Vineyard Diary

Today brought more rain, but luckily I managed to get a good few hours in the vineyard before having to hightail it back to the house soaking wet and desperate for a cup of tea. The vineyard is looking beautiful. We're surrounded by wildflowers (poppies, lupines and owl clover) and this year there's no sign of jackrabbits--probably due to the new addition to our family: a rather large and bouncy eight-month-old Alsatian/Queensland mix named Star The Dog.

Star is proving to be a great vineyard dog; she's quickly learned the difference between a grow tube and a chew toy and she keeps me on my toes. I'll be working away in the vineyard when all of a sudden she'll pounce, demanding to play, which is a fun diversion when your back is creaking and your hands are aching from working the vines. I could do without the muddy paw marks though--and finding myself flat on my back when she catches me unawares.

Yesterday, I paid a visit to the Carriage House Inn, a charming B&B and the oldest house in the nearby town of King City. The owners of the Inn are so warm and welcoming that it's always tough to leave, but after a delightful tea, I returned to the vineyard to sign Escafeld up for the upcoming Winemakers' Celebration, which will be held August 13th at the Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey by the wharf. It'll be a great event; we'll be pouring our wines, so be sure to stop by.

~Elsbeth (& Star)
Escafeld Vineyards