I recently was invited to my friends farm to assist with planting the Twyris Vineyard at Lightsky Farm. Of course I jumped at the chance because not only is the farm itself completely stunning, but the family who invited me are some of my favorite people.
Winemaker Shawn Walters and his wife CeCe Chatfield have done an amazing job with all the improvements they have made to the property…there are so many beautiful gardens! Of course, the chickens, goats, pot belly pig and Scottish highlander cattle are also very sweet. It was great to spend time with Shawn, CeCe and their daughters Iris and Twyla (and I can’t forget Arlo, the cattle dog), who were on the tractor most of the way but then got distracted and could be heard giggling from the sweetgrass and rye most of the evening as we moved around the field.
The vineyard consists mainly of Pinot Blanc grapes, but also contains Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. After an evening on the tractor and “heeling in” (basically tamping some of the loose dirt left by the tractor around the base of the vine), we ended up at the kitchen table drinking a tasty beer and discussing the merits and challenges of farm life.
Sometimes I question why I have chosen to live where I do, but nights like this leave me with all the answers.
Twyla, CeCe, myself and Iris plant Pinot Blanc vines. Photo by Shawn Walters.
Shawn and CeCe move down the rows inspecting their work.
Twyla stops to gives Willy and Blue some grass as she gives me a tour of the farm.
Miss MayBelle
