Taking a breather

[JohnT]

Well folks,

After making wine for 22 years, and hosting "Crush Parties" for 17 years, I am taking a break. I have decided against having a crush this year.

It is almost a relief at this point. Between playing "beat the clock" to get eveything bottled in time, and the stress of all the details that I worry over for crush, and the fact that I would simply rather sprawl out on a beach somewhere and enjoy my summer, I came to realize that I needed a well deserved break.

I turn 50 this summer and I am in FULL MID LIFE CRISIS! If I am ever to smell the roses, now is the time.

I told the members of my group, and they (for the most part) were very understanding. It helped that we just finished off our "summer crush" of chilean grapes. I expected them to be rather upset and disappointed, but that was not the case. Just goes to show what a great bunch of guys I am involved with.

There is still a lot to do. I need to finish bottling the 2010 (I bulk age 2 years), and bottle all of the 2011. I figure that there will be a short window of about 2 months where there will be no wine in the winery. Imagine that!

My plan is to have my next crush in the fall of 2013. By then I should be good to go for another 17 years.

I just can't wait to relax!

johnT.

 

[Deezil]

Glad to hear you're really not going anywhere, 'cause that would suck...

But everyone deserves a break & sounds like you've been on a long-haul

Enjoy the vay-cay, hope you make the best of it - just dont get too comfy in the sand!

 

[dangerdave]

Chill out, John! Take a break! Sounds like you deserve it.

But don't do the crisis thing. Rise above it! I turn 50 next year, and I'm looking forward to it! You can only do so much. You will never do everything you want to. My goal in life has always been to enjoy what I am doing. Yesterday's gone. Tomorrow can take care of itself. Relax. Breath. Drink some wine.

There. Isn't that better?

 

[BobF]

I turn 52 this year. I got my crisis over in my thirties so I wouldn't have to worry about it later on.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Nothing like a break to from something you enjoy doing to make it more enjoyable again or to remember why you enjoyed when you began the journey.

Take a break, relax, and have fun...

 

[g8keeper]

Nothing like a break to from something you enjoy doing to make it more enjoyable again or to remember why you enjoyed when you began the journey.

Take a break, relax, and have fun...

lol....i took between a 3 and 4 year break from wine making myself....just got started back up again a few months ago after a few years of badgering from family and friends....i had wound up burning myself out, not to mention losing the support of the club i had belonged to as well as a certain life event that just sucked the passion right out of me....and thanks to that, i wound up with 5 batches that were sitting, not being taken care of during that period, having to be dumped out because they were all oxidized...everyone needs a break, just like winemaker said, to be able to enjoy and appreciate what they normally enjoy doing, and realizing why...hell, and i'm only going on 42....lol...

 

[Wade E]

I hear ya there Jon, just did the same and got everything bottled that was in the wine room last Sat and Sunday which took all of about 9 hours. From here on in when I do ever start back up it will be at a much smaller scale also. Im in the middle of moving also so now I have to transport well over 1000 bottles but that is much better then moving full carboys!

 

[Runningwolf]

Hey John what a perfect opportunity! Skip the crush and go the Welches route! Just think of all the time you're going to save and the mess also! I did the 50 thing almost exactly 6 years ago. It was just another day for me. Being involved as much as you were in wine making I understand the need to want to take a break from it. You got a great bunch of guys around you by the sounds of it and I know you'll always be there for them. You actually might find that someone else will take the lead now and you can sit back and participate as you wish. Just don't stray far from WMT as we would miss you.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Hey John what a perfect opportunity! Skip the crush and go the Welches route! Just think of all the time you're going to save and the mess also! I did the 50 thing almost exactly 6 years ago. It was just another day for me. Being involved as much as you were in wine making I understand the need to want to take a break from it. You got a great bunch of guys around you by the sounds of it and I know you'll always be there for them. You actually might find that someone else will take the lead now and you can sit back and participate as you wish. Just don't stray far from WMT as we would miss you.

Dan - you had to go there!!! Bar the door down!!!

 

[Julie]

JohnT have a good time at whatever you are going to do, and like Dan says, do stray to far from Winemakingtalk. And don't be listening to Dan, Old Orchard has a wider variety of flavors you could be making

 

[JohnT]

Folks,


(MY 1,500th POST!!!!!)


Thanks for the kind words.

I am not planning on going anywhere. I will still be around on the blog. I would not give that up for anything.

johnT.


PS: Shame on you wolfie. You know I LOVE Welches! Spread on some bread with a little peanut butter, there's nothing better!

 

[ibglowin]

Retiring at the ripe old age of 50 eh......

You know if you don't use it you lose it!

Enjoy the break, the grapes will still be around waiting for someone to coax them into something else when your ready to pick it up once more.

 

[Rocky]

John, you should put on a nice Barolo before you take your break. By the time you come back, it should be pretty fine! Stay in touch.

 

[Runningwolf]

Folks,


(MY 1,500th POST!!!!!)


Thanks for the kind words.

johnT.


PS: Shame on you wolfie. You know I LOVE Welches! Spread on some bread with a little peanut butter, there's nothing better!

Geesh you had to mention that. Now we'll get someone like Julie trying to make peanut butter and jam wine!

 

[JohnT]

Geesh you had to mention that. Now we'll get someone like Julie trying to make peanut butter and jam wine!

Hmmmmmm. What a great idea! It will go well with Campbel's Chicken Noodle Soup.

 

[Runningwolf]

By the way congratulations on your 1500th! You DA Man

 

[Hokapsig]

I just turned 50 last Thanksgiving. This IS my midlife crisis....

 

[saddlebronze]

John, I took a 25 year break to raise kids, so I am in the opposite camp. Also, I had my midlife crisis in by thirties, so now I am enjoying the fact that I am a 50 something that girls don't look at anymore and I don't have to be cool anymore. I have become my father and it feels good. Enjoy the time off.