It was too easy until…
The Unexpected Journey of Growing Grapes and Winemaking
Growing grapes and winemaking, is a journey filled with a multitude of ups and downs. I guess I should have expected it, but of course being the “glass half full” person that I am, I never thought it would be so extreme nor change so quickly. It is an ever-evolving craft that demands passion, patience, and expertise. Here, amidst the vine-covered lava flows of Blindspot Vineyard, we have experienced the exhilarating rollercoaster that is growing grapes and winemaking.
The Ups:
The Joy of Creation: As winemakers, we have the privilege of creating something truly unique. Watching the transformation from grapes to juice and finally into wine is a magical experience. The blending process allows us to experiment with different varietals and create complex flavors that dance on the palate. Each bottle becomes an expression of our creativity and expertise, bringing immense fulfillment when the final product is poured into a glass.
Such a fun process!
The Accolades: Completely unexpected. We had a sense that what we were doing had a chance to be something pretty good or at least something we could be proud of as a first effort and actually be able to drink without gagging and minimally be able to share with some friends standing around the firepit this fall. But as much as we wanted, there was no guarantee that we would even have that. And then it happened; a real, professional review; our first and completely out of the blue.(thanks Decanter!) An incredibly positive review and acknowledgment. We were all on cloud 9. I mean, we all thought it was a good wine when we tasted it, but we had no real basis for comparison(excluding Ben who just had that wry smile on his face). Certainly no gag effect and I problably wouldn’t waste it around the firepit(nothing wrong with the collective fire pit gatherings), that much I knew. But one review does not make a reputation, even as good as it left us feeling. And then further confirmation, from select restauranters, sommeliers and enoteca owners all over eastern Sicily who had tasted our wine and wanted to offer it to their respective customers. This caught us completely off guard! People who knew wine; people who knew Sicily and Italy; people whose livelihood depended on pleasing their customers wanted to offer our Punto Cieco Etna Rosso!
Yeah, we were flying pretty freaking high. It seemed so easy.
The Downs:
The Unpredictability of Nature: The expectation of the harvest air is filled with anticipation and continued success of the previous year and the recent accolades and then Mother Nature slaps you right in the face. Nature is a fickle partner in winemaking. Adverse weather conditions such as hail, disease, or excessive rainfall can wreak havoc on the vineyard and significantly affect grape quality and quantity. Unpredictable elements challenge our carefully laid plans and test our resiliency. And it certainly did, bringing us back to reality, with significantly reduced quanity of grapes in the vineyard.
Quality, but not quantity. I think we can work with that!
Navigating the Market: In a world brimming with countless wine options, navigating the market can be a challenging endeavor. Building a brand and establishing a loyal customer base in an increasingly competitive industry requires perseverance and adaptability especially when you have no real clue about any of this business.
Starting a real business can be draining and clearly not necessarily the fun part of this wild endeavour.
In the end, despite the ups and downs, Blindspot Vineyard is already a labor of love. It is a place that connects us to the land, to the richness of tradition, and to the exquisite moments when a sip of our wine brings joy and delight to others.
Embracing the journey, with both its highs and lows, is what makes this a truly extraordinary experience.