After waking up at 5:30 to drive to the foothills, I arrived to a very crisp (46) fall morning. I love early fall mornings - the colors, the cool air and most of all - the anticipation of harvest. This morning, the grapes were nearly perfect. We will pick them next week.

Between the three of us, we drove 1,000 miles in the last three days checking on grapes. Everything looks wonderful. On Friday and Saturday, we plan to harvest around 2,000 LBS of Syrah from Brosseau, 2,000 LBS of Syrah from Fenaughty, 1,000 LBS of Mouvedre from a new vineyard in the foothills and 4,000 LBS of Grenache Gris from McDowell. It will be a hectic week - I am flying to Rochester on Sunday and returning on Monday. Tracey will fly to New York Monday night and return Wednesday evening. Thank goodness we have Tracey's parents to help with Isabel and Dave to help with the winery.