If this spring, now in its final days, seems wet and cool, it is.  A late killing frost on May 15 and torrents of rain since remind us that Mother Nature is in charge, not the winegrowers.  Humility and persistence are still needed in large equal measure.

Just how wet and cool has it been?  Rather than bore you with statistics like “twice the monthly rainfall” or “85% of target Growing Degree Days”, consider this:  for the first time in nine years of growing grapes on Mount Salem, we have small tree frogs chirping away in the vineyard at night.  Now, that’s impressive.

We will monitor the weather data carefully and adjust in the vineyard as needed, but I’m realizing there’s a silver lining in all these clouds.  Given our ever challenging environment, we are more engaged and vigilant than we otherwise would be, never taking anything for granted, like parents keeping watchful eyes on a sensitive but gifted child.  We know the potential is great, but benign neglect rarely yields excellence.

Speaking of excellence, just last week I caught up with Chef Paul Ingenito over a bottle of our 2012 Traminette here in the farmhouse library.  As always, I was inspired by his passion, creativity, and instincts in the culinary arts.  We hungrily anticipate his return to the Crush Pad and farmhouse kitchen.

Later, while walking the vine rows on a recent morning, I pondered the meaning of summer in June 2013, rendered to this:

• The thrill and melancholy of school’s last day;
• The miracle of new grapes, forming before our very eyes;
• A steely resolve to rebuild lives at the Shore;
• Real friendships, celebrated with a crisp dry rosé in the afternoon sun; and
• The endless possibilities, like a youthful romance, somehow possible only in summer.

Come visit soon, before autumn sends its first chill.