I know it looks bad. 
I did do this on purpose. Though a little bug and a couple of Peahens helped me with the overall look!. All those dried up raisiny grapes add sweetness. And after a few frosts, the sugars intensify. These grapes like to be frozen before picking. Tomorrow I am going to begin a small vintage. Last year we had more grapes but they were picked too early. The grape is a Vidal Blanc. 
I know this sounds crazy but this year we should make better wine. This is actually the ugliest bunch of grapes I could find. I have begun to smell the scent of the grapes on the vines and this is what has convinced me that the time is right. Maybe just maybe, I will get some lovely dessert wine this time. We are forecast to have a good frost tonight and we pick tomorrow early. Ice wine. I will show you. 
Good morning. I always take the Daily View then the temperature at the same time. This was actually yesterday’s high late in the morning. After this it just got colder and I heard that some people saw a little snow mixed with some light rain. Naturally I refuse to even contemplate such a thing.
My neighbours have morphed into Surrogate Milkers and have begun their training to take over the farming while I am away and John is working. They are a retired couple with an experience in farming and the military. They chose to start working on the farmy way ahead of time so that they are good and confident when I leave them to it for three weeks in December. I figure they should be able to handle our naughty Daisy, the Shush Sisters and all the others.
More on that another day. Today we pick up the beef for the freezer and distribute it amongst the families. You will remember that this steer was fattened on alfalfa and was taken in younger. We are getting better at managing these things as we go along. It is all about planning and timing.
Have a lovely day.
celi
On this day last year. Cooking Nights with the Old Folks. This story is one of our favourites. It is a perfect weekend read. Short. It is about when I was very young and working nights in an old folks home. The residents, ever so slowly, in the dead of night, took over my kitchen. I love this story. This is one I shall rewrite back into its fuller version for the book of short stories.
The Kitchen's Garden 
50 responses to “You can’t make wine out of that! They say.”
As a former member of the wine industry all i was thinking when I saw the image of the grapes was dessert wine and it will be good!
I live in a region of Ontario where they make Ice Wine. Yummy, and very nice with dessert – even better sipped out of little chocolate cups.
Oh, how wonderful is that wine going to be? Chateau Le Farmy…..
I think it´s going to be a great wine – especially if those grapes get a bit of a chill for a few nights. We left our grapes ont he vine to make raisins -.it should still be mild and dry enough for it.
They have had a few good frosts already and after tonight I hope they will be about ready, if I leave them up much longer the peacocks will get the lot! c
I am looking forward to reading about your ice wine.
Cold here today. Nasty sharp wind, but the sun is lovely. I”m heading out to gather seeds before the freeze tonight, but wanted to visit with you first!. Good Morning, C!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Good morning! We are going to have a great dinner tonight with all the ‘last of the garden’.. c
And once again you’ve surprised me! You’ve got grapes.. real grapes?! I can’t wait to see how you make ice wine.. I think you should start producing your own label and selling honey, ice wine, etc.. I’d be the first to order:D xxx
my last batch was awful .. so we will see how this turns out and then you can design me some labels, you could put a drawing of my hay wheelbarrow on it!!
That would be awesome!!
i love a good ice wine. will you be posting when you are away? we are having wonderful fall weather too.
You make wine? I’m amazed. I wouldn’t say those grapes were ugly – they look fine to me. And you’ve had some frosts already? The climate where you are seems to change so quickly xx
The white kitty’s face is priceless.
Good luck with your winemaking. How much grapes will you pick?
“Cooking Night with the Old Folks” may be one of my favorite stories ever. You captured that genteel assertiveness so perfectly, dear. I can’t wait to hear about the wine!
Those grapes are simply old, wise and extra sweet. Like those old people that we choose to have in our lives. Even when nipped by the cold, they get better! I think you should call it your wisdom wine.
P.S Here’s a short post that’s a bit of spring fun: http://www.seasonalinspiration.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/fine-ladies-want-to-play.html
awesome.. and I will probably feel wiser with every glass! c
Wine, too? I hope you’ll share something of that process in photos, Celi. I do wonder what you have yet to try! 🙂
The kitties look cozy. Rumor has it that our thermometer is going to be saying that next week, not looking forward to it.