|
|
JUNE 2025
I'm finally out of the "cellar" and on my days off I've been playing in the dirt (my passion), when it's not raining, of course. I noticed that quite a number of shrubs on the terrace in front of the winery either died or lost branches over the winter. I definitely had to replace them first. Then, I think I told you that I've been planting my vegetable garden in straw bales the last couple of seasons; mainly because my septic system is relatively close to the house. Well, what a fantastic solution straw bale gardening is to this problem and with virtually no weeds! If you're interested to hear how, stop in. Let's talk.
MAY 2025
The winery and deck are finally open and Chardonnay is ON SALE right now for $16.29! I'm in the cellar 24/7 so, no news is good news.
APRIL 2025
The winery will re-open for the Spring season on Thursday, April 10th - just in time for Easter. I'd love to see you and invite you to stop in for some FREE tastes!
MARCH-April 2025
The winery will re-open in April, just before Easter. I'll post the actual date here, on the winery phone and on the old outdoor sign.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025
Although the El Paso Winery tasting room is closed for the winter season, there still are some 2024 wines left in the cellar for the year-end sale of 20% OFF. If you're interested, just call me at 914-466-0888 to arrange for pick up.
DECEMBER REMINDER: Closing for the Winter season on December 31st, New Year's Eve.
NOVEMBER (Cont'd)"WINE LIST". I'll try to keep it updated as best I can. Of course, if I'm notified of an earlier bottle delivery date, and can start processing again, I'll get that message out here, on my phone and on the outdoor sign.
And, lastly, this might be pertinent to folks 50ish or over, but, am I alone, or do you think things have gotten weird? Really, really weird. I mean simple things. Things like paying your bills. OK, so, I've always paid my bills, but now I need to pay them 10 to 15 days before the due date. Why? Because the US Post Office is slow! And, have you noticed, there's no grace period any more? And, you're charging ME a late fee? I think NOT! Or, you make your yearly appointment with your doctor. You show up early, and there's a little note on the door saying that the office has moved. And, oh, by the way, here's the new address! So, you go home and there's a phone message -- "where are you"? So, didn't you think it might be important to notify your patients?
Whew, I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Thank God for this newsletter. Giggle. Giggles are good. Giggles are FREE.
Hope to see you soon, Maryl
OCTOBER 2024 (Cont'd)
So, as of yesterday, here's the so-called conclusion I've come up with. . . blame the U.S. Postal Service! So, if you use this service, and don't know whether or not your bank will send an electronic payment or a paper check, you'd better pre-post every payment 10 to 15 days before the due date! Got it?
There now, don't you feel better since I explained this to you?
So, just in case you need a glass of wine, come on over. . . hope to see you soon, Maryl
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 2024
DID YOU KNOW. . . or have you ever noticed how a problem or mistake winds up being a good thing?
So, I'm in the cellar making my Cabernet/Merlot blend, Black Bear. I always have quite a bit of Melot left over. It's never been a problem before because I usually just bottle it. Sometimes I'll make different Merlot blend, Owen's Own. Then I remembered how I'd been unable to find the grape called Baco Noir anwhere. That's the grape I've always used for Mellow Red. Hmm, I wondered how my customers would like Mellow Red made with Merlot?
Hence, this year's Mellow Red. They love it!
AUGUST 2024. Hang in there, I'm in the cellar.
JULY 2024
DID YOU KNOW. . . that Sweet Madeleine is on sale for $15.30? And, did you know that when our first born grandchild came into the world 24 years ago, Jerry named a very special white blend -- "Sweet Madeleine". Well, she's now an audio engineer, a job that pays the bills. But her first love is as the lead singer in the Funk Jazz band called "USP the Band". A job that definitely does NOT pay the bills. Go figure.
Don't forget that the "Hudson Valley Art" weekend is on July 18th thru the 21st. You can additional information on their website.
JUNE 2024
DID YOU KNOW. . . that Half Moon is on sale for $15.30? Also, make a note on your calendar to come to the winery over the weekend of July 18th to the 21st. It's the "Hudson Valley Art" weekend. The winery will be hosting 2 local artists -- Jay LaLonde, welder/sculptor and Donna Stackhouse, fine hand-painted glassware. Hope to see you then.
MAY 2024
DID YOU KNOW. . . that Rosebud, my special 4-grape rosé, is on sale right now for $16.20? And, did you know that my prices have NOT increased for two years?
I don't know how long I'll be able to hold out with the economy showing no sign of lower prices. So, here's what I'll be doing to help out: first, check the Wine List for pricing. Notice the per bottle price for all my wines. When customers from the City look at my daily tasting menu, they automatically assume I'm listing the glass price!
Second, you may have noticed that my bottles and labels are all the same. That's true. Marketers know that most customers choose their wine by the label, the bottle, and the bottle placement on the shelf. I, on the other hand, have always chosen to put the finest New York State grapes, juice and wine; produced with the most loving care by me, into relatively inexpensive green or clear bottles. As for the labels. . . a former life (graphic design), taught me a lot about printing -- even the slightest type change is a major price increase! Sadly, the days of royal blue bottles with super heavy punts and beautifully elaborate 4-color embossed labels are gone, for now anyway. Actually, that never was my policy, because I never had to compete for shelf-space.
So, in case you're wondering, I'll be heading down into the "cellar" for my 28th year and hope you'll understand that things are a little more unsettled than usual. I'm about 4 months behind my regular schedule for having my wines bottled and ready for sale but all that's in the past. I'm psyched and ready to rip! Haha, that's a laugh!
APRIL (just talk today)
DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT. . . how life sometimes steers you in a direction you never, in a million years, would have planned? Sometimes, when I have a few minutes, I do turn around and wonder how did I ever get here? Certainly, I didn't ever plan on buying a winery. Jerry and I just happened to drive by one day -- the rest is history.
So, about a month and a half ago, I thought the winery was sold. I called the grandkids and told them to come over and take whatever furniture, etc., they could carry. Then I packed up what I would need at my house in NJ and made a couple of trips down there. The rest could wait for the movers.
Fast forward. I guess you could say my steering got screwed up. I made a U-turn and I'm back at the winery. Interesting though. . . I'm looking forward and planning some new blends for 2024! So much for steering.
MARCH
DID YOU KNOW. . . well, maybe you didn't but I'm still here at the winery and looking forward to Thursday, March 21st. That's the Spring re-opening date at El Paso Winery! So, If you're wondering what happened, you'll just have to stop in for some FREE tastes to find out. Just kidding. Spring's almost here, the juices are flowing, and I don't want to waste one minute.
I know it's too early but I've already started planting seedlings. I do this every year, then throw them out, then drive down to Mountainview Nursery and purchase way too many young plants. . . I guess I just can't wait to play in the dirt. Although, I may not plant in dirt this year. I'm thinking straw bales! I did it once before and it's really cool (absolutely no weeding, disease, bugs, etc.) If you're interested, stop in for some of those FREE tastings I mentioned, and we'll talk.
I think having a garden again this year is one of the reasons I'm so happy to be staying here this summer. My house in New Jersey (where I'll be living when I retire) sits on a 50' x 100' lot. No grass, just white pebbles -- no garden.
Anyway, I'm still here and can't wait to say "come on in and have a taste"!
FEBRUARY
DID YOU KNOW. . . that I'll be back just in time for Easter! You heard me right when I said "I" because the buyers decided to back out of the sale right before closing. But, no worries, everyone that comes here all the time knows how sad I was about leaving. So, if you're not tired of this old lady, come on back and let's start up right where we left off.
Sadly, they'll miss the fun, the laughs, and especially the good wine that's here. Oh, well, life throws those curves once in awhile. So I decided to stay a little longer to be with all the old friends and new ones too for as long as the good Lord sees fit.
JANUARY 2024
DID YOU KNOW. . . that the winery is now closed for the winter season? Not to worry though, you can still call me at 845-331-8642 to pick up any of your favorite wines. I'll still be in NYS for a few weeks longer. If I don't answer, just leave your name and phone number. I call you back as soon as possible.
DECEMBER
IF YOU'RE FROM AROUND HERE. . . you already know about my "annual closing for the season" sale! It's my last sale of the year and all my wines and all the Donna Stackhouse hand-painted glassware is on sale for 20% OFF!
DID YOU KNOW. . . that ROSEBUD is not only back on the shelf but on SALE! On SALE for $16.00!
And if everything goes as expected, Niagara White, Claudia's Kiss and Ruby Red will be back sometime next week. So, keep an eye on my website. I'll post them as soon as their bottled. As promised, in time for Christmas!
Don't forget. The winery closes for the season on New Year's Eve!
Maryl
NOVEMBER (Cont'd.)
Also, Owen's Own, Golden Oak, Nora's Favorite and the new Mellow Red are back too. Next on my list are the Niagara's and Ruby Red. All your other favorites should be available in the next few weeks as well. Thanks for understanding. Stop in for some FREE tastes.
By now most of you know I had back surgery last month and I'm CURED! As a matter of fact, if you were to stop in the winery right now, you'd see all the empty display "cubbies". That's because I wasn't suppose to lift, bend or twist for a few weeks before and after the surgery. But, I'm back and dancing double-time. Actually, I should have Black Bear, Owen's Own, a new Mellow Red, Golden Oak and a new Nora's Favorite by next week or certainly by the following. I was sedentary for so long I was actually anticipating getting back to work in the "cellar".
So, "thumbs up" and "hats off" to back surgeon, Dr. Alexander Riccio, at the Bone and Joint Center in the Albany area. Everything went exactly as he said it would. And thanks to Johnny and Brenda Wolfeil for taking the absolute best care of me.
Thanks so much, Dr. Riccio. I couldn't have done without you. Maryl
SEPTEMBER (Cont'd from Home page)
Also, DID YOU KNOW. . . that my outstanding Pinot Noir is on sale right now for $22.00? And, in case you didn't know, El Paso Winery is FOR SALE? Yes, it's time. Everyone knew the time was coming especially since Jerry's passing. But, to be sure, I'm still here and remember, there's always Plan B. Plan B is to CLOSE for the season like I do, and RETURN next Easter!
I keep telling myself that there's another chapter in these bones. The problem is. . . I just don't know when that chapter starts. Maryl
JULY (Cont'd from Home Page)
Everything considered though, life is good and it's now time for me to start a new chapter. So, until then, I'm still here, although mostly "in the cellar" -- Thursdays thru Sundays, 1 - 6pm.
Hope to see you soon, Maryl
MAY
DID YOU KNOW. . . that El Paso Winery is open for business. and has never been permanently closed? Well, if you look up El Paso Winery on Facebook, that's exactly what you would see.
I, who know absolutely nothing of how Facebook works, and who, many years ago had my page created by someone I can't even remember, taught me how to edit my seasonal closing, any changes to my hours of operation and an occasional new post. So, last week I decided to check this out and "yes" it's true. Not only does my page state that the winery is permanently closed, it seems that all current postings have been removed and the most current ones are from 2021. I, now have spent hours trying to re-edit my page but to no avail. I can't even log on to it. I don't even know the correct terminology to use, but it seems to me my page has been hacked.
So, until I can fix this mess, the only thing I can say right now is . . . it sure is dumb being so dumb. And, "yes" El Paso Winery is open and I'd love it if you'd stop in for a few FREE tastes!
Maryl
APRIL
DID YOU KNOW. . . (Cont'd.)
some kind of heating mechanic named Phil. All I know is that he came, he looked the situation over, he came back with a new boiler, AND INSTALLED IT THE NEXT DAY! And, he did it all by himself!
Then, it was about a day or so after the boiler install that I was talking to Isabel. I told her I was going over to the winery one more time to check on the temperature -- just to be on the safe side. It was late. I was in my slippers. I threw on an old jacket and walked over. I opened the door and before I could put the lights on, WATER POURED OUT! Totally soaking me and my bare slippered feet. It appeared to be gushing from the loft but how could that be? There aren't water pipes up there. After I gained by senses, I could see that the faucets in the little sink were blown off and iced cold water was shooting up -- not pouring down. And here I thought I had remembered everything Jerry taught me about how to close down the winery before winter set in so that pipes wouldn't freeze.
Oh, well. . . just one more thing -- my washer/dryer gave up the ghost the other day.
I think I'll take the next bus out of town.
I'm still keeping the faith and trying to giggle along the way. . .
Hope to see you soon, Maryl
|
