A hive of activity

Like a parking lot up there

We have three teams of workers here today to complete the winery and other work in the shed. One team is installing the electrics, another the plumbing, while the third tackles a cradle for the Black Demon. To shape the cradle, we had to flip the Black Demon onto its deck. It took the entire crew to carry that off. 

Off the trailer and over on its deck.

Sasha and Dmytro eyeing the curvature

Meanwhile, back in the vineyard, I continue tying bags onto the grapes. It seems to be working with the multiple kites, CDs and bags. Fewer birds are evident amongst the vines. I have tried all three types of bags and the green mesh with two drawstrings is the best by far. The one with the attached tab with single drawstring is suitable for the dump. 

Alex was tying up the vines that had broken loose in the big wind we had the day before yesterday. It appears to have dried out some of the vines, with the Chardonnay looking the most affected. 

Chardonnay showing wind damage

The equipment has been ordered and should be en route from Croatia or somewhere. The rest -- bottle cleaning and filling stuff -- is coming from the UK and we don't have to order it yet. 

I have my desk for the winery - the one from the library at Ross House. We need a refrigerator for the yeast and other supplies, including beer. :)

More bagging being done. Green mesh bags are the best!

Pretty rose flowered today.

Alex installing the new stands for his beehives. 

Cradle complete

The Black Demon on rollers

Desk and file cabinet for winery

The old wine rack from Ross House

And just like that, our winery is ready for action. Pretty amazing actually. 

We've brought all the old papers from Ross and the German 1700s dowry trunk to the shed as well, and Alex will spend the winter going through it all to decide what to keep. Some of the papers will be going back to Germany. 

ESB is coming Friday afternoon to install the new Smart Meter so we'll be able to install solar panels after that. It's all coming together now.