[slowturtlewines]

First ever harvest of Slow Turtle plums - going to make a yummy port out of them. Lots still on the trees, will need to get them before the squirrels do #peskysquirrels #texasplums #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Check out the pollen ball this guy is lugging around - I have a feeling he has plans for it #texashoney #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Perhaps this little guy thinks if he does a good job helping to pollinate he’ll get that left over chocolate Easter egg??#pollination #txwine #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Interestingly, grapes do not rely on 🐝 or other insects for pollination, it’s the wind that’s chiefly responsible this task. With that said, only a fraction of the grapes actually do get pollinated, it varies from year to year, on average it’s ~40% here at Slow Turtle. (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

First pic of the new growth; crazy that we’re only ~3.5 months away from harvest 2018. #champanel #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Mountain Laurels are in full bloom at Slow Turtle; the air smells of grape Kool-Aid. (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Cruising through Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ and came across these markings in the road - better than a red carpet. #❤️🐢🍷 #saguaronationalpark #slowturtle (at Saguaro National Park East)

[slowturtlewines]

Never crossed my mind that ice wine could have been an option this year #nocrystalball #snowinaustin (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

On my list of things I’m thankful for: being able to sit down on Thanksgiving morning with Uschi (9) and in ~10 mins knocking out a first cut of #antietam from #williampatrickcorgan ‘s new album, #ogilala (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Naiya and I had a daddy-daughter night here at STV. She was figuring out the vine lamp that mummy made - had to capture. (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Checking in on the 2017 Slow Turtle Champanel rosé, numbers and progress are good. It will clear up over the next couple of months, will filter before bottling. Should be ready to enjoy in the spring! (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

A few Champanel leaves still hanging on, I expect the next big gust of wind will cut the number in half 🌬 #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Good times with @vinevault_ founder Elton Potts at his super cool full-service wine storage facility in Austin. The door to the vault was built in 1880 and is a work of art. Make a point to reach out and schedule a tour (VV is in Buckhead/Atl as well). (at Vine Vault Austin)

[slowturtlewines]

Late season pruning (Champanel is crazy vigorous), my helper only charged me $2 for dragging the cuttings to the compost pit. (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

What's the difference between a fruit-based desert wine and a fruit-based port wine? See pic. When the BRIX (i.e. sugar level) of the Texas persimmons wine dropped to 7 I added 190 proof Everclear to bring the fermentation to a grinding vault. Will rack and let rest for ~4 months then go to bottle. I expect this will need at least a year in bottle to smooth out, should be fantastic. Thanks @bbarringhaus for the suggestion, you get bottle #1. #❤️🐢🍷 #persimmonsport #everclear (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

Picked 18 pounds of Texas persimmons from our estate trees this summer - turning it into 5 gallons of desert wine. The color reminds me of motor oil (10W-40), don't let that put you off though as this makes a remarkably good wine. #❤️🐢🍷 #texaspersimmons #persimmonswine (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)

[slowturtlewines]

The hydro press in action. Love how gentle this press is with the grapes, pretty much sweet talks the juice out of their skins 😘 #harvest2017🍇 #champanel #❤️🐢🍷 (at Slow Turtle, Austin, Texas)