Through a series of seemingly random events, my significant other, Alec, managed to get us hooked up with a local wine enthusiast crowd known as 50 Friends Vineyard. The vineyard is the brilliant baby of our new friend, JoAnne, who warmly welcomed us as #47 of 50 co-op friends who are collectively building and nurturing a small vineyard on the hillside of her property in Rancho Sante Fe.
The Vineyard Path
I Love Great Ideas
50 Friends Vineyard is completely sustainable. The friends go to great lengths to make all processes earth friendly. Wine bottles are being recycled. Much of the cleared scrub was mulched and used for the pathway leading from the house and road. The rocks that have been sifted from the earth are used to build walls, pathways and borders. The hillside is rich in adobe clay, which has been used to further stabilize some of the trellising. Old pylons will be put to use later when the entertainment area is built at the top.
I Love The Earth!Periodically (we try for about once a week), we head to the vineyard, about a 25 minute drive from Coronado, grab our ho and spade, and dig to our hearts' content. It is a beautiful location and a great break from the normal rhythm of our daily lives. The air is crisp, the breeze is kind, and I am a happy, happy girl.
When we joined, the heavy work had been done: land cleared, earth turned, holes dug. We showed up just in time to shovel compost (horse manure) into the two top and bottom rows, and to sift some more dirt to ready the holes for planting. Alec got an education in trellis building and helped build the bottom three.
There is some fancy twisting involved, and a lot of pulling and leveraging to assure the vines have steady support as they grow with the weight of the grapes.
We were not there to witness the planting of the first vines, but next time we showed up, lo and behold, there were the little beauties!
The vines won't produce for another 3 years; in the meantime, 50 Friends will buy grapes to make wine, hold events, and continue to foster community and local talent. Alec and I are excited to be a part of the adventure, and look forward to watching the vineyard and friendships grow.
My Cup Filleth Over!
Earth, Love, Friends, Wine. Thanks 50 Friends!
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