The Net Applicator Thingy

In my last post, I posted a few pictures of Aaron working on his latest invention.  Most of the time I don't really know what it is he is building until I actually see it in action.

And last week, I got to see his latest in action.

Presenting....

The Net Applicator Thingy!

Brilliant!!

This is our first year netting the vineyard.  We have to protect the grapes from bird damage since they really like sweet, ripe grapes.  We still hooked up the distressed bird call speaker again to help keep them away, but unfortunately, that doesn't do the trick alone. 

Aaron bought nets large enough to cover six rows of grapevines at one time. 

Most vineyards cover each row individually.  But Aaron figured if he could just whip up a large net applicator contraption, we could just hammer out 6 rows at once.

Of course, we still had to enlist the help of some friends to pull the nets down evenly on each side as the tractor and net applicator went along each row. We bribed them with beer and pizza.  

And watching this process, several neighbors came out to see what was going on and came to help as well. 

Wouldn't you be a little curious watching this from your back yard? 

A BIG thank you to everyone that helped!

And a few hours later, the grapevines we covered.

We had fun watching the little birdies try to swoop down on the vines, only to realize they couldn't get to the grapes and fly away.

"HaHA!  Suckers!"  I yelled to them. 

That might seem heartless.  But it is nice to see this whole process actually working after the big investment of time, physical labor, and money JUST into keeping birds away from the grapes.   

The the coolest part about having the net over six rows at a time, is that it will make grape picking quite easy without having to lift the nets off again. 

Just slide underneath and start picking.  Hopefully it keeps the bugs out pretty well too! 

Speaking of grape picking, we are getting a great response for picking in September. The grapes are coming along and we still need more pickers for the weekend of September 10-11th. 

Let me know if you want to come help! 

Have a great week, everyone!

Hanging out on a Saturday

Last weekend I decided I couldn't neglect my garden any longer. 

Looking for an easy solution to bring Axel outside with me besides just having him sit in a stroller or hauling the pack n' play outside, I stuck him in a wagon just his size, stuffed it with some cozy items so he wouldn't slide all over, and we took a ride to the garden.

And he sat pleasantly in the middle of the garden...while I weeded....

and weeded.

And weeded. 

The above statement should explain why I have not posted any pictures of the garden this year. 

So should this picture below...

"Mom?  Uh...what's going on here?  I'm sitting in a wagon with a stuffed bear and a fishing hat and I'm surrounded by weeds."

I didn't even realize until I got him out there with me what a perfect set-up it was for a mini photo shoot.  So I took my garden gloves off, grabbed my camera and tried repositioning to something more scenic than my weedy garden.

Of course, then the dogs decided to join us.

Tux and Belle continue to be enthralled with this little creature.  Every day they interact more and more with each other.

Even though the dogs have over 12 acres to roam, whenever I bring Axel outside, they have to be within two feet of him. 

Or two inches...

Which is another reason why it is difficult for us to "picnic" outside. 

"Mom, how long are you going to point that thing at me?"

"Okay, fine. If you are going to make pig noises I'll smile for you."

 

(Do you like it in black and white)?

"Alright.  This is fun and all, but how do I get out of this thing?"

Aaron was outside working on a big project at the time and we all had fun watching.

Especially this guy.  He looooooves his daddy.

Any guesses as to what in the world kind of vineyard equipment Aaron is inventing and building?

Hmmmm....

You'll find out in my next post.

It's pretty sweet!

Now you see why my garden has been so neglected this year.  Even when I finally get the opportunity to tend to it, I'm too easily distracted.

Sigh. 

If only I could train these guys to earn their keep around here.

Calling all Grape Pickers!

Grape picking season is upon us! 

We are estimating having somewhere in the ballpark of 17,000 lbs of grapes this year...our biggest harvest yet!

In case you are wondering, 17,000 lbs of grapes is, um, kinda a lot of grapes. 

Certainly more than we can handle picking ourselves, so we are looking for grape picking volunteers.

Each variety of grape ripens at a different time.  It is a very scientific process that involves testing the grapes sugar level, acidity, etc. 

We plan to pick grapes over several weekends, likely all in September, as eah grape variety ripens to its ideal picking time.

Many of you have expressed interest in picking grapes this year and we are thrilled to hear that!

Here is the plan:

We plan to pick the majority of grapes on the following weekends:

September 10-11

September 17-18

We'll keep September 3-5th (Labor Day weekend) and September 24-25th open as potential picking dates as well, depending on how the grapes are doing.  If you are interested in helping either of these weekends, please let us know.

We'll start at 9am, break for lunch provided by Schram Vineyards around noon, continue picking in the afternoon as needed and you'll bring home the very first vintage of our Frontnac Gris wine, made from our very own grapes (2010 harvest) as a thank you for your help.  We'll have a grand old time!

Do I have you sold?

If you would like to pick grapes, please email us at schramvineyards@gmail.com or email through the contact link at the top of our webpage and let us know which date(s) you are available to help.  We are looking for about 10-15 volunteers for each day, so please email us early so we can start planning and secure your spot.  A week before we'll firm up the picking dates, as this will allow us time to make sure the grapes will be ripe.

We can't wait!  For your inspiration, here are a few pics I snapped this passed weekend.  I tried to get a few views of the vineyard I don't normally get. 

Waconia Wine Country Tour

When Aaron and I decided to move to Waconia to start a vineyard, we thought we were pioneers marching into unchartered grape growing territory.  When we found our property, it was perfect for what we were looking for and we were especially excited about the proximity to the city.  Although wineries were popping up rapidly statewide, we really didn't know of any wineries this close in on the west side, or in Carver County at all.  We thought we were tapping into an untapped market.

Or should I say uncorking a corked market?

After we moved and started planting in the spring of 2008, we soon found out that we were not the pioneers we thought we were.  There were already grape growers settled just before us.  Just because there were no wineries open for business, doesn't mean there weren't people close by planting grapes-so we learned!

Soon after we moved, we found out there were already two other grape growers IN WACONIA!  And not even that, one of those grape growers was technically in our little Laketown Township.  What are the odds?  Both of these vineyards were just a few miles away from us!   So, last month, we took a little tour of Waconia wine country.

Parley Lake Winery opened up in the fall of 2009.  We are happy to say that, since we are not quite ready with a facility for processing wine ourselves, we are partnering with Parley Lake this year to sell them some of our grapes from this year's harvest!



We took our vineyard worker and neighbor, Les, and his wife, Jeanette, over to do a tasting about three weeks ago.  All the sweat and tears they are pouring into the vineyard for us, we figured it would be good for them to see what it is we are working for and give them some perspective.  Not to mention, give them a taste of some good Minnesota wine!

Les and Jeanette were not real big on getting their picture taken, so I had to snap a few casual candid shots when they weren't paying attention.

And then decided if they didn't want their picture taken, I'd just find another good subject.

Here's one!

Yes, we are really good parents....

We brought our 6 month old to a wine tasting...

...which overlapped with his usual nap time! 

Not on purpose.  It just kind of worked out that way.  I know, I know...babies like schedules, blah, blah blah.  But he adjusted just fine and was in good spirits the whole time.  That's how we roll...and he just rolls right along with us.

He was so captivated by the wine.  We like to think he was checking out the color and clarity like a sommelier in the making. 

"Hey, Dad.  Give me a little sip of that Frontenac Gris.  Hmmmmm....nice balance. Crisp. Refreshing. Notes of apricot and tropical fruit."

Okay, okay...we didn't really give him a sip!  We tried to keep the glass at a safe distance, but he kept reaching for it and trying to stick it in his mouth!

That's how we know he is our son. 

Since he appears to be keeping those big blue eyes, we reach for anything we can to let us know he is really ours. 

Anyway....where was I?  Wasn't this post supposed to be about the Waconia wineries?

Did I go off on a baby tangent again?

This is Steve, the head winemaker at Parley Lake.  I caught him talking very animatedly about his wine!  After our tasting, he gave us a tour of the winery.  For those who like to learn about the process and nuances of winemaking, it is fun to get this behind the scenes tour. 

And we got to sample a few wines straight from the barrels! Aaron and I were quite impressed with the Marquette he had in the making.  Can't wait to try it next season!

And after our winery tour, we got a tractor ride in their vineyard! 

This is Lin, the vineyard owner and manager. He has had an apple orchard for over 25 years on this property and started expanding to grapes when he partnered with Steve. 

Aaron thinks I have a crush on Lin.  I told him it's because I envision Aaron being a bit like Lin in about 35 years: tall, tanned and rugged from working outside, full head of silver hair, still working hard in the vineyard, still learning new things every day, giving tractor rides and tours, talking about his grandkids...

Just seems like a little glimpse of our future. 

It was a perfect afternoon to ride through a vineyard with a glass of Frontenac Gris.

This is what happens when you get a bunch of grape nerds together on what started as a nice relaxing, beautiful afternoon...

They stop to examine the grapes and start exchanging ideas and comparing notes on how to control bugs and fungus and weeds.  That's the less romantic side to a vineyard. 

See.  We even worked in a nap.  Nothing like a little snoozer on a wagonride through a vineyard.

*Note the "Vintage Baby" onesie.

We had such a thorough experience and good time at Parley Lake, that we didn't have time to go to Sovereign Estates opening weekend on the same day.   We went the next weekend instead, when it was like 145 degrees and had a great time, despite the heat. 

But that will have to wait for another post.