Hi All! I hope you have had an excellent week and weekend. I’m going to step out from blogging about drinking wine. I’m going to blog about growing the grapes that make the wine. My friends, Danna and John, started a vineyard in Anna, Texas. John and Danna have taken courses and done a lot of study on growing grapes. They also had their soil tested to ensure it could grow grapes. They planted 408 Syrah grapevines and I had the opportunity to help plant over Easter weekend. We planted each grapevine into 18 inch pre-dug holes and then slowly pulled them to the surface so the roots could then point downward. It was a time-consuming effort for sure and one that takes a lot of patience. I barely have enough patience to let a wine decant, so this was a struggle. However, I had a good time planting with some very good people. I even encountered a small tarantula and only uttered a mild expletive or two as I used my NFL draft-worthy quickness to jump out of the way. My speed and agility are only at that level in the midst of a large arachnid presence or in the midst of pouring a great wine. I can’t wait for when those grapevines produce their first harvest. I’ll keep you all posted on the progress. I look forward to it and wish the best of luck to Danna and John of Sister Grove Winery!
