Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Day 51 of Clare Valley Vintage - Spreading the word

Published:  23 July, 2008

G'day Folks. If you're a subscriber to my own theory then you'll know that in any long lasting relationship there needs to be passion.

So when I was woken this morning at 4:45am for a conference call to the US to discuss biodynamics and natural forms of farming - I can tell you the passion was tested. In my mind there's nothing natural about being awake at that time. (Hi Don and Julianne - really great to talk to you!)

To discuss something that is so very important requires some clarity of thought and of course passionate feeling. All relationships need work and renewed enthusiasm and so to test them is sometimes good for the constitution. Regardless of your passion or whether yours is a vinous love, sometimes we can become complacent or jaded about our feelings.

We can be happy with the status quo but not entirely sure why. When we put our feelings on the line it's a rather giant leap of faith. We open ourselves to criticism, to negativity and to change but for those that have the will - it can be such an exhilarating feeling. This is where we grow.

As winemakers or grape growers we often adopt a particular style or evolve a cellar palate. Sometimes we forget to look at the other options or new developments because we're so confident in what we were confident in years ago.

Although the discussion this morning was based on biodynamics, I found myself embarking on the day from a different perspective. I began to taste the ferments with a new outlook. Today was about questioning the choices, reviewing the temperature regimes and the barrel selection. It was about rethinking the blending options and plans for the coming weeks and in some cases accepting a new fate. It was fine tuning the edges and redefining the passion. It was growing.

Who would have thought that it would have appeared in the early hours of the morning. Although I will argue it was still night time. Bon Nuit.

Kerri Thompson is winemaker/director of KT & The Falcon

Keywords: