Croad Vineyards at Harvest Time

A Quick Look at the Croad Vineyard at Harvest Time

Although it seems just like yesterday I toured the Croad Vineyards during the harvest, it really happened in 2011. The year before I had observed the pickers from my backyard, since I live next door. Martin Croad must have noticed, so in 2011 he invited me to come observe the harvest from his side of the fence. He explained all that was happening and turned me loose with my camera.

Croad Tasting Room, ©B. Radisavljevic, 2011

This is the time of year when all the hard work pays off and the grapes are finally ready to start the transformation to wine. See in photos and videos how the magic happens at Croad Vineyards

Croad Vineyard at Harvest Time, ©B. Radisavljevic, 2011

Here are some other views of the Croad Tasting Room and Vineyard you can keep.

Patio of Croad Tasting Room, Paso Robles Jigsaw PuzzlePatio of Croad Tasting Room, Paso Robles PosterTempleton Wine County in Winter T-ShirtPlate: Fountain at Croad Vineyards, Paso Robles Melamine Plate

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Looking Back at Peachy Canyon Tasting Room, 2013

It's no secret that I think the grounds of Peachy Canyon's 46 West Tasting Room are beautiful and peaceful places to roam with my camera. It's a bit more lively inside the tasting room itself, but if you step behind the tasting room to the park-like area for picnics it is tranquil. I especially love the large oaks where I sometimes see squirrels playing. Often the winery cats will come to say hello and ask to be petted, and we all know petting a cat is calming.

Peachy Canyon Gazebo and Picnic Area, ©B. Radisavljevic,  ©B. Radisavljevic

Autumn is one of the most colorful times to visit any vineyard. I took these photos in early November, 2013. Just click on them to enlarge them.

Ripe Grapes on the Vine at Peachy Canyon,  2013,  ©B. Radisavljevic

Grape Leaves Dressed for Autumn, Peachy Canyon, 2013,  ©B. Radisavljevic

Guardian of the Vineyard, Peachy Canyon, 2013,  ©B. Radisavljevic

I'm thankful I have such a generous neighbor who allows me roaming privileges when I need to find a few minutes of peace in the midst of a hectic life. Next time you approach the corner of Bethel Road and Highway 46 West, stop in and taste some wine. Then take it out on the grounds to sip in tranquillity in the shadow of the oaks as you look out at the vines.

Friendship Card, Peach Canyon Winery Cats Greeting Card
Make a card on Zazzle using your photo.

Autumn Grape Leaves at Castoro Cellars

This is the time of year when wine country is most beautiful. The grapes are almost ready to  harvest in most vineyards. Some have already been harvested. The purple grapes hang heavy from the vines. The leaves are turning various shades of red and gold to complement them. The netting attempts to keep hungry birds from getting the first fruits. You can see the netting if you click to enlarge the photos.

Wineries are preparing to make merry in their harvest and first crush events. The colorful leaves are like banners inviting people to come and taste when all is accomplished. Soon we will be smelling grapes as we drive by at night on 46 West. Let the festivities begin!





While you wait for the harvest festivals, why not work a puzzle like this one?

Puzzle: Autumn Grape Foliage Puzzles

The Seasons in the Vineyards

This is green season in the vineyards. The tiny green grapes are getting bigger. The green leaves contain chloroplasts. The leaves breathe in carbon dioxide from the air and receive water from the roots of the vine.  The chloroplasts take the water and the carbon dioxide and when the light hits the leaves, it turns the chloroplasts into sugar to feed the grapes and releases oxygen in the air for us to breathe. This process is called photosynthesis. It happens in every green plant. Without it plants could not make the food they need to live, and we would not have food to eat or wine to drink.

The grapes will get bigger and in a few more months it will be autumn and the fully-grown grapes will turn purple and be ready to harvest. The leaves will turn a lovely red and gold.  Then suddenly it will get cold, signaling the arrival of winter, and the leaves will turn brown and die, leaving only the brown branches of the vine. Three months after that it will be spring again and the dormant vines will once again begin to leaf out. Then it will soon be green season again. In wine country we always know what season it is. All we need to do is look at the vines and they tell us

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