Bottling Day again

Wednesday was bottling day. We didn't bottle any of our own wines. We make wine for a few select individuals. This day we were bottling for Roger. Roger is a great guy from N. California. He has a nice vineyard that produces some fine wine. He is a happy guy and we always look forward to his visits. We bottled several of his wines. Everything went great, the day was a success.

We have our 2006 Chardonnay (non-organic) preview this week. Preview means I was too lazy to put it on our full wine menu. I will be adding it to our website soon. We also have the 2007 Muller-Thurgau released now. It is a delightful wine. Come try both of these wines this weekend through Thursday the 17th.

The labels....they are moving along. I have revised proofs sitting in front of me. Ben, the label guy, is coming to talk to me this evening. Next week, ttb approvals! My fingers are crossed. After that, off to print. I will take myself out if I have to to celebrate them being done.

Wines are still moving in and out of the cold room and having cream of tartar added. This process is labor and time intensive. When they get those done it will be time to start on the meads.

Harvest will be here before we know it. Next month will be clean up. All the junk that gets stored on the crushpad will be moved and everything will be organized. I bet Rob is already thinking about it.

Moving Forward

I feel as if we have made it over one huge hurdle.  That being the redecorating and deck project.  There is still touch up with the painting inside and painting on the outside but it is done for now.  Everything turned out just wonderful.

The label situation is moving ahead.  I hope to have proofs today.  I will try to get the new look on the blog also. 

The weather has been great lately.  With warm weather it's time to make mead.  David will be starting a batch of regular mead and Marionberry mead soon.

We do have Vandal Gold and Mead available now.  We also have Muller-Thurgau.  Check the website often for our new releases.

Lots done!

I feel like I got a lot done today. Shipped out wine for competitions. Read all the emails, moved a little ahead on the labels. A huge leap with the bottles. Got some things straightened out with advertising. Art in the Vineyard, we have a plan. Doctored Rob's finger (he cut it with a knife). Jennifer worked the tasting room, I'm so glad, it was really busy. We found out we won a silver medal at the Riverside International Wine Competition with the Baco Noir.

There are still wines moving in and out of the cold room. Cream of Tartar is still being added to some. I think the 2007 Pinot Gris is being prepped. We tasted what will be the Sweet Camille and the Tempranillo Rose today. They are both going to be great! Good job Rob, David, and Mother Nature. We were trying to decide how sweet the Sweet Camille will be. It is an interesting test. The whole flavor of the wine changes with the addition of sweetness. Whatever is decided, I know it will be enjoyable.

Hopefully the label information will be completely compiled by tomorrow. Maybe there will be digital proofs by Friday! That will be a happy day.

Crazy Monday

Today was crazy. Between all the shipping that had to be done and figuring paychecks I had a busy day. Of course, you put serving the people in the tasting room on top of that and we have craziness! David stepped in to serve while I got everything done. It is great to see the tasting room busy. The weather is a huge spirit lifter also.

Tomorrow is bottling day. I told you last time how I feel about bottling. Tomorrow is a day where Rob and David's (not like a couple) kids leave home. Out of the barrel, into a tank and off to the bottle. This was supposed to happen last week but didn't because of the remodel. Tomorrow is the day. I will tell you what is going into bottle. I might miss one or two. Oak Aged Pinot Gris, Muller-Thurgau, Melon, Vandal Gold, Mead and a couple I can't remember. Maybe Huxelrebe and Viognier.

Tomorrow for me is contacting new club members and working on labels. I have two goals, just two! Those of you who read my blog faithfully, thanks.
Tracy

Opening Weekend

We finally opened officially yesterday. We opened at noon and the contractor finished at 11:45. The deck is wonderful and the weather is cooperating. Most people are impressed with the outdoors and indoors. Things came together at the last minute.

I've been putting my office back together when I'm not serving wine or visiting. I like serving wine and visiting. Those of you that have come out, thank you, I would love to sit down with each of you. I have a great team and I love that they are getting trained to do a great job behind the counter. I think I could become good friends with Jennifer, Elise and Tim without a lot of effort. It is fun to get to know people and working with them is a great way.

We are bottling on Tuesday. It got postponed a week because of the construction. Now we are back on track. We will be bottling; Oak Aged Pinot Gris, Melon, Muller-Thurgau, Mead, Vandal Gold and ? I'm drawing a blank. I would have remembered before the last glass of wine I had. I will be happy when Tuesday is over, as I'm sure Rob and David will be too.

Bentonite is still getting mixed and added to wines. Trials are still getting done to see where we are. The labels need to get moving! I will work on those Monday if I have time since I am working the tasting room. We'll play it by ear.

Until the next time,
Tracy

Almost ready

We are almost ready for our grand reopening. Things still have to be done but other things can wait. I'm sure over the summer things will still be getting done. We are all very excited to get things back in order. We do have a calendar up on the website now. You can check to see what events are coming up. We are placing the wine tasting schedule online also.

If any of you that are reading are not getting emails announcing our events, email me and we'll add you to our newsletter list. My email is info@chateaulorane.com

Tomorrow will be a long day so I must retire. Hope to see everyone this weekend.

Tracy

Moving day

The office at the winery has been cleared out. The desk and computer ended up at the bottling line and the rest is on the deck. I got the computer hooked back up this afternoon. It should be interesting tomorrow working out in the winery. I will have to dress warmer. Tim cleaned the walls and removed the trim. It is ready to be painted tomorrow.

I ran to town today to deliver some wines, get the van tire repaired, and pick up the flooring for the winery. It was a busy day for everyone. David and Rob worked on the wines that will be bottled on Tuesday. Just the last tasting trials to see if the sweetness is right. It was very interesting.

Tomorrow I will be scrubbing floors to get ready for the flooring to be installed over the weekend. Things will be exciting this next week. We start our grand reopening a week from tomorrow. Lots to do! Monday my office will need to be put back together...I hope I have help. The office furniture weighs a lot.

The label situation is moving slowly. I hope I have time next week to get it really moving. I emailed the back label copy, alcohols and front label info over today. Hopefully they can get some proofs ready for us next week.

I hope to have some pictures up after the reopening. It may take me a few weeks but they will get there.