picture time

While going over the pictures on my camera, I realized that i have a ton of pictures of grapes. It's mostly a catalog of grape and sheep pictures. I love my sheep.

Perhaps its because I don't have any children, so maybe these are my little kids. Perhaps it's because I see this amazing beauty in not only the current state of hues of vibrant green and rich purples, but also I know where they've been and what potential they have in the end.

So here's a little catalog of pictures from this past year. Enjoy...

 Marquette grapes on the vine... pick them quick! They turn it into our First Class

This picture will be a reminder in the dead of winter of how beautiful the gardens were

Our baby everbearing strawberries are living up to their name.

Tomatoes try to take over the yard.

Greetings. Welcome to Barrel Run Crossing in summer time!

With the weather chilling down and the wine slowly settling in tanks and barrels, it's really become time to think over this whole season so far and go... what happened?!

I guess my pictures on my camera have morphed from just grapes turning colors, grapes hanging on their trellises, grape blossoms, and grape harvests into pictures of how nice the tasting room gardens were and how happy people are when they try our wines. I also have a lot of food pictures, but those were just making me hungry.

This year I am very grateful for the amazing people who have come to the winery and the even more fun people who come back and bring their friends. It's so nice getting to know local people who care about locally grown foods and spirits. Mmm, now i'm making myself hungry again.

When I think back over 2011 so far (I know, I know, it's not new year's yet, but for a farmer, the season is just about over) I remember the rains that wouldn't stop, the frost that never came, and the people who flooded in as soon as we opened the doors. 

I loved seeing new people come in after we were just open for a week who were just amazed that we had only been open for a week. I've been so lucky to find the best staff and blessed to be working with Nick, who is an amazingly animated and supportive boss.

Ok, so now I kinda sound like I'm giving an acceptance speech. Writing this all down is a way for me to really just soak in what is happening right now and while I'm soaking in, I guess I'm realizing that this place is awesome, the people are awesome, the wine this year is pretty stinking good, and the food is so much fun to put together and serve. 

No wonder my camera is full of pictures from this place. It's the best place to be and I'm very happy. ;)