Last night, after an 88 minute hike at Calero, we settled ourselves out back on the deck and relaxed. Paul had a martini and a cigar, I had a headache and some water. Too much sun for me yesterday so I guzzled a ton of water instead.
With dinner, I opened a bottle of grenache that Paul suggested I grab off my side of the cellar. We both really enjoyed the nose, body, and mouthfeel of this wine. I kept saying over and over, this reminds me of dusty berries freshly picked off the vine on a beach trail. And I asked Paul if he knew what I meant, had he ever had a dusty berry off a beach trail vine. Oh yeah, yeah, I’ve done that, and I too smell and taste the dusty berry.
Paul grilled really spicy chicken breast, halved zucchinis and corn tortillas, an amazingly weird yet satisfying combo, and we lingered over the grenache.
This morning, I jumped on the treadmill and figured I’d pound out my usual 2 miles and then get on with the day. After a mile, I quit, got my bike down from the ceiling hook and pumped up the tires. Off to the Church Vineyard and market, things to do, people to see, etc etc.
I get to the church, and it’s a jungle! It was mostly done flowering, but the third and fourth shoots that I was there to thin out were just newly blooming. I sent Paul a quick text and said, “I’m gonna be here awhile”.
It took me just under two full hours to thin, tuck, and sucker these 20 cabernet vines, but it was time well spent.
The pile of cuttings, many of which had fresh blooming clusters on it, smelled exactly like the dusty berries on a beach trail vine from last night. Kid you not. I stood over the pile for an extra minute just absorbing the aroma and tying it back to so many other great wines I’ve enjoyed. I kept smiling and grinning like a total dork as I made the assimilation.
I got back on my bike, pedaled over to Chavez market and picked up some munchies and mixers for tonight’s Happy Hour at Romero Bar and Grill.
That is not the church in the background…that’s the firehouse. Which, kudos to the firemen that work there, because when they see me working out in the vineyard, they often wait til they are past me before blaring the sirens. For all I know it’s out of respect for the church, but either way, I’m glad they wait.
I love your blog posts! It doesn’t seem that many people leave comments, so I wanted to say I read them, even if on the sly! Keep up the great work, Stef and Paul. You two are great. Your wines and great. And you make my life great. With gratitude, Haggis
One thing that really surprises us is how many people we meet that do read the blog all the time. When we travel especially people comment on it. It’s one thing that helps keep us writing.