Greetings From Planet Napa

It's still hard to believe that I'm here in Napa California. One day I was just kicking around in Portland, catching up with dear friends, dog and housesitting, getting ready for my Fall trip to Germany. Next day, I'm hauling down the highway (Hi 5, thanks Jean-Jacques) to a room I found on Craig'sList and a job I applied for on a lark. I'm really very happy to be here. It's great to be near family and old friends, and to be exploring the Northern California wine regions. Not to mention the winemaking.

The primary winery that I am working for is named Blankiet Estates. The past vintages were made at a custom crush facility called The Napa Wine Co., a slightly worn tank farm on the corner of Highway 29 and the Oakville Cross Rd. This year we'll be making the Blankiet wines at the new winery up in the hills behind Dominus Estate, just west of Yountville. They've dug out 6,000 sq. ft. of caves and are currently buliding a 6,000 sq. ft. winery in front of them. So, we'll be making wine in a construction site - should be a challenge.

I'll write more about that soon. Just let it be known that I'm having a good time down here. There's lots of cool toys around the winery for their poor Oregonian cousin to gawk at. My room is nice enough - my windows look out at a riesling vineyard, and, if I crane my neck, Bob Mondavi's Hill. I haven't received my invite for coffee and scones from him yet.

Gotta go before the librarian gets mad at me.

Time For A New Map

Well, that's it for the Antipodes for now. I will be getting pics up on my later entries real soon. I'm off to Napa Valley now for two months making Cabernet and Merlot in Yountville. I'm excited to be working with some different varietals and some highly regarded winemakers. I'm also looking forward to exploring California's most respected wine region - it's been a long time and I've so much to learn.