Dear Friends, I hope this finds you all healthy and safe. It was another busy work week. I would be afraid to clock my work hours during this time. My weeks used to be filled with the distraction of travel. My distraction now seems to be virtual events. And boy, am I on cloud nine…
Dear Friends, Another fun, but busy, week here in Amity. Last year, when we were able to reopen after COVID shutdowns, we expanded our wine and food service to our area nicknamed “the lemonshade”. The shaded roof has cutouts that are shaped like lemons, hence how it got its name. Our winemaker, Chris, built amazing…
Dear Friends, After our first round of snow two weeks ago, we were hopeful that winter had passed. Then the forecast for this week appeared. We had rain, sleet, and more rain with freezing temperatures all day long. Each day we watched hoping to see improvements. It is a holiday weekend and we were sold…
Dear Friends, Happy Spring! It was gray skies that drizzled rain most of this week where I am in California. Yesterday, it felt wonderful to get outside for a hike at one of my favorite places. The week’s weather was evident from the slippery paths but more so from all the brand new, bright green…
Dear Friends, I hope this finds you safe, healthy and hopeful! It is hard to believe it is the middle of July already. The concept of time is very odd during this pandemic. Pascal Update Paris has begun to reopen. Pascal, the winery owner and my nephew, has returned to work in the wine bar.…
Dear Friends, I sure am fortunate to live in two beautiful places that are epic for the sunrises and sunsets. I experienced both of the above photos this week. I had a wonderful six weeks in Oregon and am now back at home in California. It was a busy but wonderful final week at the…
Dear Friends, As we navigate through this current time, hopefully we are finding silver linings. They help to bring us hope and to find good during difficult times. Hopefully you are already finding some. I know i am! For those of you that don’t know Pascal, I want to introduce you to a silver lining from…
Dear Friends, I hope this finds you all healthy, safe, and enjoying the holiday season. I love this point in the holidays. We are almost out of time to shop for anything that needs to be shipped. My menu for the week is done as well as the grocery list. One more trip to the…
Dear Friends, I hope this finds you all healthy and safe. We were able to reopen outdoors this week. Oregon has come up with a formula-driven classification system applied to each county that determines how businesses can operate. At this time, most counties, including ours, is in the “extreme” risk category. The primary measure to…
Dear Friends, Where ever you are in the US, I hope this finds you safe from weather conditions and with power. What a crazy couple of weeks of weather. Let’s hope things recover quickly. We are busy around the winery. Chris and the team are working on blending the 2019 Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs. The…
Dear Friends, Happy 4th of July! I hope this finds you surrounded by friends, family, and your 4th of July traditions! It was a big week in Oregon. We have reopened. Having restrictions in some capacity for 16 months, made me reflect on so many things that had to be thought about during COVID. It…
Dear Friends, It is an exciting week in the Estate vineyard! Bud break is happening in every block: the Pinot Gris, the Old Vine Pommard, the Riesling and the rest of the Pinot Noir! After pruning, bud break is the next big milestone during the growing season. The vines are looking healthy although we could…