Some times you just have to remind yourself to look around at all that is going right. The peach crop was lost to the polar vortex in January. (Good thing we made plenty of peach wine from last year’s crop) So that means we get to enjoy the month of August rather than pick peaches every day. Had an abundance of rain to this point and the vineyards have never looked happier. We are continuing our journey of not using herbicide in the vineyard and I think it is a big reason things look so nice. We’ve not put any poison in the soil to kill weeds for 7 years now. Clover is blooming in the vine rows providing a habitat for bees and butterflies galore and adding a nice shot of nitrogen to the soil at the same time. Haven’t mowed for a couple weeks and will probably go a couple more. The grass under the vines has headed out at a reasonable length and the grass cover prevents all the nasty summer weeds like marestail and horse nettle from finding a home among the grapes. The soil is alive and so are our wines. You can just taste it. Good things are happening. Celebrated Sue’s 60th with a wonderful boat ride in Saugatuck surrounded by friends and family a few weeks ago. Saw ELO in Grand Rapids last week (simply phenomenal!) Got my birthday to celebrate in August, more family time to spend and great wine to drink. What’s not to love?