News

March
Today dawned sunny and warm.  We know there’s more rain on the way, but just for a moment we can see the promise of spring.   We feel rejuvinated, anything is possible, and everything is right in the world.  This is a time of rebirth in the vineyards as the vines begin their annual cycle.  We look to be about 4 to 6 weeks from budbreak but the cover crop is up and thriving so we should have flowers any day.  This is a truly magical time of the year to stop by the tasting room and enjoy a glass of wine in the sunshine.  Days like today are definitely on our list of top five reasons we love this life.

It’s been a slow start to the year, we’re hoping it’s just the weather being a bit dark and gloomy.  The good news for winemakers is that all of this rain means we can’t get out into the vineyards (too much mud) so we’re concentrating on affairs in the cellar – the wines are getting lots of love and attention.  In fact this is the first time all three winemakers can say they’re completely caught up on the day-to-day stuff and able to work on putting wine in to bottles.

This should also be the first year we have the time and resources to concentrate on our tasting facilities.  We’re thinking…improving the landscaping, finishing the Tasting Room ceiling, rebuilding the outdoor bar.  Who knows, we may even get to those long delayed pavers!

February
…insert Noah/Ark joke here…

and then the rains came down. It’s been a wet spring so far here at Blended and we couldn’t be happier. The vines really need all the water they can get in the spring to help them through our long, dry summers. The fact it’s also been cold is a bonus. Cool weather now lets the vines stay dormant longer which means a later bud break and less chance of a late frost killing harming the crop. The vineyards may be under water, and the parking lot might be a bit damp, but we’re still open. The Tasting Room is warm, dry, and cozy so stop by and try the wine stylings of our three winemakers any Saturday or Sunday from noon to 5pm.

Well, our “vacation” is over and it’s time to get back to work. Both TASS and Medeiros Family have wine club releases in February, TASS on the 16th (his first!), and Medeiros Family on the 23rd. Check their websites and social media channels for more information. Blended is also hosting the second La Vie Dansante Wines Symposia – “From Grape to Glass, a Wine’s Journey” on Thursday February 21st from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are available in the Tasting Room or at La Vie’s online webstore.

All three winemakers have been working hard on bottling during January and February, hoping to get ahead a bit before all of the excitement in March hits us.  In March we’ll have the La Vie Dansante Wine Club social, Hop ‘N Vine, and the Wineries of Santa Clara County Spring Passport.

January
And so we start another year. This is the beginning of our third full year open and we think we’ve got the pattern pretty much nailed. The winemakers are busy in the winery working on the 2016’s and 2017’s. The 2018 wines are all snuggly put away for the next several months. January is the time all of the bookkeeping get’s done in preparation for paying all of those Excise and Usage taxes. Not our favorite time of the year but satisfying in it’s own way.

The Tasting Room is coming along, the walls are done and progress is being made on completing the chair rail – anybody want to help install several thousand corks? The ceiling is still open but should be finished fairly soon. We were promised some free insulation that hasn’t yet shown up. No hard feelings, but it means a bit of a delay while we set aside the money we need to purchase it.

We’re working on the events calendar for the coming year. Each of the wineries will have four release parties, together we’ll do a spring and fall party. We’re planning on another Holiday party in December and of course there’s the La Vie Dansante Wine Symposiums each month. All of these should be on this page (look over to the right) and will be updated as things firm up.

Thanks for all of your support last year and we’re looking forward to rewarding you with lots of fun and excitement – and great wine – in the coming year.

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