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.