Champlain Valley - Grapemans' vineyard - Planting to small winery

[grapeman]

Alright you asked for it but don't expect anything fancy. This just shows the new floor before I pressure washed the interior walls today after pruning and hedging all morning before the rain.

Now a picture to show the walls I have to begin with. I cleaned them up and will paint them. I need to put some OSB on one more wall and then I will paint it all. Nothing fancy at this time. I need to install the lights. All I have in place are some temporary ones I put in to see since the electricity had been removed almost 20 years ago in that area.

 

[Wade E]

Almost looks as if you did the ceiling with cement also, very wet looking. Floor looks good!

 

[grapeman]

It looks wet Wade, BECAUSE IT WAS WET

I pressure washed the walls and ceiling to get rid of all the crud from the barn. I am going to paint all of it to seal it all up until I decide what kind of final finishes I want to use in it. Those white spots on the ceiling are big water drops. Man did I get soaked!

 

[ibglowin]

Looking good!

 

[Wade E]

OK, I knew you were doing the walls but didnt know about the ceiling!

 

[xanxer82]

There are some really nice durable epoxy finishes nowadays.
Just hose it down and it's clean.

 

[grapeman]

Yeah Dan, there are some really good ones out there. Once I decide on one I will likely be using it. Simple cleanup will be important. That's why the all-way draining floor. No matter where I run the hose, it will drain away from the walls.

 

[AlFulchino]

looking good Rich....its a long haul

 

[Waldo]

Oh yeahhhh !!! I can see it coming !!!

 

[Goodfella]

Looking really good Rich.


....and I kind of like Waldo's decorating ideas

 

[grapeman]

Well Waldo, we will see how close you came this fall when I am in there and using the place. Remember I design houses, so you can bet it is already in the computer in many forms. This is just one of a number of rooms in the building, so it won't have all the features in it and nothing fancy. The big windows with the view of the vineyard will be in the tasting room.


I have been growing the grapes for the vineyard and remodeling the building with virtually zero budget and funds. The finishes suffer, but it will be functional and a place to start.


I still like that place in Texas up for auction, but mine will have to do for now.

 

[Waldo]

Would be nice having you as a neighbor appleman

 

[fivebk]

I second that Waldo !!!!

BOB

 

[Runningwolf]

Rich, are you going to stain or paint the floor. Once you paint it you always have to keep after it. when I poured my patio I stained it after it cured with Behr's concrete stain and put four coats of sealer on it. It looks as good as the day I did it. I would not advise putting all those coats on for your floor as you know it is slippery when wet. But staining any day over paint for me.

 

[grapeman]

Would be nice having you as a neighbor appleman

Well then, move on up Waldo and Bob

 

[grapeman]

After three days of working in 90 plus degree heat in the sun, I have most of the eastern end of the vineyard under semi-control. I began on Friday by tying up a few rows of older vines. Then I tied up the second and first year vines(I replaced the Cab Franc and Traminette with LaCrescent). I also pulled weeds and used the string trimmer on them. I also had to set some posts, string wire and so on. That ended the day and I ended up with this.

Saturday I began on training up six rows in my training trial I had set the posts in and put the wires up. It was a big job, having to decipher the structure of the vine I wanted to keep and cut away everything else. Progress was slow and so was I in the heat. I then had to go back and use the trimmer between the vines and then mow the clippings and grass/weeds.

I had limited time on the Fourth to work in the vineyard but finished the last couple of rows as above in that section. I had to treat my wife to a Royal Day and then we went to her family's fourth/birthday celebration.

These pictures weren't great because I tried to stand in the early morning shade and the contrasting bright sun was too great for my camera. This is as I was finishing up the last few panels this morning.

A couple rows of vines.

If I get outside before it gets too hot, I need to finish setting a dozen posts before I can string the wire in those six rows in that block, and begin training all over again.

I then need to set most of the posts and string the wire in my 20 row south vineyard. That is the section that froze worst this spring, but overall they are looking pretty good.

 

[Runningwolf]

Rich, the vines look awesome! You sure will be rewarded for all you're hard work.

 

[ibglowin]

Wow, no rest for you! Vines are looking happy and healthy.

If only you could clone yourself! Hmmmmmm.......

 

[AlFulchino]

lookin good.....your gonna be in great shape!

 

[fivebk]

Vines look great Rich !!!

BOB