states

Copied from a humorous email. I couldn't track down the source, aside from the fact it came from my Nephew.

Dear Red States...We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us.In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.To sum up briefly: You get Texas , Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood. We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom. We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss. We get 85 percent of America 's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama . We get two- thirds of the tax revenue; you get to make the red states pay their fair share.Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch ofsingle moms.Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro- choice and anti- war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of the country's fresh water, more than 90 % of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 % of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 % of America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners) 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low- sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT. With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 % of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 % of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 % of the hurricanes, 99 % of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 % of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia. We get Hollywood and Yosemite , thank you. Additionally, 38 % of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 % believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 % say that evolution is only a theory, 53 % that Saddam was involved in 9/11,and 61 % of you crazy b*****ds believe you are people with higher morals than we lefties.

Peace out,Blue States

2008 Harvest & Wine news

Enough of Politics for awhile. The Tsu-Bama-Nami happened. The Obama voters still have smiles on their faces, and we are enjoying the Post election "glow". The McCain voters are experiencing a range of emotions. I'm choosing to give them some space, but hope that they recognize Obama will be their President. I have had a couple of odd post election conversations though. I was talking to my next door neighbor yesterday, and he made an odd comment. He said, "are you still celebrating your victory". I stated that, yes I was happy but, that Obama is his president too. I received no reply.

2008 is proving to be a much different year than prior years. Light rainfalllin the Spring, a late frost, and an odd growing season, has lead to a very low yield. Comparing year over year, my own estate harvest yielded about half the grapes in weight and yield than last year.

Production and yield across Northern California is showing yields down about 25 - 30% year over year.

I have augmented the lack of my own vineyard by purchasing more grapes. I bought 1000 lbs of Tempranillo from a grower in Placerville, 600 lbs of Vermentino from a grower in Plymouth, 1150 lbs of Syrah from a grower in Plymouth, 1000 lbs of Malbec from a grower in Sheldon, and 1000 lbs of Petite Sirah from a grower in Lodi.

The grape quality this year is proving to be quite good. All the 2008 harvest has finished fermentation, and all has been pressed. These young wines are are currently settling (waiting for the solids to settle out), and some have finished this process, and been moved to Oak barrels.

I have tons of bottling to do. The 2007 wines were very nice. The 2006 Petite Sirah was double gold medals at two different competitions.

The winemaking has been a good release from the distractions from the electoral mud slinging.
It is good therapy for me. This time of year, I have a constant buzz. Since I'm doing something with the wine every day, I also happen to sample every day. As such, I have perpetual purple fingers, a purple tongue, and close to a constant hangover. I'm not complaining.

In Vino Veritas "in wine there is truth". Drinking wine with my conservative friends and neighbors reaches across the divide. Maybe I'll send Obama a case or two to share with the Republican leadership in the Senate and House.