Life of a winegrower, Surviving as an Estate Winery

Squid Ink

2009-04-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are good, sometimes the grapes say, “Get out #@%$ out of the way, regardless of your input, a good wine will be made!” Well, the 2008 vintage is just that.

Few wines have been memorable in my short existence on the wine drinking circuit. 1990 Dom Perignon (didn’t purchase it), 2000 Opus One (didn’t purchase it), an early 1990’s Pinot Noir from Oregon, name unknown to me, tasted at Ron Barrett’s house (this wine was moved 3 times in 5 years, didn’t purchase it), 2005 Eyrie Pinot Noir (bought it), and 2004 Kinkead Ridge Cabernet Franc (bought a lot of it). However, the 2008 vintage of the Ohio River Valley will break this stranglehold on my memory banks,. I have yet to taste a vintage with the seduction, power, and finesse of this vintage.

After consulting the other winegrowers in the area, I am not alone. Seth Meranda at Meranda-Nixon says his Cabernet Franc is beyond compare. Ron Barrett at Kinkead Ridge states it may be his best vintage yet. While the 2007 Red Wines will compete with anything in North America, the 2008 vintage is truly world class.

The 2008 La Vigna Proprietary Red Wine is a prestigious wine. The tannin may be even riper than the 2007 wines. Vivid, intense aromas of new saddle leather, huge extractions of fruit, and a seamless, multilayered finish.

I promise this will be the only reference to these wines until they are ready for release next year (maybe). Until then, sack away some cash. Often wines like this are not available in a lifetime.

Brad Hively

winegrower

Bye! Bye! Birdie

2009-04-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Of the many concerns a winegrower has throughout the year, birds may be the greatest. In past years I have invested in scare cannons, Mylar tape, and distress calls. Each year I invest in another piece of promising technology to protect my crop from our feathered friends. Well, this year the answer is the California Scarecrow. With a 34 foot span of random motion, I am sure this is the answer (right!)

Only time will tell if the Scarecrow will be effective. With birds, one can only hope to contain the damage. 100% elimination of damage is impossible.

I expect the units to arrive in June. I will post a photo of the installed devices at that time.

Brad Hively

winegrower

Hail No!

2009-04-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

Today was supposed to be the day the winegrower charged the batteries. Because shortly, bud break will occur. I had plans to roast some coffee beans, make some fresh cheese, but no! A hailstorm started in Kentucky, crossed the Ohio River, and slammed into the estate.

This reminds me of 1994, when I lived in southeastern Ohio. A hailstorm totaled my truck and my two Honda Accords. Well, I only owned one Accord at the time, but I got a good deal on the other Accord after the storm. The car I still drive today is the 1992 Honda Accord that was totaled in that storm. But I digress.

Hail this time of year is not all that bad. If this were to happen say anytime July through November, a sad day it would be.

Brad Hively
winegrower