| COUNTS HOLLOW VINEYARD |
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February 8 Our Traminette, Chambourcin and Norton vine cuttings
have been finished up and are in cold storage. These babies will
become part of our vineyard stock and planted in the spring of 2009.
have been finished up and are in cold storage. These babies will
become part of our vineyard stock and planted in the spring of 2009.
February 1-4 Some pictures from
the Midwest Grape and Wine
Conference at Tan-Tar-A this year.
We had a great time hanging out
with our friends (old and new). We
also enjoyed all the wines we had
a chance to try at the Missouri
Grape Growers reception & silent
auction.
the Midwest Grape and Wine
Conference at Tan-Tar-A this year.
We had a great time hanging out
with our friends (old and new). We
also enjoyed all the wines we had
a chance to try at the Missouri
Grape Growers reception & silent
auction.
January - February
The pruning season has
started and we have been
hard at work. Our friend
Adam has been helping out
whenever he has a chance.
This is Merv's favorite time
of the year to work in the
vineyard. The buds that
will become this year's fruit
have been set and are
looking strong. We want to
thank Jennifer and Joe at
Marco Vineyard one more
time for the vote of
confidence. Thank you!
The pruning season has
started and we have been
hard at work. Our friend
Adam has been helping out
whenever he has a chance.
This is Merv's favorite time
of the year to work in the
vineyard. The buds that
will become this year's fruit
have been set and are
looking strong. We want to
thank Jennifer and Joe at
Marco Vineyard one more
time for the vote of
confidence. Thank you!
| The start of a new year in the vineyard. |
| | | | | | |
| © COUNTS HOLLOW VINEYARD LLC 2008. All Rights Reserved. |
What a difference a day makes.
March 2, sunny and in the 70's.
March 3rd, 10" of snow and in
the low 20's.
March 2, sunny and in the 70's.
March 3rd, 10" of snow and in
the low 20's.
Weezer keeps a watchful eye on the progress.
March 25 We talked a few of our
rock-n-roll buddies into coming out on
a wonderful day to give us a hand with
our rock problem. Rock-n-roll!!!
rock-n-roll buddies into coming out on
a wonderful day to give us a hand with
our rock problem. Rock-n-roll!!!
March has been a busy month, although we have
few pictures to show. With a lot of help from Adam,
we have finished the main trusses and are awaiting
a rain/wind free day to hang them on their final
resting spot. Most of the lumber for the rest of the
roof is cut and waiting to tie it all together. With
help from our friends Adam, Anne, JJ and Mark,
we finished the prep for our new vineyard and
sowed it in organic cover crop. Also with their help
Arrowhead is almost rock free- NOT! We are
prepped and ready to begin our spring planting
schedule as soon as the weather breaks. We are
hoping to begin building the straw bale wall within
the next few weeks. Wish us luck. If you are
interested in helping give us a buzz or e-mail us
and we can set up a schedule. Thanks, Merv
few pictures to show. With a lot of help from Adam,
we have finished the main trusses and are awaiting
a rain/wind free day to hang them on their final
resting spot. Most of the lumber for the rest of the
roof is cut and waiting to tie it all together. With
help from our friends Adam, Anne, JJ and Mark,
we finished the prep for our new vineyard and
sowed it in organic cover crop. Also with their help
Arrowhead is almost rock free- NOT! We are
prepped and ready to begin our spring planting
schedule as soon as the weather breaks. We are
hoping to begin building the straw bale wall within
the next few weeks. Wish us luck. If you are
interested in helping give us a buzz or e-mail us
and we can set up a schedule. Thanks, Merv
April 5 Some pics of the
trusses being set into place
this weekend. We have been
waiting for this day for awhile.
It finally happened thanks to
our hard-working friends.
trusses being set into place
this weekend. We have been
waiting for this day for awhile.
It finally happened thanks to
our hard-working friends.
Our amazing crew for the setting of
the trusses, Mark, Adam and Anne.
Thanks so much one more time.
the trusses, Mark, Adam and Anne.
Thanks so much one more time.
April 15 We have planted half of our second vineyard (Pierre). The
vineyard is ready for our late arrivals to be planted within the next
month or so, if the weather holds. Chambourcin, Norton, Traminette
and a few vinifera varietals will call Counts Hollow home. Viognier,
Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Denise's favorite,
Zinfandel,will be planted on Pierre's steepest slope, where they all
will make a bid to stay. With our steep slopes and attention to
detail, we hope to produce some of Missouri's most attractive and
sought after vinifera and French hybrid grapes, which will become
our most prized wines. We will be tasting our 2007 wines and
finalizing bottling plans on Thursday, April 17. With a little luck and
label approval, we should have this year's wine ready within the
next few months. Please keep sending the words of encouragement
and peace to you.
vineyard is ready for our late arrivals to be planted within the next
month or so, if the weather holds. Chambourcin, Norton, Traminette
and a few vinifera varietals will call Counts Hollow home. Viognier,
Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Denise's favorite,
Zinfandel,will be planted on Pierre's steepest slope, where they all
will make a bid to stay. With our steep slopes and attention to
detail, we hope to produce some of Missouri's most attractive and
sought after vinifera and French hybrid grapes, which will become
our most prized wines. We will be tasting our 2007 wines and
finalizing bottling plans on Thursday, April 17. With a little luck and
label approval, we should have this year's wine ready within the
next few months. Please keep sending the words of encouragement
and peace to you.
May 2 A picture of Adam helping out on
the roof. He wanted me to document the
fact that he is, in fact, high enough to
break his head. Also, we have a picture
of our first arrivals to the Counts Hollow
farm. Three day old Cayuga ducklings,
and boy are they not the sweetest.
Cayuga ducks are very hardy, iridescent
black and green, and native to America.
This breed is on the endangered species
watch list, so we are trying to do our
part to keep this incredible bird around.
the roof. He wanted me to document the
fact that he is, in fact, high enough to
break his head. Also, we have a picture
of our first arrivals to the Counts Hollow
farm. Three day old Cayuga ducklings,
and boy are they not the sweetest.
Cayuga ducks are very hardy, iridescent
black and green, and native to America.
This breed is on the endangered species
watch list, so we are trying to do our
part to keep this incredible bird around.
May 29 Our second
vineyard has been
completed and is
looking healthy.
Also some pics of
our ducks Quacky,
Ray-Ray and the
bunch. Their new
duck house is
equipped with the
latest in creature
comforts.
Meanwhile we get
back to finishing up
the winery building.
vineyard has been
completed and is
looking healthy.
Also some pics of
our ducks Quacky,
Ray-Ray and the
bunch. Their new
duck house is
equipped with the
latest in creature
comforts.
Meanwhile we get
back to finishing up
the winery building.
June 1 One of the wonders of being a
grape grower. On the left is a Norton
beginning to bloom with the caps laying on
the leaf below. An the right is a picture of a
Chambourcin in full bloom with some
berries forming. It is a shame that we don't
have Smell-A-Vision along with this website
page ( good for grape flowers, bad for young
ducks ). Chambourcin - fresh ground black
pepper, the Norton - sweet honeysuckle.
grape grower. On the left is a Norton
beginning to bloom with the caps laying on
the leaf below. An the right is a picture of a
Chambourcin in full bloom with some
berries forming. It is a shame that we don't
have Smell-A-Vision along with this website
page ( good for grape flowers, bad for young
ducks ). Chambourcin - fresh ground black
pepper, the Norton - sweet honeysuckle.
June 17 With our friend Mark Stephens' help, we were
finally able to finish the roof framing. And as you can see, we
are now officially "under roof" thanks to the crew from Vinyl
Plus Construction. Fitting in with our "buy local" philosophy,
Vinyl Plus is a Salem-based business. This is a huge
milestone and a very long time coming. No time to rest
though. Our next step is to fill in the walls with straw bales.
Anyone interested in a hands on straw bale building seminar,
just give us a call. Think of it as a life size Lego project!
finally able to finish the roof framing. And as you can see, we
are now officially "under roof" thanks to the crew from Vinyl
Plus Construction. Fitting in with our "buy local" philosophy,
Vinyl Plus is a Salem-based business. This is a huge
milestone and a very long time coming. No time to rest
though. Our next step is to fill in the walls with straw bales.
Anyone interested in a hands on straw bale building seminar,
just give us a call. Think of it as a life size Lego project!
| July 3 The straw bale walls are finished and ready for plaster. The crew for the bales were in up to their eyeballs in straw, but I never heard one complaint. Many thanks go out to our friend Mark Stephens for all the help. Keep sending the words of encouragement for without them we would certainly falter. Thank you again - Denise and Merv. |
PORKCHOP -
crew leader!
crew leader!
| August 1 Over the past month, we have been working hard to enclose the winery portion of the building. As you can see the Prius also worked hard carrying 60 2x4's in one load. With the hot weather, humidity and our construction workout, we're almost down to our fighting weights. |
For those of you who have heard of Japanese
beetles but haven't had the pleasure of meeting
them, here they are in all their glory. They'd be
beautiful if they weren't so darned destructive.
beetles but haven't had the pleasure of meeting
them, here they are in all their glory. They'd be
beautiful if they weren't so darned destructive.
| August 8 Pictures of the finished walls on the east and south of the winery. With a little luck and a few more days of work, we will be ready for the windows and doors. We have ordered our doors and are waiting for delivery. The garage doors are coming from a small Illinois town called Arthur. Some of you might recognize this town as the place where Merv grew up. Merv's dad also works for the best garage door makers in the world. CHIOHD.COM |
| August 16 We have finished all sides of the winery and are preparing for plaster. This year has been one of the most exciting times of our lives. To watch this building come together has been a dream come true for us. We could not have done it without the help of our friends and family. Thanks also to our new friends that we have met along the way. The picture on the right is of a belladonna amaryllis blooming in with the vines - beautiful is nature! |