Today we planted another 300 grapevines - it only took four of us one day this year. I guess we are getting better at it. We added more Vidal Blanc vines, but most importantly we planted a new variety - "Chardonel". We are nearing the end of the upper field with this new "batch", as we only have two or three empty rows left, and those rows are shorter than the others. We are very excited for this new grape variety... it will be a challenge to wait at least two more years before we can have a small sample harvest.
Getting the grapes was a bit of a challenge this year - due to an unforeseen circumstance: The Lufthansa pilot strike of 2014. This story gets a bit complicated, but it started with a trip to Germany for Anja, Duff, Leif and Lars. Their flight was to and from Boston. (which meant that Tina and Sam took Lars to Boston for the beginning of this trip two weeks ago - hence so few blog posts). Zach was able to arrange his work schedule in such a way that he would be in New England and be able to pick Lars up in Boston for his way back - and then also pick up the grapes, as those were on his way also.
Unfortunately, Lars and everyone else, was not able to fly back as planned - due to the pilot strike. They got on another flight, but this one was much later than planned, and not a direct flight either. So Zach could not pick up Lars, but he got the grapes and dropped them off at his grandparent's house in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Lars's new flight returned via Dulles airport and Tina was able to pick him up in D.C. late Friday night. Then she had to drive to Pittsburgh on Saturday to get the grapes, so we could plant them today. But it was a perfect day for planting, and everything turned out well in the end!
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