Cold Climate Grape and Wine Convention

I had the great fortune to visit Jen, Maks and Vladimir and also attend the cold climate grape and wine convention.

Maks, Jen and Vladimir were loads of fun as always, I feel so fortunate when we can all get together. I miss Maks’ laughter already.....

The cold climate grape and wine convention was incredible. I am so impressed with the folks that organized this spectacular event which about five hundred people attended and it ran smooth as silk. The coordinators were few yet dynamic and knew how orchestrate this event with subtlety. I have been attending loads of meetings, conferences and conventions this winter and could really appreciate what they accomplished. The detail that we were able to cover in our workshops was priceless, identifying wine flaws with eight glasses of wine in front of each of us, seven of which having flaws for us to determine by smell. Wine tasting and blending, each group of four having six bottles of wine for us to identify and blend, all local wines. Speakers from all over the country. I was on the enology track, other tracks were viticulture and marketing. Meals were included, wine strolls, socials and breaks to network with other growers and wineries. Speakers, vendors and us attendees all had the chance to mingle together at each break and mealtime. It was fabulous. The convention vendors were amazing and I feel like I now have a handle on what equipment I am ready to invest in. From the crushing, fermentors and oak....right down to the yeast, bottles and corks. I have ordered loads more vines to plant soon but want to get my hands on some grapes! What I would do for a small batch to play with right now......
Cheers!

Dearest Oscar will be missed

I am heartbroken to share that my beloved adopted barn cat Oscar has died. It seems he has been diabetic all along. Something that tragically had gone undetected until it was too late. He got sick and then crashed so hard within mere moments that the vet hospital in Dover Foxcroft could not revive him. They were wonderful and tried everything. He was on an IV to try and rehydrate him for five days before it was clear he was not going to recover. He had been drinking loads of water but had an episode of vomiting during a ride to David's so he could watch him as I was to leave town. It is hard for me to comprehend that a cat so vibrant and playful just hours before could crash so hard. But he had been slowly diminishing due to the disease of diabetes, I am just sick over not knowing this in time to save him.
Rest in Peace Dear Oscar~