tasty!

We tried our first sample of the Cabernet we are making and it wasn't bad. I was nervous tasting it as the temp of the wine is about 70* or so and still slightly bubbling. It just didn't sound very tasty-turns out, however ,that it actually was. We'll see after the next round of tasting. This is really fascinating to learn about the entire process. Next, we'll be racking the wine into it's initial storage vessel to clarify, and we will re-rack several times over the next 45 days or so. Then will store it in our oak barrel for 6 months minimum. Very cool stuff. xo

bubbles, bubbles!


Yeast is kicking in and we have the wonderful, yeast-y, grape-y smell floating through the floorboards and throughout the house. It is working! So many variables go into making the wine, we only hope the selections we make now will taste good next year-otherwise those of you that are on the fudge holiday list will receive our kahal family vinegar!!!! Seriously, just another creative venture to savor life with. xo

kahal family vineyards

Yes, we are finally going to make our first batch of wine. The shipment of juice arrived last week along with our little oak barrel, our corker and all the tools to make the wine. It is exciting to think about our first bottling-but we won't really know how good it is for a year!!! Of course I'll keep you posted on how we progress, but the first step is to add some yeast to the juice to activate it. Stay tuned on how that goes......

eggs and ice luminaries


I know I have been talking a lot about the weather, so this time I promise not to mention it. As you can see from the above picture, even though it was 50*we still have some snow left. I shot this as an assignment for my photo class. Love the beautiful colors of the fresh eggs from the local farm on Millstone Road in Wilton, CT. This weekend we had our annual wine party and it was a hoot! We challenge friends to come up with a certain varietal to submit to a blind tasting. I must say, our guests are beginning to get very wine savvy. This year was Spanish reds and I don't think there was one bad one! Tim from the Schoolhouse at Cannondale catered and the food was off the charts great! It was a lovely time and we enjoyed catching up with some good friends. I finally pulled off these ice luminaries that I had been dying to make. They were beautiful lighting the steps to the door. I will see if I can get a picture posted of them. Here's what you do: For each luminary you need a bucket like the kind you wash a car with, an empty 28oz tin can with paper label off, some rocks to weigh it down, and water. First, take a bucket, fill it part way (about a 1/3) with water. Place outside in freezing temps until solid (mine took two days). After first layer is frozen, add empty can on top, weight with rocks and pour water around weighted tin can. Place outside again in freezing temps. Should freeze solid in about two days. Once solid, pour hot water in the tin cans and let sit for 10 mins. Pull out the tin cans and pour hot water over outside of bucket to loosen luminaries. Place outside and add a small, 2 1/2 inch pillar candle and you are all set. Plan to do at least a week before. It's a way to enjoy that freezing weather!!!! xo

53 days and counting..............

The mercury finally moved today. I thought for sure it was stuck below freezing!! It was gorgeous today-almost 50*. Makes me even hungrier for spring! Kids are beginning to bounce off the walls. How great was that super bowl? As much as I wanted the cardinals to win, the steelers really deserved it with all that effort! The boys thought it was an awesome game-yes they stayed up to the bitter end. Regan said "who needs sleep?" Yea, that's what he thought until this morning came.....everyone was a bit tired. I don't think we'll do that for awhile. All right, the new things coming....a little hint.........it has something to do with a camera......and kids, outside.......at weir farm or ambler farm........stay tuned for more info!