DUDE! You DIDN’T just do that!!!

Saturday snippet…


And still it continues, another busy fall day in the tasting room. We’re mobbed. Guests are happily mingling shoulder-to-shoulder, enjoying the day, the wine, the music, the moment. A peanut could not be squeezed into the tasting room at this particular point.


When, for some inexplicable reason, one of our guests is possessed by an uncontrollable urge to see the bottomside of a dump bucket and proceeds to upend the whole thing. On purpose. (dump bukit; receptacle of rejected wine-“too sweet”, ”too sour”, too much. Stems and pieces. Crap.)


“DUDE! You DIDN’T just do that!!!” says a formerly good-natured staff member.

Freed from the confines of the dump bucket, the reject wine-blend is now racing along the bar covering all innocent objects in its path, human and otherwise. The drosophila are massing overhead, thanking the lord of the fruit flies for the bounty of which they are about to receive. A precious rack of clean glasses must be re-washed, counters and guests wiped clean, floor mopped. An already stretched-to-the-breaking-point staff must be re-deployed. Meanwhile, Rome is burning…

staff deployed to clean spill

Eventually, surfaces are scrubbed, momentum is regained, order is restored. 

One of many such instances on a typical...

 Saturday in the tasting room.

DIRTY DOZEN BREAK RECORD



a dozen disciples

     of a vintner named Mawby

          just smashed a record long-standing



of flights well-served

     to guests who deserved

          great service without demanding



the place was on fire

     with music and motion

          the crew serving wine world-class

     when all’s said and done



     great work and great fun



but WOW - we really kicked ass





before...



                                                                 



during...









after...





 

















Saturday. The Calm Before the Storm...

Parking lot, prior to opening

Combine harvest, peak autumn color, crisp autumn sunshine and what do you get? A manic day in the tasting room.

Burgeoning sippers, seasoned oenophiles and curious leaf peepers will soon descend, all hoping to experience the magical process of harvest to juice to wine. Some are not interested in magical processes. They’re simply on the hunt for a relaxing day (and a good grape buzz).

Early arrival is a must in order to prepare for the onslaught of thirsty wine seekers. Much to be done prior to the opening bell. Count all the bees in the hive…

Stock wine


Prep food for paid tastings


Sweep (why bother??)


Set up bar(s)


Run around like chicken minus head


Open bottles


Open more bottles


Lather. Rinse. Repeat. (These steps and many, many others will be repeated several times during the course of the day.)

Deep breath


Turn the sign from SHUT to OPEN. Stand back and


Let the games begin…



Doors open.....(just kidding)



Parking lot early afternoon.  (Yes, that is a traffic director.)