Wine Experience

David and I had the opportunity to go on a wine experience. We headed out to a co-worker's vineyard in the morning for some muffins and coffee. Headed out to pick grapes and then returned for a catered lunch.


These are the large vats where the grapes are fermenting and await barreling.


We had the opportunity to harvest petite syrah grapes.

We had our handy tool and went to work:)

Here's Jim--the owner-checkin' our work!

Here's the gang of harvester's

Wine country is beautiful

Our grapes had an easy ride back up~~

Here is our bin of grapes---it took about an hour to pick this.

After harvest, the grapes are weighed-

We picked a TON!

Then, the grapes get poured into the de-stemmer and get picked over for leaves and stuff.

After the de-stemmer, they travel on a shaker belt and people pick out the missed stems and leaves.

Then, they drop into a clean bin for fermentation (yeast is added)

Then, they will ferment until the yeast has eaten all of the sugar! Then they are pressed off and barreled.

The sampling bar---and place to purchase some wine.

Here's Jim testing our grapes. It was sweet--better than store bought grape juice!

In a year, we will get a case of the wine we made:)

It was a great experience!

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch

Fall means lots of activities for us--including pumpkin patches! We headed south to Petaluma with some friends to check it out:)
It was a little chilly, but bearable!

Hidin' in the corn

David found a new girl!

I think she's too short, personally.

Some animals to see

Fun on the stacked hay bales

even David joined in:)

Jumpy houses---always a winner:)

After an hour in the corn maze, we made it out! It was very fun and then we headed out for some yummy dinner!

Great evening!

Harvest Fair 2010

The girls and I enjoyed time together at the Harvest Fair at the Fairgrounds. There were plenty of kid friendly activities:)


Apple picking, egg hunting...

Obstacle courses

Mini hay maze

Jumpers--turns out Faith can catch and throw pretty good!

Plenty of animals

and of course-hay rides:)

Here are Bo and Honey---our pull horses

harvest contests----check out this pumpkin!

Scarecrow building-contests

...and of course-grape stomping competitions!!!!

We had a great time, sampled some apples, honey's, and milk. Rode some carnival rides! It was a great day:)