Mars Hill Vineyard

In 1992 I went to Pietrasanta Italy to work in the sculpture studios there and purchase some marble. I lived with a family in the former fort that overlooked the town for about 8 months. As I was consuming my fair share of the wine along with everyone else, it was expected that I help with the harvest of their small vineyard. Not a bad deal at all. This was not a sophisticated operation as we pretty much picked, crushed and waited for it to ferment. Not long enough, but over time it seemed long enough. Upon returning, I learned through the network of friends that Eric and DeAnne Seifarth at Crane Creek Vineyards were going to have a harvest party. Well with my vast experience in such things, it seemed I must attend. There would be wine involved after all. And as is often the case while drinking wine, interesting conversations and decisions are bound to occur. I told Eric how I was tired of simply mowing my property and I needed a crop to harvest instead of fescue. He gave me about a dozen vines (Cab Franc and Cab Sav) and I had a "vineyard" sort of. Well, a dozen vines is pretty easy, particularly in the first year and 12 vines on 8 acres didn't really seem enough. So, 100 chambourcin vines went in the following year. Better, but still not enough, and hey I did it with a shovel and a post hole digger. The following year, with a post hole digger on the back of my tractor, 600 cabernet sauvignon vines went in. Since then, I've added to where there are around 1000 vines predominately cab sav. Each year has had its "lesson" learned, sometimes with various expletives, but that is the nature of farming. I have been mostly selling my grapes to Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris Georgia and some home winemakers as well. I am not currently a winery, so I cannot sell any wine here. I will be posting my numbers as far as brix and ph leading up to harvest if anyone is interested in trying some home winemaking.

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