From near record heat to cold...

I worry about the weather a lot - when irregular I'm concerned for our grapes and of course the climate drives the work needed in the vineyard. Whether it's thinning the extra growth from excess rain or leaf pulling to expose the fruit to air and sun - to spraying for mildew the result of cold and damp days and nights. This new cold spell we're in seems to me like winter, with it's sprinkles, fog, low clouds, cool windy days... weird.

We had fun pouring this weekend at the Arroyo Grande strawberry festival - thanks to those who stopped by to try our wine and enjoy the food and shops at the festival.

California Heat Wave 100 degrees and counting

Well it's only about 88 degrees in the shade right now, but yesterday was good and HOT and today and this weekend it's expected to bake and reach well over 100! The vines love it! Except for the young vines we just planted, those I'm hand watering every other day to keep them alive.

We just finished racking the 07 wines, the Estate Port, the Estate Zin and Petite Sirah are all coming along nicely. And we're doing some early preparation for this year's harvest. We have our barrel order placed, I'm looking into new bottles, and alternate suppliers for some materials.

Next in the vineyard I'll make a second pass to sucker unwanted growth and to tie vines that might get caught-up in the tractor when mowing. So, if you're driving by the vineyard wave at the farmer in the hat.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich & Toucan '06 Cuvee

I need to pass along this link to the Sideways Wine Club Blog offering a chicken recipe I think you'll enjoy along with our Toucan Cuvee. Thanks to David for providing it. The Sideways Wine Club has offered our wines to their members and we welcome those readers. Also, when in Solvang please visit Taste of the Valleys - a great wine bar that's cozy and always a good time.

Wild, Wild, Arroyo Grande Valley

We're often reminded of how far from town we really live -- when you need milk and the store is 20 minutes away or when the power goes down for several days. We're not remote and we may have many luxuries, but this is "the country".

But nothing could be more awakening then waking up yesterday morning to a mountain lion standing at your kitchen door. Well, that's what happen to our neighbor - fortunately he took several great pictures of the mother lion and her two cubs. Last night we went over to see the lions (having not had our fill from the National Zoo last week). And just as the sun was setting the mother was eating on the Deer remains from her kill Saturday and what a treat it was to watch. Again, our neighbor took some great pictures.

And this morning another reminder, outside our bedroom window, we spotted one of the Lynx (similar to a Bobcat) in the field next door. This beautiful animal is nice enough to hunt the gophers and other small mammals living in the field.

(family picture taken Saturday)

Sideways Wine Club + Toucan Wines Carignane

Welcome Sideways Wine Club members - your recent Maya's Selection shipment of 2006 Toucan Wines Carignane is sure to please - see our Wine page for full details on this wine and info on other current releases. To order more Carignane, please feel free to contact the Sideways Wine Club for your club pricing.

Suckering, Suckering, Suckering

Yes, it's the time of year when each little vine needs special attention to remove extra growth. Particularly the Petite Sirah vines that always grow a little wild. This is the first of two suckering passes through the vineyard.

The process is simple but requires some thought - I remove unwanted shoots that grow from buds formed in odd locations on the truck; I remove those growing the wrong direction; and those creating an excess that will crowd the others as the rest grow up. Really, it's one of the best jobs in the vineyard. Especially when the weather is great and with a little music playing in my ear. That said, it's bending and stooping - so at the moment I'm inside taking a break and justifying that with a note to you ;-)

Wine Pouring, Customers, HOT Weekend

One of my real joys in this industry is interacting with folks tasting our wine. I meet some very cool people, for example this weekend I visited with a couple from S. CA, who had tasted our wine at Tastes of the Valley in Solvang. They went out of their way to find me at Lund's this past Saturday.

And it was HOT this weekend 100 degrees Sunday.

Warm and Sunny Central Coast

We had a couple of nights of frost on the roofs - that took a toll on a few younger vines. But over all our weather has been typical for the season - but a little dry. The wind has been gusting and today a heat wave has settled in. It must be 85 outside today and the claim is 90's on Saturday. All of this means that the grapes are right on schedule and most all 3,000 vines seem to be taking well to this years climate.

Local Wine Picks - The Tribune

The Tribune, San Luis Obispo
LOCAL WINEPICKS...

Sometimes wine drinkers simply want a change of pace from the usual cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay. This county’s wineries and vineyards offer plenty of choices that are a little different. My picks this week focus on two hearty reds, as well as a racy sauvignon blanc.

Toucan Wines 2006 Carignane $28
Toucan, best known for its zinfandel, is in Arroyo Grande, but the grapes for this wine come from Evangelho Vineyard up north in Contra Costa County. The vines were planted in the 1890s and yield a very small crop. These old vines have provided the fruit for a wonderful wine that’s full of character. It’s ripe and full-bodied, with dark fruit, white pepper, a slight floral note, firm tannins and a long, persistent finish.

Windy and Sunny Day

4/6 You just got to love perfect days in the low 70's with a bit of a breeze. The vines are growing fast now that most have broken buds. Funny how the newly planted replacment vines and the vines on the very top of the ridge always pop out first. The picture shown here is from May of last year - only the vines I mentioned (on top) have this much growth.