This Fall we have been to busy to blog, however here's a few shots Robert was able to grab in-between tours

The vines are waking up starting with the "crying" stage

The vineyards are full of growers working their craft.



Spring cleaning at our favorite Ciabot, getting ready for vineyard tastings. Not a bad day for Feb 23

The cold snap we and the rest of Europe have been stuck in is finally letting up with temps in the 50's. With Monviso and the tower of Barbaresco in the background, the snow is melting fast in Gallina, a well known vineyard on the west side of Neive.

With the vineyards drying out these growers are taking advantage of the warm weather to catch up on their winter pruning. From a distance it looks like a nice way to enjoy the spring temps.

However, this is very tedious and hard work. It's a very long game of tug of war, all while being very carful not to harm the single remaining cane that will provide this years fruit. The trimmings are left between the rows to be mulched in place by a tractor for compost.

Hard to believe this was just 4 days ago.

More vines that need pruning. This photo of our village, Neive, was taken from Coazzolo, an even smaller village just to our east.

The nebbiolo harvest is under way in Barolo and the weather has been
perfect

Theses nebbiolo grapes are waiting to be weighed and then it's off to the
De-stemmer & crusher. Destined for a bottle of Barbaresco in 3 years.

The last of many parties for the birthday girl at the E. Pira e Figli winery in
Barolo, its good to have friends who love Champagne as much as we
do (Pol Roger & Bollinger) thanks Bob & Chiara !!

The 2009 harvest is underway, the white's (Moscato,Chardannay,Arneis and
Favorita) are 90% finished. Producers are very happy with the 09 vintage.
Next up the red's (dolcetto,barbera,nebbiolo and many others.
This photo was taken from are kitchen balcony showing are neighbor Lorenzo loading
Moscato.

A small grower on his way to the public scale with his grapes

A sign of cooler weather on it's way, loading up our garage
with fire wood for the stuffa.

Even though it has been sunny every day for 2 months we do get a
few small and short storms rolling in. That's when the Guns of Barbaresco
start shooting sound waves in to the sky with hopes of breaking up any
hail or at least making it smaller they sound like a civil war canon

Hazel nut harvest is coming soon usually beginning in mid August
and ending just in time to start harvesting grapes

Robert helping Lorenzo (from cantina Vigin) spray for weeds in the
Montersino vineyard

Most of the work in late july and early August is trimming the vines and
spraying for Oidium (Powdery mildew)

Did you ever wonder how the rows of vines end up looking like the
ones on the right side ?

This is how: constant trimming. We really think Silvio needs an ipod !

The trimmer is made up of three lawnmower blades on the side
along with one on top. Yet another cool O.S.H.A. tool

Robert helping Davide bottle his 2007 Nebbiolo

This is as close to a minnesota T-storm we get here except they form in
about 5 min. and are over in 15 min. then the sun comes back out

We are having great weather this spring, warm and not too much rain.
These Nebbiolo grapes in the Starderi vineyard are growing fast

Happy 50th Lorenzo (end of table) Enjoying lunch with our friends and
Neighbors the Viglino family

The Local election is over now all theses temporary billboards can go
back in storage freeing up lost parking places.

A wine shop in Barolo thought photo copies of American wine reviews
under a few bottles of Barolo is a great way to sell wine. Who knew ??

Bud Break has started here in Barbaresco, a sure sign of spring

The vineyard workers replacing post in the Roncglie vineyard just north
of Pajore. Due to all the rain/snow this past winter many vineyards have
had mini landslide's and some vineyards have lost as much as 2 acres of
vines in one slide

She doesn't look like a frantic artist hurrying to complete a painting for her up
coming show this weekend in Treiso

A sure sign of winter, the pruning / cutting back of the vines after harvest
hard work that will last through jan. / feb.

Yet another reason we love living here even our garden has a
great view just past these vineyards is the southern boundary of the
barbaresco zone

Looking towards Treiso over the Ca' del Baio cantina (winery) in the
Valgrande valley which encompasses the vineyards Marcarini on the right
side, Valgrande on the left and Giacosa behind the winery

It's been very,very fogy and rainy almost seems planned. Step 1.
finish harvest. Step 2. rain like hell for 2 maybe 3 weeks.

good time to try a new varietal how about
PELAVERGA PICCOLO anyone ? Tasted like dolcetto
mixed with gamay not fantastic but a very serviceable
BBQ wine only a small amount makes it to the states
( the hunt is part of the fun right ?)

Harvest is finished in Barbaresco. Barolo should be done next week

Wow two of our favorite's in the same photo wine and biking !!