Fruit!!

Wednesday we started bringing in fruit with the Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir - Swan Clone. This fruit is actually for Keefer Ranch's own label - affectionately called Keefer Keefer - as opposed to Freeman Keefer or Kosta Browne Keefer or numerous others. By the way, that's Craig Strehlow - Keefer's grower and winemaker - in the bottom picture working on zero sleep goofing with the camera. Anyway, the fruit looked great and the processing went real smoothly especially since it was our first fruit day. Easy with the jokes, Matt.

Eric and I celebrated by joining some of his friends at a local Irish bar and listened to some of the worst live Irish music ever performed on stage. After a few Guinness and an 11 hour work day, we didn't really mind. As it turns out, processing the fruit as it comes in is actually pretty simple and not too physically demanding - yet. As we start bringing in more fruit and the subsequent work that is involved that will change. But for now what has been wiping me out is the work in the afternoons with moving barrels around. Holy cow. If I hadn't started working out a little before I came out here, I would be completely useless right now. Between my soft lawyer hands, tricky back and aching feet, I really have to concentrate in the afternoons so I don't screw something up! During all of this, I have been really impressed with Eric's work ethic and dedication. The dude is strong as an ox and won't leave until its all done and its all done right. The man gets it done.

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