Nothing too exciting on the photo-front yet, but that will all change when the grapes start rolling in.
Rain and cold weather early in the season has harvest running about a month behind—not a good thing when the weather typically starts to get dicey in October. If the rains starts, the grapes dilute, stress surrounds the prospect of sunny days, and lots of sad faces 
are texted around the valley between frustrated winemakers. It’s out of anybody’s control at this time and much hard work and money is on the line; it’s not a relaxed time for many. But, at WCW, our winemaker is a cool cat in the face of harvest woes—there is good wine to be made this year.
So a few things I’ve learned: there is almost nothing that can’t be moved with a pallet jack. Winemaking depends on equal parts cleaning, which is good, because that is something I can do well—already I’m confident in my usefulness. Also, it takes an incredible amount of water to make wine—interesting from the Jesus angle—and there is very little surface area and/or equipment in a winery that can’t be power washed. This, too, makes me very happy.
The big task of the day was prepping a massive oak vat for use. By prepping, I mean scrubbing, but since there is a specific sequence of actions and chemicals, I thought my worked deserved at more enigmatic title. Getting in and out is tricky. I might have been able to use the side hatch if I was wearing Spanx, but not a chance in a rubber coveralls. Two ladders—extension up, A-frame in—does the trick. Spray, scrub with solution A, rinse, power wash, rinse, spray with solution B. Done.
Thanks for at the amazingly supportive comments! It means a lot!
-Rob
My husband is going through the same thing. Good luck to you!
http://www.thoreausdaughter.com/
loving it!!!
Wine me!
‘interesting from the jesus angle’ – hilarious – you are by the way doing God’s work afterall!!
“interesting from the Jesus angle”
Aw man, killing me softly. You rule, Rob. Keep it up! Be back here next time I’m around OKAY
If problems should arise, take a lesson from Rick Moranis in “Strange Brew”!