Showing posts with label California. Templeton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Templeton. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Viticulture Is Not a Nine to Five Business, Nor Is It Always a Quiet One

Tractor in Vineyard at DuskMy house is surrounded by vineyards. Sometimes when I'm trying to sleep I will hear tractors as early as 5 AM, sometimes even when it's still partly dark out. Other times, like last night, I will see or hear my neighbor's tractor at dusk. I was walking from an outbuilding when I heard the sound, and I liked the silhouette of the driver and the vines against the sky. So, of course, I snapped a picture or two. I liked this one best.

When you get down to the basics, with all the mystique surrounding wine, it still comes from grapes, and those grapes must be tended carefully by those who know them best. Some seasons are busier than others. Planting seems to go on in the dormant months. Then comes cultivating and pruning. Finally, in autumn, there is harvest. Harvest is a joyful time, but not a quiet one. See for yourself in Life in Wine Country During the Grape Harvest.  

Although wine country isn't always quiet, it's almost always beautiful. There's nowhere else I'd rather live.


Poster of Paso Robles Wine Country
Poster of Paso Robles Wine Country
Check out Prints & Posters online at Zazzle.com

Friday, March 6, 2015

Exploring Venteux Vineyards in Templeton

Exploring Venteux Vineyards in Templeton
© Barbara Radisavljevic



On the way home from a doctor appointment Tuesday, I decided it was time to stop and explore the vineyards at the Venteux Winery and tasting room in Templeton. Usually I never get beyond the front, building, the estate house (pictured here), but this time I discovered the windmill in back by the tasting room and there was a basketball court next to it where a team was being coached. (See below.)




Windmill at Venteux Winery and Vineyards, © Barbara Radisavljevic
Windmill at Venteux Winery and Vineyards, © Barbara Radisavljevic



I took this photo of the windmill from the ground level, but the other photos were taken when I was on the hill near the water tower above one of the vineyards. You can click any of these photos to enlarge them.

From the hill I had a great view of the sky, and the turkey vultures were circling overhead. Unfortunately there is not room to show you all the photos I took here. But I do want to show you two more. When I was at the very top of the hill, I could look down on one of the Templeton neighborhoods and the hills beyond it. It was those hills I had been trying to find a clear view of all day. They are south of where I'm standing.



Hills Above Venteux Winery and Vineyards
Hills Above Venteux Winery and Vineyards, © Barbara Radisavljevic



I came down the hill through the vineyard and from there I took this last photo of the winery itself -- the place where the magic happens.


Venteux Winery and Vineyards
 Venteux Winery and Vineyards, © Barbara Radisavljevic



You can see even more beautiful photos and learn more about Venteux wines at the Venteux website.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Two Unique Tasting Room Sights at Peachy Canyon

I have lived for at least ten years surrounded by wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms, and it seems more move in every day. At least three have changed ownership in my own neighborhood during the time I've been here and another is in the process. I have visited at least 33 tasting rooms while living here, but today I saw sights at Peachy Canyon Tasting Room I've never seen anywhere else.

What's new is the chair. I'm not sure of its significance, but it seems to have been built for a giant with short legs.  I don't remember seeing it here before, and it looks like the vineyard beside it has also been replanted.

Herbie and Peaches, the Peachy Canyon Maine Coon cats, are also unique to Peachy Canyon's tasting room. They are not new. I look forward to seeing them every time I visit. Today, though, they were interacting together in a way I've never seen them behave before, and I was glad I had my camera. Remember, you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them for a closer look.


Monday, March 2, 2015

A Windmill on My Mind

A Windmill on My Mind
Windmill at Castoro Cellars Vineyard



























I love the scenery to be found in the Bethel Road Vineyards in Templeton / Paso Robles. One special subject I like to photograph is this windmill in the vineyard at Castoro Winery. On February 28, the clouds promised rain. After dropping off someone at our Templeton house near the time for the sun to set, I headed straight to Bethel Road, hoping to shoot the windmill with the setting sun as a backdrop. Before I could get there, it began to rain.

Did I want to risk getting my camera wet to get this shot? It seemed the drops were farther apart, so I parked along the road and sheltered my camera, trying to protect all I could of it while not shooting straight into the sun. These were not the best shooting conditions, and this is the best I could do under the circumstances. I had hoped to have the windmill in the light, but it would not have worked while the sun was still so bright -- in spite of the rain. Here's a different view I took of this same windmill and put on a poster at Zazzle.



For contrast I offer this photo taken on June 23, 2013, during the day, while the vines were green and the sky was blue. This photo shows you more of the beauty of the vineyard itself. If you ever visit Templeton, you should pay a visit to Castoro Cellars. The windmill is just an introduction to a great experience.

Windmill at Castoro Cellars
© Barbara Radisavljevic

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