Many people dream of having their very own vineyard, caring for the vines, tending to their growth, harvesting the tiny, tight clusters of grapes, lovingly crushing them for their juice, and using that freerun liquid to make one of life's greater pleasures: Wine.We had an open spot on the front of our property (between the street and the back patio), so we asked some of our favorite wineries for recommendations on what kind of grapes to plant. We wound up getting special French clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec (the varietals typically found in bordeaux blends). We planted these vines a few years ago, and this year promises to be our first BIG harvest!
We had first planned on scheduling a special "harvest weekend", when our guests could actually pick the grapes, pull them from the stems, and crush the berries in our old hand press to make wine.
There was only one problem: We can not predict the exact days when the grapes will be at their perfect sugar level for making wine.
So we've come up with another idea . . .
Starting this September, guests who are interested can hand-pick a dozen or so bunches of our wine grapes (selecting only the most ripe Cabernet, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Cab Franc bunches). Then, they can bring them into our kitchen, and help make these Bordeaux Blend Berries into Old World Inn Bordeaux Blend Jelly!
This way, the lucky guests who sign up for this can bring home a few jars of special Bordeaux Blend jelly that they made themselves during their visit to the Napa Valley.
No waiting for 20 years for the wine to mature-- you can take the preserves home with you the same trip!
Or, if you'd rather not carry a few jars back, we'll be happy to ship the yummy memories of your stay back to you.
Keep tuned in for updates on our little vineyard; only 52 vines, but lots of love.
-The Innkeepers
Old World Inn
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