Wandering in a vineyard this time of year, where the vines are grarly or straight up in a line… No leaves upon them and many shorn of their wavy canes,

The vineyard looks dead.
No signs of life.
Until the mustard blossoms.
And the green grasses appear.

and when the vineyard looks old and barren or as yet, unproven, it is a time of reflection

for the Harvests gone by and yet to come

Looking like old gnarly vines, WINTER                 here they are a decade later, FALL – showy & abundant

How like those vines are we?

Are we feeling tired and old in the winter?

yet when tended by nature and nurturing,  our vines and spirit become alive, ready to share all we have.

Reminders always, of life, death and rebirth in the vineyard, us and the wine…

So toast to a new year,  new vintages – what will 2012 bring?