My New Distraction

Seems to me I won't be posting a plethora of artistic endeavours here anytime soon... our newest challenge may just take up more time more quickly than we even dared to dream and surprise, surprise-we're not ready! 

See, we began planting a vineyard last year.  Jen loves the vino...Scott's not too far behind and we have this old pasture which we don't pasture the cows on anymore (another story for another day) that had been irritating me to no end as it grew up in weeds each year and looked, well...awful.  We were also thinking it would be cool to supplement our income with something unique to the area and finally tried grapes after some persuasion from other growers much better established only half an hour's drive from home.

We were told 3 years until the vines came under production.  We know we're very disorganized and three years seemed like miles away...lots of time for us to get our act together, right?  Well...we waited a little too long to trellis and train the vines this spring.  That turned to summer and to be entirely truthful we're still not done.  Apparently the grapes we have were supposed to be loped off early spring in favour of establishing strong roots and a good base for future years. We just couldn't, they look too perfect!  (Hope our decision doesn't bite us in the butt this winter!)  Regardless...look and see!  Aren't they wonderful?

Here they are last year...shipped by Canada Post right to our doorstep!

The varieties are Swanson, Marquette and Frontenac Gris, Rouge and Blanc.

Here they are as they appeared at the start of July while I was pruning...

very vigorous growth...they're nuts!! ...and now...drum roll please!...

Aren't they AWESOME!? 

We live in Shawville, Quebec, Canada...the Ottawa Valley!  Even growers that live only an hour east wondered if we could grow and although it's far too soon to tell whether they'll survive the requisite 3 winters before we can consider licensing...here they are...looking pretty spiffy if I do say so myself...I think I'm in love!  Swoon! 

So here's the question:  Anyone know how to make really good wine from cold climate grapes? 

We know it's done, we've tasted some great stuff but to know what to do with them already?  Thought we had at least one more winter to research, learn and likely find an individual with expertise.  (not to mention acquire equipment to handle produce from 500 plant)  Oh and we planted more babies this spring.  Yikes!  So once again, life may be getting busy!  But it's a happy busy...aren't they awesome? 

Okay...crazy lady out!  See ya!