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As I write this, the door to my office is wide open and a warm breeze is gently blowing through the room. Yet another spring has arrived and the whole cycle of renewal is upon us. Crane Creek experienced one of our coldest winters in its 15 year history, making this spring day even more appreciated.
This is a busy time at the farm. Although the vines have been rough pruned and ready for bud break, there are many other farm chores to be done (at this moment the guys are doing a late pruning on the heirloom apple orchard).
One of the most exciting bits of news for Crane Creek is a new land acquisition. Some adjacent land which I have been trying to buy for almost 14 years has been finally purchased. In one fell swoop we have doubled in size. The best part is virtually all of the land is plantable. This first spring we are putting in a couple of acres to start, but in the next three years, we hope to complete all the new plantings. This land will be a real game changer in that we will be able to increase production on all our favorites and even introduce some wonderful new wine varieties. Stay tuned, great things to come!
Eric Seifarth
President and Winemaker
It has been a very cold winter to be working in the vineyards this year and I know I certainly welcome spring with anticipation. Hopefully we didn’t suffer too much winter damage and as spring rolls in, time will tell. Very cold temperatures can cause the trunks of vines to split and allow disease to set in.
We have finished our rough initial pruning and are waiting until bud break to go in and select the healthy buds that will provide our crop for 2010. We have plenty of things left on our to do list before spring. We have to get our trellis put up for our Traminette we planted last year. We did some soil testing to see what kind of nutrients we need to add back to our vines and will be prepping a new site to plant. The soil has to be ripped deep to break up hard soil that the roots of the vines won’t have trouble pushing through. We will also till up this area and mix in any soil amendments that are necessary. There is much to do to make sure these delicate new vines won’t have to struggle too much in their first year. They give up so easily when they are young.
I am looking forward to working with the new varieties that Eric has selected to plant. I feel this will be a very busy and exciting year for all the staff here at Crane Creek. Hope to see you soon! Oh, did you know that Cabernet Sauvignon is the only Vitis Venifera name that you capitalize both names?
Russell Shannon
Vineyard Manager
Spring brings many changes to the Tasting Room Including the addition of Jacky Fortier as our Tasting Room and Events Coordinator. Jacky has been with Crane Creek Vineyards for 3 years in a part time capacity and we are delighted to have her here on full time basis. She brings a wealth of experience in her knowledge of wines and as en event planner. She will continue to manage the Wine for Women each month.
Our ongoing effort to enhance your experience at the vineyard includes the addition of two new accessible bathrooms adjacent to the Barn Swallow Pavilion via a ramp.
Featured items for spring and the beginning of the picnic season, are our specialty cheeses, new yummy dipping sauces, and some interesting salsas. We also have a nice selection of wine/picnic carriers complete with dishes, glasses and wine openers in assorted sizes and colors. A bottle of CCV wine fits perfectly in your new bag!
And don’t forget, we still have medal winner wines from the San Francisco Wine Event. Our BRONZE dry rosé winner, Villard Noir, and our GOLD native red winner, Hellbender Red. Don’t miss out on these fine wines, supplies are limited.
Our first spring event is Earth Day on April 24. It is a national day of recognition and celebration of our land and will honor local non-profit organizations whose mission it is to save our precious resource, Earth. Join us for a day of education, fun, food, wine.
New Spring hours starting April 1st are Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. beginning April 4th.
Grace Howard
Tasting Room Assistant
Thanks to a good harvest, the winery is anxious about the development of the ‘09 vintages. The whites are coming along nicely, with Vidal Blanc being first of our ‘09 releases, followed by some of our long-standing favorites, Sweet Sally and Traminette.
The reds are safely tucked away, maturing in their barrels. The old adage the vintage is made in the vineyard holds true. They all look great! Expect a Mountain Harvest Red release in early summer.
The winery extension is proceeding according to plan. The foundation is set, and the erection of the structure is anticipated soon. All in all, the prospects of 2010 look great! Cheers!
Matthew Matteson
Assistant Winemaker ("Cellar Rat")
Spring is in the air and in the kitchen. I am ready to put away the stock pots full of hearty stew and the roasting pans cradling root vegetables and bring out the Panini press and fill the pantry with Spring’s bounty. Eric just told me that the asparagus is starting to push through in the garden...can’t wait for the first of it. Quickly sautéed with just a bit of olive oil and some shallots or added to a quiche made with Crane Creek’s own farm fresh eggs, asparagus is one of Spring’s greatest pleasures. Ramp season is quickly approaching too, another one of this season’s Appalachian lagniappes.
We will continue Soup Kitchen Saturdays with a little change to the menu options. As mentioned above we will be offering quiches or salads or sandwiches now that the weather is warming up. Bring your weekend guests to the vineyard and enjoy a light lunch on the pavilion. Wine Down Fridays are back too. Every Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. enjoy a glass of wine with complimentary cheese and crackers.
I sadly say farewell to Tyna Schwartz. For three years Tyna has been my kitchen confidant, my sous chef and my friend. We have laughed, cried (while cutting onions), and loved while providing sustenance for Crane Creek Vineyard’s patrons and friends. We wish she and her husband Doug all the success and happiness as they return to their beloved Florida.
David Sanford
Chef
Soup Kitchen Saturdays
Every Saturday
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Wine for Women
1st Wednesday of each month
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 24th
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
CCV's Springfest
Saturday May 29th
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Free Concert - Bullet Proof
Saturday July 3rd
7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
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CCV's Tomato Festival
Saturday August 21st
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
CCV's Harvest Festival
Saturday October 23rd
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Confirm details for any event
by calling 706.379.1236
Tasting Room Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
For more info please go to
www.CraneCreekVineyards.com
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