Mike's inaugural blog

The last day of June; the first 6 months is done. From these bright, open days of summer, it is the winemaker's habit to practice that thing which most normal people do on January 1: that is, look both forwards and backwards. Although, at 12:01 on January 1, I'm usually swaying backwards and forwards, waxing eloquent about the plight of the thinking-person in a society intent on distraction - but that's a different thing altogether. This mid-point of the year is a time for me to take pride in the wines I have in bottles, and to begin the planning for the new vintage.

Actually, I feel a lot like Doctor Who - but without the cool hair-do and brilliant clothes. What i mean is: I never have a clear sense of time because I'm always working in different years. On any given day, I can give you a run down of 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008; I have no idea what happened to 2006, but that might have been the year of the gin and tonics...

But of course, I am also peering into the future as far as human eye can see; not only to make decisions on the grapes I want to work with, but also what the trendy young things will be drinking 4 years hence. And any insight you trendy young things can give me in that regard could - obviously - work out to be mutually beneficial: you get to drink what you desire and I get to sell it to you! Consumerism at its most delicious.

The BirdWatchers Summer BBQ - 6/17/09

Brought out the day
No curds, but way
For rain to sprinkle -
Yet people did mingle
Sipping ruby red Syrah,
And none did guffaw
At the berry taste sublime
Of this jammy-fresh wine!

Then rub-a-dub-dub
Frozen chicken to rub
Was meager pickin's
'Til the finger lickin',
For an hour of wait
Did ravenous make
The loyal crowd
A-drinkin'!

Then thunderous noise
A threat did voice
As people took cover
Round tables and under
Umbrellas in tow!
Intent did they grow
On waiting outside
For the Sun to arrive!

And as it shone then poured once more
Wafted the sound of Celtic score;
Musicians playing from within
Lured the crowd & calmed the din.
A party had we still
As the music did fill
Our ears
As food & drink our bellies!

Though plans we did make
Were meant to break
Such fate made glad
For great company we had...
And with full feeling left
To the night the rest
As we dined and made merry
At the parking lot of Lone Canary!


**A special thanks to everyone who braved the trials of the day - and stayed!