To our grateful friends and customers,

Cheers! I type this as I enjoy a glass of our Chardonel 2009.  Drinking this in our big handblown Turtle Run glasses, the aromas, especially winemaking aromas from leaving the wine on the yeast, adding a malo-lactic bacteria to soften the wine, and finally barrel aging it, really gives Chardonel a lift.  We compared it this evening to a very fine Russian River and a Carneros Napa chardonnay and it easily held it's own against wines more than twice its price (so did our chardonnay!).  Now that everyone has left, I thought I'd try to send an update while enjoying this wine.  The buttery finish and bright pineapple and green apple notes are fantastic.  The mouthfeel is very generous, leaning more towards the feeling of milk in the mouth as opposed to water.  And the aftertaste...ahhh...generous!  Hey, did you know the term "Honeymoon" comes from Persia?  Back in the day, the bride's parents were responsible for providing the newlyweds a month's supply of mead (honey wine).  They used the lunar cycle to determine how much wine to give the newlyweds, hense the term "honeymoon".  Did you know that no known human pathogens (germs, etc) can live in wine?  Did you know that the Romans knew that, courtesy of the Greeks, and only expanded their empire into areas they could grow grapes?  The Greeks taught the Romans that if you added 10% to 25% wine into water, that dysentery issues could be avoided?  I'll have to share more of these fun-filled bits of wine knowledge in subsequent updates.  

The harvest continues and the grapes and wines are tasting spectacular to say the least.  The weather was nearly ideal for making intensely fruity, well balanced wines this year. This week, we pressed and blended our chambourcin, pressed stuben to make our "Blue My Mind" and created a new wine when we pressed and blended together concord and stuben.  Wonderfully floral, fruity and spicy at the same time, we're going to need to see how this wine starts developing before we figure out our next step.  Chardonel was racked plenty dirty with yeast which will allow for a generous mouthfeel, and the barrel fermented vignoles so far tastes like a stellar, stellar wine with great complexity.  This time of year is where the passion of fine winemaking is at it's peak and timing is everything. We've done wine work at 2:30 AM, 4:00 AM, 11:00 PM, and I'm sure other times that I cannot remember.  The important thing is this:  The yeast cells do not take a break, and thus in many instances, to achieve the exact wine we want, we force down the caffeine, and excitingly fine tune the next wine!  So, if you see me with hoses in hand, with grape skins dangling off my shoulders, and the production area looking like a war-zone, rest assured that all is good in the winemaking process!  If there is one complaint, and perhaps it's a harbinger for winter's return, but we're going to have to get "Medieval" with the birds next year!  Everyone in the region experienced hungrier than ever birds.  My cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and pinot noir looked great!  We added bird tape to scare them away, and due to their hunger, they swooped below and up, and took every single solutary grape...all within 3 days.  Unbelievable!  If anyone has propane cannon they want to sell, give me a shout!

Concerts and relaxation:  All concerts are from approximately 1:30 to 5:30 and occur on Sundays. BYOPicnic!

The leaves and temperature are starting to turn, so please come out and enjoy some great music! And yes, if you're from Louisville, I've been back and forth a few times already, and the traffic jams due to the Sherman Minton bridge closing haven't been nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  I remember working in Chicago, and trust me when I say this -- they could only wish to have our delays.  I have found coming from Louisville, the best way is to meander into downtown Louisville and hop on I-65 or US-31 from there.  From Southern Indiana, I've been taking I-265 to I-65 and heading across.  I have also cut across from downtown New Albany into Clarksville.  Yes, it's longer than using the convenience of I-64, but overall, it hasn't been as bad as I suspected it would be.

October 2nd:  Bomar and Ritter -- Mary Bomar and John Ritter make a return visit this Sunday.  The weather is supposed to be spectacular, and the soothing voice of Mary Bomar accompanying contemporary folk music is a treasure to behold.  

October 9th:  Melody Resurrection -- this classic rock band is getting better and better and we welcome their return.

October 16th: Circus -- I am definitely looking forward to this band.  Don Watson of Nervous Melvin and the boys will crank out an eclectic mix of rock and country and any other great sounding gyration.  Fabulous musicians and a must see!

October 23rd:  Lick Creek Band -- a southern Indiana tradition is back by popular demand.  Contemporary folk with a mix of bluegrass and pop will make for quite an enjoyable day.

October 30th:  Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes --  The 80's and 90's great Louisville rock band is back!  This summer when they were out, I thought I was listening to the "70's on 7" (Sirius radio) as I heard Cheap Trick, Wings, and more.  Anybody's guess as to what reportoire they'll play.  I'll only say, wow, are they good!!!

November 5th (Saturday):  The Vinyl Kings -- come out and enjoy a festive day at Turtle Run!  The Vinyl Kings play all of the great classic rock, and we'll light a bonfire, have hayrides, light the wood-fired grill (BYO Steak, Chicken, etc) and hopefully, hopefully, conduct Astrology 101 that evening!  This is an all day, well into the night event!

Additionally, Laura and I want to thank you for your business, especially from the Kentucky folks who cherish our wines enough to take the "risk" to cross into Indiana!  Yep, it's not that bad, but still, we thank you.  Yes, at some point, we'll have our wine club up and running, but at this time, I think that's going to be a January project.  Additionally, we will be introducing some new wines and some old favorites as the fall continues.  Traminette will hit the list, along with Blue My Mind.  We'll also add a wonderful non-vintage blend of 2006, 2008, and 2010 chambourcin, all barrel aged!  This is a dynamite blend of a red!  Thanksgiving weekend always means a port will be added as well!  Additionally, Blackberry makes it's return this weekend!  Due to the length of our list, we do have some stellar wines that are not on the list, including a 37 month barrel aged cabernet franc, as well as a merlot.  I also see on the horizon our white chambourcin 2010, a bright and fruity wine, making it's debut as well.  Keep asking, "got anything new" and sure enough, I'm sure we do!

It's time for bed!

Cheers,