It was a slow run-up to Harvest this year, a lot of hurry up and wait, but now it is on in full. The grapes are bursting with sugar and the flavors are as layered as they probably will get. We'll let a little bit hang a few days longer just to see what happens, but the rest of the Pinot is pouring into the winery in a deluge of white half-ton totes. The crew (all four of us!) has started working some crazy-long days just to get all of those clusters through the sorting line, into the destemmer and on its way to vinification. Today's 17 hours of sorting and stacking was fueled by Heather's crock-pot pot roast, local (Heater Allen) lagers, and a killer party hip-hop set list by our own (Big) Chris Williams. The result was a winery bursting with full-to-the-brim fermenters and fresh fruit smells. No telling what tomorrow's theme will be, but it's sure to be filled with sticky & sweet times and the birth of some mighty fine wine.
As The Grapes Ripen
Sunny Mountain Vineyard on Rattlesnake Ridge outside of Monroe, Oregon. 10 beautiful acres of Pinot noir.
Tracey came all the way from Richmond Virginia to run our pressure washer. Here she is at Echo Hill Vineyard in North Plains.
Harvest starts for real on Monday. We're bringing in some early Muscat and a couple tons of Pinot from the lovely Sunny Mt. site. Here's to getting sticky!
2009 Order Form
2009 L&S Order Form I haven't quite sorted out uploading things to my blog. This should link you to an order form that you can use to get your Love & Squalor. You can print and mail it if you like, or you can peruse the offerings and zip me an eMail wih your vinous desires.
New Love & Squalor Wines . . . Now Available
Matt Berson & Portland Wine Company present the latest wines from Love & Squalor These wines were created from organically grown grapes in small lots with the most natural approach possible. Your enjoyment of them at your table has been their ultimate purpose from the first glimmer. Cellar them, give them as gifts, drink them tonight with those you love.
2008 Riesling, Willamette Valley, Eola Hills Vineyard. (115 Cases Produced) $18 A zingy mouthful of minerality, tropical fruit and citrus peel. This is a modern, off-dry Riesling with a nod to the German tradition. Great with Asian feasts and Northern European classics.
2007 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Temperance Hill and Willakia Vineyards (175 Cases Produced) $24 Bright red cherry fruit opens up to notes of black tea, earth and spices. A medium-bodied wine with a nice long finish. Enjoy with classic Pinot dishes like salmon and pork.
A healthy 10% discount will be applied to orders of 6 or more bottles. Please note that there are limited quantities of these wines, so get your wine request in soon. Get in touch with me and I will contact you with your total including shipping. Delivery or pickup will gladly be arranged for local wine lovers.
Cheers!
Matt
p.s. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested.
Welcome to my new blog
No, I'm not going to be slogging my way through some old cookbook, nor am I going to post a daily picture of my drooly baby. What I am going to do is keep you up to date on my winemaking shenanigans with the occasional rant and ramble about whatever is on my mind. I hope you enjoy reading my words. If you haven't seen my earlier blog about my previous life as a traveling cellar rat, you can find it at surlie.blogspot.com.
Cheers!