Tangled Web We Weave

I’ve been thinking a lot about the beginning of Sir Walter Scott’s famous quote “Oh what a tangled web we weave,” but I’m not thinking about lies ...but of grape vines. We are in the Cynthiana (Norton) grapes trying to get control of these “bad boys.” They grow vigorously and along with our fertile soils and the many spring rains, they have gone stark raving crazy.

They tangle, twist around themselves, reach across the rows, crisscrossing and twining to make impassable arbors. Forget trying to mow because of the tangled mess, so now we add tall weeds to the mix which makes the job even harder. We physically inch our way down the rows pulling down the vines, separating the tangles, snipping off unwanted shoots and hedging them a foot off the vineyard floor. This job becomes brutal when the temperatures and humidity is high.

What we are doing is called canopy management and it is a very important vineyard chore because getting the sun to the grapes will help ensure adquate sugar levels in the grapes and a quality crop. Somewhere on our shelves there is a book called 'Sunshine into Wine' (Richard Smart). I’ve always liked the sound and the picture that I conjure when I think of these words. So when sweat trickles down my face you can find me thinking Sir Walter Scott’s tangled web quote and picturing the beautiful sunshine that is in each glass of wine.

Memo to self when performing 'canopy management':

• Double tie shoe laces help



• Sweat rags are ok



• Pray often for breezy days



• Remember water, sunglasses, sunscreen and OFF



• Start earlier next year before the growth becomes a jungle!

A bit of Sunshine

Rifle shots and canon fire filled the air in Waverly on June 28-29 for the Civil War History Festival. We were there too, watching the hooped skirts of the ladies sway in the breeze, hearing the clomping of military boots on pavement, and watched the Union and the Confederate armies fight. Waverly is the home of General J.O. Shelby, “The Undefeated Rebel.” For the past two years Waverly has held the Civil War History Festival with re-enacters performing skirmishes, shoot outs, and drills.

We wanted to get involved with the community efforts to preserve the culture and history of Waverly. We started brainstorming back when the snow was falling and we were dreaming of warm summer days. The main event of the festival this year was to be the Confederate capture of the Union plank boat, the Sunshine. What a wonderful wine name, we thought!

As Mother Nature would have it, the rains have been heavy and frequent the past few months. On Saturday of the Festival, the Missouri River was closed to traffic thus the “Sunshine” could not reach the Port of Waverly. This part of the re-enactment was cancelled. Yes, there was disappointment but it didn’t take away from the fun and excitement of the festival.

Though the wind tried to chase us out, we stood strong at our booth on Broad Street in front of the old Warren House and gave passers-by tastes of Sunshine, our commemorative wine for the event -- a semi-dry, Vignoles-Seyval blend.

And as for us, we will be back next year to share with the public our wines and learn more of Waverly’s history.

Have you tried Sunshine? Let us know what you think of this new wine.