We Have Lift-Off

Day two was 'kicked' off at Los Leones the foot of the Mayacamas at a ranch known for its single vineyard Syrahs and hard to find Rhone varieties. But we didn't come for the Syrah! That pick is at least a good month away. Today was another pick devoted entirely to the illustrous Sauvignon Blanc grape, more specifically clones Savignon Musque and 317.

Technical difficulties highlighted the mornining as the tractors brakes gave out coming down a hill sending macro bin, cooler and paper cups flying as the machine catipulted down a series of water bars. A skiing yardsale for farmers. I held my tongue while stunned while Glenn anounced "The tractor must have lost it brakes."

Waiting for the a second trator the crew took advantage of the down time to deleaf the rows on deck for the day. Running to the designated rows the boys windmilled leaves and leap frogged one another to the front of the line. Each time a man finished and took to a sprint his name was called could "Vamos Seis! Si puedes! Eres el unico!" Deleafing had evolved into a what sounded like a football rally, or maybe even a practice run to get everyone pumped for the pick to come.

A standard pick on the whole that gave Eugene's crew a taste of the good times to come. Don Charlie and myself deleafed making social commentary on American consumerism in the downtime. "Who eats fresh fruit anymore? Who picks fruit from trees around here?" inquired el Don. "Well, I do. I grabbed three from Love yesterday," I replied. Ah, sometimes it's great to be the exception to the rule. Down with processed foodgoods or VAP's right!

The Musque clone tasted phenomenal with bright citrus and the 317 appeared a bit more green and acidic. If we open our minds we can not only learn to embrace but also enjoy the capsicum and mowed grass!