Tuesday, October 5, 2010

We are waiting for you, Grapes!

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since I arrived in Oregon. All of us interns are getting ready for harvest. Everything in the winery should be shining before receiving any fruit. Our first grape experience in Domaine Serene will be syrah. This is one of my favorite varieties, by the way. I just love its complex aroma and deep color. We already got some samples of the grapes from Walla Walla Valley and the rose colored juice looked wonderful. So after a few weeks of bottling it is nice to have a break and work on some vintage preparation. We split into teams to be more efficient and I think we are doing really well and moving quickly. Moving around all our picking bins and fermentation tubs provide forklift practice since most of us are still beginners. It’s a very useful, but dangerous vehicle. Be careful everyone and always wear your seat belt! We are getting excited to know what everyone’s harvest assignment will be. I know there will be more than enough work for all of us once those grapes arrive.

Domaine Serene provides wonderful housing, just a vineyard’s stroll away from the winery. We walk up the hill every day to the cellar so by the time we start working we are already warmed up. It is actually very beautiful to walk by the vineyards and see how they ripen day by day.
This past weekend was our last whole weekend off. We explored the area, recharged our batteries and got ready for the impending Syrah!

It is my forth vintage, but my first one in Oregon and I can’t wait to see the whole process between grapes and wine in this region. – Lidyia, Harvest Intern

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