Weather  
Today

An Optimist vs. Pessimist bet going on.

Forecasts have been for the Jetstream trough to dip into northern Oregon today and tomorrow, bringing rain. I don't think it will amount to anything measurable, if anything at all. Cheryl thinks it will and some delicate fruit was ready to come in.

We struck a decision to pick at the last possible minute on Corral Creek's Home Block, satisfying neither entirely, but making sense.

If we get the full unsettled weather expectations, we could have 0.5 inches rain this weekend, which should not be any problem with current dry soil absorption capabilities.

Highs for most of this week at Stoller Vineyards have been over 80. Temperatures over the weekend are to be in the upper sixties, returning to the mid-seventies and "sunny, mild and dry" for next week.

Almost perfect, especially depending on who wins the meal out with a damp or wet weekend!

Harvest  2000  September 29, 2000

Corral Creek Today.

Picking Pinot at Corral Creek

We're scurrying today, bringing in our first Pinot noir from Corral Creek Vineyards, the grapes surrounding the winery.

Six to eight tons will be picked and will serve as the pump-prime for our processes.

Pinot noir at Corral Creek

New crew, some new process wrinkles and cobwebs in the memory all get flexed today. No more "anything else to clean?" comments.

Winery crews eat well, if nothing else. We have begun programmed lunches, forcing ourselves to eat--at a specified time, together and healthy--and engaging the local restaurants of several quality levels.

So far we have had a daily French bread run, begun by Tim of the Ponzi Tasting Room--as he brings bread out to Ponzi, he grabs some from us.

Crew out to lunch at the Bistro

Tina's has taken Wednesday as their "come pickup a hearty lamb stew, salad and brownies" contribution. Kelly grabs Escape From New York pizza on an early afternoon trip in from Portland.

Last night the Chehalem crew (plus two mates from another valley winery) invaded the Dundee Bistro for a Last Supper. Crush anxiety takes a lot of food to overcome.

And hopefully whoever has misjudged this weekend's weather likes the taste of crow!

Harry