It's harvest season here in the wine country and my friends and I have been out picking some Napa Merlot. There is a glut of Merlot this year, and we were able to swing a pretty good deal. Merlot was heavily planted several years ago, and is not currently en vogue, thanks in part to that stupid movie Sideways. The fermenation began over 2 weeks ago but the must was still measuring about 7 brix yesterday. We expect to have a little "press party" this weekend. We'll drag out some prior vintages to help fuel us while pressing this year's vintage.

Dave is trying to convince everyone to go out picking this weekend. We found another good deal, this time on some Cabernet Sauvignon. I don't have any more room in the garage for another barrel (3 cars, 3 motorcycles, and a barrel of merlot already!) so this one will have to reside at Dave's house...