First Day

Today I had my first day of classes.  My classes seem interesting and I really like my teachers.  I am looking forward to the next 10 weeks.  Today I was up at 4:45 am and at Tertulia Cellars by 6.  I had an early start but I received wine for helping him out.
The rest of the day was fairly uneventful and now for the first time in 9 months I actually have homework! Yay!
I really am enjoying myself and having a blast pursuing my passion.

First Blood

Yesterday at Tertulia Cellars we cleaned the grape press to accept what Quentin called the first blood.  Or in other terms the first grapes of the season.  In fact some of the first grapes for the valley.  We pressed 2 tons of grapes for a man named Craig Nelson at Ensemble Cellars.   He was making a blanc de blancs (white of whites) sparkling wine in the method of champagne in france from chardonnay grapes.
With white grapes you immediately press the grapes to extract the juice because we do not want the tannins from the seeds or skins in white wine.  We used a bladder press which is more delicate on the grapes and extracts far more juice than a basket press.
With a bladder press you fill up the center of the barrel on the press with grapes then the outside has a bladder that is filled with air squeezing the grapes together and extracting the juice.
I am really enjoying myself and have been taking a lot of notes on what I am learning from Quentin.  Quentin is really a great guy, he is really nice and informative, I am really glad I am working for him.  I look forward to the harvest and the upcoming year.

Finally out of the stone age!

Today I had my internet finally set up so I can now update everyone on what has been going on.
So I am moved in and situated in my new apartment which is amazing!  (Thank you mom and dad)
I went on monday to Tertulia Cellars to talk to the winemaker Quentin about things and ended up staying helping him sulfur barrels.
On tuesday I went back to Tertulia Cellars again and learned a lot.  I was able to walk in the vineyard with Quentin and he talked to me about how we determine when to harvest and what to look for.  We took brix readings and measured acid levels in the grape juice.
Today I had orientation for the school and walked the campus learning what is available to me and where I can find it.  I also met my amazing teachers who will be teaching all I will need to know to make wine.
So far I am loving my new place and loving the valley.  It is soo beautiful here!  I wish that everyone could be here with me admiring one of God's greatest creations.  And so you all can drink wine with me of course.  School starts up on monday and I am really excited, I hope all will go well.
I hope you all can make it up to visit me here soon. :)

busy busy busy

Today was a start to a very busy couple of days.  I have been looking through paperwork for employment and running errands trying to tie up all of the loose ends before I move on friday for Walla Walla.  There is much to do still and I am getting a little anxious and really wanting school to start.  I am really hoping all goes well in the next few days and that everything that needs to get done will get done.
I am hoping that I will get to go say hi to those of you who are at Whitworth to see how you all are doing, and to say farewell for now.
Wish me luck on my move to my new hometown of Walla Walla Washington.

Wine of course

So i have decided that before I become busy with with moving, work, and school I would talk a little about what wine means to  me.

Wine is an expression of art, one that requires sunlight, water and love to create.

It is romance, love and laughter.

Good wine is a result of hard work and stewardship of the grape and the vine.

Wine is a hot sunny day on the deck and reading a good book.

Wine is an adventure, one that with imagination will take you to where that wine was made.

Wine is a romantic evening with your lover.

It is a product of the elements: earth, air, fire, water, and human life.

Wine is a means of bringing people together, and a means of making connections with other people.

Wine is an overall expression of joy sought and found by many.

A glass of wine is like a sunset, graceful and beautiful in many ways.

The beauty of nature from the streams and forests can be found in a glass of wine.

The smell of the vineyard is like inhaling birth.

Wine is my love affair it is my world and my life.

I would like to hear about something you all have a passion in and what that passion means to you.  So if you wish to please go ahead and compose an email to me so i can read all about it.  The best way to email me is though facebook email.

Hello

Hello everyone so I decided to start a blog for those to whom I love and cherish in my life.  I wanted to keep those people who I care about informed about my life and where I am and what is going on with me.
Right now I am still in spokane, and I am planning on moving down to Walla Walla on the 10th of September.  I will be attending Walla Walla's school of Enology and Viticulture, and I have a job working for Tertulia Cellars.  Yes I am very excited to move and jump-start my career as winemaker, but also I am a little nervous.  Life will be hectic for this first month or two of school and work.  But, I am as ready as i will ever be and I hope for the best.