January 14, 2009

Happy New Year to all!

I just returned back from Walla Walla this weekend. Just last week there were reports of 24-30 inches of snow on the ground with temperatures sinking down to 5 degrees. Before I got on the airplane I made sure I was prepared for the cold weather. I wore my down vest over a nice wool sweater and then layered a comfortable thick red coat on top. I was ready!

While in the airplane I envisioned the worst. My trusty Suburban nicknamed "The Burbazoid" was parked at the airport in the long term parking lot. I was concerned how I was going to be able to travel from the airport to our property in blizzard like conditions. I had visions of the Burbazoid getting stuck and having to hike to the casita at the property, starting up the tractor and blazing a trail from the main road to our casita so that we had access back and forth.

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December 24, 2008

This short note is sent to all of you to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2009! By looking around in your enviornment winter is here and is quite cold and snowy! Stay safe and enjoy your time with family and friends.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you in 2009 and anticipating an exciting and challenging year.

So from us here at Castillo de Feliciana Vineyards and Winery

Feliz Navidad !

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December 13, 2008

Two weeks ago we placed the last of our crushed and fermented grapes into barrel. This ususally marks the completion of the harvest cycle. Once in barrel we can sit back and evaluate what we did, how we did it, write down our notes, and, of course, taste the wines as they mature.

This year we decided to increase our production. When it is all said and done we will be able to bottle a total of 2000 cases. Our goal is that when we open the doors to our tasting room, which should be sometime in May or June of 2009, we will have a total of 2400 cases. This will include both 2007 and 2008 vintages.

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December 3, 2008

We hope everyone of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did manage to take the entire weekend off to spend some quality time with our family. Thanksgiving dinner was wonderfull and ,as usual, we all ate too much! As we live in Redmond, Washington we were surprised by a visit from Ryan , his wife Aline and child Sophia for Thanksgiving dessert. As Ryan lives in Walla Walla and tends to all those full barrels of red and white wine he doesn't get out here very often. After dessert we played card games until

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November 23, 2008

I have to share this funny story with you.....
Before the trellising was done the property was given the necessary compost to fortify the soil. Once done the soil was disked and smoothed beautifully. Then came the trellising. This left the soil uneven and with all kinds of tractor ruts and hills. Now came the time for "Farmer Sam" to make what was once beautiful smooth soil beautiful again. I spent a full weekend going in between all the trellises and between the rows doing the best I could. After a LONG weekend, with my face brown with dirt, and my clothes looking like I had been in a mud fight I looked at my work and told myself "Good job Farmer Sam"!!! I was so proud of myself. I even took photos so I could take home and show to my lovely wife. I must say she was impressed.

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