NOVEMBER 2018
DID YOU KNOW. . . that in 20 years, or however many I've been writing this newsletter, I don't believe I've ever missed a month. I've been late many times, I've missed the "Recipe of the Month" many times as well, but to miss an entire  month -- certainly not that I can recall. Anyway, I will say that it's a month I don't want to remember.

It all started with equipment failure as noted in my September newsletter. Of course that would happen just when the "crush" was starting which means that any, and all, barreled wine from last harvest had to be promptly removed from the warehouse to make room for 2018's production. Actually, although exhausting, I look forward to this time of year because it's when I seclude myself into the wine cellar where I create new blends and re-bottle all the favorites for the remainder of the year. (Speaking of "new", I just bottled for the first time an "off" dry Cabernet Sauvignon and re-bottled Rosebud, my dry (really dry) rosé.)

And, I'm happy, really happy. You won't believe it but I finally found a handyman! I've been trying for at least six months. I've asked friends and customers. I called some from the ads in our local paper. Believe it or not, I did get one callback and his hourly rate was more than I pay my dentist. Finally I called Home Advisor and set up a date and time. This guy not only didn't show up, he didn't even call.

And then came Wayne. Wayne showed up out of the blue, took my 1st list of projects, showed up the next day and finished ALL of them! (He doesn't know it yet but I already made list #2). I'm happy.

In my next life I'd like to come back as a "handyman lady". Ha.

OCTOBER 2018. Sorry, no newsletter this month.

SEPTEMBER 2018 
Today is the 12th of September and this is the first moment I've been able to sit down and let folks know that all is OK at the winery.

Jerry had a few "bumps" in the road but is moving along. We had a few more issues at the beach house which required me to jump in the car and drive 3-1/2 hours, get things settled, and then, jump back in the car to drive another 3-1/2 hours home. And now, to add to an already crazed Summer, my 50-75 year old filter decided to give up the ghost. It was ancient when I bought the winery 20 years ago and it was old when the former owner bought it 2nd hand 41 years ago!
So, it's just about now that one of my favorite sayings is appropriate. . .
      Life goes on -- until it doesn't.

That being said, I'll be heading down into the wine cellar shortly to pick up the manual to the new filter. I've got to get a move on because Fall is just around the corner.

 

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The Recipe of the Month --