Spring has sprung at Aeolus Vineyards. We have been watching the vines grow. The past few weeks have been rainy which have certainly facilitated this. Rob and his team at Clarke Vineyard Management have been out twice to thin vines and move the wires to help support the growth. It is really amazing to be present for the entire process.
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance had a virtual meeting which was informative as we move forward on obtaining LIVE certification. Definitely during the lockdown, due to COVID – 19, USA wine buying behavior has dramatically changed compared with previous behavior. People are buying more United States grown wine and much less Italian and French wines. This is good for our local wine makers as sales were dramatically down, restaurants have not been selling wine and customers were not able to visit wineries. So if wine drinkers are buying wine it is more American made wine than this same time last year. I am thankful however, that quarantine conditions are finally changing. The state of Oregon is open to some capacity in all areas . The concern is will it be enough to rectify the incredible financial losses to the smaller winemakers who didn’t have a presence in retail avenues that were open during quarantine. We encourage you to visit the Eola Amity Hills AVA and even the individual websites as most wineries have come up with some pretty clever ways to allow you to safely visit their location while enjoying amazing views and wine. Holloran Vineyards had converted a gazebo into an adorable covered picnic site that accommodates several guests.
Another key point, with respect to our pursuing the LIVE certification is that GEN Z and Millennials are willing to trade convenience for environmental credentials. What is interesting is that BOOMERs are willing to pay for a good wine which is what happens when winemakers use organic and LIVE certified products. We don’t anticipate the process for us to be approved will require significant change from the previous farming practices. Although it is a work in process between Rob and Rod to find an efficient weed killer that is safe for the environment and the fruit. We continue to look for avenues to increase our knowledge and understanding of how to increase yield without damaging the land or fruit. We know that Landmass Vineyards mentions where the grapes are from and how they were farmed. Reading the back of a Stangeland bottle always brings us joy to see the date and location of the harvest. Recognizing that young buyers want to be more informed of how the whole process is conducted is something we acknowledge so we are doing our best to grow a safe, sustainable product.
Another aspect of farming is laborers, and certainly after recent events, we must acknowledge the importance of acceptance of all humans regardless of color, race or sexual orientation. We plan to start course work developed by Starbucks and Arizona State University are working to be certain that we acknowledge our many biases and privileges. Deschutes Public Library has some great reading lists for all ages and levels of understanding. Lauren has ordered several books from Amazon and Powells to help us as a family be more aware of the incredible biases and injustices that have gone on for decades. We encourage everyone to do their part to help others feel more included while also working to change past learned behaviors. We encourage you to do what might make you feel a bit uncomfortable, as for a long time many others have felt uncomfortable. Do something that will bring the gap and bring us closer together .
We are working on growing other things besides grapes. Rod built some clever raised boxes that are overwhelmed with zucchinis and cucumbers. Seems the deer will be the winners on the beets and lettuce until we create some sort of barrier. The new pear and apricot trees got their protection in time and have started to grow quickly with the recent rains. The cherries were harvested late last June and looks like we are on track for that again. The mulch created from felling the multiple large fir trees behind the house have created a space in the meditation garden.
Taking a break from farming, we were able to sneak over to Indiana and watch Lauren graduate via a prerecorded ceremony that the clever team at Purdue University created. The weather was amazing and one almost wonders if we really feel that we missed out on the three hour ceremony. Sweet friends who wanted to wish Lauren well, participated in a ZOOM call prior that Penny had been gracious enough to organize.
#boilermakerforlife 
#purduewedidit
Rod flew out and drove back with Lauren. They were able to direct their route to visit friends along the way. Certainly would it not have been during COVID -19 the stops along the way may have been longer but seeing old friends certainly made up for this. We look forward to seeing many more old friends as quarantine restrictions continue to lighten. The office has been completed and we are moving forward on renovations on the home. We anticipate full bloom any day which generally means the grapes will be ready about 110 days from now. We hope you can come and enjoy of the changes that have taken place here at Aeolus Vineyards while sitting on the porch watching the grapes grow.
Welcome Home
