Report form Escondido Sunrise Vineyard – 8/28/11

After three full days of hot weather, our grapes are getting close to the perfect brix for picking.    Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 4^th , 7am for our harvest.   We will be sending additional details of the harvest later this week.

Mike and Nancy Dunlap, Escondido Sunrise Vineyard

Report from Escondido Sunrise Vineyard 8/25/11:

The Grape Vine

Hello Grape Enthusiasts, Winemakers, and Mystified Recipients,

Things are running along quickly.  The sugar levels are rising.  The grapes are moving towards achieving “ripeness”.  The question is always “When will they be ready to harvest?”

Mother Nature is in complete control.  The sugar level a few days ago was 22.3 brix.  That’s good.  Pretty much right on point with the readings for past years.

If things are as they were previously, we will have harvest on the Sunday over Labor Day weekend.  But, Mother Nature doesn’t give us as much notice as we would prefer.

So, we will watch, measure and send out updates more and more frequently as the date gets closer.

We love harvest.  It is always so much fun to see our friends picking, plucking, squeezing and enjoy a selection of our wines.  This year will be no different.

More soon.

Michael & Nancy Dunlap

Pamo Valley Winery held a fundraiser on Saturday in effort to raise money for 16 month old Ramonan, Liam Houck.  It was a blistering hot day and the turnout was slow.  However, as the day went on it cooled down, we did get quite a few people through in the afternoon.  Robert Bradley, Ramona Naturals was very helpful in the process.  We missed the Houck’s but understood that with the heat and baby Liam’s condition that it was probably better to stay indoors.  While we have never met the family, there is a strong sense of community support and urgency to help raise money for this local child in need.  I dont have kids but I felt as if Liam were one of my own on our day of fundraising.  I was very proud to help promote in any way possible.  My brother 38, in New York has had a kidney condition since a horrible car accident in his teen years and one day may also need special attention to his kidney’s.  He’s gone through many tests and treatments so I felt a connection with Liam and knew this was a fundraiser we were going to do.

Special mention goes to Pat Donovan who staged his antique tractors on Main St. in our parking lot.  Jeff and Sharon Uran and Mike Celaya for bbq’ing in 100 degree weather.  And the winners of the opportunity drawings, Jim and Ava Stearns who won the 50/50 drawing and Paul Stykel who won the 16 bottles of local wines, signed by the winemakers.

It’s that time of year! Everyone is scrambling to get ready for Harvesting of the Grapes.  We’re getting our picking bins, fermentation bins, crushing equipment, etc ready to go.  I’ve heard that a few people are picking their Merlot this weekend.  I checked our Pamo Cab yesterday and it’s sitting at 20 brix.  The Primitivo is at 18, Orange Muscat 23 and Viognier 24. I really had a problem with the Orange Muscat and Viognier this year.  Seems I haven’t quite mastered keeping the birds, bees and squirrels out.  We will make a small batch of each this year.  On the other hand, the Primitivo and Cab look amazing!

Saturday, Aug. 27th, Pamo Valley Winery’s tasting room will showcase a variety of local tractors in their parking lot.  The display will take place at 603 Main St. (corner of 6th & Main St., across from Ramona Mainstage ) from 11am – 3pm.  In addition to the tractor display, there will be a smokin’ BBQ on site for those hungry appetites!  Proceeds from the BBQ will benefit Ramona’s 16-month old Liam Houck and his desperate need of a kidney transplant.  There will be opportunity drawings for 50/50 cash going to the winner and the other half to the cause.  Also a case of local wines from Woof n’Rose , Chuparosa , Edwards Cellars, Hellanback Ranch, Schwaesdall and Pamo Valley,  signed by the winemakers (you do not need to be present to win).  All tips from the winery’s tasting room that day will also be donated.  For more info on Liam, go to “Ramona Toddler Needs Kidney Transplant” or visit Cota for LiamH.

Stop in our tasting room and sample some of our wines.  While at our place we’ll encourage you to make a day of the wine scene and visit other local wineries in the area- we’ll give you a list!  For questions, contact 760.271.3090 or email info@pamovalleyvineyards.com.

The Wineries of San Diego and Beyond

sdgrapes@gmail.com

Please help me promote an upcoming wine tasting and food pairing fundraiser for my dear Grandma Ellie and the Ramona Woman’s Club.  For only a $20 donation per person, there will be light appetizers and a wine tasting on Thursday, Sept. 8th at the parking lot of Pamo Valley’s Wine tasting room located at 603 Main St.  There will be a presentation on “How to Taste Wine” and raffles and a silent auction.  Come out and mingle with us from 6pm – 730pm!  For tickets, call Ellie at 760.789.0602 or Jenn at 760.271.3090 or you can purchase your tickets at the Pamo Valley Wine tasting room on Friday 2-6 or Sat – Sun 11-6.  Spaces limited!

Local Ramonian Don Eccker stops in for some wine tasting while displaying his 1940 Packard Sedan and graciously allow others to be pictured  with this beautiful beautiful piece of art.  Pictured left to right are Ramona Cafe waitress Dalia; Pamo Valley Winery owner, Jennifer Jenkin; Pilot and Ramona Airport Executive, Jaye Matthews; Ramona Cafe owner Sonia Steiner.  I think this car needs to be a permanent fixture at our place!  Don later gave me detailed specs on the car:

Pamo Valley Winery is “dog friendly”.  After all, how many winery’s or tasting rooms have you visited and actually NOT seen a dog present?  You will always be greeted by our resident dogs Roxy and Teacup at our tasting room.  Many visitors have wanted to go home with them upon their departure.  They are the most loving, tame, non-yapping chihuahua crosses you will ever meet.  We’ve had pugs, german shepherds and our latest visit from Ramonians Michael and Meredith Dow brought in 3 dalmatian puppies!  Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous?  Roxy and Teacup will share their food and water and will even throw in a cookie or treat to any dog visitors.