After a few weeks’ hiatus, we’re back up at the ranch to see how things are progressing. With just about everything in dormancy, that means nothing is really progressing anywhere. But it makes for a good opportunity to put on cowboy gear and sleep in a barn.
As you heard in a recent post, the only crop I have going are the Brussels Sprouts, which I’m afraid are completely ruined by the recent warm spell of temperatures in the seventies. NOTE TO SELF: Sonoma Valley is not Brussels Sprouts growing territory.
The next thing to check was the wine, which has been safely resting in oak barrels. For an expert opinion, we invited our friend, Julian, eccentric and wine connoisseur, and his lovely wife, Vickie. Julian gave the stamp of approval to our Cabernet which is showing a lot of fruit, body and structure. He was very kind about the Grenache, Mouvedre and Cinsault. But what can you say about wine made from grapes from immature vines. It’s a little thin and not yet ready for primetime as bold Rhone varietals. Maybe we’ll pass those off as Rose.
Wine aficionado, Julian, passes judgement on Two Terrier Vineyards' latest vintage.
The Cabernet was judged as best.
Did I mention that Julian brought his giant hounds?
Accompanying Julian and Vickie were their giant hounds, Elsa and Dougal. They are a breed called Leonberger. These are dogs of German origin and were developed from Newfoundland , Saint Bernard, and Pyrenean Mountain Dog. I’d say there is also a fair amount of Sasquatch in them. These dogs are massive. But then Julian has never been known to do anything by half.
These dogs are so huge, they even made Oscar scared. And Oscar is a fifteen pound dog who thinks he’s bigger than the biggest Pitbull, Shepherd, or Labrador in the park. At Crissy Field, playing in the Bay, he’s actually figured out how to get Labs to go fetch things from further than he can swim, then drop them on command so that he can take them. Oscar is a BIG dog in a small package.
Oscar reassessed his size self-image when massive Dougal jumped into Lake Charles after him.
And he beat a hasty retreat from the huge hairy monster.
Oscar and Lucy only reappeared when Julian got out the hose.
Unfortunately, Julian had not gotten the memo that terriers are ALWAYS on hose patrol.
And that's the report on cowboys, dogies and doin's at Two Terrier Vineyards.
You have such great pictures and I like your writing too. BTW, thanks for the nomination. 🙂
I want your participation in baracku. So, I hope you’ll find the time.
If you want to participate in Twitter Baracku, here are steps:
1. Join Twitter if you haven’t done so already.
2. Follow @Baracku by visiting twitter.com/baracku and selecting or clicking “follow” on Baracku’s page.
3. Go back to your own Twitter page.
4. Write a positive poetry verse, prayer, or blessing as your update THEN …
5. Type the hashtag #baracku at the end of your update.
Remember Twitter only lets you use 140 characters per update.
And, Lisa. You can even post blessings or hopes for the Whitehouse dog. LOL. But I’m sure you have other thoughts on this international celebration.
Please help spread the word to other writers/poets.
I’ve got more info. at my blog.