Archive for September, 2008
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
First Crush, Back to Les Collines and More DuBrul Numbers
Our first fruit of the year came in to Artifex yesterday – 5.26 tons of Block 19 Syrah from Les Collines Vineyard. It’s looking good. We’ll send a sample out for a basic juice panel later today.
Shane McKibben, vineyard manager for Les Collines, had said that he could make some Block 50 Syrah available to […]
2 Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
Les Collines Syrah
Yesterday we stopped by Les Collines Vineyard to taste our fruit. We were supposed to be getting 2 acres of Block 35 Syrah and 2 acres of Block 12 Syrah.
There was a problem with the Block 12 Syrah and we were asked to look at Block 19. What the hell? We’re easy. We worked with […]
No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
1998 Smith Haut Lafitte
Only one wine last night???
I must be getting old.
Another blind pour by Billo – I’m a glutton for punishment. Well, I take a big whiff. Smells a little like a Graves but not exactly. Seems like it has a lot of Merlot in it. After tasting it, I’m convinced it’s a Bordeaux.
With the amount of […]
No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
Harlequin and Turley
Last night, after our visit to DuBrul Vineyard and Kiona Vineyards, we got back to Billo’s place in Walla Walla. No more staying at the Super 8 for me.
We chilled out by watching Entourage and drinking a couple of wines.
The first one up was an eye-opener. Billo poured it blind for me and I guessed […]
No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
DuBrul, Kiona – No Boushey
We arrived in Sunnyside around 1:30pm yesterday. Sunnyside is a small town in South Central Washington in the Yakima Valley. It’s about 35 miles east of the town of Yakima and about a 3-hours drive from Portland.
Dr. Hugh Shiels and his wife Kathy own DuBrul Vineyard and Cote Bonnevillle winery. We got a chance to […]
No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Sunday, September 21st, 2008
Going to Yakima
I arrived in Portland last night. Billo and I will leave for Sunnyside in a little bit. Sunnyside is where DuBrul Vineyard is located. After visiting DuBrul, we have an appointment with Richard Boushey. His vineyards are highly regarded and I’d like to get fruit from them. Unfortunately for me, his fruit is also highly […]
No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Updated DuBrul Numbers
Here are yesterday’s numbers from DuBrul for our fruit:
degrees Brix Titratable acid pH
Merlot 23.7 0.74 3.35
Cab 21.5 1.34 3.17
The vines are progressing nicely. I think I’m getting there just in time for the Merlot – should be ready next week.
No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Sunday, September 14th, 2008
TTB Interview
Yesterday, I had a phone interview with the TTB regarding our winery application. Phone interview on a Saturday? With a government agency? Wow. What a surprise.
The specialist working with me is very nice and she volunteered to work Saturday because they are so busy right now.
The interview lasted for about an hour. They certainly […]
No Comments » - Posted in Rasa Vineyards by Pinto Naravane
Sunday, September 14th, 2008
I’m Back Baby
Friday night, Cindy tells me that Kerrie’s coming over for dinner Saturday night and I have to cook dinner since it’s Kerrie’s birthday (I believe she’s 30 again).
Well, that’s one way to get me cooking again. I haven’t cooked in months because I’ve been swamped. I decided to keep things simple.
I started off with three […]
No Comments » - Posted in Wine and Food by Pinto Naravane
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Wine Label
I spoke with our graphic artist today regarding our wine label. I wasn’t happy with the one that was presented to me a month ago – not his fault. I think I gave him too much input.
So we’re trying again. This time, I gave him just two criteria. I’d like to finalize the label by […]
