Dear Eagle Hill supporters,
It is getting closer to the 2010 harvest time here at Eagle Hill Wines and Vineyards (www.eaglehillgroup.net) . Once again we would love to have your help, and to have some fun with you. This year we should have twice or three times the grapes we had in 2009, when we had 11 helpers to harvest 528 pounds (we had 7 helpers in 2008). This year we would like to start much earlier, at 7:30 AM, so we will not have to work in the heat (and it is better for the harvested grapes) and to have 30 to 40 harvesters, so as to not wear out our friends. With that many people, car pooling would be a good idea, although there is lots of parking behind the dog kennels near the vineyard. Once again, if you could bring a small garden shear, that would be great; but for those without we have some extra shears and vineyard knives. Don’t forget shoes with treads as the vineyard is steep. This year we hope to start right away and be done harvesting in two hours; then, our bonded winery, Captain Vineyards, who will make our wine for the second year in a row, has promised this year we will be able to bring the grapes to them the morning of the harvest for processing. Accordingly, the plan is to transport the grapes in 4 vehicles or so, especially any pick ups or SUVs with seats down that may show up, as soon as we have picked; it is only 3 miles from us. I would encourage everyone to go with the grapes and assist/watch as the grapes are put through the crusher/destemmer machine. After a short tour of their new Tasting room and oak barrel storage rooms, we would like all to come back to Eagle Hill for our traditional harvest lunch with wine.
We are looking for new people to participate so if you know some friends that you would like to bring with you, that would be great. If anyone needs a map please request it when you reply back as to whether you can make it and with how many people. I have a hand-drawn map that I can attach to an email, as most navigation systems give up half way down our now gravel/asphalt private road. Also, don’t be surprised by the FOR SALE sign; yes, the ranch is for sale. When it sells in this market, we are off to the Village area of La Jolla, San Diego, an area we have visited a lot since we moved to California in 1988. The MLS web page for the ranch is: (pass it on!):
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1350-Bollinger-Cyn_Moraga_CA_94556_1120773855?source=a20058 .As many of you know, this initial email is but a good guess as to when the harvest day will be, as we are dependent on the weather as to when the grapes will be ready for harvest. As we get closer to harvest day I will send you other emails giving you more of a definite day. As of today, it looks like the harvest will be either Saturday September 25th or Saturday October 2, 2010. We have been lucky the last two years that we have been able to harvest on a weekend day so working friends can participate.
Please email us if you can make it with details on how many people you are bringing. Email:
EagleHill@EagleHillGroup.net .
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