Vines From Bob

The other day I met with an old friend from Eastern Oregon, Bob Nelson. Bob owns Nelson Vineyards (I think that is the name). Bob has struggled for several years to grow grapes in Eastern Oregon. Winters are hard, like where I live, and most vines failed. Bob did say he has about 24 fines that are still alive. I hope to get a few cuttings from Bob in February 2010. I figure these vines must be strong and seasoned to our winters. I hope to plant two just inside the "Common Area" I mentioned earlier. I teased Sunni we could put them in the house next to her Olive tree. Actually I want to keep them outdoors so they either die or remain tough. Bob has not killed them yet so hopefully they can grow in some real nasty volcanic soil.

Possible Supplier

Last week I met with Tom Gilles, owner of The Brew Shop in Bend. Tom has just about everything I need to make my first wine - which I will start in October. I'll start to pick up supplies in July. From what I can tell, The Brew Shop is not the most cost effective place for each item I will need but being local saves the shipping or cost of gas to drive a minimum of 130 miles to a competitor. Tom also sells concentrated juice which makes 6 gallons and available all year. I figure after my October experiment with grapes from Washington, I will make wine from concentrate until Fall 2010.

Volcano Visit

A couple of weeks ago I met with Scott Ratcliff, the owner of Volcano Vineyards. It occurred to me how Scott was doing business which I wanted to confirm. Long story short, he gets his grapes from out of the area, has the wine made and puts his labels onto the bottles. Wanted this confirmed to see if it is something I could do. Scott gave me more information than I could remember or process. Looks like another meeting is in order.

History

In 1984 I moved from Southern California to Oregon. I was interested in starting a vineyard but moving while in a failing relationship, left that dream sitting on the sidelines. Over the years, every once in awhile, there would be a conversation about owning a vineyard, but never at the correct time. A career with State Government prevailed and I retired in 2004 only to go directly into a newly built T-Mobile Call Center. Nearly five years later (December 2008) another retirement - actually a victim of a downsized department has left me thinking about the future. What are my interests and what am I going to do? Is my vineyard dream too late? We live where vines may grow but the deer eat everything in sight. CC&R's prohibit a fence and I don't think the Resort, where we live, would like me using "Common Area" to plant grape vines. As I look back over time, I always said if I won the lottery, I would buy a vineyard and employ a lot of people. At one point, while living in Baker City, we cut down a very old vine to extend our deck. Still can't believe we did that. So, now I am interested and I still have not won the lottery.

In March, Sunni and I went to the Napa Valley to attend a Mustard festival in Calistoga, Ca. In April we went to the Yakima Valley, which is in Washington, for a wine and barrel tasting event. Sunni and I met the owners of Two Mountain Winery a few years ago while attending a wine event in Bend. We have kept in touch ever since. I will attend a Two Mountain Winery wine making event in October and they have agreed to give me "Must" so we can make our own wine. While I often use "we", I can say Sunni is not so thrilled. Now to look for supplies.