLLreXAl9RHGsVqaJe1qnHQQ2kO4Z9h-NDl0CvlZsr_fkKPTRqHdWQHCGDRBnF4gY/s320/IMG_0522.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385535497327680770" border="0" /></a>A view from the new terraces being built above the winery. Looking over the Douro River.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5r7XB5mb3BWfWHM8Qd1WNjlZfu9TLBRMFGxHSNnYvlQrhIB4kEY-Vs0aMY36GbqsAriFhjGLqKTI0pODMniVrRAKfIA_e8PXUTUuwzkfpgTUPUrDc92mAWvklPz-qH0bLBAq-VRYeVQ/s1600-h/IMG_0519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5r7XB5mb3BWfWHM8Qd1WNjlZfu9TLBRMFGxHSNnYvlQrhIB4kEY-Vs0aMY36GbqsAriFhjGLqKTI0pODMniVrRAKfIA_e8PXUTUuwzkfpgTUPUrDc92mAWvklPz-qH0bLBAq-VRYeVQ/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385534958843392018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBM-qO14CBoWUJHzOAcGu2QJeGLZWhZFWhfTmxKVr2rTDngpv1jDaJ4XFJ3Bj7QLF6VN0SPLzMEtqCpRcQbzqncSN_-GEVTwHQTzTtdLXAurbA-8Re-Jd5k2xFqMHvHdazZzsg0jGQg/s1600-h/IMG_0534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBM-qO14CBoWUJHzOAcGu2QJeGLZWhZFWhfTmxKVr2rTDngpv1jDaJ4XFJ3Bj7QLF6VN0SPLzMEtqCpRcQbzqncSN_-GEVTwHQTzTtdLXAurbA-8Re-Jd5k2xFqMHvHdazZzsg0jGQg/s320/IMG_0534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385534260353298530" border="0" /></a>New terraces being built from the near-dust that makes up the earth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EDlqb9vHyouxwTmOH3Ay0VgLe5uvvSE3SUj8Rw9ms9nLZEm59vSDA3Wh-zPqln3WARTNA7BrMjkxnrJcpKpo48ShqTaD7nivttG0FXMpoUEhCZJbdSYxgZypBoghlTSnrQnpcxSm980/s1600-h/Murcas+Sorting+Table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EDlqb9vHyouxwTmOH3Ay0VgLe5uvvSE3SUj8Rw9ms9nLZEm59vSDA3Wh-zPqln3WARTNA7BrMjkxnrJcpKpo48ShqTaD7nivttG0FXMpoUEhCZJbdSYxgZypBoghlTSnrQnpcxSm980/s320/Murcas+Sorting+Table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385533660102033634" border="0" /></a>When the fruit arrives it passes on this table for selection.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-55254389103831217582009-09-25T14:50:00.000-07:002009-09-25T15:19:06.888-07:00Vedemmia, Douro, Portugal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLgPwQxkQjeUXEg70d4ZGd7gtlW36j9Dmyow6aS_XLV8S4jDLjAv6Sl7ERGcC_qmAkDBWPtqXGlU0BcwdzVyQewSfCrR_j-f93UpXf_NytKrx9GSlPEcWZeKntoznFo749EHfj1JD9tg/s1600-h/Lagars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLgPwQxkQjeUXEg70d4ZGd7gtlW36j9Dmyow6aS_XLV8S4jDLjAv6Sl7ERGcC_qmAkDBWPtqXGlU0BcwdzVyQewSfCrR_j-f93UpXf_NytKrx9GSlPEcWZeKntoznFo749EHfj1JD9tg/s320/Lagars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385529718982934562" border="0" /></a>Foot-treading is still practiced in the Douro region. These open concrete tanks, referred to as 'lagars', are about 10x15 feet and 3 feet deep. Every morning people are treading in the tanks singing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGYVYGGcizjL-nrpwzjEd2ShNnOypLNSqlk58Cg5CVPgelrkwfcNTRbvVs8vGg021tMGxtbtW7vAHkKU0-Uywu1nwZVCbflcVRUxMijOo1JH_WtQT4pOnzvNuvtRqNwljK3apMmVmR8M/s1600-h/Fruit+Receival.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGYVYGGcizjL-nrpwzjEd2ShNnOypLNSqlk58Cg5CVPgelrkwfcNTRbvVs8vGg021tMGxtbtW7vAHkKU0-Uywu1nwZVCbflcVRUxMijOo1JH_WtQT4pOnzvNuvtRqNwljK3apMmVmR8M/s320/Fruit+Receival.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385528916979052194" border="0" /></a>Trucks drive from the high terraces above the river and unload in this area.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-48802721062726285192009-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:002009-09-09T12:40:23.020-07:00A look From the Inside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMLwHFNeZ0f1gaepg9Ybsa5SOTWo49rBs5RqKwbOY81nMEbJg_mJAW2birxNavNLmNILsRFtGTobfaxOWTZKn3RZVHxs1XQjO3se5Xe8hXIW_AMT7rSMEYu9kU46wVbNvbj7pJVktM2M/s1600-h/IMG_0272.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMLwHFNeZ0f1gaepg9Ybsa5SOTWo49rBs5RqKwbOY81nMEbJg_mJAW2birxNavNLmNILsRFtGTobfaxOWTZKn3RZVHxs1XQjO3se5Xe8hXIW_AMT7rSMEYu9kU46wVbNvbj7pJVktM2M/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379554151853842402" border="0" /></a>The view from top,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqI7b9TwLpWugau94VdUw8Zhwnz_mL2hupNIXG3KfBa6EukoYz0L8cs3S9YEOGejjS2Tv_706Bf_A4gd57Ud-L1Jb5wYoJGKT8EwCIYtZM_3zG8WspodM_RiLUzK9TfPhsROH0ndjflE/s1600-h/IMG_0271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqI7b9TwLpWugau94VdUw8Zhwnz_mL2hupNIXG3KfBa6EukoYz0L8cs3S9YEOGejjS2Tv_706Bf_A4gd57Ud-L1Jb5wYoJGKT8EwCIYtZM_3zG8WspodM_RiLUzK9TfPhsROH0ndjflE/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379553950106462754" border="0" /></a>I know them all by name.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdlQ1M0zt4HW3Q7i8i8PRIMVj9W6BV3iuIoXbTlY4Uwi8Qi7G2q-_2uhP5bAGEVsxC4bItxKhlMKY1-BVwPcvRKNhL_LxGkvt2R9HctvLmOBr2lCq07yWHWDfPtTPinZ5gmCHuFRb0PM/s1600-h/IMG_0266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdlQ1M0zt4HW3Q7i8i8PRIMVj9W6BV3iuIoXbTlY4Uwi8Qi7G2q-_2uhP5bAGEVsxC4bItxKhlMKY1-BVwPcvRKNhL_LxGkvt2R9HctvLmOBr2lCq07yWHWDfPtTPinZ5gmCHuFRb0PM/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379553722179849762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsj4ASWR2d5v4JeaN_RxjbyyunKjBZRYNPRIVCIfUgmn2xHm0Mvu19p6D-55VYjgFGLB6ojfAru-d-dD9yLibksm9VhBX5PTxPiRSYrdicd0VmizEUyDbtvyqEovXRV9Hj4jH5uybTsI/s1600-h/IMG_0276.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsj4ASWR2d5v4JeaN_RxjbyyunKjBZRYNPRIVCIfUgmn2xHm0Mvu19p6D-55VYjgFGLB6ojfAru-d-dD9yLibksm9VhBX5PTxPiRSYrdicd0VmizEUyDbtvyqEovXRV9Hj4jH5uybTsI/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379553567983406674" border="0" /></a>Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-39271679672667096802009-09-09T12:22:00.000-07:002009-09-09T12:32:43.923-07:00The Cellar Swallowed Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQk4crssOTg9c5Rwm99_drZnaUwWWa7uNk4zwC9VAjrzuoZiQaDHLMaeCXuRyUPzLtztXAGXY1QijAwHW4P1H9byWGuZwPSFfSM9uCvFiiOuiLztmqkLOl7u_ZgtZpqOqDu_bPZ-43HY/s1600-h/IMG_0288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQk4crssOTg9c5Rwm99_drZnaUwWWa7uNk4zwC9VAjrzuoZiQaDHLMaeCXuRyUPzLtztXAGXY1QijAwHW4P1H9byWGuZwPSFfSM9uCvFiiOuiLztmqkLOl7u_ZgtZpqOqDu_bPZ-43HY/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379552862631096578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhREy9uNSWyD1zAPH5-NdK6ojuG2UsmlVSauwshHV47IrpX0FnYbwcgFOnQVJEUUH3c61NVv93hvRiBAL11hgw1-S0eAO5o-OnEsfdTSjzJkdVW91fR2iUyxbglJ0waLH5SqRwyT4SXw/s1600-h/IMG_0269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhREy9uNSWyD1zAPH5-NdK6ojuG2UsmlVSauwshHV47IrpX0FnYbwcgFOnQVJEUUH3c61NVv93hvRiBAL11hgw1-S0eAO5o-OnEsfdTSjzJkdVW91fR2iUyxbglJ0waLH5SqRwyT4SXw/s320/IMG_0269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379550696583776258" border="0" /></a><br />As many experience during vintage, I have no life outside the cellar. Up and down I climb the 3-4 story catwalks that sprawl in all directions. Checking a pump here, adding yeast there, and stumbling over my own particular blend of Spanish and Portuguese. While I'll be posting more details, it may be documented a bit more in pictures this time around.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-78693799883270988832009-08-27T00:42:00.000-07:002009-08-27T16:32:27.633-07:00Adega<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H8OrPcQvguZxzIpnMz4BJlLASotPg30pMzFuC_c6MOuuhPaF2CVTc5TBVbgA803G5Ef9gxMR7aPJzHn2oBkJr-JDyWhVMJGgWcsZCOXLEyS-2Jxuqys1DPzLHV__TvMJIhp9D4BFpw8/s1600-h/arches.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5H8OrPcQvguZxzIpnMz4BJlLASotPg30pMzFuC_c6MOuuhPaF2CVTc5TBVbgA803G5Ef9gxMR7aPJzHn2oBkJr-JDyWhVMJGgWcsZCOXLEyS-2Jxuqys1DPzLHV__TvMJIhp9D4BFpw8/s320/arches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374550277809084786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKj-hFZsPr2ynFyRA86Ut9IrylvK4AkxKUJM4BszwIk7zETDt6SfNbc61PE8k1BDfVPPqUMwiolltWYinsMApzaOz1-CwS0Eu4Pr-718uOb4Y-h9VqviQENsYZizQBURgXkkPcluJysM/s1600-h/Cuba+30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKj-hFZsPr2ynFyRA86Ut9IrylvK4AkxKUJM4BszwIk7zETDt6SfNbc61PE8k1BDfVPPqUMwiolltWYinsMApzaOz1-CwS0Eu4Pr-718uOb4Y-h9VqviQENsYZizQBURgXkkPcluJysM/s320/Cuba+30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374550108081159778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Wi9oRrDDcENfC-rYsP7mjrb5jQ78GGn3g9ounB7cNrXdp3Zfh-j96UqiJ2y2HJELScWx8qlwHm0_rXyMFcYflP9Kc7Bl17dNX_hYfaO03cSzuQIGrKlQDGmvg8wOJMyNhPg1Yr0srI/s1600-h/wine+shadows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Wi9oRrDDcENfC-rYsP7mjrb5jQ78GGn3g9ounB7cNrXdp3Zfh-j96UqiJ2y2HJELScWx8qlwHm0_rXyMFcYflP9Kc7Bl17dNX_hYfaO03cSzuQIGrKlQDGmvg8wOJMyNhPg1Yr0srI/s320/wine+shadows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374549803221930834" border="0" /></a><br />I promise a vintage update soon, but until then here's a bit of the view.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-17376004701596419292009-08-24T23:53:00.000-07:002009-08-26T23:07:21.236-07:00Vendemmia Alentejo, Portugal 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm1D5OK72j6kRV_pKU7s7ZYLXvgxmfH2pUmHCqv6SiiwLASQ_In3UdGkHoQ9saOoM0y2EghWgxEBqaeoNUgjT-HBnW0pR1etwvvxlcYTyC2WAbyVenmB-Ynwxxqhz54LBeeb_V8uqN2o/s1600-h/Walk+to+work.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm1D5OK72j6kRV_pKU7s7ZYLXvgxmfH2pUmHCqv6SiiwLASQ_In3UdGkHoQ9saOoM0y2EghWgxEBqaeoNUgjT-HBnW0pR1etwvvxlcYTyC2WAbyVenmB-Ynwxxqhz54LBeeb_V8uqN2o/s320/Walk+to+work.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374444122967423314" border="0" /></a>My walk to work. Pretty nice. Amid 75+ hour weeks, Alentejo offers some excellent scenery.<br />Big sky, vineyards and olive groves forever.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-15173073155192561452009-02-28T15:30:00.000-08:002009-02-28T15:42:07.360-08:00Carneros Fog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInk7prKjy_9_R7-bxPAnrgT1JHDubvmsdONQMeqxpiT1tjBaMkHdR0p3lwQxW6FSyPhfr1FATpMiwbsoEJtVgou7SDYxstLCNXKhJzL3D4w5XQTHm1skP6ET8We6rdMjM0xlBOBI-Ibw/s1600-h/carneros+fog"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInk7prKjy_9_R7-bxPAnrgT1JHDubvmsdONQMeqxpiT1tjBaMkHdR0p3lwQxW6FSyPhfr1FATpMiwbsoEJtVgou7SDYxstLCNXKhJzL3D4w5XQTHm1skP6ET8We6rdMjM0xlBOBI-Ibw/s320/carneros+fog" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307997661989362914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYza8mhb4a2eEvlW2FsRh3RxxZqPhLFQcv2qbxUGGoDH7S-eMZyLzxsGmQ32xbrWqXTRsXP56xSVvSHQgpCW6VvJVQmw5R7yh8jQvK0R8xgmhBytvHzbfeC1NRbq9FCybfMBiOKgHLOKM/s1600-h/buhman+ave"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYza8mhb4a2eEvlW2FsRh3RxxZqPhLFQcv2qbxUGGoDH7S-eMZyLzxsGmQ32xbrWqXTRsXP56xSVvSHQgpCW6VvJVQmw5R7yh8jQvK0R8xgmhBytvHzbfeC1NRbq9FCybfMBiOKgHLOKM/s320/buhman+ave" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307997558370127954" border="0" /></a><br />The Carneros region is famous for the fog that comes off the San Pablo Bay and hangs in the vineyards, giving the vines much-needed moisture. The wind machines are used to help circulate the air and prevent frost.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-71480418745603535092009-02-28T15:21:00.001-08:002009-02-28T15:29:43.703-08:00Barreling Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89mCDnHIZHqmN0fQZtPPs0h1FEu4f32rP7_IuB0Lx7cGj5rj_owOKJTLvBp5OJfL5PFOQ0vXM1MR7yWYJH_fZTFcMc9dLUIwLICfwQGV_04t22ZQsbVlzdoy6htaxZdvlN2XFolLtisI/s1600-h/barrel+down"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89mCDnHIZHqmN0fQZtPPs0h1FEu4f32rP7_IuB0Lx7cGj5rj_owOKJTLvBp5OJfL5PFOQ0vXM1MR7yWYJH_fZTFcMc9dLUIwLICfwQGV_04t22ZQsbVlzdoy6htaxZdvlN2XFolLtisI/s320/barrel+down" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307993683576401746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After taking a break for the holidays, a rather dry Napa winter is in full swing. One by one the tanks have been emptied and sanitized with the wine now living in these excellent French oak barrels. Now the main focus in the cellar is topping the barrels and adding sulfur dioxide to keep the wine stable. Aging wine from past vintages is also pumped out of their barrels and mixed<br />in-tank to stir the sediment.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-39750506438366723322008-11-10T18:54:00.001-08:002008-12-02T17:34:11.333-08:00Season Change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuxn8CoffG9cDL1ZxFBZnsFJRmjzf2DmZRjuH7Y9_0xOfx8VeEAkZHlsW1p91oW5lpKrIRRg_5E9iSku4uBiT2nrKMYBAbcX3V2M850DeNQgjWSFd0blqrKAEJiAb2C7WHAxGzmEvkHc/s1600-h/lluvia2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuxn8CoffG9cDL1ZxFBZnsFJRmjzf2DmZRjuH7Y9_0xOfx8VeEAkZHlsW1p91oW5lpKrIRRg_5E9iSku4uBiT2nrKMYBAbcX3V2M850DeNQgjWSFd0blqrKAEJiAb2C7WHAxGzmEvkHc/s320/lluvia2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267229428427685266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHEwLeXLKTlH4sYuFvOgSV-TBoEccnzcwinSWqIoCZpNbXaNCqjoKtwRwEFT0vB1skz-8uGsbwHhjztDHkW9z5M_jJ7uWlZ0HsvFKVYZhM5H6iwWoRNdFTWdDqw25fW1gVgL0mmKx3cc/s1600-h/harvest+yellow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHEwLeXLKTlH4sYuFvOgSV-TBoEccnzcwinSWqIoCZpNbXaNCqjoKtwRwEFT0vB1skz-8uGsbwHhjztDHkW9z5M_jJ7uWlZ0HsvFKVYZhM5H6iwWoRNdFTWdDqw25fW1gVgL0mmKx3cc/s320/harvest+yellow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267229113634103090" border="0" /></a><br />Like clockwork the rain started as soon a the last fruit arrived. It makes working a bit less pleasant, but a rather impressive show of textbook maritime climate.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-19035777776061234882008-11-10T18:28:00.000-08:002008-12-02T17:33:02.965-08:00Wine Hands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqvdpO1NzRRJfja_cxKbeeOA1ipnTcHpRevnPtsb7XDLGQ4oNjsJ_oYSEeBLtA8dJ4Y4516XK2sdi9qx0nDOU7_cUzROYFfEedzBieJYH7e1u7h6sg0Vbqpnmw_O-9lZyTzz7CLrufSM/s1600-h/wine+hand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqvdpO1NzRRJfja_cxKbeeOA1ipnTcHpRevnPtsb7XDLGQ4oNjsJ_oYSEeBLtA8dJ4Y4516XK2sdi9qx0nDOU7_cUzROYFfEedzBieJYH7e1u7h6sg0Vbqpnmw_O-9lZyTzz7CLrufSM/s320/wine+hand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267222516711433554" border="0" /></a><br />The last of the cabernet arrived last week and marked the end of the harvest season here in Northern California. One by one the tanks are being emptied of their extended maceration inhabitants and my hands are stained purple. I think it's permanent. We are still performing many punch down and pump-over techniques like the one above referred to as a delestage (del-ess-TAHJ). This benefits the wine by exposing it to oxygen and separating seeds, ultimately resulting in smoother tannins.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-84972589600769559392008-10-20T19:10:00.001-07:002008-10-20T19:14:37.375-07:00Tagging<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRzlxtmman3Ef5B460OOTZ2NtIyFF2LHTGydCOEW0tQsa2lIhXxwVYcgKoXwXNsHHtVxqnkev1gP8K9NrNZ85rI1W_OHjUgXmCK6pXFEosTdrUXm47ohsZN9RYDGZ6JcLsUrQQoQ1hPY/s1600-h/barrel+tag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRzlxtmman3Ef5B460OOTZ2NtIyFF2LHTGydCOEW0tQsa2lIhXxwVYcgKoXwXNsHHtVxqnkev1gP8K9NrNZ85rI1W_OHjUgXmCK6pXFEosTdrUXm47ohsZN9RYDGZ6JcLsUrQQoQ1hPY/s320/barrel+tag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259423813669548866" border="0" /></a>Each barrel is tagged with a lot number, vintage, varietal, vineyard, type of oak and the last date moved.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-38434058352250135472008-10-20T19:02:00.001-07:002008-10-20T19:09:27.494-07:00Shh! Wine sleeping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRNi3xZ6W_MkYhf6mRkpSeIYLT4x1_fkJAnqOrBUZ5hyE83OYMQzfV0FJUF8H9qdBg1dSZkvDfvOyPHiWbAH9LGAYsQJx3lRdJ_wpidVVb1busaysq_kdBpIKjv8JdrpSQNz40sg0JGU/s1600-h/barrel+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRNi3xZ6W_MkYhf6mRkpSeIYLT4x1_fkJAnqOrBUZ5hyE83OYMQzfV0FJUF8H9qdBg1dSZkvDfvOyPHiWbAH9LGAYsQJx3lRdJ_wpidVVb1busaysq_kdBpIKjv8JdrpSQNz40sg0JGU/s320/barrel+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259421859304450466" border="0" /></a>The most serene place in the winery is the barrel room. Thousands of wines laid down to mature in oak and blow off their youthful, under-developed tones. Gregorian chants echo quietly here, and I like to wander through the aisles to catch my breath when the cellar gets too hectic.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-91945513433901395222008-10-09T21:08:00.000-07:002008-10-12T16:02:51.705-07:00In the Cali Sun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh8SXiGY1GvGja480T3gcABJ73bLOJKigg58U_yYoT8j5PI0M0ScBN8ebhbSHFBl13Diy1FfJQG_8UD41D8eh4jWpU4ZOHRqUvp0KpzgD02otA-jh_u682dFCPgAnWEe-VDK8JT8k4_g/s1600-h/a+furea+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh8SXiGY1GvGja480T3gcABJ73bLOJKigg58U_yYoT8j5PI0M0ScBN8ebhbSHFBl13Diy1FfJQG_8UD41D8eh4jWpU4ZOHRqUvp0KpzgD02otA-jh_u682dFCPgAnWEe-VDK8JT8k4_g/s320/a+furea+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255372474594833698" border="0" /></a>These tanks hold fermenting wines in our outside cellar. The grapes go from the selection table into one of these, and if it's a red, it generally goes into cold-soak for a couple days before warming to inoculate with yeast. The cold-soak process involves maintaining a low temperature by keeping dry ice in the tank 24 hours a day. It also keeps the fruit covered in a layer of CO2 which preserves its quality to extract color from the skins.<br />Cold inside the tank, but pretty pleasant working outside with the sun shining.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-6572828298225541522008-10-09T20:53:00.000-07:002008-10-09T21:07:35.439-07:00Chard Fest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGPAVTscUEVmCNgM0zequHgSSOM79VfdRYLWDw2CcD6emHoW9aHpe084dkcq31FYX0keRjgbSBnlB5yVKeNVsOv9l_coqu2zq-0Z4APbxO0aSV2FZbXibJL7lhedoupw1ZAFV7808oww/s1600-h/Chardonnay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGPAVTscUEVmCNgM0zequHgSSOM79VfdRYLWDw2CcD6emHoW9aHpe084dkcq31FYX0keRjgbSBnlB5yVKeNVsOv9l_coqu2zq-0Z4APbxO0aSV2FZbXibJL7lhedoupw1ZAFV7808oww/s320/Chardonnay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255370237420820482" border="0" /></a><br />Most of our Chardonnay came in last week. The fruit arrives on trucks of all sizes carrying these half-ton micro-bins. The vineyard name and block is specified on the sign, and it goes to the selection table or directly to the hopper, depending on the quality. The selection table is used for the more expensive fruit to insure the leaves and detritus is removed, whereas the lower quality fruit is used to make bulk wine for blending.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-69266415244880966912008-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:002008-10-02T17:36:57.201-07:00Young Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM5aMMS-I2BxYo3cmztLWk2PL58fOMUcvIHCJVScppEi0HE9EWgd7xX_7vwZLibPLrjvmQuK-SsZ0SeASK27GAKoyzi64fZZgfAH3bb6NyrgQJu-U2-p9W9zwhevcbHEXOqZ079vm-dM/s1600-h/pump+over+on+ot%27s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM5aMMS-I2BxYo3cmztLWk2PL58fOMUcvIHCJVScppEi0HE9EWgd7xX_7vwZLibPLrjvmQuK-SsZ0SeASK27GAKoyzi64fZZgfAH3bb6NyrgQJu-U2-p9W9zwhevcbHEXOqZ079vm-dM/s320/pump+over+on+ot%27s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252006398471582450" border="0" /></a>I found a little bit of my vim hiding in these tanks of fermenting wine. Spending my days gazing into tanks has become a fascinating introduction to some intriguing young hopefuls. Watching them develop day after day has taken on some form of relationship--it's like I'm dating. There's a tempranillo in tank 310 that's peaking my interest, and the merlots with their sensual aromas are quickly becoming my favorites. Everyday I notice something new on the nose or find their colors becoming richer. I find myself wondering if I'll like some next week as much as I do now, and imagining the day I'll say 'goodbye' when they go off for barrel aging.<br />Perhaps the long hours and lack of sleep is finally showing.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-65019791891043959532008-09-26T18:49:00.000-07:002008-09-26T18:54:54.307-07:00Tank Cleaning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zvMxT0XJWcQXAu6b_32hguNFeC7Box_yOoy_CWVnYIIuLZ5qsCjeMU5LJrNj-0tC_7b4PI-X5FyOH_fXmxdlkmfidFD0d4WMI6LzOPQRpmQrghTsfgj-x9gl3pUXkHh-bjKLjgOM6Ro/s1600-h/oso+in+tank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zvMxT0XJWcQXAu6b_32hguNFeC7Box_yOoy_CWVnYIIuLZ5qsCjeMU5LJrNj-0tC_7b4PI-X5FyOH_fXmxdlkmfidFD0d4WMI6LzOPQRpmQrghTsfgj-x9gl3pUXkHh-bjKLjgOM6Ro/s320/oso+in+tank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250512426341158610" border="0" /></a>About half of the work in the cellar is some form of cleaning. Tanks, hoses, pumps, and every piece that connects them must be fully sanitized between uses. Most is done manually, and looks like this. My good friend Oso above is scrubbing out a 1,000 gallon tank, which is pretty tight quarters.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-212694038503490272008-09-24T20:15:00.000-07:002008-09-24T20:31:48.590-07:00Hoser<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16MqhYAozNtm-XG6P9aFDyWUn-odEHc0TIRyTkQ9KHpJN6SvnBIAJAk7IyCcrUONnQFKPjC3GO77Ux8g9LEzx5oO8jA2OGQPnYDaIO2cPJLlf7YQZ93KNAxzXK70FQn7P6ZEtEJbFlI0/s1600-h/pile+of+hoses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16MqhYAozNtm-XG6P9aFDyWUn-odEHc0TIRyTkQ9KHpJN6SvnBIAJAk7IyCcrUONnQFKPjC3GO77Ux8g9LEzx5oO8jA2OGQPnYDaIO2cPJLlf7YQZ93KNAxzXK70FQn7P6ZEtEJbFlI0/s320/pile+of+hoses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249792773627419170" border="0" /></a>Maybe it's the middle of the week, maybe it's just exhaustion, but I'm lacking inspiration for the vino today. Maybe a good article on dry farming could perk me up, but sometimes the reality of wine-making is a back ache. Perhaps a little touring is an order. I'll report back.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-87693880050796666262008-09-19T21:33:00.001-07:002008-09-22T21:07:19.294-07:00Dreaming In the Lab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaF6QLJDbh_Q_1U0d0iwhdrh_xIQmOcnP3BS17g_yaGE1WLf_Ma_qifkWZz8YPEskQ3_FMsGGpy6F8fWOyo_cEo5v8xAHcwvAIUJs2CBbGTPyN2Q5HYa8m5IartteYJ6Af6BMBB0FOx0/s1600-h/in+the+lab.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaF6QLJDbh_Q_1U0d0iwhdrh_xIQmOcnP3BS17g_yaGE1WLf_Ma_qifkWZz8YPEskQ3_FMsGGpy6F8fWOyo_cEo5v8xAHcwvAIUJs2CBbGTPyN2Q5HYa8m5IartteYJ6Af6BMBB0FOx0/s320/in+the+lab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247960062648465618" border="0" /></a><br />This wine cellar is overflowing with macho men. Not for the faint of heart, this is a world full of the coarse and grimy. When I leave at the end of the day, my hands are stained purple and I'm covered in a sticky mess. Being one of two women currently working in a group nearing thirty is not all it's cracked up to be. When passing by the laboratory, where all are female, I gaze longingly. Soothing music plays overhead with intelligent conversation, and I think, 'What am I doing out here?'. So to bring a bit of balance to my life, when I finished in the cellar today I went to the lab, where they were looking particularly overwhelmed. Fruit samples piled high on every surface, they wasted no time showing me some basic procedures to lighten the load. Testing for brix (sugar levels) and running pH analysis with the machine pictured above were my first lessons, and I was thrilled to finally see all their cool gadgets. Seriously, the lab has the best gadgets. A few hours later I felt human again, reassured that I could battle my way through another day of machismo. Oh, and one of the perks to<span style="font-style: italic;"> not</span> being cooped in the lab is a better view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8j_7j7Ur3Z5apQOizLCsIE8N92R-lZ4GrTmh76xV3lXYPlpd0d0HkFapDb28Ffnn1y0EQdtIYItqBIz1VPPHpTFJGMEkx3olqBd6d9ckGAXg1Z6RZMTeB-RUKZqeeARcbdA4nRbNkH4/s1600-h/cellar+door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8j_7j7Ur3Z5apQOizLCsIE8N92R-lZ4GrTmh76xV3lXYPlpd0d0HkFapDb28Ffnn1y0EQdtIYItqBIz1VPPHpTFJGMEkx3olqBd6d9ckGAXg1Z6RZMTeB-RUKZqeeARcbdA4nRbNkH4/s320/cellar+door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249060445193364338" border="0" /></a>Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-21382728095078222472008-09-17T20:57:00.000-07:002008-09-18T18:26:00.401-07:00Venture a Venturi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn18vbTUvOk5S2_uwEqBiwFOiYkbXeoGTetYgM4JI0VtAcXpczFzDLdP7LY-gvXCIMK171FV5PZyehzYvakkE0L3XQMXptYePzA7veXn3sKTJ5RiGt8CseywxwBk9z_qNRR5NyNPZ3hy0/s1600-h/screen+and+splash+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn18vbTUvOk5S2_uwEqBiwFOiYkbXeoGTetYgM4JI0VtAcXpczFzDLdP7LY-gvXCIMK171FV5PZyehzYvakkE0L3XQMXptYePzA7veXn3sKTJ5RiGt8CseywxwBk9z_qNRR5NyNPZ3hy0/s320/screen+and+splash+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247529391033054914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep8wmQlF8br6rq7LQA9tmkZ-HXf-K8R_-LZICHI83t0b7JatJLPGa9qqFk1eVIupi2qMAaSsYll92oD1CBrb17LtZKuyzF-uBoy0Ya0hasthlOl75l3tCooTOH7FWatCSpNthijBMIxM/s1600-h/venturi+connect2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep8wmQlF8br6rq7LQA9tmkZ-HXf-K8R_-LZICHI83t0b7JatJLPGa9qqFk1eVIupi2qMAaSsYll92oD1CBrb17LtZKuyzF-uBoy0Ya0hasthlOl75l3tCooTOH7FWatCSpNthijBMIxM/s320/venturi+connect2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247526104171822306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Another technique to expose fermenting wine to oxygen is with the above process and device. A Venturi tube, in a wine cellar, serves the purpose of suctioning air into a line to expose the traveling wine to oxygen. After draining a tank of its juice, this Venturi tube is connected to a hose at the bottom. The juice is then fed back to the top where a sprinkler distributes it over the fruit. A very interesting relationship wine has with oxygen. Dependent on it for its young life, but in bottle or barrel it needs very little. Then at the time of consumption, it relies on the exchange again.<br /><br />Enough about technique. This is hard work! My biceps are growing by the minute, and I'm constantly amazed at how much there is to do in what's considered a medium-sized facility. Even on a slow day we can put in nine hours, and the evening crew still needs to repeat every action from the day.<br />I'm ready to do some tasting.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-23466854266267566432008-09-17T20:38:00.000-07:002008-09-18T21:05:04.661-07:00Wine Play<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-P6A8GUNZjKhVJHycWz6RSLr2nhmBDxsuSqgypJixIpfCK696QbGhb0UmZFBPZqaA-oiLbFAYv-9mggEdEb4JjK7NSglVA-vg8CcEkouIXT-XOL98kiNZErEv6j8fpyacG46nrnL6C4/s1600-h/pumpover+save+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-P6A8GUNZjKhVJHycWz6RSLr2nhmBDxsuSqgypJixIpfCK696QbGhb0UmZFBPZqaA-oiLbFAYv-9mggEdEb4JjK7NSglVA-vg8CcEkouIXT-XOL98kiNZErEv6j8fpyacG46nrnL6C4/s320/pumpover+save+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247200819900079138" border="0" /></a><br />Pinot noir is finicky, and while waiting for fermentation it likes lots of air. Lucky for this pinot, I was there with a fire hose to give it what it wants. The juice is drained from the bottom of the tank and pumped up through a hose over the cap.<br />The art of a pump-over.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-47763751803054095322008-09-14T21:40:00.000-07:002008-09-15T17:46:11.162-07:00Mis Botas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriA1QxMCX4ziFBGBBfGmSSb91LhQSd40FXkwHEyK9n8a93QGuFJZ0FrAYdKBdv8TneiUtwDQS9g1AIsrKzlwRYtZZZjwAktSIoskhkzHrRCr1oEgfGQa7l4wbV0nph-2B70tRsm9MZmk/s1600-h/mis+botas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriA1QxMCX4ziFBGBBfGmSSb91LhQSd40FXkwHEyK9n8a93QGuFJZ0FrAYdKBdv8TneiUtwDQS9g1AIsrKzlwRYtZZZjwAktSIoskhkzHrRCr1oEgfGQa7l4wbV0nph-2B70tRsm9MZmk/s320/mis+botas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246104828774942690" border="0" /></a>My boots. Don't be jealous.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-30685061123805839662008-09-14T20:54:00.000-07:002008-09-15T17:51:43.590-07:00Fermentation fog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCzcrp3ma4C30lLvUXvBGUz_0obpRy7wUstccdsDocCkzfYzeZ3NBc7RP9CZQbpDfQtHNLCU3SGwYJNZJXxg5jNRD0p325cq_CebH1SZmF91T0ot9s_kyIAbDXmcEAt_N679T0HLz7oU/s1600-h/cellar+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCzcrp3ma4C30lLvUXvBGUz_0obpRy7wUstccdsDocCkzfYzeZ3NBc7RP9CZQbpDfQtHNLCU3SGwYJNZJXxg5jNRD0p325cq_CebH1SZmF91T0ot9s_kyIAbDXmcEAt_N679T0HLz7oU/s320/cellar+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246095055748910402" border="0" /></a><br />The tanks are fast filling with fruit, and at $4,000-6,000 per ton, a large tank can easily hold $100,000. Now at various stages of fermentation, the cellar has a strong odor, and the CO2 from opening the lid of a tank hits your lungs with a burning sensation. Careful not to inhale, one could lose consciousness and become wine soup. The barrels were just fitted with new stave inserts to add oak tones without the expense of buying new barrels. They're waiting to be filled with the newly arriving chardonnay. The tourists standing on the rooftop deck are charmed; cellar workers are sleepy and nervous.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515529245397099023.post-66310766133604996732008-09-10T21:35:00.000-07:002008-09-14T21:48:40.155-07:00In the hose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBWQ1rvL16CWAPwQdFTihyphenhyphenuw2ejBfOPVUVnVBBHQ5fe_deWLLSbvfdJx86H597gphA0VuztAb64NU5lfPvjhsNV1CF9b26tpdhQf0XLTwdDeq7bEl7OJiPQKZ89ZvbyFWKtUMwOzyFv4/s1600-h/+four+inch+hose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBWQ1rvL16CWAPwQdFTihyphenhyphenuw2ejBfOPVUVnVBBHQ5fe_deWLLSbvfdJx86H597gphA0VuztAb64NU5lfPvjhsNV1CF9b26tpdhQf0XLTwdDeq7bEl7OJiPQKZ89ZvbyFWKtUMwOzyFv4/s320/+four+inch+hose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244618350776197858" border="0" /></a>Harvest has kicked into gear in Carneros with 50-100 tons of fruit arriving daily. The cellar crew is working in two shifts covering 5 a.m.- 2 a.m. Punch downs, pump overs, inoculations and nutrient additions take most of our attention. This is my first harvest, and as the only female on a crew of 20+, I have my challenges set out for me. Learning quickly, working fast, and averting efforts to turn me into an extra-curricular activity take most of my attention. Four-inch hoses like the one above will send the freshly arriving fruit from selection table to tank.Stingrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06135688819677542644noreply@blogger.com1