January 28, 2012
Bialla Vineyards News
Rain, rain, come my way... At last our thirsty soil got a little relief this week. We had some rain, but still not enough. One of the driest times ever in the history of Napa.
The vines are pruned now, yet dormant. They are sleeping as I like to say, dreaming about budding, seeing who is first to inch out a little at a time as the days get warmer. It is the tiniest little bulge on the vine and once it feels safe it grows its little bulge each day then suddenly takes off like a race horse and shoots to the sky. Where the word shoot comes from, I guess. It is truly a magic time in Napa right now .
The clouds are so rich with color, the sky so blue, the orange each night at sunset so dramatic. So we sit outside go to the fire pit watch the sun go down and let the fire warm us up. Inevitably the conversation comes to wine and then we mosey in to the cave. The sound of the heavy door closing behind you, the smell of wine and barrels all combined in one, is my favorite part of walking in to this sanctuary.
Children are made in the womb, wine is made in the cave. Both strike me as miracles.
You grab the thief, carefully draw a sample from the barrel and a rush comes over you that words can't explain. I have done it so many times now but it is always the same incredibly unique and special experience. Somehow I feel like I had something to do with this creation but we are mere mortals witnessing nature do its thing. A moment like this can last me a month in the day to day battle of work and routine of life. I cherish it always.
So many things going on positive and as you know I hate to brag, so I won't. Nope will not brag I promise.
I will not discuss our wine being featured at the Consumer Electronics Show in Los Vegas with celebrity guests, nope.
I will not even mention the sold out world famous truffle festival in Napa where they mention a very, very fine wine at the end.
See I don't even know these people but when they pick you out of dozens of wines and they brag about you I guess it is ok to mention.
So much for not bragging (:
Farmer's Almanac says we will have a great coming year so I'm very much at ease about our future.
A short mention of our 2011 in the barrel and I'm the impatient one as you know by now but I tasted it and thought I made a mistake.
So I cleaned my glasses and looked again, yup right vintage? Its not supposed to taste this good so soon. It blew me away. So I made Delaine taste it, same reaction.
A year that was a disaster for some was a godsend for us. It will be very interesting how this vintage gets reviewed and how the various wines turn out. Either way Napa has the best growers, farmers and wine makers and in that case bragging is OK because it's a fact.
We have some wine left although the supply is dwindling - go here to purchase: www.biallavineyards.com/store
Thanks for sharing our passion as always
Vito & Linda Bialla