During a rainy night in Seattle, I’m thinking about great days driving the tractor. Here’s some slides I just recently got developed of the WineGirl’s time behind the wheel this past summer.
J.H.
Our little Lump o’ Dirt is ten acres of future vineyard land in Manson, WA. Until the vines are installed, it’s just a lump of dirt. Until spring, it’s just snow covered dirt. We’ll try some test plantings this year to assess the potential for specific varieties on the site. It sure looks promising, though (under the snow).
Explore more about our adventures in the dirt in the ‘Catagories’ sidebar under ‘Sesto Cielo’. That’s 6th Heaven.
J.H.
On what is most likely our last trip to Chelan for the sake of working on the vineyard. It is time to make summary of our first year of farming.
The vineyard consensus:
2009 started out with big and lofty goals and ended with many lessons learned.
First, we need a tractor. We need something with 4-wheel drive to climb the steepest slope. We need something that can carry a full 2000 lb macrobin of ultra-premium grapes and can move giant granite boulders. We need something with enough torque to pull old wind break stumps and a front bucket to push dirt.
Vineyard Art
Basically we need a new best friend. We’ll be cutting down the windbreaks and burning the wood piles. We’ll be removing the obvious rocks again and digging up the remaining dead stumps. We’ll be planning the direction of the rows and laying the corresponding irrigation pipes. Will the tractor be able to turn around? Will we need an excavator to terrace the banks? Where will the buildings go?
Dear Santa,
I’ve been real good and made Uncle Sam some money this year. Will you please send me a:
WineGirl
At Home
So, after a grueling three days of shanking, and earth moving and mountain building, and rock moving and road destruction, and eating DUST, we’ve got a mess on our hands.
Progresso
High Noon
More Progresso
Ripped!
In only 7 days, we cleared nearly 4 acres with the ripper and the bobcat raker. It was dirty, dirty work. A layer of pig pen dust encircled our every movement and you won’t believe the nature of our nostril inhabitants. Wow, farming’s harder than I thought!
Rooster Raking
Peace Out,
WineGirl PO
Ten days ago, I arrived back to the farm, jolly, clean and eager to do some damage to some apple suckers. Oo, oo, it was a quick start to the dirt as a visit to the rental shop brought us this little beauty.
The newest Deere in my life.
Our new toy came equipped with an earth moving bucket in the front and 2, 2 foot shanks in the back. Oh my, what a marvel! So, it was done, and the John Deere 450 was to be delivered that afternoon. We departed the rental shop to the words “Good luck. You’ll find things you never knew you had.” Hmm. I thought I heard that one somewhere before. No matter. Off, to the site.
With the intention to shank all ten acres, our first day ended by carefully staying to the west side of the new road made in July.
Why?
Well, “you’ll find things you didn’t even know you had” turned up a six inch water main, we didn’t, well, even know we had. Darnit. All that work tracking down information about the previous orchard water system in July certainly didn’t prepare us for this mondo pipe! It was as if the PVC pipe had been born from the stars and birthed from the earth beneath our eyes.
What was that?
Zoiks!
So, our first eager day of shanking ended with sun down at seven pm. Phew!
WineGirl,
WG
 John Deere 450 |
 The Challenge |
 The Enemy |
 Lunchtime |
 The Challenger |
 Lowering the Shanks |
 Future of Chelan Terroir |
 Nothing's too big for the Shanker! |
 A tangled web we weave. |
 Getting Rid of Junk |
 Can we list "old iron pipe" on Craigslist? |
 The Super Shank Damages |
WineGirl Wines
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