For sometime now I've been trying to imagine what it would be like to start my day in the vineyard.
My first decision was not to start in the vineyard but in the kitchen to bake bread for the day. This shouldn't be too difficult, just a matter of starting the fire in the oven, preparing the dough for the next day, letting the chilled dough settle to room temperature and bake.
Starting the fires seems like a good way to begin a day.
A brick oven seems like the good way to go. Probably feels like a tedious way to bake bread but maybe that's the point. Ultimately it's the aroma, crust and texture that counts and this is a great way emphasize that. And it takes a bit more care to do it this way. One has to pay attention and the attention makes the loaves more valuable.
Just enough bread for the day and maybe some croutons for soup tomorrow.
One of my greatest concerns in the vineyard is BUGS. One has to develop a BUG eye, the ability to see bugs. Unfortunately I treat bugs like commercials: if they aren't crawling on me I ignore them.
Karen has a great bug eye. From across the room I can tell when she's spotted something crawling around in the corner ten feet from her with no lights on. She has this certain expression that is a combination of disgust and why haven't I disposed of this creature yet. This habit is extraordinarily effective with her roses and orchids. She will notice immediately if there is something crawling underneath a leaf that shouldn't be there.
But I'm a big picture sort of person.
So with a vineyard it will be imperative for me to focus on a level of life that I am not accustomed. Early and often.
It is estimated that there are approximately 10 quintillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects alive. There are 1,017,018 species of insects in the world with some experts estimating that there just might be as many as 10 million species out there.
And they are hungry.
Our objective is to develop an organic, sustainable vineyard. So management of insects that are interested in dining on grape vines is rather important.
Oregon has a sustainable, organic program certifying vineyards for good agricultural practices. They offer assistance in attaining this certification and helpful hints about good practices.
The state of California provides all kinds of information about insects, plant diseases, recognition and methods for combating problems. There are descriptions of which bugs are good and of the good bugs which ones will eat other good bugs. Praying mantis eat other bugs. But they do no discriminate. So they will eat any other bug that comes along including other praying mantis. So it is important to know which bugs have a taste for the bugs that can do the damage.
An Adult Spined Assassin Bug: sensitive, likes moonlit walks and poetry and eats aphids and leafhoppers.
Actually it's more of a search. Where to find good grape vines for sale. If you click on the title link you will find a website describing vines for sale. There are even discounts for commercial growers (I hope that someday that's me).
This is a photo from the website of pinot noir grapes. 
Now my concern is that this is a Gallo pinot noir. I haven't researched exactly what that means in terms of quality but it needs to be explored.
In selecting grape vines it is also important to pick vines grafted on a hearty stock resistant to phylloxera, that nasty critter that just about wiped out European grapes in the late nineteenth century.
From Wikipedia: "Phylloxera was inadvertently introduced to Europe in the 1860s, possibly on imported North American vinestocks or plants. Because Phylloxera is native to North America, the native grape species there are at least partially resistant. By contrast, the European wine grape Vitis vinifera is very susceptible to the insect. The epidemic devastated most of the European wine growing industry."
It will be important to learn more about the root stocks that are most resistant also. So one step at a time. The site linked above has some very nice information on all facets of grapes, planting, pruning, etc. Well worth your time and effort.
Aren't those pinot grapes lovely?
This is a nice Wikipedia photo of the West Side Market. The Market is a true Cleveland icon. It has been saved, remodeled and praised.
As a child my mother would take me from Scranton Road and Clark Avenue, by trolley, to the Market. The large vaulted, ceramic tiled interior space had all kinds of permanent vendors selling all kinds of meat, cheese and produce. There were whole carcasses of all kinds of animals. It is a real experience. If you go there often enough you get to know the vendors and there is always an interesting conversation.
What I remember most though were the outside vendors. Wrapped around two sides of this building were farmers' stalls, open to the air, that were occupied several days a week. These were my wonderment. The farmers would split open their summer melons and offer slices to assure you of their quality. There was much given away in the hope of a sale.
These outdoor stalls at more contemporary markets have no where near the character and ambiance of those at the West Side Market.
These white tents have to be set up and taken down by each vendor. They might provide a nice bright soft light on the sales area but little beyond that.
This is a corner entry and an interior photo. To my liking there have been too many upgrades over the years. The "outdoor" stands have been enclosed with tacky metal roofed enclosures. Cleveland winters are brutal and greenhouse farmers that work the winters are certainly far more comfortable. In the past there were canvas coverings and fires going in 55 gallon drums to keep everyone warm. The interior, with its wooden stands, brick piers and vaulted ceramic tile ceiling is truly unique.
Here's a birdseye of the stands that wrap the market building.
So the winery gets permanent stands. Yes it might be expensive. But it may just fix a memory of an elegant, rich, fresh, aromatic, lively market in the mind of another small child.
As part of the landscape of the winery and vineyard there needs to be a few alternative crops. Because this venture is intended to have a very long life, planting, maintaining and harvesting olive trees seems appropriate.
During my stay in Orlando, we used to frequent a farmer's market in Winter Park on Saturday mornings. One stand featured a variety of olive oils from many different countries. As time went on we tried a number of varieties amazed by the various flavors.
Fine olive oils provide a wonderful compliment to so many foods.
I don't know much about these trees but a few things I've read indicate that they are fairly disease resistant and easy to maintain. They must be hardy since very old trees can be successfully transplanted. I was surprised to see 20 year old trees listed as a standard catalog item.
It would be nice to line the entry road to the winery with olive trees, set back far enough so as not to drop fruit on the roadway but balanced enough as a part of the entrance. At least that's one thought.
How many times have you heard someone say "Even I can do that."
A good friend of mine sold AutoCAD software at one time. He had to take classes, learn the basics of how to use the program so that he could explain it to potential buyers. After awhile he decided that, since he knew how to use the drawing software, he would design his new house. HE knew how to "draw" and HE wouldn't need any help. HE could do it on his own. So I politely kept my mouth closed.
About a year later he told me that he would never design and build a house again.
I have heard this kind of story many times. We all possess certain skills and affinities. To assume that any of us can do anyone else's work because it looks simple is a rather silly idea.
I've learned to love music, painting, building, ice skating, writing, poetry, etc. not because I am good at any one of these but because I have tried them and they are not easy and I appreciate the great talents in other people. When it looks easy it is because the professionals have so much practice that they make it look easy.
There's a line in this movie that is rather fascinating. Apply this to anything that you're involved in. It starts out with Miranda (Meryl Streep) criticizing some clothes:
This has sequins, but it's denim. It's of no use to anyone. We need to give women clear choices about -- (to ANDY) What are you looking at?
ANDY
Me? Nothing, I--
MIRANDA
You think you're above this, don't you? We're talking about skirts and you're smirking.
ANDY
I'm not smirking.
MIRANDA
Inside, you're smirking.
And now the room is totally silent. Everyone there has had this happen to them at one time or another, and they're just grateful this time, it's not them.
ANDY
No, no, no. I'm not. I'm not above anything. That's my motto. I swear.
MIRANDA
You see that droopy sweater you're wearing? That blue was on a dress Cameron Diaz wore on the cover of Runway -- shredded chiffon by James Holt. The same blue quickly appeared in eight other designers' collections and eventually made its way to the secondary designers, the department store labels, and then to some lovely Gap Outlet, where you no doubt found it. That color is worth millions of dollars and many jobs.
What happens in architecture today, and wine making and many other professions is that the STARS provide the latest and greatest and everyone down the line rides the wave. Next year it's something new and everyone follows that path. It's just that the path is eventually dominated by cost and the high-end design is reduced to the quickest, most base method of production.
The simplest example in architecture is the International Style. Even the best architects had problems achieving the simplicity of this envelope. But the developers, understanding the significant savings potential from the previous ornamented buildings at the turn of the century, jumped on the band wagon and promulgated the style to the Nth degree. And it still flourishes today among the developers interested in short-term profits.
What is so offensive though is that much of our lives are driven by FASHION, or this concept of FASHION. This season it's skirt lengths are above the knee and next season it's Malbec. How much manipulation is there in wines today in order to achieve what the masses desire?
I am surprised that there is no interest in what goes into this blog. Well it probably be better if it was updated, added to at least 5 days a week rather than every month. OK let's give it a try and start to implement some of the tools that I am learning about blogging.
Otherwise this thing will not go anywhere and it's getting t the point where the vineyard is becoming all important.
Beside the vineyard there will be other interruptions as seem appropriate or as I feel the need to simple put ideas forward.
Here's one that I bet no one picked up on. This is a new one for me.
I often think about the kinds of things I would teach if I had the opportunity. Since I am an architect my focus would primarily be in that field. So here's one: In a course called professional practice I think I have a new approach. Typically this is a small course that covers specifications, some general business concerns but never really hits on the problems of what architecture is all about. So my thought is to have student, in 2's or 3's or 5's for architectural firms. What type of firm, what are the legal arrangements, where would the firm practice and why, what kind of work would be done, clients, what kind of marketing, who hires, who fires, who gets paid and how much, what kind of growth, what happens in a recession? And on and on. There are issues of software, hardware, communications, office standards, hours per week, vacation time and sick time, bonuses and profit sharing. What happens with a rogue designer. When an employee brings in a job.
A lot of work, eh? The kind of work that almost all young architects and interns say they never receive in school.
Considering that the several properties being considered for the vineyard have natural springs I have to carefully look at an old favorite energy generation system: hydropower.
I've always liked this idea and researched it about 30 years ago. There certainly have been advancements in efficiency but the premise is the same: moving water turning a wheel.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the type of electrical generation is that it lends itself more to the music. Ah, the sound of water.
My daughter once suggested designing a roof that would sing when it rained.
There are so many possibilities here that it will be worth trying a number of different ones.
Well, I learned a couple of things today. It's all about design, architecture and building in a new environment. In considering necessary construction on the vineyard I am developing various designs using different materials. My daughter says that houses in California don't have basements. A search on the web indicates that one reason is the prevalence of earthquakes. But mostly because there is no frost in CA.
Later in the day I came across an interesting video. The American Institute of Architects is holding their national convention in San 
Francisco soon. The promos include videos of significant SF buildings. One of these is the US Mint. It has 3 foot thick granite walls, was built in 1874 and has a basement. The excavation for the foundation was over-sized so that a mixture of sand and soil was placed below and adjacent to the building foundations. As a result it survived the 1906 earthquake intact even though it moved 3 feet horizontally.
Well, this one's definitely not winding but it would probably have the same charm if not more.
There are certain images that give a key to what the design objective is. This is one. The final access road probably won't look like this but the feeling, ambiance ought at least approach this.
Here's one more to reflect on. Yes the fog gives it that nice iridescence but imagine it with sunlight and olive trees. The texture of the surfaces along with the lights provide the context for the larger environment.
Finally there is the serpentine path. This excellent photo by Ansel Adams establishes the photographic ideal that has been repeated many, many times.
After reading David MacCaulay's book City I've been fascinated with the construction of Roman roads. The construction is simple but enduring.
why some have lasted longer than others. But the basic concepts are there. Dig deep enough to eliminate the refuse. Provide a good drainable base varying the layers from large stones to smaller stones. Make sure these are drainable, Secure the edges so the outward forces created by the load of cars and other vehicles does not spread the structure or substructure. Finally, provide a solid top with large paver surfaces. Crown the top finish for drainage.
There is an old granite quarry on site. It would be fantastic to sell more of that in exchange for granite curbs. I have always loved those curbs when they were brought in for new streets or street repaving in the cities I've been in. Wanted to take one home but could never pick the darned thing up.
While investigating irrigation methods for vineyards a rather unique device emerged. If you remember there are 16 springs on this site. It will be important to move water around the site for many different reasons. Also if this enterprise is to be as energy efficient as possible then any method of moving water that does not involve the used of electricity is desirable.
This brought to mind the fountains at Longwood Gardens. These are completely hydraulic. In other words they operate without electricity.
Enter the RAM PUMP. This description is courtesy of the nice people at Clemson University. It includes a complete description of the components as well as how it operates and assembly. Here's another version probably from Mother Earth News.
Locating the springs and determining their flow will be the first steps. Since the efficiency of a ram pump is only about 1:8 it is hoped that some of the springs are high enough not to require this type of system although, with a bit of creativity, the additional 7 gallons could be used in different ways.
"Most of the surrounding hills on the east side are composed of Franciscan formation soils while along the west side are various outcroppings of granite, further evidence of the fault action which is moving the Point Reyes peninsula."
This is from the Tomales Bay website.
In the ongoing quest to analyze a site for vineyard development another objective is to look as the soil and the myriad of aspects dependent on soils.
Here's my preliminary list of concerns:
What is the ideal soil for growing grapes?
What native plants occur in the area?
What native plants are beneficial?
What kinds of wildflower, grasses, trees and shrubs will flourish?
Are there good soils for vegetables, fruits and herbs?
How would the soil have to be changed in order to support some of these other plants?
What can this particular terroir add to various grapes and their resultant wines?
What kinds of compost be generated?
Where should the compost be stored and how used?
What animals are valuable to the development of the vineyward and which will remain healthy in this geographic area?
Are manures valuable to grape growing?
How does one check for soil deficiencies and how ofter?
How much water is available in the soils?
How much water must be added for successful growing either naturally (rain) or artificially (watering)?
What kind of irrigation systems are there and which are the best in this situation?
If insecticides are necessary, how are they used and distributed?
What in the existing soils is detrimental to vine growth?
It should be noted that grapes are very tolerant of a variety of soils. The consensus is that the depth of the soil and whether it is well drained are more important factors. But with everyone talking about "terroir" these days, understanding the dirt may very important.
As the research continues answers to these questions will hopefully be answered.
Studying the property on Google Earth the line drawn from lower left to the upper middle is, very roughly, a rise of 400 feet across a horizontal distance of 1600 feet. This amounts to a 25% slope, too much for normal vehicular traffic. The maximum slope for automobiles is about 15% and certainly is the slope must be traversed 10% would be more comfortable. This line is about 0.41 miles.
Now there are all kinds of problems in road design in getting from the bottom to the top but let it be said that the slope should be gentle and certainly considered in light of where vines are planted, building are built and of course the kinds of views and perspectives available.
Just a quick look might yield a roadway along the line drawn on the map below. This line is about 0.55 miles. 
Just found a very nice addition to Google Earth. Shadows can be projected across the terrain for today. This makes for a quick analysis for which parts of the site receive the most sun and which site elements project shadows. A nice planning device but a date variable should be added.
Of all the parts of the process of design, there is none more important than the site. And it is not necessarily the specific location, although those pluses and minuses must be tallied, but environment of the site that is so important.
This is my opportunity to write the story. At this point it will be fiction although facts and real places will be used as much as possible so that the challenges can be based in reality.
This is the start of a vineyard. It will include a winery and a number of other components.
The reasons for this venture are multiple and will certainly become evident as the story progresses. This is a 'seat-of-the-pants' venture into something I know little about. But if you have seen Paula Scher Gets Serious on TED then you'll understand better why it makes sense.
Here are the basics: Iam an architect so the process will generally follow typical design process; cooperation is paramount, contributions from outside sources, comments big and small are welcome; this is a family enterprise, they are the primary resources on site but I have confidence that there are many other important people to be involved.
No one follows this blog so part of my effort will go into fomenting interest.
As the title indicates this is a story. Hopefully I can develop some intrigue along the way. Not being a writer this should prove to be an interesting experiment.
OK so we're off to one of our favorite galleries in DC to see a showing of "art glass".
One never knows whether the craftsman has exceeded his craft. But yes, Mr. Tagliapietra has done just that. Besides his extraordinary work exhibited at the Renwick, several notations caught my attention. One regarded his collaborators and the other was a list of 'assistants'.
Mr. Tagliapietra notes that he and his assistants engage in a 'dance' to create the works. Further on, one of his collaborators notes that while working with the master on goblets that he "was definitely in the zone".
These 2 comments will certainly touch many artists. There are those time when doing the work of art becomes a dance or music performance, not in the common way but certainly employing actions that demand precision, coordination and an elegant flow that can only be described as dance or music. These effort is often surprising, gratifying and exhausting while at the same time being exhilarating. It is as if you, as an individual, are no longer in control.
Mr. Tagliapietra's work certainly exemplifies that quality.
I really believe that the work of the vineyard and the making of wine can take on the same qualities.
