Recently, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to take care of my teenage grandsons and their two friends while the parents got to play. I was so completely knocked out by how great these four teenagers were that I wrote a note to their parents. And sure, everyone thinks their grandkids are great. But keep reading and you'll find out why this was such a special weekend:
Bird Problems in the Vineyard
it seems that our love and attention has caused havoc in the vineyard. By making sure there is food and water for our feathered friends, they have decided that this is the place to be. And just about the time Kosta Browne wants our fruit, when the grapes are ripe with sugars, the birds have decided they want our grapes, too.
Kosta Browne Growers' Appreciation Luncheon
Veraison at Gantz Family Vineyards
Veraison reminds us of watching a person grow from child to adult in one season. The fruit changes from skinny, scraggly blossoms to firm, green clusters to ripe, mature berries. Like childhood, it happens so fast you could get whiplash, yet the daily search for a berry, a cluster or the first blush of color seems eternal.
A Vineyard: Where the Work Is Never Done
Work on Each and Every Pinor Noir Plant
Exploring differences in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Cleaning Up the Graft Junctions
Favorite Vineyard Recipes
Rock Climbing at Sunset Boulders on the Sonoma Coast
One of the coolest summertime activities was rock climbing on the Sunset Boulders at Goat Rock State Beach along the Sonoma Coast. Our oldest grandson, Gabriel, got into rock climbing a couple of years ago and even inspired his Grandpa Clay to join a rock climbing gym here in Santa Rosa. Sunset Boulders provided a beautiful, outdoor spot for all of us to act like mountain goats.