New things coming my way

There are many winemakers that don't let interns do a thing to wine because they are too worried about something going wrong...then there's Kent Rasmussen. Kent has been so great with giving us direction and then letting us go figure out the best way to get things done. Each morning when we get to work Kent has assignments for us for the day, typically it's one page with pump-overs, analysis, etc.


Here are my sheets from yesterday...note...THREE pages! I told you we were busy!


Here is my first yeast addition.

Some winemakers "go native" meaning they let nature take its course and allow fermentation to occur naturally. That is a bit risky so most winemakers add yeast to aid in the fermentation process. Note I said, "most winemakers add yeast..." Yep, Kent let me do it yesterday and as far as I can tell, that tank is fermenting along nicely!

Things are becoming a little more scheduled these days so I will be taking advantage of it and hanging out with some friends over the next few days...something I haven't done much of since I arrived 2 weeks ago.

Oh, and here are a few more pics from the property.


Here's my view first thing in the morning while doing my daily pump-overs. A little overcast first thing but just over the tanks is a vineyard owned by Joseph Phelps Winery; Cabernet on the left, Chardonnay on the right.

I found this yesterday right outside my cottage.

Yep...chestnuts! I've never seen them grow before but apparently they grow in trees in a spiny green husk. Pretty neat I think. I plan to roast them soon and will report back how they are.
:)