Dog Portrait

trying to get a picture with 8 dogs was not easy! Everyone's a diva!

Sainte Genevieve Christmas Parade

Did you see the parade? We finally got the firetruck parade ready! We loaded up the elves (grandkids) and away we went. A good time was had by all!

Veggie Bread Recipe

Here is the recipe for the bread we made this past weekend for Wine Diva. Thank you all for coming. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Veggie Bread

3 eggs
1 pkg yeast (2 ½ tsp)
½ cup milk, warmed
1 cup flour
½ shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup feta cheese in small cubes
2 oz black or green or both olives
¼ cup chopped red pepper or jarred roasted red pepper
Black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. in bowl, mix eggs, flour, & yeast. Add olive oil and slightly warmed mild. Add rest of ingredients and stir. Batter will be thick. Line a bread pan with parchment paper. Spread batter into pan and sprinkle with black pepper. Bake 45 min or until tested done. Bread can be made with any veggie of choice. We used chopped shredded carrots, & zucchini.

It's Harvest Time!

Here it is September, the kids are back in school, the weather is cooling off and harvest is under way. It was a good summer for us. A trip to Sanibel with our daughter was so much fun. Marty and I enjoyed the time away. Then in July, the girls and I took a road trip to Ohio to visit family who we hadn’t seen in a couple years. Along the way we stopped at a few wineries. As always, it’s nice to sample wines other than your own and to see how they do things. A winery in Indiana did not permit children to come up to the tasting bar. They had to wait for their family in a sitting area away from the bar.

The rest of the summer was taken up with grandsons coming to spend a week with grandma and grandpa. They each had their own week, except for the twins. They came together and thought they stayed a week. In reality, they were only here 1 night but they did enjoy their time. I enjoy this time with the grandsons. Not only do we have fun, but a special bond takes place.

Harvest has started and will continue for a few more weeks. We started with the Chardonel last week. The actual tonnage we received was a bit disappointing, however, the rest of the vineyard looks promising. Our first crush of the season went well. The juice is currently in the tank chilling. Next week, we will harvest the Traminette grapes. Picking will begin at 4am! It is better to pick the grapes when they are cool, so we often pick at night or in the early morning hours. Some of these grapes are being sold to another winery and must be delivered right after they are picked. Marty will then come home and begin crushing our portion of the Traminette grapes. It will be a long day! All of this will be taking place as the Tour of Missouri passes through wine country. Also, we have been putting our new bottling line to good use. How wonderful it is to have this piece of equipment!

This time of year is never dull!

Summertime

Ok, I know, it’s been nearly a month since you heard from me. Seems like spring came and went and before I knew it, summer was here and the heat had settled in. good ol MO heat and humity. The grapes don’t seem to mind. They thrive well in the hot weather. The clusters of fruit are forming nicely, looks like a good crop this year. I took a ride out into the vineyard earlier today and the bunches of grapes look beautiful!

Marty and I had the pleasure of joining our daughter and her family on vacation to Sanibel FL last month. Sanibel is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery of the ocean. I think it must have been MO week there. We talked to quite a few from St. Louis and surrounding areas. Of course, the shelling was fantastic. They were dredging a few miles from where we were staying so we were like many others, hunched over picking up our perfect shells. Family wanted to know what was Grandma going to do with all of those shells she insisted she was taking home. Grandma had the same question after being back home!

Grandsons are coming off and on for their summer stays. Working around ball games and camps have made scheduling a challenge this year but I think all will all be here at some point. Grandma loves to spoil them!

We’re getting geared up to bottle on our new bottling line. Bottles and labels are here, a few more adjustments to the new equipment and away we’ll go!

Come see us in the cool cave and sip some wine. We have added pitchers of sangria this season as well. I must say, it’s yummy!

Have a good 4th of July holiday!

Fun Filled Weekend

Last weekend was a fun filled two days. Starting off with the Progressive Dinner the Route du Vin wineries put together. We served pasta salad paired with our Chardonel Off Dry and I would claim that it was well received. These events are becoming a hit, so watch our websites for future events, or check out the RDV website www.RDVWineTrail.com and get in on the fun!

Also, our neighbors from Webster Groves, who we had not seen in a few years, came for a visit. We truly had a wonderful afternoon. Their girls and our girls were inseparable growing up, so it explained the non stop talking and catching up with each others lives. And of course, we had to show off our fire truck. Marty drove it over from the barn and all of the young ones (and old) had loads of fun and laughs. It was great to see them all!

Sunday we were treated by Cousin G to a real home made pasta lunch. After some discussion on what was in my pantry, he came up with a delicious menu with a 1lb of ground venison and eggs, flour, and a few cans of tomatoes. Within two hours, we had homemade pasta and meatballs. Family, employees, and our friends who stopped by, all enjoyed the delicious lunch. G said that this was a one time deal. He would not become my chef.

I have been tending my rows of vines, tying up, and gloving. I’m pleased how they look so far. Little bunches of grapes are already formed.

We expect a busy Memorial holiday weekend. Pray for good weather and come by and say hello!

It's Spring!!

Have been spending the past few weeks outdoors (weather permitting) planting flowers and creating planters of flowers. I am confident that I am 99% finished. Next week I hope to have that last plants arrive. Right now, they are still being babied in a wonderful, well cared, greenhouse here in Ste. Genevieve. We are lucky to have places to buy local.

A few weeks ago, the grandsons were all here and the older boys decided they would have a clubhouse by the walk out basement door. I didn’t see any harm with this so I gave the go ahead, until I realized all of our “junk” some how ended up in their club house! This I did put a stop to and insisted it be cleaned up. I kept preaching about snakes, “Keep the doors closed! Keep things from around the door to prevent hiding creatures!” You can guess what I am getting at. My cousin and his wife were visiting and staying the guest room downstairs. You guessed it - they saw a snake in the middle of the living area! Now granted, it was small, but big enough to freak us out. We caught it. They left the next morning (so would I). So now, when grandma says “Keep the door closed”, maybe they will hear me.

Our new bottling system arrived this week. It will be ready for operation in June. Stop by and see it!

Vines are growing with all the rain we’ve had. Unfortunately so is the grass in the rows between the vines. Because of the soggy ground, we can’t get in there to mow.

Hope to see you soon. It’s always nice to see friends!

Route du Vin Recipes

So many of you requested the cookie recipes from this weekend - glad you enjoyed them! We were happy to have such a great turn out for Jour de la Terre weekend! Hope to see you on the next Route du Vin Wine Trail event! (May 16-17, Progressive Dinner)

Grandma Strussione's Anise Biscotti
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
¼ tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 TBSP Anise Extract
1 cup sugar

Mix dry ingredients. Beat butter, sugar, & eggs. Add extract. Gradually add flour mixture. Turn dough onto floured surface. Divide in two. Form 2 logs approximately 3” wide. Place logs on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 min at 350 until golden brown. Take out logs, cut into ½’ cookies, put them back on cookie sheet, turn off oven, and put them back into oven to harden.


Grandma Strussione’s Pizzelle Recipe

4 eggs
2 2/3 cup sifted flour
2/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp anise extract
Pizzelle Iron

Mix ingredients and drop by spoonful onto hot pizzelle iron. Cook according to iron directions.

Blogging is a priority today! My sister, who follows my blog, let it be known to me that I haven't blogged for a while. Looking back on my notes, I realize she is right! My sister will be happy to read this blog.

Spring has arrived here in Ste Genevieve! It’s a favorite time of year for me. The beauty of nature coming alive is very uplifting. With the warmer days and time racing by (March is just about over!) my thoughts are on April and planting. I enjoy planning my flower beds; deciding what I can do this year that may be a little different from the previous year. It has always been a passion of mine. I hope you will take a moment or two and take a look at the flower beds around the tasting room. I am hoping to add a few different flowers this year and I am going to label the plants, in case you are wonder what they might be. Last year, guests had questions on a few of the plants, and if I wasn’t on the property to answer your question, you probably didn’t get an answer.

Last week, work was done to the pond in the cave. We have battled a leak in this pond since it was developed and after a few methods that didn’t work, we decided to line it with a rubber liner. (I know, this should have been done in the first place) Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we will have it all back together, looking natural once again.

Hope to see you soon, let’s sip a glass of wine while we enjoy spring!

Bad Dog

Tram was a bad dog last night! He had two big chicken dinners! This morning, when I looked out the window and saw all the feathers, I knew what had happened. Tram got into the chicken house and helped himself to two chickens! When he saw me, he knew he had been bad and that I was not happy with him. How, you ask? Because he squints his eyes to say “Sorry”. So, on my agenda today is to repair the hole in the screen that let this all happen. When you see Tram and he looks well fed – well, now you know why.

I have finished pruning my vines and moved on the help Vineyard Mistress. It was a beautiful day to be out and visit with her. We had not worked together since fall so we had plenty to chat about while we clipped. Only 5 rows to go!

Anyone have any comments about my blog? Would love to hear from you!

Until later…

Guest Blogger...

Hi, this is Angela blogging for mom. Mom, dad, and two of my sisters spent some time at my house last week. Most of them went to the Grape and Wine Conference at Tan Tar A. Somehow I talked mom into staying for the week and then babysitting over Valentines Day weekend for me. So, this week it was my turn to come and help her out with the Mardi Gras preparations. How writing her blog for her became part of the deal, I'm not sure. So here I am blogging, cooking and decorating. If you don't have any plans for this Saturday the 21st come by for a visit. Homemade gumbo is on the menu with rolls and cupcakes and Dave Cattani will be here playing live music in the loft. Throw in some good wine and some really cool Mardi Gras beads and you’ve got a perfect afternoon!

Love to Prune!

I enjoy pruning the vines! As I move down the row, each vine gives me a challenge and this is what I enjoy. Being out in the fresh air, gives me time to clear my mind. This year, I have taken on 1 acre of Chambourcin behind our house as my personal care. Vineyard Mistress and Newbie had their doubts whether I would actually follow through with this plan. Well, I have only four rows to go and I will have completed my acre! Looks like I'll be helping them finish the rest of the vineyard. I told Marty, " We’ll have one acre of Chambourcin either
the best looking vines in the spring or they will all be dead!"

Enjoy the beautiful weather that is coming our way this weekend - get out and drink some wine!

Bluebirds

This blue bird house is on our deck and the photo was taken from our dining room. It’s enjoyable for me to watch these beautiful birds from my window.
There is usually more then two and it’s not unusual to see 5 birds trying to enter the house one after another. This is the third year they have been in this house. We have snow and lots of it, but today the sun is out and its a beautiful sight out there. Marty spent time this morning plowing the parking lot so it is in good shape for those of you who will visit this week-end. I'm excited about our Mardi Gras party coming up in a couple weeks. I have been busy making cork bead necklaces for the occasion so be sure to check them out. I'm sure you will find one to your liking to wear that day - it should be a fun time. Dave and Dave will be playing music in the loft that day. Dave auditioned for American Idol in Kansas City and went on to Hollywood!

Back to watching the blue birds----until next time

We Survived the Holidays!

Happy New Year! I hope that all of you survived the month of December with all of the holiday hustle and bustle. It’s always a busy month for our family. We have three birthdays to celebrate – two before Christmas and one after Christmas. Usually, we have had enough cake that by the time that it’s Marty’s birthday (dec 26) we have pie. This years’ choice was peach. Yum!

Christmas is always a fun time here with all of the grandsons excited to be with each other once again. They wait patiently to open their gifts from each other. I am truly amazed how much they enjoy each other’s company. It is true when I say there is rarely a disagreement between them. Well, every once in a while, we do need to step in and have a little “discussion”.

Having everyone together I was hoping for a family picture, but as the day went on and I’d hear, “We’ll do that later mom”. We were blessed to have everyone’s dog visit as well. I also thought it might be fun to have a picture of all six of them (Cooper, Nikki, Bella, Dexter, Emmy Lou, & Titus). I was even going to encourage Norton and Tram to join in. It would have been a hilarious photo with Norton and Tram and all of the small dogs. Oh yeah, the dogs like being together and watch out for each other, especially Emmy Lou (a Chihuahua) she protects her man Dexter (a Bijon) I promise a photo at a later date.

So when you are at the winery and you look over at the house, put this image in your mind…9 kids having the time of their life and 6 dogs chasing each other. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

It’s a new year and a new start. I always think of ideas and feel refreshed this time of year. We are going to have a Mardi Gras party in the loft this February. Also, in May we will celebrate our 5 year anniversary with a weekend of fun events. The website will have all of the details when available.

After much discussion, we came to the difficult decision to charge for our wine tastings in the tasting room. The declining economy and increased costs helped play a part in the decision. However, we have not increased wine prices and, as always, we will offer you a memorable winery visit.

Until next time…