This past weekend we picked up cases of the
2009 Arbios Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the long awaited first vintage from our hillside from Bill and
Susan Arbios! We were so
excited to finally have this wine to share as it has been a
long but great journey. I couldn't help but reminisce on all of the trials
and tribulations we have been through, from the dream of having a vineyard, meeting some of
the most interesting characters in the county of Sonoma and finally connecting with winemaker Bill Arbios who in 2003 planted the vineyard and farmed it to
fruition. As we were leaving, Susan informed us
that harvest would be happening the very next morning at the crack of
dawn which just happened to be my birthday! So there we were driving away with
big smiles on our faces...first vintage wine from our hill in the trunk
and harvest happening the very next day! We all know
that harvest happens when Mother Nature says its time (weather, bugs,
rain heat, etc.), and according to Mother Nature and Bill, at 25 brix, it was time. As we
arrived home from our chores tractors were being unloaded from big rigs
and the bins for the grapes were on the ground. We had our first taste of the 2009 vintage with our dinner that evening and oh boy, it was fantastic! I could
taste the hillside, the earth, the berries, a touch of sage, (the blood,
sweat and tears) and perfection! Our hats off to Bill for crafting a
great Cabernet which we would love to share with you all!
Then the next morning we were awakened by the familiar sounds of harvest,
tractors starting, workers conversing and even singing, and the work began, starting at the top of the northwest block and moving downward. As the sun rose I stepped
outside with a fresh cup of coffee in hand with Kirsten, my brother and
my mom to take in the activity on the hillside...such a joyous occasion.
As mom conversed with the workers in
Spanish I wondered what they were
saying about me...was I having a bad hair day!?! A few hours later, my
brother and I went into Healdsburg to run some errands and as we drove
back I said - let's go check the crush pad on the 128 to see if the
grapes have arrived -
Sure enough, as we pulled in, the big rig had
just pulled up with the first 10 tons of grapes and so we watched with
reverence the next part of the grape's journey from vineyard to bottle.
It is truly a sight to behold to see the grapes cascade into the
de-stemmer and all I could do was smile.
To add to this magical weekend,
we had a birthday celebration on the hillside for me, (49 years old
again), and opened many a bottle of the 2009 Arbios Cellars, Wild Creek
Ranch Vineyards, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which was received
with glowing reviews! This past weekend the stars really aligned and I
am so grateful...
This post we are featuring the 2009 Arbios Cellars Wild Creek Ranch
Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and if you would like to
try it, please contact me via email at
sctellez@gmail.com for more information.
I think you will find it as magical as my birthday weekend!
Cheers,
Steve
Then the next morning we were awakened by the familiar sounds of harvest,
tractors starting, workers conversing and even singing, and the work began, starting at the top of the northwest block and moving downward. As the sun rose I stepped
outside with a fresh cup of coffee in hand with Kirsten, my brother and
my mom to take in the activity on the hillside...such a joyous occasion.
As mom conversed with the workers in 
Spanish I wondered what they were
saying about me...was I having a bad hair day!?! A few hours later, my
brother and I went into Healdsburg to run some errands and as we drove
back I said - let's go check the crush pad on the 128 to see if the
grapes have arrived -
This post we are featuring the 2009 Arbios Cellars Wild Creek Ranch
Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and if you would like to
try it, please contact me via email at sctellez@gmail.com for more information. 
1 comment:
Yay! So proud of you Daddy.
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