Bettina and I have been very blessed over the course of our first year at Cellardoor. Our experience has been one of growth - of grapes in the Vineyard, fruits & vegetables in the gardens, friendships from the farmhouse kitchen to coffee shops in town, and personal growth that comes when you leave one decaying world behind for the promise of a new life-giving one. Sure, we’ve had moments of struggle and frustration when things didn’t unfold the way we planned. But those moments were few and far between and we were fortunate enough to not know loss - until recently.

Last week we received the phone call that our friend and Youngtown Road neighbor Barbara had passed away. A young woman who had spent many years on Earth, Barbara was always quick to smile and welcome you into her world. The fact that she made some of the finest canvas bags ever produced was trivial relative to the love and quality she put into the relationships she had with those around her. Bettina and I knew Barbara for one very short year, but she left an impression with us that will remain for a lifetime.

There will be many happier moments in the future up Youngtown Road at Cellardoor; and Barbara will be smiling along with us during those times. But for the moment we acknowledge with a heavy heart and bowed head the dark lamp in the front parlor of the neighboring house. Godbless, Barbara and thank you for the love.

Happy Anniversary to Us! This past Friday, February 15th, marked a significant day for us here at the Vineyard. Friday was “Day One Day” - the first anniversary of the day Bettina and I became the proud new owners of Cellardoor Winery. While there are a number of other significant and memorable days associated with our ownership of Cellardoor (e.g., “Eureka Day” - the day we found the Vineyard; “Let’s Do It Day” - the day we decided to buy Cellardoor; and “You Bought the Farm Day” - the day we learned that Cellardoor was ours), Day One will always hold first place in my heart. On a bright, crisp February morning Bettina and I stepped into a 200 year-old farmhouse kitchen and took our first steps into our future. An eclectic collection of people who would become our friends and colleagues over the course of the year had gathered inside awaiting our arrival. Excited conversation tinged with laughter frolicked with the scent of fresh roasted coffee and warm scones. Although a whole year has passed, the sense of family, community and gathering has only grown stronger. As I write this, a pot of coffee is brewing, sweet scones are piled high on a plate and a group of people has gathered to share stories, laugh and make plans for our next year.

The More Things Change… If you came to visit us this year, you of course know that our 1790’s post & beam barn has been fully restored and updated, offering a grand tasting bar, a state-of-the-art kitchen facility, loft seating area and fabulous views of Maine’s first vineyard. Although the old gal received an updated wardrobe to go with a lift here and a tuck there, she’s still the same proud matron that has presided over the farm for 200 years. And while the ownership of Cellardoor has changed, our winemaker has not - Bettina and I are thrilled that John Clapp is with us preparing our 2008 vintage. Based on his reports from the cellar, all of our wines are coming along nicely and promise to be some of John’s best work yet! We are especially looking forward to releasing our Chardonnay (which is currently aging in new French Oak), Stone Tower (our German-style Riesling), and our ever-popular blueberry wines - Maiden’s Blush and Blue Lobster Blue. Bottling begins in April but we’re guessing there’ll be a barrel or tasting or two between now and then!

A Taste of the Vineyard on Route 1. Bettina and I have fallen in love with the Vineyard and our guests who have shared their daydreams with us. Over and over we are reminded how lucky we are to have this magical place and fine wines to share with people. As Bettina and I thought about our experiences from our first year at the Vineyard we quickly agreed that the only way it could have been better was if we had shared it with more people. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’ve announced plans for “Cellardoor Villa”, our second retail and tasting location, opening in Spring 2008. The Villa will be housed in a restored 19th century Victorian home located at the intersections of Routes 1 & 90 in Rockport Maine. Our hope is to offer guests a taste of the vineyard in town, complete with wine tasting, desireable gifts, fine foods and chocolates, and some fun activities (more on these another time). Of course, the big question we get is “what color will you paint it?” Our answer - we still don’t know. But it will be eye-catching and tasteful. We’re still open to suggestions so please let us know your thoughts.

Last But Certainly Not Least. Back at the Vineyard, we will be planting an additional 2 acres of vinifera this spring as we continue to explore and push the boundaries of grape-growing in Maine. We are expecting our first new root-stock to arrive in April and we are looking for volunteers and Wine Campers to help us with the planting. Check out our website if you are interested in our new Wine Camp or just helping out in the Vineyard.