a window opens...

Today was my final day at Keever Vineyards. My job is done. It is complete. The juice is all safe inside the barrels, and I said my goodbyes {{big sigh...}}

So much can be seen, learned and experienced in 4 months, and I can honestly say, these have been days of extreme growth for me. Whenever you put yourself in uncomfortable & foreign situations, you start to change and if you look very carefully, you can see yourself opening your eyes a little wider to the massive world and all its magic.

This job, just like any other, has become part of my life now, my story, my history. The things I did and saw at the winery will forever affect the way I see wine as a part of the world and how it fits in our culture. I know that wine is so much more complex to make than majority of people think it is, because I did it. Of course, my experience working a harvest is very specific to me and the other factors of my life, but I can confidently say that this is a HARD job for anyone.

Most importantly, this experience has brought me to a whole new level of obsession for wine. It is magical. The entire transformation, the scientific processes, the grapes that each have a personality, the tanks that house them, the hoses pumping the juice, the bugs that are dying to get into every crevice and drink it, the barrels that smell like a wet forest floor, the coolness and darkness of caves, the people who lovingly spend their lives devoted to this beverage, this culture, this life.

Thankfulness does not amply describe the feeling that consumes me on this last day of my life at the winery. I am overjoyed to have spent so many mornings, afternoons and evenings at Keever Vineyards, where I tried so hard to soak up every drop of information, the processes and theories that allow us to make mind-blowing wine.

As I transition to another job and open another chapter of my life, I will close this one forever, but never forget the moments that really challenged my body and mind.

I wonder what harvest will be like next year...

Signing off, the girl and the grape bids you many happy harvests to come. Thanks for reading my journey of "THE HARVEST: juicy stories from a wine intern"


Cheers,

the traveling grape

the cycle from grape to glass continues, as our red grapes evolve and change every day and get closer to becoming delicious wine.

after weeks of all-day TLC given to the grapes (via Pumpovers 3x a day!) the sugar levels have finally dropped to almost dry, which means it is time to drain the tanks and press the grapes! {{the next step later this week: transfer to our french barrels!}}

this also means, sarah gets to climb inside the tanks and shovel. cardio workout here i come!!!

it was SO cold today in napa, as the dark grey billowing clouds loomed over the valley, and it started to sprinkle. after emptying out some tanks and spraying them with scalding hot water from the inside, (which created a nice, momentary sauna effect that felt SO good) i was drenched and freezing. oh, dont worry, i spent 20 intimate minutes with a hair dryer to go from sopping to damp, to make the remainder of the day bearable. how did i forget my extra clothes on THIS day!?

this step is really fun, but i am physically exhausted from it. my sleep (and next paycheck) will be well deserved. (and im sorry i have no energy for correct punctuation or capitalization today; maybe tomorrow...)