HARVEST 2024!

My 42nd harvest is now complete. We picked a little early again this year (September 12) because the drought is still going. The dry weather also set off an invasion of a leaf-hopper style insect that caused the leaves to start turning brown. Because my vineyard is biodynamic, we don't use insecticide. When photosynthesis starts shutting down, it's time to harvest. The alcohol is going to be a little lower this year. All things considered, I'm happy with the color, flavor and structure.

Even though I came home early, I had some fun and fun visitors in August and September.

 Please read under the photos below for details. As always, thanks for checking in!

Pep and Marc on pressing day. The Barbiers moved in a new bladder press which works a lot easier than the presses we used in the past

Pep pulling the skins into the must pump.

September 12 was a perfect day to harvest. Josep Maria brought a big crew. We were done by 5pm even though there was a record yield (6940 kilos).

Ania and John hosted one of their famous dinner parties. As always, John did an excellent job on the barbie. This is a fun group. From left to right: Tsugumi, Richard, DRS, Deb, Patrick, Kim and Steve. 

    FREYA'S BIRTHDAY!

Freya had a difficult summer with family health trouble in England. She wasn't sure what was going to happen and wasn't able to plan a birthday party. I told her she could bring her friends to Russell's Resort to celebrate her birthday. Her birthday was on a Sunday so the group came down Saturday night. They were Freya, Sini (Freya's BFF), Dino, Mauricio (another Italian) and Felipe.

 It was the last night of Festa Major. This always involves an all night DJ disco dance for the young people. Unfortunately, it rained for half an hour at midnight. We went up to the Festa anyway. The big fancy DJ decided not to perform because of the wetness but there was a smaller DJ who stepped up. I went home around 2am but the rest of them stayed until breakfast at 5am.

This is Freya's flat mate Felipe. He's 28 and is from Bogota. Felipe is studying to become a film director. He's really smart, interesting and together. Someday you'll see him on the Academy Awards.

The group just before the birthday luncheon.

These ladies together are as much fun as the law allows!

Still trying to figure out what mermaids and birthdays have in common. Felipe remained calm.

Charles Stewart and I put this song together for Freya Sue's birthday present. It's the only time you'll hear my voice on the album. As always, please use your Bluetooth to listen.

My longtime (44 years) friend Merrianne came for her third visit. We had the English posse over for lamb chops.

We hiked out to the shepherd's hut and ran into a group of village ladies. Apparently, the word on the streets of Masroig now is that I'm running a hotel.

There is a cave that was used during the Spanish civil war as a hospital to treat the injured because the Nazis were bombing the regular hospitals. This hospital was mainly staffed by British volunteers helping the anti-fascist army fight Franco. 

I like to take Montse out to lunch for her birthday. We went to a new place over by the cathedral in Tarragona. It's one of those small plate, fusion places. We had a good time but next year we'll go somewhere else.

 

ANOTHER JUNE IN PARADISE!

I had a fun and productive visit to the village and vineyard in June. The weather was good the whole time except we are still very short on rain. It's rained a little which helps the vineyards and orchards but the reservoirs remain dry. Hopefully, this will change soon.

Everything in the village is fine. The pool is now open so there are a lot of folks there in the afternoon. I went over there to show off my new tattoo a couple of times. It was well received.😀😂😎 

I've included descriptions under the photos so please check them out. Thanks again for keeping in touch!

Tu amigo,

Russell

😍💖

CUTE COUPLE OF 2024!!!

Freya and Dino came to visit right after I got back. Dino is Freya's boyfriend. Dino is Italian. He's lived in Barcelona for many years and works as an artist and actor. Dino is a really good guy.

When Freya first came to Spain, she lived with a hippie tribe up in the hills. The hippies taught her how to work in the vineyard. They still live in a circle of yurts off the grid. The hippies now have a music festival every spring. We drove up to see it.

Francesc and I drove over to see his Mom in Els Guiamets where she lives in a senior residence. Maria is 92 years old now and almost completely blind. But her attitude is good and she's always fun to visit with!

I usually go to lunch with Montse and/or Pilar in Tarragona once a month. This time we went to one of my favorite places near the marina. They serve the best mussels!

We had twenty fantastic folks on our third annual Barons Creek Spanish Wine Experience. This photo was taken the first night of the tour in Sitges.

Brenda Delgado is one of our wonderful hospitality helpers. She came on the tour to help out. We took a walk down the beach.

Brenda with her first plate of tapas.

             June is cherry season in the county. The cherries from our area are famous throughout Europe. 

Afternoon at the pool.

I ran into Salvador Burgos at a party celebrating the 16th anniversary of the the local winemakers supply store. The store is owned by Baco who takes care of all the winemakers in Montsant and Priorat.

Salvador with his wife and daughters. He owns a winery called Mas Sinen.

Freya expressing approval of my new grenache vines. Josep Maria says we'll have some fruit next year.

 

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE!!!

Yes, my friends...the immortal genius of Charles Stewart has come back into our lives. Once again, Charles has recorded three more songs I've written the words to. The music, instruments and vocals are all done expertly by Charles Stewart.

Those of you who are patient enough to follow my escapades will notice that six of the songs I've written the lyrics to have now been recorded. My plan has been to record twelve songs to put on an album. Some of you are bound to be relieved that I'm now halfway through. 

As before, the songs are best listened to through a Bluetooth speaker. The songs are presented as mp4 files (videos) even though there is no video. The previous mp3 files are just too hard to publish through social media. 

I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I enjoyed writing them. If not, that just means I didn't write them for you.

Thanks again for checking in!

She ain't crazy.

Want to be with you.

Better take those cookies!

 

MY 70th BIRTHDAY!!!

Yes, today is my 70th birthday. For sure, it's hard to believe and I'm having a hard time, too. So I'll take this opportunity to thank all of y'all for helping to make my life so wonderful!

I thought that something fun and interesting should be done to celebrate. Also, something that wouldn't invite the attention of law enforcement (but the day is young). So, I decided to get a tattoo. I chose a palm tree design since they are my favorite trees and somewhat uncontroversial. A friend recommended an artist in Barcelona who goes by the name of Señorita Dinamita (in English, Little Miss Dynamite). Her first name is Sandra. Sandra is a very talented and vivacious artist. We had a great conversation while she was working. I'm very happy with the result! When you're interested in getting another tattoo, I'll hook you up with her.

This afternoon I had lunch with Freya Sue and her posse. We met at a vegetarian restaurant near the beach. The place is called Club Santet. We had a long and leisurely meal. It was super sweet of these folks to join me for my birthday! They are a very fun and interesting group of people. The other man in these photos is Freya's boyfriend Dino. He's an Italian artist and actor. Dino and Freya qualify for "Cute Couple of 2024"! Also present were Cecilu and Barbara Anne. Ceci lives in Barcelona and makes artisanal soaps. Barbara is visiting from Rome where she works in the film industry. Both these ladies are good friends with Freya and also tons of fun!

This evening we met back up in a bar near my hotel. The Bros Bar is popular with Italian ex-pats in Barcelona. I now refer to it as the Italian Embassy. The staff there is friendly and fun so Bros Bar is now my official residence in Barcelona.

Thanks again for checking in!

Tu amigo,

Russell

Focus Tattoos in Barcelona. The workshop of Señorita Dinamita.

Sandra's work bench.

Sandra making it pretty.

The final result. It's just what I wanted!

Sandra!

Birthday lunch. From left to right:

DRS with Cecilu's soap, Cecilu, Freya Sue, Dino, Barbara Anne

El Grupo outside of Bros Bar.

View from my hotel balcony a half block off La Rambla.

 

40TH REUNION OF THE DREAM TEAM AT JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS!!!

40TH REUNION (1984) OF THE CELLAR CREW AT JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS!

Many thanks to Paul Steinauer, Robin Hardy Chester and Todd Graff for organizing and hosting the reunion of Joseph Phelps Vineyards 1984-1985 cellar DREAM TEAM! Almost everyone you see pictured here has achieved a brilliant career in the wine industry. I feel like a penny in a sack of quarters compared to these folks! Most of them have remained in Napa Valley for the past forty years.

We had a really good attendance. Our cellarmaster, Eric Neil, wasn't able to make it but I caught up with him the day before. He gave me two bottles of 1986 Backus Cabernet to take to the party. They were excellent. Eric is one of my valued mentors. He taught me a lot about winemaking.

A surprise attendee at the party was Miss Dayshift. Pauli has apparently kept in touch with her. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Miss Dayshift (and you should be), there is an excerpt from my book posted below the photos. 

I started at JPV in August of 1983 and stayed until March of 1986. The two-and-a-half years I was there were some of the happiest and most productive years of my life. I've never learned more or laughed harder! Thanks for the memories, y'all!

 

The most extraordinary cellar crew in Napa history. From left to right:

Steve Peck, Mark Angell, Vicki Virnig, D. Russell Smith, Dave Cronin, Kelly Sullivan, Gary Brookman, Todd Graff, Brad Groper, Gary Young, Jeff Virnig, Paul Steinauer.

Eric Neil and I in front of Hanzell Winery. Eric manages their vineyards and another fifteen vineyards in Sonoma and Marin.

Damian Parker wasn't able to attend. He's included here because of his culpability in the various hijinks of vintages 1984 and 1985.

Kelly celebrating Eric's contribution.

Jeff and Mark giving the JPV salute.

Bill Phelps, son of JPV founder Joe Phelps. Bill donated all the magnums of 1984 wines. Bill resembles his dad except that he's much better looking. 

The wines of the night. Magnums thanks to Bill Phelps and 750s to Eric Neil.

Pauli and Mike Fisher (a.k.a. Fish). Fish was the brightest man on the premises at JPV. When he resigned, I knew I should start looking for another job.

         

                                                      The total group including spouses.

My last dance with Miss Dayshift.

IDLE HANDS ARE THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND

      IDLE HANDS ARE THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND

   One of my father's favorite expressions was: Idle hands are the devil's playground. As the years have passed, I've come to appreciate the wisdom of this. Most of you know that I try to stay busy. For whatever reasons, that doesn't seem to keep me out of trouble.

   About a year and a half ago, I decided to try my hand at writing lyrics for country songs. It's much slower work than book-writing. By the way, I started my second book in September. Anyway, I wrote three songs. Because I can't sing, someone had to be found to put the words to music and record the songs.

   I was so lucky to find Charles Stewart of Houston to do this. Charles and Ross Jackson have been playing music together since elementary school. You'll agree that Charles did a stellar job with the music, vocals and production. Thanks, Charles!

   I hope you like the songs because I'm working on some more. To listen to the songs, just copy the Google link and paste to your browser. Don't forget to click "play"! I'm trying to get this uploaded to Youtube. It may take a couple of days.

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

I Like Your Dog

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aA6sGnfB1qT41Ohke0qDnlyZPtXH_QKI/view?usp=drive_link

Sammy's Song   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T3mF17T27-2SfpTGKS-mYx4JcJVYPxTI/view?usp=drive_link

Devil In The Choir

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rD_DB_HXKljUFFo2TmuhoSddUahuMhfj/view?usp=sharing

   

Harvest 2023 is in the barn!

I had my earliest harvest in Spain this year. We picked on September 5th. Ordinarily, harvest averages within a few days of September 23rd. Because we were able to irrigate, we had a good crop. I ended up with 6300 kilos which was a little more than last year.

Almost all the farmers around here ended up with 25-50% of a normal crop because of the drought. All of the irrigation reservoirs dried up early in the spring. My irrigation comes from a well. Sometimes even a blind hog finds an acorn!

Josep Maria brought ten pickers so the work went well. I ended up with the ripest fruit I've ever had here. There is fabulous depth and color in the wine. I did fewer pump-overs to keep from over extracting. We pressed on September 15th. It's looking good, y'all!

My baby garnachas. Most of them are way over the top of the stakes. We'll start the head-trained, spur-pruned regimen next year.

 

Marc managing the vertical basket press. They used the must pump this year to get the must into the press. What an improvement! Formerly, we used buckets that had to be dumped by hand into the press. Some vigilance is required when using the must pump for this. If the must hose becomes clogged, it will explode and fling grapes into outer space.

Another crop in the barn.

The vineyards look fantastic.

Montse and me at the Sardinada. She's a wonderful person!

Cookin' em up. That fire is really hot.

My official sardine cooker gets used once a year. In order to do this properly, pan catala must be prepared to put the cooked sardine on. Pan catala is bread cut lengthwise then smeared with raw garlic then smeared with tomato then doused with olive oil. If they catch you doing this out of sequence, you will be chastised.

My plate is in the foreground. This is the way it's supposed to be done. Open face sandwiches on pan catala. Most people will roast their onion. I like it raw because it acts like a foil to the intense fish. The sardines are salt cured so that, in addition to the olives, you get a month's worth of sodium in one meal. The fresh sweet grapes and the wine help cleanse the pallet every so often. Not pictured is the coffee and liquor for dessert. Multiple bottles will appear on each table. I always have to go home and lie down afterward.