Comments for Thomson Vineyards

Comment on The Vineyard Labor Circus Is Here by John M. Kelly

John M. Kelly — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:14:21 +0000

I really like the “fair trade” idea. Been working with roughly the same set of guys for over a decade. Most are local; a few of their relatives come up from Michoacan every year. I’ve told my manager we will pay what it takes to get the quality work I want done (hint: it’s, um, a good bit more than $0.80 over the going rate). I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to help some hard working guys support their families.

I’ll miss you on Facebook – oh, that’s right, I guess I won’t – we were never “friends” there. My hat’s off to Zuck and everyone else who cashed in today. Take the money and run as fast and far as you can! My personal belief is that FB will never be able to generate enough revenue to meet shareholder expectations, so it’s likely to be buh-bai soon enough.

Comment on Growers In The Frosty Seat. Wineries In The Hot Seat. by Thomson Vineyards

Thomson Vineyards — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:21:24 +0000

Hi Colin, thanks for reading from the East Coast. I can’t speak highly enough about our ShurFarms Cold Air Drain. When used in the right topography and at the correct location it is fuel efficient, quiet and in years like 2011 with multiple frost warnings and days – saved between 10-35 tons of premium chardonnay at our Napa Carneros vineyard. In 2012 I turned it on just 5 nights. A milder year than the one previous when I turned it on a dozen times. Ideally I need three more mid sized units. I plan to buy them from other growers as they come available because I can’t justify retail price. That said the system is more cost effective overall compared to Bear Valley propane fueled wind machines or the electric pumps that would support a sprinkler system. I considered purchasing a backup generator for the unit as I currently run ours off PTO, but that too gave me sticker shock. Overall though, I can’t say enough great things about this method of frost control.

Comment on Growers In The Frosty Seat. Wineries In The Hot Seat. by C. Walsh

C. Walsh — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:04:29 +0000

Jennifer, how did the cold air drain work for you? Did you create any vineyard wind tunnels to better direct air flow? Our vineyard crew employed three, to varying effects, but this spring has been our most extensive use of them yet; wondering about comparative effects and usage.

Comment on Growers In The Frosty Seat. Wineries In The Hot Seat. by Christine J. Webster

Christine J. Webster — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:27:59 +0000

John, I think Jennifer sees something real and being frustrated with it is OK. There is a tension there. Perhaps voicing it will lead to problem solving that you will benefit from.

I have the unusual benefit of seeing this from multiple sides. Walking through Taste Washington Steve, my Wine Steward husband, and I, an avid home vineyard hobbyist, were fortunate to talk with growers and winemakers. All are passionate about what they do and all have a unique perspective on their own lives.

Yes, I get into places other people don’t get to go. I talk with people that other people don’t. That’s opportunity. Sometimes that’s work. Most of the time it’s a joy. I am learning viticulture by hands-on-experience and the stories of others. No posing here. I realize the situation is a bit different for us all but we can learn from each other and work toward better things.

Winemakers work hard to promote their wines as well as make them. Growers work hard too, raising crops and marketing produce. Owners have their own set of challenges to meet. If I were going to choose anyone in Washington state to spend mentoring time with as I try to learn how to market grapes in changing times with a variety of people, choosing a person who blends these different situations with apparent ease, it would be Patricia Gelles of Klipsun Vineyards http://www.klipsun.com/food-downey.shtml

On our own Key Peninsula slope, currently I enjoy raising 59 vines. If you care to take a peek, Weaver’s Hill is online @ janeygrapeseed.wordpress.com.

Take heart, Jennifer. Even the smallest advance is, after all, an advance. But wine growers have an edge — Revelation 6:6
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” — the God-ordained opportunity to positively impact this industry’s economy.

Thanks for sharing a bit of truth from your life, thanks for your attention to frost details. Thanks for choosing to farm and market grapes

Comment on Growers In The Frosty Seat. Wineries In The Hot Seat. by Christine J. Webster

Christine J. Webster — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:08:58 +0000

John, I think Jennifer sees something real and being frustrated with it is OK. There is a tension there. Perhaps voicing it will lead to problem solving that you will benefit from.

On our Key Peninsula slope, currently I enjoy raising 59 vines. If you care to take a peek, Weaver’s Hill is online @ janeygrapeseed.wordpress.com. Yes, I blog…

Take heart, Jennifer. Even the smallest advance is, after all, an advance. But wine growers have an edge — Revelation 6:6
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” — the opportunity to positively impact this industry’s economy.

Comment on Growers In The Frosty Seat. Wineries In The Hot Seat. by John M. Kelly

John M. Kelly — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:16:42 +0000

Seems like those oh-dark-thirty trips to the frosty tractor seat have knotted your underwear. Most of the people who buy wine want nothing from us. Those who come to visit our turf don’t really want to know what we do – they want their fantasy: champagne wishes and caviar dreams. The job of industry marketing people (and doesn’t this include most of the folks with the “winemaker” title?) is to fulfill those fantasies. Wine shortages and higher prices are part of the fantasy. The smart money guys say we’ve got 6-8 years of grape shortages ahead of us. You WILL be charging more for your grapes, and they WILL sell, regardless of someone telling you “too rich for my blood” today.

Comment on Branding Sonoma: Winegrower Tell All by wino

wino — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:24:58 +0000

Ben’s credibility as a “winemaker” has been suspect from the beginning, as no legit industry professional in his or her right mind would keep around a chick that stinks like “fake tan”. Yes, I am referring to the horsey girl, not the horse she rode in on. Looks like she’s going to take it all, though, and I’m betting one or both of them get a slot on Dancing With The Stars next season. Solely based on my observation of consumption by the cast and crew, I’m wondering how much of a bump in sales the industry recognized just during this season’s string of debacles As the whole lot of them seemed to be perpetually sloshed, you have to give them some thanks for that at least.

Comment on Branding Sonoma: Winegrower Tell All by John M. Kelly

John M. Kelly — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:56:14 +0000

Amen, brother. And very few of us are rich (and most of the winery owners who start out wealthy don’t end up that way) and we have limited job security. Yeah, a winemaker is a great “catch.”

Comment on Branding Sonoma: Winegrower Tell All by Thomson Vineyards

Thomson Vineyards — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:55:41 +0000

I think accurate press is the best press for this industry. The more the 99% know about how hard it is, the better the chances they they will begin to reach for wines at chest level rather than knee level in the local Publix! Thanks for reading and making wine Nova.

Comment on Branding Sonoma: Winegrower Tell All by Thomson Vineyards

Thomson Vineyards — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:52:10 +0000

Your wife gives you extra points for publicly admitting to your “slovenly appearance” during harvest! Thanks for reading and commenting Robert. Keep making wine, it’s hard work for little reward, but somebody’s got to do it.